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The Jedi strode into the almost deserted throne room, moving past intricately carved stone trees. A soft glow pulsated from the green pillars, and was reflected in warm white walls crawling with chiseled vines. Blue-tinted triangular windows cut through the outer wall like a rhythmic mountain range. With hands hidden in opposing sleeves and the cloak's hood pulled low, the Jedi became a brown shadow floating through a petrified forest. A decidedly cool reception, considering they asked for this meeting.
The Jedi halted two meters from the throne and stood, quietly observing the Speaker of the Keed. The prince sat regally, looking down his feline nose. His bark-brown face was smooth and hairless, and was punctuated by a firm mouth and piercing green eyes. Shoulder-length tawny hair swept back from a high hairline. His bare chest and arms were covered with downy fur, the golden expanse broken by the diagonal slash of a ceremonial green sash. A matching cape draped over powerful shoulders. Slender hairless fingers tapped on the arm of the throne, short claws clicking loudly in the silence.
A Gran stood on each side of the throne, arms crossed, legs spread. Both bodyguards trained their three eye-stalks on the brown-cloaked figure. How odd. Why would the Keed choose to guard their leader with outlanders from Malastare?
"So," the Speaker's voice echoed amongst the tree pillars, "the Chancellor chose to send a Jedi as envoy and arbitrator. How interesting."
"As Keed is not yet a full member of the Republic, my only role in these negotiations is that of observer, Speaker Chale," the Jedi's whispered tones were soothing.
"I was led to believe otherwise, since we are only one step away." The prince narrowed his eyes and glared at the shadowed face. "Introduce yourself, Jedi."
"I am Alee-Nedra cy Nerac." The Jedi pulled her hood back, revealing hazel eyes and auburn hair. "At your service, my lord."
The Speaker was half out of his chair before he caught himself. He curled one side of his split top lip and sat back down. Alee winced inwardly at the anger rolling off the Keed. Her face remained passive. What have I gotten into?
His nostrils flared as a snarl laced his words, "The Chancellor has doubly insulted me - sending a human and a female. Never mind that you don't look old enough to be finished training."
Alee ran her hand down her shoulder-length braid, than looked the Speaker in the eye. "I may not be long out of training, but I am a fully trained Jedi Knight, my lord. Rest assured, I am quite capable of completing this mission. The Chancellor deferred the decision of who to send to the Jedi Council. They were confident that my race would not interfere with my ability to observe."
"We negotiate with humans. How can you not be prejudiced in their favor?" He scratched a groove into the wooden armrest with his index finger. Alee raised her eyebrows. She looked into eyes that were a shade darker than they had been a moment before.
"I am Jedi, Speaker Chale." Alee raised her chin slightly. "I speak the truth, I do not twist it. Not for anyone. I serve justice, not humanity."
The groove was dug a little deeper. "And what good is the word of a mere female?"
Alee inhaled the Force deeply into her body until she felt calm trickling along her nerves. She opened her mouth to speak when fire flashed through her mind. She launched herself with speed born of the Force. She flung the Speaker over her shoulder and charged toward the nearest pillar. The guards let out a belated cry and moved to follow.
Windows showered glass over the room at the same time the throne exploded. The two Gran were incinerated. Alee dove behind a pillar with Chale. She twisted and fell on her side, cushioning the Speaker's landing. The explosion roared toward them. The column split the fire and heat licked past them. The pillar rocked then stood firm. Alee stood slowly, favoring her right side, and shook bits of glass off her cloak. She surveyed the damage. Half the pillar was eaten away. Sunlight streamed through a hole in the wall, bathing the obliterated dais in a golden glow.
Chale leaned against the stone tree with eyes closed, breathing deeply. Alee crouched before him, rested her elbow on her knee and tapped her teeth with her thumb. That fear I sense - was he expecting this attack?
The Keed opened eyes that bordered on black. They lightened as she returned his stare openly. He gave her a half smile. "You observe most aggressively, Jedi."
She raised her eyebrows innocently. "I had no desire to observe our deaths, Speaker. I'm only sorry there was no time to warn your guards." She stood and rested a hand on her lightsaber. "That was a precision attack. And perhaps not totally unexpected?"
