Faction Tying a Golden Knot | Hapan Royal Wedding of Prince Astor Daaray

[Corazona von Ascania]

Lysander von Ascania | Roman Vossari | Anneliese Kaohal

"He always has my caf ready for me in the morning, just as I like it," she said quietly after a moment of thought. It was not that Cora had to strain to think of an answer, but rather, she'd been fixed on so many of the mundane moments that it had been hard to select a single one. "And sometimes he- hey!"

She hissed, low and quiet as Lysander flicked her hand and dragged her from her rosy reprieve. The fan snapped shut just as the rumble of a distant explosion permeated the hall. Then another, and another. The guests' eyes were drawn away from the altar and toward the window to witness a ship, trailing a plume of dark smoke, streak perilously low until it crashed into a spire.

Then, the bride was stabbed. Instinctively, Cora threw an arm in front of Lysander in a protective gesture against an unknown threat as shrieks of surprise and terror tore through the room. Men hidden among the crowd as guests began to emerge, brandishing blasters.

Cora's mind raced, but a familiar voice had her head whipping around. "Roman! Annie!" she cried in relief to see that the pair was safe.

What do we do?

The hall was pandemonium as panicked guests sought to leave. The Queen's retinue was quick to try and rush her away, with Hapan guards and several Jedi guests already engaging the intruders. A lot of information filtered to them at a dizzying pace – the bride had been stabbed, a series of nearby explosions rocked the building, all of this wrought by a group who called themselves The Crimson Veil.

"We assist the civilians in escaping," she answered. "Hurry!"

Picking up her layered skirts, she rushed towards one of the closed doors guarded by a gun-wielding Hapan. A shove with the Force had him stumbling to the side, and the knight was upon him immediately. She attempted to wrestle his weapon away when the gun discharged in the struggle.

Cora's mind went blank, her expression falling neutral and her grip on the Hapan's arm going slack. It was only when his lips moved and the whispered words of a command slipped into her ear, did her brow furrow.

 

[Ben Khal]

In the front rows it was chaos. Overturned chairs scattered between the bodies of the fallen, blood pooling upon the altar. Ben rushed to get his family to safety, leading his parents toward the nearest exit. His mother had finally relented upon seeing Shaya murdered, abandoning all hope of this being a great day for their house.

“Go through the servants’ quarters!” Ben exclaimed, seeing Judah Dashiell and Liin Terallo heading in that direction. He didn’t want his parents getting caught in a stampede—

Danger! He whirled around just in time to see a Hapan Royal Guard shooting at one of the assassins. Struck by blaster fire, the man desperately fired his gun of command at her. The blast missed, striking Ben instead.

The world lurched. Ben staggered, falling to his knees as wedding guests ran past him. His brain had gone blank, his mind emptying. Thoughts that were not his own tumbled in to fill the void. Die, die! the inner voice urged. Kill yourself!

He reached for his lightsaber, unhooked it from his belt, and raised the emitter to his temple…

Suddenly a hand was on his wrist, prying the hilt from his grasp. Ben fumbled for another weapon, feebly trying to follow the command, until the man who had shot him fell to the vicious attack of a Chume'doro. His thoughts died with him. Ben went limp, insensate. A pair of strong arms scooped him up and began to carry him out of the cathedral...

 

[Ceri Fraissi]

SPARKY
FOUNTAIN PALACE | HAPES
TAG: Caelan Valoren | Open

SKYFALL​

Yay!

She didn't have to stretch her brain to remember his full title or whatever. He can just be normal friend.
"Awesome!" she grinned. "By the way, how often are you on Naboo? Would totes like to hang out when you're there." Age differences never got in Ceri's way of making new friends and just having fun.

But before they could really get a proper conversation going, things happened and then quickly escalated out of control.

Ceri's attention had briefly been on the bridal pair cause, to be a completely gushingly honest, the bride was really pretty and the groom wasn't too bad on the eyes either. It was one of Ceri's very brief "sigh" moments before everything went to hell.

She had watched some good holomovies in her life so far and some of them had action and other had horror. But the young Padawan had never thought she'd actually experience in one of them. The explosions had been one thing, but when the bride was killed right in front of all of them, Ceri was frozen with outright horror written all over her face.

Fear completely paralysed Ceri for a minute. Her entire life up to this point had been a pretty sheltered one. The was no instinct to kick in yet.

Eventually, the chaos around her broke through and she jumped to her feet. The master she was supposedly assigned to, wasn't here, so the young girl figured she had to go for the next best thing - she had to find Briana Sal-Soren to get some direction. She grabbed hold of Caelen.
"What're you going to do?" she asked him loudly over the chaotic din. "Cause I'm going to find master Briana to get some sense of what's happening. You coming with?"

 

[Lysander von Ascania]

Corazona von Ascania Roman Vossari

Lysander's face twisted; one eyebrow shot up, paired with a faint smirk. He wasn't even sure how to respond to the hiss, having already braced himself for an elbow to the ribs or something of the like. The last thing he expected was Cora to look at him like some kind of rabid Ukatian racyon.

The blonde's breath was then caught in his throat as explosions began vibrating through the air. He assumed that canceled out any vows of love about to be made. His gaze then landed on the bride, who'd been slain.

This was no HoloDrama; this was HoloReality now!

The boy fought to maintain composure as his heart rate increased. Regaining his focus, he scanned the room for others from the Royal Naboo Republic. More specifically, he searched for Master Briana Sal-Soren ; he knew she would have a solid plan as long as food wasn't involved.

His attention snapped back as his brother, Roman, suddenly approached. His gaze flickered to Anneliese Kaohal beside him; he had no doubt that she was the mystery girl the older Padawan mentioned during their fishing trip on his home planet a few months ago.

In that moment, he was truly prepared to be the aspiring Jedi his sister believed he could be. His heart truly agreed that assisting others with escape was the correct thing to do.

But then everything changed.

As Lysander watched Cora engage with the Hapan guard, something gripped his chest. Fingers instantly curled around the curved hilt of his lightsaber, hidden beneath the folds of the lavish cloak. Seeing her wrestle with the man ignited an instinct that burned brighter than he could fathom.

The boy's green orbs narrowed, and with the flick of his wrist, the purple blade was ignited.

He charged forward like a provoked Loth-cat; however, it wasn't due to the training instilled in him, but more importantly, the close bond of being a protective brother. The arm Cora attempted to neutralize was now in his line of sight.

There was no fear. His purpose was clear: protect his sister.

“Ashla, please forgive me,” he whispered, channeling his energy. The blade was swung down with precision, a vertical slash that hummed through the air and severed the man’s limb entirely.

