Private The Catalyst Protocol: The Consequence of Success

[Liin "Tera" Terallo]

With great work comes sacrifice. And I have certainly sacrificed a lot, even though others cannot see it. Even though others do not know it. And it is all in the name of science and the advancement of evolution. It is my purpose. I know that. I can see it, I can feel it. However a large part of me still feels detatched from myself. I consider it to be a bit of shellshock. For here I am; forever now a lady on the run. It is a vast contrast from the high society events and political gatherings that I once knew.

But those days were gone as soon as New Cov was taken over and lost it's neutrality. If I had not changed it's style of government, if I had not given up my position as ithe leader of the Covie, then it would still be free.

Yet that hard lesson taught me that I have no voice. I will never be heard by the likes of them or anyone like them. And the only reason that I cannot stay in one place to quietly work has nothing to do with me or who I am. It is only due to my research and my idea. Nothing more. I am but the vessel for my ideas to come to fruition. My life itself holds no value, and I know that it will be a short life indeed. For each passing day I can feel the danger increase. Even my lab partner had said as much. It is only my idea that is invaluable. And given the lengths that others have gone to invade my laboratories; both real and fake, I would not be surprised if they would shoot first and ask questions later when it comes to stealing that invaluable idea.

Those thoughts and feelings disappear when I focus on my research. And when I look after the specimen that Mr. Usher had given me. It is difficult to explain as to what kind of creature it had evolved to, yet I know that it studies me just as I do to it.

So perhaps I need something more than that. I do not quite know of where to look. However I do know of whom to ask. Mister Dashiell. He had given me the chip containing his private frequency. Surely using that would be safer than a holocall. At least I can hope.

So I exit the faraday cage that is my laboratory for the time being and enter my office. With no one around it is safe enough for me to lay back on the sofa and put my feet up. Afterall, I must take in every moment that I can to relax for there is no telling what the next day would bring; let alone the next hour.

I draw up my commlink with Mister Dashiell's datachip inside and press the button to activate the open frequency to him.

"Mister Dashiell? Can you hear me? Mister Dashiell?"

Tag: Balun Dashiell ​

 

[Balun Dashiell]

The Catalyst Protocol: The Consequence of Success
Dashiell Cottage, Tirtha Cove, Joiol
Liin "Tera" Terallo

Kellan Dashiell , just three years old, was nestled contentedly on the living room floor, cocooned within a fortress of soft pillows and his favourite blanket. The flickering light of the holo-vision bathed him in soft blues and purples as one of his beloved shows played, captivating him in a world of animated adventure and wonder. The little boy's wide eyes tracked every movement on the screen, his small hands occasionally clutching the edge of his blanket with excitement.

Behind him, Balun lounged on the couch in a posture that blended exhaustion and ease, one arm draped along the backrest while the other held his datapad at a comfortable angle. Lines of text and shifting star maps illuminated the screen: reports detailing the unpredictable alterations in the Galaxy's hyperlane network. He read with a furrowed brow, scanning for updates or explanations for what was fast becoming one of the most unsettling developments in recent galactic history.

The phenomenon didn't discriminate. Trade routes were bending, some planets appeared to be shifting coordinates entirely, and even previously charted systems had begun vanishing from navigation logs. It wasn't just a military or political issue—it was a commercial nightmare. For those at the helm of interstellar enterprise, like his father Judah Dashiell and his brother Makai, this posed a direct threat to their operations. Every anomaly carried the risk of severing vital trade arteries that Dashiell Incorporated™—and its subsidiaries—depended on.

But for Balun, the stakes felt even more personal. Jhaessa Prime, a recent discovery and the centrepiece of his ambitious vision to establish a powerful trade hub for the Royal Naboo Republic, now sat precariously on the galactic map. If this phenomenon reached that far, it could unravel everything—his plans, his investments, and the future of a planet barely out of its infancy.

Still, there were no answers. Only uncertainty.

He sighed and let the datapad drop to his lap, turning his head to check on Kellan. The boy hadn't moved from his snug nest, eyes still glued to the holo-vision, utterly oblivious to the weight of the galaxy bearing down on his father.

