First Reply Biting its Own Tail

[Tris]

​

Tri'sunodo stood beside the Chiss Expansionary Defense Force recruitment holo in her office, her gaze ever watching the Coruscant skyline. The views from the Chiss Embassy in the Federal District had a solid view of the city world but lacked its own true building. It was one of the many minor factions from the galaxy that shared this massive building and truthfully they only had a single suite of rooms and offices. They shared a floor with the Clone Nation, the Kathol Outback, and the now-defunct offices of the Trade Federation who had established themselves strongly enough to requisition their own building. Still, she didn't mind. It kept her close enough to the action of the Senate and the Jedi and it allowed her to move in relative anonymity. Though it was difficult to not stand out with eyes like hers.

She sighed and reflexively placed a hand on the hilt of her lightsaber. A weapon she'd once wielded with honor and purpose, now just an ornament to her office and a symbol to those of her people that would seek to discredit her loyalty to the Chiss. The cool nyix alloy hit sent an exciting shiver down her spine as old learned responses tried to move her into performing a kata right there in the middle of her office. That would be a story for the holonews. She shuddered at the thought. The day was winding down now though and it was time to head out. If she didn't hurry she'd miss her favorite nood stand and-

What was she doing? She halted at the door. She was becoming far to used to life here on Coruscant and far too familiar with these people. She was a Warrior, not some precious diplomat from the Core Worlds of Uncivilized Space. She left the office disgusted with herself and pushed through the aged clone representative when their lift reached the pedestrian level, ignoring his calls to share a drink at a nearby cantina like they sometimes did. Her boots clicked, her legs moving without much thought until she realized that she had made her way to the Jedi Temple. How far had she walked? It was nearly dark now, the haze of the Works District casting the sun in an orange glow.

 

[Tharil]

"Tri'sunodo, as I live and breath."

Coruscant wasn't a planet she liked to be on, but times were all manner of strained. She had nothing anymore. House Lore was gone, the remnants of the Ascendancy she'd been working with abandoned and left. She was little more than a bounty hunter these days to make ends meet, but to think there was a recruitment post out for the Ascendancy here in the heart of the Galactic Alliance?

And with a Nightdragon of all leading it.

"And here I thought you Nightdragon's were a myth."

Tris

 

[Tris]

Tharil

​

An unfamiliar voice thick with the accent of a Chiss of means was not what Tris had expected from a Chiss mercenary, an unfortunate reality for many of her diaspora. Curiosity peaked she turned to face the woman. Age among the Chiss was a strange thing until one became old and aged but she seemed younger than herself, but only a little. Her eyes narrowed.

"It is unfortunate that we did not remain so," she said, "But I haven't been a Nightdragon in a long time." Her hand patted her lightsaber fondly. "You seem to know me, but I haven't the faintest clue who you are..." She left the invitation for the woman to introduce herself.

 

[Tharil]

"A remnant of a bygone era, when Csilla still stood strong. Anath'ari'lore. I hear you're recruiting for the Ascendancy."

She leaned on a nearby railing, letting her gaze drift towards the Jedi Temple in the distance. A frown settled on her lips. To think the Ascendancy was stuck in the shadow of the Jedi and the Alliance now. It was saddening. Truly saddening.

"The Ascendancy is dead. So why?"

Tris

 

[Tris]

Tharil

Even more curious. A surviving member of the Ruling Houses turned bounty hunter. How the mighty have fallen.

"Csilla was not the Ascendancy," Tris said firmly. The Chiss called it their homeworld but how many of them truly lived beneath the ice that once covered the planet's surface? Fewer people than lived in this quarter of Coruscant she had no doubt. Fewer still than the Chiss that lived throughout the Ascendancy. She seethed at the thought that those privileged to live on the homeworld thought so highly of themselves. It seemed even playing bounty hunter this pampered Chiss girl still held fast to the Syndicure's idea of the Ascendancy.

"Our people still require safety and protection. Now more than ever the Ascendancy requires the Expansionary Defense Fleet to bring order to the Chaos." They were beginning to draw stares from passersby. Two Chiss, one dressed like a bounty hunter, the other a military officer with a lightsaber at her belt were an odd couple to see in front of the grand Jedi Temple.

