Private The Mountain Realm

[Aiden Porte]

Alderaan
Amani Serys​

The approach to Alderaan was always quieter than most worlds Aiden visited.

From the viewport of the transport, the planet unfolded in soft blues and sweeping greens, its mountain ranges crowned with pale mist and its lakes catching the sunlight like polished glass. There was a gentleness to Alderaan that felt deliberate, almost defiant in a galaxy that seemed to lurch from one crisis to the next. It was a world that believed in diplomacy before destruction, in culture before conquest.

Aiden appreciated that.

Lira had been reluctant at first to stay behind, though her protests had been softened by the promise of baking with her grandmother and helping her grandfather in the garden. She wouldn't eat too much sweets, she wouldn't stay up too late. He felt she was being untruthful with the part of staying up late. He couldn't help but giggle lightly.

He had knelt in front of her before departing, brushing a strand of hair from her face and reminding her that sometimes helping meant allowing others to hold the line for a little while. She had nodded solemnly at that, then hugged him with all the fierce devotion only a child could muster. She was safe and she was loved, She loved Ukatis almost as much as Naboo. That knowledge settled his thoughts.

This trip was different. The Chancellor had agreed to garrison troops on Alderaan. Aiden had volunteered without hesitation. Stability required presence, not only reaction.

And Amani Serys was here.

He had sent word days ago, a simple message letting her know he would be arriving in an official capacity. He did not believe in appearing unannounced, especially not on a world as politically intricate as Alderaan. Courtesy and preparation mattered, which she deserved both.

As he directed his ship and began its descent toward the capital, Aiden straightened slightly in his seat. He donned his armor, not expecting anything to happen, but one could never be too careful.

The transport touched down with a muted hum.

Aiden rose, feeling the familiar calm settle over him as the ramp began to lower. Alderaan's cool mountain air drifted in, crisp and clean against his skin. He stepped forward with steady purpose, ready to serve, ready to listen, and ready to stand where he was needed.

For now, that place was here.

 

[Amani Serys]

In the days after the convocation, Amani had thrown herself deep into her royal duties. Jedi politics made her stomach churn more than Alderaanian politics ever could. Besides, there was much to be done. Princess Liana and Ambassador Gram had secured a significant victory for Alderaan: aid from the High Republic, with the potential for even more involvement in the future. Coordination was well underway to ensure a smooth integration of Republic forces within the system.

Among them was Aiden Porte, who Amani had first connected with some time ago, but he was one of the earliest foreign supporters of Alderaan's protection against the encroaching forces of Imperials and Sith alike. It was no surprise he returned now.

When his ramp lowered, he would be greeted by a duo of Alderaanian guards flanking Amani herself. She was dressed like a native-born Alderaanian noble, white gown and hair in buns. The only hint of her Jedi heritage coming in the form of the lightsaber dangling at her hip. She offered Aiden a practiced bow, "Welcome back to Aldera, Master Porte. We hope you enjoy your stay," Her formal smile gave way to a more casual, comfortable grin, "How have you been?"

Aiden Porte​

 

[Aiden Porte]

Amani Serys​

The cool air of Aldera felt cleaner than most places Aiden had set foot in over the past year.

As the ramp lowered fully, he took in the sight before him with a calm, measuring gaze. The twin guards stood with the composed discipline Alderaan was known for, polished armor catching the light without ostentation. And between them stood Amani.

White suited her world.

The gown flowed with understated elegance, her hair gathered in the traditional buns of Alderaanian nobility. It was a deliberate image, one that spoke of unity and sovereignty. Only the lightsaber at her hip disrupted the illusion of courtly serenity, a quiet reminder that peace here was not naive. It was protected.

Aiden stepped down from the transport and inclined his head in return, offering a bow that balanced Jedi courtesy with the respect due to her station.

"Your Highness," he greeted first, voice steady and warm. Then, as her smile shifted into something more familiar, his expression softened to match. "Amani."

He straightened, hands folding loosely at his back for a moment as he regarded her. There was relief there, subtle but genuine. It was good to see her standing strong on her own soil.

"I have been well," he answered honestly. "Busy, as always. The galaxy seems determined to test all of us at once."

His gaze flicked briefly to the skyline beyond her, to the distant rise of mountains that framed the capital. Then back to her.

"I followed the outcome of the convocation. Princess Liana and Ambassador Gram conducted themselves admirably. Alderaan's case was compelling. I am glad the Senate listened."

There was no performative tone in his words. Only conviction.

"I meant what I said before. Alderaan deserves protection that does not come with strings attached. If Republic forces are integrating into your system, then my goal is to ensure that cooperation strengthens your sovereignty, not dilutes it."

The faintest hint of a smile curved at the corner of his mouth. "But enough of politics for the first breath off the ship. You look well. Though I suspect you have not had much rest. Hopefully my time here can put your mind more at ease as I assist with whatever is needed."

His eyes studied her with the quiet attentiveness of someone who noticed more than most.

"It is good to see you again."

 

[Amani Serys]

"Busy, as always. The galaxy seems determined to test all of us at once."

Amani nodded with solemn awareness, "Times are dark. But they are not without light either." The words were practiced; not a lie, but lacking in confidence. There was much which weighed on her of late. That glimmer of light would matter little to those whose own lights were snuffed out too early.

In spite of dour circumstances, the Queen's expression notably beamed at the mention of her Princess, "I am most proud of them both. Gram I knew I could count on to seal the deal, and Liana has proven herself to be a resourceful representative in her own right. I do miss having her around, but I'm glad she's getting a chance to live her own life." One away from the threats that nipped at Alderaan, as well.

"It is good to see you again."

