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Throwing
it all Away 1986/2004/2005 story by Mark Newbold Three years after Episode IV - A New Hope
“Gotta admit, you scrub up pretty good for a low
down, no good smuggler.” Jan Lomona adjusted his collar and ran
his fingers through his brown shoulder length hair as he glanced at his
fiancé Frans Latka in the reflection of the full length mirror that took up half
the wall of his quarters aboard his freighter the Berone Sunrise. His usual
colourful attire had been set aside and in its place a three-quarter length
black suit and matching shirt reflected back at Jan, his uncle Ade’s silver
cufflinks glistening in the rooms bright lights. He gave Frans a confident smile as he
admired the new form hugging red dress that accentuated every one of her
curves. Shame we’re going out tonight.
That dress looks like my kinda challenge.
“Well, us smugglers gotta have something up
our sleeves. You should see how good
Gimo looks in one of these.” Frans thought of the squat, leathery
body of Gimo the Gamp in a tuxedo and raised an eyebrow.
“I’ll save that thought for later.
But first Captain, we have a
meal to enjoy. And you have something
to tell me.”
“I sure do.” He brushed himself
down and turned to face his long time girlfriend, looking down at his suit. “Will I do?” Frans kissed him softly on the lips
and winked.
“Yeah, you’ll do. Come on,
let’s get going.” Jan managed to pull himself away from
Frans and into the corridor of the Sunrise,
motioning for Aurran to join him as he made his way towards the guest
quarters. Inside he could hear frantic
mutterings and curses in ancient A-desandian and couldn’t resist a grin. That’s
my girl.
“Do you mind helping Paige get ready, we’re gonna be late and you know
Glann doesn’t like to be kept waiting.” Aurran nodded and rapped on the door,
his metal hands clanging away like spanners.
“I’m well aware of Mister Cipples impatient nature Master Jan.” Answered Aurran as the door opened and
Paige appeared still in her jeans and t-shirt, hair spun in curling strips,
make up only half applied. Jan groaned
as Aurran moved into her quarters to help.
“C’mon Paige, we’ve got twenty minutes to get to the Fortress. You’ve been in there for two hours.”
“I had a coolant leak to clean up, the primary quadex needed a
recharge and the nava computer had to be rebooted after you managed to fry
the old one last week.”
“You’ve had all day to do that!” Paige growled under her breath,
turning back to Aurran as he held her evening dress up to the light, checking
it had been ironed correctly.
“Alright Dad, you find me
another fourteen year old who’ll do that for free!” Jan blinked and frowned at his
daughter as he leaned forward.
“Free? Who do you think bought
that dress, the Force Fairy?”
“Master Jan,” interjected Aurran, sensing another Lomona spat. “If you give us five minutes Mistress Paige
will be quite ready.” Jan took a deep breath and
grinned. I should know by now I can trust my old pal to sort these things out.
Jan nodded and moved out of the doorway, allowing it to close. He frowned again and checked his chrono –
eighteen minutes to twenty hundred. Stang, it won’t look good if I’m late for
this meal. Especially
after I tell Glann my news. Frans closed the door to their
quarters and checked everything she needed was in her small handbag. Jan couldn’t resist staring at her as she
organised herself, her red hair and heels playing off the glittering dress,
her green eyes and nails only highlighting her beauty. He was the luckiest man in the galaxy, and
he knew it. So why does my self-destruct button vibrate every time I see another
beautiful woman? Frans is my girl but
I treat her so bad, even though she doesn’t know it. He shrugged and closed his eyes. I
must be crazy.
“Ready?” Frans asked, knowing full well that Paige was still in the
throes of a fashion disaster. Jan
cocked his head towards the door.
“Almost.
I’m beginning to think Aurrans primary function is fashion advisor.”
“How does that explain your normal fashion sense then?” jibed
Frans. Jan gave her a sarcastic look
and tapped his foot on the deck plates as he waited. A minute later the door opened and Paige
appeared looking twenty-four instead of fourteen and as if she had been made
up by a professional artist. Jan nodded
in approval as she stepped past him towards Frans and patted Aurran on the
shoulder.
