Call of the Herd

Posted on Wed Oct 16th, 2024 @ 1:03pm by Bomoor Thort & Damask Hul & Thane & Amare

2,158 words; about a 11 minute read

Chapter: Chapter VII: Uprooted
Location: Red Raptor, Strategy Room
Timeline: After "Palatial Redux"

OLD

-palatial redux-

NEW

"We did not expect to hear from you so soon, Speaker," Thane greeted the holographic visage of Damask Hul, projected from one of NX-02's appendages. Its crab-like structure and large central chassis had withdrawn itself into a smaller arrangement, to better accommodate the room size's and occupants. A large cable led from the advanced holographic central computer into the droid.

'Stood' before Thane, Amare and Bomoor was a full-sized representation of the Third Republic's Vice Chancellor. Whilst the holographic image continued to have the hazy-blue depiction that was common to long-range holographic communication in the galaxy, the number of carefully-managed proxies, encryptions and security protocols protecting all involved parties meant that the image was wavering more than the norm, and the tones were occasionally garbled or delayed. Nevertheless, and in spite of Thane's own experience formerly as a Jedi, and more recently as a Sith engaging with all manner of powerful figures, beholding the Duros politician marked something quite profound in his mind - but he suppressed such considerations. As Darth Bane had been keen to remind him; it was others who should be humbled by being in the presence of the Sith, so few, unique and truly powerful as they were.

"The Bastion files," he continued, electing to rely on no pleasantries or true introductions, "your machine has not concluded the data mining nor encryptions necessary to yet safely transmit the full package". Thane's tone was civil, his manner revealing nothing of the fact he had been wielding a lightsaber in combat with Mentis just moments before.

Bomoor stared into the scrambled representation of the senator, still trying to get a read on his intentions. While he had stood by the Republic and the Jedi for years, to the point of agreeing to be their own operative against his firmest friend, their betrayal of his trust in them was still felt keenly. While Hul had rarely interacted with the Jedi Order in his time in the senate, he could still not shake the thought that this Duros, a former TRIO spy himself, was playing them for fools and using his family connection to entice them. But all that agent Valla had shared with them was corroborated by news reports from the Mayagil Sector. Something was clearly afoot on Öetrago.

Eventually, Hul's voice broke through the static.

"I am pleased I can finally speak to you all in person," his low, practiced voice greeted them, "I feel like I already know you through Agent Valla and, perhaps most of all, from speaking with Diplomat Bruta Thort about his son."

He gave a small smile in Bomoor's direction, although his red eyes were serious and he seemed to quickly hurry the conversation along, "I have every confidence that you will safely transmit the documents. The droid is more than capable of this degree of encrypted data transfer. However, that is not why I requested this communication. I am contacting you in order to honour my own agreement to share updates with you on the tactical information I am gathering on our shared adversaries. The situation on Öetrago has escalated within the last few days after the "Free Öetrago" rebel group targeted an ÖetraGrow installation and one of their members, Bruta Thort's former aide, was captured and is being held by the company."

Bomoor had seen the image of the young Ithorian man in the dossier Valla had supplied. 'Llim' did not seem to have the skills or background of a freedom fighter but his father must have seen something in him that his mother did too.

Hul continued, "ÖetraGrow has now publicly committed to retaliating against the rebel group and, while the government on Mooko has not officially condoned their offensive, my sources indicate they will not intervene to stop an attack either. Perhaps the most disturbing connection we have uncovered is the identity of a mysterious cyborg mercenary that has been the charge of the project security for the company. You have perhaps never heard his name, but I believe you will be familiar with a Devaronian named Tolmin Voq who also keeps company with the Cult of Axion."

Again, Thane sought to keep his internal reactions tightly-controlled, and considered this revelation very carefully and quickly. "ÖetraGrow," he began icily, caring little for the poorly-constructed title of the likely shell company, "is yet another twisted arm of the Company, your dossiers declare. We have stepped out of one raptor-wasp's nest of theirs to find ourselves already facing another of their sordid, planet-shattering schemes. I've much respect for the notion of a committee of people such your Senate that claim to arrange an entirely galaxy's worth of planets in some structured manner, yet an unremarkable board of corporate shills, sorely smaller in size than any government, seem able to wield themselves more finely than any Republic agency, outplaying us all at every turn." His facade had slipped, and the disdain was heavy in his voice, although he had no regret at the potential loss of dignity before their new benefactor. "We strike one nest and another has formed already, invidiously spreading into every crevice. Yet, now, I cannot help but feel their action to draw upon this twisted facsimile of a sentient betrays their motives - their fears."

He glanced across to Bomoor. "The trap is obvious."

Bomoor caught his gaze and his brow grew ever so sterner, "A trap with innocent lives at its centre, attempting to abuse my family ties to our detriment. Even twenty-five years of removal from them was not enough to spare them being roped into the evils of this galaxy. I won't let them suffer. Not in my name."

He then stared back at Hul, "So, it seems both GalactaWerks and Axion's cult hopes to lure us into a conflict. So, where is this attack supposed to take place? Do these 'Free Öetrago' rebels have a base that is being targeted?"

Hul's image stuttered but Bomoor could see the Vice Chancellor's face turning slightly towards him.

