The Avalan Crisis: The Bronze Keep
Posted on Mon Sep 23rd, 2013 @ 12:19am by Sotah & Thurius
Edited on on Wed Jun 8th, 2022 @ 1:59pm
1,882 words; about a 9 minute read
Chapter:
Additional Stories
Location: The Bronze Keep, Onderon
Timeline: 1,208 ABY, After "A Prince's Kindness"
OLD
The Cerean master raised an eyebrow at his friend, not amused by his lax nature in the situation. He certainly did not like to surrender, not even on a small scale. Once upon a time, he may have challenged Regnal further, but his experiences had taught him not to risk the lives of his companions with unnecessary hostility.
For now, Thurius simply offered a dry reply to the Royal Guard, "We hope to see more of the Prince's kindness when we arrive."
NEW
Another instalment of The Avalan Crisis posts, chronicling the young Padawans, Thane and Bomoor Thort.
After a fair deal of walking, largely silent bar Master Sotah making the odd enquiry of the stoic Commander Regnal, their party came within a short distance of a clearing, whilst a something bright seemed to be reflecting light through some of the thick foliage that immediately cut away, presumably harvested in lieu of the upcoming building's lands. Indeed, as they passed through and stepped out onto the clearing, the Bronze Keep lay before them, its ruddy-coloured structure very akin to its metal namesake, even if not metal at all.
A few watchtowers dotted the area, armed guards that were largely dressed in military finery manning them and carefully watching the oncoming Jedi and Regnal's group. The main entrance was heavily manned with fortifications, weapons and a variety of equipment that all served to make the Bronze Keep a surprisingly defensible fortress.
With Regnal leading them in, they eyed the offworlders with heavy suspicion, but clearly deferred to the stern and ready Royal Guard commander as he brought them into the keep itself. Compared to Unifar Temple, Queen Omina's royal palace, it was scantily-decorated, with the few ornaments and decorations about being broken relics from years past, and the keep's renovation had largely been ignored, it seemed. There were no paintings or the kind, bar a few banners with the royal standard of Queen Mother Avala, Queen of Onderon before abdicating in favour of Omina, and the figurehead Garius had taken for his faction.
A variety of nobles - looking far less noble but much more determined than the kind encountered in the palace - were dotted about, either wary or aggressive towards the Jedi walking their halls. One purposely stood in their way before a combination of Regnal's glaring and Sotah's kind words encouraged the man aside, before Regnal finally brought them into a tall - but not large - square hall. Pillars supported a balcony that overlooked the centre square, with armed Royal Guards standing on high alert whilst, seated in the centre upon a modest throne, was a young and regally-presented Onderonian, a slightly smug expression tugging at his clean-shaven and handsome face.
"Welcome to the Bronze Keep, Master Jedi," Prince Garius welcomed them cordially, gesturing to servants behind them to bring over three chairs for them to sit upon. "Commander Regnal, very good work." The commander bowed and stepped over to stand by Garius' side as the Avalan leader looked upon the Jedi newcomers.
Sotah nodded thankfully as a servant brought him his seat, and reached within his blue robes to pass over a credit chip. A small nod from Garius was required before the servant accepted the gift. "It's very kind of you to receive us in this way, Your Majesty," the Selkath said in his distorted Basic. "I am Master Sotah, this is Master Thurius and this is Rift Guardian Sazar."
Next to him, Rift Jedi Sazar looked wholly unimpressed, her mechanical hand clenching. It was clear she wished to say a great deal to Garius, but Sotah raised a hand to quell her temper, which she did an admirable job of - for now.
Master Thurius nodded after sweeping his robe back and sitting down in his own chair, "Yes, we thank you for making time on such short notice. I am sure you wish to resolve this situation as much as we do. We come here as Jedi," he gave an obvious glance towards Sazar, "from different backgrounds, but unified in our vision of restoring peace to Onderon."
"Unified in your vision of subjugating Onderon," Prince Garius corrected the Cerean politely, an annoyingly calm grin upon his flawless features. "Either for the Third Republic or the ORA," he gestured with a gloved hand towards Sazar, "or perhaps even both, given how 'cordial' relations seem to be between you both these days. Indeed, Guardian Sazar, you look as though you are about ready to grow a little Padawan's braid."
Sazar, who had not taken the proferred seat, took one menacing step towards the prince, but his guards had all immediately raised their rifles, but at the slight glimpse of concern on Garius' noble face, the Iridonian smirked slightly. "For a man so certain of his position, you seem awfully afraid of us," she said, teasing him to become aggressive.
Not baited, the smile returned to Garius' face. "I am indeed very certain of position and its legitimacy, but I am less certain of those who oppose me. It is not, after all, the Onderonian people who reject me or stand against me; both the ORA and Republic now send their companies and their Jedi to reinforce an unpopular regime."
