I Can Hear The Music Of The Spheres

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Some heroes went unspoken until the chaos had long since come to an end. There were the men of action; the men whose split-second choices decided the outcome of wars. The ones who were content to take a step back when the louder men were crowned with laurels and showered with fame.

[member="Strask Ak'lya"] was one of those heroes. It wasn't until the last Geonosian corpse was thrown to the Barabels that Alexander learned of what had gone on in the control center; that the bugs had indeed pierced into the heart of Camp Tal'verda and almost tore the world asunder with its planetary defense cannons. There had been two to stop it: a Gen'dai who had been inducted into the legions, and a Bothan far too intelligent for his own good.

The former had been hailed for his good work. The latter had almost gone entirely unknown. It was only by chance that Alexander heard of the spy's deeds, and so he had come to see the Bothan beneath the Grand Marshal's chambers.

It was here that the yet-living Geonosians were kept: shackles in archaic chains that hurt the wrists and further entombed behind a ray shield. Strask had been allowed to do his work as he saw fit for the past day. Alex arrived in a leather coat that fell to his knees and combat boots, his blue eyes narrowing as they peered into the dim light.

He hadn't had the time to meet the savior of Zenith Prime yet; keeping the planet from falling apart had kept him too busy. Now he had the time.

"Mister Ak'lya?" He asked, a hint of trepidation in his voice, "I wished to thank you for your service during the battle."

He peered about for the Bothan.

[member="Strask Ak'lya"]

 

[Ak'lya]

For the minute it took Alexander to walk down the hall to where he had been working, there was a silence from Strask. He was typing as the geonosian cursed him out in his native tongue. He frowned as he updated the interrogation log. They were getting nowhere. He needed someone scarier. Or, at least someone who could appear scary. Stepping back from the terminal, he listened to the Grand Marshal talk. There was a small chuckle as he moved into the man's view. "One could make the argument that I simply saved my own skin." He walked over to the man, seeming to be sizing him up out of habit. "Also, I would prefer if you didn't use that name in front of prisoners, if you wouldn't mind." He paused for a moment, before turning to one of the now clicking Geos. "Names are power, Kar'tha. You'd best remember that." He gave a short, toothy smile before turning back to the Dreadguard. He'd have to ask Nat to pull up what they had on the man. His hands slipped into the pockets of his trenchcoat. "But I didn't save the day. I just helped."

[member="Alexander Ontonas"]

 

[Thew Vullen]

"You did save the day. Thanks to you, Zenith Prime is safe and most it's citizens are alive. Things could've been much much worse." I say as I enter the room. I heard of the Bothan's heroic deeds and wanted to visit him after the loss of his hand.

"How's the hand?" I ask, hoping the Bothan doesn't feel too bad about it. After all, I didn't put him in the bacta tank fast enough and I feel responsible. I know what it's like to lose limbs, but not permanently. "I'm sorry I couldn't save it. Maybe we can get you a cloned one?"

 

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"Our warriors held the line, but your actions saved the fleet." Alexander affirmed as Vullen strode down the steps. The majority of the marshal's complex was closed off, but Alex had given the Gen'dai express permissions to travel to most of where he pleased. It was a way of welcoming the warrior into the legions rather than treating him like a common mercenary.

"And you did your part as well Vullen," he spoke with a smile, arms folding over his chest as he peered at the Geonosians. The bugs had earned every bit of mistreatment done to them. Alexander had no pity.

"We can't let this happen again," he murmured, "Almost a hundred thousand dead, and the numbers are still being counted. If we remain as we are, they will return."

A heavy sigh fell from Alex's lips.

"And I'm not sure expansion will be the right thing to do." He spoke the words, and with them came a great weight from his shoulders. Many had spoken of spreading Zenithian influence throughout the stars. Some called for an empire to bring calm to this chaos. Alexander wasn't so sure.

"Your opinion has merit as well Vullen," he ran a hand though his mop of blond hair, "We can't keep fighting off these incursions. Something needs to be done, but the weight of this decision...it should not be mine alone to make."

[member="Thew Vullen"], [member="Strask Ak'lya"]

 

[Ak'lya]

"My hand is fine for now." He said, flashing a quick smile to the Gen'dai. "I should get a nicer prosthetic, but for now, I'm fine." He sighed as he listened to Alexander.

"Something does need to be done." He replied. "If you ask me, we need allies. More than just groups of mercenaries. We need supplies. Resources. Information." He paused, beginning to pace. His mind was turning now, trying to decide on the best course. Expansion would be easy, espically with a common enemy in the Geonosians. A coalition to protect themselves from the bugs. But if Zenith Prime were to stand alone, there would be a lot more needed of them. They would need to resupply and reinforce solely from their own populace and through trade. Smuggling runs would be near essential, but the authorities may not like that idea too well.

"We could send a message to nearby systems. I'm sure we could rally Bothuwai, and the Hutts...." he trailed off. He didn't like involving them, but it seemed that they may not get much of a choice.

"Alternatively, there is the option of Paramilitary units. There are plenty of those in the galaxy. I'm sure we could hire one of them to hold the line." He looked back to the bugs. Pesky little things, weren't they.

"No matter what we do, the people need a leader. Someone to rally behind. Someone they can believe in." He looked directly at the Grand Marshal. "Not just a general. They need a leader. A King."

