"It was so nice of Aria to help get me this job." Rebecca smiled as she sat down at the secretary's desk. "but are you sure High command won't mind me working on the same floor as you, Daddy? I mean...um, Admiral?" she corrected herself.
"it's fine, Rebecca. Don't worry." Okins said. "I'll have you know we've gone through over five secretaries in the last month. We know you'll be reliable. And besides, you're not just working for me, but for the other offices on this floor as well. I hope you can multitask."
Rebecca looked around her workspace nervously, "I think we'll soon find out either way. What should I do first?"
Okins pointed to a stack of files at the edge of the desk. "Our previous girl had no sense of organization. I guess you can start out by filing these in the proper place. Cabinets are alphabetical and separated by rank. You'll get the hang of it."
"I'll try my best....sir." she said. Calling her father by rank was going to take some getting used to.
Okins grinned. "I'll be in my office if you need me. Just knock." He patted her shoulder, then returned to his office.
Taking a deep breath, Rebecca pulled the stack over and began sorting through, making separate piles on her desk to put away. The whole activity took just under two hours, and by the time she had finished, some of the other officers had approached her with other small tasks to complete.
Late in the afternoon she leaned back in her chair and smiled. Throughout the day her superiors repeatedly complimented on her efficiency and job well done. She felt at ease now that her first day had been a pleasant one. Before rising from her post to check in with her father, she caught a glimpse of the calendar for the following day. The page was covered in officer appointments from morning to late afternoon. Most of the slots were for junior officers, but some high ranking officials were scheduled in between. Facing many strangers made her a little nervous, and she hoped tomorrow would be quick and painless.
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
XXXIX: Bonding over Wine
Rebecca arrived at Coruscant's Monument Plaza and headed towards one of the many bars located at the mall. She and Aria Brisard were meeting to catch-up over a glass of wine. This was the first time she's seen her friend since leaving Corellia.
When she entered the bar, she spotted Aria sitting at one of the booths towards the corner of the room. Rebecca walked over to her friend and greeted her with a warm smile.
"Aria!It's great to see you!" she said.
"Same here, Becks! It's been a while!" Aria said, hugging Rebecca and then sitting back down. "How is city life treating you?"
Rebecca shrugged and sat down across from her friend. "It's alright, I suppose. I'm still trying to adjust. It's a lot different from living on Nana's estate back on Corellia."
Aria nodded. "The crowds take some getting used to, as well as knowing the good areas to venture to." She smiled. "What do you do during the day?"
"Well Daddy spends most of the day at work, so I've been trying to learn how to cook. Since his culinary skills are dreadful, I feel it's a great way to help contribute."
"That's a good idea. What about on Okins' days off?"
"Oh Aria, those days are few and far between. Though lately he has been taking me to the shooting range. Daddy's been trying to teach me to use a blaster to defend myself...but I can't get comfortable using it....no matter what I try. Between trying to meet his high expectations and the physical weapon in my hands..." she sighs, "I just can't do it."
"Aria pat Rebecca's hand. "It's okay. It takes time, that's all. If you want, I could help you train when I come visit you here...or if you want to come see me on Exactor. We can go at your pace, no pressure."
Rebecca smiled. "I like the sound of that."
"Great! So, what else is going on?"
Rebecca shrugged. "Not much... aside from that I stay around the apartment. It would be nice if there was something else I could do."
Aria tapped her chin, thinking. "Maybe you can find some work?"
"That's what I was thinking. But I've never had a real job before...There's so much here on Coruscant. I'm not even sure what to apply for!"
Aria thought for a moment, then grinned wide. "I think I have the perfect solution. Just leave everything to me!"
When she entered the bar, she spotted Aria sitting at one of the booths towards the corner of the room. Rebecca walked over to her friend and greeted her with a warm smile.
"Aria!It's great to see you!" she said.
"Same here, Becks! It's been a while!" Aria said, hugging Rebecca and then sitting back down. "How is city life treating you?"
Rebecca shrugged and sat down across from her friend. "It's alright, I suppose. I'm still trying to adjust. It's a lot different from living on Nana's estate back on Corellia."
Aria nodded. "The crowds take some getting used to, as well as knowing the good areas to venture to." She smiled. "What do you do during the day?"
"Well Daddy spends most of the day at work, so I've been trying to learn how to cook. Since his culinary skills are dreadful, I feel it's a great way to help contribute."
"That's a good idea. What about on Okins' days off?"
"Oh Aria, those days are few and far between. Though lately he has been taking me to the shooting range. Daddy's been trying to teach me to use a blaster to defend myself...but I can't get comfortable using it....no matter what I try. Between trying to meet his high expectations and the physical weapon in my hands..." she sighs, "I just can't do it."
"Aria pat Rebecca's hand. "It's okay. It takes time, that's all. If you want, I could help you train when I come visit you here...or if you want to come see me on Exactor. We can go at your pace, no pressure."
Rebecca smiled. "I like the sound of that."
"Great! So, what else is going on?"
Rebecca shrugged. "Not much... aside from that I stay around the apartment. It would be nice if there was something else I could do."
Aria tapped her chin, thinking. "Maybe you can find some work?"
"That's what I was thinking. But I've never had a real job before...There's so much here on Coruscant. I'm not even sure what to apply for!"
Aria thought for a moment, then grinned wide. "I think I have the perfect solution. Just leave everything to me!"
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
For my Dark Lord...
This has been a rough, but wonderful year for us, Si'hil tha'... We've had our unpleasant arguments, our violent little fits, but we pulled through, didn't we. Most of our time was spent waiting for our tiny Sith prince to be born. Between our excitement, anxiety, and miserable lack of pleasantries, I can clearly say those were some of the bumpiest months of the year. Thank the maker all of that (ok, most of it..) is behind us. Our handsome, healthy baby is the biggest blessing the Force could bring us.
You've shown me great patience, concern, and rounds of your Sithly humor during my darkest hours, and I continue to thank you for it. Dark as you may be, you're a wonderful husband for me, and an equally wonderful father to our children. I know this hasn't been easy for you, Si'hil tha', my attention divided so much that I haven't tended to you as much as I'd have liked. I want you know that my love for you always remains. Our little family has grown a little bigger, and so has my love for you, with every passing day.