“Thanks old buddy, knew I could rely on
you.” He paused as he watched his
daughter and Frans step carefully down the ramp to the waiting taxi speeder
outside and leaned towards his droid. “By the way, who taught you the make up
skills?” Aurran tapped the side of what looked
like his nose and appeared for all the world as if
he was smiling at Jan.
“That would be telling. Enjoy
your night Master Jan.” Jan laughed and followed his girls
down the ramp.
“You too.” Glann Cipple watched Jan as he entered
his office on the highest ninth level of his Amagad Fortress, the last member
of Glanns guests to arrive. Frans and
Paige were already seated, having carried on ahead as Jan had hurriedly
rushed into Zythlies to grab a bottle of Geenau whiskey as a gift for his employer. Lomona closed the double doors behind him,
the warmth of the log fire warming his left side as he walked past it towards
Cipple. He offered the whiskey with a
smile.
“Thought this might keep the evening rolling along.” Glann checked the bottles vintage and
nodded, clearly impressed.
“The table wine will do that.
This treasure is staying in my desk drawer.” He appraised the bottle again. “Thank you Jan.” The two men shook hands and both made their
way to the table. Jan seated himself
between Frans and Paige, glancing at both with a wink and waited for Glann as
he cleared his throat.
“I thought that tonight I would break from our usual routine and
invite a handful of you for a more informal gathering.” Jan looked around the table, some of faces he
knew and a few he didn’t. All told
there were fifteen people seated at the table all enjoying their first glass
of wine and the warmth of the log fire.
Jan grinned at Goah Galletti who nodded back across the table at him. Jan figured that Goah was probably here
under duress, evening dinner engagements not being the Trefnarian assassin’s
particular forte. Goah gave Paige a small smile and Jan noticed his daughter
blush in the yellow light and squeezed her hand gently. Glann continued. “Our operations continue to go well. Many of our competitors’ operatives were
eliminated on Soluman and our brief brush with our new Imperial governor was
soon corrected.” A laugh rippled
around the table as everyone recalled the reposting of General Kriner, the
corrupt Imperial overlord of Amagad Glann had in his pocket who, after
pressure from Cipple was reinstated to his position. “The D’Staan operation is well on its way
to being integrated into our organisation.
Even Dressel is quiet, which is a blessing in itself.” Another laugh ran around the table. “All told, I am satisfied with our current
status.” He checked his desk screen
and gave Goah a brief glance. “The Remlan V situation.
Sort it.” Goah nodded curtly and drank a drop of
his water as Glann turned to Melm who stood to his feet as four waiters moved
around the table, and Jan had to look closely in the light of the fire to confirm
that they were synthetics. Classic Glann – knows everyone in the room
so he knows where his potential security leaks are. Unlike good old Melm. The white haired leader of Glanns elite
Shadow Warriors assassin squad began to speak.
“Intelligence continues to be consistent and steady. Our agents across the galaxy are set in
deep cover and reporting back information to us. We have an agent in the Core who is being
reassigned to the Anoat System.” He
flicked a quick glance at Galletti which Glann noticed but the black clad
assassin did not and continued.
“Rumours of increased Imperial activity in the sector have been
confirmed. Alliance forces engaged
Imperial forces on Entall two months ago, and Setnin has seen an increased
Imperial presence on hyperspace lanes and in the streets of major
worlds. Our operations continue to
grow and our intelligence division has hired thirty new agents this month,
many taken from opposing organisations.”
Melm seated himself as Jan took a drink from his Duarga and smiled at
Frans. It certainly appeared that
everything was in order, and Jan relaxed into his seat as the starters were
served. The evening went well, easy
conversations about business, trade and other less taxing issues. Jan and Frans had a long chat with Cipple’s
wife Bella about vacations, something Glann never took but Bella was
determined to. Paige entered into a
long discussion with another young girl present about, what else, fashion and
music. Even Galletti made the effort,
discussing traps and snares with one of Cipple’s nameless Shadow
Warriors. All told it was a
comfortable, successful evening. The four courses were finished and the
remaining guests had sunk into their seats by the fire, enjoying the last of
their drinks. Goah and Melm had left, both with other duties to attend to and the females
of the group had adjourned to the opposite side of the Fortress and the
veranda that gave a wide view of Mount Fava and the estates below. Glann and Jan were stood by the window
watching Amagad in the dead of night, as busy as it was at noon, skies filled
with fireflies of engines and speeders.
