The Great Tax Writeoff [Sacred Lotus folks]

[Ashin Varanin]

MONASTERY
NEUTRAL SPACE
MID RIM

[member="Bethany Kismet"] was a storied name in certain private circles. Long association with Ayden Cater -- as respectful enemy and tentative ally -- had given Ashin/Ajira a frame of reference for that name. Once or twice he'd let it slip that he held Kismet's holocron and considered it a treasure. So when Kismet's name cropped up not far from Naboo, tacked to a nonprofit's call for donations, what could one do but show up?

RNS Jamillia exited hyperspace over Monastery, in company with two sleek little Handmaiden-class escort corvettes. The Naboo flotilla wouldn't be earning any awards for firepower, but the Jamillia's multi-hundred-metre sensor pylons, four-kilometre towed array, and dispersing scout ships added up to unmatched sector-level situational awareness. Nothing and nobody would be sneaking up on the meeting.

And if, by chance, they picked up indication of nearby Imperial Remnant movements, so much the better.

On the Jamillia's bridge, Ajira stood from her command chair and clasped her hands behind her back. Something about the moment gave her nerves. She took a second to ensure that her ever-present Quey'tek concealment was still fully functional -- that in the Force she felt nothing like a Master and nothing like a Darksider. "Give me a channel to the surface."

"Aye, ma'am."

"This is Director General Ajira Cardei, representing Theed Palace Space Vessel Engineering Corps. I would like to speak with the Order of the Sacred Lotus, primarily Jedi Master Bethany Kismet."

 

[Bethany Kismet]

The late morning sun was already starting to burn off some of the early mist, warming the expanding gardens right outside of Sanctuary. The person in charge of communications that morning assured [member="Ajira Cardei"] that she was indeed in the right place and that they would get Master Kismet on the line for her as quickly as they could.

It took a few minutes to get Bethany on the comm. It wasn't that they couldn't find her, but that, when they did, she was kneeling in the dirt, planting seeds and it took a moment to finish the job. There were certain things that she didn't rush. This was one of them.

After brushing her hands off on her trousers, she accepted the portable unit with a smile and a quiet 'thank you'.

Though there was no possible way to see their visitor's ship from this distance, the diminutive Jedi found herself looking up absently as she spoke into the device.

"Greetings and salutations, Director General Ajira Cardei," she said, her voice calm and welcoming. "This is Bethany Kismet. Welcome to Monastery, what can I do for you today?"

 

[Ashin Varanin]

While the comms operator went to find [member="Bethany Kismet"], the Naboo flotilla settled into a geosynchronous orbit over the signal's origin. Throughout the sector, scout fighters and hypercapable probes began to send back transit data to RNS Jamillia. Ajira had returned to her seat; now, as the audio transmission came in, she leaned forward and rested her elbows on her knees in thought. It wasn't the most formal or decorous posture, but the Jedi Master couldn't see her.

"A pleasure, Master Kismet. Please, call me Ajira. I'm here to address your organization's call for donations. The Palace - the Government of Naboo - has authorized Theed Hangar to provide material aid. My cruiser's cargo hold is full of reconnaissance probes, especially what we call the EXPARC - the Extended Prospecting and Atmospheric Reconnaissance probe droid. It's a spaceborne instrument package that can be deployed from missile tubes, hangar bays, or airlocks. The package contains powerful geological and ecological sensors, including advanced life-form scanners. I'm given to understand that the Order of the Sacred Lotus is interested in diagnosing and healing both populations and worlds; the EXPARC is tailor-made for that mandate."

 

[HK-36]

[member="Bethany Kismet"],


Bethany would also receive another transmission, this one coming from within the Sanctuary on the Monastery, or was their base called the Monastery and the planet the Sanctuary? Either way, it was one of those combinations and a hologram of HK would appear on her commlink, or just come through as a voice transmission if she didn't had the device to receive holograms like some sort of a backward soil farmer, but then she would miss out on a great image as HK was wearing a flowery apron over his usual armor and cloak combination,

"Yo, Kismet,"

He started with his usual greeting towards her,

"You want some eggs?"

In his right hand the machine was clutching a pan with eggs cooking on it, or she would only hear something sizzling and crackling on the other end,

"Because I made some eggs."

While this may seem cool, like hey she has a war droid making food around the citadel thingy, this was the most productive thing HK would have done since they met. However that initial meeting went it seemed that HK stuck around the Order of the Lotus although for the most part he would only "help out" by standing around and watching them, "supervising" telling them what they were doing wrong, and generally just take up space on one of their couches. Until that day when he decided to make some eggs.

