A Blessing and a Curse

[Valiens Nantaris]

Anya's head shot up in the holoprojector. She seemed surprised that Siobhan knew even one word of her language. "Careful, those Jesters are pretty demanding, especially when they start talking."

"Yes, well, good luck. Stay safe, Siobhan," Tegaea said and cut the link.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

Siobhan felt extremely smug at the visible surprise Anya felt. It was not often that she got to one-up the space elf, in almost all cases the human ended up getting trolled. But her master had been an Eldorai and she had read up about them. Admittedly, her literary interests, if they could be called such, leaned towards the sordid!

"I'll keep that in mind, Anya. I'm sure you can give me all sorts of tips! See you when I'm back home, Tegs," she said ere the link was cut and she turned away from the holo-communications room, heading out of the palace.

Shortly thereafter she turned up at the docking bay where Phylis had parked her ship. She had sent the Jedi a message informing her of coming and strode up the landing ramp. "I'm ready to go. I've spoken to the Exarch and she agrees. I'm under contract to help you on your quest to find the Codex and return it to the Eldorai."

 

[Phylis Alince]

"Hmmph, of course you are ready, Siobhan. Do try not to burn down Santaissa, please. The Eldorai have a pretty nasty way of dealing with people they don't like." She made a vague yet horrible gesture which seemed to indicate that Kaelin might have something yet to learn.

They were soon aboard. Siobhan's 'room' was Phylis' storage area hastily configured with a bed. Phylis had an odd assortment of items in the room, old books and datapads, bits of machinery and several handwritten diaries.
"Excuse the mess. I don't usually have visitors," Phylis said, gesturing to the clutter. "You ready? We'll stop briefly at Eriadu and Thyferra. Should be about twenty two hours total flying time."

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

"If I burnt it down, I'd have no place to have a good time with the local beauties in," Siobhan said with an amused wink. "Can't load them all onto the ship. And Anya would get mad." She would not get to stroke her ears again!

Siobhan took in the rather cramped storage area and the hastily placed bed, but made no remark about the mess. She was not a particularly orderly person herself, a little bit of clutter would not bother her.

She glanced a bit at the diaries and datapads, though she tactfully did not pick any up. "Past expeditions? We really gotta swap adventure stories sometime," she commented. She had the feeling Phylis might have some interesting tales to tell. "I'm ready to go, let's roll. Twenty hours. What could we possibly do to pass all that time?" she asked innocently.

Yes, she just had to be totally unsubtle. Because Phylis getting snarky was entertaining.

 

[Phylis Alince]

Phylis put a hand on her hip. "What indeed? Hmm, I'm sure you'll consider it far too ordinary and boring, but I'm going to actually read up on where we are going, perfect my translator program, sleep, eat and meditate. If you wish to learn something, you are welcome to join me, or do whatever else you want."

"We probably should swap stories sometime. Doubtless we both have done things we can brag about which the other won't believe. Also, you are not bringing any courtesans, escorts, nightwalkers or any other euphemistically named women on board here. Are we clear?"

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

Siobhan let out an exaggerated sigh. You really need to get that stick out of your arse, she thought. "Yes, mother. I also promise to eat all my veggies, be home before it gets dark and not into jump the speeder of dark-robed women I don't know who offer me fun, candy and unlimited power!" she said sarcastically.
This was not at all a reference to the fact that a certain student of at least one incarnation of Phylis had a tendency to run off with questionable persons! "Getting all dominant on me now? I'll just seduce a noblewoman. It's the ears. They're very sensitive."

Since Phylis apparently did not want to knock boots or play chequers, Siobhan quickly liberated herself of her leather jacket and pants, leaving herself only in her shorts and tank top, incidentally showing off the toned legs and arms. While she could certainly not compete with her 6-pack sporting lover, she was quite athletic and started going through a work out, doing a series of intense push-ups and crunches before pulling herself up on one of the beams in the cargo area.

Therewhile their ship's engines were powered up and it took off into the sky, leaving the picturesque city of Theed behind it as it accelerated into space, taking them towards the first step on their undoubtedly exciting quest.

 

[Phylis Alince]

The irony is not lost on this writer either, especially the other Phylis' 'meetings' with Morgan Kade.

"Hmmph, I just about dare say they are."

So while Siobhan went about her exercise regimen, Phylis was doing more intellectual pursuits. She was in her room making notes, occasionally speaking out loud. "No no no, needs to be more north easterly. Hmm, approach from the west?" she pondered to herself.
She barely spared a glance at Siobhan's exertions. It seemed to reinforce an idea Phylis had about Siobhan already as an oversexed sledgehammer.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

For her part Siobhan was focused on her exercises, single-mindedly going through them until she was glistening with sweat and threw herself from the beam, gracefully landing on her feet. After a session of lightsabre practice she hit the refresher. Phylis may or may not have heard a certain degree of moaning coming from it, but then undoubtedly the Jedi Master was very focused on her intellectual studies and preparations for the mission.