Jan took a sip from his Duarga and looked across at Glann.
“I’ve got something I need to talk to you about.” Glann continued to stare ahead, sipping at his own whiskey and watching Galletti
blast off in the Phoenix. Jan waited patiently for a reply.
“I assume it’s not company business, or else you would have brought it
up at dinner.”
“No, it’s not. Well, not
exactly.” Jan paused as he took
another mouthful of his drink. He
cleared his throat and pressed on.
“I’ve been handed an opportunity, and I think I want to take it.” He paused again. “You know my father was killed on Entall
two months ago?” Glann nodded solemnly.
“I do. My
condolences.” Jan nodded his thanks but continued
swiftly.
“His death set this into motion.”
Jan turned away from the window towards the roaring fire. Lomona and Cipple were now alone in the room,
all others having departed quietly, which pleased Jan. He hated sharing details of his personal life
with strangers, but often seemed to nonetheless. “My family back on A-desando is next in
line to accept the governorship of Ecaps City. Dad was due to take the posting, with the
Empires permission. It would have
solidified the Imperial presence there, given them an even stronger hold of
the Bordon Space Lane. But now he’s
dead.” Jan took another swig of
Duarga. “My mother was offered the
position, but she only has weeks to live, maybe less. It would have been handed down to their
eldest son, but my brothers Luude and Hijjin are dead.” Jan turned to face Glann. “Which leaves me.” Cipple nodded and looked into his
glass of whiskey, rolling the drink around the cut crystal glass, deep in
thought. He stood in silence,
assessing his thoughts. Finally he
looked up and spoke.
“And you’re here to ask my permission?” Glann eyed Jan closely in the firelight and
slowly smiled. “No, you’re not are
you.” He stated. Jan glanced away.
“Not in so many words, no.” Lomona smiled. “Why, do I need your permission?” Glann cast a long look over the vista
of Amagad City that always lay beyond his
blast-proof window, as much his as the glass in his hand, or the air in his
lungs. Or the men on
his payroll…
“No Jan, you don’t. You’ve explained yourself and I appreciate
that. And if I were in your shoes I
would do exactly the same.” Jan paused, his glass hovering just
off his lips.
“You would?” Glann nodded.
“Of course.
We are both men of opportunity.
Neither of us pass up chances that come our
way. Smart men never do.” He motioned towards Jan with the
glass. “And besides, if you turned
this down you would regret it for the rest of your life.” He watched Jan again and the smuggler could
feel the gears turn in the ganglords head.
“You hadn’t made up your mind about this, had you?”
“Not entirely. I guess I wanted
to run it by you, see if it really was something I should pursue. Obviously you think it is.” Glann smiled to himself. Clever manoeuvring Lomona. If I had thought your process
through I may have been able to keep you here. But then again, perhaps
not.
“Accept your governorship, I can highly recommend it.” He turned a slow circle around his spartan
but elegant office. “But remember, the
trappings of success are just that: traps.
A mans goals are measured by more than possessions and trinkets. Achievements and
security, a good night’s sleep and a comforting word. They can be worth more than all the
possessions in the galaxy. We all
strive to achieve, to possess as much as we can, but it always comes down to
the essentials.” Cipple finished his
glass of whiskey. “Believe me, I
know.”
“Thanks, I appreciate that.”
Jan emptied his own glass and placed it down on Cipple’s wide
crème-coloured desk. “I guess I’d
better get back and pack. Tell the
guys to work A-desando any time they like, as long as they’re discreet.” He grinned as he offered his hand to his
now former employer. “You know the
score.”
“I know the score Jan.” He
shook the A-desandians hand firmly and fixed him with a genuine smile. “Good luck Governor Lomona.”
“Pinch me, I think I must be dreaming.”
“Did you slip something into his drink?”
“If only I was that devious.” Frans elbowed Jan in the ribs as he
slid an arm around her bare shoulders and she snuggled up to him in their
bed.
“You’re the poster boy for devious.”
