{"id":493,"date":"2012-08-10T06:00:04","date_gmt":"2012-08-10T11:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.writingunderduress.com\/?p=493"},"modified":"2012-08-09T21:42:27","modified_gmt":"2012-08-10T02:42:27","slug":"the-new-jedi-order-siege-endings-and-beginnings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.writingunderduress.com\/?p=493","title":{"rendered":"The New Jedi Order: Siege – Endings and Beginnings"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ceikeh Alari wasn\u2019t surprised when the door to his quarters chimed. That would be my wife. The system stopped recognizing her code after the crash, and I never did get it fixed. <\/em>\u201cCome in!\u201d he called at the portal.<\/p>\n

Instead of the Twi\u2019lek, however, he was surprised to see Halyn Sanshir walk into his quarters. Ceikeh caught just a glimpse of the red-maned Kelta out in the corridor before the door hissed shut again. \u201cSenator,\u201d Halyn greeted.<\/p>\n

\u201cUl\u2019akhoi,\u201d Ceikeh returned.<\/p>\n

Halyn smiled. \u201cNot anymore. The conditions of my release have been met. The Vong aren\u2019t here anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo what do I call you now? Vysht\u2019akhoi?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoubtful,\u201d the other said, shaking his head. \u201cThe Council hasn\u2019t convened yet\u2014that will be happening later today\u2014but as far as I\u2019m concerned, Argus is the Vysht\u2019akhoi, not me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGuess I\u2019ll have to settle for General, then,\u201d Ceikeh said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou could try calling me Halyn.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI never could get my mind quite wrapped around that. You were always the commander, the Zabrak in charge\u2014you never seemed like the sort I could socialize with.\u201d<\/p>\n

Halyn chuckled. \u201cI wasn\u2019t much for socializing, pretty much ever. Not my thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, this isn\u2019t a social call?\u201d Ceikeh asked.<\/p>\n

The other man shook his head. \u201cNot really, no.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat can I do for you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Halyn hesitated before speaking. \u201cFirst, I\u2019d like to know what your plans are now that we\u2019ve won the battle here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019ve already spoken to the surviving Councilors. Assuming I retain my position as Senator of Zabrak space, I\u2019ll be heading out to Mon Calamari to meet with the New Republic government-in-exile. We\u2019ll still need representation, after all, and maybe I can help push the Senate to do what will be necessary to beat the Vong. We proved here it can be done, but we need to stop running and learn to stand our ground and fight.\u201d He smiled faintly. \u201cI\u2019m speaking about the New Republic, of course, not the Zabraks\u2014we already know how to stand and fight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo back to high politics for you, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ceikeh nodded. \u201cI figure I can take all kinds of bribes when I get to Mon Calamari and send the money back here to rebuild Rak\u2019Edalin.\u201d<\/p>\n

Halyn laughed aloud. \u201cDon\u2019t let anyone hear you say that. Somehow I doubt your constituents will find that nearly as funny as I do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, what can I do for you?\u201d Ceikeh asked. \u201cLooking for some bribe money, or maybe a nice juicy military contract?\u201d<\/p>\n

The other sobered quickly. \u201cI wanted to get your promise on something.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhich is\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSome things are probably going to erupt in the first Council meeting. I want you to promise me you won\u2019t interfere.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ceikeh frowned. What is he afraid of?<\/em> \u201cI\u2019m the Senator to the New Republic, not a Councilor. I don\u2019t get a vote or a voice in the Council.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t try that line on me, Ceikeh,\u201d Halyn chided him. \u201cI\u2019ve been around long enough to know you\u2019re highly respected, and your voice holds a lot of power in the Council, even if you don\u2019t officially have a voice. So promise me you won\u2019t interfere.\u201d<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t like this. Is he trying some last-minute power play to eliminate members of the Council he sees as a threat to our future?<\/em> \u201cI\u2019m not sure I can do that,\u201d Ceikeh said slowly.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s make it conditional, then, so you know I\u2019m not up to something underhanded. In return for your word, I promise I won\u2019t act in any way to undermine the Council or any member of the Council,\u201d Halyn said. \u201cI have no desire to seek more power\u2014being Ul\u2019akhoi temporarily was bad enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ceikeh turned it over in his mind. \u201cWhat about proxies?\u201d he asked. \u201cYou\u2019re leaving a big hole for one of your friends to do something underhanded.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m here in good faith,\u201d Halyn said gently. \u201cI have no conspiracies in place, no one I\u2019ve asked to act on my behalf.\u201d He smiled self-deprecatingly. \u201cYou\u2019re not the only one who knows Councilors\u2014they\u2019re just a lot more comfortable with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

