Ride The Wild Wind

[Connor Harrison]

Commenor
Rachuk Sector

Connor was on the edge of Confederacy space when he heard about the….farce….of the Commenor trail of Veiere Arenais. It was hard enough for the Queen to follow through, that was fine, but for a coordinated attack by dark forces to spring him? A thousand theories were spread like wild-fire by the media.

It would strain relations across the Core and Mid-Rim for Commenor and the Queen.

Did she have a hand in his release? Did the Empire support Veiere breaking away to line their pockets? Was this one big set-up to secure the collapse of Commenor and its ruling body?

These were some of the questions racing through Connor’s mind as he returned to the capital city and the royal residence for an immediate audience with Her Majesty. He had seen a new side to Kay recently and was not returning to blame her or attack her methods, but he was returning with fire in his belly and a feeling that some of his thoughts laid out previously were not all far from the truth now.

Security was tight. It took longer to even land near the capital and to get his name sent for approval. Eventually he had it, and was escorted to the residences – not that he wanted or cared for those guards who he REALLY didn’t trust now. His objective was the Queen, and she would be able to tell from his face upon arrival he was not impressed with the state of things...

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Oh boy. This wasn't going to go well. As soon as she was given the message that [member="Connor Harrison"] was arriving, she knew exactly what it would be about. Or rather she had a hunch. So while he was going through security, she was preparing tea for herself, with blue milk and water for him. He liked the stuff. Maybe it would calm him.

Once Connor was through security, he'd be escorted to her office. Two Imperial Sentinals stood guard just inside her doors, while uniformed officers patrolled the halls. No, they weren't at war. But they were all on edge.

As the door to her office opened, she saw the look on Connor's face and right away she clenched her jaw, expecting to hear "I told you so" coming from his lips. Kay stood in the middle of her office, tea cradled in her hands. "I take it that you've seen the holo-news...." She prepared herself for some kind of onslaught of words and accusations. It was to be expected. What she had done at the trial wasn't easy.

 

[Connor Harrison]

If the doors hadn’t been of soft hinges, they’d have made a suitable bang when opened with the force Connor did to go though, the guards looking on edge behind him and the ones in the room ready to take his head. But he didn’t see them; just the Queen.

”You think?”

He came through into the room and walked to her, but kept a respectful distance. He wasn’t here to intimidate.

”What the hell happened Kay?” The “Highness” title had gone in his urgency. ”Why did you let him go. I….” Don’t say it…. ”… I somehow knew he’d resort to this when the pressure got too much.”

Connor moved forward a put his hands aside her shoulders with a little shake of encouragement and gentle tone.

”Are YOU alright?”

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay didn't look up at [member="Connor Harrison"] as he approached. Instead she just looked straight ahead. She didn't want to see the expression on his face or the accusations that it was all her fault, things that she was sure that she'd see in his eyes. "It was all going so well, but...then his Order attacked..."

Her eyes were drawn up to him as he softened his tone and his final approach. "I'll be fine...He told me to stay strong, so I will. Veiere didn't cause this, you know. It was his followers. Once they found out where he was...." She sipped her tea, letting the warm liquid give her that much needed comfort. "He warned me that they wouldn't take kindly to me keeping him imprisoned. But I didn't listen. I underestimated them. It won't happen again."

Now she had to figure out what to do next. If banishment fails, then what?

If she wasn't still in love with her husband, it'd of been easier. But that wasn't how things were. Now it was really complicated.

 

[Connor Harrison]

There she was. Still in denial, perhaps. Still defending the actions of one who had wronged her, her trust, her people and her system. It was frustrating to see, but it was frustrating to try and contain his emotion while she dealt with her own.

His head lowered, and he let his hands withdraw.

”Veiere knew what was going to happen. This was a coordinated attack, and no matter what you say, it was butchers following his orders and his ideals that did this. He is responsible, however much you gloss over the fact he warned you.”

