And They Shall Have Their Revenge

2000 story by Jonathan Hicks

Thirty years after Episode IV – A New Hope

BOOK TWO

Chapter One

The Recurring Dream struck the atmosphere of Nebrassa with a jarring shake that surprised everyone but the captain. The whole vessel seemed to vibrate with unseen forces, causing all to grip their armrests and let the guidance systems do their work.

On the monitors showing the exterior of the ship a huge envelope of burning gases, superheated from the friction between the hull and the planet’s atmosphere, grew around the underside of the transport as it descended. The feeling of weight began to gather in the bodies of the passengers and crew, and after a few moments of adjustment the brothers decided against any excursions on a starship in the near future. The nausea they were experiencing was a deciding factor.

The ship dropped heavily, reaching terminal velocity as they passed through the upper atmosphere and fell into thick cloud. Buffeting struck the ship as high winds threatened to throw them off course, but Lovo, well versed in such matters, took manual control to keep them on course. After a few minutes of free-fall, Lovo activated the deceleration thrusters that would bring them in comfortably. The pressure wore off as the ship levelled and the ground approached.

But they could see no ground. Nebrassa, as ever, was half-covered in a thick bank of fog that was produced by varying pressure from the planet’s three moons. As they came within a mile of the ground, the passengers could see tall structures of metal, like great dark grey cathedrals clawing through the mist. The city they were about to land in the centre of was huge, as Nebrassa was one of the first settled planets of the Ki-Ki Sector. The city spilled from the mountains out to the sea, their supports driven into the hard sea bed for support and holding the ugly construct in place. According to the monitors, the artificial constructs, a twisted amalgamation of styles and concepts gathered together like an architect’s nightmare, ran down the whole coast of the single continent of the world, over seven hundred miles. The brothers did not like to imagine how many people were crammed into that gruesome place.

The Recurring Dream fired her control jets and then her landing thrusters, guiding herself via remote and pilot aid into a landing pit several hundred meters from the surface of the planet, half-on and half-off the coast. The ship connected with a shudder that seemed to be her own reaction to landing, a vibration that sent a feeling of relief throughout all on board. Lovo started flicking switches and the power began to die, systems shut down and the transport came to a well-deserved rest.

Lovo unbuckled and stood, stretching his arms in the air and arching his back. “We-e-e-ll, here we are. I’m not sure what to do now, I have to admit...”

Corri had already unbuckled and was approaching Lovo with an outstretched hand. “I think you’ve done enough. I cannot express my gratitude, on behalf of the rest of my family also, for the aid you have given us.”

A long smile broke out on Lovo’s face as Corii formally announced his thanks. Instead of simply shaking his hand, Lovo gripped his wrist and shook his arm firmly. “You need a pilot, you come and see me. Anytime.” Corii smiled self-consciously, and gripped Lovo’s wrist also. Yedda nodded his thanks, his arms occupied by his sleeping sister.

A gruff voice rang up from the elevator as it approached the command deck. Another answered it with a fine accent and well-delivered speech. “I cannot help it if the main drive did not respond within specified times, Gordol. I merely noted the pressure on actuator seven was a little low.”

“You stick to ya own job, Echut, and let me do mine. I ain’t got no time for your problems.”

“You’re problems are our problems... ah, captain Lovo, I was just pointing out to our esteemed engineer here that his responsibilities go far beyond spitting on the cooling system and hoping it works.”

The speaker was a finely dressed man with sparkling eyes and a thin moustache. He held himself high and proud, and Corii immediately saw the stance and bearing of a Sector Naval officer. Or, at least, a former one.

The smaller man, almost dwarfish, was a different matter. He was grimy and dishevelled, sweating with physical toil and there were many tools and items tucked into his belt and tunic. Even now he was wiping grime from his hands.

Lovo regarded the pair. “What’s the problem, Echut?”

“I noted on my displays on the lower level that the engine efficiency is down by three per cent, and the response time from the firing systems was down by two-thirds of a second. I pointed out to Gordol...”

“What he did was a system check whilst I was still trying to correct the problem. Simulated firing still sends charges down the connections and, as you can see,” he motioned with his hands for all to look at his grimy body, “the system decided to vent. We need a new converter to the engine mainframe, captain. It’ll cost, but this one we’re using is getting to its closing date.”