If he breaks his word in some way, I can step up<\/em>, Ceikeh told himself. \u201cYou have a deal.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Senator.\u201d Halyn turned and started to leave.<\/p>\n

\u201cGeneral,\u201d Ceikeh said. The word brought Halyn to a halt and his head back around to meet Ceikeh\u2019s eyes. \u201cThank you,\u201d the Senator said, \u201cfor doing this. For doing everything. If you hadn\u2019t been willing to take the role and make the hard decisions, we would have lost everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPossibly,\u201d Halyn allowed with a small smile. \u201cAnd you\u2019re welcome.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ceikeh watched his old friend depart, trying to ignore the sick worry gnawing at his heart. We won the war, but why do I feel like something else is still going to happen?<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ryian Coron stood amidst the crowd of Iridonian officers and politicians, intermixed with offworld soldiers and pilots who had helped fight the long siege. He could see a handful of others in the crowd wearing New Republic dress uniforms\u2014a smattering of officers from Garm Bel Iblis\u2019s fleet that had chosen to attend the celebration.<\/p>\n

And a celebration it was. The Zabrak race had stood at the doorstep of annihilation, the same portal that had swallowed other species whole, and had come face-to-face with that fate. And, as Zabraks, they had chosen to collectively spit in the eye of that fate and fought an impossible battle\u2014and won.<\/p>\n

The Corellian captain wasn\u2019t sure he had seen a sober Iridonian since the battle ended.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow long until it starts?\u201d Sandarie said from beside him, her arm looped through his.<\/p>\n

He glanced down at the beautiful Twi\u2019lek. Aboard the Dauntless<\/em>, she had been released from her carbonite prison and treated with antivenom, which successfully saved her from the painful death of an amphistaff\u2019s bite. Her long hibernation and the poison had both sapped her strength, and while she was growing in energy each day, she still leaned heavily on her husband for support.<\/p>\n

\u201cSoon, I would think,\u201d Ryian answered. \u201cHal won\u2019t want his audience too drunk before he gives his speech.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re acting like they ever sobered up,\u201d Sandi replied dryly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat is a\u2026very good point, actually.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryian continued looking around the crowd. He saw several of his old friends in attendance\u2014Anishor and most of his Wookiee berserkers were conspicuous by both size and hair among a crowd of Zabraks that, for the most part, lacked any hair whatsoever. Li Coden and Abi Ocopaqui were exchanging drinks and conversation with Kativie and her husband, whom Ryian had only met that morning. Kryi Rinnet and Allanna Saret were laughing about some shared memory. More faces Ryian knew he should<\/em> recognize were also in the crowd, maddeningly familiar even though names slipped his mind.<\/p>\n

Then the captain saw the crowd begin to part. Through the crowd, he saw two Zabraks walking side-by-side, everyone offering them room to advance. It took Ryian a moment to catch a clear glimpse and confirm it was Halyn Lance and his brother, Argus Sanshir.<\/p>\n

He frowned as he replayed his memory of the glimpse. Argus is wearing a military uniform, as is proper, but Halyn was dressed in that damned duster Sandi told me about.<\/em><\/p>\n

A small stage had been setup at the foot of the wreckage of the Star Cruiser\u2014just a meter high, enough to ensure that anyone standing there could be seen by the crowd. A sound amplification system was also setup, with large speakers on poles placed a dozen meters to either side of the stage.<\/p>\n

Halyn and Argus reached the stage without incident. The two conversed for a moment before Halyn stepped to the back of the stage and allowed Argus to take the podium.<\/p>\n

The sound system squealed for a fraction of a second before the auto-correction system kicked in and suppressed the noise. Argus picked up a comlink from the podium and clipped it to his lapel.<\/p>\n