This put the future of Commenor into the guillotine of fate.

”Now he is free. What next? What next for you or your people? How long will it be before he returns, or followers of his cause come to take apart Commenor piece by piece.”

A target had been painted on Veiere’s head – and Connor was suddenly drawn to taking it.

”Your allies will be there for you, and your people. You must not be afraid of that man.”

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Yes, Veiere knew that it would happen, which was why he had warned her in the first place. So he was to blame. Kay couldn't blame herself for having him arrested and putting him to trial. It was his crimes that led to this.

She clenched her jaw as [member="Connor Harrison"] spoke of Veiere and his Order somehow attacking them out of vengeance. In some way that was possible, but she didn't believe it. Veiere was free and ordered not to come back. There was nothing left for him here but her and their Estate that he had built.

Kay looked up at Connor told her not to be afraid of her own husband. To that she had to laugh; not just because such a statement was absurd, but also to lighten some of the tension. "I'm not afraid of Veiere. He would never attack me. Ever. He told my people to keep me safe, and that he would come for whomever hurt me. So he's not a threat. He still loves me." She chewed the inside of her cheek, feeling very much like some lovesick youngling, but what she was saying was true.

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor sighed, shook his head and walked around the room slowly. He did that to gather his thoughts and think things through - it was less intimidating than standing, staring and trying to formulate words.

”He doesn't love you. If he did, he wouldn't attack...sorry, his PEOPLE...wouldn't attack anything or anyone else you hold dear, and all you've spent so long to build. His attack instigated fear and doubt in not just the people of Commenor but also those in the surrounding systems.” The heart could be dangerous organ. ”I hate to say this to you, but you now need to decide just where your loyalties lie. To your people, or your husband. Right now, it can't be both.”

It couldn't. At least, not in his eyes. All he had done and said, and the Queen still understood him and seemed to blame herself for it. Connor paused and chewed his lip for a moment.

”What are you going to do now?”

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay watched [member="Connor Harrison"] as he slowly paced. In some regards, what he was saying was true. At least from an outside perspective.

But now she was beginning to see beyond just her own system. "Others are talking about this? Other systems, I mean..." Kay sat herself down now on the nearest chair. The weight of Connor's words now pressing upon her. She had to choose and it wasn't easy. Nor was it fair.

She remained silent as he asked her what she was going to do. Kay wasn't ignoring him by any means, but she was mulling it over. "I have to...I have to choose my people." But how to accomplish that, she wasn't certain right now.

Kay sipped her tea. Would the tough days never end? Or was this how it was going to be? Hopefully it wouldn't last long.

 

[Connor Harrison]

He rested his chin in his hand, looking out of the window at a large yacht passing through the river below.

”I won’t lie and say I’ve heard them myself, but I haven’t. But please look at this from an outsider – your strive for neutrality, yet your relationship with man who advocates attacks on Jedi and even his homeworld puts you on one side of the fence, not sitting on both. Neutral means supporting none or the other. Look inside yourself, and you will find that if pushed you would allow his Dark Jedi or the First Order in to save your people.”

His teeth chewed the bottom lip.

”Systems and governments looking in will see this, and see the attacks and the activity happening. They won’t care for your personal feelings – they will just see flags of the Dark Jedi or First Order or whomever else has sidled up to Commenor. That makes Commenor itself a threat to holding the Mid-Rim from falling because if IT falls, then the flood-gates open.”

Then he turned to her.

”But only if you let them open.”

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay frowned slightly. [member="Connor Harrison"] was right. If they were attacked, they would of course accept the help from those that offered it, no matter what side. They couldn't afford to be picky. "I wouldn't deny my husband's help. He has every right to ensure my safety. But anyone that attacks us has the potential of forcing us to choose a side that isn't our own. It all depends on the level of attack." Like a bombardment by multiple fleets. Hopefully that would never happen.