Happy third Anniversary,
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
XXXVIII: Body Found
A speeder raced towards the Vorru estate. The Dowager Lady Everon sat in the back seat rustling a news article in her fingers stressfully. Events from the last week plagued on the matriarch's mind.
First was the rush meeting She had with Jeref Ulmeran. She recalled the day of the Vorru gala when Ulmeran stopped by her estate, expressing for a second time his desires to take on Rebecca as his bride. At the time she was trying to set Rebecca with Ariam Vorru so she revealed nothing of her devious plans, instead told Ulmeran her precious granddaughter was seeing another man. She did also remember Ulmeran storming out of the estate after being denied his lady prize. That was the last time she saw him alive.
Next was the luxurious gala itself. Much planning went into the guest list and ensuring Ariam Vorru's proposal would go without error. Rebecca's downright refusal shocked her, the Vorru's and everyone in attendance. The invited reporters and paparazzi turned their focus to badgering herself and Ariam about what went wrong instead of questions about the future nuptials. Reports about the failed proposal stopped posting after a few days.
Instead, they've been focusing on a new story, and the mail reason for Elsa's stress. Last week's gala marked the night Rebecca went missing. Coincidentally, Jeref Ulmeran vanished the very same night. Gossip sources claimed the two ran off together, but neither Elsa or Ariam believed a word of it. The Dowager began searches all over the city and countryside where Rebecca grew up, believing her granddaughter simply ran away to a more comfortable, familiar setting. The one mishap in her theory is what happened to Lord Jeref Ulmeran.
However, the news article in her hand answered that question. As soon as her speeder stopped in front of the Vorru estate, she bounded out and inside the home.
"Fliry! Ariam! I have news!" she announced, walking into the parlor. Ariam and Moff Vorru quickly ran from the study and joined her.
" have you found Rebecca? Oh please tell me you have." Ariam said, sinking into a chair.
"no, I haven't." Elsa answered, clearly troubled. "this was in today's post." she nervously handed the article to Ariam. Moff Vorru moved behind his son so he could read it as well.
" Jeref Ulmeran found dead." Ariam Vorru read aloud. "his body was discovered early this morning mangled and dumped in the woods just outside the city..."
"dear Maker..." Moff Vorru said, rubbing his chin.
"keep going... There's more." Elsa replied.
"... Although the autopsy has not been completed, preliminary reports indicate he had been severely beaten, tortured and disfigured. Details on cause of death will be released later."
"who could have done that?" Vorru asked.
"well Jeref had plenty of enemies..." Ariam answered.
"Don't you see?? Ulmeran and Rebecca disappeared at the same time! What if they were together when this happened?? Is my granddaughter dumped in the forest too? Dear Maker...her virtue is still at stake!" Elsa panicked.
Moff Vorru came over to her and patted her shoulder. "Calm down, Elsa. I'm sure Jeref had nothing to do with Rebecca's disappearance. She might just be lying low until this whole matter blows over. I have a feeling she's still on Corellia."
"father is right, Elsa."Ariam said. " We'll find sweet Rebecca before too long, and then we'll stick back to our plan."
"oh Ariam...for her sake I hope you're right..."
First was the rush meeting She had with Jeref Ulmeran. She recalled the day of the Vorru gala when Ulmeran stopped by her estate, expressing for a second time his desires to take on Rebecca as his bride. At the time she was trying to set Rebecca with Ariam Vorru so she revealed nothing of her devious plans, instead told Ulmeran her precious granddaughter was seeing another man. She did also remember Ulmeran storming out of the estate after being denied his lady prize. That was the last time she saw him alive.
Next was the luxurious gala itself. Much planning went into the guest list and ensuring Ariam Vorru's proposal would go without error. Rebecca's downright refusal shocked her, the Vorru's and everyone in attendance. The invited reporters and paparazzi turned their focus to badgering herself and Ariam about what went wrong instead of questions about the future nuptials. Reports about the failed proposal stopped posting after a few days.
Instead, they've been focusing on a new story, and the mail reason for Elsa's stress. Last week's gala marked the night Rebecca went missing. Coincidentally, Jeref Ulmeran vanished the very same night. Gossip sources claimed the two ran off together, but neither Elsa or Ariam believed a word of it. The Dowager began searches all over the city and countryside where Rebecca grew up, believing her granddaughter simply ran away to a more comfortable, familiar setting. The one mishap in her theory is what happened to Lord Jeref Ulmeran.
However, the news article in her hand answered that question. As soon as her speeder stopped in front of the Vorru estate, she bounded out and inside the home.
"Fliry! Ariam! I have news!" she announced, walking into the parlor. Ariam and Moff Vorru quickly ran from the study and joined her.
" have you found Rebecca? Oh please tell me you have." Ariam said, sinking into a chair.
"no, I haven't." Elsa answered, clearly troubled. "this was in today's post." she nervously handed the article to Ariam. Moff Vorru moved behind his son so he could read it as well.
" Jeref Ulmeran found dead." Ariam Vorru read aloud. "his body was discovered early this morning mangled and dumped in the woods just outside the city..."
"dear Maker..." Moff Vorru said, rubbing his chin.
"keep going... There's more." Elsa replied.
"... Although the autopsy has not been completed, preliminary reports indicate he had been severely beaten, tortured and disfigured. Details on cause of death will be released later."
"who could have done that?" Vorru asked.
"well Jeref had plenty of enemies..." Ariam answered.
"Don't you see?? Ulmeran and Rebecca disappeared at the same time! What if they were together when this happened?? Is my granddaughter dumped in the forest too? Dear Maker...her virtue is still at stake!" Elsa panicked.
Moff Vorru came over to her and patted her shoulder. "Calm down, Elsa. I'm sure Jeref had nothing to do with Rebecca's disappearance. She might just be lying low until this whole matter blows over. I have a feeling she's still on Corellia."
"father is right, Elsa."Ariam said. " We'll find sweet Rebecca before too long, and then we'll stick back to our plan."
"oh Ariam...for her sake I hope you're right..."
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
XXXVII: Range Day
"Daddy, I'm not so sure about all of this..." Rebecca said as she tagged along behind her father. The two had just finished lunch and were heading to the shooting range.
"Trust me, it's for your own good." Okins replied.
"I don't even know which one I should get." she said. "I don't know anything about blasters or weaponry."
"That's what I'm here for." He said.