Argus\u2019s voice was a bit deeper than even Halyn\u2019s low voice. \u201cThank you,\u201d the Zabrak said, \u201cfor joining us here as we celebrate the freedom of our world.\u201d He paused as spontaneous cheers, mostly from Zabrak warriors, rose up and threatened to overwhelm his words. \u201cEvery sentient in our space, whether Zabrak or not, owes their continued lives and freedom to your efforts, your skills, and your sacrifices.\u201d<\/p>\n

More cheers rose up. Ryian smiled a little at the celebration. This really is Coruscant for Zabraks<\/em>, he thought. To anyone else, Iridonia is a hell and would hardly be considered livable. To them, it\u2019s the crown jewel of their territory.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYou didn\u2019t come here to listen to me speak, however,\u201d Argus said. \u201cI don\u2019t need to sing your praises. So, instead of boring you all, it is my honor to introduce to you the Zabrak you already know\u2014the warrior who led Iridonia through hell and proved the Yuuzhan Vong can be beaten. My brother, Halyn Sanshir.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was applause as Argus stepped back and Halyn stepped forward. He looked uncharacteristically awkward as he fumbled for a moment with the comlink Argus handed him. Rather than clip it to his duster, he chose to hold the device and forwent the podium, standing in front of it at the edge of the stage.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not a speaker,\u201d Halyn said slowly. \u201cI\u2019m not a politician. I\u2019ve found I need to be good at words, because they can and do inspire men of action. With the right words before a battle, I\u2019ve saved lives. But this battle is already won.\u201d<\/p>\n

The crowd was utterly silent as they waited for Halyn\u2019s next words. Ryian himself remained silent in respect for his old friend.<\/p>\n

\u201cTwenty-three years ago, Iridonia chose to declare its freedom and independence from the tyranny of an Empire. We founded a new government dedicated to the unity and freedom of all Zabraks on here and our colonies, believing we could not be oppressed if we stood together.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Yuuzhan Vong have challenged that belief, both here and in the wider galaxy. We have engaged in the great test to see if we can endure, if such bonds can remain firm throughout such terrible warfare. It is fitting, then, that we meet here upon the battleground of this conflict.<\/p>\n

\u201cPoliticians would try to commit this ground to the memory of the dead heroes who fought to ensure our survival. But no words anyone could speak, including myself, can make this battlefield any more or less important. It has been consecrated by the blood of the warriors who died committed to the cause of our people, far beyond our small ability to affect it. Decades or centuries from now, my words will be forgotten, but the blood of Zabraks will be remembered.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt falls on us, then, not to just preserve the memory of this battle. Instead, we must be committed to the task that lies before us: we must resolve not to let these warriors to have died in vain, but instead commit to finishing the war they fought, that the worlds they sacrificed for will not vanish from the history of the galaxy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryian swallowed hard as Halyn stepped off the edge of the stage, vanishing from sight into the crowd.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was a good speech,\u201d Sandi murmured from his side.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Ryian said. He\u2019s right, you know. So many people have fought and died in this war, but if we don\u2019t finish it all their sacrifices will be in vain.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAre we going to get a chance to talk to him?\u201d Sandi asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t imagine we won\u2019t,\u201d Ryian replied. \u201cHe knows the Dauntless<\/em> is scheduled to leave orbit this afternoon, and there\u2019s no way he\u2019ll not talk to us before we leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

A figure materialized out of the crowd, but it wasn\u2019t Halyn; the imposing figure of Garm Bel Iblis, dressed in his general\u2019s uniform, offered a salute and then a handshake to Ryian. \u201cCaptain,\u201d the famous New Republic officer greeted him.<\/p>\n