A sharp scream tore from his lips, but it was drowned out by the violence surrounding them.

 

[Shaya Khal]

THE FOUNTAIN PALACE

Astor Daaray | Kalen
​

The explosions outside had turned the grand hall into a sea of barely contained panic. The cracks in the stained-glass windows widened with every distant tremor, casting fractured rainbows across the chamber that seemed almost mocking in their beauty.

Shaya stood at the altar, her back straight, her jaw tight, her thoughts a storm of determination and desperation. This had to proceed. She could still feel the weight of the room's eyes upon her, but they no longer carried the same reverence. Now there was fear, doubt, and chaos threatening to rip this moment from her grasp.

The officiant's voice wavered, but Shaya stepped forward, willing the moment back into order. She turned her head slightly, catching the faint reflections of chaos in the polished obsidian floors, but she kept her composure intact. Her mother's lessons echoed in her mind. Perception is power. Even when the galaxy burns, you hold their gaze and make them believe you are untouchable.

She didn't notice the man approaching from the right.

Through the panicked guests, Lord Isolder Khal—or someone who appeared to be him—moved with measured calm. His ceremonial robes flowed as he ascended the dais, and his long black hair, tied back neatly, glinted under the flickering chandeliers. His expression was inscrutable, but no one questioned him. He was her father, after all.

Shaya remained unaware, her attention fixed forward, her thoughts consumed with keeping control of the unraveling moment. The officiant hesitated, glancing at the commotion beyond the chamber's windows.

"Continue!" Shaya commanded, her voice sharp with desperation. She turned briefly to the officiant, her eyes blazing. "Say the vows!"

But before the officiant could obey, the man behind her struck.

The dagger plunged into her back with brutal force. The blade pierced through the layers of embroidered silk and flesh with a sickening finality. Shaya's body jolted forward, her hands flying to the altar for support as the searing pain tore through her.

Her gasp was sharp, almost inaudible against the chaos around her, but the agony consumed her entirely. Her vision blurred as the world tilted, the vibrant colors of the hall dimming into smears of light. The warmth of her blood seeped through her gown, soaking the intricate fabric and pooling onto the polished floor.

The hall erupted into screams as the crowd realized what had happened. Guests rose from their seats, panic spreading like wildfire. Guards rushed forward, but too late to stop the unthinkable.

Shaya tried to turn, to see her attacker, but her body betrayed her. Her legs gave out, and she crumpled to the floor. The tiling beneath her felt cold and unyielding, a cruel contrast to the heat radiating from the wound in her back.

As she lay there, gasping for air, she caught the faintest glimpse of movement above her. The figure standing over her shimmered, and then his appearance flickered, distorting like a disrupted holovid transmission.

The long black hair vanished. The ceremonial robes dissolved into dark, utilitarian armor. The face she knew as her father's twisted and reformed, revealing someone else entirely—a stranger with cold, lifeless eyes.

It wasn't him…

The realization struck her harder than the blade. This was no familial betrayal. It was something calculated, deliberate, and cruel.

Her mind clawed at understanding as her body weakened, the blood pooling around her a grim halo. She tried to speak, to scream, but all that escaped was a strangled, gurgling sound.

Her vision narrowed, the chaos of the room fading into a blur of colors and muffled noise. Her thoughts fractured, flickering between rage and despair.

The last thing she saw was the stranger standing over her, his face impassive, watching her life slip away with a detached calm.

Her breaths came in shallow gasps, each one weaker than the last, until finally, they stopped.

 

[Amani Serys]

Eloise Dinn - Diogo Talon​

The formality of the wedding was suddenly undone by violence. Amani was already prepared to take part in evacuation and defense from the moment the first explosion shook the city. Everyone was on edge, unsure of what to do. And in the panic, the assassins struck. Amani could only jump to her feet in the time it took for Kalen to cross the altar, knife the bride, and reveal his true form. She gritted her teeth, standing still even as screaming guests bumped past her in their rush to safety.

"Master, we should go help the wounded,"

"My thoughts as well, Padawan." Amani drew her collapsible pike, and it extended out to full length, though remained unactivated. More plotters revealed themselves, but their targeting seemed deliberate. They weren't here just to purge the entire guest list. No, there was a deeper motive here. As one ran past them, Amani swung the haft of her pike, striking him in the face and laying him flat on his back. He was piled on my guards not a moment later. She looked to Eloise and Diogo, then ran out into the aisle. She looked to the altar again, and saw that it was already too late for Lady Khal. So instead, she began looking for anyone else who might have gotten injured in the scuffle, and began to apply whatever healing might be necessary.

 

[Serena Harth]

Kalen​

Serena's question was given a serendipitous (and obnoxious) answer. Once of the perpetrators daringly interrupted her broadcast, snatching the reporter's mic away from her and proclaiming the party responsible as the Crimson Veil. Serena let it run, knowing she was getting the answers they needed, but when it became clear that the man was dragging it out to take advantage of the spotlight, she tried to wrestle the mic from him again. When he wouldn't relent, she socked him in the chin with a quick punch, yanking the mic back with her other hand. He could barely even react to the hit before he was then spear tackled to the ground by a pair of guards.

Serena brushed her hair out of her face, and smirked knowingly, "Well, you heard it here first, people. A group aptly calling themselves the Crimson Veil has taken responsibility for the attack, and has levied threats at both the Hapan government and the Alliance as a whole. No doubt this is about the growing divide over Hapes's strong matriarchal roots. What could be next for the Crimson Veil? Only time will tell." As the scene grew more chaotic, Serena took an opportunity to assess her own safety, "All I know is, I'm suddenly not feeling so safe as a woman on Hapes." She decided to retreat closer to the exits. Still, she refused to leave entirely, wanting to make sure she had as much of the scene captured as possible.

 

[Pinda Solthar]

BROADCASTING LIVE...

The broadcast resumes, and Pinda Solthar sits at the center of a now-tense and solemn studio. The vibrant energy from earlier is gone, replaced by an atmosphere heavy with urgency and fear. The holographic backdrop displays live feeds of Ta’a Chume’Dan in chaos: ships crashing into buildings, fiery plumes rising into the once-pristine skyline, and crowds scattering in panic. Pinda’s antiox mask reflects the flickering light of the holograms as her voice, calm but edged with tension, cuts through the noise.

“For those just joining us, we’re covering an ongoing crisis in Ta’a Chume’Dan. The situation is rapidly deteriorating. Moments ago, during the ceremony, Lady Shaya Khal was attacked at the altar, stabbed by an assailant. We are working to confirm the details, but it is clear that this was a coordinated assault. What began as a royal wedding has descended into chaos, with multiple explosions and ships crashing into key areas of the capital. The streets are filled with panicked citizens, the ceremonial hall is actively under attack, and there is mounting speculation about who is behind this coordinated assault.