“Really?
And here’s me thinking there were mirrors hanging up everywhere.” Frans looked up at Jan as he fixed his
other arm behind his head and rested on it.
“So, when do we leave?” Jan grinned and closed his eyes in
thought.
“First thing in the morning. I called ahead,
they’re expecting us late tomorrow evening.
And I want to let the boys know we’re going, run through some things
with the guys, give them a few hints and tips.” Frans smiled as she coiled herself
around Jan.
“Oooh, your feet are cold!” She
tucked her feet around a swathe of warm blanket. “Why, don’t you think they’ll know what to
do?”
“Sure, but sadly panache can’t be taught so I’ll have to go through
every detail, or else when I get back…well, there’ll be nothing to come back
to.” Frans frowned and glanced up at her
fiancé.
“What makes you think you’re coming back?” Jan glanced away, suddenly struck by
that thought. It hadn’t occurred to
him that this may well be the end of his smuggling career, his life as a free
trader. If events went well back home
there was every chance that he would either continue his stint as Governor,
or be offered a new position later down the line. The thought of being away from the space
lanes permanently simply hadn’t computed.
“It never hurts to be thorough.
Besides, Glanns guys will be running through Ecaps, I told him that
earlier. I’ll still be involved.” Frans shook her head and thumped him
on the arm.
“Jan, just for once couldn’t
you concentrate on one thing at a time instead of ten? You’ve agreed to become Governor of Ecaps
City. That’s a huge thing for an A-desandian.
Make that work, be the best governor ever.” She snuggled up to him again. “Worry about Glann some other time.”
“I’m not worried about Glann, it’s just…” His voice trailed off as he drifted in
thought again. Frans waited for him to
gather himself. “It’s just that I’m
not sure I’m ready to walk away from all this quite yet. I’m thirty-two, not even close to my prime,
and look at what I’ve achieved already.” Frans nodded, fixing him with a level
stare.
“Yeah lover, look at what you’ve achieved. You’ve managed sixteen
years as a smuggler and you’re still in one piece, still got your ship, some
money in the Bank of Zelon.” She
kissed him softly on the lips. “God
knows how but you’ve still got me. Be
grateful. Take this time out and run
with it, and if it doesn’t work out then think things through again.” She leaned back onto her own pillow and
ruffled his hair. “I fully intend to
throw myself into it one hundred percent.
I won’t miss the lanes a bit.” Jan gave her a warm smile but inside
ran all the scenarios through his mind.
He’d left the lanes before for Frans, promised to marry her and find
another life but had managed to last only a few weeks before returning to the
spaceways. What if this was the
same? What if he hated the drudgery of
responsibility and the burden of command?
He let out a slow sigh and submitted to the restlessness of sleep. The Berone Sunrise swung low over the low rooftops of Ecaps City’s
outskirts and already Jan could see the vast procession that was snaking its
way down Addrone Way, the long and wide thoroughfare that led directly to
Governors House, his new home. The
closer they got to the city the taller the buildings rose until the sky was
filled with skyscrapers, the only buildings on A-desando allowed by law to be
built more than three stories high.
Frans and Paige peered out of the small circular windows in the main
hold to see ticker tape parades, processions, marching bands and fly-bys all
in the honour of the new Governor. Jan
blew out a long breath and glanced at Aurran, who was freshly polished and
gleaming next to him like a factory-fresh droid yet to be activated.
“Dap never told me about any of this.”
He grumbled, tracking a squadron of fighters as they buzzed past the
cockpit window. “If I have to make a
speech to that lot, someone dies.”
“Master Jan, I’ve heard your speeches before and they are perfectly
adequate for occasions such as this.”
Aurran began to switch over from the powerful engines to repulsors as
their landing platform became apparent, and Jan could make out a large
greeting party. He adjusted his
collar. “You will be fine.”
“I don’t want to be fine, I want to be great.” He cocked his head as he felt a welcome
surge of confidence fill his chest.
“I’m Jan Lomona. Great is my
business.”