Echut saw the brothers, saw their clothing and allowed his eyes to widen. He immediately bowed to them, much to the surprise of Gordol who obviously had more to say, and smiled. “Second officer Echut at your service, my Lords.”

Gordol saw the brothers himself and gave them a passing wave. “I’m Gordol. Captain, about these converters...”

“I’ll leave the care of the ship in your hands, gentlemen. I have to register with port authority and get our passengers safe. Echut, do a systems check whilst Gordol’s off the ship. Gordol, get over to Reesen’s place and locate a converter, I don’t care how much it costs. I’ll see you later.” The second officer and the engineer were surprised at Lovo’s brashness, but considering the importance of their passengers they weren’t wholly surprised. They stepped aside so that they all could pass.

The ramp to the ground extended and the outer hatch slid open. A rush of humid air gathered around them all, immediately dampening their clothes and making their hair cling to their scalps as they walked through the mist. Ahead they could see the dark outlines of the buildings rising to infinity, and other round shapes of transports scattered around the landing site. As the brothers walked, following Lovo for they assumed he knew where he was headed, they could see figures moving through the fog. They shuddered despite the warmth and kept their gazes sweeping around, not trusting the forms in the gloom.

Lovo entered an archway and began to talk to a Twi’lek dressed in a suit of grey and black, with military rank shining on his shoulders. Lovo handed something over and patted him on the shoulder. The alien quickly pocketed the item with a furtive glance about, and walked away.

Lovo walked back to the brothers. “Well, that’s landing and customs taken care of. Now lets get you three to safety. I think you should head straight for the Baron’s palace. Arkin said that House Ash was one of your father’s allies, so he thought it best you came here.”

He began to walk to the exit of building they had entered. Many people were walking about, waiting in queues at small windows, reading wall readouts, waiting for something. It was, Corii mused, a staging area for passengers and pilots, like a great maglev train station back on his own world. No one gave them a second look.

“I’ll get you a Skyhopper cab. I know a man that’ll take you to the palace.”

Yedda frowned. “You’re not coming?”

“No, I’ve done my part. I have to see to my ship and make sure the money Arkin gave me will cover my repairs. I’ll be here for a few days, though. If you need anything...”

“You’ll be the first man we call,” Corii promised with more honesty than even he realised. “I’m not sure we can thank you enough. I don’t think tokens is a good enough payment...”

“Hey, I’m not impartial to a knighthood.”

Once again Lovo shook their hands, and then arranged transport.

The pilot of the hopper did not want to look at his passengers, converse with them or even have Lovo disclose to him who they were. He just grabbed the tokens he was offered and opened the back, allowing the three exiles admission to his vehicle. He took off before they were secure, and no amount of convincing could stop him blasting at full speed to the palace. He obviously knew his cargo was dangerous and that was all he wanted to know.

The palace of Baron Luken Ash was atop the highest tower of the city, built upon a flat base spread on several thin steeples that did not seem able to support the weight of the building, which appeared to be more vast and grand than the palace of House Familee. But what the Familee dwelling had in grandeur the house of Baron Ash more than made up for in ugliness. As the brothers looked at the angled towers and the bland walls, the strangely block shaped gargoyles leering from the ramparts and the crooked parapets, they wondered how their father could ever be friends with a man who lived in such and evil-looking place. The hopper was given clearance to land just outside the gates, and as soon as they disembarked the vehicle sped off into the mist.

Three guards approached in the blue uniforms of House Ash, their rifles slung low but to hand in case of emergency. The lead soldier, a burly man with no visible hair and a twisted left hand, walked up and looked at the three with interest. Then he looked around for a moment before addressing them. “Don’t I know you?” he said, looking at each brother in turn and then at the sleeping child in Yedda’s arms.

“I am Corii Familee, son of Baron Pede Familee of House Familee. This is my brother Yedda and my sister. We ask for sanctuary.”

The soldier stared with astonishment at Corii’s serious visage, and his hand dropped to his belt immediately, grabbing a comlink and lifting it to his mouth. He barked orders for the gate to be deactivated and more troops sent to the entrance.

