FanFiction Archive

RMFF Home
Denver Fanforce Board
Imperial Outfitters
Smuggler's Alliance

Chapter Eight

Tapestries hanging from every wall allow for only minute amounts of light to transmit across the open and cavernous room. With his back to all who enter his palatial office, Vanquar Shesh rules in the manner with which he was raised, in ruthless accordance to the primary directive of all Kuati Elite; “What is in it for me?” Sitting in solemn contemplation, he runs his index finger along the embroidered patterning of his luxurious velvet robe, as he seems to unravel the problems of the universe with the furrowing of his well-defined and angular brow.

Deep in thought regarding the newest developments in his world’s interstellar turmoil, Supreme Ruler Shesh nearly misses the delicate sound of footsteps entering his office chamber. Listening for a moment more reveals to him the owner of those footfalls, “What brings you here, First Daughter?” He speaks without turning around and it stops the young woman dead in her tracks.

“Honored Father, how is it that you knew it was me?” The woman stands perfectly still, the only thing betraying her unease is the unconscious twirling of a low-slung loop of coal black hair on her shoulder.

“How many times have I instructed you to not fuss with your hair, my First Daughter?” He turns in his chair to face his equally regal child. “Valyr, my devoted First Daughter, you must learn to hide your feelings from others if you ever wish to succeed in our society. Emotions are a liability in our realm, they do you harm and show weakness to your adversaries.” Vanquar berates his child, but there is a hint of caring in his harsh words of reprimand.

“Yes, Honored Father.” Bowing her head in acquiescence to her father’s reprimand. “I will honor your judgment, and ask your forgiveness for my betrayal of your trust in my abilities.” Kneeling, ever so slightly in an attempt to show subservience to her father, Valyr brushes her heavily embroidered cloak away from her slender form in the grand gesture.

A brief chortle escapes the man’s throat, “Totally unnecessary, my beloved First Child. I could never truly be angry with you, Valyr.” He stands and rounds the corner of his grand desk and gently embraces his First Child. Pulling her back from him with his slender, but powerful, arms, “So, what news do you bring me from the Board? Have they collapsed into another panic over the new Hyperdrive modifications that are being implemented? Or are they simply concerned that our competitors have continued to outbid us for the new military contracts? Sit please, and tell me of their latest crises, my beautiful First Daughter.” Motioning for her to take the chaise to his left, Vanquar makes a grand motion to seat himself in the throne-like chair on his right. Pulling his long, straight, coal black hair to his right shoulder as he sits back in the ornate, blood red chair.

Carefully placing herself upon the chaise, keeping her stately form in an upright posture and gathering her many layers garments about her in an orderly manner; one befitting her station. Bringing her legs into position beneath her, she reaches up to stroke her hair and stops suddenly and instead brushes her delicate fingers across the clasp of her cloak, releasing it to fall gracefully behind her. “Honored father, it is much as you have spoken. The board is convinced that this plan of yours to continue to build up our own defense force will only continue to cause difficulties in our bid to overtake the Corellian Shipbuilders Union. They have requested of me to impress upon you, once again, to reconsider this decision.” She betrays only the slightest hint of her novelty in this notion, and with the careful and deliberate raise of just one of her thin and angular brows, she makes known her own feelings on the issue.

“Yes, as we believed they would, my beloved First Daughter. Your insights have proven most discriminative in this odd play of ours. I believe that our backers will be most pleased with this recent turn of events... Have you any word from our associates in the Corellian Sector on their accomplishments as yet?” Vanquar allows only the faintest of smiles to cross his thin lips.

“As yet, no, but the reports from Chandrillan space have been most encouraging.” Valyr’s voice is tinged with the poison that she and her father have made their trademark.

“Well, then that will have to do for the time being.” Breaking her gaze, Vanquar reaches for the comm-station on the table at his left. “Please have my First Son brought into the Chamber as soon as he has arrived, Administrator.” Removing his finger from the activation switch, he awaits the response.

The careful voice through the speaker makes a request, “As you wish, Supreme Ruler Shesh, and as he is present now, shall I admit him?”

“Of course, and please remove yourself to the Antechamber until you are called for, Administrator.”