A considerable period of time later Siobhan emerged, drying herself off with a small towel before putting pants and her tank top back on, with her dark brown hair wavy and still a bit wet.

She peeked into Phylis' room, then stepped in. "I can see you're really going at it. Hit on any big discoveries?" she asked, eyes passing over the notes the Jedi had made.

 

[Phylis Alince]

"Ah, there you are. Nice and refreshed, I see," she added with a quirked eyebrow.

"Well, what I've found is rather interesting. The Arithdae Codex is the most important literary object the Eldorai have. It's not a religious text though, it's a collection of the oldest writings of the Eldorai, and some ones which go back to their very origins on Kaeshana. See, the Eldorai did not evolve on Kaeshana, they were brought there over twenty-five-thousand years ago. Some say by the hand of the Great Goddess...others by another race, others still that they came there themselves. I don't think we'll ever know, but this codex contains records from this time, but it's been lost for centuries now. If we find it and return it...well that will likely let them overcome their dislike of us so we can help them more."

"Well, none of this is a great revelation to someone who knows about this field," she said, not realising that Siobhan didn't. "The real circumstance of interest is trying to find the Codex. A five hundred and seventy year old crime is going to be hard to solve...and will likely be quite dangerous because I suspect there are those who don't want us to succeed."

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

"Yeah, sure. The Goddess Ashira," Siobhan nodded along as Phylis elaborated, not bothering to point out that she was not knowledgeable in the field. If the Jedi thought her dumb - and she was a nympho and a sledgehammer - well, the Colonel did not really care either way about what most people thought.

But she knew that the Eldorai were a very proud people with a high opinion of their uniqueness - of course, they had these sensitive ears - so if the Codex was so sensitive and perhaps contained great revelations, there was bound to be trouble securing it.

Admittedly...fighting over a history book seemed a bit...well, this was Siobhan. But stranger things had happened and if Anya's vehement reaction was anything to go by.

At the mention of trouble she shrugged casually. "Since we're foreign devils and human monkeighs. The Codex is pretty important to them. Omega wants good relations with the Eldorai," she said, recalling Anya's outburst, but as usual untroubled by the prospect of danger. "In any case I'm ready for danger when it comes to that. There ain't any prize without risk."

 

[Phylis Alince]

"Severe risks, but the reward...hmm?" Phylis asked, unintentionally butchering a meme. "Well, it's no more absurd than people fighting over religions or holocrons or the last will and testament of an Emperor. History matters, not necessarily because of what it says, but because of what it means to people. Hmm, well, this is a start. Do you have any questions about the Eldorai I might answer? Serious questions, I mean," she added, as if anticipating a snide or smutty comment."

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

People sure liked to find excuses to fight, so Siobhan thought. It seemed to confirm her generally cynical opinion of the Galaxy, though those might have softened somewhat since joining Omega.

"Questions about flexible elf ears are serious business!" she said with mock seriousness. "Well, I got the cliff notes from Adril. She was once with the royal guard. They got an absolute queen all bend to, women run the show, they got a way longer lifespan. Pirate scum attacks forced 'em to open up." Siobhan had only learnt bits and pieces of Adril's past, but her former master and lover had been taken as a slave by the pirates. No doubt this contributed to her direct way of dealing with slavers.

"Think they're the Goddess' chosen, which kind of clashes with never getting a decent hyperdrive going. Guess being isolated helped when the Virus hit the Galaxy. Hmm. You mentioned Adril was one of three Eldorai to become Jedi. What of the other two?"

Siobhan was asking things about history. Would wonders never cease? Well, she was still imagining what Phylis' body would look like if freed from those sadly so concealing robes, how it would feel when she...did various non-family friends things that shall not be elaborated on in detail because we must protect the kiddies!

So, no worries, our beloved, sex-crazed sledgehammer was still there!

 

[Phylis Alince]

"Hmm, the other two I know of was a Jedi Knight named Malya Helindan, and another known as Fay, many centuries ago now. There is some debate about her origins though, but she appears to be the correct species. Now Malya was a Jedi before the 400 years darkness, some believe that she stole the Codex...or at least she was involved somehow. Without looking at their records though I can't really know more."

"The Eldorai are a very proud people. Some might say arrogant. You spent a long time with Adril, so you know what to do, and what not to, so I won't lecture you. I hope we get a chance to see some of the sights though. Kaeshana is said to be a beautiful planet!"

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

Is it weird that I think she's kind of hot in teacher mode, Siobhan wondered to herself. Going to Kaeshana had meant cancelling her 'training session' with Handmaidens. After all, the Bando Gora were evil fiends and they had to be prepared to deal with force-using assassins!

As usual Siobhan had been ready to lend a hand and direct this personally. But now this generous act had been postponed and Phylis adamantly refused to let Siobhan display her wicked skills!

"Yeah. For starters remember how much I think all males should be subjugated. Human males in particular. And say nothing bad about their Queen!" Siobhan said with a laugh. "So what's the story behind Phylis Alince?"

 

[Phylis Alince]

"The 'story' behind Phylis Alince is that she is a Jedi Master of great and considerable ability who goes around fixing mistakes made many centuries ago. What's worse, I hear she refers to herself in the 3rd person!"

