Star Wars: The Alderaan Affair/Part XIII - Choices

Epin entered his house and was unsurprised to see his parents waiting for him. “Hey Mom. Dad.” Said Epin as he pressed the button on the side panel that shut the door.

“Them royals called and wanted to know where you and Leia were.” Said Sadvo as he took a drink of something.

“Epin, we know you and Leia are friends, but she ran off when she was supposed to be at the palace for the Matchings” Said Lania. “It was the last day and she really should have been there.”

“It's not my fault!” Said Epin.

“You should have told her to get going boy.” Said Sadvo, rising from his chair and gesturing toward Aldera. “I'm tired of them royals sitting up there on them pretty little chairs thinking they're better.”

“Leia's not like that.” Said Epin. “I like her a lot. And I think she likes me too.”

“Well, doesn't that settle it then!” Yelled Sadvo, slamming his glass on the table and causing it to shatter.

“Sadvo please, control yourself!” Said Lania. “You always lose your temper. Remember the path...”

Ready yourself young one. A choice approaches. Said Kreia's voice inside Epin's head.

“KRIFF the so called path woman!” Said Sadvo, shoving his wife away from him. “This boy needs to make a choice whether he wants to be a man or not!”

Sadvo reached out his hand and began to close it. Epin suddenly felt himself become unable to breathe and clutched at his throat.

“Dad! What?” Choked Epin.

“Come on!” Said Sadvo. “What are you going to do to stop me boy!”

Epin fell to his knees and gasped for breath.

“Stop now!” Yelled a voice.

At the sound of the voice, Epin was able to breathe again and he choked the air into his lungs. He raised his head and saw his mother standing with her hand raised as well, but she had her palm out as if pushing something. Epin's father laid on the ground against the door, apparently having been pushed into it.

“You stupid woman.” Growled Sadvo as he stood up.

“I've had enough Sadvo. You will not harm my child any longer.” Lania stood with her feet planted and her eyes focused on Sadvo. “You want to teach a lesson to someone? Teach me a lesson, if you can. Though, you've been teaching me what a damn mistake it was to remain with a fool such as you.”

Sadvo stood up and pushed his hand out toward Lania, who moved slightly against an unseen force. She retaliated by thrusting her own arms in the same way towards him. The two struggled against the force of one another and with a free hand Sadvo sent a chair from behind Lania toward her in an attempt to knock her off balance. Though Lania flicked her right arm to the side and sent the chair into the wall instead.

Well, it's time to choose. Said Kreia.

Huh? My parents? Asked Epin.

Indeed. Here are two people who have shaped your life, for better or worse. They are now engaged in combat because of a decision each of them made. Are you going to allow them to make the choice for you? Or will you choose yourself? Said Kreia.

What do I do? Get involved? Attack? Asked Epin, thoroughly confused.

Make a choice. Everything in life is a choice, whether you realize it or not. Make one now. Said Kreia.

Epin didn't need to think very long. He yelled and ran towards his father and tackled him. They fell to the ground and Epin began punching his father.

“What!” Yelled Sadvo as he grabbed Epin by the throat and rolled over, pinning his son to the ground. “Ah! A tough guy huh!? That's it son, let your anger decide your actions! Let them give you strength!”

He punched Epin hard in the face. But this small diversion was all Lania needed and seized the opportunity to land a chop to the back of Sadvo's neck, causing him to topple over, unconscious.

Epin was helped to his feet by his mother who hugged him tightly but Epin was focused on what had just happened. He thought about what his mother had said and wondered if things would have been different if he had not been here at the house, or even if he had never been born. As Lania released Epin he took a step away from her.

“It's okay Epin.” Said Lania softly.

Epin looked at his mother. “No, I have to go.”

“Go? What are you talking about?” Asked Lania, looking directly into her son's eyes. “You don't have to go anywhere honey.”

“Don't try it Mom.” Said Epin forcibly. “I know what you're doing, but I can stop you! She taught me how!”

“Epin, what's wrong? Who? Taught you what?” Asked Lania, trying to move closer to him.

As Lania moved closer to Epin, she unknowingly kicked a small object with her foot that clattered as it hit into the base of the counters. Epin made for it but his mother was too quick for him. As his mother was formerly an apprentice historian, she knew exactly what it was.

“Where did you get this?” Asked Lania, sounding a bit scared.

