Beyond - Legends Imperial Destiny (COMPLETED 8/24)

Hopefully they'll go uphill eventually (and then Shimrra will be as sorry as he was in the official timeline)

 

"And make sure that whoever's behind this knows what happens when they challenge the Empress."

I doubt Kyp fully knows since these are Yuuzhan Vong and I'm guessing they'll start a full scale war. The Empress in Hapes will definitely be interesting. She's getting around alot, isn't she?

 

Killik: I decided to steal the name of Jag's squadron. Hope he doesn't come after me for copyright infringement!

Darth_MU: I wouldn't say Miko's quite history yet, so his rage might do something for him. As for a shaped Danni, that's not coming for a while, if it comes at all...

RedGold: Things are going downhill, and will continue to do so for a while.

Pelranius: Yeah, I think Shimrra will be sorry...as soon as the Vong run into Thrawn.

Sil: Kyp doesn't know what he's into, beyond the fact that it's claimed Miko. As for Kanti getting around, she's been on Imperial Center all this time. And with Ta'a Chume being a head of state, it's only proper that the Empress arrive for the funeral.


No post tonight, but Hapes will be featured in tomorrow's post.

Force be with you,

Tych_sel

 

Okay, here comes the next postie!


Diadem of Palpatine dropped out of hyperspace at the edge of the Hapan system, and was soon joined by a pair of Battle Dragons, sent to escort the Empress directly to Hapes. The Diadem settled into orbit, and a single shuttle emerged from the hanger, escorted not by a squadron, but by an entire wing of fighters, a mix of TIE Defenders and TIE Vanguards. From the throne room, Isolder, Chume'da of Hapes, watched the ships as they descended for a landing. Whatever else she may be, there was no arguing that Kanti Palpatine had inherited her father's flair for the dramatic.

A full squad of twelve Royal Guards were emerging from the shuttle, a squadron of TIE Defenders maintaining formation overhead as Isolder approached. He dropped to one knee as the last two Guards emerged from the shuttle, and Kanti Palpatine, daughter of the Empire's founder, Sith Lady and Galactic Empress, emerged from the shuttle. She wore a gown of the deepest scarlet, the bosom of which was threaded with gold. A gold circlet bound her fiery hair back, and a single, large rainbow gem hung on a pendant from her neck.

"Prince Isolder," she said, approaching him. "My condolences on the death of your mother. Ta'a Chume was a great leader of her people, and her loss will be felt by all." She motioned for him to rise, and he did so, falling into step beside her as she made her way towards the Fountain Palace. Isolder had ordered his own rooms converted for the use of the Empress. The chambers that used to belong to his mother remained sealed, by Hapan law, until a new Queen Mother assumed the throne. He also would not have considered housing the mother of his child in rooms last occupied by one who was now dead. "Under your laws, a new Queen Mother must now be chosen, as you never married." It was not a question, but a statement of fact.

"Your understanding of Hapan law is correct, my Empress," Isolder replied, choosing his words carefully, lest his relationship with the Empress be revealed before she chose to make it known. "I shall likely have to choose one of my cousins to assume my mother's role."

"It is a decision you do not relish." Again, not a question. Just what was the Empress trying to get him to say. Was she suggesting that she assume the throne herself, as she would have had she married him?

"My mother never trusted my aunts, or my cousins. I suppose I inherited that mistrust myself."

"Yet only you can resolve this situation," Kanti replied. "I would like to see it done before the official funeral, that I may pay my respects to the new Queen Mother."

And to make sure that she knows her place, Isolder thought. The Empress was not one to miss a trick, he thought, and she likely planned to offer her support for the Queen Mother while establishing her own superiority. Isolder walked for the next few steps in silence. His next words would need to be chosen carefully. "If the Empress wishes it, what can be done to bring it about shall be."

"See that it is," she said, as they reached the doors to the palace, where Isolder's cousins waited. "You have had rooms prepared?"

"I have, Empress," Isolder replied, taking note of the dark look Adelissa was throwing him. He gestured to a group of servants. "See that any baggage the Empress has brought is transported to her rooms."

He turned his attention back to Kanti. "If you would follow me?"

++++++++++++


Okay, that's it for now. More Mara and Salina to come on Friday.


Force be with you,

Tych_sel

 

hhhmmm... just what exactly is the nature of the relationship between those two?

I have my theories... but still...

 

Eeeek now who will Isolder crown? Kanti or a cousin, hmm???

 

Actually, The force tells me that Salina (spelling)? is actually Isolder's daughter, and Luke will have a fit when he find out the truth...

The above is what I have foreseen...

Mu

 

Kanti certainly is dramatic! Good post!

KT

 

RedGold: You'll just have to wait to find out, I'm afraid.

Sil: I'm afraid I enjoy leaving Isolder tough decisions.

Mu: Salina is Luke's daughter, there is no question of that. So I'm afraid that theory's out the hatch.

Killik: Given Palpy's flair for the dramatic (raised dais, brooding darkness), it seemed only fair for his daughter to have that same sense for the dramatic.


More story to come tommorrow!


Force be with you,

Tych_sel

 

Okay, here comes the next post.


