Learning Apathy (Lucien Cordel)

[Yasha Cadera]

Can't say I've spent much time on Skye, but I can say the prospect hits me easier than the empty feeling in the pit of my belly. I've been out of the Bacta Tank for little more than a standard day and already Sparkles my Admin Droid is lighting up with intel, pain and panic, the swath of Lipsec's violent afterglow.

I'm dressed as Anders and it feels for the first time like a sham. It took far too much concentration to pull the illusion of my masculine self onto my body. I keep looking in the mirror at my hips - still distended from the child that hadn't survived [member="Mikhail Shorn"]'s flagrant cyborg hand. No one could know, lest they were a doctor or anatomist I tell myself, as I pull one of Jared's leather jackets on and check one last time on the mask.

The Lipsec Disaster is more common a knowledge than Kitt Solo's recipe for pie crust, and yet the details are still mysterious. High Councillors Anders Sivas and Jared Ovmar were brutally injured - the culprit Shorn. If not for Anders Sivas' healing abilities, both Councillors would be dead. That much is common. The whispers tell of another story - a story of Andra and Jared - new parents to a growing pregnancy cut short, the baby lost. I've had my Military Intel units and Jared's Homeland Security spooks trying to expunge the full details and truth of Lipsec from all but the most illustrious knowledge. I don't know how much [member="Lucien Cordel"] knows, but I do know one absolute about the Lord Cordel: his intelligence empire is vast, skilled and motivated through fear.

As the Sumatiyara touches down on Skye and the appropriate channels informing the Lord Cordel of my visit, I pull a chrono on my wrist and inject another bought of bacta and trace amounts of glitterstim into my skin. The illusion is all but complete - Anders looking overrun and tired.

Two of Jared Ovmar's Personal Guard stand beside two of my own Military Honour Guard. I find it hard to believe Lucien won't know exactly who is who and where the allegiances tie in.

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien had received multiple tales of the event that was coming to be known as the Lipsec crisis. They had varied greatly but one thing was consistent in all stories Mikhail Shorn had put his fist through High councillor Ovmar and another person. Some said it was the councillors wife others said that it was councillor [member="Anders Sivas"]. Lucien had suspisions that it was both ... It made no difference Mikhail had committed high treason, Lucien had endeavoured to find otherwise but it seemed he would have no other choose but to sentence his best friend and mentor to death.

This had weighed heavily on Lucien he had suffered consecutive nights of sporadic sleep and it was beginning to tax him. He had also begun to increase his alcohol intake ... It was by no means excessive but it was certainly higher than normal.

Lucien had known of Anders arrival before he had informed the aurthories. No one so much as blink on Skye without one of Lucien's eyes seeing or ears hearing. His finger men were scattered throughout society from the most decadent palace to the dankest dungeons and many had no idea they even worked for lucien, if caught none but the most senior could reveal the nature of their work or who truly employed them.

Anders was immediately directed by Skye's coordinators to land at the spacious hanger adjoining Lucien's palace in the mountains. He was met at the hangar by Lucien's assistant, a rather grey man not all that interesting but brutally efficient. "Good morning High councillor" the man said ,utterly devoid of emotion, as Anders exited his ship "his grace is waiting on the rear terrace, follow me please" he added before turning heel and striding back into the palace and leading the way through to the gardens and eventually the terrace.

Lucien was stood leaning on the balustrade looking out over a waterfall as it tumbled from the mountain and flowed down into a valley before it joined a river and wound its way down to a distant forest. It was tranquil an escape. Lucien was dressed in a pale grey suit and waist coat his jacket trapped over a lounge chair behind him. An untouched decanter of fruit juice sat by a cold plate of breakfast. Lucien was joined by to statuesc guards hard face and ever watchful.

 

[Yasha Cadera]

"Good morning, thank you. Carry on." Geeves. I want to call the grey man Geeves. I follow with my tiny Honour Guard, and the SC1 Battle Droid Bucket, a curious droid who spent more time investigating and scanning the area than standing at attention. Lucien's palace is one of those places that takes a person's breath and stores it in a vault downstairs. Gorgeous, pristine, cavernous. I can see why Meret married a man of such wealth and some of me wonders how she's faring as the Mrs. Lady Cordel.