Thunder rumbled and rolled in the sky as Epin watched his mother stare at the Holocron with an expression of disbelief and fear.

“Um, I bought it in a shop. They said it was an ornament.” Said Epin quickly, remembering Kreia's words about hiding things in plain sight.

“It is not.” Said Lania. “This object is dangerous and must be destroyed.”

She held the Holocron in her outstreched hand and raised the other behind her head. Epin, realizing what she was about to do, acted on his emotions.

“No!” Yelled Epin as he reached his hand outward.

To his surprise the Holorcon shot from Lania's hand and into his. He fumbled with it a moment and grasped it tightly in both hands, holding it close to his chest.

“Epin give it to me. It is a Sith Holocron and is not to be trusted!” Said Lania in an urgent and scared voice.

“No! It's mine, and she told me to keep it safe!” Said Epin, still clutching the Holocron close to him.

“You have absolutely no idea what you are holding!” Shouted Lania, starting to sound hysterical. “It needs to be destroyed! Epin, please.”

Lania advanced on Epin and upon doing so was shoved forward by Sadvo, who had regained consciousness. She landed and he stepped onto the back of her neck to keep her down. Sadvo raised his hand again and began to close them together slowly as he looked down to his fallen wife.

“Yes, now I see.” Sadvo snarled. “No wonder he's been out all the time! Probably got it from them Organa's in an attempt to get him to do away with us! Get the land for themselves!”

“You're insane! What are you doing?!” Gasped Lania.

Epin stood rooted to the spot, not knowing what to do. Then, without warning, the kitchen table flew from its position and knocked Sadvo sideways.

“Stop!” A voice cried. “Stop hurting my mommy!”

Sadvo was then knocked backward by an unseen force, into the counter and was hit by the flying table. He grunted and collapsed onto the fall, where he lay motionless. The table, which cracked from the force of the impact, lay in two halves, one of which landed across Sadvo's limp body. Epin and Lania both looked to where the voice had come from and saw Rena standing with tears in her eyes and breathing heavily.

Lania got up and went to her. “Come here baby, it's okay.”

Smacking the door button, Epin turned and ran out the door and toward Aldera as fast as he could. Away from the house. Away from the farmlands. Away from his family. - Epin walked the empty field between Aldera and the farmlands thinking about the nights events. He stopped to rest by the slight dip in the ground where his father had once left him after smacking his face into the front of their vehicle. He wondered why his parents were together if they didn't care about each other. Why was he born? For what reason? And what were Sith? Did he really have a dangerous object with him?

It can be dangerous if used inappropriately. Said Kreia's voice. She appeared at Epin's side and sat down next to him.

“Kreia, what is this thing, really?” Asked Epin, who put the Holocron down in front of him. “My mom said it was a Sith Holocron and dangerous.”

“It is dangerous only if you use the information it gives you in dangerous and 'unacceptable' ways.” Answered Kreia, putting emphasis on unacceptable.

“Unacceptable?” Asked Epin.

“Well, obviously, things can be viewed in many different ways and can be interpreted to be either good or bad by someone.” Answered Kreia. “What is inside this object is up to you to decide. You are still not capable of opening it, but I believe you may be able to after you apply yourself and take a trip into that Manka establishment.”

“Manka? That fight club? Why would that help me?” Said Epin skeptically.

“You may find that your mind, as well as your body will be put under significant stress there as others attempt to do you harm.” Said Kreia. “Well anyway, now that you've chosen to no longer live with your parents, you will need to sustain yourself in some way. You may find a way to earn money with your abilities, even with your skill level you shouldn't have much difficulty.”

Epin thought about this for a moment while he picked up and rotated the Holocron in his hands. He wondered what exactly was inside the object and if it was as dangerous as his mother and Kreia had said. His mother had seemed genuinely afraid of it and while Kreia had told him it was dangerous, she didn't say it was dangerous in itself, just that if what was inside was misused. What could it be? Surely it was a record of sorts if it contained information. But a record of what? - “Well, what have you got to say for yourself young lady?” Said Bail Organa as he and Breha entered Leia and Winter's room.

Leia remained silent as she stared at the floor while sitting on her bed. She knew that she had done wrong, but at the same time was furious that her parents could think of nothing but their own reputations, rather than her happiness.

Bail walked over to the window and sat in the little nook as Breha shut the door behind her.