The truth was that although HK was capable of being helpful outside of combat, such as teaching or surgery, for the most part lately he begun to thrive in war zones and while profiteering off of combat efforts so when there wasn't anyone shooting at him he was running out of things to do.

 

[Bethany Kismet]

"A pleasure, Master Kismet. Please, call me Ajira."

"Only if you'll call me Bethany," she said with a laugh.

She listened as [member="Ajira Cardei"] spoke, walking slowly through the gardens. Every now and then she'd kneel, adjusting a stone, checking on a plant, but her attention was solidly on the words coming across the comm.

"That is incredibly generous Ajira," she finally answered, her voice warm and the smiling coming through her words. "And yes, that sounds like exactly the sort of technology that would be useful to the Sacred Lotus. Perhaps you'd like to come down to Sanctuary and we can speak further over tea? I- I'm sorry, can you excuse me for one moment?"

The insistent beeping on the portable comm was limited to emergency calls. In theory. So when she flicked on the holo and saw..... [member="HK-36"] in a flower apron, Bethany simply blinked.

"Yo, Kismet,"

She stifled a sigh, but chuckled nonetheless.

"No, thank you HK, I don't eat eggs, but I appreciate the offer of breakfast," she said with a smile. "I'm sure the folks from ApeX would be thrilled by a hot breakfast however. "

She wasn't entirely certain what to make of the droid who was essentially crashing on her couch. Mostly, he was slightly baffling but harmless. Time would tell.

Flicking back to the first call, Bethany was still shaking her head slightly and chuckling.

"My apologies Ajira. So, will you join me?"

 

[Ashin Varanin]

[member="Bethany Kismet"]

"...for one moment?" said Kismet, and the channel went quiet. Ajira sat up.

"Wing Commander, prepare to launch the LL-1400 that's on five-minute ready. I'll be heading downwell."

"Aye, ma'am."

The channel clicked on again. Ajira nodded her way through Kismet's apology. "Of course, Bethany. I'll be at your location in half an hour. Thank you for your hospitality."

In short order, a blocky Lucerne Labs scout ship would deposit one Naboo noblewoman at the nearest flat site to Kismet's garden.

 

[Bonde We]

MONASTERY
NEUTRAL SPACE
MID RIM


Bonde We had recently heard the call of [member="Bethany Kismet"], asking those caring enough to donate The Order of the Sacred Lotus. Anything was acceptable, with some minor exceptions (such as the eggs of [member="HK-36"] ). We however was more interested in giving something more valuable, medical expertise. He'd recently graduated a medic academy and was looking for a job. Once he saw the advert, Bonde knew what he had to do. In his home's personal hangar, a Delta-7b Aethersprite light interceptor was housed. It was all white, included a see though white paint over the cockpit's glass covering. Everything about Bonde's house was white; his room, robes and even his food was all white. He hopped into the cockpit and made way to Monastery.

a mild trip through hyperspace later......

Bonde zoomed out of hyperspace and into the atmosphere of Monastery. He'd heard about this planet before, the planet's people praised all life forms and held a generally neutral view of world problems. But even in the state of the galaxy right now, sides had to be chosen at some point. Once in view of the OSL hq, he flipped on the commlink.

"Greetings OSL leaders, this is Bonde We. I'm a medic and a diplomat here in reply to Ms. Kismet's donation request. I currently carry no material donations, just medical expertise and diplomatic skills. But what I can promise you is that I'm currently developing a new type of cannon for starfighter to use in combat. I hope this offer is what you're looking for. Cheers!"

Bonde landed near the hq of OSL and waited in his starfighter for further instructions.

 

[Elisea Apollodor]

The gardens were beautiful and Elisea enjoyed them often she was reminded of the gardens back home on Avalonia. She could scarcely hear [member="Bethany Kismet"]'s holos, she was far too engrossed in her own conversation with her sister. Briala who worked at a local pub in the capital, "it's great I'm telling you I love it- you've gone mad." Her sister insisted, "so go on tell me again about how wonderful it is to be without any civilisation."

"Bri," Elisea started, "don't be that way, you know I do. This is great, and I enjoy a bit of hardwork you should understand that."

"What I don't understand is why I worked me bones for you to be out wherever it is you are doing Balance knows what," Bri then sighed, "but yes I do, I get it. I get you being there, doing whatever it is you do. Putting good back into the world, mhm?" She took a breath and exhaled, "I am happy for you, truly. I just - I just wish you did this here at home, were there not enough worlds or moons for you to go galavanting about on? You had to leave your big sis here?"