As we come up on [member="Lucien Cordel"] the first breath I notice is his dis-ease. This situation must be barrelling toward a darker place for the Lord on the tail end of a story which could destroy a precious friendship in his life. I'm loathe to do that. "High Councillor Lord Cordel, thank you for seeing me on short notice." I walk up and offer Lucien my hand. Should he shake it he might see a wave of tension and flicker of pain in my side.

I left the bacta tank too early, and my Curato Salva has faltered. Too tired, my lips perk a timid smile but all around I'm far less calm than I should be for a meeting of this nature. "We're busy people so I won't dally. Lucien, what do you know of the Lipsec Crisis?"

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien turned his head but little more at anders approach he looked in a sorry state, it seemed the crisis had taken its toll on them all. Lucien took the mans hand, now was not a time for division. "It's quite alright" Lucien said before gesturing with his hand to one of the numourous chairs and loungers " please sit my lord, you are in pain ... It is a hard thing to lose a child" he said softly taking a seat himself. He subtly watched anders, the mans reaction would serve to confirm the whispers or of course destroy them, either way Lucien took a step toward clarity.

Lucien reclined back into the chezlounge he had selected lazily gazing ahead into the sky it would rain soon, Lucien was often relaxed by the rain and relaxation was a welcome experience, esspessially in such trying times. He sent his assistant to collect the investigation reports before pouring himself a drink using the force and beginning his explaination.

"I know that my good friend Mikhail Shorn has commited high treason and that he gravely injured Lord Ovmar and yourself causing you to lose your child, I also know that you are trying to quieten this down ... What I don't know is why Lord shorn did this or were he is now." He lent back closing his eyes "how can I save him ... He is a traitor and must die but if I kill him I have no one left" he ran a hand through his hair, Meret had not been seen in a long time and Lucien suspected she had found a lovable rouge and eloped. Mikhail was like a farther to him. He took a gulp of juice.


By this time his assistant had returned with a bound and sealed file lucien took it looking it over "leave us" he said in a low voice all his servants moved away only his guards remained they were trained and and sworn to hear everything but listen to nothing. Lucien handed Anders/Andra the file this has copies of all of the reports and staments I have on the event"

 

[Yasha Cadera]

My nostrils sink as lips which had been casually arranged tremble to keep their peaceable composition. The furrow of my brow is timid but enough as I feel the newly familiar burn of unwashed tear ducts threatening to give me away in tandem to my treasonous neck, which clenches and gulps down the sensational grief. Hormones be damned, that I could shut them off and survive in decent peace for a few more minutes. I shut my eyes and sniff inward to compose myself and show [member="Lucien Cordel"] less weakness.

Maybe less weakness isn't what the situation requires. Maybe I need more of it, more of this feminine vulnerability to purge the poisonous grief of failed motherhood from my body and bones. I hiss as I lower myself carefully into a chaise lounge, and for a long moment I sit in silence watching the water flow away with our sins. My fingernail taps against my lips and slowly the illusion of Anders dissipates for an exhausted, pale hazel eyed woman curled up in her lover's jacket as if it were a Beskar vest. "Lucien I don't want Mikhail dead."

My vocal chords tighten up, I lean my head back on the lounge's voluptuous back and watch him with the distant eyes of the mentalist empathic healer. "Far be it for me to tear stars down for revenge. What would that gain us? Our child is gone. . . th-" As the assistant came by, Anders flashes back on my face and the nature of my illusions and masquerades is known and outed to the Duke of Skye and Zaddaj. As the assistant leaves, I pour through the reports and the illusion fades again. "Mikhail went berserk after the damned gas had warped all of us into a frenzy. It was a sudden escalation that didn't get out of control until Mikhail bit Jared in the neck - a prospect I am familiar with. Mikhail sucked me near dry a few months ago. I got away with five less pints of blood and a torn dress. Even then I need you to believe me when I tell you I forgave Mikhail to his face. As much as it was Mikhail who did it, I do not blame the Thronebreaker for the loss of the future Lord Ovmar… well, potential Lord Ovmar. I'm not naive to think Jared would to marry me."