As they entered the establishment, Rebecca couldn't help but feel incredibly uncomfortable. The walls were covered in different sized pistols, rifles, canons, and other various weapons she couldn't quite identify. While her father spoke to the employee behind the desk, she walked over to one of the display cases and and looked at the different rifles. The longer she looked at them, the more she wanted to run out of the establishment and head for home.
"Rebecca, c'mon." Okins said, waving her over as the clerk led them to the shooting area. It was a narrow aisle way with a chair and table in the center of the shooting area. Several meters away there was a body-shaped target hanging on the back wall. The clerk set a box of various blasters down on the table and returned to the front.
"Ready?"
"No..." Rebecca said. She stepped forward and peered into the box. There were two smaller pistols and one large rifle. She picked up the smallest of the three and examined it. The weapon was a bit chunky and she wasn't surprised when it felt uncomfortable to hold.
Okins picked up one of the larger weapons so he could demonstrate how to use it. "Here, hold it like this, wrapping your finger around the trigger. Then, you just lift, aim, and shoot." He raised his arm towards the target across the room and fired. "Simple."
Rebecca had jumped, startled from the blaster's discharge. "Daddy I don't know if I can."
"Of course you can. Here, I'll help you." He placed his hands over her own and positioned them on the blaster properly. "Now, aim, and fire." He guided her arm upwards and helped her press the trigger. The discharge made her jumpy again. "Now it's your turn," he said, removing his hands.
Rebecca swallowed. "Okay..." she took a deep breath and took aim. Her hand wouldn't stop shaking from nerves. The longer she stood there, the more the shaking continued. Finally she fired. The shot missed the target completely. She sighed and dejectedly lowered her weapon to her side. While doing so, she heard a loud bang and promptly dropped the gun as her father fell and braced the chair for support.
In her attempt to lower the weapon, she ended up squeezing the trigger and shooting a bolt right into her father's foot.
"Trust me, it's for your own good." Okins replied.
"I don't even know which one I should get." she said. "I don't know anything about blasters or weaponry."
"That's what I'm here for." He said.
As they entered the establishment, Rebecca couldn't help but feel incredibly uncomfortable. The walls were covered in different sized pistols, rifles, canons, and other various weapons she couldn't quite identify. While her father spoke to the employee behind the desk, she walked over to one of the display cases and and looked at the different rifles. The longer she looked at them, the more she wanted to run out of the establishment and head for home.
"Rebecca, c'mon." Okins said, waving her over as the clerk led them to the shooting area. It was a narrow aisle way with a chair and table in the center of the shooting area. Several meters away there was a body-shaped target hanging on the back wall. The clerk set a box of various blasters down on the table and returned to the front.
"Ready?"
"No..." Rebecca said. She stepped forward and peered into the box. There were two smaller pistols and one large rifle. She picked up the smallest of the three and examined it. The weapon was a bit chunky and she wasn't surprised when it felt uncomfortable to hold.
Okins picked up one of the larger weapons so he could demonstrate how to use it. "Here, hold it like this, wrapping your finger around the trigger. Then, you just lift, aim, and shoot." He raised his arm towards the target across the room and fired. "Simple."
Rebecca had jumped, startled from the blaster's discharge. "Daddy I don't know if I can."
"Of course you can. Here, I'll help you." He placed his hands over her own and positioned them on the blaster properly. "Now, aim, and fire." He guided her arm upwards and helped her press the trigger. The discharge made her jumpy again. "Now it's your turn," he said, removing his hands.
Rebecca swallowed. "Okay..." she took a deep breath and took aim. Her hand wouldn't stop shaking from nerves. The longer she stood there, the more the shaking continued. Finally she fired. The shot missed the target completely. She sighed and dejectedly lowered her weapon to her side. While doing so, she heard a loud bang and promptly dropped the gun as her father fell and braced the chair for support.
In her attempt to lower the weapon, she ended up squeezing the trigger and shooting a bolt right into her father's foot.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
XXXVI: Blaster Talk
"Rebecca, time to eat." Okins called from the kitchen as he took a tray out of the oven and set it on the table. Rebecca came in and sat down. She peered over at small paper bags sitting beside the table settings.
"Um, Daddy? What are those for?" She asked, pointing to the bags.
Okins dished out the meal. "Those are 'emergency meal removal bags' in case things go sour."
Rebecca raised an eyebrow. "So they're barf bags."
"No no no....you make it sound so gross when you say it like that."
"Because it is?" She asked, eyeing the meal in front of her. "Do you really not trust yourself with food?"
"My skills are a little rusty." He replied and sat down. "C'mon, try it."
Rebecca hesitantly scooped up some food onto her fork and put it in her mouth. She chewed it slowly, trying to keep her facial expression pretty neutral. After a few more chews, she finally swallowed it and leaned back in her seat.
"Well?"
"It was...oh kriff..." she said, then quickly downed most of her beverage.
"That bad, huh." He asked. She nodded. Okins threw his napkin onto the table. "Well there's the diner down the next block. Let's just go out."
"Good idea." She agreed. Together they quickly cleaned up from the failed dinner attempt and left the apartment for the landing strip where they grabbed a speeder to the restaurant.
"I was thinking..." Okins began.
"Uh oh..."
"I think it's time you learned to defend yourself."
Rebecca blinked, inquisitive. "You mean...self defense class or something?"
"I was thinking more along the lines of weaponry. It's time you got yourself a blaster."
"...a....blaster??" Rebecca asked, unsure of how she feels about owning a weapon. "This has "Aria Brisard" written all over it, doesn't it..."
"Oh no, she had nothing to do with this. I want you to have a blaster. It's a good weapon and handy to have when you're alone."
"Daddy, I don't like weapons. What good is having one when I probably will be afraid to even touch it, even fire it?"
"We'll have to build up your confidence, that's all." Okins said. "Just think, in time you'll be just as comfortable wielding a weapon as I am." He grinned at his daughter until he saw the unimpressed look on her face. "Okay, maybe not that much. The point is you'll be able to protect yourself. What happened on Corellia will never occur again."
"Do I have to have one?"
"Yes. We'll pick one out after we eat." He said as he landed the speeder. "Tomorrow you and I will head to the range to start practice."
Rebecca sighed and followed after her father, now with little enthusiasm. "Joy."
"Um, Daddy? What are those for?" She asked, pointing to the bags.