And then, without warning, Balun's commlink crackled and chirped loudly, shattering the room's quiet hum. The sudden noise startled both of them—Kellan twisted around quickly, his big blue eyes blinking curiously as he looked back at his father.

"Mister Dashiell? Can you hear me? Mister Dashiell?"

Balun reached swiftly for his commlink, his fingers tightening around the device as he brought it to his lips with a sense of urgency sharpened by instinct. The voice that crackled through the channel was unmistakable—Liin. Just hearing her name sent a wave of concern rolling through him. She wouldn't have reached out unless something was wrong. Their last encounter had ended in quiet disagreement, the air between them strained over her controversial scientific experiments. Despite their differences, Balun had kept his promise—he had told no one about her discovery.

Still, that unspoken tension lingered, and now her sudden call left him with the uneasy suspicion that she might be in over her head.

"Liin, it's Bale," he answered, his tone cautious but laced with worry. "Is everything alright?"

He held his breath as he waited, already bracing for the possibility that she'd gotten herself entangled in something far beyond what even she could control.

"Speech".
'Thought'.

 

[Liin "Tera" Terallo]

Bale? It must be some kind of nickname for him, for I had not heard of him being called that before. I pause to think for a moment, recalling his voice and wondering if it matched with the one that I had just heard. These days one can never be too careful.

I let out a forced breath that I did not realize that I was holding. Who else could it be on the commlink but Mister Dashiell? It is not as though anyone else had given me their datachip. I find myself becoming a little too paranoid. But that is for good reason, I am sure. Recent events have proven to me that extra caution is not unwarranted.

"I am fine, Mister Dashiell. I just do not feel safe using the holonet right now. But I have been thinking about our last conversation. You said that living alone is hard, yet it is also a choice. So my question is about that pet of yours; do you know of where I could buy one of my own?"

I am well aware having a pet might not exactly be the best thing for me right now; with me living and working on the run. But at least with a pet I would have some company.

Tag: Balun Dashiell​

 

[Balun Dashiell]

The Catalyst Protocol: The Consequence of Success
Dashiell Cottage, Tirtha Cove, Joiol
Liin "Tera" Terallo

Of all the questions Liin "Tera" Terallo could have asked, the last one Balun had expected was about Luna. The little Merqaal was much more than a simple pet to him—she was a loyal companion, one he had rescued from a cruel fate. Over time, their bond had deepened into something that transcended the typical relationship between owner and pet.

"Uh... Luna?" Balun replied, pausing to ensure he had heard her correctly. The moment he spoke her name, Luna's head perked up from her bed on the other couch, her keen ears twitching in recognition. Not far behind, Kellan's delighted giggle filled the room as he called for Luna to join him, eager for another cuddle with his furry friend.

"I guess I was lucky," Balun continued, his voice softening as memories flooded back. He leaned back in his seat, his eyes distant for a moment as he recalled the day he had found Luna. "I discovered her on a flagged starship, trapped with a bunch of other creatures in cages. The whole crew were poachers. I freed them all and brought them to the nearest planet, but Luna... she decided to stick around. She followed me back to the Liberty's Edge." He paused, a faint smile tugging at his lips, but the darker parts of the story stayed unspoken. He didn't mention the confrontation with the poachers, the fire exchanged between them, or the aftermath where not all of them walked away in one piece. Those details were better left unsaid.

"They didn't know who they were messing with, so I handed them over to the Tingel Arm Coalition. They're behind bars where they belong." Balun shook his head slightly, refocusing on Liin. "As for finding another like Luna, I'm not sure where you'd start. From what I've read, they're rare. The wrong people often come looking for them, so it's not exactly easy. If you're serious about it, maybe you could reach out to some of the traders in the black market. Or, you could try something more common like Lothcats, Anoobas, Narglatches, or Tookes. They're more readily available. If you're just looking for a quality pet, there's a place called 'Pets' N Pieces' on the Holonet that sells all sorts of creatures, and they do pretty well by their stock."

He gave a small shrug, unsure if his advice would be of much help, but it was the best he could offer.

"Speech".
'Thought'.

