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Chapter 50 The Lambda-class shuttle folded its wings and settled down on the landing pad. The natives that had gathered to watch the strange, large ship land grumbled to one another but kept their eyes glued to it. Only when a lone woman stepped out did they begin to disperse. “Thank you for coming, Jedi Cassidy,” Xenritha said formally, bowing his head to the young woman. The green haired, blue tinted-skinned woman blushed. “Please, I’m just Cassidy, sir. I thank you for the invitation but I do not know the reason for it.” “I will be happy to explain very soon, but first… Ah, there he is.” Another ship broke through the atmosphere and four eyes watched it. It was small and moved quickly, spinning and turning as though deliberately putting on a show. Cassidy rolled her eyes at the display but waited it out patiently. A tall, broad-shouldered man stepped out and patted the ship’s roof, stepping away just before it took off again. He looked around, ignoring the dirty looks of the natives, before seeing Xenritha. His curious gaze touched Cassidy but did not linger. “Thank you for coming,” Xenritha repeated formerly. “Now that you are both here I can begin explaining why you are here. Please, walk with me and listen. “Approximately eight years ago, Emperor Palpatine chose to punish his daughter and two former Jedi. The daughter had done something stupid and been caught by a man sworn to serve him.” “Katrina,” Cassidy whispered. Xenritha nodded and continued, “It was hidden from the Emperor in an attempt to save her from his wrath, bringing it down on both of them instead. The third, a dark Jedi named Alvis Ker had simply made a pest of himself and was easy to use to hurt the other two. “Just before leaving for Endor, Palpatine secretly gave his daughter to the two men, expecting them to fight over her and abuse her as they chose. Obviously, things did not go as planned. Palpatine died, as did Vader, your new brother-in-law.” Cassidy gasped. “Ker went into hiding and has already attempted to take possession of his slave. She is safe, I assure you, but the order your father signed to make this legal must be destroyed. That is why you are both here, we are asking you to use your connections within the New Republic to overturn this.” “This is very bad,” Cassidy thought aloud. “Who are you?” Cassidy and Xenritha stopped and turned, startled. The man was looking at her, wide-eyed and suspicious. Cassidy looked to Xenritha, puzzled by the sudden question, but received no help from him. “My name is Cassidy. As you must now know, I am one of Palpatine’s famed bastards.” “That makes two of us, then.” Cassidy hesitated at his words then looked closer. With a gasp she threw herself at him and wrapped her arms around the man. Xenritha chuckled. “My wife would be very unhappy if she saw this,” Petrodovich said, amused. “I thought you were dead!” Cassidy pulled away to look him over again. “Come,” Xenritha urged, motioning for them to follow. “We’re almost there.” As they crested the hill they were able to fully see the gray building that was the Tri. Both were impressed with it-as nearly all that saw it were-but it was when the door opened and a dark clad, masked figure stepped out that Cassidy and Petrodovich could not turn away. Katrina stepped away from the building slowly. She had no warning of the new arrivals. Had she not sensed their approach she would still be locked away weaving. Without thought, she pulled her hair free of its covering and unclipped her mask, holding both loosely at her side. Her eyes were locked with those of her brother and sister. A grin broke on her face and she hurled herself past Xenritha and at Cassidy and Petrodovich. The three Palpatine bastards embraced and forgot the building and their audience. Xenritha and Cha-Lee met at the doorway and watched. They spoke in low tones, never taking their eyes away. “I hope she does not take this to mean she is completely forgiven.” “We cannot punish her forever. Plus, she is-will be-well aware that they are here for our purposes and only for a short time. This is in no way a reward.” |