She listened to more of what he had to say, her eyes unfocused as she imagined different scenarios. It was true that CSA space was one of the last peaceful bastions in the Galaxy. And it was only a matter of time before they were attacked. Everyone kept telling her that, which was why she was sure to maintain and improve their military and navy.

"I'll try not to let that happen. But if others attack based out of assumptions or conflicting ideals, I can't help that. As I've said, I don't have a voice outside of my own territory. But that doesn't mean that I won't try to negotiate first."

 

[Connor Harrison]

He looked at the Queen and wasn’t sure she was thinking straight.

”What better way to control you than making you think you need his help. He sets you up to fall, then offers to save you. It’s the classic step to surrendering yourself and all you’ve fought for. That man is poison to you and Commenor. You taking his help after he has attacked many innocent people and probably killed dozens more takes you out of neutrality and into the dark. His supporters become yours, his ideas become yours.”

Connor came to the desk and stood opposite her.

”You have voices outside your system, and without their help you will find your time up sooner than expected I fear. Use them. They are the ones who have stood by to help you, not Veiere. Just because he is your husband now doesn’t automatically mean you surrender everything and owe him the world. He is not the be all and end all, and the sooner you see that then the sooner you may be able to look beyond him and see what you could really do for the good of the galaxy.”

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay furrowed her brows while [member="Connor Harrison"] spoke, mulling over his words. Was she really being played? It didn't feel that way to her, but she did have to try to seperate her emotions from her mind. It wasn't allowing her to think straight, perhaps.

She set her tea aside and folded her hands on her lap while she just thought about what was being said. People like to try to take advantage of her. It was partly why she was so steadfast in keeping neutral and keeping her people out of the Galaxy's wars. The First Order, Empire and others all used her for access to her trade routes. She was well aware of that, yet it allowed her people to prosper. And they were the important ones.

Until now Veiere had always been with her, supporting her and helping her deal with trauma. He was there for advice and created many things for them. He even built them an Estate, the hideaway where she remained after the birth of their children.

"Alright Connor...Alright..." She just didn't know what to say right now. It wasn't an easy situation for her to be stuck in.

 

[Connor Harrison]

Her resignation meant either he'd gone too far, or she accepted some of what he said, or simply didn't accept it at all. He wasn't here to soften the blow or cover things in gloss - he told it how he saw it.

A small frown formed, and he felt sorry for her. But, then, in the silence, he had another thought.

”Your children. Do you know where they are now? They may become targets from revolutionaries or Veiere himself.”

After this, he had little else to say about it. For now, anyway. But there was still action to be taken.

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay looked up at [member="Connor Harrison"] as he asked about her children. Of course it was easy to assume that they'd be targets. Yet both Veiere and herself figured it'd be by their enemies. They weren't at war though. Not yet at least.

"They are safe. We kept them out of the spotlight on purpose; to make them less of a target. Our son is with the Je'daii and our daughter is with the Mandalorians. Their each learning skills that can better prepare them for the dangers that the Galaxy represents." And then maybe they'd appreciate the sanctuary that is the CSA just a little more.

 

[Connor Harrison]

That wasn't quite the point he was making. Their children were targets, but not from outsiders.

”I meant targeted by their father. Both valuable assets and holding a lot of sway to you and the system. I would hate to think they could be used for leverage or something worse.”

Could they be found and brought back to the system to help unite the people in these dark times? Was it even an option?

”Well, if you need them here then don't hesitate. And if I can help at all, you just say the word ok? I don't hold sway over anything, nor do I want to, but I have the will to do what must be done to help those who need it.”

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay blinked. "Veiere wouldn't..." They were children. And what purpose would that serve? It wasn't as though he had desired to take over the CSA. If that were the case, then he wouldn't of given up his title before creating all of this mess.

But letting him go after Commenor was attacked just exposed a weakness. Maybe not just to Veiere, but to others as well. A point that was driven into her by her advisor.

