Loss of Lucian

[Syban]

“What do you mean you can’t reach her!” Syban’s voice was raised more than he had wished it to be, but the point was one that demanded a louder tone. The quiet that followed his yell was an awkward silence pierced only by the rhythmic breathing that accompanies a Mon-Calamari. The slow intake of air into his lungs by a small slurping sound, though accustomed to living in water, the Mon-Calamari had adapted to life above the waves years ago. Even with the benefit of evolution, life sustaining breath above water was always accompanied by a small slurping sound, an annoyance in the best of times, but very awkward in the worst of times…

This was one of those worst times…

The rage that had created that voice had not left Syban’s face yet, and the attendant standing in front of his desk still looked ‘sore’ from the tirade he currently had faced.

“Find her! Pour what ever you can into this and FIND HER!” This new outburst from Syban was accompanied him standing up from his office desk and slamming his fist onto the table before him.

The attendant gave a hasty salute and quickly excused himself as soon as Syban returned his gesture. The chair that Syban had been sitting in previously still spun in a lazy lap around itself when another voice broke the silence that hung in the air since the attendant had left.

“You know she probably left to find her betrothed…” The voice was smooth, clearly human of origin and very well spoken. This was a voice of the courts of old, fluid and well versed, never to be trusted, but always soothing in tone. The voice’s owner stepped from the wall that he had been leaning against during the meeting of Syban and attendant that had bid a hasty retreat earlier.

“I know that Savrem… she went against a direct order from me,” Syban responded. “She’s supposed to be in the Corellia sector checking on shipment schedules.” Syban gave a small pause to sit back down at his desk seat.

“And now, I fear I’ve lost her forever…” The worry had taken a toll and Syban’s voice lowered to almost a whisper.

“You can not stop love, whether by ideal, force or order.” Savrem returned.

“So we go to Dathomir to find two bodies?” Syban spoke to the empty spaces of his office.

“No Syban… you go there to bring them home…” Savrem stopped mid-sentence and turned away from Syban readying himself to leave the office. “Look Syban,” Savrem continued, “I know you are a good being… and I had hoped times like these would never be visited on you, but here they are. I trust you to lead the Consortium and I trust you will bring these two back home… and to their final resting places.”

Savrem finished and looked at the Mon-Calamari, with lines of worry and concern wracked across his face, now seated at his desk. The long moment of silence seemed to be the end of their conversation as Savrem moved towards the office door.

Before he reached the door, he stopped. “I need to get to Coruscant, I’m sure my absence among the advisors is causing a stir.” Savrem nodded to Syban and continued towards the door.

Syban spoke before Savrem left the room. “She told me something… something I don’t know if I believe or can believe. She said she knows he’s still alive. She said she could feel it.” Syban looked up to Savrem. “Coming from anyone else I would have brushed it off… but her voice, I’ve only heard that conviction from soldiers who knew they were going to die… a conviction and honesty that comes from knowing and accepting the truth.” Syban stopped a moment as Savrem looked back to him from the door.

“There was no lie in her voice, and only truth in her eyes.”

Savrem managed a weak smile, “If she is right… then you have two people who are going to be very happy when you find them.”

[Kelnica]

((Very well written...nice story!))

[Syban]

The battle had become desperate using the coordinates obtained by Syban. They had been able to narrow down their search area to a small location on this hellish planet called Dathomir, but that had lead them to a battle which planned to dwarf the Imperial Trade Consortiums attempts to rescue what may remain of Jadeynn and Lucian.

The battle centered around a strange fortification on this planet, signs of life Syban would have thought impossible… life Syban would much rather have avoided. The conflict had escalated quickly. Both sides testing each other and looking for a weakness to exploit.

A battle of probing forces swinging at each other from a distance with the angry bolts of blaster fire.

‘Blaster fire’ Syban thought… on this desolate planet of despair? Why would you wish to be on this forsaken planet by choice?

However, no amount of musing or thought could conjure up the reason why anyone would want to remain here and call this place home. Additionally, there was a battle raging that demanded Syban’s attentions.