"You are most perceptive for a fe..." Chale broke off. "You are right. We do not usually greet honored guests in so poor a fashion. I regret putting you in such danger."
"No matter. But that does explain the empty room. Is that also why you chose to employ mercenary bodyguards?"
Chale stood and looked down at her. "We had no wish to further endanger our people."
"Further?" Alee furrowed her brow. "What was this attack? A warning to me, perhaps?"
"No." Chale brushed off his black leggings. "It was the second round of negotiations."
Alee suppressed the anger bubbling to the surface. "Second? And what was the first?"
"My brother's coronation." Chale heaved a sigh. "Over sixty of our people - my brother and many other leaders - died in the Speaker's Grove that day."
Alee was incredulous. "You are not Chale Lu'Hor?" Why didn't the Council know this?
"No. I am his younger sibling, Chale So'Tor." He executed a small bow. "To my intimates I am simply Chale. As you saved my life, I would be pleased for you to address me likewise."
Alee nodded. "That is indeed an honor. Especially for a mere female." Open mouth, insert foot. Why can't I learn when to be quiet?
Chale face assumed a regal mien. "I choose to overlook that shortcoming for the time being."
"My apologies. I have no excuse for such rudeness."
"Granted. It is to be expected."
Alee stopped a frown from forming. Because I'm human? Or because I'm female?
Shouts echoed outside the throne room. Alee spun and drew her lightsaber. She noticed stone benches on either side of the doors, and drew on the Force while extending her free hand. One bench rocked, then scraped across the floor, blocking the entrance. She let her breath out slowly. Some observer I am - I feel like I'm groping blindly through a room of thermal detonators. Everyone can see the danger except me. The lightsaber winked out.
"What did you do that for? How will my rescuers reach us?" Chale demanded.
"Can you assure me they are friends, not foes?" Alee challenged.
The Keed opened his mouth, then clamped it shut. He glared at her. "You are impertinent."
"You are alive." She gave him a grim smile, then continued, "Is there a back entrance? It might be best to let them believe you dead until we can assess the situation."
"Behind the dais." Chale turned to lead the way.
Alee pulled the cape off his shoulders.
"What now?" he roared.
"Not so loud, Speaker. You're dead, remember?" Alee scored the cape with lightsaber burns and let it flutter to the floor a short distance from the small crater where the throne used to sit. "To add to our deception."
"Would you like a little flesh for realism?" Chale extended his arm.
"That won't be necessary." Alee motioned with her hand. "Please lead on."
Chale huffed and activated a hidden panel. The wall slid open to reveal a tunnel. They disappeared inside and Alee closed the secret door behind them.
The passageway ended in Chale's private quarters. Alee entered the bed chamber first, lightsaber at the ready. It was empty. Wailing seeped through the walls from the room beyond. Chale moved purposefully toward the door. Alee grabbed his arm and shook her head. He scowled.
"That howling is the mourning cry of my life-long friend and servant, Randu," Chale hissed. "I will not have him suffer needless pain."
"His pain adds to our deception, Chale. Leave him for a short while. We have to talk."
Their eyes locked. His darkened as Alee felt his anger build. Hers held steady. Chale tore his arm from her grasp and sat on the edge of his bed, hands cupped over his ear holes. Alee moved to the window and lifted a single wooden slat of the blinds. The square below her was deserted. She saw smoke rising near the edge of the city. Faint sounds of battle whispered across the distance. Maybe it is only an isolated fight. Several figures ran across the square. Humans. Maybe not. She sighed and dropped the slat.
She sat beside Chale and lowered his arm. "I'm sorry, Chale. We don't have much time. How long have these sort of negotiations been going on?"
He clasped his hands and rested his elbows on his knees. "There have been threats for some time. A few isolated incidents. The coronation and today were the only open attacks."
"Could it be the Chale clan that is being attacked? Possibly even by other Keed? The actions of a few human mercenaries blamed on the colonists?"
He jumped to his feet and towered over her. He clenched and unclenched his fists. "Spoken like a true human. I know my people, human. We are not greedy and power hungry like you. The Speaker's chair is a solemn office that is passed from one noble family to the next. We are servants of the people, not lords over them. No Keed is trying to gain the chair." His nostrils flared. "You said you serve justice, yet the first thing you do is defend humanity."