Okins dished out the meal. "Those are 'emergency meal removal bags' in case things go sour."
Rebecca raised an eyebrow. "So they're barf bags."
"No no no....you make it sound so gross when you say it like that."
"Because it is?" She asked, eyeing the meal in front of her. "Do you really not trust yourself with food?"
"My skills are a little rusty." He replied and sat down. "C'mon, try it."
Rebecca hesitantly scooped up some food onto her fork and put it in her mouth. She chewed it slowly, trying to keep her facial expression pretty neutral. After a few more chews, she finally swallowed it and leaned back in her seat.
"Well?"
"It was...oh kriff..." she said, then quickly downed most of her beverage.
"That bad, huh." He asked. She nodded. Okins threw his napkin onto the table. "Well there's the diner down the next block. Let's just go out."
"Good idea." She agreed. Together they quickly cleaned up from the failed dinner attempt and left the apartment for the landing strip where they grabbed a speeder to the restaurant.
"I was thinking..." Okins began.
"Uh oh..."
"I think it's time you learned to defend yourself."
Rebecca blinked, inquisitive. "You mean...self defense class or something?"
"I was thinking more along the lines of weaponry. It's time you got yourself a blaster."
"...a....blaster??" Rebecca asked, unsure of how she feels about owning a weapon. "This has "Aria Brisard" written all over it, doesn't it..."
"Oh no, she had nothing to do with this. I want you to have a blaster. It's a good weapon and handy to have when you're alone."
"Daddy, I don't like weapons. What good is having one when I probably will be afraid to even touch it, even fire it?"
"We'll have to build up your confidence, that's all." Okins said. "Just think, in time you'll be just as comfortable wielding a weapon as I am." He grinned at his daughter until he saw the unimpressed look on her face. "Okay, maybe not that much. The point is you'll be able to protect yourself. What happened on Corellia will never occur again."
"Do I have to have one?"
"Yes. We'll pick one out after we eat." He said as he landed the speeder. "Tomorrow you and I will head to the range to start practice."
Rebecca sighed and followed after her father, now with little enthusiasm. "Joy."
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
XXXV: New Home
"I uh...hope you don't mind the mess." Okins said as he switched the light on in the spare bedroom of his Coruscant apartment. "I know it's not the fancy, frilly, princess-y paradise you've been stuck in for the last few years, but..."
"It's fine, Daddy." Rebecca said. She walked inside and placed her bags on the bed. "I think it'll be a nice change."
Okins nodded. "I'll start moving my junk out over the next few days. I've been needing to go through this stuff anyway. But for now, I'll let you start to settle in."
Later that night Rebecca tossed and turned in bed. Events from the last several days kept tolling on her mind. Finally she propped herself on her elbows and looked at the chrono sitting on her nightstand. 0100 hours. She sighed and threw the covers off of her. Deciding that a drink of water might calm herself down, she crept out of her bedroom to the kitchen. On her way there, she passed by her father sitting on the couch working late. He looked up as she went by.
"I thought you went to bed hours ago. Are you alright?"
"I can't sleep." she replied as she poured herself some water.
"Is it not comfortable in there? He asked, setting his work down.
"No, it's fine...I'm just a bit restless, I guess." Rebecca walked over and sat down on the couch beside him. "Can I stay with you for a while? I don't want to be alone..."
"Sure, sweetheart." He wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "I'm afraid what I'm doing isn't very interesting though."
"That's okay." She said, leaning her head on his shoulder. "I don't mind..."
Okins held her closer and returned to his work. "You're going to be alright, Rebecca. Just give it some time." He said, reaching for another stack of reports. "And if you--" He paused and glanced at her when she didn't respond to him before to find she had fallen asleep on his shoulder. Okins kissed her forehead. "Goodnight Rebecca."
"It's fine, Daddy." Rebecca said. She walked inside and placed her bags on the bed. "I think it'll be a nice change."
Okins nodded. "I'll start moving my junk out over the next few days. I've been needing to go through this stuff anyway. But for now, I'll let you start to settle in."
Later that night Rebecca tossed and turned in bed. Events from the last several days kept tolling on her mind. Finally she propped herself on her elbows and looked at the chrono sitting on her nightstand. 0100 hours. She sighed and threw the covers off of her. Deciding that a drink of water might calm herself down, she crept out of her bedroom to the kitchen. On her way there, she passed by her father sitting on the couch working late. He looked up as she went by.
"I thought you went to bed hours ago. Are you alright?"
"I can't sleep." she replied as she poured herself some water.
"Is it not comfortable in there? He asked, setting his work down.
"No, it's fine...I'm just a bit restless, I guess." Rebecca walked over and sat down on the couch beside him. "Can I stay with you for a while? I don't want to be alone..."
"Sure, sweetheart." He wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "I'm afraid what I'm doing isn't very interesting though."
"That's okay." She said, leaning her head on his shoulder. "I don't mind..."
Okins held her closer and returned to his work. "You're going to be alright, Rebecca. Just give it some time." He said, reaching for another stack of reports. "And if you--" He paused and glanced at her when she didn't respond to him before to find she had fallen asleep on his shoulder. Okins kissed her forehead. "Goodnight Rebecca."
Sunday, August 26, 2012
XXXIV: Reunion
Deroh Okins turned the corner to return to Rebecca's room when he was met in the corridor by Aria Brisard. She immediately stopped him in his tracks.
"Satisfied?"
Okins shrugged. "I did what had to be done."
"Playing judge, jury and executioner? I think you did it a bit too well. We could hear your victim's howling all the way down here."
Okins gave a dark smirk. "That means I did it right."
Aria shuddered. "You're lucky Becky didn't hear it. I think she's been through enough for one night."
"Kriffing..." he sighed. "Is she awake?"
Aria nodded. "Just a few moments ago. Luckily for you, she was spared the trauma. The medical officer is with her now."
"Good." He tried to push his way past her but she held her own. "Brisard..."
"You can't go in there dressed like that! Are you crazy?" she said. "Look at yourself!"
Okins glanced down at his bloodied uniform and sighed. He unfastened his uniform tunic and tossed it aside revealing his black undershirt. "Better?"
"I guess so." She examined him. "There's still some splotches on your pants."
"Kark it. If she asks, it's a drink." He pushed Aria aside and opened the door. Rebecca was sitting up with her back to the door. The medical officer was completing his examination so she didn't hear Aria and her father enter the room. Okins and Brisard stood off to the side and waited for the officer to complete his check up. The man soon finished and saluted to them on his way out.