Reports are emerging that a group calling themselves the Crimson Veil, an anti-matriarchy terrorist organization, may be involved. While details remain scarce, Dr. Veylin, what can you tell us about this group?”

Dr. Elara Veylin's voice trembles slightly but she's careful as she speaks: “Pinda, this is nothing short of an attack on the very identity of the Hapan Consortium. The ships crashing into the city, the violence at the altar—these are deliberate symbols meant to shake the foundation of Hapan power.

The Crimson Veil is a shadowy organization whose ideology centers on the complete dismantling of the Hapan matriarchy. Their rhetoric has gained traction among those disillusioned by centuries of systemic oppression, particularly men and outer-cluster dissidents. What little we know about the group suggests they’re highly secretive, with cells operating independently to prevent infiltration. They’ve been linked to smaller-scale bombings in the outer worlds, but this—this is unprecedented. If the Crimson Veil is behind tonight’s attack, it marks a dramatic escalation in their capabilities and ambition.

The Consortium has always projected an image of strength and control, often through oppressive means like the Gun of Command. But this event lays bare a stark reality: not everyone within the Cluster sees the monarchy as a unifying force."

The hologram transitions to grainy footage of a fiery explosion in Ta’a Chume’Dan’s market district, followed by images of armed security forces clashing with masked insurgents in a previous attack.

Pinda nodded gravely, her voice steady but edged with urgency, “And we currently don't have an update on the status of the Prince. However, this wouldn’t be the first time insurgents have struck a high-profile target in the Hapan Cluster. Camron, I want to take us back to the Reef Fortress hostage situation—a moment that exposed not only the vulnerabilities of the Consortium but also the priorities of its leadership. Do you see any parallels here?”

Camron Rykkar's voice is measured, but his expression betrays a deep unease: "Absolutely, Pinda. The Reef Fortress incident still haunts the Consortium's reputation. For those who don't recall, The Se'n Dorrin, another anti-matriarchy group, seized control of Reef Fortress and took hostages, including a Jedi emissary.

What stood out wasn't just the act of terrorism itself, but the Hapan military's response—or lack thereof. The leadership deemed the hostages expendable, refusing to divert resources to save what they called 'a handful of commoners and a Jedi.' That decision enraged not only the families of the victims but also large swaths of the population, who saw it as a stark reminder of the monarchy's disregard for the lives of anyone outside the noble elite.

The question now is: are we witnessing a resurgence of this kind of rebellion? And if the Crimson Veil has indeed taken a page from the Se'n Dorrin's playbook, what does that mean for the monarchy's ability to maintain control?"

The camera cuts to a live feed of emergency workers pulling survivors from the wreckage of a crashed freighter, the golden skyline now darkened by smoke and flame.

Nyen Trevalis the economic analyst shifts uncomfortably in her seat, her voice measured but tinged with urgency: "Camron, I think you're spot on, but let me take this a step further. The Reef Fortress incident wasn't just about the hostages—it was about exposing the Consortium's priorities. And tonight's events feel like another chapter in that story.

If the Crimson Veil is behind this attack, they're not just targeting the monarchy—they're targeting the entire image of Hapan superiority. Crashing ships into Ta'a Chume'Dan, attacking the heart of the royal ceremony—this is about showing that the Consortium isn't untouchable, that its opulence and power are vulnerable.

The question is, how does the monarchy—and even more so, the Galactic Alliance—respond? Because if they repeat the mistakes of Reef Fortress—putting their image above their people—it could ignite an even larger rebellion. The Galactic Alliance, as an ally and partner, is going to have to decide if it stands by a monarchy that prioritizes its grandeur over the safety of its citizens. The Alliance's silence or inaction here could have far-reaching consequences, especially with a growing sentiment that the Consortium's system of governance is just simply...incompatible with modern galactic values."

She pauses briefly, her gaze fixed on the live holographic feed of the capital burning.

"This isn't just a Hapan issue anymore. The Consortium's stability—or lack thereof—has implications for the entire region, economically and politically. If the Galactic Alliance and other partners don't engage meaningfully here, it risks losing not just influence but also its reputation as a force for democracy and progress."

Pinda nodded, her tone sharpened by the weight of the discussion.

"And Dr. Veylin, you mentioned earlier that the Crimson Veil's ideology centers on dismantling the matriarchy. What do you think this attack says about their broader goals—and how does it tie into the unrest we've been discussing tonight?"

Dr. Elara Veylin leans forward, her hands clasped tightly together: "Pinda, the timing here is crucial. The Crimson Veil likely sees this moment—the royal wedding, the heightened tensions surrounding the Equal Rights Act—as an opportunity to amplify their message. Their broader goal is to dismantle the matriarchy entirely, and tonight's events are a stark reminder that they'll go to any lengths to achieve it.

But this isn't just about ideology. This is about power, and about forcing the Consortium to confront the inequalities it has long ignored. The Reef Fortress incident was a flashpoint, but it didn't spark the kind of systemic change many hoped for. If tonight's attack has the same outcome—if the monarchy fails to address the deeper issues at play—it could spell disaster for the Consortium's future."

Pinda's voice softens slightly, but the urgency remains.

"We're watching history unfold in real-time, and the stakes couldn't be higher. Ta'a Chume'Dan is in chaos. The Queen Mother has been evacuated, but the question now is whether the monarchy can survive this moment—or whether the Crimson Veil has succeeded in striking a fatal blow to the Consortium's foundations.

Stay with us as we continue to bring you live coverage and expert analysis of this developing story. This is 360° Around the Galaxy, where we go beyond the headlines to uncover the truths shaping our galaxy."

The broadcast fades out with haunting images of Ta'a Chume'Dan's skyline, scarred by fire and debris, as emergency sirens echo in the background.

 

[Caelan Valoren]

"I've never actually been to Naboo, but I could make a point of visiting," he said with a nod.

Shortly thereafter the ceremony started. The woman being wed was stunning, which, as he understood, was something to be expected from members of the Hapan royal court, and just Hapans in general. The man wasn't that bad looking either. It seemed that things were going well, and he was actually looking forward to the party afterward now that he had a new friend to spend some time with. Ceri seemed really nice and he had a feeling he would enjoy time with her. She at least made him less dreary!

But, as in most things where he found good, it was cut short.

The sound of explosions outside of the building, followed by shaking of the building as a hole. Not just once, either, but multiple times. He suddenly had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach. That bad feeling quickly became shock as he watched a man approach the stage and the ceremony, only to plunge a dagger into the back of the bride. Not just any plunge, either. Caelan could tell by the way she struggled that this was a fatal blow, and the man was now poised, facing the groom.