"Calm down, Chale. I'm just exploring options, not making accusations." She relaxed as his eyes lightened. Alee slipped to her feet and continued, "If you are right - and I think you are - we need to figure out why the colonists are suddenly trying to take over. And we need a safe retreat. Any ideas?"
Chale closed his eyes for a moment. "The safest place is with the elders and the young."
Realization struck Alee. "There were only males from the spaceport to here. I saw no one except able-bodied males anywhere in the city."
"Which is where I should be right now," interjected Chale. "I should be the point of the spear."
"There are many able to lead the defence of the city. As leader you must discover the root of this attack and neutralize it. I did not save you in the throne room to see you die in the streets."
"I will not cower like a female."
Alee narrowed her eyes. "I seek a base of operations, not a hiding place. The battle will be won only if we take it to the heart of the enemy. Holding the city will win you nothing but a short reprieve."
"You speak like a warrior. I thought the Jedi only fought in self-defence."
"We fight to defend, yes. And sometimes the only reasonable defence is attack."
Chale lifted heavy eyebrows. "I admire your spirit, Jedi. But what of your mission as observer? You were not sent here to participate in anything, let alone battle."
Alee sighed. "Your attackers stripped me of options when they tried to kill us. I will not allow injustice to win the day, regardless of my mission parameters."
"You speak as though we have already won."
"We have, because we fight with honor. This foe will feel the sting of justice's blade."
"Spoken like a true Keed." Chale's eyes sparkled keenly. Alee bowed her head in acknowledgement of the compliment.
Banging on a distant door interrupted their conversation. The wailing in the next room grew louder. Alee took in Chale's rigid stance. A wave of fear swept from his core and rolled over her. She saw the struggle on his face to control his emotions. Calm won out. Alee smiled inwardly.
"Stay dead a little longer, Chale. Let me handle this," she said, and slipped from the room before he could answer.
Alee eased into a shadowed corner of the Speaker's reception area. She slipped off her cloak, the tan tunic and leggings beneath allowed her to disappear against the creamy walls.
The green and gold room was graced by several chairs suspended from the ceiling by vines. Plants dotted the floor. In the middle of the room, a grief-stricken Randu lay prostrate, his howl of anguish rising as the pounding grew louder.
Suddenly the door gave way and six humans spilled into the room. Surprise silenced Randu mid-wail. He bounced to his feet, shaking. Fear? No. Anger.
"You have killed my master. Why do you violate his home, as well?" Randu demanded.
The leader stepped forward. "Just cleaning the castle of rodents." He raised his blaster.
Alee grabbed hold of the Force. She leapt in front of Randu as her lightsaber jumped to life. The blaster bolt deflected back at the attackers, dropping one. To a shout of "Take cover!", the soldiers dove to the sides and opened fire. Alee stood her ground, letting the Force control her actions. She became a wall of sizzling blue, protecting the stunned Randu. Another soldier fell. Alee heard a laser hiss past her ear. Time to end this. She charged toward the battered door and somersaulted through the air, twisting to land facing the soldiers' backs. The two closet the entrance were cut down before they could turn. She side-stepped a red flame and sliced the blaster of the next attacker. His weapon exploded and he fell to the floor, clutching his face and screaming.
Alee turned to face the leader. His blaster was pressed against Randu's neck. She assessed her opponent. Swarthy and stocky. Slightly shorter than her own 1.7 meters. Very calm.
"Lay down the weapon, Jedi, or this creature dies." He sneered.
"You plan to kill him anyway. Why should I leave myself defenceless?"
The Keed's eyes widened in alarm as the weapon dug deeper into his flesh, making him gasp for air. Alee sighed. She laid powered down the lightsaber and tossed to the floor.
"Smart move," the soldier said. "Now tell me how you survived that blast."
"Fast reflexes."
"Don't get cute, Jedi." He narrowed his eyes. "Did that Speaker thing die?"
"The Keed are sentient beings, not things."
"Save the lecture. I want answers."
"So do I," interrupted Alee. "Who are you and why are the colonists attempting this takeover?"
"Read my mind and tell me, Jedi." He curled his lip.