 

[Liin "Tera" Terallo]

It is easy to hear that he is surprised by my question, for I can hear it in his voice. But what else could I expect from such a strange question? It is not as though I am of the type to be known for having a pet.

I listen quietly as he recalls how he had acquired his own. It was quite the tale of adventure and something that is far beyond my own expertise. I lower the commlink as he speaks about people being locked up behind bars where they belong. Will that be my fate too? Afterall I am one of the wrong people now, am I not? He continues on about contacting the black market for traders, as though I tended to frequent my time in that line of business.

I took in a deep breath and let it out with a sigh. He did provide some help, afterall. And that was all that I asked of him. So I bring up the commlink again and press the button to transmit my voice. "Luna is very lucky to have been rescued. Although a rescue such as that is not in the cards for me. I am no hero. And the holonet is not safe for me at the moment. Perhaps at my next stop I will look in a pet store. Thank you, Mister Dashiell. I will leave you be now."

Tag: Balun Dashiell

​

 

[Balun Dashiell]

The Catalyst Protocol: The Consequence of Success
Dashiell Cottage, Tirtha Cove, Joiol
Liin "Tera" Terallo

"Heroes are just stories. No one's truly perfect, and I'm the last one who could claim that," Balun replied, his eyes softening as he watched his son play with Luna. The little Merqaal bounded around Kellan, her playful barks and clicks filling the air as she clambered over him, making him giggle and squirm, as though she were tickling him from all angles. For a brief moment, a smile tugged at Balun's lips, the warmth of the scene bringing him a sense of peace.

He shifted his focus, his smile fading slightly as he spoke again. "I'm usually the first to criticise myself and the last to take a compliment. I know what low self-esteem looks like in others, and it's something I've noticed in you." He leaned back, his head resting against the height of the couch, a subtle weight to his words as he ventured into an observation that might make Liin pause. "That's why I said you choose to be alone. You see, the only one who really thinks so little of you is yourself. But, I'm not sure how to fix that… If I knew, I would've stopped it in myself a long time ago."

He fell silent for a moment, lowering the commlink as he collected his thoughts, choosing his words carefully. "What I'm trying to say is, there's so much more to you than you let yourself believe. People keep reminding me of that, even when I'm too blind to see it." His voice softened, a hint of concern underlying his tone. "Take care of yourself out there, Liin. Don't just exist for your work. Try to live."

"If you ever need a friend, reach out to me. I may not agree with your work, but that does not mean I'm not here when you need someone".

"Speech".
'Thought'.​

 

[Liin "Tera" Terallo]

In my opinion, heroes are not perfect. They just save people through herioc deeds, usually in battle. I have never been in battle for I am not a warrior. Yet Mister Dashiell knows that well enough.

He continues on, shifting the focus to not only me; but of himself. Low self esteem, a lack of self worth. I would not of guessed that he thought of those things about himself. Nor was I aware that others have spoken to him about it. The only one that has done so to me has been him. But after being my bodyguard for a short time; I suppose that his observations of me gave him plenty of insight into my character.

Once more Mister Dashiell requests that I reach out to him when I need someone. But would that not add more fuel to the rumors of him and I being a couple? What does that say about my denial if he is seen around me? I would need to come up with more excuses for it. And right now I consider that to be a far worse pickle to be in than what my research is currently bringing me.

"Mister Dashiell, I....I am going through a turning point in my life right now. And I am trying to find my place within it. What I had experienced on Makeb with the lower gravity there felt amazing. There I could do something that was once limited just to Force wizards and it was wonderful. I wanted to find a way to bring such an effect elsewhere and I am well on my way to achieving that. My work makes me happy, Mister Dashiell, for it is what I am good at. And that is all that is expected of me." I pause for a moment, redirecting the subject matter back to him so that the pressure is off of me a little. "Do you choose to live alone, Mister Dashiell?"