He jumped to his feet, hands working quickly to remove his jacket.

"Fate, go to the ship and have the captain get it ready for flight. Have the fighters get airborne and cover the vicinity. Anything that tries to shoot at civilians is to be shot down immediately. Have them coordinate with Hapan flight control."

"Bwoo-dwoop? Dweep-vrrt bwee-dwoo beep-bwoo?"

"No, now go."

The droid was reluctant, but it quickly scurried off. Its diminutive size allowed it to move about in smaller spaces, which meant it could largely avoid the rushing crowd.

This left Caelan alone, but he was used to that. At least, he was mostly alone. It only took a second for Ceri to grab onto his arm and he turned to look at her. Fear. He could see it in her eyes. She wasn't used to this. He envied her, but at the same time, worried about her. He moved his hand and took her hand in his, briefly, giving it a squeeze of reassurance, though she'd be able to see that his eyes were now laser focused, hardened, jaded by everything he'd seen and dealt with.

"Go to them," he said, withdrawing from her and climbing onto his seat for a better view. "I'm going to do what I think I need to, but don't worry. I'll be alright. I've dealt with worse situations."

He smiled at her and then used the Force to amplify himself, leaping across a decent distance to crash into one of the men that was using the gun of command to make others do their bidding. He quickly slammed his fist into the mans jaw to knock him out, took the gun, and literally crushed it in his own hands. Then he looked for the next, and started towards them. It would be wildly inappropriate to draw his lightsaber in the crowd, at least in his mind, so he focused on using his body as a weapon. He might be young, but he was quite fit.

Let the terrorists be damned.

---

ATTIRE: LINK (The Third Image) | WEAPON: Lightsaber | COMPANION: BD-F8 | OTHER: Sigil Bead (Necklace)

TAGS: Ceri Fraissi ​

 

[Briana Sal-Soren]

Outfit: XoXo | Hair: XoXo | Tag: Thayze Montserrat , Lily Decoria , Kahne Porte | Indirect Tag: Ceri Fraissi , Lysander von Ascania
​

The darkness that'd blinded her senses these last few weeks, finally cleared, the creeping dread she'd felt culminating into clear, violent, reality.

Outside, the sky began falling — inside, the bride's virginal silk gown had been dyed a deep, garish red, laid out in a pool of her own blood on the marble steps of the altar like a sacrificial offering. A near-constant stream of noise followed, roaring in a rising crescendo as screams of terror and panic echoed through the hall. The wheels in Briana's mind quickly began turning, shifting, detaching from the horrific scene — as she'd done so many times before — to allow her instincts and training to take control.

Immediately, she turned to her two Padawans next to her, watching as Thayze dismissed his own family guard. She would not have begrudged him if he'd made the decision to go, but respected him all the more for his decision to stay. Putting ones obligations as a Jedi over the potential wellbeing of your own family, was not something everyone was capable of doing. Jedi or no.

​

Attempting to get eyes on Lysander proved difficult amid the pandemonium, but he'd moved from the spot he'd been in. Hopefully, the combination of his training and being with his sister, a Council Member in her own right, would be more than enough to keep him safe until she had the chance to catch up to him.

Mercifully, she was able to spot Ceri Fraissi , still with the boy she'd been talking to earlier. Briana gestured in the Padawan's direction."Thayze, I need to you go with Master Kahne. Get to the younger Padawans, keep them safe and get them out of here. Use the pillars for cover and try to stay low. If you can, try to get as many of the other civilians out of here with you. Don't go through the main doors, take the servants exit. The fallen Chume'doro will have shields and other weapons on them that you can pick up along the way, if needed." She tried to not dwell on the implications, the need to survive and protect as many as they could, far outweighing any personal discomforts in the moment. "And above all do not get shot with that blaster. Trust the Force, and listen to your instincts. Now go, quickly!"

Once they'd gone, Briana gathered up her skirts in her arms — instantly recognizing her gown was going to be a problem — and headed the other direction, waving for Lily to stay with her as she moved them to take cover behind an upturned pew.

A fallen Chume'doro lay sprawled nearby, her lifeless eyes staring blankly at the ceiling as the crystals from the haphazardly hanging chandeliers reflected rainbow patterns over her charred uniform. Crouching low, Briana removed the woman's energy shield bracer and offered it to Lily before taking the bloodied edge blade lying next to her, using it to slice a ragged hemline for her dress, tearing away what wouldn't come off on its own and letting the silk fabric fall to the floor in a heap among the glass and other debris.

"Lil, we're going to take out as many of the assassins as we can," Briefly, her eyes drifted in the direction of Astor, whose own training seemed to have kicked in and was holding his own for the time being. Rolling her shoulders, Briana tested he unfamiliar weight of the Hapan blade in her grip. It wasn't her lightsaber, but she'd make do. "We don't need to fight them all — just enough to divert their attention so others can escape."

​

 

[Astor Daaray]

THE FOUNTAIN PALACE
TA'A CHUME DAN ☛ HAPES
Shaya Khal • Kha'la Daaray • Briana Sal-Soren • Kalen

THE DARKER THE WEATHER // THE BETTER THE MAN
THE PRINCE AND THE VEIL #1
​

Just as their vows had been set to begin, chaos perverted the moment as a series of explosions and fresh wreckage, marching ever closer, shook the world within the great hall, cracking stained glass panels and tearing any semblance of control from their grasp.

It had caused Astor’s hand to drift near to the ceremonial blade at his side, then come to rest on the pommel, as his mind, long-since trained to remain steady amidst the most untenable of scenarios, shifted from chewing on what he was giving up in going through with this, and began to turn over these fresh events. His other hand went to his bride regardless of his true feelings, sapphire eyes drawn to her as she pressed the officiant to continue.

“Shaya…”

She jolted forward in a way that only spoke of applied force, and his head turned in surprise while his training began to take over, the words of Careina Djo - her reminder of who he really was - echoing in his mind as the rest of him whirled to see the threat, only to find… Shaya's father?! in the guilty position. Astor’s eyes widened just a shade, until the other man pulled the knife out of his gargling and dying fiancée, pushed her away in an act that made his disguise flicker, and the crowd erupted into chaos.

He didn't have time to be shocked, or the futile act of trying to help her, for it was only scant seconds before Not-Isolder turned on the Prince and lunged at him with the same knife… but Astor pulled the sharp ceremonial blade out of its scabbard in the same moment, in a slashing horizontal arc to ward off the murderer just long enough to give himself a little space and a brief glance at his sister’s now-empty throne.