Looking at Lucien closer, I see the fracture lines in the man. Do I not also have but Jared left? For so long Jared Ovmar was the only provider, the only protection I had from a vast and terrifying galaxy. Now I have students of my own, a collection of growth and empathy guiding me to build a life out of the tatters of a symbiotic personality. I realize I'm not the only one who requires absolution. "None of this would have happened if the Lipsec people hadn't pumped that cacophony of pheromones and psychotropics into the air. I don't take kindly to the twisting and bending of innocent minds, and certainly not with the use of chemical agents. Let Mikhail rest in the hell he's building himself I guarantee you his mind is a bag of cannibalistic Nexu. He knows what his Garhoon self had done. I've gone through enough with Mikhail to know under less cacophonous circumstances he'd never have hurt me. At a distance, I can leave the man be, sometimes forgiveness is the harder pill for a wrong-doer to swallow. I didn't come here about charging Shorn. [member="Alen Na'Varro"] is taking care of that. I came here to find the Lipsec people who filled that room with gas and bring down the entirety of Fringe Justice. If anyone's going to pay for the empty feeling in my gut, the desperation of having to rebuild Jared's intestinal tract while I bled out on the carpet: It's Lipsec. I want them. I want them and I know it's deplorable. I'm angry and hurt and I want them to know it. To feel it before they … I should be better than this." I break off my words and search back to the waters. My knees curl up toward my chest and I feel as small and fragile as I am.

"This being said, [member="Jared Ovmar"] is mourning as only a Sith can mourn. He's out for blood and should he find Mikhail, I have no doubt the manner of death will be neither swift nor painless. Jared's an orphan who for one brief moment in time had a family. That kind of trauma… especially after the Cauldron is going to take all of my considerable talent in mind cleansing and the healing arts to help patch away."

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien nodded, relic washed over him if Mikhail was to die at least it would not be on Lucien's orders "I had hear rumour of Mikhail's decent to depravitity I had hoped they were untrue ... Mikhail grows more dangerous daily" Lucien sighed nothing was ever calm in the fringe. "I will attempt to convince Mikhail to go into hiding , I need you to convince lord ovmar to stop seeking vengange against Mikhail"

Lucien was distinctly more pleased by the idea of striking the root cause of the problem. He could sink his teeth into lipsic " I can bring hell to lipsic's door ... We can bring hell ... How far do you wish to go?" He asked kneeding the back of his neck "we can strike at the top, glass the place or turn that cess pit inside out , how much will it take to satisfy your Ned for vengeance?" Lucien himself would see the guilty suffer for an eternity in kind with their victems .

He let his mind drift to the water the fringe was rupturing internally and he was the one left to cauterise the wounds he hoped lipsic would be the last crisis.it was then that rain began to fall. Thudding against the terrace roof. Lucien made no attempt to move he was dry and the noise soothed him. He could hear the gardeners behind him scurry off to seek shelter in their glass gardens and potting sheds. Lucien turned to Andra "so how then do we dal with this?"

 

[Yasha Cadera]

The relief is palpable enough to release some of the growing nausea in my stomach. The tang of stomach juices sluice over my tongue and I swallow. Unpleasant to say the least. "May I have some juice please?" Such a simple request, pedantic and communal but I need something in my hands. "Mikhail..."

What do I know of him, the man who hung me off the deck of a building and drank from my neck till I twisted into the emotions he shared with Jared? "Is a man with his conscience buried and mutilated, but it's there. He's not without compassion and he's not without protecting what's his. As a woman whose seen the fire in his eyes, I know he would be an absolute lover - protecting what he loves with a vehemence I came to understand on the first night we were introduced. The Garhoon in him is a problem. His flippancy, well… it wasn't nine months ago he killed Jared. Mikhail killed Jared. If it wasn't for my lover's mentalist powers, Jared would have been gone from this plane and are you and I to look the Lord Ovmar in the face and tell him he cannot have justice for his own murder and now the murder of his unborn son? I see all perspectives involved, Lord Cordel. That is my gift. If there was a way of ensuring which targets he concentrated on and which ones to leave be he'd be exactly what he is: a war hammer of our bastion. At the same time, it would be ridiculous for me to be in the same room as the man. Jared would be livid and more then that - he'd act without conscience to protect what he deems is his. Mikhail has already taken much from him, and in Jared's eyes Mikhail's also nearly killed me thrice. Still, we have ourselves a unique situation. I can talk to Jared, I would ask you to tell Mikhail that I'm sorry. I'm sorry, and he was right. Mikhail will know what that means."