Elisea pushed her lips to the side as she paced about in one line, "I didn't- Bri, if this is you guilt tripping me I swear I'm hanging up now."

"No, no I don't - I just, it's just us you know?"

She did know, a little too well that it was just them, mum died when they were young - dad was a soldier, gave his life for the galaxy back in Castameer. Died aboard one of the ships in orbit of the planet. Bri worked to get her sister through school buying her what the military wouldn't cover. Making sure she studied, did the late night caf runs, working pubs, speeder lanes and anything else that paid. "I know Bri and I just want you to know that I'm not leaving you behind. You're always with me, we're sisters you and I. Nothing's changing that."

"I know that kept trying to hide you from mum when you were a babe."

"Brat."

"Exactly, I'm the bloody Queen and you were just there but I guess you didn't turn out so bad."

"Neither did you," Elisea smiled looked at her sister again, "I love you."

Bri looked away, "don't go gettin' mushy on me now, none of that. You go do your healing thing, or whatever so long as you're happy."

"What about you?" The younger Korrado asked, "are you happy?"

The question hung in the air, until it became stale. Bri was thinking, thinking of how to answer it because being the older sibling meant that her job was to take care fo her younger sibling. Keeping an eye on her sister, making sure her sister was okay in school - making sure no one gave her any chit. And it meant making sure she was happy, the long life of the older Korrado had always been putting her sister first. "I think I'll be alright," Bri answered, bottom line if it came down to choosing her happiness or her sister's. Bri would choose Elisea's happiness over hers any day of the week. "You be good, love ya."

"Love ya."

Elisea disconnected the call and put the holo into the pocket of her sundress, looking across the gardens she spotted Bethany. Truth be told there hadn't been much time to talk with the woman, what with construction and training going around. "Right time to put your brave face on," she told herself as the brunette began a trek across the garden which to be quite honest wasn't much of a trek at all. "Excuse me, excuse me - you're Ms. Kismet, yes?" She began, "m'names Elisea Korrado, 've been meaning to speak with you. Have you a moment to spare?"

 

[HK-36]

[member="Bethany Kismet"],

"Are you sure? You should eat more carbon and protein so that you can grow more while you still can."

HK managed to sneak in a couple more comments before Bethany would switch the transmission to reply to Ajira,

"What are you, 13, 14 standard hoo-man cycles? If you will not eat properly you will remain that height for the majority of your natural life."

Little did he knew, Kismet was already past the growing stages and she was going to be that small most likely for a long time to come.

"Either way, if ApeX want eggs they can get their own, I still think having their kind around is a bad idea. I know I do not shy away from combat, but reading the reports from their encounter with the Imperial Remnant over Kaeshana, at least I try to take my enemies alive."

Did Bethany knew about the machine's position as a commander of an army and basically a war profiteer? Well if she didn't this may have been a hint towards it, although of course "not shying away from combat" could also meant that he simply followed his original programming as a war and assassin droid from time to time. Either way, he counted on Kismet not having the same access to GA and IR reports on that battle and the part ApeX took in it, he could always muddle and spin things then.



Bethany flicked back to Ajira's transmission and the machine had time before she would reply or that would be that and he was left to his own devices. Either way, the droid looked down to the pan he was holding, it was a weird mess of blackened eggs with a ripened hyper-banana peel in the middle,

"And I even got some charcoal for taste."

HK shrugged,

"I will just heat it up later."

And opening a nearby trash bin he would drop the eggs into the bag, considering that a proper enough way for storing food. It was probably a pretty bad idea for letting a droid with little to no cooking protocols or ability to taste handle foodstuff and cook, as far as HK knew all organics needed to eat was any form of carbon, some sugars, and some fats mixed together and they were good to go.

Moving over to the sink he would reach over to a nearby holo-receiver, turning on some music as he put the pan under water to wash it,

"Push the button,"

Voice from the receiver sung out, his head begun to bob to the music. Unless further approached or contacted by someone the droid will probably remain in the kitchen or go back to his post on Kismet's couch for the rest of the day, of course an opportunity to be useful, cause further mischief, or sling snarky comments could always arise, that would be enough to bring him back towards prominence.

"I am busy throwing hints that he keeps missing, do not have to think about it- I want to kiss and, everything around it, but he is too distant, I want to feel his body. I cannot resit it."