"And so you feel that this 'legitimacy' entitles you to take terrorist actions against GalactaWerks and other Republic installations?" Master Sotah queried, not angry but merely curious in his comfortable posture upon his chair.
The grin grew slightly wider on one side of Garius' face. "Far from it, Master Jedi. These are not people nor people I pay or aid and abet in any way. I stand for a fair and reasonable principle and represent myself in a legal fashion - my support comes not only from mine own allies, but also my grandmother, the Queen Mother and former monarch, Avala, and those who rally to her against my aunt and her unworthy administration."
Garius gestured to one of the servants, who came forward with a carafe of red wine, pouring it into the goblet the prince held out. "These others who have been so incensed by the atrocities committed by your GalactaWerks now," he said with added sternness, gesturing to Sotah and Thurius, "and during the war because of siding with you," he now glared at Sazar, "have every reason to take the actions they do against their oppressors and abusers. They see us as the true way to restore Onderon to glory and peace, but they go about it in their own way. I am loathe to stand in the way of Onderonians fighting for Onderonians."
Thurius glared at Garius from under a lowered brow, "Even if you feel you can justify terror attacks on foreign institutions, how can you possibly agree that the terror brought upon your own people is a righteous outcome? The thousands now suffering after these attacks have no reason to believe that the attackers are working in their interest. Why would the people's liberator hurt the people?"
The Cerean smirked dryly, "Oh, but then you said that these terrorists are not your people. I suppose they must simply be people that benefit from your ascension to the throne of Onderon."
Garius smiled wanly at the Cerean. "If I am to understand the situation correctly, it was not these 'suffering' Onderonians that invited your presence upon this planet," the prince said, taking a sip of his wine, "but instead were brought here under the wishes of GalactaWerks - a company hated by all sides of the political spectrum on this world, not just by us so-called Avalans?"
Sazar stepped forward slightly, scowling. "That is not so for me-"
"Ah, yes," the prince said, clapping one hand down upon a leg, whilst the other continued to hold his wine. "The Rift Jedi were brought in by an increasingly-troubled Queen whilst her power diminishes along with her noble and public support. My friends, please do not think that I believe you to not have Onderon's best interests at heart, but I must doubt the genuineness of your sponsors, whether they be the company, your less-than-independent Outer Rim Alliance or the Third Republic. The galaxy is a changed place, the Republic is weakening, the ORA stands for nothing and GalactaWerks looks to capitalise upon all of it; a free and independent Onderon threatens no one but protects our own interests."
His regal voice was all high notes, trying for a diplomatic-sounding address as he now shrugged. "That is not to say a free Onderon would not deal with the Republic, only that we no longer wish to be subservient to rules that do not make sense for our world, or to be exploited by your corporations. In fact, were you to relinquish your claims, we would not even demand you or GalactaWerks be responsible for the rebuilding of our damaged cities." Garius smiled. "We are not unreasonable, Master Jedi. Just unhappy."
After giving a nod, Regnal stepped forward towards the three Jedi. Sotah gave a puzzled Selkath look as he questioned, "So you have no wish to continue speaking with us, despite taking the time to ensure we were brought here?"
Cocking his head slightly and still smiling, albeit slightly less, Garius replied, "I brought you here so you could hear directly from me that we are not the ones harming this world; I brought you here so that you could hear from me what it is we stand for and what we wish to see achieved, so that you can tell your superiors the situation and that there is no need for bloodshed... so long as GalactaWerks withdraws. If that is not done, then..." He shrugged again, and gave a slightly twisted grin. "Well, I cannot promise my 'supporters' will not continue their endeavours, regardless of my position. You could, of course, bring your lightsabers out to destroy me and my household - or even take us prisoner - but by doing so, you would only create a martyr and make your own position worse, truly plunging Onderon into chaos."
Garius shook his head. "No, Master Jedi, I do not wish to continue speaking with you, for there is nothing left to discuss. My position will remain unchanged until GalactaWerks leaves my world, and the Supreme Chancellor accepts our independent sovereignty from your Third Republic. We'll have no part in your 'Second Golden Age' of corruption and bureaucracy."
Thurius' gaze was still locked on Garius, "You have made your position clear but you leave us no closer to ending this conflict. You must be aware that GalactaWerks has no intention of leaving because of these attacks. They will just use it as fuel in their campaign against you, bringing the people down with them. If these terrorists believe the same as you, then your words will mean a lot more than anyone else's."
He began to rise from his seat, "But somehow I do not see that in your intentions. We will relay your message and your request but I think you should re-consider what is really best for the people of Onderon."
"As should you, Master Jedi," Garius replied in a tone now flecked with a slight hint of malice. "As should you."
TBC
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