She looked to [member="Connor Harrison"] as he proposed having her children brought home. "The twins are safer being out of reach. Their guardians will look after them." Kay got to her feet and walked over to one of the windows, folding her arms across her chest. There was still reconstruction going on following the attacks. "I need...I need support and to ensure that I'm not being blind. I'll probably ask for you and others to seek it." She sighed. "I want to avoid war for as long as possible. But not at the expense of our freedom and way of life." There was plenty that needed to be done. Everything seemed to be crumbling around her.

 

[Connor Harrison]

The two of them looked out into the court and stretching city of Commenor. Two small figures otherwise insignificant compared to the huge building they were in, and people passing by wouldn't even see them.

But they were looking out of everything, knowing that everything hung in the balance.

”You just have to ride it out. Ride the wild wind, as I used to say. Just go with it, but don't bow down to it. See it through and come out on top.”

He side-stepped a little and put a hand on her shoulder.

”Call your allies. Talk to them. Don't bear this on your own to save face. When the time comes, you need to be strong enough and confident enough to make choices that may seem crazy, but will turn out to be some of the best decisions you made. Ok?”

Where this was going, nobody knew. Nobody at all.

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Ride it out. That was sometimes easier said than done. Most especially as people were waiting for her to do something. It paid to be proactive at times.

As [member="Connor Harrison"] placed a hand on her shoulder, she reached up and placed hers on top. Kay asked for support and he was giving it. At least he was calmed down now, instead of how he was when he burst into her office.

Make crazy choices? She looked over to him with a smirk, sliding her hand back down so that she could cross her arms over her chest again. "And what crazy choices would those be? Right now I think that this whole situation is crazy." And ridiculous. Who'd of thought that she was faced with having to declare her own husband as an enemy to the people? It was like living in a nightmare.

 

[Connor Harrison]

Crazy situations. That was something Connor knew about, and probably many people he had encountered. It was just a case of how to survive them.

”I promise you, these situations are not the be all and end all. If there's on thing to take from my being here, it's that you can survive the biggest, baddest and worst situations and still come out on top looking for the best in things.”

He moved around the back of the Queen to stand on the other side for a new view outside.

”Hear me out, but choices like making your husband a clear enemy of the state, and one that other systems know about, so they know you're not afraid to do what must be done. Choices like calling in allies or governments you probably are too proud to do, but can do because they could help simply keep the heat off you if those men return to attack. Choices like maybe switching a cup of tea for a blaster and taking the fight to those who come looking for trouble.” That was the craziest of all. ”I know you could do that if you had to. You did it when you believed in slave liberation, so why not for Commenor liberation?”

His gaze never left the window as he spoke.

”And also a choice about moving on with your life instead of holding onto a hurtful past. That is one of the strongest...craziest choices you can ever make.”

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay just stared out of the window, watching the breeze while it moved some of the leaves of the trees. She was listening to [member="Connor Harrison"] and not ignoring him. He was right in that him being there was evident of her looking for the best of things after bad situations. Veiere would have had him killed if given the chance.

How to make her husband an enemy for all to know of could be as simple as a broadcast. But not everyone paid attention to those. So she'd have to do something more.

She smirked as he mentioned switching her tea for a blaster. Those around her kept her out of fights, protecting her like she was something delicate. Perhaps she would reach out to some of her weapons contacts and find a little something with more impact than her holdout pistol.

When Connor mentioned Commenor liberation, she blinked. With her slave liberations she had done everything that she could to free the slaves from the Hutt Cartel. Was Commenor enslaved as well? She didn't quite think so. They didn't owe anyone anything.

His last comment caused her to dip her head ever so slightly. Move on from her hurtful past? That wasn't so easy to do. "I'll need some time to get everything arranged. It isn't as though all of that can happen in a matter of days...But I'll certainly get it started." There was a lot to do. The right path lay before her feet. She just had to be brave enough to walk on it.