“Leia, I cannot begin to explain how you have embarrassed and shamed us tonight.” Said Breha as she faced Leia. “The final night of the Matching, and you were not here to finish the ceremony, as every Princess of Alderaan has for generations before you.”

“Why does it matter!?” Leia said in a heated voice, looking her mother directly in the face. “How many times have I told you, those boys don't give a damn about me! Only that I'm Alderaan royalty, and because I'm a girl!”

“Leia stop it.” Said Bail in a calm voice as he looked out the window. “We know where you were and who you with so just save the song and dance please.”

“What does it matter who I was with!? Epin. So what?” Said Leia, standing up and stomping her foot.

“Yes, we know it was Epin as you returned with him.” Said Breha. “And anyway, you don't think people in the city would answer us if we asked if they had spotted you?”

Leia felt stung, as though she could do nothing without being watched or followed. Even outside the palace she had no freedom it seems.

“So what are you going to do about it!?” Leia shouted. “I'm not going to be your little girl forever! When I'm old enough, I won't have to do everything you want me to do.”

“So you will leave Alderaan and run from your problems and obligations to your people?” Said Bail as he stood up.

“Leia, we know you like Epin, but there will be other boys that are better qualified...” Breha began, but was soon cut off by Leia.

“Better qualified!?” Cried Leia, tears welling up in her eyes. “So I'm just a job that someone will apply for and if they 'qualify', they get me!?”

“No, I didn't mean it like that Leia, I just mean a boy that our people would be better received by.” Breha said, trying to explain herself. But Leia wouldn't have it.

“Right, I get it.” Said Leia walking to the door. “Because Epin's not some stuck up royal kid with a huge amount of credits he's not a person and not worth anything.”

“Leia don't you walk away from us!” Said Bail walking toward her.

But Leia had already hit the button that opened the door and ran out. - Epin stood in the alley behind the King Junior in Aldera that he had seen while diving into Davit's mind. There was the dumpster against the back wall as Epin had also seen, though it was considerable in size with a large bolt which held the swing style door shut.

Well I suppose now is as good a time as any to instruct you on the matter. Said Kreia. Remember how, just recently, you made the Holocron come to you without effort? Well, this is within the same vein. Hold out your hand and imagine yourself moving the object aside.

Epin did so, but all he could accomplish was to cause the dumpster to shudder and shake with loud bangs as it wobbled to the side.

Well, the end result is all that is really desired in this situation after all. Said Kreia in an amused tone.

Epin looked at the number pad on the wall and input the numbers he had seen in Davit's mind. 52577.

A part of the ground shifted to the side, revealing a staircase down. Epin descended.

When he reached the bottom of the stairs, Epin stood in a small room with a door and a surveillance camera that followed him as he walked to the door. A small speaker seemed to be embedded into the wall beside the door, which carried through it a growling kind of voice.

“State your name and rank.” Said the voice.

When Epin could not answer, the voice asked again, this time with a threat.

“State your name and rank or leave at once.” The voice stated. “This will be your only warning. State your name and rank or leave.”

Perhaps we would do well to retreat. Came Kreia's voice.

Before Epin could react he was knocked unconscious.

Epin awoke in a dark room, in which nothing could be seen, but he could hear a lot of voices at once, like a large crowd of people cheering and yelling. After a few moments, light flooded in from above and Epin heard the roar of the crowd. He could feel himself moving upwards and he emerged into some sort of arena.

He was sitting inside a small cage, which as soon as it was in the arena, fell away and was drawn into the floor. He stood up and saw he was inside what looked to be a steel fence surrounding a slab of duracrete, which he stood upon, with a door for entering and exiting the cage. The cage was no more than fifteen feet either way. Several rows of seats were positioned around the cage and as Epin surveyed the arena, he saw a relatively medium sized room in the far corner that had a door as well. Epin could see a length of lights that ran around the top of the room itself, which were quite bright and provided light to the entirety of the area.

The crowd roared as a voice spoke from a public address system.

“Ladies and gentlemen!” The voice was male and sounded elderly and somewhat gravelly.

The crowd booed it's apparent disapproval of the man.

“And beings of all shapes, sizes, alien descent and indeed, beings of all planets everywhere.” The man added in an amused tone.

An approving cheer from the crowd.

“Entering the arena is Thrask Ulbo, making his Manka debut.” Said the man.