Tag: Balun Dashiell ​

 

[Balun Dashiell]

The Catalyst Protocol: The Consequence of Success
Dashiell Cottage, Tirtha Cove, Joiol
Liin "Tera" Terallo

Liin's response came as expected, yet Balun couldn't help but hope that, one day, his words would resonate with her, perhaps giving her something to reflect on. He, too, had much to figure out in life. He didn't have all the answers, but he understood well the struggle of wrestling with oneself while the galaxy moved on relentlessly around him. When Liin shifted the conversation back to him, turning the focus to his own life, Balun let out a soft chuckle into the commlink.

"Finding someone who truly understands me, someone who will stay by my side—that's always been something I've wanted. I thought I had it once. But life... it had other plans," Balun said, his tone open and unguarded. Some people were easier to talk to than others, and in this moment, he hoped that being honest might help build a bridge of trust between them. "Now that I have a son, I don't think most women my age want to deal with that kind of baggage, so in a way, I've kind of accepted living alone. Well, aside from my family, of course," he added with a slight smile, giving a more candid response to her question than he might have expected.

He paused, his words deepening as he reflected on the present. "These days, I focus on making a positive difference for those around me and doing the best I can for my son. You know my father—he's incredibly supportive, always there when I need him. And then there's my brother, Makai. We're really close. It's not that I don't feel lonely sometimes, but with them around, at least I know where I belong."

Liin "Tera" Terallo had always kept her personal life at a distance, rarely venturing into conversations that touched on anything beyond her professional endeavors. So, hearing her speak about something more personal now felt like a small but significant shift. It was a welcome change—one that suggested, perhaps, she was beginning to trust him, or at least opening up in a way she hadn't before. The shift felt subtle but meaningful, and Balun couldn't help but appreciate the rare glimpse into her more private world.

"Speech".
'Thought'.​

 

[Liin "Tera" Terallo]

Finding someone to stay by one's side? Is that not the dream of most? In my case it is just a fantasy; even just the thought of it is imaginary. The only love life for me has just been something made up by others with no basis in reality at all. It is only within their imaginations too. I have never been courted by anyone outside of gaining a business contract. There has never been anything personal about them. It is always, always just business. And so it is just business that I stick to.

He continues on; speaking about his family. I know his father well and his brother less so. But still the business relationships with them have for the most part been strong. That is until my exile. Now I am apart from everything that I knew and am left to fend for myself. And I would like to believe that for the most part that I had done all right for myself thus far.

"I am certain that some day the right lady will come along for you that will not see your son as baggage, but as family to help to raise and protect." And more than likely she would be a Force Wizard like himself. Afterall they should stick together.

"I am fortunate to not have anyone close to become endangered by those that want my research. The last thing that I need is for them to be taken for blackmail." I shift the topic a little bit and align it closer to what I had reached out to him for in the first place. "A pet I would be a little less worried about. I do not intend to get one today or tomorrow. But some day, perhaps."

Tag: Balun Dashiell ​

 

[Balun Dashiell]

The Catalyst Protocol: The Consequence of Success
Dashiell Cottage, Tirtha Cove, Joiol
Liin "Tera" Terallo

"One day, maybe. If I'm lucky," Balun said with a shrug, his voice light, though he knew Liin couldn't see the gesture. Even though they were speaking over the commlink, hearing from her felt good. Liin wasn't just another business contact. She had become one of the few people who had impacted his life outside of the corporate world. She wasn't merely an associate or his former employer—she had earned the distinction of being a friend. Still, despite the bond he felt, they didn't spend much time together in the way friends typically would. He held her in high regard, far beyond the usual relationship he had with his colleagues. That was why, when her work started to take a toll on her health and well-being, Balun found himself genuinely concerned.

"Be careful out there, Liin," he warned, his tone shifting to something more serious. "The Force has a will of its own, and even though I may be standing back, others might not be so complacent." He paused for a moment, considering his next words carefully. The Force was everywhere—binding all things, visible to some, unseen by others. To many, it might be called fate or karma, but to Balun, it was a conscious, spiritual presence woven through life itself. He believed that if her work disrupted the natural flow of that presence, it wouldn't go unnoticed. He couldn't predict how or when it would respond, but he was certain the Force would attempt to steer her away from anything that threatened that balance. "In what form or capacity, I can't say. But the Force always seeks to correct itself."

"Speech".
'Thought'.​