“Yes Master Jan.” Said Aurran
wearily as he stood to leave the cockpit and prepare the Sunrise for landing. Jan
kept on nodding to himself, praising his superior coolness and ability to
overcome any situation and swung his freighter into a tricky reverse landing
that made the assorted delegates take one step backwards, and shut down the
power systems almost as soon as she’d touched the deck, bringing the cooling
systems online while the vents were still hot and kicking out a plume of warm
and moist air that billowed across the platform. Satisfied that he’d made a sufficiently
classy entrance he stood and walked into the hold, grinning like a man who’d
won the biggest hand of Sabacc ever and rubbing his hands together.
“Ladies, I think it’s time we met our adoring public.” Frans gave Paige a sidelong glance and
nodded, taking Jans hand as Aurran opened the ramps inner hatch.
“Good luck Master Jan.” Jan patted his old friend on the
shoulder and winked at Aurran as he trundled into the hold from the engines
room, damp and gleaming as if he’d just been jet washed.
“Keep things together here guys.
I’ll be back in the morning to sort out your quarters.” Aurran straightened, almost in an
approximation of shock.
“Master Jan, that really isn’t necessary. We are droids. We don’t require quarters.” Jan shook his head and fixed Aurran
with a serious look.
“I’m doing all this for my family.
That means you. You and Troopie get quarters, alright.” It wasn’t a question it was a
statement and Aurran nodded slowly as Frans squeezed her fiancés hand and
walked down the ramp by his side, Paige following a few steps behind. It was a cool evening in Ecaps City, the
sun of Tri-Lomon just setting behind the hills that scooped around Ecaps. Jan smiled as he took a deep breath,
remembering the crispness of the air at this time of year and looked back
towards the delegation that approached.
He spotted his childhood friend Dap Teks near the front of the
assembled group and gave him a grin as he accepted the outstretched hand of
the man who approached first.
“Governor Lomona, it’s a pleasure to welcome you to Governors House,
your new home. I’m Tre Uunaro, Deputy
Governor. It’s my job to familiarise
you with the intricacies of A-desandian and Ecaps law, bring you up to speed
with what is happening, what motions and agendas we have on the table at the
moment.” The tall man wiped his
greying moustache and smiled, his large belly
wobbling slightly as he chuckled. “You
must be tired after your journey.” He
turned and gave Dap a raised eyebrow, ushering him to approach. “Assistant Teks here will take you to your
new quarters.” Jan raised a relieved eyebrow at that
and nodded appreciatively.
“Deputy Uunaro, that would be great.” He shook Daps hand strongly and clasped an
arm around his shoulder. “Besides, I
think me and Dap have a lot to catch up with.”
“Governor, Governor, before you leave I think it might be wise to at
least give the crowd a brief moment of your time. An appearance at the
Governors balcony?” Jan glanced at Frans and Paige, both of
whom were nodding enthusiastically, and at Dap who as ever gave him a blank
and unreadable stare. He knew when he
was beat.
“Sure, why not. Lead the way.” Jans first month
in office flew by in a blur of official dinners, meetings with dignitaries,
matters of office and occasional bouts of sleep. He had never been so tired and yet so
curiously interested for a long time, and found the thrill of his new
position to be strangely liberating.
Frans and Paige had taken to their new roles like ducks to water,
filling the position of Governors family expertly and taking advantage of
every new opportunity that came their way.
Jan was pleased and told them so, when he had the chance. During that first hectic month he slept in
his own bed only twice, and even then had slept so soundly that when he awoke
Frans had already left on a function. His thirtieth day in office started
much as the others had, with Aurran waking him from his slumber at some
ungodly hour with a tray of Shleven rashers and a hot cup of chav, Jans
preferred breakfast wake-me-up. He
polished them off with relish as he sat up in bed, reading the business pages
of Chancai Express with an interest
he simply didn’t have before and turned to appreciate the rising sun outside
his veranda. Ecaps was buzzing with
life, even at this hour, and the almost translucent lavender sky looked crisp
and ready for the new day. Jan washed
and changed, striding into his sitting room where Tre Uunaro sat waiting for him,
a clip full of flims straining to break free.
Jan smiled as he sat down and took the flims from Tre, scanning
through them quickly and checking to see what his day held in store.
