Hushed Warning

Posted on Mon Oct 8th, 2018 @ 12:50am by Damask Hul
Edited on on Mon Oct 8th, 2018 @ 12:50am

2,019 words; about a 10 minute read

Chapter: Chapter V: Unbound
Location: Dunari’s Delight Space Station, Mayagil Sector
Timeline: Early 1,218 ABY, during Korriban Mission
Tags: Bruta, Thort, Öetrago, Mayagil, Dunari's Delight, Hul, Damask, Cosh, Wobar, Bith, Ithorian, Duros,

Clinking glasses and the sound of indistinct chatter resonated throughout the glistening event hall perched atop the brand new Dunari’s Delight space station in the Mayagil sector. On the unique multi-platformed stage, which sat in the centre of the circular room was a popular all-Bith cover band, TransModal, which was playing their take on a jaunty classical tune from the days of the Old Republic, much to the delight of the attendees.

Surrounding the stage were tables with a wide variety of bite-sized delicacies from all the planets in the sector. The station was, of course, a celebration of the shared cultures of all the planets in local space but none more so than the Bith, who had had the greatest hand in the development of this station. However, current governance of the Mayagil sector fell not to a Bith but to Ithorian Senator Wobar Cosh who was currently deep in conversation with the elegant human senator from Eriadu, Dayla Vana, who represented the neighbouring Seswenna sector.

Watching from his table, set against the backdrop of the starry galaxy through the reinforced transparisteel walls, Bruta Thort was trying to discern if the interaction was going well. Cosh was a popular senator for the Ithorians but some other species had found her ineffective at negotiating their interests to the wider galaxy. She often turned to Thort and his years of diplomatic experience, as Chief Republic-Öetrago Liaison, when these negotiations entered difficult waters. This may be a celebration, but years of cocktail parties and political balls had shown Bruta how important they were for networking, where people could not deny conversation, lest they seem unsociable. Tonight, the grand opening of the Dunari’s Delight space station, was no exception.

Bruta watched the human senator offer a small smile and a nod towards Cosh before turning away, leaving the Ithorian Senator to walk back over to Thort’s table. Unlike Bruta, Wobar was unable to speak basic clearly without the aid of the translating vocoder, which sat atop her back. The design had been slimmed down over the years and could now be worn below regular clothing, but the microphones still protruded from under her dress and covered her lips on either side. She sat down and, lifted one of the microphones so she could take a sip from her glass before speaking her native tongue to her colleague.

“Moi muuto, esh yon!” she hollowed. Strong woman, that one!

Bruta conveyed amusement, although he was somewhat concerned by the comment. He replied in Ithorese, So, she won’t consider reinstating the Rimma Free Trade agreement?

Cosh sighed melodically through her four throats before replying, She says that GalactaWerks practically controls all trade in Eriadu and a deal would be hard to arrange, although she would bring it up when she next spoke to the regional board.

Bruta was about to ask more about what his senator had offered, when a familiar blue humanoid appeared suddenly beside the table, flashing striking red eyes between the pair of them briefly before offering a smile and fixing his gaze upon Wobar, “Senator Cosh,” his husky Duros voice cut through the chatter, “How lovely it is to see you outside of the stuffy Senate halls. Congratulations on the completion of this wonderful station; I am sure it will be a boon to the Mayagil sector.”

Getting a better look at the Duros man, who was dressed in a long black dinner jacket and a crimson shirt, Bruta realised it was Vice Chancellor Hul: a face he did not expect to see out here for an opening ceremony which likely held little importance to the Speaker of the Senate. He looked towards Cosh, wondering if she was aware Hul would be attending today.

Wobar hurriedly replaced the microphone for her translator and spoke in Basic through the device, “Indeed. We are very grateful for your attendance Vice Chancellor. Have you toured the station yet? I would be very happy to show you the arboretum, which has been lovingly nourished out here in space by some of Öetrago’s most gifted botanists.”

“I will most certainly take you up on that offer, but I do hope you don’t mind me borrowing your friend Mister Thort here for a moment,” Hul’s pupil-less gaze swung around to look at the Chief diplomat, who was extremely surprised to receive this sudden attention.

“Uh, no, no,” Cosh fumbled slightly at the request but straightened herself out again before replying, “Go ahead. I will be making my speech shortly once the band has finished their set so please do. I will need a moment to prepare.”

“Excellent!” Hul grinned, still looking at Bruta, “Come, let us go somewhere a little quieter for a moment, sir, and we shall get properly acquainted.

Bruta stood and followed the fast-paced Duros as he weaved through the crowd and ushered him out of the main hall and into a smaller reception area, where only a few people were milling around and the music was diminished. Hul had been quiet as he walked but now turned and smiled once again, “I must apologise for whisking you away all of a sudden. Allow me to formally introduce myself; I am Damask Hul, second to the Grand Chancellor as I am sure you know. I am aware of your long-standing work with the Republic, Mister Thort, and I am sorry that I have never met you before now.”

