The Bodyguard

[Connor Harrison]

Royal District
Sarvchi, Chiss Space

​

Since losing command from Tmoxin Temi, Kyle had become a bit of a laughing stock with the Imperial unit he served - part One Sith, part Empire - all loyal servant of justice. When the call had come from a Chiss called Chaf’anta’natrano from Sarvchi, Kyle was the right man to be sent away to the Unknown Regions and Chiss Space.

The Chiss Ascendancy was growing, and they needed muscle - a faceless figure to be the eyes and ears for their Lieutenant against Rebels, bounty hunters and other assorted nefarious types wanting to topple their rule.

The Sith shuttle arrived on time, bringing Kyle in his First Order armour to the palace he would meet the one calling them. The only Chiss he knew of, spanning hundreds of years, was Thrawn. If Kyle could serve the Chiss if near what Thrawn achieved for the race and the galaxy as a whole, he would have found purpose once more.

His armour gently hit together as he carried his helmet under one arm and was escorted with a Sith aide and Chiss guards. It was a magnifcent palace, yellow banners hung above him as he moved through and it was unlike nothing he'd seen away from what the Imperials had forged on Bastion and Coruscant. This was another world, but one that he knew would serve the same ideals he did.

Time would tell.

[member="Chaf’anta’natrano"]

 

[Chaf’anta’natrano]

Flanked by her personal staff members, Fantana strode down the corridors of the Chaf Palace grand hall. Her usual yellow garments were deliberately eschewed for a simple, but snug-fitting black dress that accentuated every curve of her athletic body. Lately, the Chiss Aristocra only wore her House's colors when she made diplomatic appearances in Csilla. With the recent One Sith re-occupation of the Chiss homeland, touting her ruling family status was chancy at best, so for Fan, black was the new yellow. So far, the One Sith's actions beyond the initial surge had been tempered. They had installed an Imperial Governor, of course, a Chiss. Frankly, Forlac'rya'xitodo was a laughing stock among the ruling families, which almost made manners worse. There had been rumors of assassination plans, as the stronger ruling families took advantage of the instability, plotting to eat the weaker among them, like House Chaf.

Today, would be a baby step in the right direction. Fan's glowing red eyes studied the storm trooper as she approached him. Of course, the Sith had sent a Moactan Teel.

"At ease, Soldier," said Fan by way of greeting. Her expression was a cold blue mask, an impenetrable fortress around her emotions.

"My name is Lieutenant Chaf’anta’natrano, from House Chaf. As human vocal chords are understandably not complex enough for you to correctly pronounce my name, I will make it easier for you. You may simply call me Fantana."

She cocked her head at the soldier, resplendent in his shiny white Imperial armor. The Datapad in her blue-skinned hands flashed a screen of full of Kyle Amedis' personal information for her to peruse.

"Do you know why you're here, Soldier?"

[member="Kyle Amedis"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Kyle was halted, and stood to attention to wait whomever would be sent to meet him. It wasn't long before a female Chiss who looked rather fetching it had to be said. An aide, or Mistress no doubt. Kyle watched her approach, nothing moved but his eyes as she addressed him - and it wan't long before it was clear this was the Chiss in question.

He swallowed gently as he shifted his weight to stand a little more relaxed with her introduction. Twice she addressed him soldier; granted, that's all he was to her and anyone else. A symbol of fear and justice against rebellion and illegal activity.

"Lieutenant Fantana." Kyle dipped his head slightly.

"I was made aware by my superiors that there was demand for a bodyguard for a leading Chiss general," his gaze shot ahead, not making eye contact, "and I am here for that position for said Sith. I will be honored for an audience."

Helmet under his arm, modified E-11 by his side, Kyle kept still awaiting a response.

[member="Chaf’anta’natrano"]

 

[Chaf’anta’natrano]

Fantana's eyes widened almost imperceptibly. Lieutenant? Oh, she had called herself Lieutenant didn't she. Old habits died hard, especially ones born from the rigors of military training.

"Forgive me, Soldier. I should have said 'Former Lieutenant.' I was up until a few weeks ago an officer in the CEDF. I have just recently taken a position as Aristocra for House Chaf, my ruling family."

Fantana gave the stormtrooper a tight-lipped smile. For any other race, it was the equivalent of a wide, toothy grin. Her glowing red eyes slowly scanned him up and down, a deliberate once over twice from someone who was accustomed to being the judge, jury and executioner of the less powerful.

"I am the person in need of such security. The Sith haver been 'generous' enough to give House Chaf a security budget provided we draw from their own pool of resources. I'm frankly not too sure that I had a choice in the matter."