“The Ecaps Commerce Guild is your first appointment at nine, followed
by the Females Institute brunch at ten thirty. You’re free for two hours until the meeting
with the Halando Minister at two.”
“What’s Frans doing today?” Jan asked, not looking up from his
reading. Tre checked his schedule,
thumbing through flims swiftly.
“Horticultural show till eleven, then free until four. Why Governor? Surely you don’t want to spend quality time
with your betrothed?” Tre gave Jan a
mischievous grin as Jan glanced up.
“Sure, why not. I’ve hardly
seen her since we got here.” He took
another swig from his almost cold chav.
“Just ‘cause I’m the Governor doesn’t mean I only kiss babies.”
“Indeed.” Tre stood and nodded
at Jan. “I have business to attend
to. I will meet you at the Gatehouse
at two.” Jan winked at Tre as he departed and
crossed his legs as he left the room.
Checking he was definitely alone Jan stood and moved to the door,
securing it shut, and wandered across to the balcony that ran along the side
of the sitting room. He stood at the
window, watching all manner of vessels trundle by through the enormous
buildings of Ecaps City. Occasional
TIE fighters buzzed by, reminding him that even his homeworld was a willing
part of the Empire, something he dearly wished he could change. But if making Ecaps a safer and more secure
place was his brief then he would carry that out to the best of his
abilities. A-desando may have thrown
its lot in with the Galactic Empire, and been for the most part a loyal ally
since the end of the Clone Wars over twenty years ago, but that didn’t mean his Ecaps had to suck up to it
too. At least, that was his
belief. And besides, there were plenty
of other ways to defy the Empire. He answered the insistent bleeping of
his comm. and lifted the receiver to his ear.
“Glann, right on time…yeah, everything’s going great…no, no
hiccups…come on, you know how fast I adapt to things…sure, I told you that
before I left, any time you need to run through here it’s not an issue…I’ll
make sure there’s a docking bay secured for you by noon…don’t mention it,
I’ll be in touch. Oh, and tell Bella
Frans said hi and there’s a villa here for you to use if you ever want to
take up the offer…and to you.” Jan grinned as he thumbed off the
comm. and walked back to his seat, picking up the flims again and browsing
through them as if nothing had just happened.
A couple of minutes later Dap entered the sitting room and seated
himself opposite Jan, fixing him with his blank stare. Jan answered without looking up.
“What?”
“Docking Bay 77 is secure and ready for your friends.” Jan raised an internal eyebrow and let
slip an outward smile.
“I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about…but thanks buddy.”
“Don’t mention it.” Dap leaned
forward in his seat and clasped his hands together. “Not that it’s important, but your approval
rating has skyrocketed since you made Empire Day an official holiday.” Jan snarled internally at the thought
of celebrating that hated anniversary but at the same time patted himself on
the back for the clever political signals it gave out.
“Got to keep the troops happy.” Jan looked up. “Besides, it never hurts to distract folks
from what’s really going on.” Dap nodded in agreement.
“True. I received word today
that your fiscal proposals are almost complete. I’ve got to admit, many members of the
cabinet thought you would just be a figurehead Governor, but these ideas are
revolutionary. If we can keep
inflation under control, these projections might just be attainable.” Jan grinned again as he leaned back in
his seat.
“Dap, Dap, Dap, I’ve been a smuggler for sixteen years. I can make balance sheets dance.” He jabbed a finger at his friend. “And you
of all people should have had more faith in me.” Dap nodded again and was about to
reply when the communications panel inlaid into the coffine table began to
bleep. Jan leaned forward and
answered.
“Governor Lomona here.”
“Sir, we’ve received a message from your family estate. It’s your mother.” Jan gave Dap a concerned look as Dap
stood to his feet.
“Come on Jan, the Governors speeder is this way. You’ll be there in minutes.” Jan stood as if shrouded in a
fog. His mother, who he had never been
close to, had fallen ill of late and upon their last meeting had persuaded
her only surviving son to assume the mantle of Governor of Ecaps City in place
of his recently deceased father.
Unwillingly at first Jan had agreed, but this past month had left him
wondering about his mothers actions.
Did she know that he would take to this position so eagerly? Somehow, could she foresee that he would
become such an efficient and tidy leader?