Okins watched Rebecca for a few moments. Even though her back was to him, he could still tell she was distraught. A few sniffles were audible and she kept rubbing her eyes. He stepped forward to the bed and placed his hand on her shoulder. "Becky..."
She whirled around to see her father standing beside her. "Daddy...?"
Okins nodded and opened his arms to her. She then quickly jumped off the bed and hugged him tightly, burying her face into his chest and crying.
"Shh..." he said, consoling her. "It's alright, I'm here. You're safe now, and I promise now that I'm here no one will harm you again."
"Satisfied?"
Okins shrugged. "I did what had to be done."
"Playing judge, jury and executioner? I think you did it a bit too well. We could hear your victim's howling all the way down here."
Okins gave a dark smirk. "That means I did it right."
Aria shuddered. "You're lucky Becky didn't hear it. I think she's been through enough for one night."
"Kriffing..." he sighed. "Is she awake?"
Aria nodded. "Just a few moments ago. Luckily for you, she was spared the trauma. The medical officer is with her now."
"Good." He tried to push his way past her but she held her own. "Brisard..."
"You can't go in there dressed like that! Are you crazy?" she said. "Look at yourself!"
Okins glanced down at his bloodied uniform and sighed. He unfastened his uniform tunic and tossed it aside revealing his black undershirt. "Better?"
"I guess so." She examined him. "There's still some splotches on your pants."
"Kark it. If she asks, it's a drink." He pushed Aria aside and opened the door. Rebecca was sitting up with her back to the door. The medical officer was completing his examination so she didn't hear Aria and her father enter the room. Okins and Brisard stood off to the side and waited for the officer to complete his check up. The man soon finished and saluted to them on his way out.
Okins watched Rebecca for a few moments. Even though her back was to him, he could still tell she was distraught. A few sniffles were audible and she kept rubbing her eyes. He stepped forward to the bed and placed his hand on her shoulder. "Becky..."
She whirled around to see her father standing beside her. "Daddy...?"
Okins nodded and opened his arms to her. She then quickly jumped off the bed and hugged him tightly, burying her face into his chest and crying.
"Shh..." he said, consoling her. "It's alright, I'm here. You're safe now, and I promise now that I'm here no one will harm you again."
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
XXXIII: Retribution
"It's about time you two got here." Commander Desro said as he rushed Admiral Okins and Aria Brisard through the winding corridors of the naval base. "We were beginning to get worried."
"Coruscant isn't exactly a small jump away." Okins said. "I thought Rebecca would have clued you in on our arrival."
Desro shook his head. "She hasn't said a word."
"Where is Becky? Is she ok?" Aria asked, worried. "We were able to hear some sketchy audio on our flight from her com-link. Reception wasn't too good. She must've left it on during...whatever happened."
"Relax, Commander, for the most part, she's alright." Desro said. As they entered the medical wing, he stopped them in front of one of the patient rooms. The door had a fairly large window, and once they approached, Aria and Okins were able to see Rebecca lying on the medical bed inside.
"Can we go in?" Aria asked.
Desro nodded and opened the door. "She's resting for now. We gave her some pain medication so she should be out for another hour or so."
Aria walked over to the bed and sat down on the edge. She looked over at Rebecca and saw a bandage over the side of her friend's face. She gently put her hand over it, and turned back to Desro. "She hit her head?"
Desro nodded. "Either she was struck with something hard by her assailant or she just hit the ground. She was down when we found her."
Okins picked up his daughter's hand and grasped it tightly. When her arm moved, the sleeve of her medical shift slid down her arm revealing a large bruise just below her wrist. He motioned to Aria to check her other arm. An identical marking was visible. "She's all bruised..." He spun around to Desro. "Are these the only ones?"
Desro shook his head. "There's some lighter ones at her shoulders and legs and..." he slid his finger along his neck to demonstrate, "a slight cut on her neck...wasn't deep enough to make her bleed, thank the maker for that. Whatever was pressing there wasn't there for long."
Okins placed her hand back down on the bed and pulled Desro out into the hall. "What exactly happened here? Tell me everything."
Desro shrugged. "To be honest, we're not exactly sure. She rung the gate for entry. The trooper on duty then commed back to the central office for a confirmation. By the time they opened the gate, she was gone. They called me down to the gate, we heard a scream and then there she was in the alley at the end of the road."
Okins rubbed his forehead. "The local authorities need to nab this bastard."
"We've detained him, sir."
Aria stood and joined the men in the hall. "Wait...you have him? He wasn't gone when you arrived?"
Desro shook his head. "No, the man was on top of her when we got there."
Okins flexed his fingers, angry. "Who did this?"
"I believe his name is Jeref Ulmeran." Desro said, scratching the back of his head, "At least...that's what the guard said.
"Ulmeran?" Aria asked. Who's that?"
"A dead man." Okins growled as he started towards the detention wing. Aria quickly ran up and stood in his path.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"I'm going to teach this bastard a lesson." He said, removing his blaster from his holster.
"You can't just go shooting people!" She exclaimed.
"Watch me."
Desro stepped forward. "I'm afraid she's right, Admiral. His lawyers were already called...he's the local authority's problem.
"Not anymore he isn't." Okins turned halfway to look Desro in the eye. "That man assaulted my daughter, he's my problem; and now he's going to pay for it."
"Let me come with you." Aria said.
"NO. You stay here with Becky. She needs you."
"But sir..."
"That's an order, Brisard! Now step aside!" He pushed Aria out of the way and stalked towards the brig.
Aria sighed and returned to Rebecca's room. She stopped next to Desro and patted his shoulder. "I hope you've got a body bag ready."
Ariam rubbed his face, smearing blood onto his hands. "She was promised to me. Her...grandmother and I had an agreement."
Okins grabbed the front of the man's tunic again and slammed him into the wall a second time, holding him in place. "What kind of agreement?" When Jeref wouldn't speak, Okins shook him violently. "Answer me!"
Jeref swallowed. "Elsa...told me about Ariam Vorru's plans. She said if Ariam couldn't have her, I could." He coughed. "Vorru's...rejection was broadcasted all over the INN a few hours ago. That makes her mine now. Just taking what belonged to me." He tried to wrestle himself from Okins' grip. "And get your hands off me, old man. I'm not your problem."