\u201cGeneral,\u201d Ryian said, returning the salute before accepting the handshake.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour friend knows how to give a speech,\u201d Bel Iblis remarked. \u201cWe could\u2019ve used him to help rally the fleet at Coruscant.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou did that well enough,\u201d Ryian said. \u201cAfter all, you took most of Kre\u2019fey\u2019s fleet on the power of words alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but it would\u2019ve taken everything to hold the Vong at bay\u2014and maybe more than that.\u201d The General shrugged. \u201cBut the battle was likely lost no matter what we had done.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe,\u201d Ryian allowed. \u201cBut we can\u2019t refight that battle\u2014it\u2019s better to prepare for the coming conflicts instead.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bel Iblis nodded agreeably. \u201cYou\u2019re right, of course.\u201d He took a drink from a flask before asking, \u201cAre you returning with us to Tallaan?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryian shook his head. \u201cI\u2019d rather put the Dauntless<\/em> under the command of a Corellian rather than a Bothan or the Sullustan who lost us Coruscant, but since the HoloNet relay came up I\u2019ve been contacted by High Command. Wedge Antilles and his fleet have rallied at Mon Calamari, and latest word is that Admiral Ackbar himself is coming out of retirement to command the Fleet. I\u2019ve already been ordered to rejoin the Defense Force there until they\u2019re prepared to engage in offensive operations.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf they\u2019re capable of offensive operations,\u201d Bel Iblis said grimly. \u201cThey fought defensively all the way to Coruscant.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but they have to see the folly of that now,\u201d a new voice said. \u201cTheir defensive stance cost them the capital. If Ackbar\u2019s coming out of retirement, they\u2019ll be launching offensives soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryian turned in time to see Halyn break through the nearby edge of the crowd. \u201cGeneral,\u201d he said with a smile.<\/p>\n

Halyn nodded. \u201cGlad to see you returned with the fleet.\u201d He turned and offered Garm Bel Iblis his hand. \u201cAnd thank you, General. Without your heavy warships, our fleet couldn\u2019t have broken the blockade and we\u2019d all be bearing coral implants about now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bel Iblis shook the smaller man\u2019s hand. \u201cI doubt that\u2014your people fight with a ferocity that rivals the Wookiees.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRegardless, thank you,\u201d Halyn said. \u201cIridionia owes you everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bel Iblis smiled warmly. \u201cIt would have been worth it just to learn what happened here. Your people did something no one else has managed\u2014they went toe-to-toe with the Yuuzhan Vong and defeated them. You\u2019ve proven the Vong can be beaten, here and everywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

Halyn shrugged. \u201cI did one thing no one else has been willing to do. I refused to allow our people to retreat.\u201d He hesitated. \u201cI once had an old friend tell me that humans could never understand the link we Zabraks have with this world. Our blood goes back further than recorded history on this world\u2014it\u2019s a part of who every one of us are. The Iridonians may have needed to be reminded, but ultimately they knew. Without them, we wouldn\u2019t have been able to win this war.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, what\u2019s the plan for the newest Hero of Iridonia?\u201d Bel Iblis asked.<\/p>\n

The Zabrak shrugged. \u201cThat depends on the Council.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryian spoke up, \u201cBy the way, I need to complement you on officer loyalty. I tried to recruit Kryi Rinnet to join my bridge crew, but she turned me down flat and said Iridonia needed her more than I did.\u201d<\/p>\n

Halyn smiled. \u201cShe\u2019s a colonial Zabrak, but she\u2019s as loyal a daughter of Iridonia as anyone.\u201d His gaze shifted from Ryian to the Twi\u2019lek on his arm. \u201cAnd how are you feeling, Sandi?\u201d<\/p>\n

She smiled up at him, the warmth of her eyes giving no ground to the weakness in her body. \u201cBetter, and getting better all the time,\u201d she said slowly. \u201cThank you for saving me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Halyn snorted. \u201cI didn\u2019t save you, I turned you into a Twi\u2019cicle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, you did,\u201d Ryian growled. \u201cI haven\u2019t forgotten that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Halyn shrugged. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t what I planned, but the alternative wasn\u2019t better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryian nodded grudgingly. Yes, you put her in danger, but you also did everything you could to save her, and I appreciate that. I won\u2019t ever tell you that, though.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, what happens to Iridonia now?\u201d Bel Iblis asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cAgain, it depends on the Council. Given how little I want to be in command, I\u2019d guess Argus will be appointed back into the role of Vysht\u2019akhoi with instructions to rebuild our defenses. The Council will try to focus everything internal so we\u2019re prepared to repulse another attack, but Argus will push to reinforce the New Republic\u2014especially if they\u2019re willing to undertake attacks on the Vong.\u201d Halyn shrugged. \u201cZabrak space will stay united, though. If the Vong had managed to take Iridonia, it could\u2019ve shattered the coalition, but we averted that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou<\/em> averted that,\u201d Sandi pointed out.<\/p>\n