“Yes you heard me! Call up your troops on the right side and start moving you’re your positions towards center group now.” Syban barked into a com-system that was installed in his composite helmet. “No, Lieutenant Valkun, I don’t want you guys to hold that area. It’s useless ground to us if we have to fall back… now get those troops closer to us in center group now!”

Though this battle should have been in the Imperial Trade Consortium’s favor, a few minutes after lines were declared and the enemy was sighted, some sort of ‘witch’ (for Syban lacked any better terms) had made herself known and called in some sort of Lightning Cannon blast that sent his ITC troops to ground. Though this obvious field commander hadn’t been seen since that time, the ITC troops had been leery in moving forward and provoking another attack by this supposed ‘witch’.

Switching his com-frequency on his wrist com-keypad, Syban issued more orders. “Sekut’ar, how are the SecRa holding?”

“Good sir…” Came the quick response, obvious blaster fire sounded in the background and the SecRa lines must have been under heavy attack.

Syban winced; damnedable SecRa pride was rearing its head. “Sekut’ar I need an honest no Poodoo response here. Can the SecRa hold?”

A few moments of silence followed his question. Syban was about to ask his question again when Sekut’ar came back over the com. “Let me put it to you this way, Syban… neither of us have a choice for us not to hold… the Sector Rangers will hold Syban. We have no other options.”

Syban sighed at that response. Sekut’ar was right… if their Left flank fell, that would leave the door wide open for their unknown enemies to waltz in and put the ITC forces in the pocket, which only contained a valley… and then, a sure slaughter would follow.

“Understood, Sekut’ar… I’m pulling Valkun’s forces closer to Center group. We have no need for that valley yet.” A mental image of the terrain before him came to him as more blaster fire started chewing up the ground around his impromptu cover.

This game of cat and mouse had started to take its toll on the ITC… Syban was determined no further ITC would lose their lives on this hell called Dathomir. That being the case, Syban had been overly protective and cautious in his advancements on this battlefield.

But if those ‘witches’ returned with their strange artillery, the ITC forces that had come to Dathomir would most likely not be leaving again.

Thoughts of a planet light-years away and so very different came to Syban’s mind. A planet and a battle that had changed his life forever. There too, his forces were bogged down with little to no support. There too, life seemed to only be a number to be tallied at the end of the day in the casualty columns.

Syban grimaced… ‘This would not be that way… never again,’ he issued this odd vow and curse under his breath.

At that moment, his com-officer, a young man by the name of Teth, called to Syban. “Sir, I have a communication from Tomn and mmc!”

“Patch it through to me,” Syban responded. “Tomn, this is Syban. What do you have?”

“Sir, we’ve located them. They are in the compound,” Tomn’s dark voice responded.

“How did you mana… never mind. Gather the bodies and try to make it out. We are going to cause a stir here to give you a distraction,” Syban responded. Finally, this battle could be over, and everyone could head home. So far, Syban’s command had produced no deaths in his forces, but he knew he was pressing his luck.

“Sy… they are alive, both of them… and they are badly hurt.”

A moment of doubt and confusion ran through Syban’s mind. “Negative on that last communication. Say again,” Syban said at little dumbstruck.

“Sir, they are both alive… barely. I’m afraid if we move them, we may actually end up bringing back only bodies,” Tomn responded… oddly cool and cold for such circumstances.

Alive – Syban thought… how? In this place? Syban shook his head a moment to clear his mind. Jadeynn was right…

Syban mentally chastised himself. Thoughts like that would have to remain on the backburner. He had to get everyone out and do it now.

Time to push their luck further.

“Sekut’ar, change of plans… I need the SecRa to push back… we are going to test the resolve of our enemies.” A moment’s pause as Syban called up the mental images of the battlefield again… “Push towards sector 11-3 AQ. Do you copy? Short quick advance give a fifty meter distance then hold for five minutes.”

The order was barely out of Syban’s mouth when Sekut’ar responded… “Way ahead of you chief. Time for us to leave a mark on this planet.”

A slight smirk rose to Syban’s face as over the steady din of battle he could hear Sekut’ar’s loud voice (enhanced by his helmets speakers) yell out, “SecRa TO ME!”