"The Queen has the backbone of a chocolate eclair. There, I've gotten that out of my system so hopefully we won't be arrested for heretical blasphemy or whatever it's called."

She took up an old parchment and showed it to Siobhan. "This is what the Codex supposedly looks like. I have reason to believe though that this is not drawn from life, but from another, older picture. I won't bore you with the details, but basically it was kept in the Great Temple of Ashira in the inner sanctum, and very little access was ever allowed."

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

"The Princess likes to get loud," Siobhan said innocently, not making any cheap innuendo at all. "The Great Temple. I've heard stories about their rituals," she chuckled, briefly scrutinising the old parchment that displayed the Codex.

"Right. Ancient, holy tome that holds untold secrets. Many groups will desire to get their hands on it. We don't want to piss of the Eldorai. Sure," Siobhan summed up the mission in the most basic and nonchalant manner possible. Find the Codex. Deal with opposition without causing a war or burning down Santaissa and deliver it to the Queen. Profit!

An indeterminate amount of time passed before their vessel dropped out of hyperspace and sped towards the planet of Kaeshana. The planet was dominated by oceans, but the landmass into a series of continents. Great canyons and mountain ranges were scattered across the land, jungles and forests were dotted throughout. The ship was steered towards the great capital of Santaissa, built into a valley at a river.

Santaissa was the Eldorai city most open to foreigners, though they were still kept at arm's length. As the defence installations and guns that had been erected showed and the starfighters that were up in the air, the Eldorai were moving on with the times, not wanting to be caught off-guard lest pirates or other scum attacked.

But the political situation was wrought with tension of its own, the matriarchs that had directed the fate of the Goddess' chosen for ages were trying to both modernise their kingdom and keep its hallowed traditions intact. The wind of change was sweeping throughout the Galaxy, it could easily turn into a devastating storm.

 

[Phylis Alince]

As they landed, they were met and confronted by a heavily armed party of Eldorai warriors dressed in ceremonial armour. Their leader wore ornate armour and walked confidently towards the ship.
When Phylis emerged she saluted with her right fist over her heart. "Jedi Mistress Alince, Lady Mistress Kerrigan, I am Host Leader Lavina Taldir. I will be your guide during your visit. You are to please stay with me at all times."

Phylis bowed her head. "Leader Taldir, we would be honoured with your assistance." She nudged Siobhan to say something appropriate.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

This world might be even cooler than Hapes, Siobhan decided for herself. In a span of less than five minutes. That was all that was needed to make a truly objective assessment!

She returned the Eldorai salute and bowed her head a bit, jolted into action by Phylis' nudge. "I thank you for your hospitality, Host Leader. We are honoured to set foot on Kaeshana. Lady Protector Cira and Exarch Tegaea Alcori of the Omega Protectorate extend their greetings to Her Majesty and your people," Siobhan said in her most formal tone.

 

[Phylis Alince]

Phylis looked vaguely surprised that Siobhan could be so diplomatic.

"Thank you, Lady Kerrigan. My greetings and blessings go to them as well. Please follow me."
The Eldorai led them from the spaceport to a monorail like device which would carry them to the centre of Santaissa. The city was truly magnificent, with white stone buildings in the more select areas blending with newer, less fashionable district. In the middle of it all was the giant ziggurat which combined temple, palace and seat of government all in one. Eldorai were everywhere, mainly females, but some males following subserviently behind, or doing menial tasks. When they arrived they found a long, newly cut tunnel into the ziggurat, done when the monorail had been built. Standing at the entrance were two Eldorai in the same armour as Lavina, but with helmets which completely covered their heads. They carried long halberds and blocked the way.
"At this point, I must ask you to turn over your weapons to me. It is not permitted for an outsider to go in with weapons. I will keep them with me though, and you will receive them back."

Phylis handed over her lightsabre without even a moment of hesitation and waited for Siobhan to do likewise.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

Siobhan gave the white stone buildings of the great city appreciative glances. While she was certainly no appreciator of architecture and had travelled far and wide throughout her life, she was not immune to its splendour. Of course, this was the fashionable part of the city for the more elite. Back on Coruscant, the slums for the dregs of Lower Coruscant were just a few miles away from the lavish palaces and skyscrapers for the senators and the corporate elite.

Then they came to a halt before the entrance of the vast ziggurat, their pathway blocked by more sentinels. When the command came to hand over their weapons Siobhan hesitated whilst Phylis complied. She had a naturally suspicious mind, as had been shown on Naboo it could tend towards the paranoid, but more than once she had been proven right!

Oh, you gotta be freaking kidding me, she thought to herself. Granted she did not need a lightsabre to protect herself, but still! Especially with the Angelii there. But she had been told to play nice.

Sighing inwardly, with the eyes of the guards upon her, she removed her lightsabre and passed it to Taldir, then handed over the heavy blaster pistol on her hip and the knife on her belt. "Your planet, your people make the rules," she responded simply.