I'm as new to vengeance as an infant is to talking. The initial pain, the shift in atmosphere and finally the first crying breath are as foreign to my constitution as a vacuum to a bird. As the rain begins to fall, it reminds me of my beloved home world of Naboo. "I was born on Naboo. We used to have these misting rains everyday in the Spring. I'd rush out in them, run and play and discover who I was outside of the influences around me. Like the rain to barren ground, I want our justice to cleanse and fertilize Lipsec. They must be shown at the tail end that we are the Worthy Protectors. We are the right brand of mercy, but we are just and wise. Find those directly involved. Humiliate them. Villainize them. Call them out and do what your Internal Fingermen do. At the end of the process we will hold Lipsec's loyalty in the palm of our hands for generations. By the end of it, when we unfurl our graciousness I want them pleading for it. Kneeling and begging and weeping gratefully for our benevolence.

They will never influence another sentient again. Their agencies will be taken from them. Defenceless, I want them to feel the agony of grace. . . is this making sense? I'm new to vengeance. This is the first time in my life I've woken up and can't find a redemption in my heart for those instigators. What would you suggest? We need the Lipsec People and resources. We need to keep the realm. . . but we need to ensure they never influence another person again." Am I, weak woman, so cut off from the Force that my exhausted grieving is dooming a planet? Do I feel wrong about it? My hand rests on my chin, I toss my eyes to [member="Lucien Cordel"].

"Those who had nothing to do with the Lipsec Crisis will love us. They will celebrate us and thank us for our mercy. Those who had even the smallest part in the disaster will feel the cold steel of justice, and they will be accountable. And they will mourn. Their mourning will make the praise of the others more sweet, as bitter tannins brings the bouquet to fine red wine."

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien nodded unsure of what Andrea was apologising for but if it was going to help he would say it.of course he would still need to find Mikhail. Then he would need to convince him to go into exile. Lucien didn't look forward to that conversation, it may be prudent for him to talk to Mikhail after his fight with Alien.

However Mikhail was a worry for another day, today the issue was bringing revenge to lipsic. Lucien handed Andra a drink then thought for a few moments. The best way to root out evil would be to blockade Lipsic and investigate. This would be a good time to wet the feet of his inquisitors.

"I will handle the coordination of an inquisition but I need you to have our army blockade Lipsic and control the populace ... Lord Ovmar's spooks would also help I can have my forces ready within a day then we can begin the process of cleansing Lipsic. "

It would be glorious and could well secure the stability of the fringe for years to come. This investigation and the subsequent retribution would show the fringe as a unified organisation who looks after their own.

"Do you require anything more my Lady?"

 

[Yasha Cadera]

I take the juice and sip it in timid mouthfuls, I hope it'll take the bitter taste of this business out of my mouth. The crossroads is crisp and clean, not what I would have expected on the outside of such a moral decision and life-altering path. This business has made clear the lines upon which my foundations have been built and after today I can no longer say with confidence that I would do no harm.

The Military is my responsibility, and blockading Lipsec so soon after the Fringe has taken dominion over the planet sends a strong message for my continued career on the Council. "I'll talk to Jared, get his support on this. . . you'll have your blockade Lord Cordel. The Third Fleet is nearby on maneuvers, I'll break them off and cordon off a no fly zone. We've got troops I can move from Thakwaa, I'm sure controlling the populace of a chemical manufacturing planet will fair better than zombies."

That's it then, my orders have sounded and the shift opens before us as frenetic Anders Sivas grows into her position. "I want to look them in the face, [member="Lucien Cordel"]. When you find them, I want to look them in their eyes." The glass in my hand, I ease myself up a little higher in the chair. My teeth sink into my bottom lip, and I sit watching Lord Cordel. When did we all get so tired? When did the unbearable weight begin to bend our spines and bow our legs?

"The fair question is to ask you if you require anything. Although I've got a leg up on the average Aklay, it doesn't take my considerably growing mental powers to see you could use a friend to talk to. Are you holding up? Obviously the ineffable Lord Cordel will always 'hold up', but life's more then that. I might be medically exhausted, but my ears are working perfectly if you want to talk about it. I figure if we can't help each other, how are we going to help the Fringe? The offer's open."