"The rebels have, fortunately, been smart enough to conceal their site of operations but we understand they have some kind of hidden facility on the north of the largest continent. Üssina, I believe it is called, as you are probably familiar. While my operatives have not yet uncovered the exact location, there is always the possibility that their opponents do now possess this information."

The Duros shook his head slightly before adding, "A location they are very aware of, however, is the settlement of the Elenca herd, further down south, where many of the key rebels and their families are located. Citizen Thort's mother was recently removed as leader of the herd but it still remains a location of tactical significance to ÖetraGrow and we have intercepted communication to reveal that is definitely being targeted for an attack."

Uncertain if within the periphery of the holocorder lens that would make her visible to Hul, Amare kept silent and maintained a cold, unmoving stare at the Vice Chancellor's charismatic image. It was astonishing to her just how far she'd come, going from a nobody working at a red-light district nightclub on Nar Shaddaa, to becoming the chosen acolyte of a new Sith Lord, to being marked as an enemy of the Reborn Jedi Order, an accepted ally of Bastion, and now involved in a meeting with the second most powerful politician in the galaxy.

And yet, the feeling of pride and elation she felt in her achievements all in the span of less than a year somehow felt...lacking. The more she thought of the recent past, the less it seemed to matter to her. Not even her brother Capo's murder at her own hands held much emotional sway on her.

She always dreamed of the future, the hope she had to grow beyond the lot life had dealt her. It was moving in forward both in thoughts and in deeds that was all that mattered. It was the only acceptable direction for her to focus on. For beyond the challenges ahead, be it on Öetrago or elsewhere, lay the potential for absolute power, and for her, that power was mastery of the Force.

Bomoor's voice grew louder, "But the Elenca herd is a settlement, not a military target! The government is going to allow them to attack one of its oldest Herds? Are they insane? Can they truly turn a blind eye to something that goes against their whole way of life?"

The speaker remained calm, although he seemed interested at the Ithorian's reaction, "Your father feels much the same and has taken his case above the government itself to the sector's senator Wobar Cosh. As an Ithorian herself, I had hoped she might be more sympathetic to her own people than the lure of corporate promises for her sector. Of course, all the politicians have a degree of plausible deniability and, even if they later decry ÖetraGrow's actions and is dissolved, another shell company of GalactaWerks will quickly swoop in and pick up the pieces without suffering any permanent damage."

He looked now to Thane, "This is the story being played out across the galaxy. While the Senate operates in the light, under scrutiny, our enemies wear masks and hide. I know more than most about operating in the shadows. Still, Republic Intelligence is not what it once was, save for a few trustworthy operatives like Agent Valla, and my position offers me less flexibility to tackle the threat of GalactaWerks directly. That is why I arm myself with allies, like yourselves, who can continue on the fight in the field, while myself and the faithful few like Diplomat Thort, continue the fight on the senate floor and in conference rooms."

"Fights are not won on the Senate floor or in conference rooms," Thane responded flatly, although the comment was not truly directed at Hul; if anything, the deduction was that the Speaker agreed with that sentiment, hence the reality of their burgeoning arrangement.

Bomoor looked to Thane, "I don't like the circumstances, particularly with the Cult involved too, but I cannot let them do this to my family and my planet. These Öetragan rebels could prove useful allies in the future as well if we can assist them. I know you feel much the same, but this is no longer another mission from the Jedi and I have to ask your own man: will you come with me?"

Thane returned Bomoor's look, locking eyes with his old friend. Much was left unspoken with their brief exchange of expressions, their understanding and familiarity transcending the need for too much commentary. There had been no true need for the Ithorian to ask the question, which both knew, but never had they let such presumption taint their civility. It was a degree of respect they prized, but had deemed rare in this modern age.

"To the edge of the galaxy, Bomoor, and far, farther away, if needed." He offered a genuine, if concerned, smile, which was quickly suppressed as awareness of their audience returned. His involvement with Bomoor's life had been limited to their (mis)adventures during their time with the Jedi Order and since, yet their intimate awareness of each other's history, lives and families had lent itself to a form of shared ownership, or at least investment. Bomoor had expressed something similar during their foray into the Caanan system in the prior year, and Thane felt his ire rising more greatly at the threat to his friend's home.

Bane would not approve.

"Speaker," Thane said, tone formal and clipped, looking to the Duros' projection. "We will fly to the Elenca's aid; we will save the herd, exterminate the Company's forces, and execute their leadership on Öetrago."

The Vice Chancellor nodded his agreement, "I believe your intervention in this matter is for the best, even with the risk it presents to yourselves. I will muster what other independent parties I can to head to Öetrago but they may not arrive in time to prevent whatever the company is planning. Should you capture this Voq or anyone else who can be tied back to GalactaWerks, then I will ensure they are brought before the senate alongside the evidence in the Bastion document. The galaxy must see that these rotten influences are everywhere in our society, corrupting even the best amongst us, such as the compassionate people of Öetrago."

Now looking through the hologram into the middle-distance, Bomoor responded, "We certainly will. We cannot allow this rebellion to be fought only by small factions like on my homeworld. You keep fighting them in the senate and we will fight them out here."

The Duros raised his hands outwards, acknowledging the assembled group, "It seems I still know how to choose my friends wisely. I hope our next update is a positive one. Good luck to you all and may the Force be with you."

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