He looked at Dap with glazed eyes and breathed deeply though his nose.
“Take me to my mother.” The speeder raced high across the
hills of the Ponon Pass and through the valley toward Ponon City, his
destination. The sun was casting its
light onto the purple skies and rich green fields of A-desando as the speeder
rapidly decelerated and swung its nose around to land softly in the wide
courtyard of the Lomona estate. Jan
leapt out of the speeder and raced towards the house, the door already opened
by the family doctor who stood waiting at the door with a sad look across his
face.
“Governor Lomona, I am so sorry.” Jan ignored him and skidded into the
hall, turning around the staircase and left into the main lounge. It looked much as it had the last time he’d
been here, candle lit and dark, his mother lying in a cradle of soft
pillows. He struggled to catch his
breath. The last time he had seen
Sieera she had seemed frail and small, like a shrunken version of the
powerful woman he remembered from his youth, but now she was wizened and aged
like a dried fruit left out in the sun for too long, and even her sunken eyes
seemed bereft of life. He closed the
door and approached the bed gingerly, careful not to disturb her but secretly
hoping she would stir from her slumber just so she would know he was there.
“Mom?” He took another step
closer to the bed. “Mom, it’s me,
Jan. I came as soon as I heard.” He took a chair from by the wall and moved
it to the edge of the bed. “They tell
me you’re in a bad way, but I don’t believe them. I still think you’ve got a heart like a
Bantha.”
“Stupid boy,” she whispered, barely audible above the rasping croak of
her breathing. Jan moved closer and
blanched at the acrid smell that emanated from her. Her syndrome was reaching the final stages
of its pillage through her body and both mother and son knew it. Whatever Sieera wanted to say she had to
say now.
“That’s me Mom. Your stupid
boy.” He took her twig-like hand. “But everybody else calls me Governor.” Sieera’s eyes opened at that and she
surveyed her sons face with a placid smile.
“I’m proud of you son. You
finally did something worthwhile with your life.” She coughed up a handful of something gross
and paused to compose herself. “About time.”
“I’m A-desandian. There’s
plenty of time in this life to do something worthwhile.” He squeezed her hand softly, just enough so
she knew he meant what he was about to say.
“I thought about what you said before.
About making Frans an honest woman.” He drew a deep breath. “Once my governorship’s over I’m going to
marry her on a raft on the lake. All
my friends will be there, my family.
You’ll be there too.”
“What you gonna do? Bring my
urn?” Jan shook his head, his usual humour
deserting him.
“You’ll be there in spirit. I
know because the last few weeks have made me see that you did give me something, despite all the
arguments we’ve had over the years.
I’m made of tougher stuff than I thought and that’s because of you.”
He suddenly found his eyes filling with tears. “Thanks Mom.”
“Don’t mention it.” She smiled
before collapsing into another coughing fit.
Once composed she gripped his hand as tightly as her frail fingers
allowed. “Now go son. I don’t want you to remember me like
this. Leave and go back to your new
life. The one I always wanted for
you.” Jan nodded sadly and stood to his
feet, not taking his eyes off his mother.
“I will Mom. And thanks.”
“For what?” Jan smiled and shrugged, suddenly at a
loss for words.
“You’re my Mom, there doesn’t have to be a reason.” He released her hand and stepped away from
the bed. “Sleep tight.” Jan turned and walked out of the room
before his mother could reply and ran back to the speeder, stepping in and
gunning the engine as Dap watched in mournful silence. He flew away from his family estate at low
altitude, taking one final glance at his family home and never looked back. Throwing it all Away
1986/2004/2005 story by Mark Newbold Three years after Episode IV – A New Hope Histories – This 1986
NHP Audio tape told the story of Jan Lomona
turning his back on the underworld and returning to his home planet of A-desando
to take up the Governorship of Ecaps City. Following on from Mothers Pride it also serves to show the mending of fences
between Jan and his mother before her death, and also how Jan takes eagerly
to his new position as Governor of Ecaps. Cast of
Characters Jan
Lomona Frans
Latka Paige
Retgarr Lomona Glann
Cipple Goah
Galletti Clone Bella
Cipple Dap Teks Sieera
Cetting Lomona |