Aurelia Pantilles
Character
The stars of New Alderaan glittered beneath the viewport like scattered jewels.
Aurelia Pantilles stood with her hands clasped behind her back as her shuttle descended through the atmosphere. The world below should have inspired pride. In many ways, it still did. New Alderaan remained beautiful despite everything. Towering cities gleamed beneath the morning sun. Vast stretches of carefully cultivated wilderness broke up the urban centers. Lakes reflected the sky like polished glass.
Yet beauty did little to hide uncertainty. The woman frowned as the shuttle banked toward its destination. "Status update, V3."
The protocol droid standing beside her turned its polished head with mechanical precision. "An increasingly difficult request, Lady Pantilles."
Aurelia released a short breath through her nose. "Humor me."
"Of course." The droid's photoreceptors flickered. "Current intelligence indicates at least seven organizations claiming some degree of authority across New Alderaan. Three Imperial successor factions maintain active operations. Four democratic movements have established local governing councils. Several planetary defense formations operate independently. Additionally, numerous armed militias appear to recognize no authority beyond their immediate commanders."
"In other words..."
"In other words, my lady, nobody truly knows who is in charge."
Aurelia allowed herself a humorless smile. That much had become painfully obvious. The collapse of established authority had left a vacuum. Everyone claimed to be saving New Alderaan. Everyone insisted they represented the future. Imperials spoke of restoring order. Revolutionaries promised freedom. Local governors claimed legitimacy. Militias protected their own communities while viewing every outsider with suspicion. And somewhere amid the chaos, ordinary citizens simply tried to survive.
"Has anyone actually declared themselves ruler of the planet yet?"
"Three individuals have attempted to do so."
"And?"
"Two are dead. One disappeared."
Aurelia laughed despite herself. "At least the galaxy still has a sense of humor."
The shuttle descended lower. Most of the major starports had become political battlegrounds months ago. Cargo inspections varied depending on which banner happened to be flying over the landing field that week. Some facilities changed hands multiple times in a single month.
That was precisely why she had come here instead. The hidden facility finally appeared below. Nestled between steep mountain ridges and concealed beneath extensive camouflage nets, the spaceport was invisible from orbit unless someone knew exactly where to look. A handful of fighters sat within hardened shelters. Ground crews moved between warehouses and fuel depots with practiced efficiency.
A militia installation. One of hundreds scattered across New Alderaan. This one simply happened to be led by someone worth meeting. "Beginning final approach," the pilot announced. The shuttle settled onto the duracrete landing pad with a gentle hiss.
Aurelia straightened her black jacket.
House Pantilles remained influential, but influence alone would not determine New Alderaan's future. The old noble houses would either learn how to navigate this new reality or be swept aside by it. Today was about understanding that reality.
The ramp lowered. Cool mountain air flowed into the cabin. Aurelia descended first, V3 following a step behind. And House Pantilles Guard behind the droid. Militia personnel watched from nearby positions. Some wore mismatched armor pieces. Others carried weapons old enough to have served in three different wars. Yet there was a confidence about them that many larger military organizations lacked.
These people believed they were defending something worth fighting for. Her gaze settled on the figure waiting near the edge of the landing zone. Hitall Malane. Local militia commander. Community leader. One of the growing number of individuals whose influence came not from birthright, but from the simple fact that people chose to follow them.
Aurelia approached at a measured pace. "Mr. Malane." A polite smile crossed her features. "Thank you for agreeing to meet with me." The mountains stood silent around them as the shuttle's engines slowly powered down behind her. For a moment, the future of New Alderaan felt every bit as uncertain as the world itself.
Aurelia Vaene Pantilles
• Location: Secret Dawnwardens spaceport, New Alderaan• Objective: Bring the Alderaanian spirit back to New Alderaan
• Outfit: Travel Clothes
• Company: Protocol droid (V3) | Two House Pantielles Guardsmen |
Hitall Malane
OOC: This is "solo" thread for now. If you have interest in joining DM me.