The Chume’doro were doing their jobs. Thank the starlit heavens they acted quickly in this fresh hell, as expected.

“Why now?!”

His gold-flecked gaze flicked back to his dead bride's false parent, with his scathing demand. Isolder was a man he had met with a few times over the course of hammering out the marriage contract, and he knew he had the correct measure of the man. This was not him. This could only be the work of the Crimson Veil, he now realised, as months of questionable conversation with what he knew now as their converts entered the equation in his psyche.

“What does this prove?!”

They could have come for him at any time, that much was clear. This was never a matter of if they would.

 

[Lily Decoria]

Location: Wedding
Outfit: Dress
Tag: Briana Sal-Soren | Thayze Montserrat | Kahne Porte | Astor Daaray | Shaya Khal

Her quip seemed to have gone down well with her Master and those close enough to overhear the comment as well. Lily didn't mind whether it was true or whether anyone else believed her. She had done her job in making Briana smile during the event. That was her job for the day and she was glad to have gotten it done as quickly as she had. Now, it was making sure that Briana enjoyed the day even if it meant that she had to be catty and somewhat abrasive in a manner that Lily was not used to.

At least that had been the plan in her mind before things began to deteriorate drastically. It started with the explosions outside. Lily was confused since the Galactic Alliance was usually a safe territory to be within. Then the father of the bride approached the couple and Lily could feel the hairs on her arms stand up as she sensed something was not right. Something felt off. Then he stabbed Shaya.

Chaos followed that.

Briana gave out the orders instantly and Lily nodded her head. She did not have her weapon on her, there was no way to store her Lightsaber with the dress she was wearing. However, Lily was a living weapon, so she was never afraid to be caught without something on her person to fight with. Following Briana as they shifted forward, Lily watch as Briana cut up that lovely dress to have more breathing room to fight with. "See, this is why I wear dresses with high slits. Not just to show off my gorgeous legs!" Lily joked, taking the energy shield and donning it.

"Head to Astor, I'll focus on the ones around here." Lily knew that making sure the Hapan prince got out of here was crucial now, she wasn't sure on the status of the bride but it wasn't looking good given the amount of blood that was free flowing.

Slipping out of her heels, Lily leaped into action and kicked one of the assassins hard in the chest. Knocking them backwards and making sure that they hit the ground hard. Her Echani training coming to the forefront and she made sure to keep an eye on Briana so her Master was safe and could get the prince out of here without issue.

 

[Ceri Fraissi]

SPARKY
FOUNTAIN PALACE | HAPES
TAG: Caelan Valoren | Thayze Montserrat | Briana Sal-Soren | Kahne Porte

SKYFALL​

The reassuring squeeze he gave her hand helped settled her nerves a little.

But it didn't last long when he told her that he'd basically be going into the danger. It was written all over his face. He was already on one of the chairs, getting ready to launch himself into the fray.
"No, wait...!" but he was already gone with a Force-powered leap.

Ceri stood indecisive for a second, wanting to at least help him in whatever little way she could, but also wanting the guidance of an adult. All of this totally horrible. The gorgeous bride was already bleeding out on the dais while the groom was locked in a dire struggle with the murderer of his fiancé. People were running in all directions while trying to avoid the terrorists cropping up left right and center. Some guards and Jedi were engaging them, but there was too much chaos.

She felt like a deer in headlights, unsure of which way to go.

Ceri glanced frantically over to where Master Briana was previously, but couldn't see her anymore. Her heart started racing as panic threatened to set in. Breathe. It'll be ok, she told herself over and over as she looked from side to side while she stood rooted to her spot.

It was then that she spotted two relatively familiar people heading in her direction.

It was Master Kahne's face she recognised first, having seen him around quite a few times on Naboo. The Padawan with him was a few years older than she was, but she'd seen his face once or twice before as well. She wanted to get to know him to have another friend around. What was his name? Nobleman.....Thayze, wasn't it?

Relief flooded through her and she rushed toward the duo.

"Master Porte!" she called, almost crying. "What's happening? What do we do? Oh and there's another Padawan that jumped into that mess alone!" she motioned toward the fray that Caelen had headed into.

 

[Kalen]

Watching the wedding ceremony hadn't stirred any feelings in Kalen. Nor did stabbing the bride bring back memories of murdering his own wife. He was quick with Shaya, delivering a mortal blow when she least expected it. He hadn't been so efficient with Lenore, being desperate and inexperienced and fighting for his life.

This was preplanned. He had thought it all out beforehand. Kill the bride, then the groom. Yet when he turned toward Prince Astor, he suddenly felt seventeen again.

That had been him, once. Youthful, unblemished, and dressed up in his finest suit to marry a woman he did not know in a cathedral full of people who did not care about him. People whom he soon realized saw him as little more than a rutting animal, a beast of burden, cannon fodder for their bejeweled war machines.

"Why now?!"

Months, nay, years of planning. Careful infiltration of the noble houses. Secret meetings, signs, pamphlets. Sowing the seeds of discord in a society that was boiling beneath its austere surface. This was the culmination of a grand design—and the prince was so out of touch, he asked why now.

Why not when I was seventeen? Kalen wondered. Perhaps it was like the old saying: if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.

The prince parried his initial blow, using the ceremonial dagger at his hip. Kalen pressed the attack, slashing and stabbing at him with vicious precision. He knew Astor was ex Chume'doro, conditioned and trained to fight by the most fearsome warriors on Hapes. One could hope he had grown rusty, but he wouldn't count on it.

"What does this prove?!"

It wasn't supposed to prove anything. They were aiming to cut off the heads of state. The continuing abuses proved it wasn't enough to pass a bill in the Senate or enact new laws. The Hapan state was rotten to the core. They needed to topple the monarchy and try something different. Something modern. Democracy, perhaps.

That meant the prince had to die, too. Kalen had to kill him to usher in a new world. A better world, devoid of pampered princes and tyrannical goddess-queens.

He seized Astor's wrist. Something broke in his ironclad grip, bone snapping. The ceremonial weapon fell from his grasp. The prince resisted the knife with his other hand, fighting desperately to keep him at bay. But Kalen was relentless.

In the end, it came down to brute strength. The tip of the blade inched closer and closer to Astor's heart, until with a roar of rage, Kalen gave one final shove and pierced his chest—

The prince collapsed, taking Kalen down with him. His weight pushed the blade in further, burying it deep in his flesh. Kalen grabbed the handle and pulled it free, blood bubbling from the wound like a fountain.

Prince Astor was still alive—but not for long.

fatal blow delivered with permission from Astor Daaray​

 

[GAL Ltd.]