Quickly looking around as more blaster bolts hit the foliage around his center forces, he scanned his troops, most alien in nature and all non-seasoned by the rigors of battle. Even while covered by Composite Armor, you could tell that fear gripped these troopers, shaking hands, wincing at every blaster hit that left an small explosion of dirt to the heavens.

They needed a way out, and the valley to their right was not the way to go…

Just then, Syban spotted what everyone had feared would happen. The witches had returned, and this time, they seemed to have come in force. Syban looked directly at one who was adorned in a lavish almost comical costume, and who seemed to be in command. He had only a moment to study her before she looked squarely at him. Distance didn’t seem to matter anymore between the two. Syban could clearly see her face… a mocking smile rose to her lips. She had come to kill them all.

“Teth! Give me a priority line to Rag’s now!” Syban shouted…

“ITC! To your feet… we move!” Syban gave his order and began his charge on the entrenched enemy before them. A blaster bolt hit him in his right shoulder. As he ran forward, the force nearly swept him off his feet, but his nearly dead personal shield generator and his battle-scarred armor ate most the damage that hit him. Yet, still he moved forward. “When ordered, we will begin to fall back by squads to our previous positions! Advance fifty meters and find some cover… let’s make them sweat a bit!”

“Connection with Rag’s Fleet established,” Teth responded.

“Captain Ju’vail, I need some lightning now!” Syban yelled as his charge began to eat up distance between him and the fifty-meter mark he had given previously.

With a heavy thud he hit the dirt… and began to lay down a suppressing fire. Though the entrenched enemy had not broken from their location, at least the return blaster fire from them was stifled for a moment.

Captain Ju’vail responded. Above, in the stars, aboard his ship, he was removed from the carnage-taking place on the planet below… his voice reflected that distance. “This is Captain Ju’vail, go ahead Syban.”

“Captain Ju’vail, I need an orbital hit now!” Syban barked back as a blaster bolt hit the ground a short distance from him.

“Syban, as you are well aware, there are Pirates in this sector… and if we move the Bounty to provide orbital support, we will most likely lose our previously established jump location.” Even with Syban’s order given, he seemed unfazed by the desperate situation below him. “And if we lose that to those Pirates, we will have to reestablish that location… in doing so, would mean using our TIE Fighter escorts in combat, which could sustain a considerable amount of losses.”

It seemed to the Captain, he was taking Syban’s order of no loss of life to heart. TIE’s though fast and maneuverable had no real defense mechanisms. One good hit and the fighter along with it’s pilot would be nothing more than a smoldering cloud of debris.

“I’m not talking about the Bounty Captain…” The Bounty was an aged Nebulon B Frigate that had been acquired by the Trade Consortium to establish firepower in dangerous systems where their trade vessels may be threatened. “I’m talking about the Rag’s Fleet.” Syban continued.

“The Rag’s Fleet?” Captain Ju’vail responded. “I know this fleet like my own children… it’s made of old YT-1300’s and Devastators. Our weapons would barely pierce the atmosphere let alone dent in whatever you are fighting now… “

Syban didn’t allow him to finish, “I know, and I don’t care! Burn your capacitors out. Just get it done!”

“Teth, give them our location and tell them to prepare for the order.”

“Yes sir!” Teth responded…

Tomn’s voice broke through the cacophony on the ITC’s com’s, “Were out and heading your way!”

“ITC fall back! Move by squads!” Syban yelled.

The fall back would have been a route, but every moment a squad seemed to break, Syban would give them orders to keep them together and organized. Holding by a thread it seemed… teetering on the edge of catastrophe.

Then, Syban saw doom approach.

The Elder Witch was advancing… once again she seemed to look through him. She’s reading your thoughts, Syban panicky thought… No, that’s foolish. She can’t do that; he once again mentally chastised himself.

That smirk from before came to her lips as she walked through her forces’ lines and advanced on the ITC, who were now back in their previous location before the false charge.

Syban no longer attempted to brush the visions of her from his mind… he looked squarely at the witch, who seemed so oblivious to what was about to happen…

“Captain… give me light”

The clap of an odd lightning broke through the sound of battle. The air began to rumble as a rancor and only seemed to grow louder. Slowly, the clouds above the battlefield parted, and the first shots of laser cannon fire tore through angrily.