She dropped her gaze to the Datapad and tapped on a few keys, browsing his military history. It looked like he last served under Commander [member="Tmoxin Temi"] of the One Sith Army. The Hapan Commander's brash demeanor was legendary. Ah, a woman after her own heart. Fantana raised her gaze to the trooper, her tone just shy of being dismissive.

"You'll do."

High heels clacking on the marble floor, Fan began to walk towards the palace's sitting room. There they could discuss some of the logistics of Mister Amedis' duties.

"Do you have any questions for me, Mister Amedis?"

[member="Kyle Amedis"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Kyle looked to the Chiss and gave a small nod, drifting his eye to the Sith guard with him and signalling him to hold back as she walked, and the trooper followed a step behind.

"Understood, Lady Fantana."

Helmet under his arm, walking strong and almost silently like a shadow, he listened whilst taking in the Chiss and her palace.

"One question - you say I'll do, but if the One Sith have given you a budget, surely a woman in your position knows you don't have to use it if you don't feel the product is...worthy. Why not use one of your own kind to keep an eye on you?"

A beat.

"Ma'am."

Kyle would serve those he felt superior, but wasn't going to resign himself to a cause that didn't believe in him, or vice versa.

[member="Chaf’anta’natrano"]

 

[Chaf’anta’natrano]

Fantana's entourage escorted her new bodyguard into the high-ceilinged sitting room, the Aristocra herself walking a few steps ahead. The chamber opened into a terrace with ivy wrapped pillars and decorated with the everpresent yellow banners of House Chaf, and it offered a breathtaking view of the capital city. Fantana nodded to her staff to stay inside as she ushered Mister Amedis outside so that they could share the view of the inventive architecture of the Chiss, a sight which filled Fan with pride. She expected that the stormtrooper's Sith consort would also stay inside.

The stormtrooper's question was quite audacious, but Fantana's face remained a mask of cool. Not a tic in her jaw or a blink of gleaming red eyes came. As with most Chiss, her emotions stayed tightly coiled inside, as if she were an intricate piece of machinery. She rarely came unwound. Especially not in the face of such a challenging question.

"Well, Mister Amedis. Kyle. Although I sense that you would prefer there to be a simple answer to that question, I'm afraid there is not. Our House's budget is not quite what it used to be before the first occupation, so I hardly have the luxury to be too choosy if outside help is offered. It's also a matter of trust, Mr. Amedis, as I possibly have more enemies within the Ruling Families than outside of them."

She leaned her blue-skinned arms on the banister and looked out over the city, breathing in the scent of yellow flowers sprinkled through the ivy.

"Does that answer your question in a way that you can fully comprehend?"

[member="Kyle Amedis"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Walking into the sitting room, Kyle placed his helmet down - the black visor looking out into nothingness, the molded jawline looking like something robotic. He followed the Chiss onto the terrace and looked over the impressive capital. He turned and nodded to the Sith aide - merely another solider, one who Kyle had trained under Commander Temi and simply another witness to events where he was concerned.

However sublime the city was and the hosts, Kyle picked up her dry wit instantly.

"Makes sense to me, Miss Fantana. It's good the One Sith can help bail you out of trouble - always nice to have allies in times like these."

Resting his hands together behind his back, his eyes moved slowly across the gleaming landscape, resisting the urge to insepect the Chiss close-up; he'd never seen one up close before and thought it very surreal to have near empty red gleaming eyes on the blue skin. Something very alien to them.

"Can you tell me what my mandate will be? Where am I to be stationed and how long for? I only ask as I don't like to have my time wasted, with the greatest of respect - I am here to serve, and if you have a problem with me being affiliated with the One Sith or even a mere trooper rather than a Force warrior, I'd rather you tell me know so I can get on with my duty elsewhere."

He turned, lowering his head slightly.

"Forgive me if I seem blunt, it's what I'm used to talking to others in a way they can easily comprehend what I'm getting at."

[member="Chaf’anta’natrano"]

 

[Chaf’anta’natrano]

Ah, so the Solider wasn't a mere order taker. This bluntness was a trait that Fantana could respect, even if he was not Chiss.

"Mister Amedis. Your mandate is to protect me at all times. That means everything from advance inspections of places I'm about to visit to checking for bombs and bugging devices. Additionally you may need to accessing potential risks here at the palace and driving vehicles for me. Sometimes you'll need to dress in street clothes in order to avoid attention, but as an Imperial soldier, your presence will generally be accepted here at the House and on Csaplar."

She turned to him, studying his handsome face. His stoic military demeanor made it somewhat easier for Fantana to relate to him, even with his distracting, expressive human eyes with rich, brown hues.

"You will have your own room here in the palace. When you're ready I will show you. As far as the length of your contract, well, I shall discuss it with your superiors. I really don't know right now..."

A microexpression of worry flashed across her face. The rebel attacks on Csilla were weighing heavy on her heart. She cleared her throat and continued.