\u201cHardly. It wasn\u2019t like I was standing alone on the front line holding a hundred thousand Vong at bay with a zhaboka.\u201d He snorted. \u201cNo, every Zabrak who fought and died here is responsible for beating the Vong.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSuch humility,\u201d Bel Iblis said dryly. \u201cAt any rate, I would love to bring Iridonia under the protection of my fleet, but you\u2019re too far outside my territory to manage it. In fact, I was surprised we made it here without running into any Vong interference. Of course, the course Allanna Saret plotted was rather\u2026unique.\u201d He eyed Halyn. \u201cI wasn\u2019t aware the Zabrak were hyperspace explorers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrade secret,\u201d the Zabrak said. \u201cYou can interrogate me all you want, but there are some things too important to give away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryian shook his head. Some day I\u2019ll find out where he gets these hyperspace routes. He\u2019s been doing that since the Civil War.<\/em><\/p>\n

Before he could say anything further, another Zabrak breached the crowd and joined them. \u201cUl\u2019akhoi,\u201d he said breathlessly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not Ul\u2019akhoi anymore,\u201d Halyn said irritably to the newcomer.<\/p>\n

It took Ryian to recognize the newcomer as the Zabrak senator, Ceikeh Alari.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just came from the Council,\u201d Ceikeh said between gasping breaths. \u201cThey were holding a meeting about disposition of the military, and you<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re not here?\u201d Bel Iblis asked with a raised eyebrow. \u201cThat seems kind of\u2026odd.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re Zabraks,\u201d Ryian grumbled. \u201cThey\u2019re always<\/em> odd.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey were paying respect by staying out of the public view while I was speaking,\u201d Halyn said. \u201cAnd it has the advantage of being able to talk about me while my back is turned.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what I wanted to tell you. Ul\u2019akhoi, they decided to turn the military back over to Argus,\u201d Ceikeh said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs expected,\u201d Halyn said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen they decided to banish you from Iridonia.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

That stung. Halyn closed his eyes for a moment as he processed Ceikeh\u2019s words. \u201cAs expected,\u201d he repeated.<\/p>\n

Ryian, Sandarie, Garm Bel Iblis, and Ceikeh all turned to him with varying degrees of shock on their faces. \u201cWhat?\u201d they chorused.<\/p>\n

Halyn nodded. \u201cYes, I was expecting this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d Sandarie asked, apparently overcoming the shock first.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause of what I did.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou won the war,\u201d Garm Bel Iblis pointed out.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy disregarding pretty much everything the Council would\u2019ve had me do. I refused to let anyone retreat. I forced my people to fight and risked everything. I allowed the Yuuzhan Vong to land on Iridonia and invade our capital, and I chose to raze it to kill the invaders. I\u2019m responsible for everything that\u2019s happened here, for better or for worse.\u201d Halyn took a deep breath. \u201cI made myself into a divisive figure when Zabrak space needs someone to rally around. Whether I\u2019m the hero or villain of Iridonia depends on your point of view. If we\u2019re going to unite and be ready for another war with the Vong, they need Argus as their leader, not me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryian shook his head. \u201cThat\u2019s insane. You risked everything\u2014you were out on the front line\u2014you were responsible for winning\u2014you can\u2019t just\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I can.\u201d Halyn nodded. \u201cI knew this was coming, and I already made my peace with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Suspicion dawned on Ryian\u2019s face. \u201cIf you knew it, then you planned<\/em> on this.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Zabrak smiled. \u201cOf course I did. I made sure Argus was ready to take up the mantle of leader again. He has Kativie as his second, and a solid staff with Allanna, Kryi, and you, Ceikeh.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ceikeh barely managed a smile.<\/p>\n

Halyn took a deep breath again before continuing. \u201cI knew, even if we won, that I might become the villain. I knew just how bad the war might get, and I was prepared to make that sacrifice.\u201d<\/p>\n

An arm slipped through his, and he looked over to see Kelta Rose smiling radiantly at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cExile won\u2019t be so bad,\u201d he said, looking into her shining violet eyes. \u201cI still have places to go, and I somehow doubt life with a Jedi will be more boring than fighting the war here was.\u201d He looked back up and around at the small group.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo when do you have to leave?\u201d Ryian asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo days,\u201d Ceikeh said.<\/p>\n