 

[Lucien Cordel]

"You will get to look them in the eyes" Lucien said firmly " you have my word on that"


Lucien slumped further into his lounger. He was about to Deny he needed some one to talk to but it would be futile [member="Anders Sivas"] was an empath he could read Lucien's emotions like a book.he could see Lucien was broken.

He rubbed his head the sighed before beginning "Meret has gone I don't know where, my son is an emotionally scared teenager with daddy issues and Mikhail seems to be on a constant quest for death" he frowned and closed his eyes "why can't I ... They ... We just function normally"

The galaxy just seemed darker now, there was a void and Lucien couldn't fill it, it had always been there as a teenager he tried to fill it by murdering his parents and taking there money but the void just got bigger, he had built palaces to hide in but they did nothing.

Lucien was not accustomed to revealing his inner workings, it was not a pleasant experience. Hiding behind grace and etiquette was far less draining.

 

[Yasha Cadera]

"Thank you." The sinking intuition that Jared wouldn't approve slides in through the pores of my mental ground and sprouts into tangle-weeds. What would he think of his lover staring at the beings responsible, while justice be done? A modicum of protection he'd offer, from the viciousness of what must be done. Justice is a harsher mistress than I, she will not flinch where I may.

As the rain continues to fall on Skye, I see before me a moment of trust. How odd it must be on this end of time and events to think back in that glorious beginning and picture the events that fall. "I'm sorry about Meret." Instinct tells me she's gone, that her marriage had been a political convenience one-ended by a hearty affection from the Lord Cordel. Who could fault the man for wanting a mate, a partner and lover? I sip my juice and hold the glass to my chest, grunting as I edge myself to sit more comfortably on the chaise. "I can tell you emphatically that Meret's disappearance is not your fault. You did nothing wrong and you need to believe in that piece of yourself. You've been a fantastic husband to her, loyal, devoted, hard working. If she can't see she hit the marital jackpot, well Meret's … she's an oil fire on water, burning in flickers and spurts. She flitters away and when she circles around again the bay has changed. Currents and eddies shifted the flow. For those pieces of time she was in our lives, we must find thanks and press on. I hope that's a small consolation."

My head tilts to the side, a timid smirk rises up "I didn't know you had a son, Lucien. He must be quite the boy, if there's anything I can do to help with some of that emotional scarring let me know. Anders is always at the service of the High Council. Does he feel ignored, or smothered, or is he running with the multi-emotional approach that leaves a person scratching their head at child-logic?" Kids. Not that I was a normal one, but they can be full of everything and anything like a box of threads tumbled out and rustled around by Ropos. Mikhail was a whole other kettle, and I find myself pursing my lips. "Yeah, sounds about par for the course with Mikhail. What we're going to have to do with him is no little thing. The guy needs… I don't know anymore what it is he needs but when he finds it? We're all going to sigh in relief and go celebrate, eh? I guess it must be somewhat comforting to know you've got at least one other person around who doesn't abjectly hate the guy. I probably should, but hate's not my thing. Maybe you two need to chum it out for a while. Reconnect. You're a good influence on him and he adores you. Not in a weird way, but a manly-man way… that made more sense in my head."

Openings widened in spurts, I find and this one isn't going to stay open forever. "Tell me, do you love them? Do you close your eyes and wish their lives would be enhanced by your presence and influence?"

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien nodded still not entirely convinced that he was blameless in Meret's leaving. "Thank you" he replied. Anders was certainly a good therapist.

"My son, is adopted and was schooled in the finest bourding schools ... He didn't see much of me and I think he feels abandoned, would you talk to him at some point?" He asked "it might help, he may speak his heart to you I just want him to be happy ..." Lucien sighed.

Mikhail was a headache certainly but Lucien worshiped the ground he walked on, well as much as his pride and strict adherence to ettiquete allowed. They certainly needed to reconect, Lucien would go to him once his duel with Alan concluded. Mikhail needed taking care of and Lucien was willing to do it. But they needed a perminant solution "your right I will talk to him after his duel with alien"

Andra asked him if he loved Mikhail and Darien Lucien nodded "of course" he said " I would do anything for them" he sighed watching the rain for a time before standing up "come we have much to do and I need a glass of wine" he announced before putting his jacket on. A servant arrived with an umbrella soon afterwards almost as if he had be summoned telepathically

 

[Yasha Cadera]