Okins pressed him tighter, circling his fingers closer to Jeref's throat. "That's where you're wrong," he growled. "That girl you assaulted tonight was my daughter; that means you are my problem. Your ass is mine..."
"I'm not afraid of you, pops."
"Not yet," Okins growled and glared down at Jeref, his eyes full of anger. "Now you get to suffer twice the pain you just put my daughter through." Using his free hand, Okins snatched up his blaster and pressed it to Jeref's head, right between the eyes. "I hope you've made peace with your maker...by the time I'm done with you, you'll be dreading the day you were born."
Screams were heard in the brig corridor for several minutes followed by two blaster shots. Finally, Okins stepped out of the cell, the front of his uniform covered in blood. As he passed the trooper standing watch, he pointed back to the cell.
"Bag, tag, and trash him. That's an order."
"Coruscant isn't exactly a small jump away." Okins said. "I thought Rebecca would have clued you in on our arrival."
Desro shook his head. "She hasn't said a word."
"Where is Becky? Is she ok?" Aria asked, worried. "We were able to hear some sketchy audio on our flight from her com-link. Reception wasn't too good. She must've left it on during...whatever happened."
"Relax, Commander, for the most part, she's alright." Desro said. As they entered the medical wing, he stopped them in front of one of the patient rooms. The door had a fairly large window, and once they approached, Aria and Okins were able to see Rebecca lying on the medical bed inside.
"Can we go in?" Aria asked.
Desro nodded and opened the door. "She's resting for now. We gave her some pain medication so she should be out for another hour or so."
Aria walked over to the bed and sat down on the edge. She looked over at Rebecca and saw a bandage over the side of her friend's face. She gently put her hand over it, and turned back to Desro. "She hit her head?"
Desro nodded. "Either she was struck with something hard by her assailant or she just hit the ground. She was down when we found her."
Okins picked up his daughter's hand and grasped it tightly. When her arm moved, the sleeve of her medical shift slid down her arm revealing a large bruise just below her wrist. He motioned to Aria to check her other arm. An identical marking was visible. "She's all bruised..." He spun around to Desro. "Are these the only ones?"
Desro shook his head. "There's some lighter ones at her shoulders and legs and..." he slid his finger along his neck to demonstrate, "a slight cut on her neck...wasn't deep enough to make her bleed, thank the maker for that. Whatever was pressing there wasn't there for long."
Okins placed her hand back down on the bed and pulled Desro out into the hall. "What exactly happened here? Tell me everything."
Desro shrugged. "To be honest, we're not exactly sure. She rung the gate for entry. The trooper on duty then commed back to the central office for a confirmation. By the time they opened the gate, she was gone. They called me down to the gate, we heard a scream and then there she was in the alley at the end of the road."
Okins rubbed his forehead. "The local authorities need to nab this bastard."
"We've detained him, sir."
Aria stood and joined the men in the hall. "Wait...you have him? He wasn't gone when you arrived?"
Desro shook his head. "No, the man was on top of her when we got there."
Okins flexed his fingers, angry. "Who did this?"
"I believe his name is Jeref Ulmeran." Desro said, scratching the back of his head, "At least...that's what the guard said.
"Ulmeran?" Aria asked. Who's that?"
"A dead man." Okins growled as he started towards the detention wing. Aria quickly ran up and stood in his path.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"I'm going to teach this bastard a lesson." He said, removing his blaster from his holster.
"You can't just go shooting people!" She exclaimed.
"Watch me."
Desro stepped forward. "I'm afraid she's right, Admiral. His lawyers were already called...he's the local authority's problem.
"Not anymore he isn't." Okins turned halfway to look Desro in the eye. "That man assaulted my daughter, he's my problem; and now he's going to pay for it."
"Let me come with you." Aria said.
"NO. You stay here with Becky. She needs you."
"But sir..."
"That's an order, Brisard! Now step aside!" He pushed Aria out of the way and stalked towards the brig.
Aria sighed and returned to Rebecca's room. She stopped next to Desro and patted his shoulder. "I hope you've got a body bag ready."
~~**~~
Admiral Okins stood at the doorway to Jeref Ulmeran's cell and waved the trooper on watch to open the hatch. The door then slid open and he stepped inside. Jeref was lying on the bench with his eyes closed. His hands, bound by restraints, were resting on his stomach. As the door closed behind him, he started to get a strong whiff of alcohol coming from Jeref. When Okins got close, Jeref opened his eyes and sat up. He eyed the admiral and scoffed.
"What, the Empire not have enough for you to do or something? They have to send an admiral down to interrogate me?"
"No, I'm here on my own. Don't let the uniform fool you."
"Well I should warn you..." Jeref smirked. "You can't hold me here for long. I've called the best lawyers in the city. They're no doubt working on my release now."
Okins ran a hand over his blaster slowly, trying to keep his temper in check. "Well, let me break it to you this way. I wouldn't count on your fancy lawyers to do any good, not after what you've done."
"Why don't you refresh my memory, pops."
"Why don't you wipe that smirk off your face before I shoot it off." Okins snapped. "And lose the attitude. You really think this is funny? I'm not at all laughing."
"What, so I got a little over-excited with a girl. There's no harm in that, right?"
The little restraint that Okins had left snapped. He reached forward and grabbed Jeref by the front of the shirt, then hurled him across the room. Jeref struck the opposite wall and as he slid down to the floor his head struck a bolt on the wall. The cut started a small stream of blood trickling down the side of his face.
"What in kark's name do you think gave you the right to go around attacking ladies off the street?""What, the Empire not have enough for you to do or something? They have to send an admiral down to interrogate me?"
"No, I'm here on my own. Don't let the uniform fool you."
"Well I should warn you..." Jeref smirked. "You can't hold me here for long. I've called the best lawyers in the city. They're no doubt working on my release now."
Okins ran a hand over his blaster slowly, trying to keep his temper in check. "Well, let me break it to you this way. I wouldn't count on your fancy lawyers to do any good, not after what you've done."
"Why don't you refresh my memory, pops."
"Why don't you wipe that smirk off your face before I shoot it off." Okins snapped. "And lose the attitude. You really think this is funny? I'm not at all laughing."
"What, so I got a little over-excited with a girl. There's no harm in that, right?"