Tying a Golden Knot​

The ships crashing outside immediately drew the attention of Liram as well as his security detail. Immediately he pointed to his wife and son. They were preparing themselves for a quick extraction. He was not one to run away from a fight, but Liram will not allow his wife and son to be endangered.

“Admiral, we need to get you and your family out of here.” Said the Security Detail leader, he would not be denied here.

He did not have a choice.

Then the assassination of the Bride, and the Chaos ensuing. The Queen Mother being whisked away and everyone else being left to their own devices. The Crimson Veil attacked specific targets, executing each of them in a strange fashion. Jedi jumping into the fray in a late fashion.

“Take my family outside, I will follow.”

Pulling his side-arm, Admiral Liram Angellus shook his head “no” and looked his security detail over “No, get my family out here. I am going to help get people to safety.”

“Sir, we are under orders!”

“Yes! Mine!”

Michael was young, impetuous and often aggressive, but he was his father’s son. “Dad! I can help!” It was then that Angellus clapped his son’s shoulder and put his forehead to Michael’s.

“No, get your mother to safety, I’m counting on you. I will be right behind you.”

Michael just looked at him wide-eyed. “You’re lying!”

“Go!” Looking at his security detail there was a resolve in him. “Either escort my family out or help me get everyone else out, your choice.” Michael did pick up Alyksandra who was too emotional to speak, furious with her husband for putting service over his family but loving him too much to truly hate him for it. The younger Angellus was not fully proficient in the Force but “Uncle Caltin” did teach him how to sprint.

“Hold your breath, Mom, close your eyes.” He did not want her to be sick, or see what he was going to do. The kid sped out of the chapel and got her outside. “I’m going back in.” Opening her eyes, Alyksandra protested heavily, yelling how she was not going to lose her son too.

Meanwhile, Liram was not going to let the assassin get away with what happened. The Hapan matriarchy may not be a part of the Galactic Alliance but they are allies and Liram was a man of duty. Directing his security detail to shoot anything or anyone with a gun that was not in uniform, he was moving with purpose, using pews for cover.

It was for naught though as the enemy numbers were too great. One by one his security detail were picked off, there was just too much in the way of chaos and they were in uniform. Their enemies were not. It was only a matter of time. Captain Talyn, the Security Detail leader was going to end up breaking his promise to his daughter, he would not make the “Father Daughter dance”.

“Get to safety, go!” Liram was fuming, but he was still yelling directions at confused, afraid, and downright panicked attendees.

Three of them were not attendees though. They were “Crimson Veil” hiding in plain sight. They jumped him, and while he didn’t go down without a fight, he went down.

Michael was outside and arguing with his mother Alyksandra about going back in there. Liram was military, he was born into and trained for this. She was of course trying to slip by the fact that Michael was as well. It did not matter, the boy’s mind was made up though and the moment he put her down he was back inside, slipping in and between hiding places, trying to find a way to get to his father, get him out of there. It was when they locked eyes and Liram just shook his head “no” that his world collapsed.

Liram was beaten to a pulp, his security detail gunned down, and the remaining guns were on him. The long haired assassin who killed not only the bride, but now the groom, was standing there watching. The four of the Veil stood, weapons leveled and ready to shoot. Liram was looking subtly at Michael’s hiding place behind an overturned pew.

What was going on?

This was supposed to be a grand occasion, a beautiful affair!

Ships crashing.

Assassinations occurring.

The Admiral just looked at him and mouthed the word “No.”

That was it.

Then the look on his face, the knot in his stomach, the hole in his heart, these were no aspects of the sentient condition that a sixteen year old kid should ever have to experience. His last words before the explosions were in writing to his father claiming the man didn’t like him. His last spoken words were that his father was an assortment of hateful expletives. Now it was too late to take them back. His father just fell before his eyes, and being the “hero” Michael always knew him to be.

Running to the Admiral once the attackers were elsewhere he went to pick Liram up, but could only hold the man as he looked up into his son’s eyes.

Dad! Dad! Stay with me! Breath! It’s gonna be okay!

Liram couldn’t speak, only whisper the words more and more labored with each syllable "Be brave, my son… life will challenge you… but you have the strength to face it… I love you more than words can express, probably why I never did.” The last words his father said to him, and his father, and his father and so on, and a struggling hand on his son’s cheek would be his last felt sensation.

No… no… nononono…

That was it, Dad was gone. He was wrong for a long time about how the old man felt and he never got the chance to. He was in a delirious state, not wanting to let his father go. Something, something had to be done. Something could be done!

Michael was milliseconds from yelling out in rage and running into the fray, forgetting his mother’s fears, forgetting his own safety, forgetting everything viable to like when he was stopped, grabbed, and muffled. One of the nameless Hapan men associated with the assassin grabbed him, pulling the kid to his feet, shuffling the remains of the Admiral to the floor in a heap.

Then it happened.

Leave.HIM.ALONE…

In a blur, a figure in black dropped to the ground and reached out. Michael’s would-be attacker was suddenly choking violently, more and more by the second. The terrorist immediately let go of the kid, and not by choice, it was by instinct as he tried to reach for hands that were not there. He was being choked through the Force and eventually sent flying halfway across the palace, almost demolishing a pillar. Another approached, another would fall. We have to go, Michael! Now It was his cousin Connel. Where did he come from?

Michael didn’t know it, but Connel was above the entire proceedings, in the rafters watching only just arrived. He was here under orders from his father to watch after the Angellus family. The Jedi Master “knew” that something bad was going to happen there, he could not do what his son was capable of, so Connel was willingly there. This was not a good situation, and there was nothing he could do for cousin Liram at this point, but Alyksandra was already outside, and Michael would not meet the same fate as his father.

No… no my father… It was understandable, painfully understandable what Michael was experiencing right now. The kid just watched his father be gunned down. Connel was filled with emotions right now himself, but he had to get the kid out of there one way or the other. There were other Jedi here, they could cover the area, at least for the moment. He was under orders.

Kid, I get it, but this is not the time to argue. I need to get you out of here first. I will go back in and get everyone else out that I can after you.

I’m.not.leaving!

Then I’m sorry I have to do this. Quickly, he put the kid in a chokehold, cutting off his oxygen until he slipped into unconsciousness. Michael would be fine, physically, but his mental state would be dealt with at a later time.

Connel felt terrible, doing this to the kid, his cousin, but suppressed it as ultimately getting Michael and his mother to safety(as well as anyone else he could) was more important. Seeing several outside of the palace, he yelled out.

Master Porte! He saw Kahne Porte , Jedi Master long knowing his father, a man he could trust. Carrying Michael and shuffling Alyksandra over, Connel hoped that Porte would recognize his voice. He did not want to pull off his mask at the moment. This is Michael, and his mother Alyks. This is not the best of circumstances, but could you watch after them? I need to go back inside!