"Write it down. Every day, get out an old fashioned pen and paper and write down what I said. Write down all the good things you did for her, write down that it wasn't your fault until you believe it. Until you forgive yourself. We all need a bit of grace, especially from ourselves." Even Sith Lords with intrigue and disappearing dissident trails. I smile over at [member="Lucien Cordel"], my fatigued head laid back on the chaise lounge's raised upholstery and pillows. Adopted children are noble attempts at kindling family, a piece of Lucien's heart however regimented that showed the quality of the man who no doubt wished to claim an eventual successor. "Of course I will Lucien. Any time. Think Darien would open up to Anders more, or Andra? Part of the advantage of androgyny is choosing comforts. I'll take the boy out, we'll make an adventure of it see what comes. Ultimately, you've been giving him the best you can. I know a child can skew perspective, see a galaxy-class education as being shoved off in a lonely corner where on the other side we see parental sacrifice. Prepare thyself, Lord Cordel. My professional diagnosis might be 'take your son on a purely fun family vacation'. And barring that, set aside a few hours once every week or two to reconnect. You're his father, no matter what happens in life having a healthy relationship with your son will incite him to excel. Not too late till you're dead and hey, even that's up for grabs lately."

The subdued delight fades as Lucien mentions a duel. "What duel? Lucien, what duel? Alen.. Arbiter Na'Varro Alen?! When is this happening? I wasn't…" I sit back and my jaw shuts. "Jared didn't tell me about a duel. Probably his way of protecting me, no doubt. I'm fragile enough at the moment, watching Alen and Mikhail nigh kill each other probably wouldn't be kind to my empathic health… when is this -no. I shouldn't know." Of course retribution against Shorn would be had. A Kaggath for the traitor to the High Councellors reminds me even in the Fringe blood must be paid. Oh but if I could heal them all, wrap my arms around this collective of refugees and soldiers and provide some bastion against the diffuse fire. Some day. One at a time, Andra.

"True, honest love is unconquerable. It is the indefatigable bond which threads the universe together and makes possible atomic fusion to stardust, solar winds to planetary atmospheres. It's the precious pain that herds us in one or another direction, and it's the closest to perfect confusion. Love them. Act on that love and set-backs or not, complications or smooth winds in your solar sails and it will heal and bind you all together. Have faith, in other words, that any measure of love can become infinite and omnipotent." As Lucien rises I hold out my hand for help, the other wrapped gingerly around my re-knitting side. I rise up with a steeling inhale and I nod. "Thank you, my Lord. A glass of wine would be delightful, if you're offering. The work to be done is no slight affair."

I came here in a fit of grief and anger, overcome with an unfamiliar want of vengeance and on the outside of it my vengeance is sated while I am given the opportunity to help a fellow High Councellor. If only others would take help as easily. The servant with the umbrella gets my eyebrow tweaking upward. How well timed are these people? Makes me wish my droids were so efficient. . . wait, what?

Dash you Cestus Cybornetics! Dash you to Hoth!

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien smiled " Darien attended all male schools a woman may serve only to intimidate him, Anders will probably be best"

Lucien silenced himself on the topic of Mikhail's imminent kaggath, Lucien was still debating whether he would be attending to watch the blood bath. It was a barbaric mode of trial in Lucien's opinion but if it was shorn's will then Lucien was powerless to do anything about it.

He took Andra's hand to help her rise, some men may have been moved to tears by Andras profound commentary on love but Lucien's brief lapse of face was over, he had work to do now his feelings could wait, he nodded steel eyed " of course" he said in responce to Andra's request for wine. This was no slight Adair indeed, the result of the pairs plan may well be the shattering of multiple families.

They were escorted back into Lucien's palace "set up communications with Lord [member="Jared Ovmar"], We will speak to him in my office in addition to that I would like a bottle of rose` bringing up to my office leave it outside the door and see we are not disturbed" the servant nodded and Lucien led Andrea up to his office.