HK begun to sing with the holo-receiver.

 

[Bethany Kismet]

[member="HK-36"] would end up with a recorded message. The soft, patient voice of Bethany- You have reached my message box. Either you know who you are calling or you have the wrong number. Please leave a message at the tone. Bells chimed.

Directions would be sent to both [member="Bonde We"] and [member="Ajira Cardei"] - landing coordinates and then an invitation and directions to the gardens behind Sanctuary. Though the white stone buildings that made up the compound were not complete yet, work always being done, the sweeping lines and curving windows offered a view, a sensation, of what the Order of the Sacred Lotus was about.

After sending instructions for tea to be brought down to the garden, Bethany looked up, a new voice catching her attention. In truth, Bethany was always busy these days- always talking to someone, working out a problem, setting stones or planting trees. But she was never too busy to speak to someone looking for her.

She offered a soft smile to [member="Elisea Korrado"], motioning for the other woman to join her.

"I've seen you around, Elisea," she said with a slight inclination of her head. "But have unfortunately not had the pleasure of meeting you. Please- what can I do for you?"

 

[Elisea Apollodor]

Elisea gave Bethany a warm smile, hands clasped together crossing the garden to walk beside [member="Bethany Kismet"]. She looked up for a moment as the clarity of the sky came into view the Avalonian turned her attention to the Jedi Master. "Not so much about what you can do for me, but rather what I can do for you." She began and then continued, "when I was a young girl, me mum always said that if you ever had the chance to put some good back into the galaxy then you should do it without want, and back then I hadn't a clue what she meant." Tucking loose strands of curly black hair behind her ears she kept on, as she paced alongside the other woman. "After she died I wondered if there would ever be any good left, but then the Cosmic Balance has a way of bringing it all back into perspective." Clearing her throat, "but, getting to me point, I'm uh- well I'm from Avalonia and I asked if it would be too much to spare a few supplies to your cause."

"And they, they did more than answer my petition," Elisea stopped a moment, standing still as to let the wind sweep by, "you see I am a reservist for the First Imperial Medical Services. I thought after graduation that that's where I wanted to be, and for a moment in time, I wondered if I had the guts to do something with myself." A pause again as she took a breath, "and it seems this place is going to be that something and my government has granted me something that I never thought they would." A warm smile, warm and genuine as it graced her lips, "access, access to FIMS resources that normally are not released beyond First Order space."

The Avalonian looked into the Jedi Master's green orbs, and said with the utmost of confidence. "The First Order would like to give the Order of the Sacred Lotus its support, however; we ask that you maintain your discretion on the matter," Elisea explained, "we're not looking for accolades or praises, they just- they just want to help. And so, they're sending six Steadfast-class Medical Cutters, and three Blackwell-class Medical Transports as a start. Once our logistics has cleared up, they've asked if it would be alright to send engineers to build a station above Monastery. A medical station, of course along with a small shipyard to maintain the fleet. You can hire on your own engineers, or ask for theirs, they've even offered to send training holos."

 

[Ashin Varanin]

[member="Bethany Kismet"] [member="Elisea Korrado"]

White, soft-lined buildings reminded Ajira of some mix between Naboo and Alderaanian architecture, at least initially. As she walked between the half-constructed walls, though, she found herself reminiscing about the Ithorian and Revwien buildings on Varunda IX, a place she'd called home for a very long time. Varunda tended toward that same integration of fluid architecture and natural spaces -- you could find grass and trees in the heart of New Habat or any other Varundana city. The transition from these half-built structures to Bethany Kismet's garden felt familiar and straightforward and not a little poignant in the nostalgia department.

Though Ajira's Force connection was heavily muffled and she'd never been good at sensing things in general, she knew Kismet instinctively at first glance. Something of the Force, posture, expression, demeanour, the way she listened so patiently to a younger woman talking at length -- that petite brunette had to be Kismet.

Ajira headed that way, putting herself in their line of sight.

 

[Bethany Kismet]

Bethany blinked at [member="Elisea Korrado"].

​This was no small matter, no minor donation, no matter how casual she tried to make it sound. The Jedi Master was rarely at a loss for words, but it took her a moment to properly order her response.

"That- Elisea- that is incredibly generous," She finally said. "I understand the First Order's desire for discretion here and of course if that is what they wish, you have my agreement, of course. Thank you, on behalf of the Sacred Lotus, but also personally, from me. Thank you."

It was obvious that the petite woman was a little overwhelmed. Seeing [member="Ajira Cardei"] out of the corner of her eye, she took a moment to recenter.