The witch elder looked to Syban a slow realization of the trap that had just been sprung came to her and her face twisted in anger… she quickly held up her arms and must have activated some sort of force field; for a small bubble of energy formed around her and her witch entourage.

Though the Captain had said not enough energy would get through to damage anything on the ground, the display of firepower was nonetheless impressive… the heat from the cannon blasts quickly cooked the moisture that seemed to permeate every facet of this evil planet, and an eerie mist rose from the battlefield.

“Teth, send a communications to all ITC forces… we are withdrawing from battle as of now.” Syban heaved a sigh. The fatigue of battle began to take its toll… and their trip home had not even yet begun. “Order the SecRa to form behind our ranks and cover our retreat… also, use every working speeder that can carry the wounded and load them up.”

“And Teth…” Syban had been dreading this moment… “Give me a count of the casualties and wounded as soon as possible.”

[Kelnica]

((More! More!!! ))

[Syban]

((Just a heads up I will be posting the last part here on or around Tuesday the 25th. Stay tuned for more stories!))

[Jadeynn]

((working on my part.... glances at the many broken pencils and crumpled paper wads on her desk..*sigh* I'll get it done soon. ))

[Syban]

((working on my part.... glances at the many broken pencils and crumpled paper wads on her desk..*sigh*    I'll get it done soon. ))

((Did you want me to wait to post my third [and final] part?))

[Syban]

Syban lifted the cup of Tiberion tea to his lips. It was freshly brewed and a light aroma rose from the cup to embrace his senses. For a moment, its smell lifted his weary body from the painful abyss in which it currently resided in. The battle had been a brutal one, a slow march through hostile territory collecting wounded after wounded, watching his active troop numbers slowly diminish and his injured list growing to disproportionate numbers.

But they had made it; he thought to himself… we made it. The mission was a success, Lucian and Jadeynn were recovered and his troops made it home.

After taking a sip of the tea, which had seemed to salve his mental fatigue for one moment, he closed his eyes and heaved a deep sigh. His mind wrapping around the figures that Teth had given him. After action, reports were almost always a time to dread for a commander of any battlefield whether corporate or military. Even in a victory, the cost for such ‘wins’ almost always seemed to have the taint of defeat in them.

And in a retreat in which had taken on the hideous planet that now rotated slowly below him in his command ship, a victory would never remain a victory for long after the data is calculated. But this time… this time it was different.

His eyes, still closed, Syban mentally went through the After Action Report that was given too him. No deaths… not one soul had been lost. A slight comfortable smile rose to his long face and a growl, which could only be described as a pleasing sigh for a Mon Calamari, rattled around in his throat.

No one had died on that horrid hell of a planet. Although, the cost in replacements (organs, limbs and other such physical replacements) would be costly… not to mention, the amount of Bacta that will be consumed healing those who had been injured. Though the cost in credits would be high, it was the cost in life, which would not haunt this mission. His command had succeeded. Dathomir would not be another hellhole left for those under his command to die… as he vowed in the field, he vowed once more sitting in the observation lounge of his command vessel. Never again would loyal sons and daughters of the Empire and the New Order be thrown to the grinder for some whimsical commanders greed

Never again…

The growl once again returned, but this time it rose to a slight chuckle… “One damned fish in the sea can not change the tides…” he whispered to himself. His eyes still closed the old Mon Calamari proverb came to him. Not having the heart to finish it out loud, but knowing the purpose of the saying. No small act can change something large… but a continued act with purpose and hope will have the power to change the pull of even the oceans.

It was times like this Syban reflected on his status in the Empire and within the New Order. Happenstance gave him his officer ship, and luck gave him his position now. COMPNOR would have never allowed an Alien to lead in the Imperial Military. Its fear of those who do not look human have always damned the best that the New Order has promised to be. His brow furrowed while he thought this. So many good troopers of non-human origin or appearance have died under the banner of the Empire and none have been given the respect and accolades that mark such heroism and courage.

‘Besides’, he thought ‘I’m not a philosopher. I’m just a soldier… I should leave these musings to those better equipped to handle them.’ A brief moment of sorrow lanced across his face. One person came to mind… one person in which he hasn’t thought of in a long time… his sister.