A muscular, tan skinned man was making his way down to the cage through the crowd. He wore only a pair of grey pants and black boots with black gloves on his hands. He had a mustache and was bald. He wore an expression of confidence on his face and seemed amused at the sight of his opponent when he stepped through the cage door.

Be ready. Said Kreia.

“Yield or die!” Yelled the man on the speaker while Thrask charged Epin, who rolled to the side and got back to his feet as Thrask halted and turned to face Epin.

Someone threw a steel pipe into the cage, which Thrask picked up at once. As people applauded and cheered, Thrask banged the pipe against the cage a few times.

Epin waited as Thrask took a few steps toward Epin and stood in front of him.

“Scared?” Thrask said in a calm voice, trying to frighten Epin as he stared at him.

Focus. Said Kreia. Watch his movements and the way he places weight on his legs. Feel his emotions and his thoughts. Wait for your opportunity to steal away his supposed advantage.

Without warning Thrask brought his fist crashing into the duracrete floor. A second later Thrask himself fell as Epin slammed the pipe behind Thrasks knee. Taking another swing with the pipe, Epin smacked it into Thrask's face, causing him to yell in pain as his jaw collapsed under the force of the blow. The crowd roared its approval of the violence and there were calls for more.

Epin dropped the pipe. “Yield.” He said to Thrask.

“OH MY!” Said the man on the PA system. “What speed folks! It was like he was there one second, but not the next. Did anyone catch that on camera!? It looks like this match belongs to our young challenger! My my...”

Thrask rolled from side to side, making unintelligible threats to Epin. After a few moments, he tapped the ground several times with his right hand, apparently in some gesture of submission. The crowd yelled and cheered and booed as the cage door was opened. Epin exited the cage and approached by Darien Vekkar, Arod's father and Alderaan's Chief of Police. While Alderaan was considered a peaceful planet across the galaxy, they still maintained a law keeping force of citizens that recognized Darien as their 'Chief Officer'.

Darien was a tall man and powerfully built. He had a grim, hardened face, which made no expression, forcing Epin to think of a statue as he stared into the man's face. Darien faced Epin for a moment before extending his hand to him. Hesitating for a second, Epin shook Darien's hand. He was dressed in a green suit, which looked reptilian. Epin also noticed that he had a black robe draped over his arm, which he recognized as his own.

“Dewback.” Said Darien.

Epin nodded his head. A Dewback was a lizard like creatures which was usually found on the desert world Tattooine. They were large and powerful, typically being used as load carriers and so-called 'Beasts of Burden'. He knew about them as he often heard about other working animals while on the farm with his family.

“What can I do for you Mr. Vekkar?” Asked Epin politely.

“I feel as though you might be able to make me some money.” Replied Darien.

“Sorry?” Said Epin.

“Ah yes, you see, I participate in and help promote the Black Manka club.” Explained Darien. “In exchange for a cut of profit, I turn the other cheek, as you might say.”

Darien chuckled to himself as he tugged on the collar of his suit with his free hand, as the other was holding Epin's robes. Epin wasn't sure where this conversation was going to lead so he remained silent. Darien then pulled out of his chest pocket a golden coin about half the size of his palm. It had the Empire's marking on one side and the Imperial Palace on the reverse. He then handed it to Epin.

“One thousand credits.” Said Darien as he held out Epin's robes and dropped the coin into one of the pockets. “For your victory over Mr. Thrask. Plenty more to be had at the Manka. We hold fights frequently, there's one tomorrow evening as a matter of fact. Return here and if you win, you may be good enough to join the galactic circuit and earn some serious credits.”

Darien handed Epin the robe and after Epin had put it on he winked and departed. Epin pulled the credit coin out and held it in his hand, taken aback slightly by the amount of it and with what little effort he earned it with. Indeed, he had been in a serious situation, which could have gone bad. But he had won in the end and had one thousand credits to show for it. Epin exited the arena and returned to the streets as the PA system announced the next fight.

Epin wondered where he would sleep, as he didn't have a home to go back to. And as the wind howled and a chill ran over him, he slightly regretted his decision to leave. Though, what choice did he have in the matter, really? His father had clearly lost his mind, and he loved his mother and sister too much to endanger them with the Holocron.

“The Holocron!” Epin said out loud.

He had just remembered it and frantically reached into his robe pockets. To his relief he pulled the triangular object out and held it. He wondered if he would be able to open it yet.