Halyn shook his head. \u201cNow.\u201d<\/p>\n

It drew another round of stares.<\/p>\n

\u201cI told you, I was expecting this,\u201d Halyn justified. \u201cI already told Kelta this was likely the outcome.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo where will you go?\u201d Bel Iblis asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cMon Calamari, at least at first,\u201d Halyn said. \u201cKelta wants to meet up with the Jedi, and I suspect there\u2019ll be a few officers there who will want to talk to me after what has happened here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou need a ride on the Dauntless<\/em>?\u201d Ryian asked.<\/p>\n

Halyn shook his head and pointed out past the small cluster of ships, mostly shuttles from the fleet, clustered together well beyond the crowd. \u201cI finished rebuilding the Starwind<\/em> a few weeks back, and she\u2019s fueled and ready to fly.\u201d He turned back to the group. \u201cThis isn\u2019t goodbye\u2014I will see all of you again, I promise. But it\u2019s time to part ways for now.\u201d<\/p>\n

He smiled at each of his friends, returned Sandarie\u2019s tight hug, and then stepped through the crowd arm-in-arm with Kelta.<\/p>\n

The crowd parted around them. Halyn nodded at well-wishers, mostly warriors who would hear about his banishment in minutes or hours or days.<\/p>\n

The Starwind<\/em> rested with its landing ramp extended, prepared to take its passengers aboard and leave its home port. Unexpectedly, two figures were waiting at the foot of the ramp\u2014something Halyn hadn\u2019t planned for.<\/p>\n

Adreia Varo, her hair a mirror of her mother\u2019s, smiled at the pair as they approached. She maintained proper Jedi composure until they were an arm-length away before leaping into a hug, wrapping her arms tightly around Kelta. She stayed that way for several moments before finally releasing her mother, pulling back. \u201cThe last time I let you go off by yourself, Mom, you got yourself mixed up in a war on some Outer Rim rock. I figured I\u2019d better not let you out of my sight again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kelta smiled at her daughter. \u201cYou\u2019re welcome to come with us.\u201d<\/p>\n

The second figure detached himself from the boarding ramp and walked over to Halyn.<\/p>\n

\u201cUncle,\u201d Edlin Sanshir said. \u201cOr\u2026Father.\u201d He swallowed hard. \u201cI\u2019ve done a lot of thinking since I found out. I was mad at first that you never told me, but after I thought about it I understand why. But,\u201d he said, his voice turning into the same durasteel Halyn exercised when disciplining subordinate officers, \u201cI want to come with you. I think it\u2019s time we get to know each other. So no running off without me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Halyn smiled. \u201cSomehow I doubt I\u2019d be able to manage. You\u2019re a Sanshir, after all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I want to know about my mother,\u201d Edlin finished.<\/p>\n

Halyn paused for a moment to compose himself. \u201cThat\u2019s fair. That\u2019s more than fair.\u201d He smiled, a little sadly, before looking over at Kelta. \u201cIs that\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

Kelta smiled reassuringly at him. \u201cIt\u2019s okay.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen let\u2019s get aboard and hit the sky,\u201d Halyn said, gesturing at the Starwind<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The two children boarded first\u2014no, not children<\/em>, Halyn corrected himself, they\u2019re adults. Just young adults. That shouldn\u2019t be fighting a war.<\/em><\/p>\n

He pushed aside his doubts and started up the Starwind<\/em>\u2019s boarding ramp, pausing for just a moment to look back on Iridonia. This may be the last time I see my homeworld<\/em>, he told himself. If Kelta\u2019s with me, it\u2019s worth it.<\/em><\/p>\n

Five minutes later, the Starwind<\/em> climbed up through atmosphere\u2014away from Iridonia, from the horror of a war fought to the utter destruction of half its combatants.<\/p>\n

And toward a greater galaxy still at war.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ceikeh Alari wasn\u2019t surprised when the door to his quarters chimed. That would be my wife. The system stopped recognizing her code after the crash, and I never did get it fixed. \u201cCome in!\u201d he called at the portal. Instead … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-493","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-njo-siege"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p52rlt-7X","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.writingunderduress.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/493","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.writingunderduress.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.writingunderduress.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.writingunderduress.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.writingunderduress.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=493"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.writingunderduress.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/493\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":500,"href":"https:\/\/www.writingunderduress.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/493\/revisions\/500"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.writingunderduress.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=493"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.writingunderduress.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=493"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.writingunderduress.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=493"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}