"You as well, Aiden." She turned around, ushering him to follow her out of the docking bay. As they walked, she circled back to a previous observation of his, "You're not wrong. Rest has been difficult to come by. Every day I wonder if it will be the day.

My hope is that your Republic's military hardware will help us better track Sith movement near our system. Especially any movement that appears large and coordinated. A fighting force might hold them back, but the earlier a warning we can get, the more lives we can save."

Aiden Porte​

 

[Aiden Porte]

Direct: Amani Serys

FYI: Dominique Vexx Aurelian Veruna Sibylla Abrantes​

Aiden listened carefully as Amani spoke, weighing each concern not as a distant advisor but as someone who understood what it meant to defend a home.

When he answered, his voice carried steady conviction.

"The plan is already in motion," he said. "Long range sensor arrays will be deployed along the outer perimeter of your system. Reconnaissance corvettes will patrol beyond the primary hyperlane entry points. It is a good start."

He glanced toward her, offering a small, reassuring smile as they continued walking.

"But it cannot stop there. Rotating patrol routes will prevent predictability. Static defenses invite study. Movement forces caution. And there must be clear, constant communication between Alderaan, Republic Command, and Jedi oversight. Intelligence should flow freely and quickly. If something stirs in the dark, we will see it sooner."

The corridor opened into a terrace overlooking distant mountain ridges, sunlight washing the white stone in gold. Aiden drew in a slow breath of the cool Alderaanian air. It reminded him of Naboo in its purity, in the way the world seemed to exhale peace rather than tension. Places like this deserved protection without fear.

He turned slightly toward her as they walked.

"If you are comfortable with it, I would like to work directly with your commanders. Not to override them," he clarified gently, "But to strengthen what you already have. Alderaan should never feel occupied in its own skies. This must feel like partnership, not supervision."

His gaze moved across the horizon for a brief moment, thoughtful, resolute. He did not want to imagine this world scarred by war.

"And when that day comes," he said quietly, though there was nothing uncertain in his tone, "You will not face it alone."

There was no dramatic flourish to the promise. Only calm strength. Aiden had seen too many worlds fall because help arrived too late or not at all. Alderaan would not be one of them if he could help it.

 

[Amani Serys]

"We are more than happy to keep the High Republic in the loop, so long as they do the same." Her statement carried a tinge of skepticism, which she quickly tried to rectify, "Sorry. I don't mean to imply the Republic wouldn't uphold its end of the bargain. Especially given how much has already been committed. I guess I've just become instinctively distrustful of politics. I'm always waiting for the moment when the rug will get pulled out from under me."

Amani shook her head as if to dismiss the thought, and fell silent, taking in the scenery around them. When she shut her eyes, she saw Sith destroyers looming over head. Red on the horizon. Thank the Force she wasn't a seer, or such visions would have her crying doomsday in the streets. "What role does the Jedi Order play in the Republic?" She asked, the thought crossing her mind when he mentioned their involvement in the coming collaborations.

Aiden Porte​

 

[Aiden Porte]

Amani Serys​

Aiden gave a soft chuckle at her apology and shook his head lightly.

"No apology is necessary. I know the Republic will keep true to their word. Otherwise my faith has been sorely misplaced."

There was warmth in his tone, but also quiet certainty.

When she asked about the relationship between the Jedi and the Republic, his smile settled into something thoughtful.

"Neither commands the other. We assist one another for the sake of peace and justice. The Jedi do not involve ourselves in Republic politics, and the Republic does not govern the Order. We stand alongside each other, not above."

Aiden showed her a small smile. "I know I can say, I will do everything I can to protect this world. Alderaan does not belong in the darkness, it belongs in the sun." The Jedi Knight spoke reassuringly to her, that's why he was here. He wasn't sent on behalf of the Jedi Order, he came on his own accord.

 

[Amani Serys]

Amani nodded along thoughtfully. Her interactions with the Jedi Order's leadership thus far had been… mixed, but she took solace in hearing they indeed practiced separation between church and state. Anytime the Jedi became beholden to a government, it always led to complications. They needed cooperation, absolutely, but not employment.

Initially she had been planning to avoid the topic of Jedi entirely, but their involvement was an inevitability. She wasn't sour enough to dismiss their help— Aiden was here, after all— but she was a bit more ambivalent that she would've been in the past. "How did you feel about the conclave on Naboo?" Amani asked his thoughts on recent Jedi politics.

Aiden Porte​

 

[Aiden Porte]

Amani Serys
​

"I have my opinions." Aiden spoke truthfully. "It is still a new order and young order in so many ways." Aiden looked over to Amani, and showed the smallest of smiles as he held his hands behind his back as he walked next to Amani.

"Things could've been handled differently. Everyone want's something different it seems. What some fail to understand, is the order is young. Long gone are the days where we numbered in the thousands of Jedi Knights." Aiden let out a small sigh.

"We have to coordinate, and we have to act carefully."

He looked over to Amani.

"I apologize, even though its not my place anymore, for how things were handled."

 

[Amani Serys]

Aiden seemed to keep from expressing himself too much on the matter. It was true enough that this was a fresh-faced Order, still figuring out its place in a turbulent galaxy. Jedi politics had gotten no less complicated either. Perhaps no matter what they did, it would lead to discontent from a notable sect of their brothers and sisters. Amani did not envy that. Still she found herself among the skeptics after the latest Jedi convocation. Add to that her responsibilities with Alderaan, and Amani did not see herself playing a role in this particular iteration of the Jedi Order. It was the first time in many years that she would be in such a position.

Aiden saw fit to apologize for the way things had turned out, which surprised Amani. The Queen shrugged as they walked, "Is that to suggest you disagree with the Order's mission statement? Or just their execution of it?" She asked, trying to glean more of his thoughts.

Aiden Porte​