Salina returned from the bridge to find her mother looking more than a little ill. "Mother, what's wrong?" she asked. "And you might as well give up on trying to put on a show of strength, since it's not all that great at the moment."

"Thanks for the rave review," Mara said sourly. "As for what's wrong, I'd like to say that it's not really your business. But since it will impact your life, I suppose you have the right to know. You're going to be a sister."

It took a moment for the words to register. "Then Dad..."

"Doesn't know, yet," Mara said. "And you won't tell him, or by the Force I'll see that you spend the next five years aiding Ventress in guarding prisoner transfers." Her point was made, and the color drained from Salina's face. Asajj Ventress was known to be one of the more ruthless Force-users alive, and was so unpredictable that even the Emperor had wanted her where she could do little damage. His daughter had maintained a certain wariness considering the Dark Jedi woman. "I will deal with your father when he returns home."

"Shouldn't you head back to Imperial Center? I think I can handle things here myself."

"I'm here now, and the less travel I deal with the better," Mara replied. "I'll remain here, but you will have to handle the majority of the negotiations with Nom Anor."

"The blockade..."

"...is only a diversion. As I'm beginning to think this whole situation is. Nom Anor wants us watching Rhommamool. Which means that we should be looking elsewhere."

"What about the situation on Hapes? The Queen Mother's death, and..."

"The Empress will be attending the funeral. Should there be any problems, she will deal with them herself." Mara was one of the few who actually knew the nature of Kanti's liaison with the Hapan prince. She?d overheard part of a conversation between the Empress and her son when she?d reported early for an assignment, back when Salina was only six.

?No,? Mara said, ?I think it?s somewhere outside the Core we should be eying. Bakura?s been quiet, so it?s probably not the Ssi-Ruuk. Besides, they?d have their hands full after the defeat Thrawn handed them. I?m not sure, but I just sense...?

?A feeling of dread, of danger?? Salina asked. ?I feel it too. But I don?t see what we have to fear.?

?That may be the problem. Whatever this problem is, it may lie beyond the Force.?

++++++++++++


More Kam and Leia to come Monday, just in case you thought I'd forgotten about them.

Force be with you,

Tych_sel

 

beyond the Force oooh, I like that!

Good post!

KT

 

BEN!!!

*hugs Ben*

Well, I'm hoping it's Ben...

 

So Nom Anor is just going to sit pretty on a planet blockaded by the Empire?

tsk tsk, doesn't sound like him.

Also, where are his spores?

Rojo, Rojo, Rojo, Rojo, Rojo....

Wow, so many perspectives, I wonder if they'll coalesce in the near future...

Did I mention Rojo?

 

Excuse me for my long absence. I definately hope it will be the same Ben as in the NJO she is carrying .

I love the mention of Ventress by the way.

 

S/He probably won't be named Ben

Luke has joined the Dark Side, so Obi-wan Kenobi is not high in Luke's heart.

I vote for the name of Palpatine (what was his first name?).

I'm hoping someone gets shaped (preferably not Tahiri (it is AU afterall)...

 

Finally back from C3 and everything that I had to work through, so time to R/R!

So Mara's keeping Ben a secret for now.

?That may be the problem. Whatever this problem is, it may lie beyond the Force.?

[voice=Vader]I find your lack of faith disturbing.[/voice]

 

Killik: Well, that could be just because it's a first impression of the Vong...

RedGold: Might be...

[/b]MU[/b]: Nommie's not going to stand for it, rest assured. As for naming the baby after Palpy, it's not going to happen.

Mike: Glad to see you back, and glad to see you enjoyed seeing the possibility of Ventress rearing her bald head.

Sil: Mara isn't keeping the baby a secret so much as she hasn't been willing to let her own shields down enough for Luke to figure out what's up. That, and the fact that Luke's got something else to keep his attention...


Okay, onto the post!

Kam's small starship, the Jedi Redemption, dropped out of hyperspace at the edge of the Nal Hutta system. The ship had been heavily modified, now sporting a hyperdrive that Kam felt could give that aboard the Millennium Falcon a run for its money. Then again, he thought, perhaps that wasn't such a good thing, given the Falcon's history of breaking down at what some would consider the most inopportune of times. "What exactly can we expect to find?" Kam asked, surprised that the system wasn't being watchdogged by a fleet of Imperial Star Destroyers.

"As I said before, most of them will be political prisoners. There were rumors, however, before Endor that the Emperor had imprisoned those he considered "fatally dangerous" on Nespis as well.

"You're thinking we might come across some Jedi?" Kam asked, wondering why the Emperor would have allowed any Jedi to live, unless he'd hoped to convert them as he had Anakin Skywalker.

"If there are Jedi aboard, there will likely be an Imperial Jedi aboard as well, to ensure that the prisoners don't get out of control."

"This isn't going to be easy," Kam said, looking over a readout summarizing the planet at the center of the system. "The shielding is comparable to that protecting the second Death Star."

"Easier than trying to slip onto Coruscant," Leia replied, looking over Kam's shoulder. "I think we'll have to risk trying to take them up here."