"We can discuss the details and length, but for now.... would you care to join us? It's just tea on a half wall, but, you'd be welcome," she said with a smile.

She turned, waiting for Ajira to join them. The tea arrived then as well, and Bethany directed the tray to be set on top of the white stone half wall, as promised.

"Ajira, welcome. My apologies, but the Order hasn't prioritized any formal receiving rooms. But this is the best spot in the gardens, so I hope the unintended slight will be forgiven," she inclined her head, but there was a certain twinkle in her eye that said she wasn't particularly worried. The day was gorgeous, the wall could be used as either seating or a table, and she knew the tea was excellent.

"Ajira Cardei, may I introduce Elisea Korrado?"

 

[Elisea Apollodor]

Elisea gave Ms. Kismet her finest smile, "you are most welcome, Ms. Kismet and truly it is my honour to be able to lend assistance wherever it may be needed." A bristling breeze whispered by once more, the gardens swayed little in its touch. A mention of tea was made, and if she were anything other than Avalonian perhaps she would have passed. One never turned down an offer of tea in Avalonia, "oh I would be delighted to join you, Ms. Kismet." Tea on a half wall, tea on the grass, tea was always a welcomed and kind gesture, a sign of hospitality to if she were being honest. [member="Ajira [/COLOR][/FONT][/SIZE][COLOR=#ff4500][FONT=georgia][SIZE=14px]Cardei[/COLOR][/FONT][/SIZE][COLOR=#ff4500][FONT=georgia][SIZE=14px]"] could be seen now or at least had finally come into the Avalonian's view. Elisea hadn't quite decided on whether or not to sit on the wall, as she found the grass to be just as comfortable, tea had been served and the brunette had finished placing sugar into hers when introductions were made. "Hello, a pleasure to make your acquaintance," she curtsied with her greeting and waited for the other woman to join them. She was sure she and Ms. Kismet would most certainly speak later on regarding the First Order's donations, after all - they needed to know what color to paint the ships before sending them half-way across the galaxy!

[member="Bethany Kismet"]

 

[Ashin Varanin]

[member="Elisea Korrado"] [member="Bethany Kismet"]

"Likewise, Miss Korrado. I'm sorry - is that the correct form of address? I don't meet many Jedi, apart from a few Jedi Masters, so I'm not quite sure how to talk with a Jedi whose rank I don't know. Jedi Korrado? Knight Korrado? Something along those lines?"

Korrado likely wasn't a Jedi, but Ajira could only really have known that due to two things she wasn't supposed to have: a strong awareness of the Force, and equally strong familiarity with the various modes of Jedi dress and demeanor. At a guess, Korrado was some form of mid-grade civil servant or private sector operative, someone else who'd come to answer the call for donations. In a wide variety of situations, however, it had often suited Ajira to appear to fail at making a leap of logic. Being underestimated had its perks.

"Thank you for meeting me, Master Kismet -- I'm sorry; Bethany. As it happens, I like the venue. It's elegant and unpretentious."

 

[Bethany Kismet]

Even if [member="Ajira Cardei"] hadn't been cloaking her Force signature, she would have found that Bethany's response was the same. The strangeness of the beings that made up the Order was not lost on her, nor was the concern involving some of it's members. And yet, she welcomed them- each one- provided they worked toward a common good.

Bethany knew that she couldn't change another's path. No one could force their methods on another. But she could offer another way forward. A choice.

Pouring the tea, Bethany smiled at the mismatched cups and saucers.

She didn't correct Ajira's assumptions about [member="Elisea Korrado"]- that was for the other woman to manage.

"This is a tea we gathered from flowers that grow here in the valley," she said as she passed each of them a cup of reddish-amber liquid. "They are epiphytes. The blossoms are barren... the plants evolved to-"

She stopped suddenly, then laughed. Even though he wasn't there in that moment, Bethany could see the look [member="Michael Sardun"] would be giving her.

"I'm sorry. A friend of mine is always telling me that no one cares about those details, but sometimes I ramble on. What matters is- the tea is delicious," she smiled. "Welcome to Monastery and the Order of the Sacred Lotus."