The little restraint that Okins had left snapped. He reached forward and grabbed Jeref by the front of the shirt, then hurled him across the room. Jeref struck the opposite wall and as he slid down to the floor his head struck a bolt on the wall. The cut started a small stream of blood trickling down the side of his face.
Ariam rubbed his face, smearing blood onto his hands. "She was promised to me. Her...grandmother and I had an agreement."
Okins grabbed the front of the man's tunic again and slammed him into the wall a second time, holding him in place. "What kind of agreement?" When Jeref wouldn't speak, Okins shook him violently. "Answer me!"
Jeref swallowed. "Elsa...told me about Ariam Vorru's plans. She said if Ariam couldn't have her, I could." He coughed. "Vorru's...rejection was broadcasted all over the INN a few hours ago. That makes her mine now. Just taking what belonged to me." He tried to wrestle himself from Okins' grip. "And get your hands off me, old man. I'm not your problem."
Okins pressed him tighter, circling his fingers closer to Jeref's throat. "That's where you're wrong," he growled. "That girl you assaulted tonight was my daughter; that means you are my problem. Your ass is mine..."
"I'm not afraid of you, pops."
"Not yet," Okins growled and glared down at Jeref, his eyes full of anger. "Now you get to suffer twice the pain you just put my daughter through." Using his free hand, Okins snatched up his blaster and pressed it to Jeref's head, right between the eyes. "I hope you've made peace with your maker...by the time I'm done with you, you'll be dreading the day you were born."
Screams were heard in the brig corridor for several minutes followed by two blaster shots. Finally, Okins stepped out of the cell, the front of his uniform covered in blood. As he passed the trooper standing watch, he pointed back to the cell.
"Bag, tag, and trash him. That's an order."
Saturday, July 7, 2012
XXXII: Emergency Call
(Younger/sensitive readers may not wish to read past the divider.)
Rebecca rushed about her bedroom trying to pack as quickly as she could. She feared her grandmother would have left the gala almost as soon as she herself did and would be arriving home any minute, and worse, possibly bringing both Ariam and Moff Vorru with her. Rebecca tore through her closet, throwing the dresses and gowns she was planning on taking onto the bed and purposefully leaving anything Ariam had gifted to her behind. Next came the letters she had been receiving from Aria and her father. She opened her nightstand drawer and took out the giant stacks. Once those were packed, she moved on to the silver jewelry box given to her by her father on her birthday. She opened the box and packed all of its contents. Finally, she removed the bottom layer revealing the hidden comm unit. The original note was still attached:
Becky,
You're twenty-one now! Congrats! You reached a great milestone, it's just unfortunate our circumstances prevent me from spending this day with you.
I'm sure Granny-Goodness hasn't yet given you one of these, so let me be the first. It's a comm unit. But don't get too excited...I'm giving this to you for emergency uses only. There's two frequencies programed into it: the first is mine. The second goes to Aria. One of us will answer. And if we don't? You have permission to knock our heads in when we see you. That's a promise. When things get truly unbearable where you are, I WANT you to call. I'll come get you and you can stay with me on Coruscant, guardian-ship be damned.
I'm sorry this needs to have limited use, but it's for the best. The last thing you need is Granny destroying it for "fraternizing with the enemy", as we military folk call it. I look forward to hearing your voice, no matter the circumstance of the call.
Happy Birthday,
Dad
The time read 2200 hours, not too late to make a call. She tore the paper off and dialed with shaky fingers. Static was heard as she waited for an answer on the other end.
"Okins here."
"Daddy?" Rebecca asked, her voice stressed. "I need your help..."
Rebecca rushed about her bedroom trying to pack as quickly as she could. She feared her grandmother would have left the gala almost as soon as she herself did and would be arriving home any minute, and worse, possibly bringing both Ariam and Moff Vorru with her. Rebecca tore through her closet, throwing the dresses and gowns she was planning on taking onto the bed and purposefully leaving anything Ariam had gifted to her behind. Next came the letters she had been receiving from Aria and her father. She opened her nightstand drawer and took out the giant stacks. Once those were packed, she moved on to the silver jewelry box given to her by her father on her birthday. She opened the box and packed all of its contents. Finally, she removed the bottom layer revealing the hidden comm unit. The original note was still attached:
Becky,
You're twenty-one now! Congrats! You reached a great milestone, it's just unfortunate our circumstances prevent me from spending this day with you.
I'm sure Granny-Goodness hasn't yet given you one of these, so let me be the first. It's a comm unit. But don't get too excited...I'm giving this to you for emergency uses only. There's two frequencies programed into it: the first is mine. The second goes to Aria. One of us will answer. And if we don't? You have permission to knock our heads in when we see you. That's a promise. When things get truly unbearable where you are, I WANT you to call. I'll come get you and you can stay with me on Coruscant, guardian-ship be damned.
I'm sorry this needs to have limited use, but it's for the best. The last thing you need is Granny destroying it for "fraternizing with the enemy", as we military folk call it. I look forward to hearing your voice, no matter the circumstance of the call.
Happy Birthday,
Dad
The time read 2200 hours, not too late to make a call. She tore the paper off and dialed with shaky fingers. Static was heard as she waited for an answer on the other end.
"Okins here."
"Daddy?" Rebecca asked, her voice stressed. "I need your help..."
~~**~~
Coronet City's streets were nearly empty as the time drew closer to midnight. Rebecca walked briskly towards the central naval base on the edge of the city. Every few steps she stumbled slightly from being weighed down by her travel bags. She stopped at one of the street corners for a quick break and to check the time. 2430 hours. Taking a deep breath, she pressed forward, starting to avoid the main roads as she passed by the Vorru estate. From the distance, she could see several speeders still parked in the front and was surprised the gala was still going on so late, especially since she had fueled the flames by departing so unexpectedly. She did feel relieved upon seeing her grandmother's speeder still there, meaning she hadn't been home. Rebecca felt a small twinge of guilt not saying goodbye to her, but pressed onward anyway, knowing all too well that her grandmother would use every bit of persuasion to keep her from leaving.
As she turned another corner, she smiled, seeing the base's armored gate in the distance. Almost there. Her father assured her over the comm that the base never closed. An officer was always on duty, and they were awaiting her there. Because of this, she slowed her pace down. Her feet were hurting thanks to her heeled shoes and her arms were tired from carrying the heavy bags.