"I have to..." Kam's hands leapt to the controls, and the Redemption jerked to one side, just in time to avoid the massive Imperial dungeon ship that dropped from hyperspace. "Where in the Sith did they dig that up?" Kam cursed. "I think our problems just multiplied. They aren't going to be able to land that monstrosity on Nal Hutta." His words were barely out of his mouth when the whole thing went straight to hell.

A fleet of Star Destroyers dropped out, settling into escort formation around the dungeon ship. The Destroyers immediately started dropping TIEs, and Kam pulled the Redemption up against the hull of one of the Destroyers. If they had gotten any closer, they probably would have started scratching the hull of the warship. Then came the massive attack, a half-dozen dreadnoughts dropping out of hyperspace, along with a Star Destroyer, one with brilliant red piping along the edge of the hull. The ragtag fleet opened up, not even giving the Imperials a warning.

"Looks like we have a ready-made distraction," Kam said. "Do you think we dare try and board the dungeon ship?"

"I think we have to. Any attempt to board a smaller ship en route to Nal Hutta will likely cause the Empire to destroy it. We can't risk any lives."

"Either that, or it's going to get destroyed in the crossfire," Kam added, blowing a TIE fighter that had gotten a little a little too close. Leia glared at him. "Couldn't have him whistling up the cavalry," Kam said, bringing the ship towards one of the dungeon ship's hangers. There were only two, one located on the vessel's underside, and one on the side of the ship. Kam opted for the ventral hanger.

The interior was dark, and Kam was about to pull a pair of glowlamps for them when Leia stopped him. "They've laid it out this way for a reason. We need to move quickly, but remain undetected. No doubt they'll have already discovered we penetrated the ship."

"And they'll be watching for us," Kam said,

 

Hmm. Going in for a Jedi rescue are they?

 

Ooh, that sounds dangerous! Boarding a dungeon ship while it's in the middle of a crossfire between Star Destroyers and Dreadnaughts doesn't sound like the most intelligent thing to do . . . but hey, they gotta do it.

Good post!

KT

 

Now... who are they going to find?

 

political prisoners... They're safer on Kessel than in a Hutt's den, er, system.

 

Mike: They're going in for a rescue. Whether they'll find any Jedi is still up for debate.

Killik: Yes, charging in while the ship you're aboard is in the middle of a war zone doesn't seem too bright. But as you point out, they have to.

RedGold: I'm open to suggestions as who they should find. Just don't ask for Wedge, I have other plans for the former leader of Rogue Squadron.

Sil: Safer on Kessel, they might be...as long as they stay away from those spiders...


No post tonight, but I will get something up tomorrow.

Force be with you,

Tych_sel

 

Okay, here comes the next part of the tale.


"I'd been afraid I was going to have to search another ten systems," Kyp told Admiral Leonia Tavira as she led him to the guest quarters aboard the Invidious, the flagship of the Ninth Imperial Fleet.

"From the looks of it, I doubt even one of your Jedi fighters could have held out that long," Tavira said. Kyp's fighter now sat in one of Invidious's hanger bays, but the techs had said they would likely have to scrap the fighter. "What did that to you, in any event? I don't believe any pirate gang would have that kind of technology."

"I won't claim to make guesses about the technological level of pirates out here in the Rim," Kyp began, "but I think it was something new. I'll need to open a dialogue with Imperial Center as soon as possible."

"I can do better than give you comm access," Tavira said. "I opened a line to Fleet Command while your ship was being brought aboard. It's not every day one comes across a Jedi in distress."

"What was their response?" Kyp asked, then mentally kicked himself, thinking that he sounded just a bit too eager.

"The Invidious has been temporarily detached from the fleet so that we can bring you to Hapes, where the Empress is attending the funeral of Queen Mother Ta'a Chume," Tavira replied. "We should be making the jump to hyperspace any minute now. The Empress, apparently, wants to hold a full conference, and doesn't want any Rebels possibly listening in to get any ideas."

"It wasn't like we provoked them," Kyp said, as the two reached the doors to the guest quarters he'd been assigned. He looked around, and decided that he was glad he wouldn't be aboard the ship for too long. I've grown too accustomed to privilege, he thought, recalling the sort of quarters he would have found aboard a Super Star Destroyer. Instead, he was looking at the most bare-bones quarters he?d seen aboard a capital ship.

?Unfortunately, the guest quarters aboard Invidious were somehow missed during our last refit,? Tavira said.

?Understandable, given the large number of ships to maintain,? Kyp replied, even though he was thinking something totally different. ?Perhaps they?ll see to completing the refit once you drop me off.?

?I?m sure the word of a Jedi would go a long ways towards achieving that end,? Tavira said, and Kyp almost detected a challenge there, as if she were deliberately baiting him.

?Nonetheless, these quarters will do. I am simply a servant of the Empire, as we all are.? He stepped inside, then hit the switch to close the door in the admiral?s face.

++++++++++++


That's all for now. More will be coming on Friday, probably sometime in the afternoon.

Force be with you,

Tych_sel

 

Tavira is wisely choosing not to upset Kyp (and how did she acheive her rank in this timeline?)

 

Way to spoil Kyp.