His Office was the size of a medium house. Its was were dominated by floor to ceiling shelves, containing multiple tomes ;data files and even a few holocrons, broken up only by a fire place and a few pictures. The centre of the room was dominated by a large platform upon which sat a varnished desk. However their target sat at the back of the room. Lucien's office doubled as his war room and it therefore held a map table. It was upon that table that the three councillors would decide how justice would be served

 

[Yasha Cadera]

"Anders it is, then. No worries, it'll turn out." Unavailable emotions are the charcoal of familial explosions. They heat otherwise healthy situations and in this case maybe a bit of extra time with the Cordels might be what this medic orders. Might as well use my gifts. I see the composure resurrect itself onto [member="Lucien Cordel"]'s face and wonder how lucky I was to get a few minutes of him unadulterated. Situations are beginning to click. Lifted up and off, I let out a careful breath and keep my arm tucked into my side. "Thank you. I probably should have stayed in the Bacta tank a day or so longer... too much to do."

It's all amazement to think I'm running a military and a member of the High Council. What seemed at the time to be a mistake has turned into a formative salvation, and I hope it lasts. Oh do I ever hope it lasts. Drifting through Lucien's office, my jaw drops. It's huge. I keep thinking how precarious my position is, how without Jared's good will I'd be living in a Naboo Lifter shuttle, with capacity for five passengers and crammed to the nines. Without Jared I wouldn't have my ship the Sumatiyara, I wouldn't have access to the Penthouse. The wages I've gotten from being a High Councellor are beginning to collect, but with running the Suma I've just begun to put enough savings away to survive. Lucien, however, looks like a man who has it all. He's well acquainted, well appointed and well spoken. I take some time to walk through the possessions displayed before wandering back to the Lord Cordel. The map to Lipsec flares to life, and I lean against the nearest wall or hard surface.

"Where do we start? I don't know the first thing of . . of this. Jared'll be better at it. More of a healer and salvager, me. . . but something . . . someone needs to pay for this, and I don't mind it being a cautionary tale."

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien smiled at Andras shock his homes often had that affect on people, he seemed to recall his accountant losing conciusness the first time he visited. I could never be said that Lucien was frugal. Andra returned still clearly in pain. A chair moved across the room guided through the force "you may be more comfortable sat down" Lucien said before moving to the door to collect the wine.

He poured first for Andra then himself. He took a sip then cradled the glass in his hand " As I see it we have three real options to despence justice. firstly we could glass Lipsic, a message will be sent and the guilty will suffer but millions of innocents will die" Lucien began a look off notable displeasure etched on his face, destroying the whole planet would be most uncivilised and Lucien had no desire to deal with the guilt of commuting genocide " a far better option would be to secure Lipsic preventing migration whilst we launch a full investigation, starting with the social elite, fear will spread through lipsics populace and people will no doubt suffer a degree of in comfort but we will find the guilty parties farther quickly whilst also limiting harm to the innocent"

The final option was the one Lucien beloved Jared would advocate "the final option would be to hand total control to lord ovmars spooks who will use espionage to find those culpable and bring them to me this will eliminate the risk of harm to innocent people but will require more time and thus money" Lucien drank once again. Looking down onto lipsic . perhaps lord Ovmar would see things differently and offer another plan of action.

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Anders Sivas"] [member="Lucien Cordel"]

It came as a surprise to me when Lucien contacted my office, seemed the man wished to talk to me. I was already done for the day, had been considering going out to check up with the local pub, get something to drink and wash away the troubles and doubts. But Fringe business comes before everything else, and so.. I traveled to his office.

Wasn’t too far away, so I got there pretty quickly. Was already expected it seemed, one of his men escorted me to the right office and opened the door for me.

I nodded in thanks, and then stepped inside. Another surprise, Andra was here too. Not that I showed it, that wouldn’t have been professional.

I gave both of them a slight bow, from the waist.

“High Councilors Cordel, Sivas. Pleasure. What can my humble persona do for you on this day?”

 

[Yasha Cadera]

"Thank you, Lord Cordel." I take [member="Lucien Cordel"]'s offered chair and lean back in it to take the pressure off what remains of the bruising and reconstruction of my side. Another day, maybe two. I should have stayed in the Bacta at least another day. Talk of glassing planets and Military Embargoes purges the sweet ichor of the wine from my mouth. I swallow hard and glare at the hologram of the planet. He talked of such things with a casual frequency of constant consideration - an option for a myriad of situations and sudden changes in tactic. Again I feel the wash of regret that I accepted Jared's request that I take the damnable Military portfolio. "Excellent wine."