"A Warrior does not cease to serve in the face of defeat, and the Expansionary Defense Fleet has stood fast by the Chiss people even as the Syndicure and what remained of the Ruling Houses cowered behind Alliance protection." She paused, realizing her passion had gotten the better of her. "But I suppose that might not have been what you were asking." She shrugged. "There are so many of us scattered throughout the stars. It is important to have a presence everywhere we are welcome so that our people know to return home. It is the only way we will reclaim our place in the Chaos."

 

[Tharil]

"I have been there every time the Ascendancy tried to reclaim our homes. Csilla was the beacon, but you are right that it was not the Ascendancy."

Tharil rolled her shoulders for a moment, as if she was ready to just lash out. New habits to override the old, she figured. A soft breath stilled those new Bounty Hunter like tendencies she had. It'd been a long time since she last had the ability to talk to another of her Kin.

"While we who remained fought, the Alliance, The Empire, they kept us divided and weak. The Ascendancy is gone. Our fleets, our technology. All that's left is what the Maw, Empire, and Alliance scavenged."

Tris

 

[Tris]

Tharil

"We've always been divided," Tris said softly, "Divided in purpose, divided by the Aristocra and the Syndicure and made to play their games." She didn't remember any of her own family. Her name had been taken from her when she was snatched away to be ozyly-esehembo, a sky-walker. In a round about way she had regained her connection to the Stybla family but they mattered less than the deeds she'd done to earn their recognition. No, for all intents and purposes she had been made a tool for a government that only cared for the cavernous utopias beneath Csilla. Like her brother, may his soul find peace, she held little love for the Ruling families.

"For now," she said sighing, releasing tension she hadn't known was there, "We are a protectorate of the Alliance. My role here is more important now than ever. The Empire is crumbling. Our people trapped will need strong leadership in the coming days as those Chiss that survived the cruelty of Imperial rule will taste freedom for the first time in decades." She declined to mention that as a youth she had been one of the Chiss that had inadvertently pushed the Empire in the direction they'd gone with the Chiss. More hubris on the part of her people.

"The Expansionary Defense Fleet could very well benefit from the support of one of the last Ruling Families." She offered her hand, flicked her wrist, and a small data card presented itself, her contact information inscribed on the plastoid card. "Maybe you should visit the Ascendancy. There is more left behind than you might remember."

 

[Tharil]

"Don't I know it. Politics are the worst."

Tharil let out a defeated sigh this time. Her attempts with the other Aristocra to take back even just one world from the Maw had ended with the destruction of their fleet, and the loss of yet another house. There were few that were still brave enough to fight. Without them, without her own, there was nothing left. Perhaps, though, she'd given up too quickly if even those who'd bow to another power still wanted to bring their people home.

Perhaps it was pride that lead her to fail.

"House Lore is long gone. None of my people, my family, our factories, even my mother, they're all gone. I've nothing to give for support save for my blaster." Still, she took the card. Smiled, ever so faintly.

".. But it would be good to help bring our people home, if you think it's possible."

Tris

 

[Tris]

Tharil

"Come by my office tomorrow. I was headed back to the Ascendancy tomorrow...There's something I'd like to show you." With that cryptic message Tris left the young scion at the steps of the Jedi Temple.

"Pack light!" She called over her shoulder.

 

[Tharil]

"That's the only way I pack these days."

Tharil lifted a hand in farewell, even gave a brief smile, before turning her gaze back up to the Jedi Temple. At least there was a path forward for the Chiss. Perhaps for her. Tomorrow would tell.

So, true enough, she went by the office. It was far more interesting to see that there was an office for a whole nation of people that once crossed the stars and held their own in a Galaxy where national powers often consisted of Jedi, Sith, or those who hated both. Now just an office. It was saddening. Though, perhaps it was more like an embassy so her sadness was misplaced. She'd been out of it for too long.

For now, though, she just waited. Time to see more of the Ascendancy.