He lowered the comlink and motioned for the three to precede him. “We are honoured by your visit.”

Yedda hefted his sister in his arms to get comfortable. He had not let her go since leaving Chinngard. “We know of our father’s alliance with House Ash. That is why we are here.”

“We have heard what has happened on Chinngard, sirs. You have my sincerest condolences on the damage to House Familee.”

Corii opened his mouth to correct the guard, to tell him it wasn’t damage but obliteration. He checked his words and just nodded his appreciation.

As they passed under the gate and into the main courtyard they could see several more troopers approaching with a tall rigid man, his uniform denoting him as a man of some importance. He quick-stepped past the guards and reached the brothers first as the others gathered around with weapons raised.

The man had thick black hair and a grim face, which seemed to fit well with the walls surrounding them. A livid scar pulled down one side of his mouth and ran up over his cheek to a partial ear. It was all the brothers could do to look the man in the eyes and not stare at the skin.

“I am Baron Luken Ash,” the man said in a clear precise voice. The brothers were taken aback; the uniform did not fit with standard Baron’s attire, and the man did not seem old enough to be a Baron. Although his features were distorted the youthfulness could still be seen in his eyes. “I have received a call that the sons of Baron Familee were at my door.”

“That we are, Baron Ash,” Corii said, executing a small bow at the waist. “We seek shelter here with the ally of our father.”

“We heard that Janos had launched an attack, but we do not know how bad.” The Baron was motioning to his troops to lower their weapons, and guided the brothers to the main building. He scanned the men from top to toe, taking in their grimy faces and dirty uniforms.

Yedda shook his head. “House Familee has fallen. From what we left behind, the fight is over and Janos was triumphant.”

They had all entered a small room just inside the main door where there were seats and a washing bowl. The Baron signalled to an assistant to bring food and liquids. He then motioned for the guards to wait outside.

The door closed and he turned to the brothers. “Do you know why Janos invaded? According to a message he had distributed around the Ki-Ki Sector, your father gave orders for the murder of the Emperor-Priest’s youngest son.”

Corii was outraged and, tired and hungry as he was, he didn’t mind showing it. “That’s a lie! If my father was your friend, Baron, then you knew he was no murderer!”

“I know that, it was just what we had been told. But there are other Barons who support Janos fervently, saying his cause was just.”

Yedda sat down, his arms still about the child. “Our parents were murdered, Baron. Poisoned, we think. Most of our commanders were killed before the attack even began. The fight was over before it even started. It was a cold, calculated invasion.”

Corii took over the telling. “You know that our father was not respected in the court of the Prime Lord. Janos knew this and just made an excuse to invade.”

The Baron was unconvinced. “Are you telling me that the Emperor-Priest had his own son murdered for a reason to invade your world?”

“They needed an excuse.”

“I think you are overstepping the boundaries of reasonable supposition. You are tired and hungry, and no doubt have had no time to think since the attack. I will arrange apartments for you and the child... what is her name? Is she another escapee?”

Yedda held her tight. He had carried her all the way from his home and was reluctant to give her up. “She is the daughter of Baroness Familee and our sister.”

“What?”

“We will explain all, Baron, we promise, but right now we have to rest.”

“I understand.” He walked to the door and motioned for two attendants to approach. “I will have you taken to adjacent apartments where you can wash and refresh yourselves. I’ll have the doctors check on all three of you, and we’ll talk later.”

After the brothers had been shown to an elevator, another tall man in a blue uniform approached, his blue tunic worn casually. He looked at the Baron as Luken watched the new arrivals disappear down the hallway.

“What do you think, Baron?” the newcomer said in a deep grave voice. “They are the sons of Pede, sure, but won’t it be dangerous to keep them here?”

“I won’t turn away the children of my friend, Colonel Iote. They have claimed sanctuary and I am more than glad to grant it. But if what they say is true, then surely some action is to be taken.”

“If Janos is guilty of crimes against the Ki-Ki Sector, then it will be up to the Prime Lord to decide the fate of the future.”

Baron Ash nodded. “I agree. Have Mind Jutsra call Fedarn, and inform the Prime Lord we have the children of House Familee here. We will need powerful aid in this, and if we present their case we may get it.”