'He knows, Jared. Lucien's reports identified a woman and he gave his condolences for the loss of our child before I could deny it. I didn't come to tell him, I came to start us getting Justice.' Far be it for me to halt [member="Jared Ovmar"]'s cheery countenance. I fight back a smile for him: I hadn't seen Jared since being discharged from the Bacta. My fault really, couldn't stay in any longer without going half crazy. Raising my wine glass, I nod but don't get up out of the chair. If I tried, which wouldn't be prudent, I doubt I could get up of my own accord. Despite the concealer present under my eyes, the tightness of my forehead and thin line of my lips is telling enough I suppose for Jared to fill in the emotional landscape with his mental mastery.

"Lord Cordel was informing me of our retaliation options after the Lipsec Crisis. Chemical agents influencing the near deaths of two High Councillors cannot be a repeatable situation. I petitioned High Councillor Cordel to help bring Justice, yet no decisions will be made without your intimate cooperation. Lord Cordel has given us a few viable options: glassing the planet, blockade and investigation . . . L-Lord Cordel is better at explaining it, I'm sure."

Vengeance. The word's frothing through my mind with an unfamiliar sting of an innocence lost. I taste the word to seep the bitterest of bile, and drown it with another sip of my wine. "Whatever is decided, I have given my most substantial request." Forgiveness is a reward to the survived. Grace a concept I awoke from my near death experiences to stare at as one stares at the leafing pages of a book in translation. I know the words on the pages, I know their meanings but the way they sound is foreign. Off. And yet my mind begs that Jared take this cup from me. "I want to look them in the eyes."

'I want to peel back their minds and see why we had to survive our own son.' I project into Jared's mind. I'd taken too long to tell Jared, too long in figuring out the perfect way to keep the growing bump in my belly and keep Jared both. Now, it's a shrivelled wish of yesterday, a past wrenched away. My mind fills with guilt at Jared's ignorance and the baby's death and I push it back. Repress it to stare at the hologram of Lipsec.

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien turned as the door opened "Good afternoon, High Councillor" Lucien said with a cool courtesy " I can only offer my condolences for your loss, no parent should ever have to bury their child" He added solemnly. [member="Jared Ovmar"] didn't look to be grieving however looks can be deceiving and Lucien hoped he would never suffer what Lord Ovmar currantly suffered. He poured a third glass for Jared, he had no idea whether Lord Ovmar would drink it but it didn't matter such details were trivial.

Lucien allowed Andra to speak then added further detail to what she said " As I was saying to Lady Sivas, I see three options available to us firstly we could glass Lipsic, a message will be sent and the guilty will suffer but millions of innocents will die, this isn't my preferred option it is notably unethical." He took a drink then continued " a far better option would be to secure Lipsic preventing migration whilst we launch a full investigation, starting with the social elite, fear will spread through lipsic's populace and people will no doubt suffer a degree of discomfort but we will find the guilty parties farther quickly whilst also limiting any major harm to the innocent,the final option would be to hand total control to your spooks who will use espionage to find those culpable and bring them to me this will eliminate the risk of harm to innocent people but will require more time and thus money"

Lucien looked from [member="Anders Sivas"] she didn't look entirely uncomfortable, under the circumstances that was an entirely reasonable reaction it was no trivial thing they were discussing "I do of course wish to hear your opinion after all you were affected personally by this ... event" Lucien wanted justice in equal measures to vengeance those guilty of introducing the neurotics may have robbed Lucien of his friend and mentor.He would need to discuss Mikhail at a later date.

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Lucien Cordel"] [member="Anders Sivas"]

I took a seat, and carefully listened to Lucien’s words. All three options had some measure of merit to it, glassing the planet would show them what it means to cross the Confederation. For generations to come they would speak of our deed, remembering it.

What it would also do is breed animosity, rebellion and it would destroy our reputation with the outside world. Any moral high ground we had.. well it wouldn’t be there anymore.

So that wasn’t an option.

The second option.. was a step into the right direction, but harassing the population of Lipsec; preventing them from migrating.. it would make things easier yes. But it would also turn them against us, and the social elite.. well. You don’t want ‘em against you, at least not publicly.

Far better to make ‘em go away one by one quietly, assume direct control and eventually find the offenders. Which arrives us at the third option. This option would ensure long term stability, a minimization of burden and less innocent lives spilled.

My lips curled into a smile.

“Option three seems to be the best course of action. Wouldn’t you agree, High Councilor Sivas?”