 

[Elisea Apollodor]

Elisea was quick to correct [member="Ajira [/COLOR][/FONT][/SIZE][COLOR=#ff4500][FONT=georgia][SIZE=14px]Cardei[/COLOR][/FONT][/SIZE][COLOR=#ff4500][FONT=georgia][SIZE=14px]"], "pardon me manners, it's just Miss Korrado. Am not a Jedi or anything of the sort." She settled into a spot between the two women and was delighted when [member="Bethany Kismet"] began speaking. "Oh no, do go on I am quite interested in hearing of this these." The Avalonian tried to recall how to say the name of the plant. "Epiphytes?" Her accent was thick and indicative of her nation she gave a smile, "if you have another time in which to explain more I'd be glad to listen in. Always eager to learn and as they say, knowledge is a power of its own." Gracefully she took the tea cup in her hand by the handle, allowed the aroma to waft. Studied the reddish-amber liquid her smile continued as she thought on a memory. "We have a tea of this colour back home grows along one of the mountainsides, on the southern edge if I'm not mistaken." Guiding the cup to her lips she's careful to take a polite sip to taste. "Oh this is delightful, 've not had a good cuppa since I left me home." Realizing that she had spoke out of turn, Elisea gave a bit of a nod for the other two to keep talking while she fixed her tea up with a bit of sugar.

 

[Ashin Varanin]

[member="Bethany Kismet"] [member="Elisea Korrado"]

"A pleasure, then, Miss Korrado."

She left it at that, and sipped her tea as they continued their conversation. She'd never been one for the taste of teas, but the aroma was impressive. Comforting, she'd almost have said, if she'd been the kind of person to accept comfort or relaxation from anyone or anything.

"Very nice tea, Bethany." She took another long sip and set the cup aside. Jedi politesse and tranquility didn't jive well with her desire to get things done; for that impatience, she blamed long years of military service and high-level politics of an aggressive kind. The woman whose face, body, and career she'd stolen had faced similar formative factors, meaning directness wouldn't be out of character. So why not cut to the chase, just a little bit?

"I have six light transports' worth of the survey probes I mentioned -- enough to evaluate the ecosystems and population needs of dozens of planets. Say the word, and I can have the transports land anywhere you like."

 

[Kamon Vondiranach]

Monastery
Neutral Space
Aboard the CR-90a Corvette Eidolon

The vessel exited hyperspace in conjunction with two Regulation-class Corvettes. Ironically, the Eidolon was faster than the two escort corvettes, but maintained a speed equal enough to the other two vessels. All three approached the planet with their IFF transponders indicating that they were the sole property of Ignus Industries, the known arms, armor and ship manufacturer. Three Corvettes were hardly anything to worry about, even though the two escort ships were quite well armed. Their weapons were powered down, however.

"Monastary control this is the Eidolon representing Ignus Industries. We are looking for the Jedi Master known as Bethany Kismet. Could you please notify her of our presence?"

The captain of the assassin corvette waited for a response while the Sith Lord known as Ignus sat behind him. Even now he had wrapped himself in an illusion, changing his appearance to that of his brother Athelus. Only skilled Force Users would be able to break through his illusion, though the latter was meant more for those who were not skilled in doing so than it was for the Force Users on the ground below. He had no ill intent here, after all. That was the reason for the illusion. His intentions needed to remain unknown to certain parties.

They waited to be allowed to land, approaching a high orbit around the planet in the meantime.

|[member="Bethany Kismet"]|[member="Ajira Cardei"]|​

 

[Bethany Kismet]

Not for the first time that day, Bethany was struck by the generosity of the people around her. She balanced her cup lightly on her knee and bowed her head to Ajira as she spread her hands in a wide gesture.

"I will send word to have them cleared for landing. Unfortunately, our tarmac here is relatively small, but we are fast workers and can have two ships unloaded swiftly before the next pair land."

The size of the Order's air field might seem quaint to some, an anachronism. The choice of a valley so small must seem very provincial to those coming from the more industrial core worlds. But it served a purpose. Bethany was many things- but naïve was not one of them. The size of the valley made it impossible for a capital ship to land here- and the smaller air field kept an invading navy from landing dozens of transports right at their front door. Anyone who came enforce would have to start with their face to the outside of the mountain ring that surrounded Sanctuary. And that was entirely by design.

"I thank you, deeply," she said, her tone sincere. "On behalf of the Order, but also myself. As long as there is such generosity," she paused, encompassing both women in her smile now, "as what you have shown to us today, there will always be light in the darkest corners."

*****

Even as Bethany was giving permission for Ajira's ships to land in pairs, the same permission was given to the Eidolon. Instructions were also sent that the one he was seeking, Bethany Kismet, could be found in the gardens.

[member="Ajira Cardei"] [member="Elisea Korrado"] [member="Ignus"]