Halfway to the base, she felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. Something isn't right... She turned her head slightly and noticed a male figure stumbling down the sidewalk behind her. Getting nervous, she quickened her pace. He quickened his. As she continued walking, she grabbed the comm from her pocket and dialed.
"Brisard here."
"Aria?? Are you guys here yet?"
"We're on route, Becky. We'll need another three hours. We were coming from Coruscant."
"Can you get here any faster?" She asked, clear fear in her voice.
"Becky, what's wrong?" her father asked.
"I think I'm being followed..." she replied, quickly stowing the comm back in her pocket and leaving the connection going.
She hurried as fast as she could to the gate and upon arriving hit the comm button requesting entry. As she waited, she heard the footsteps get louder and louder. Her heart racing, she fled down the nearest street in hopes of losing her stalker. Not sure where she was headed, she made an error and took an immediate right turn into a dead end.
"Great..." she mumbled. Wondering if she was able to lose her stalker, she turned around slowly and froze upon seeing the man's silhouette standing in the entrance to the alley. He stood there for several minutes staring off in her direction. Suddenly he started stumbling his way into the alley. As he drew closer, she started to back up and search for a way past him.
"Well, well, well..." he said. His speech was slightly uneven and slurred. "What a coincidence it is, finding you here."
"Who are you?" she asked, "What do you want with me?"
"You know, I was sitting at the bar downtown, drinking to the worst misfortune for our mutual friend Ariam Vorru...when lo and behold; the holo broadcasts live from some lavish, gaudy party he's throwing and there you two are, front and center."
"What about it?" she asked, backing further away as he advanced.
"I was...a little surprised to see him shove that ring in your face." He smirked. "No matter. His loss...."
Rebecca shot him an angry look. "I'm waiting for someone. If you don't mind," she said, trying to shove her way past him. Before she could get very far, he grabbed her by the shoulders and pushed her back against the alley wall. As he leaned his head close to hers, she turned her nose away, trying to avoid getting a good whiff of his strong alcoholic breath.
The man eyed her from head to toe and grinned. "It appears that fodder Ariam was too good for you, eh? I guess that means you're all mine." He yanked her forward and planted his mouth on hers.
Rebecca immediately began to struggle against his grip. When she finally broke free, she once again tried to get out of the alley, this time crying out for help. She made it a few feet before tripping over her heels. On the way down, she hit her head on the ground, dazing her. Her assailant took this opportunity to pin her to the ground, and as she lay there she felt a sharp object press into her neck a little.
"Don't struggle, Rebecca. It'll only make it worse for you..." He grinned deviously at her and whispered into her ear. "You know, I could have us wait this off until we're both official...but why? I couldn't bear waste this perfect opportunity."
Horrified and frightened, she made one last-ditch effort and used her free hand to slap the man as hard as she could across the face, hoping it would loosen his hold on her long enough. To her dismay, it did little damage.
"I guess you want it rough then. Alright, I'll play your game." He grinned and swung, striking her in the head. Rebecca cried out in pain as everything went black.
As she turned another corner, she smiled, seeing the base's armored gate in the distance. Almost there. Her father assured her over the comm that the base never closed. An officer was always on duty, and they were awaiting her there. Because of this, she slowed her pace down. Her feet were hurting thanks to her heeled shoes and her arms were tired from carrying the heavy bags.
Halfway to the base, she felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. Something isn't right... She turned her head slightly and noticed a male figure stumbling down the sidewalk behind her. Getting nervous, she quickened her pace. He quickened his. As she continued walking, she grabbed the comm from her pocket and dialed.
"Brisard here."
"Aria?? Are you guys here yet?"
"We're on route, Becky. We'll need another three hours. We were coming from Coruscant."
"Can you get here any faster?" She asked, clear fear in her voice.
"Becky, what's wrong?" her father asked.
"I think I'm being followed..." she replied, quickly stowing the comm back in her pocket and leaving the connection going.
She hurried as fast as she could to the gate and upon arriving hit the comm button requesting entry. As she waited, she heard the footsteps get louder and louder. Her heart racing, she fled down the nearest street in hopes of losing her stalker. Not sure where she was headed, she made an error and took an immediate right turn into a dead end.
"Great..." she mumbled. Wondering if she was able to lose her stalker, she turned around slowly and froze upon seeing the man's silhouette standing in the entrance to the alley. He stood there for several minutes staring off in her direction. Suddenly he started stumbling his way into the alley. As he drew closer, she started to back up and search for a way past him.
"Well, well, well..." he said. His speech was slightly uneven and slurred. "What a coincidence it is, finding you here."
"Who are you?" she asked, "What do you want with me?"
"You know, I was sitting at the bar downtown, drinking to the worst misfortune for our mutual friend Ariam Vorru...when lo and behold; the holo broadcasts live from some lavish, gaudy party he's throwing and there you two are, front and center."
"What about it?" she asked, backing further away as he advanced.
"I was...a little surprised to see him shove that ring in your face." He smirked. "No matter. His loss...."
Rebecca shot him an angry look. "I'm waiting for someone. If you don't mind," she said, trying to shove her way past him. Before she could get very far, he grabbed her by the shoulders and pushed her back against the alley wall. As he leaned his head close to hers, she turned her nose away, trying to avoid getting a good whiff of his strong alcoholic breath.
The man eyed her from head to toe and grinned. "It appears that fodder Ariam was too good for you, eh? I guess that means you're all mine." He yanked her forward and planted his mouth on hers.
Rebecca immediately began to struggle against his grip. When she finally broke free, she once again tried to get out of the alley, this time crying out for help. She made it a few feet before tripping over her heels. On the way down, she hit her head on the ground, dazing her. Her assailant took this opportunity to pin her to the ground, and as she lay there she felt a sharp object press into her neck a little.
"Don't struggle, Rebecca. It'll only make it worse for you..." He grinned deviously at her and whispered into her ear. "You know, I could have us wait this off until we're both official...but why? I couldn't bear waste this perfect opportunity."
Horrified and frightened, she made one last-ditch effort and used her free hand to slap the man as hard as she could across the face, hoping it would loosen his hold on her long enough. To her dismay, it did little damage.
"I guess you want it rough then. Alright, I'll play your game." He grinned and swung, striking her in the head. Rebecca cried out in pain as everything went black.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)