“As you wish, Supreme Ruler Shesh.” The crackling voice disappears and the doors to the chamber open, revealing a younger version of the man seated in his “throne.”

With a flourish of movement the dashing young man strides into the office. His straight black hair pulled ever so tightly against his scalp, however the back of his hair and his robe billows about him as he advances towards the two, seated figures. As he approaches them, his royal blue, silken shirt can be seen more clearly, as well as his bared chest. He is a rakish man, and his very aura fulfills this definition to the hilt.

“Dear Honored Father! How good it is to see you after such a long absence.” He outstretches his open palm towards the seated man. “Please, do not rise. It is I who should bow to you.” Kneeling at his father’s feet, the young man takes his father’s hand in his and holds it to his chest (a symbol of submission among the Kuati Elite). “You are well, it would appear. I understand you have the Board standing on their ear once more and the hearts of the Kuati people sing your name in praise of your efforts to protect them from our ancient enemies.” Turning his attention next to his sister, who has also remained seated. “And my dear First Sister, you are as beautiful as you have ever been and a credit to our lineage, as always.” Taking her hand in his, the young man places a gentle kiss upon the top of her hand. “I have also heard that you have been creating quite the stir in our beloved Honored Father’s business. It seems that the Erryl Fig does not fall far from the tree, my treasured First Sister. There have even been hints at death threats...” A look of feigned admiration crosses his extenuated face before he continues. “Congratulations, Valyr. Only our Honored Father has ever accomplished such a feat at so young an age.” Vanquar, the lesser, plays upon his beguiling manners to his First Sister as a taunt more than anything else, as most elder siblings are inclined to do.

As his brandish display concludes, his father motions for him to take a seat on his right. “My dear First Son, why should we need a sun to warm our planet, for you are the very light of our lives... And now that the pleasantries have concluded, may we continue with our business here today, Young Vanquar?” His father glowers him with a disapproving eye.

“Really, my dear First Brother, your charms are much more suited to the business in which our Honored Father has engaged you, than they are for gathering favor from myself, as they have no effect on those aware of your games.” Valyr could not resist a final jab at her First Brother’s pride. “What news of you from the dreaded Chandrillans?”

Feigning hurt, Vanquar the Lesser begins, “I am deeply injured by your jibes, but I will forgive it to your erasable disposition and bring you your news anyway...” Turning back to his father, “Honored Father, the Chandrillans are ill prepared for all out war, should it come to that.” He allows a simple crease of his elegant brow to punctuate his last statement. “And they are led by a fairly young man, who seems to favor chasing after smugglers instead of the protection of his people. I believe him to be beyond reproach, but perhaps some of his lesser officers might prove more pliable to our interests. I also believe that there is a chance that we will be able to make use of some looming turmoil in their government as well.” His father shows only the slightest hint of interest in this statement. “Yes, you heard me correctly, Honored Father. There are rumors abound regarding the health of their current elected ruler, and there are also reports of possible assassination attempts. None of this is confirmed, mind you, but I have it on very reliable sources that these attempts have occurred.” Vanquar the Lesser concludes his report and waits on baited breath for the response of his family.

Ruler Shesh, exhales sharply, and it appears as though a great weight has been lifted from his chest. “Well done my beloved First Son, as always. Your charms do suit the purpose for which you have been assigned and will continue to be assigned.” The man allows a look of reproach to meet his First Daughter’s eyes before continuing. “You are an immeasurable asset to your people and most assuredly to your family. You will find a reward for your service upon returning to your chambers.” Ruler Shesh gives his First Son a knowing look, “And yes, I knew you would not fail me, so I have already arranged your reward, with my own careful consideration. I believe you will find it to be most suitable to your tastes, my treasured First Son.” The elder man rises and moves toward his desk. Calling back to his children, “You are both dismissed. Please attend to your individual matters and do not fail to share the evening meal with your First Mother this day. She is expecting you both, and it would disappoint me greatly were you to fail in this duty to her.” And with a wave of his hand, the two children rise and exit the office chamber in silence and obedience.

Creator: PtrsonsZOO (Jennifer)

Back to Index Continue to Next Chapter

Back to Force Dawn Home