"When more order is eventually established, your services will not be necessary, but right now, I'm afraid I don't have a timetable."

[member="Kyle Amedis"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Kyle listened and nodded at her words, not reacting overtly to anything. His place was to serve, he understood that, and wasn't going to ruin the chance of ascension.

"Of course, I understand."

He turned, a slightly curious tone to his quiet voice.

"If I can ask, the sweeping of palaces and...your other jobs, isn't that for your own personal security forces? My greatest respect, but I'm no use to you peeled from the wall after a thermal detonator takes me out or a booby trap takes my head. My job would be to shadow you - to lead you. Never take eyes off you. Your grunts do the sweeping - I do the guarding."

He then returned his gaze outwards to avoid those red eyes that gave no signal to emotion.

"And if you can clarify if you wish to be called ma'am, miss, lady, queen - whatever. Just say."

The humor would be lost on her no doubt. Damn Chiss.

[member="Chaf’anta’natrano"]

 

[Chaf’anta’natrano]

Fantana could understand the Mister Amedis' concerns and she saw no reason why she shouldn't assuage them. He was a battle-hardened soldier, not a lackey. The former Lieutenant herself could understand how he felt, as her own role in Chiss society was changing right before her gleaming red eyes. Some of the work was beneath him, that was true. There were, however, other reasons why he might need to do some of the dirty work himself.

"Well, Mister Amedis, you are half right. The "grunts" as you call them, will be doing the actual sweeping. However, they will all be working under your explicit instruction. I want you to be my Head of Security, Mister Amedis. You will lead my personal security detail, so you may delegate tasks as you choose."

Fantana's tone lowered to more of a whisper. Her previous statement had been loud enough for her staff to hear. Pure theater. What she said next was obviously spoken in hushed confidence, and despite her waxen features, the Aristocra's tone was a rare pleading one.

"To be perfectly honest, Mister Amedis. I don't quite know who I can trust among my staff and security forces. I think that one or more of them might be a mole working for a rival House. I am the House Aristocra, yes, but to fire loyal lieges without proof would make me look like a paranoid lunatic. It would spark relentless gossip all along the Path of the Houses, and my leadership would be questioned."

At the trooper's final question, her back straightened a bit. Mister Amedis would have to learn the hard way that those types of comments would be tolerated behind closed doors, but there would be a heat wave on Csilla before she ever let him insult her like that in front of the members of House Chaf.

"You may call me Fantana, Kyle."

Fantana's official title was Aristocra, but Kyle was not Chiss, so that formality was nonsensical for him. As a former military woman, Fan would leave the "Lady" and "Mistress" titles for those who basked in endlessly preening. Actions spoke louder than titles.

"Will you be taking the position then, Mister Amedis? You are not the only one whose time is in danger of being wasted."

[member="Kyle Amedis"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

In his recent time, Kyle had found himself serving under female authority. A Sith Lady. An Imperial Commander. Now, it looked to be a former Chiss Lieutenant. However, one thing he had noted was the way the held themselves and sex, primarily, didn’t matter. Strong in mind, strong in body and strong in command. That was what Kyle lived for and wanted to follow.

He nodded slowly and turned to the Chiss.

"It will be my duty to serve you, Fantana."

One thing Kyle knew was his place in the pecking order, but he didn’t mind fighting back if he had to in order to get his head above the rest of the soldiers alongside him. Commander Temi had proved that if he stood out, he would be noticed. A shame her path had parted them.

"I will inform my aide of the decision and have him sent back to my garrison. I will stay here, and from now until I either am killed in the line of duty or you no longer require me, I answer to you and only you."

He wasn’t going to bow, or offer his hand, or anything like that. He was a trained soldier and would act like one. His brown eyes finally found the hypnotic void of the red irises of the Chiss, and it was something to lose himself in if he didn’t get used to it quickly. Kyle shifted his gaze instead past her shoulder, looking out over the city; as a sign of respect for the most of it.

[member="Chaf’anta’natrano"]

 

[Chaf’anta’natrano]

A flicker of a smile crossed Fantana's face.

"Thank you, Kyle," said the Aristocra, toying with a yellow petal that, propelled by a sudden light breeze, floated down upon her shoulder blade. Force knew it was a relief to have the issue of her personally security sorted. She generally detested help from outsiders, but what choice did she have? Could she even trust the human? Time would certainly tell.

"Would you like to see your room? It is upstairs and adjoins to my own."

With the faintest tinge of excitement in her voice, Fantana moved off the balcony and back to the sitting room. A faint grin crossed her face as she reached into a large terrarium and pulled out a Ysalamir, which instantly dug its claws into her blue flesh. Turning, she cradled the creature in her arms. The Ysalamiri of House Chaf had been bred to be able to be removed from their Olbio trees without causing distress to the animal. The bloodline of these particular lizards dated back to Mitth'raw'nuruodo himself, a feature that filled Fantana with pride.