“That is quite alright, Speaker Hul,” he replied in his stereophonic form of Galactic Basic, shaking the man’s hand as he did so, “It is an honour to meet you. You have an impressive history of Republic service yourself, sir: serving in the Intelligence Agency before entering into politics. Your motivation is inspiring.”

Bruta’s words were true; the man was certainly an inspiring figure, although he had always been wary of the Duros’ aggressive campaign against the Coalition, which Hul had once been a part of when he worked for Paralles’ campaign. Still, the Ithorian had found himself agreeing with many of his anti-capitalist sentiments, which were particularly relevant now in light of GalactaWerk’s push-back against free trade along the Rimma Trade Route.

“Very kind of you to say so,” Damask nodded, before inhaling sharply, marking the end of the pleasantries, “But you are probably wondering why I wanted to talk to you in particular. You see, I have recently been made aware that certain groups are moving to locate your son, Bomoor, now that he has resigned from the Order. I believe that he may be in some danger if these individuals catch up to him.”

Bruta was taken aback at the mention of his son, whom he had not seen for many years now. He had many questions that came to mind, “What sort of people? Why do they want to find him? Has he done something wrong?”

“I know this is troubling news, but I want to help him, I really do,” Hul spoke in a grave tone, “He has committed no crimes, but there are some people, whom I cannot reveal to you, who feel that he and his fellow former knight Thane should not be allowed freedom from the Order. If I can find them first, I can protect them so can you tell me whether you have had any contact with your son since he left the Order? Any idea where he could be now?”

Still confused and shaken, Bruta tried to centre himself, trying not to fall into the trap of revealing too much simply because he was surprised. In truth, he had not had any contact with Bomoor for a long time and certainly nothing since he had left the Jedi. He had heard the news, of course, and found himself frequently being questioned on his son’s decision, to which he could offer little defence besides trusting that he had good reasons.

“I am afraid I cannot offer you any information, Speaker,” he spoke frankly, “I wish I knew what he was doing now. I have been hoping that he is safe, but I have simply prayed that the Force will keep him from harm. Now you tell me he could be in danger, I must admit I am very concerned.”

The speaker shook his head in dismay, “As am I, Mister Thort. I feel a great injustice is being done against your boy but I cannot speak out at this time. It is a difficult situation and I must ask that you do not make this public knowledge as well.”

Hul’s words became sterner once again, “I must strongly recommend that, should you come across any information about Bomoor or Thane’s whereabouts, you securely report them to me only. I can offer them the full protection of the Republic, which they will not have if they choose to run and hide. I can also ensure that your own reputation is protected.”

Bruta wondered why the speaker chose to add that last comment. He supposed that he was trying to play on his fear that his work as a diplomat might be tarnished were his son to be perceived as a renegade within the Republic. Unfortunately, it only made Bruta warier of Hul’s intentions. Still, he had nothing to offer the leader of the Centrality at this time and he now only wanted to quickly leave this conversation behind.

“I thank you for bringing this to my attention and I will think on your suggestions,” he said, ensuring he looked Damask directly in the eyes, “If you truly do want to help my son, then I would ask the same of you: please let me know if you have any news of him. He may have left his life on Öetrago, but he is still much loved by myself and his mother.”

“I understand there is no stronger love than that of a parent so I am sorry if I appear insincere, having no offspring of my own,” Hul squinted his eyes slightly as he looked back at Thort’s own dark lenses, “I will allow you to get back to the festivities. I wish you and your son my best.”

Hul then left, walking back into the main room and sliding once more into the crowd. Bruta followed shortly after, just as the band stopped playing and began stepping aside for Senator Cosh and the Station Manager to take the stage and address the crowd. As she began speaking to the attendees, elaborating the great benefits of this new and extremely-expensive installation as well as thanking those involved, Bruta found he could not listen; he was thinking only of the revelation he had just received. What did Hul mean saying that there were those that did not want Bomoor to have ‘freedom from the Order’? It sounded as though it was the Jedi themselves that were seeking to capture his son but why would the guardians of peace be a danger to his son when, as far as Bruta was aware, Bomoor was an extremely virtuous individual?

He was roused from his thoughts by the polite applause resulting from Cosh’s speech and Bruta was prompted to look amongst the crowd to spy where Damask had gone. He saw him around the other side of the stage, leaning in to Senator Vana and saying something with some secrecy. More political manoeuvring or something else? The speaker was clearly a cunning man, but was he a friend or an enemy to Bomoor? Regardless of the answer, Bruta could not merely sit on this information. He had an idea of how he might contact his son, but he would have to make his excuses and leave the station earlier than anticipated.

He would head back to Öetrago and find the Elenca Herd. He might not be able to trust in the Jedi any longer, but they were not the only ones who could channel the Force.

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