"I prefer traditional methods of questioning." She took a step closer. His grip tightened and she froze. Alee whispered, "You are a coward, threatening defenceless Keed and unarmed women."
"No one calls Rave Mundale a coward." He pushed Randu to the floor and swung his blaster toward Alee's heart. Mission accomplished. Alee smiled and took another step.
"Maybe not a coward, Rave Mundale. But definitely a fool." Alee wrenched the blaster from his hand with the Force. It clattered to the floor. She called her lightsaber back to her palm. Rave found himself looking down his nose at the blue energy blade. Anger darkened his features.
"You betray your own people, Jedi. Be done with it. Kill me." He stretched his neck out.
She flicked off the lightsaber. "We may both be human, but I do not belong to such small-minded people. And I do not murder defenceless beings. Leave. And tell your masters that the Speaker may be dead, but they will answer to the Jedi."
He bent to pick up his blaster. Alee stepped on it and shook her head. He gave her one last venomous look and ran from the room.
Alee was jerked around and stared into the blazing eyes of a furious Randu. His claws dug into her arm and she twisted free. She felt blood soaking into her tunic and cradled her left arm.
"He killed Chale. Our beloved Speaker. My friend. How could you just let him go? He needs to die. They all need to die." He vibrated with hate.
Alee pursed her lips then replied icily, "If you adopt the enemy's attitudes, you become the enemy." Her eyes looked past the Keed's shoulder. "Isn't that right, Chale?"
Randu spun, his mouth hanging open. Chale smiled. "Yes. There is at least one decent human left on Keed. We must hope there are more."
"M-master. You live! But ... but, I'd heard..." Randu trailed off as he flung himself at Chale and engulfed him in a fierce hug.
Laughing, Chale tried to escape the grasp. "You may succeed where the explosion failed, friend. Let me go so I can breathe."
Randu dropped his arms and a ripple of alarm crossed his features. "Forgive me, my lord. I was overcome."
Chale slapped the smaller Keed on the shoulder. "There is nothing to forgive. But we must act with haste."
"Of course," replied Randu, "we must join the defenders."
"No. We return to the trees," Chale said.
"The trees? You would flee the fight?" Randu spun and pointed at Alee. "This is your doing, Jedi. You are turning him into a weak female."
Alee rolled her eyes. I've never thought of myself as weak - what is their problem ?
Chale clasped the upset Keed's arm. "No, friend. We retreat in order to attack. The claws of the beast are nothing. We must cut off its head."
Chale turned to Alee. "Was this group the tip of invasion? Are we about to be overrun?"
She looked out a window. "No. I think it was a scouting party. But if one can get through, you are in danger. We need to go."
A low moan caught Alee's attention. She saw a wounded soldier dragging himself away from their voices. She moved quickly to his side and knelt. A wave of dizziness swept over her. She shook her head to clear it and studied the soldier. His face was red and shiny, and speckled with blisters that were filling with pus. His eyes were sealed shut. The blaster explosion. Alee touched his arm. He writhed away.
She filled her whisper with peace. "Please be still. We want to help you."
He lay still, chest heaving. Alee sensed Randu coming up behind her by his leading edge of anger. She rose and pivoted, grabbing the blaster from his hand before he could step back.
She wavered slightly and shook the weapon in his face. "What is this?" she hissed.
"The only help he'll get from me," he answered defiantly.
"Is that the quality of mercy you wanted when a blaster was pressed to your neck?" Alee quashed her rising anger. "Where is the justice if murder becomes the norm?"
Chale joined them. "Get the medkit, Randu. We have two wounded to care for." He nodded at Alee's arm.
She looked down. The whole arm and side of her tunic was blood-soaked. The room tilted and she leaned against the wall. Alee frowned and shot Chale a questioning look.
"In battle we have the ability to transmit a poison through our claws," Chale explained. "It prevents the blood from clotting - speeds up the bleeding, actually. It's likely that in his anger, Randu unconsciously injected you when he grabbed you."
"So I am going to bleed to death?" Alee asked calmly. She drew on the Force to gather strength.
"No. We have an antidote."
"Well, that's a relief." She forced her eyes to focus. "Will Randu be willing to administer it?"