Tris

 

[Tris]

Tharil

​

She wore her white Admiral's uniform, the symbol of the Chiss Ascendancy bold on her shoulders. Any time the Chiss came or left the Alliance capitol it was important, she had been told, to be seen. And so she was in full regalia besides her white dress uniform. Black cloak with red groundlion fur collar for her time as a Nightdragon, golden chains and medals across her chest attached to gold epaulets for her service to the Ascendancy. She held a warm-looking hat in the crook of her arm but that was all the luggage she carried. An all black protocol droid waddled behind her carrying her bags, one waist-high plastoid military box on repulsors and a bronze cage with a chubby-looking black bird inside. The bird's red eyes mirrored their own and it watched Tharil curiously.

"Good, you made it." she said. "There is one more coming but he told me he would meet us at the shuttle." She didn't wait. She turned on her well polished boots and walked to the shuttle bay lift.

 

[Tharil]

Tharil perked a brow right up as she found herself locking eyes with the bird. It wasn't one she recognized, though the galaxy was certainly large enough that there would be probably thousands she wouldn't. And yet, the similar color of eyes had her all manner of curious. A question for a later date, though. Perhaps on the trip if things were boring enough. Without a word of complaint she followed along after, adjusting her pack a little here and there.

The merc outfit she wore was the same as always, save for the insignia she seemed to have attached between their meeting yesterday and today. The gold insignia of House Lore. Well worn and old, yet meticulously taken care of.

"Well, good to know you're not doing this all alone at least."

Tris

 

[Tris]

\
Tharil

The Nanja was waiting for them, a line of Chiss marines standing at attention saluting their admiral as she passed them by. When they were in the air several gunships followed in close proximity. Coruscant seemed unreal to her every time she saw it from this vantage. The center of the Galaxy, no bigger than the palm of her hand. She grimaced, watching the world become smaller and smaller as they passed Alliance security patrols and stars turned to starlines.

The dropped out of hyperspace only a few minutes later in empty space. Empty save for the massive Chimera Man-of-War that hung their, its running lights like little stars of their own in the blackness. It was alone, no escort. Few ships this deep in the Core save for an Alliance dreadnought could stand up to her. It was old now, at least a decade, but her crew knew her well. Tris felt a smile tug at the corner of her lips. She couldn't help herself.

"The Alliance won't let us park her in the Coruscant system so we have to rendezvous out here in the middle of nowhere." She crossed her arms and stood as they entered the vessel's tractor beam and were pulled into the main spinal hangar. "It is better this way for all. The Alliance would rather us seem the weak refugee and the Hierarchy Defense Council doesn't like the Expansionary Defense Fleet flexing its muscles for all to see." A bit of bitterness crept into her voice but she was quick to bite off her more disparaging remarks. She was, after all, still an officer of the Chiss Ascendancy regardless of the tumultuous political situation.

Docked, the boarding ramp hissed open and another line of marines awaited them.

"Come," she said. "I might have little love of the Ruling Houses but your faces still bring hope to the men. It will be good for you to be seen." Even better that it was seen on an Expansionary Defense Fleet vessel to boot, but she doubted the implication was not missed by the youth. "Welcome to the Circumspect, Anath'Ari'Lore ."

 

[Tharil]

"Sometimes it is easier to be thought of weak."

That was more the bounty hunter than the Chiss who realized that early on in her forced career. Tharil kept to where she was seated, arms crossed, eyes closed. Apprehension played a part in it. The reality that they were in fact on their way to see the Ascendancy after she'd given up everything only to watch what she thought was the last die was filling her with a multitude of emotions. Regret, jealousy, hope. It was an annoying trio of emotion she wasn't expecting.

Once the ship docked, though, she did finally open her eyes. And sighed. A smile did form. Relief. The Ascendancy, their people, they hadn't given up. She chuckled as she stood and stretched before following Tris out.

"I'm not sure what you're hoping for, Tri'sunodo, but.. If you think my presence will help, then my presence you shall have." Head high, sigil proudly presented, she walked side by side.