[member="Alexander Ontonas"] [member="Thew Vullen"]

 

[Thew Vullen]

"I know some guys that could help. But that wouldn't be enough. I know a guy in the Silver Sanctum. He's an old friend of mine. I'm sure we can get some people who are willing to help us from there." I say, thinking of the Jedi and their powers. The I shake my head, knowing that wouldn't be enough. "Hiring men wouldn't work. They aren't motivated to our cause, only be greed." I say, remembering my experiences with one such group. They were hired to defend a military base but when faced with a superior force they quickly ran.

"But I agree." I say looking at Strask. "We need allies. We can't stand alone in this time of war and chaos in the galaxy. If we find a common enemy or cause then we can rally millions to our flag. We just need to find what we are fighting for. People united can be a very powerful thing, especially with a strong leader." I turn my gaze to Alexander.

"Again agreeing with Strask. Smart Bothan." I remark, smiling inside my mask. "We need a leader. A defined leader. And you would be the obvious choice Alexander. Experienced, kind, strong, everything a leader needs to be." I march over to the bug, watching it. "Just think. A strong leader can lead our cause creating a symbol of hope and strength for the people."

I walk over to the bug. "Besides that, on to the more immediate things. Have you found out anything from this bug? Who, or why to start the list of questions?" I lower my towering frame over the squirming bug.

 

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In some private fashion, Alexander had come to a similar thinking. Whenever such thoughts found their way into his head, he would banish them from his mind. He had always chastised the arrogant and the self-important, and one thing Alexander was not, was a hypocrite. Still, as his associates -- no, his brothers in the battles to come spoke, Alex found himself silently agreeing.

His gaze was intense as it passed from Strask to Thew.

"We can't ask the Jedi for help. Never again. The core is burning because of their philosophical conflicts with the Sith." Alex replied grimly, his calloused fingers trailing along the walls of the dungeon. "The Geonosians are the immediate threat. I've heard reports of Graug warfleets ravaging other systems, and even a few whispered words of Collocoid war-bands."

His lips pressed into a thin line. "Calling upon Bothuwai is wise. We have been allies before. The old oaths still hold strong, as you well know," he nodded at Strask, "The Hutts...they are as likely to be our enemy as our friends. Then there are the far flung regions to our south. I hear that criminals run amok and have poisoned every aspect of government."

A grim laugh rumbled forth from Alexander's core. "We are surrounded by enemies, my brothers, and still I find myself with the greatest of allies, but what you imply is..." he wavered, "I fear I am not worthy of such a task."

[member="Thew Vullen"], [member="Strask Ak'lya"]

 

[Thew Vullen]

I look at Alexander. "What do you mean you aren't worthy? You are the most qualified and capable person among us. Don't be afraid to take the reins of power, guide them with your good will and heart. If you don't steer us, I fear someone worse may." I raise my hands in disbelief and frustration.

"You know much of this region. The allies and friends you seek are ones you should already know. The Bothans will come to aide us, if only for protection. The Hutts are only concerned with themselves. If we present them something they wish, or force them to join, they will be our allies. But if we turn them against us they will be a horn in our side for centuries." I look to Strask, hoping he will back my argument. I know Alexander is the only one who will keep the Zenithian worlds from falling. His heart is pure and he is not tempted by the powers of leadership. He pays evil no heed, except for when it is absolutely necessary, and greed has no hold of the soldier that stands before me.

"As an old being from your standards, heed my advice. The people of Zenith trust and admire you. You have inspired them and lead them this far. If you step down the people will lose faith in us. You must give them hope and kindle a fire in every man's soul."

There is silence. I decide that I should break it before it gets awkward. "I hope that was a good speech." I say that with passion, and a smile.

 

[Ak'lya]

Strask gave a smile as he listened to the Gen'dai. "The colossus has a point. Besides, if you don't take it, who will?" He frowned. "They won't respect me. I'm not one of them, or anything like them." He began to pace. "Anyone else in the Zenithian power structure will vote you in immediately." He turned back to the Grand Marshal. "I know you don't want the burden of leadership." He smiled. "No great leader ever does. Any leader who wants power will abuse it." He paused, listening to the stream of clicking and screatching from behind him. "Excuse for a moment." He turned on his heel, and walked towards the geonosian. "You try any such thing, Cal'tora, and you'll loose more than a wing. Understood?"

[member="Alexander Ontonas"] [member="Thew Vullen"]

 

[Thew Vullen]

I smile at the Grand Marshall who is leaning against a wall, staring into space. "Think about it."

I turn to Strask again before I walk out of the room. "Strask, let me know if you need help with the interrogation. I can be a very imposing and frightening figure." I gesture towards the Geonosian. I've picked up tricks over the years. I don't like using them, but they get the job done. Plus, I make a very good bad cop.

 

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Think about it.

Alexander did. His arms folded over his chest and his gaze fell to the floor as he lost himself in his thoughts. Had he come to this conclusion a thousand times since the Geonosians had invaded? Yes. Was he a fan of it? Decidable less so. Even still, he could not doubt this wisdom of his allies' words.

"Fine then," he grumbled, "If there's no on else, then I will take up the task." He turned toward Thew as he began to walk up the steps. "I'll expect your backing when I present it to the people," his gaze turned to Strask, "And yours too."

His lips parted to speak further, but whatever he might have said was lost as he marched up the stairs. He needed time to think; to cope with this monumental responsibility.

"I will call the warriors of Zenith Prime to rally soon. There, I will announce the office."

Without another words, Alexander Ontonas disappeared up the stairs.


[member="Thew Vullen"], [member="Strask Ak'lya"]