“No, please don’t go!” Alyks was in a panic. She was losing her family by the moment. “What is wrong with my son?”

I’m sorry that happened, but he’ll be fine. Stay here! Did Connel go back in? Of course he did, he was a man of his word and there were others in there who were in harm’s way. Now he was not tasked with protection…

Now he was not tasked with extraction…

… he was free to act…

… he was free to assist now…

… and may the Force help those who tried to stop him…

… because no one else will.

GAL Ltd. : RIP
Michael Angellus : *Thread exit
Connel Vanagor : Open

 

[Lorn Reingard]

Tags: Shineke Dravenné

​

Lorn rose to his feet, the lingering aches in his muscles a stark reminder of the recent struggle. He had barely taken a breath when his gaze locked onto the man who had fired the weapon, an almost predatory glint in his eye. Before Lorn could react, a flash of green erupted from the crowd. A Mirialan, his face a mask of controlled fury, launched himself at the shooter, his movements a blur of lethal grace.

He shook his head, refocusing his attention to the immediate surroundings. The aisle was littered with bodies, some stunned, others injured. He moved quickly, helping a weeping woman to her feet, her dress torn and dirtied. He then assisted an elderly man who had been trampled, leading him to the relative safety of a nearby pew.

Just as he began to assess the scene, the familiar forms of the Daughters of the Scar appeared before him. "Quickly," she had bid him, "help us move him into the shelter of a pew." There was a strange composure to her voice, a sense of urgent calm that compelled Lorn to help. He moved without hesitation, grabbing the fallen's feet, and together with the sisters, they dragged the unconscious man to the side, depositing him beside an overturned pew. Lorn crouched behind it, taking a moment to survey the chaos once more. He could see fleeing guests, some who lingered to fight back against the attackers, a few faces he recognized from Naboo still visible in the chaos. Hope, if there was any, was still alive.

His attention was drawn to the gruesome scene unfolding near the altar. The groom, now bloodied and butchered, was the victim of the same man who had murdered the bride. It was a sickening sight, a blatant show of the sheer malice that had descended upon this once joyous occasion. Lorn's gaze lingered a moment too long, and a new attacker spotted him. The man raised his weapon, the barrel pointed directly at Lorn. He ducked just as a blast of energy tore past. Lorn gave the Daughters a knowing glance that said, keep your heads down, before creeping forward to the end of the aisle.

Another wave of adrenaline surged through him as the very same terrorist moved to intercept him there. Lorn reacted with instinctive speed, launching a powerful kick at the man's midsection. The force of the impact sent the man stumbling back, momentarily disrupting his aim. But the terrorist recovered quickly, brandishing the weapon. Lorn moved with quick reflexes, dodging the sweep of the weapon, the air crackling with near misses. He struggled with the man, trying to gain the upper hand, but the man's grip on the Gun of Command was far too strong. Lorn needed to disarm and neutralize the threat, and quickly.

 

[Roman Vossari]

Tags: Anneliese Kaohal | Corazona von Ascania | Lysander von Ascania

​

Roman nodded sharply, his jaw set with determination as Cora declared their course of action. He didn't need further prompting. Grabbing Anneliese's hand, he tugged her along, their combined speed a blur as they kept pace behind Cora and Lysander. The wedding hall was chaos, a symphony of screams and the bursts of violence everywhere. But Roman's focus was solely on the two figures ahead, Master and best friend.

Then, everything shifted. Cora's sudden attack on the Hapan guard, the brutal struggle for the weapon, had Roman's heart leaping into his throat. His eyes widened in horror as the gun discharged, the sound echoing in his ears, and Cora's face seemed to go slack, a disturbing blankness washing over her features. He was frozen, a confused mix of shock and concern surging through him. What had happened?

Before Roman could even process the sight, Lysander was a blur of motion. The Padawan;s lightsaber blazed violet, a deadly arc of light that sliced through the air with brutal precision, severing the guard's arm. The man's scream, raw and guttural, was a horrifying punctuation to the swift violence. He felt a surge of anger, a protective instinct, that sent a ripple of focused energy through his body. The guard was no longer a threat, not to Cora. With a surge of the Force, Roman sent a powerful blast that sent the screaming man flying across the room like a rag doll, sliding across the floor.

He didn't waste another second. Pushing through the lingering shock, Roman rushed to Cora's side, his hand resting gently on her shoulder. "Cora? Are you okay?" His voice was low, laced with concern, his gaze searching hers for any sign of injury and trying to understand what had happened to her. He then turned his gaze towards Lysander, a complicated expression of concern and worry etched on his features, a silent question hanging between them. He needed to know what exactly had just happened, but for now, Cora needed to be their priority.

 

[Ardin Paskal]

Residence of Goro Sasaki ❀ Rishi

“彼らはまだあまりにも消極的です。” Ardin spoke in summary of their feathered ‘friends’ up in their mountain villages. ”少なくとも、彼らはあなたと話します" the elder Atrisian, Goro, replied gruffly in his gravelly tone, ”それは進歩です。”

His attention was split between his Lord Grandfather’s old comrade, and the ostentatious wedding ceremony up on the wide holodisplay, covered by the 360° Across The Galaxy livecast; mild discourse meandered between the two men, while one - Goro - puffed away burning tabac on the long pipe. The lavish display was nothing like the more modest ceremonies of marriage, back on the homeworld: this Hapan statement was a temporary fascination.

What was of more interest was the subtext… and it helped tremendously that the groom was almost intolerably handsome. Reason enough.

Ardin reclined in his seat, an almost thoughtful pose with eyes reduced to slits, as the manicured nail of an index finger ran idly back and forth along half of his bottom lip. Instability in their galactic neighbour to the north could spell trouble back home. Could invite spillover to this region of space… but that he’d heard tell of that icicle of a man Vemric Keldra attending as head of state gave his mild fascination more life than anything else. That dispassionate Sephi of all people?

My, how curious.

”少しは欲しくないのですか？” Goro interrupted his thoughts after a handful of moments, proffering the pipe, only for the white haired half-Atrisian to wave it off in an almost irritated manner, with the opposite hand - something on the wideholo had made his attention rapt. His lip abandoned, that same ruminating finger tapped with a frantic energy to turn up the volume. ”おい、それには触るな！”

Ardin shot Goro a brief, withering glare, a hissing ‘tch’ coming out from between his teeth, warning urging him to shut it. Goro sat back muttering, puffing more quickly at the tabac as his own eyes fixed on the livecast.