"It's the least I can do for a fellow Ozyly-esehembo."

Tris

 

[Tris]

​

Head high, sigil proudly presented, she walked side by side.

And the Warriors cheered. Many recognized the sigil right away and they chanted her family name. "Lore! Lore! Lore! Lore!" Some simply saluted the pair as they walked through the throng of men and women.

"So," Tris said sadly, "You've lost your Third Sight. A shame. I couldn't imagine what it must have been like for you...I'm sorry." At the end of the column of saluting warriors and officers was another Chiss man. He wore the dress uniform of a Galactic Alliance marine and in front of him he held a struggling young Sky-Walker at the shoulders.

"Admiral," he nodded, almost saluting before remembering his charge.

"I hear congratulations are in order, Lt. Commander." The young man's cheeks darkened.

"Thank you."

 

[Tharil]

"It was a blessing and a curse. Both to have it, and to loose it."

Tharil kept her eyes forward, not letting any of the cheering get to her head. They were Chiss. Arrogance was what cost battles. What cost wars. But the more she heard, the more that little spark of hope grew. Her people weren't as defeated and gone as she had assumed. She raised a brow, though, as they stopped. As the soldier seemed to blush. What was that about? It wasn't her business, so she wouldn't ask.

But she was awfully curious. And it probably showed on her face.

"It says a lot that you have another to helm the ship. How many are in this fleet?"

Tris

 

[Tris]

Tris quirked a brow.

"This fleet?" She pondered the question for a time but decided that the truth was better than feigned ignorance. "Picket Force Ten has around nine ships that the Alliance would consider capital ships and maybe about a dozen support vessels. Right now my second flag officer is off on the edges of Ascendancy space fighting off some of the Maw's remnants with most of the force. Our escort will be meeting us on the edge of the Ascendancy."

 

[Bayaz]

Tharil​

Bayaz looked on in stun disbelief. Tri'sunodo was giving up information about her fleet to one of them? His blood boiled, his grip on Chiri's shoulders tightened. The little girl looked up at him indignantly and stomped on his foot. Her little feet did nothing to his military-grade boots. Those things were meant for stomping skulls and crushing permacrete. And so he ignored it.

"Admiral," he said in a hushed tone.

"It is fine, Lt. Commander Bayaz." Tris said, "She can be trusted." Bayaz leveled his red eyes at the noble. She looked like a mercenary, but what could she really know about the galaxy. To her this was probably just a game, a phase to throw credits at to make herself feel better. They were all the same.

"Of course."

"Triiiiiiiis. Caretaker Savo gave me only twenty minutes after you landed before I have to get back to practicing again. Let's go!" Chiri had been patient long enough and the tantrum was beginning to leak like plasma from a launcher tube. Bayaz shifted his glare from the white-haired woman down at Chiri.

"You know, if you finished your lessons first you would have more time with her, right?" Chiri pouted in response, her expression brooking no argument.

​

 

[Tharil]

Tharil stared blankly for a moment longer. This was only part of the fleet? And a small part at that?

She took a deep, deep breath. Closed her eyes. Tried to will down the near painful smile that had formed on her face. The Chiss weren't defeated in the slightest. She'd given up far too soon. It was the near tantrum of the younger Chiss that snapped her out of devolving into some mix of laughter and tears as she instead focused on Chiri. Her expression softened.

"You should listen to your caretaker. Those lessons are invaluable." There was an incalculable burden on the shoulders of any Sky-Walker. All the more reason for the lessons to be taught and learned as accurately and quickly as possible. They certainly were going to need the help with what would come next.

"Have any worlds been reclaimed?"

Tris | Bayaz

 

[Tris]

​

"No no," She said. "She must have done something magnificent for Caretaker Bris'av'ori to have given her this time. I will honor it." She heard the question from Tharil and smiled sadly before taking the smiling Sky-Walker's small hand in her own.

"There will be time for all of that. For now, Lt. Commander Bayaz will show you to your quarters. We will be leaving shortly." With that she left, smiling down at the incessantly chatty little girl, a pair of automatic doors sliding closed behind her.