Chapter Three: The Brush Fire Wars

[Akirapryde]

Moves and Counter Moves
Royal Palace
Devin (AKA Baklid VI)
Aparo Sector
2920 AOK
 
The Royal Palace of Devin has stood the test of time. Built by the Dark Lord, Alarani, the Palace once was a central part of great Sith Empire. It was said that Lord Alarani built the Palace a on top of an ancient Temple of a long-lost culture. And from this temple, which ruins could be found in the deepest parts of the Palace, Lord Alarani was able to harness considerable power. During its height of power, the Palace stood as a symbol of Sith power and influence across the region. Enough power and influence to even challenge his fellow Sith Lords.
 
While he was a Sith, Alarani coveted great power. As the war between the Sith and the Republic raged, Alarani sought to betray his own allies to advance his own power. To further this end, Alarani made a blood pack with a group of Force Witches. He granted them access to the ancient Temple and they would unlock its secrets for him. Through dark alchemy, the Witches gave Alarani hordes of nightmare monsters. And with each new victory, Alarani gave the witches new subjects.
 
It wasn’t long before the Royal Palace on Devin was nicknamed the Palace of Nightmares. Hundreds of warriors of the light as well as innocent people were brought to the depths of its dungeons. The lucky died, while others were experimented on by powerful Force Witches. What crawled over the dungeons were an abomination to the Living Force. Mindless beings of life, who had no life. These things were monsters who would obey Lord Alarani without question. One of the costliest battles waged during the last Force War, was fought on Devin. Warriors of the Light were forced to fight the twisted and hollow remains of their own brothers and sisters.
 
When the battle was over, Lord Alarani and his followers were put to the blade for their crimes. For the first time, the world of Devin was free from the Sith Empire. Masters from the Jedi Order ventured in to the deeps of the Palace in hopes of learning its secrets. For years, the Jedi explored the depths of the Palace in vain. They were even unable to unlock Lord Alarani’s Holocron. To the Grand Council’s disappointment, it appeared that Lord Alarani took his secrets with him, when he was executed.
 
As the Jedi left Devin, the Royal Palace was abandoned. While other residents attempted to occupy the grand complex, in short order they all abandoned it as well. There were even plans to demolish the palace. However, the ruling government that sought the destruction of the Palace was soon over thrown during a coup. It wasn’t long before rumors started to circulate that the place was haunted by dark spirits. For decades after the fall of the Sith Empire, the palace was left alone to crumble.
 
Nearly two hundred years ago, the Chaclo family gained power over Devin and ruled as monarchs. They moved in to the Palace and refused to be frightened away. Over twenty years ago, a young courageous Jedi Knight named Sinya Veil arrived on world. While her official mission to Devin has been lost to history, what wasn’t was the love affair that started between Prince Jonathon Chaclo IV and this young Knight. Years later, Master Veil returned to Devin to accept Jonathon’s hand in marriage.
 
Because she was unable to have children of her own, Master Veil choose to adopt three children from across Devin. The oldest being a young girl from a war-torn settlement by the name of Lysire. Master Veil and King Chaclo sought to return power to the people in a series of changes to the government. The result was far from what the Chaclo House had hoped for. It didn’t take long for corrupt lobbyist to gain a strangle hold of the newly formed Devin Parliament. The end of House Chaclo came at the tip of a lightsaber.
 
With the death of Master Veil-Chaclo on Olivan, Graff and his invasion ended Devin’s parliament and most of the House Chaclo. What had become known as the Night of Purges, or Night of Slaughter (depending on which history you subscribe to), Graff and his assassins moved on Government officials. In one night, over three hundred men and women lost their lives. Thought rumors have put that number six to seven times higher. By the time the Devin Guard managed to make it back from Olivan, Graff and his forces had the world well in control. The Guard had little choice than to accept the defeat of their world.
 
Deep within the Royal Palace of Devin, Frija Daal paced across a balcony which overlooked the grand ball room. Her anger was at the verge of boiling over. Last night, Lysire and her arrogant boyfriend attempted to breach the Royal Palace. The pair would have been successful if not for the quick thinking of a special guest to the Palace. Frija hated to admit that she owed the safety of Prince Miko to a young noble from Naboo. A grin crossed her face as she recalled dealing a nasty blow to that arrogant man.
 
Then came the second shoe to fall. Frija knew that Unna and her friends were on world. At the time, she didn’t suspect that the group would have been working together. However, only minutes after they had driven Biggs and Lysire from the Palace, Unna informed her that they would not be accepting her invitation to the Palace. While that wasn’t a smoking gun of collusion, techs from the Palace were able to pick up several communications starting in the early mornings. They couldn’t decrypt what the communications said, but that was enough for Frija to realize that the two groups were in fact working together.
 
Frija turned as she rested her hands on the railing. She gazed down at her only wild card. Far below were a group of nobles from Naboo. Frija didn’t care about the most of them. Only one held value to her. The sister of Duncan and Jaden Starchaser. At first, Frija had suspected that Unna and her people had come for the sister. Now, she knows that this is an attempt by the Jedi to usurp power and assassinate Graff. It is the only reason why both the Jedi and the Chancellor would send their very best to this world.
 
Behind her, she heard footsteps approaching. Frija turned to see Streen, the head of Palace Security and Gato, the head of Graff’s personal security detail, walking towards her. She could hear Streen speaking.
 