No. Came Kreia's voice.

Epin sighed and placed the Holocron back into his pocket. Turning his attention back to his problem of where to sleep, he left the alley and made his way towards the inner city, in hopes of finding an Inn.

Epin soon found that there was no place to available to stay, as the Matching was still underway, and the rooms had been booked by the participants and guests. Epin sighed, wondering what he could do about sleep and finally decided he would just sleep under a tree or in a cave. After a few minutes of debate, Epin found a back alley and sat down next to a dumpster, which gave a faint smell of rotting garbage. Epin sighed deeply, reminding himself that the Matching would be over tomorrow evening, and he might be able to find a place to sleep then.

Epin awoke feeling distinctly tired, thanking the hard ground and dumpster he had used for sleeping. The sun was shining in the sky and the sound of city life echoed through the alley. He sat up and rubbed his neck, then got up and stretched a bit to loosen up his muscles from the less than forgiving solid ground. Wondering what to do for something to eat, he rummaged in his pocket for money and pulled out the thousand credit coin he had won in the fight last night.

“One thousand credits. Just for a few minutes of fighting.” Epin said as he played with the coin in his hands as though trying to detect if it was a fake.

Are you certain you can trust this man to be on the level. Said Kreia.

“You mean because he's Arod's dad?” Asked Epin.

Precisely. He could be luring you into a trap for all you know. Answered Kreia.

“I guess. But I can just use a bit of those tricks you taught me.” Said Epin as he pocketed the credit coin.

Tricks are they? Asked Kreia.

“Yeah, I'll just read his thoughts and find out what he's going to do.” Said Epin.

I see. Said Kreia. Well, I can assure you these tricks can be become quite more than what you are familiar with now, if you are sufficiently versed in their use young one. I assure you, you will not call them tricks when you see what's inside that Holocron.

“Oh really? Well I haven't been able to open it, have I?” Said Epin with a tone of annoyance.

Learn to use the tricks more effectively and I promise you will be able to. Though once you do, you'll not be the same person again. Make sure you are ready. Said Kreia.

“I will.” Snapped Epin. - Leia looked out onto the city of one of the palace's taller towers, contemplating the previous night's argument with her parents.

“What do they know about my feelings anyway?” She said angrily.

Bail Organa entered and walked to where Leia stood at the window.

Leia turned her head slightly to acknowledge him but didn't speak. The two stood in relative silence for several minutes at the window. Finally, Bail cleared his throat and put his hand on Leia's shoulder, which she pulled away from at once. After another pause, Bail strode over to a small desk and leaned against it, his hands behind his back, holding the desk's edge.

“Leia, I...” Began Bail.

“Dad, before you lecture me,I just want you to remember what you told me before the Matching started.” Leia said, turning to look him in the eyes. “Back at Epin's farm. When you whispered in my ear so nobody would hear. About how you would sneak away to hang out with your friends.

Bail raised his eyebrows, slightly taken aback. He smiled slightly and repositioned himself, ready for Leia's inevitable retort to what he was about to say. He didn't exactly agree with it himself, but he had to admire her ability to debate and confront someone with their own words.

“Uh Leia, I said that to try to make you more comfortable.” He explained. “To make you understand, that not everyone is as proper as you think they are.”

“So it's okay for you to do it, but not me?” Leia laughed. “How can you be mad at me, when you yourself did it!?”

“I didn't exactly try to have a person stand in and impersonate me.” Bail said smoothly. “And I didn't skip the final day, which is the most important of the entire Matching.”

Leia turned away and looked out the window again, ignoring Bail. He sighed and went over to her again and placed his hands on her shoulders. He gave them a light squeeze and started to leave.

“Leia, I won't fight you anymore.” Said Bail in a resigned voice. “I want you to be happy, but I am not above the law of the lan, and as such, you really need to think about your future. And by extension, Alderaan's future, because when you are old enough, you will be representing the planet in the Senate.”

“I am thinking about the future, and Alderaan doesn't have one.” Said Leia.

“Not this again.” Said Bail coldly. “We've been over it numerous times, there's nothing to suggest that your dreams are anything but that. Your mother and I are going to bed. Goodnight Leia.”

She turned quickly to shout at him but he was already gone. A tear ran down her cheek as the door closed.

Alderaan Affair

Part XII - Part XIV