"We at House Chaf wear the Ysalamiri for additional protection. This one is yours. You will be provided with a nutrient pack for it, of course. Have you ever used a Ysalamir before?"

[member="Kyle Amedis"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

A small nod of the head would suffice as a reply to her thanks and a place to stay. Moving through the sitting room, another glance behind at the postcard picture city, Kyle took the helmet from the table and stopped by his aide.

"Laurax, I will be stationed here until further notice. Keep me updated on all urgent developments and I'll report back as required."

A firm grasp of the arm, and Kyle moved out as Laurax returned to the outside world. The trooper faced Fantana to instantly look a little surprised at the creature on her arm dug into her flesh, and she perversely seemed to enjoy it. He walked forward a few steps looking at the creature, a curious cock of the head and squinting of the eyes.

"Forgive me, I've never come across such a creature, and I've survived this far so, thank you Fantana but I will be alright with my E11 by my side."

He held up a hand to diffuse her gesture - carrying a pack with a lizard on his back in the heat of battle was one thing he didn't need.

[member="Chaf’anta’natrano"]

 

[Chaf’anta’natrano]

Oh humans and their unwavering pride. Fantana did not want to remind the handsome soldier that she could order him to wear ten lizards if she wanted. With a galaxy full of Force adepts, toting around a lizard was understandably unorthodox, but strange times called for even stranger methods. Thrawn knew this, and she would follow the example of the Grand Admiral.

"Kyle," she started. "The Ysalamir will create a bubble around you that repels the Force. What's going to happen if I get attacked by a Sith Lord and he crushes your vital organs right through your chest plate? A Ysalamir will give you added protect you from that."

Fantana stroked the Ysalamir's gentle head and returned it to its terrarium, careful to make sure its claws didn't snag on her dress.

"You have to wear the animal in a backpack, yes, but think of it as an expendable shield. It needs to derive nutrients at all times. That's why it was clawing my arm."

She clasped her hands together briskly, and let out a sharp huff. It was commonly said that a Chiss was never off-duty, and Fan embodied that saying.

"Alright then, let's go have a look at your quarters."

There was a grand staircase in the temple, but it was mostly for show. Fantana instead took the turbolift to the upper level of the palace. She pointed out the staff quarters, guest quarters, and the wings where the various members of House Chaf and their aides resided. Soon they came to a lavish suite, which was obviously Fantana's residence. It had a living room, a kitchenette, and of course, a huge showy bedroom. Accents of the House Chaf color were everywhere from the trim on the drapes, to the fresh-cut flowers by Fantana's bed. The Chiss pointed to a door that adjoined the bedroom and crossed to the wall terminal. It opened with a hiss to reveal another bedroom, which was a touch more austere than hers.

"Those are your quarters. You also have a suite with a living room, full kitchen, refresher and the like. With a separate entrance, of course. This door is here in case of emergencies."

She stood shoulders squared with his, her glowing red eyes pulsing with curiosity. She wondered what he thought of his new quarters, and if they were satisfactory. That thought was quickly replaced by another. Fan, he's your bodyguard. His comfort is not important.

"I can let you get settled in if you'd like. But tonight I expect you back in my suite for a full assessment of possible weak points in Palace security."

[member="Kyle Amedis"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Watching the creature move slowly, the Chiss had a good point. He was mere flesh and bone and nothing more. Honourable and dangerous on the battlefield was effective in a large unit or against droids or other normal beings, but those with the Force abused their position as warriors and effectively took the dignity out of battle by using their magic to reduce men to dust. The First Order armour would do little against such magic.

"The lady makes a good point. I will seriously consider this, and will do so as you instruct of course."

Another small nod of agreement, before Kyle then turned to follow Fantana to his quarters. He said nothing on the walk up, and simply took in each turn, the location of the turbolift and the corridors leading to and from her suite. Nothing less than he expected, lavish and decorative to the max, Kyle gently walked behind Fantana as she showed off her own quarters, and again he took in a quick view of doors, windows and the layout.

Next came his, and while it was far simpler and a little smaller, it was ten time more than he had on Coruscant recently. He stepped forward and listened, walking around the space he could call his own as he dropped his helmet down on the sideboard.

"Thank you. This will be more than sufficient."

He curiously pulled back a sliding door on the wardrobe and noted a number of muted black, blue and grey outfits. Very fitting for one to blend into the background. Closing it, he turned to the Chiss and nodded once more.

"When you are ready, please send for me Fantana. Thank you again."

It would be nice to get out of the armour now and familiarise himself with his surroundings without the burning eyes of the Chiss on him.

[member="Chaf’anta’natrano"]