“I wonder, if I were to put you in a sandbox. Would you know what to do,” Streen asked.
 
He had bumped heads with Gato, since the day they had taken over. Streen was a holdover from the original Chaclo Family Guard. While Prince Miko was their ‘guest’ they could trust Streen to keep the palace safe. But that didn’t mean he would play nice with others.
 
Gato didn’t look at him as she spoke, “si por supuesto. Te mato y entierro tu cuerpo sin vida...”
 
Frija smiled at the pair as they walked up, “Streen, how has your men been at tracking down Lysire and her crew?”
 
Streen eyes narrowed, “You promised me an update on Miko.”
 
“As I have said, we moved him to a secure location off world. The Prince will be protected. That is, unless he has lost his value in maintaining the loyalty of the Palace Guard,” Frija said then stepped forward. “Tell me Captain, shall I inform The Prophet that his Palace Guard is no longer loyal?”
 
Streen moved back slightly, “no, that won’t be necessary. We believe that their ship is somewhere north of the city. There is a large degree of traffic between Saar’s group and Chaanu’s group which has made tracking the two groups very effective.”
 
Frija smiled, “see now, Captain. That is good news. Prince Miko is well. His wound was minor and the medical staff reports that he will recover.” She paused a moment then asked, “have we had any luck in cracking their communication networks?”
 
Streen shook his head, “no My Lady. We have not.”
 
She nodded, “thank you Captain. You are dismissed.” He nodded and turned to walk away. On that, Frija turned to Gato. “Any word, from your scout?”
 
Gato half turned as she walked Streen walk away. Frija could see the nasty wounds across her face from Gadeon’s Force light attack. She turned her attention back to Frija, “mi explorador fue asesinado.”
 
Frija nodded, “can you tell me what you do know?”
 
“Los tontos me contactaron y me informaron tanto. Les dije que los mataríamos a todos,” Gato said coldly.
 
“No Gato,” Frija said as she turned and gazed down the at the grand ball room. “We can’t afford to battle both factions. We need to pit them against each other so to soften them up.” Frija fell silent and watched the group of nobles mingle. “I have a special mission for you and your people Gato,” Frija said. She turned to Gato, “I need you to make sure that these two groups are at odds with each other. Bring them chaos. Buy the Lord of Darkness time to return.”
 
Gato nodded and walked away, as Frija pulled out her communicator. She dialed in a commlink and waited. Within seconds an image of Jenna appeared in her hand, “My Lady.”
 
Jenna nodded, “I see from your reports that sending you and Gato back early was the will of the Lord of Darkness.”
 
Frija nodded, “yes, My Lady.”
 
Jenna drew in a deep breath, “tell me. What do you know so far?”
 
“My Lady,” Frija said, “we know that Biggs Saar and his party are working with Unna Chaanu’s group.”
 
Jenna sighed heavily, “so the snakes have slithered together. As it was foretold by the Lord of Darkness. Everything is falling in to place.”
 
Frija nodded, “yes My Lady. One of Gato’s scouts could confirm where Unna’s group is. We are still searching for Biggs’ ship.”
 
Jenna waved a hand, “the location of their ships is unimportant. What is important is what is to come. Order your people back. Let them question our silence.” Jenna smiled, “it is time for The Prophet to face off with the Light.”
 
Frija nodded, “as you wish. However, we have a wild card.”
 
Jenna smiled, “do tell.”
 
“Kira Starchaser,” Frija said softly. “Younger sister of Duncan and Jaden Starchaser. I summoned her to the Palace after the events in the Market Place. We have had many very enlightening talks. She is a true believer and is eager to meet The Prophet.”
 
“excellent work,” Jenna said as her smile grew. “Keep her close and well protected. I expect to see her once we arrive in system. I will make sure that she was well rewarded for her support to the cause.”
 
“Yes, My Lady.” Frija said as she slowly bowed. “As always, my life for the Lord of Darkness.”
 
Jenna nodded, “my life for the Lord of Darkness.”
 
On that, the commlink went dead. Frija put the device back in her pocket and moved towards the grand ball room. She slowly walked down the stairs and through the crowd that had gathered to welcome The Prophet home. Frija walked up to a group of young nobles as she spoke, “Kira Starchaser.”
 
A tall lovely blond turned, “My Lady Frija,”
 
“I have spoken with Lady Jenna,” Frija said with a smile. “The Prophet is most impressed with your actions last night.”
 
Frija paused to allow Kira to speak. “Lady Frija, please. All I did was pull a fire alarm.”
 
“An action which alerted the entire Palace to a crisis,” Frija reached up and rested a hand on Kira’s shoulder. “Because of your actions, Prince Miko is safe from those terrorists. And because of this, The Prophet sends his personal invitation to greet him upon his arrival.”
 
Kira’s entire face turned red as she attempted to control herself. “Tha…..thank you, My Lady.”
 
Frija nodded, “make sure you are at the south pad no later than twelve thirty.”
 
Kira’s body was shaking, “ye….yes My Lady….”
 
Frija smiled and turned to walk away. She didn’t get twenty paces before she heard Kira scream out in excitement. Frija half turned to see the group bouncing and showing all kinds of excitement. Frija turned to see a robbed member of the church moving to the loud group. She raised her hand and waved him off. Frija walked from the ball room knowing in her heart that the work of the Lord of Darkness had been done.