Explosions punctuated the coverage, starting at a point distant from the Fountain Palace and approaching it, throwing the Hapan capital of Ta’a Chume Dan into chaos and upsetting the atmosphere of the great hall, from what he could see… then the bride was stabbed in the back. Quite literally, in fact. This was turning into a telenovela and he was eating it up.

”まあ...” Ardin’s eyes widened as his thoughts spun into overdrive, but his gaze never left the coverage. So consumed he was with taking things into account that he hardly paid whatever reaction Goro had much heed, and the nail went back to his lip, ”なんという不運なこと。”

But he had a wicked smile, now, that was only growing. The prince was made quick work of, and two little notes of a laugh escaped the Rishi representative’s throat in response.

“Oh, なんと未開な.”

And the president had the utter pleasure of getting an eyeful of that mess? Oh, Ardin was absolutely tickled. His head dropped back and he laughed well.

“えっ！？” Goro exclaimed in confused surprise. ”なんでそんなに笑うの！？”

Vemric Keldra • Pinda Solthar​

 

[Kahne Porte]

The Jedi Master took a deep breath as he continued to keep a watch out, there was a heightened tension to this event and it wasn't the wedding jitters. He thought back to one of his first meetings with Briana Sal-Soren and they both expressed disturbances that had been felt throughout the recent weeks. It was indeed elusive, and one of them was about to rear its head today today. Kahne glanced to the side as his brow furrowed, he then slowly looked behind him and then the explosions came. Kahne slowly stood up, just as the bride started speaking again....

Thus came the death and chaos.

Chaos broke out almost immediately, Hapan royals began to attack. Shouts about the Crimson Veil, and the Bride and Groom where dead.

"Master Porte!"

"What's happening? What do we do? Oh and there's another Padawan that jumped into that mess alone!"

"Come with me." The Jedi Master said, his aura reaching out to those that were panicking to attempt to calm and reassure them. Even though he couldn't protect all of them, it would give them enough sense to try and run for cover and to make a break for the exits. He reached for her hand as he led her away. "Don't worry about him, he's gonna be fine." The Jedi Master reaching out to the other Jedi, to guide those out. Kahne let go of Ceri's hand for a brief moment as he engaged several Hapan Royals that had their minds addled by the shots from those guns as well as this Crimson Veil organization. He wasted no time taking them down, as he was to lead the Jedi exodus.

The flames and smoke could be seen in the distance as they made it outside and then Connel Vanagor arrived with Michael Angellus and from Connel's explanation the mother.

"I'll take care of them." Kahne said with a nod as he helped Michael to the ground. He looked to Ceri and Thayze "Are you both alright?" He asked, his attention diverted towards different things now. As he helped Michael and his mother too.

All the while trying to maintain a watch to make sure they were ambushed by anyone else.

Lily Decoria Caelan Valoren Thayze Montserrat

 

[Ben Khal]

POV: Oukranos Cthylla, Jedi Master

Holding his Padawan’s limp form in his arms, Oukranos looked around for any sign of the boy’s parents. They had been with him only a moment before he was shot with the gun of command, yet now they were nowhere to be found. Ben’s family had their flaws, but he didn’t think they would so callously abandon their son. More likely they had accidentally become separated from him in the chaos, not realizing he was no longer following behind…

“Sinsor!”

Oukranos turned to face Kalen, former leader of the Se’n Dorrin, now general of the Crimson Veil. He stood in the deserted center aisle of the cathedral, red blood dripping from his hands onto the pink and white petals that had been strewn upon the floor. Behind him the Prince of Hapes lay dying on the altar dais, not far from the corpse of his would-be bride.

Kalen had known Oukranos as Sinsor Galney, back when Oukranos went undercover in the Se’n Dorrin. When the Jedi spy within their ranks was discovered, they took him hostage, only freeing him after the ERA was passed. That was over a year ago. Oukranos had been told Kalen was dead, killed in a final stand against the Consortium’s army.

“How will this further your cause, Kalen?” he asked.

“We’re paving the way for a better future, out from under the yoke of an absolute monarch. That means the Ereneda and all her heirs must be culled.” Kalen stopped a few feet away from the Jedi. His stony gaze drifted down to the Hapan boy in Oukranos’ arms, and his features softened ever so slightly. “I did not intend to harm innocents today.”

“Yet here you are,” Oukranos muttered.

“You told me once that you would stand with us,” Kalen continued, taking a half step forward. “You said…”

“Your methods can be changed, but what you stand for will always be the same. If the Equal Rights Act doesn’t pass, or if the Queen Mother refuses to enforce the law, or if Hapes leaves the Alliance in protest, I will stay. Even if you kill me, I will die with my conscience intact.”

“... Why didn’t you stay?”

Because the ERA did pass, Oukranos wanted to say. But he found the words hollow. The bill had passed, yet Hapes’ oppression of half its populace continued. It was naïve of him to think things would change immediately—yet he had broken his promise anyway. “I thought you were dead,” he replied at last. A weak answer, but it was the only one he had which wasn’t a slap in the face.

“You were misinformed,” Kalen said, a terrible weariness in his eyes. “You spoke of changing our methods. I agree, but not in the direction you want—”

In the strangeness of this encounter, Oukranos had almost forgotten there was a battle raging all around them. A Jedi Knight came barreling down the aisle behind him, lightsaber a whirlwind, cutting down terrorists as he passed. As he closed in on the assassin, Kalen drew his blaster, knowing full well he didn’t stand a chance against a Jedi....

Oukranos made a split-second decision, one he knew he would likely come to regret. Using the Force, he stunned the Knight, who fell on the floor in an unconscious heap.

Kalen stared at him. “You continue to surprise me, Jedi.”

“That is all I can do for you,” Oukranos said gravely. “There has been enough bloodshed in one day.” With that, he turned and headed for the closest exit, intending to reunite Ben with his family.

Kalen didn’t watch him go. Raising a bloody finger to his comlink, he barked orders to his men. “Targets neutralized. Prepare for evac.”

Captain Vonce heard the voice in his ear as he stood over the bodies of the two guards who had tried to arrest him. Still rubbing his chin where the reporter Serena Harth had punched him, he turned his gaze upward and grinned in expectation.

There was one final insult to add to this injury.

The stained glass window exploded inward, shards of transparisteel falling onto the empty pews. A ship hovered in the hole left in the wall, ready to pick up surviving members of the Crimson Veil.

Kalen grabbed hold of the ladder which dropped from the vessel and climbed to safety. Others used anti-grav boots, repulsors, or jetpacks to make their escape while the ship’s guns deterred any pursuers. The loading ramp slid shut, the engines roared—and then they were gone, leaving three dead and countless wounded in their wake.

Needless to say, there would be no wedding reception.

/exit thread, thank you all this was great