Killed in an act of terrorism on Corellia almost three years ago, it was one of the many dark days in Syban’s life when he fully realized the power of hate that burned in this “so called” Rebellion’s heart. Hate that could not be reasoned with, but only wiped away from the Galactic game and purged from the hearts and souls of, otherwise, loyal citizens of the Empire.

The New Order promised peace and tranquility provided by people, not by mystics and cultists that select only those they can trust with their lies. And others like archaic representatives of the Old Republic whose greed and wants flavor every act they would do in any Senate. The Republic of old was a lie; the New Order of the Empire is truth…

Syban sighed again, “I shouldn’t be thinking of things like that… it’s not the past in which we look forward to, only the future.”

“Excuse me, sir?” The small-confused voice responded to Syban’s words.

“Wha… oh, I’m sorry just thinking out loud.” Syban leaned forward and ‘woke’ from his thought induced haze. So deep in thought, he never noticed the attendant enter the Observation Deck in which Syban was currently sitting. Now leaning forward in his chair and looking to the young person who stood before him, he almost went into a tirade about “knocking before entering”, but quickly realized the attendant, Mar’yal was her name, most likely did. He probably just didn’t hear her ringing at the door.

A smile slowly rose to his face as he looked into Mar’yal’s eyes. A Rodian…most would consider her eyes bulbous and obnoxious. Many in the Empire would only treat her like a sludge rat and nothing more. Never paying mind to or even giving the chance to see her talents… she had a wickedly fast way of calculating numbers and figuring out equations that would perplex even the most able accounting droid.

Perfect for a business… and so very wrong for war. Her talents were not needed in battle so she was pushed aside and sent to regiments where ‘aliens’ like her are put to die. Luckily Syban found her before war took another bloody body to the abyss.

Syban closed his eyes while Mar’yal stood at attention in front of him… he was drifting again, “dang it… I have to stop that.” His thoughts were falling back to Mar’yal and her loyalties. She followed the New Orders hope with fierce abandonment…a boon that brought Syban a moment of warmth in his heart a warmth of promise and future. It would be a world without war and Rebellion that her children deserved to live in… despite her not being ‘human enough’.

Syban opened his eyes again hoping he hadn’t drifted too much… a slight embarrassment came to him as he saw her still standing before him. “Uh… um… sorry about that Mar’yal, fatigue seems to be taking my wits slowly this day.” Looking at her eyes, he could tell this half-truth didn’t seem to fool her. Only a slight smile came to her lips before she forced it away in a response.

“That is more than understandable. Sir. I think everyone is ready to sleep a few weeks after this jaunt.” Her Rodianian voice with its vocal chorus soothed Syban in this late hour. He always liked Rodians and the way their voices sang even with the simplest of words. While Syban once again began to drift into waking thoughts as she continued.

“The prisoners,” she used that word with no attempt to hide the mirth in her voice, “are doing quite well considering… they have taken to the Bacta Tanks on the Bounty well… seems there is a fighting spirit in those two when they are close to each other.” ‘

‘So she had noticed it as well?’ Syban’s thoughts came back to the presentation from Mar’yal. “And all wounded stabilized?” Syban responded now completely returned to the meeting taking place this moment.

“Yes, sir, all are stabilized, and most vessels are returning to their duty sectors.” Another mirthful smile came to Mar’yal, “The Rag’s Fleet is breaking apart and going home.”

Now a broad smile came to Syban… “Well then, we best return to Naboo before we get stranded here don’t you think?”

“Yes, SIR!” Respect and amusement now flowed in her voice. She snapped a quick salute to which Syban returned from his desk and she turned to leave the room.

“Wait, Mar’yal… one more thing.” She stopped before the door and turned towards him.

“Sir?” The small questioning voice from before returned…

‘No more bloodshed this day’ Syban thought before he responded… ‘No more.’ “I want you to send a message to Coursascant, to Advisor Savrem.”

“Priority, Sir?”

“No, regular routes… just three words please…” Syban again closed his eyes thinking of another meeting not so long ago, when faith and love showed its true colors in the Trade Consortium. He opened his eyes before he drifted further away in his thoughts… “Send just this to Savrem…”

A slight pause followed this and then Syban responded…

“She was right.”