Private A Long Way From Home [Calyx Sundrift]

[Balun Dashiell]

A LONG WAY FROM HOME
INVENTORY: Spacer Apparel, Lightsaber, K-16 Bryar Pistol
LOCATION: Meridian, Jhaessa Prime
TAGS: Calyx Sundrift

Port Meridian, currently the sole Starport established on Jhaessa Prime for both commercial and civilian transit, appeared to maintain a consistent stream of traffic as the Capital City continued to gradually expand over the months that followed the completion of the city's base model. The colonisation of Jhaessa Prime was a massive endeavour, and at the young age of twenty-three, many looked at Balun and quickly underestimated him. Were it not for Dashiell Incorporated, his father, Judah Dashiell 's, corporation and legacy backing the project, there was a good chance he wouldn't have even made it this far.

Balun's subsidiary company, Dashiell Retrofit, had become a successful enterprise, yet it wasn't nearly successful enough to generate the kind of profits needed for this level of financing; thus, Balun had been required to lean on the family name for insurance. There was no shortage of risks, particularly financial, as Balun had to weigh the costs of everything against possible ways of generating income from the land rights without compromising his interests, for example, trading out rare minerals extracted from the land while carving up the terrain for the construction of city infrastructure.

Today, Balun stood alongside the Senator of the High Republic, Auren Vellisar , as they watched a fleet of cargo hauliers carrying supplies in from Naboo. Auren had arranged for the transport of new construction materials, purchased at alarmingly low cost. It was a deal that was almost too good to be true. The older man beside Balun was an honest man, a gentleman despite his career in politics and a man who genuinely sought to make a positive difference in High Republic Space; He hadn't started with the ambition to enter into a position in the High Assembly, however through his role as Civic Overseer for Jhaessa Prime's expansion at the onset of the world's settlement, and with Balun's agreement, the opportunity was presented to him as one that was too good to deny.

"Just so we're clear, this contract is all above board, right, Auren?" Balun asked, his words spoken with an apprehension as he wondered at the bargain they had garnered; "Not that I'm complaining, but I didn't figure you for such a negotiator".

"You don't believe that a Senator would be capable of negotiation?" Auren asked with a peculiar smile, "The Company is a smaller enterprise who are struggling to stay afloat. I undercut them on materials, yes, but I have also given my word that they will be hired for future work on Meridian's expansion, beginning with the educational project you mentioned your brother had inquired about. I've asked them to draw up some drafts on a district fit for a University, Entry-Level School, and College, as well as student faculties".

"Hm. Maybe we can get them to stay on as an independent contractor if they prove to be as encouraging as you believe them to be," Balun replied thoughtfully, glancing back towards the open landing ports as the hauliers gradually brought in the large crates of materials, gently lowering them to the surface. In contrast, the port crew on site went about detaching the cables and guiding the pilots from below. "I know Makai will be glad to hear we've got the education front situated. Frankly, it was a bit of an oversight. I can't believe it didn't occur to me sooner..." he shook his head, feeling foolish for having to admit the blunder he had made.

"This is your first time undertaking a challenge of this magnitude, Balun. Mistakes will be made; you can count on that. These things aren't supposed to be easy; otherwise, any old person would be out there doing what you're trying to achieve. But do cut yourself some slack, dear boy. We still have a long road ahead of us, and Meridian has laid down its foundations. We're making headway".

"Speech"
'Thought'​

 

[Calyx Sundrift]

Calyx shot up as the cargo hold shuddered. Cages clattered, Nuna feathers flew, and feed spilled from the troughs. Brushing straw and seeds from his cloak, he scrambled to his feet.

"Jhaessa Prime?" he called toward the cockpit. No response. Closed the hatch, Calyx thought. Figures. The acrid poultry stench wasn’t for everyone.

Grumbling, he climbed the ladder and forced the hatch open. The repurposed SF-17 heavy bomber’s cockpit was cramped. Tight for two and unbearable for three.

“Yo,” Calyx greeted, squeezing between the seats to check the nav screen.

The co-pilot, a grizzled Weequay woman twice his age, wrinkled her nose. “Bah! Move aside! You reek of those Nuna.”

“And a good morning to you, Eila,” Calyx replied cheerfully. “Is that Jhaessa’s spaceport?” He pointed to a speck on the horizon.

“Port Meridian,” the pilot answered. Ratar was a dug nearing retirement, his scraggly grey hair and protruding gut giving him the look of someone who’d long stopped caring about appearances. “Don’t look like much, does it?” he grumbled. “They better have their paperwork in order. New colonies are always a mess.”

“Can’t be that bad,” Calyx offered optimistically.

“You’d be surprised,” Eila muttered.

“Proper logistics never reach places like this, boy,” Ratar continued. “Once had to deliver a vapor collector to Kestri. Thing weighed tonnes- and guess what? No equipment to unload. No fuel, either.” He spat in disgust.

“Don’t think you'll have that problem here.” Calyx said, then let out a low whistle as the dot on the horizon grew into a sprawling city of sleek towers, terraced wards, and colossal glass columns that seemed large enough to host the galactic song contest.

He lingered, staring out the cockpit while Eila and Ratar brought the ship down with veteran precision. Calyx couldn’t help but marvel at the city. It had taken billions of credits, no doubt. And built in just one generation. One of the galaxy’s many marvels.

“You leaving us, boy?” Ratar asked as Calyx opened the hatch.

“Yeah. Thanks for the ride. I left some credits in the hold to cover it.”

Eila waved him off. “Wouldn’t sleep in that stink for all the credits in the core. Keep it, Cal.”

“No, no- I insist,” Calyx said. “The smell wasn’t that bad. I’ve slept with worse.”

“With?” Eila shot him a look, but her disbelief was drowned out by Ratar’s booming laughter.

Calyx just smirked, gave a casual wave, and dropped back into the cargo hold. There, he waited by the ramp.

He had an old acquaintance to find. The sooner he did, the better.

Balun Dashiell