Chale laughed, a deep growling sound that soothed Alee's nerves.
Randu rejoined them and slapped the medkit into Chale's hands. He crossed his arms and glowered. Chale removed a vial and green roll from the kit and returned it gently.
"Care for the soldier, Randu." Chale gave him a firm look. "Get him to the medcenter and pass on my orders that all wounded are to be cared for equally."
Randu shot a daggered look at Alee and turned to help the blinded man to his feet. Chale took Alee's right arm and helped her to a chair.
He whispered, "Randu thinks you are a bad influence."
She grimaced as he helped her out of her tunic. Her white undershirt was blotched red. She slumped back and sighed. "Am I?"
Chale disappeared into the next room and returned with a basin of water. It turned pink, then red, as he washed her arm. He spread a yellow paste on her wounds and replied, "Not at all. I have ever been the peacemaker in my clan. A frail waif quaking in the shadow of my perfect and fearless brother."
Alee took in Chale's powerful 1.8 meter frame. "I find it hard to imagine you as frail."
He smiled sadly and wrapped her arm in the fragrant green bandage. She brushed her fingers over it. Some sort of leaf.
"I was late maturing," Chale continued. "But, even now, I am beset by fears. Every action I take seems to me to be fraught with ... wrongness. It is a feeling that has only intensified since I was thrust into the Speaker's chair. Frail is a good word."
"Your brother's death has made you feel even more exposed, I suspect." Alee closed her eyes and relished the feeling of strength growing inside. The Force tingled up and down her arm.
Chale sat back on his heels. "Perhaps. No one ever wanted to see So'Tor ascend to power, especially when the strength of Lu'Hor outshone everyone else's." Bitterness crept into his voice. "Now, the chair is feared more than it is loved, so my family placed a dispensable puppet on it."
Alee leaned forward. "But you grew strong in your brother's shadow. It is not a puppet I see before me, but a leader. One who isn't afraid to make hard choices."
Dark green eyes met hazel ones. Chale frowned. "Even my best friend questions my actions."
"But he obeys, Chale. In time, Randu will see the rightness of what you do. It is no accident you are in the chair. When you come through this crisis, all the Keed will see that the Force chose wiser than they did. You will be vindicated."
"As will you, I think." Chale's eyes lightened
Alee raised her eyebrows. "Do I need vindication? What is my crime?" Why ... he's blushing.
"You know what I mean. You being..."
"Female?" Alee supplied. She smiled. "I will strive to prove myself worthy of your esteem, my lord. Despite my, ah, deficiency."
Chale scowled. "You saved my life and that of my friend. You already have my esteem. It is my people who will judge you by your race and sex."
"As you did not so long ago." Alee cringed inwardly at his grimace. She stood. "Never mind. One battle at a time. Let's go."
Alee went to the refresher station and rinsed out her tunic. Her features looked pale in the mirror. She touched a shadow under her eye. Must have lost a lot of blood. Why do I have the feeling that might be the least of my problems?
She rejoined Chale. He had donned a sleeveless, mottled green tunic. His black leggings stopped below the knee, exposing muscled golden calves and bare, paw-like feet. Each toe was adorned by a claw as deadly looking as the ones on his hands. His only other clothing, a utility belt, sported a knife, blaster and assorted packets. He patted one compartment.
"More otaro paste and kuba leaf," he said, grinning. "In case you anger any more of my compatriots."
She rolled her eyes. "The Force save me from wise-cracking Keed."
Alee retrieved her cloak and pulled it on over her still-damp tunic. Randu returned and stood silently at Chale's side. Good thing his looks aren't as deadly as his touch.
She nodded at Randu. "Shouldn't you be armed?"
Chale answered for him. "Household servants are never taught weaponry."
She snorted. "He holds a blaster just fine. Get him one."
"Who is in charge here, Jedi?" Chale demanded softly.
"Why, you are, of course." Alee gave him a half smile.
Chale huffed. He gathered a blaster and recharge pack from its dead owner and tossed it to Randu. The startled servant tucked them into his belt and glared at Alee. Chale turned, smiling, and led the way out, his bare feet silenced by their thick pads. Alee brought up the rear, boots thudding softly on the stone floors.
