Persephone's Requiem

It takes time to rebuild a life. It's been a few years now since my time on Araxes came to a sharp, abrupt halt. I had a cargo hold full of spice that was going to set me up somewhere nice, perhaps a tropical waterworld or green luscious patch of freshly terraformed land on a world out on the frontiers of Imperial space. Instead, I got ambushed. Betrayed by a dear friend. Dragged on-board a scumbag's vessel and transported hundreds of light years back to Killian, the industrial furnace of The New Paradigm Concordium systems and home of House Minor Montraxy.

I could go into detail about those dark days on Killian. They took my money, my spice and my ship, the Persephone. The Montraxy pulled their strings on my home world, Nena. Enforcement officers from the capital itself found themselves at my father's door, quoting abstract, impenetrable laws and regulations. Our ranch on the plains of Fellerton Harbour, our docking permits at Kerner City and Nena Central Spaceport and our additional vessels, Persephone's Folly and Erinyes Two were seized. They claimed we'd been running an illegal operation. Turned minor indiscretions into major criminal activity. They connected us to criminal gangs we'd never met, heard of or known. I got sent to a correctional facility deep in the poisonous smog of the under levels of Killian.

If you've never been there, let me tell you the upper levels ain't too grand. Entire cities look like they're floating on clouds of volcanic smog but you're only seeing the very top of the skyscrapers. The furnaces burn all day and all night. The air is so poisonous that you can't spend more than an hour breathing it in. It's hot as hell and it ain't fun doing hard labour.

Needless to say, I got out. They didn't figure on me having some political allies of my own. By that time, I found out that Elena was dead. She'd been a loyal friend, up to a point, and I still don't know what happened to make her turn. I heard she and one of the Montraxy had history going way back but it's sorta patchy. I'd wanted to track Grinch and Machydon down.

Grinch is a vicious son-of-a-bitch that made his fortune from whore-houses across the Paradigm. We have a history I'll not go into but our last two encounters involved me jamming a dagger in his back and him pounding my face into a black and blue mulch. Machydon is an altogether different type of animal. Loan shark. Surrounds himself with heavies, breaks fingers, legs and the occasional spine. Tracking then down is something I intend to do but first I need to re-establish some semblance of life.

Dad found himself work off Nena with an old army friend. I didn't wanna join him. I took a job on a freighter carrying industrial waste out to the fringe systems where they melt it down and make cheap tat with it. The captain didn't ask too many questions, looked grateful for the help. The trips were long and the pay was lousy. It was a start. I got to make connections. The advantage of being a captain yourself is being able to spot the opportunities.

Got a ship. Smaller than the Persephone but it gets me around. I keep my head down and try avoid the authorities where I can. Occasionally, I see advertisements for traders willing to head across the inky black to Mu Draconis. It's about 250LY from my current location. It's tempting to go back. Unless someone goes digging around, they're unlikely to know about what goes down in the Paradigm. Like so many provincial outposts, it's invisible in the grand scheme of the Concordat Imperium. I need to stay invisible for a bit longer but I'm looking at sticking my head out. Just gotta wait for my time to come around again.

One of those days.

There are two things a freighter pilot should never do. The first is run out of fuel. There is nothing worse than having your sorry self hauled back to the nearest inhabited planet or station by grinning rescue teams lecturing you about the importance of refuelling. Which brings me to the second point. Opening up your cargo bay door to find you'd left port without your cargo. Oh, those chuckling rescue dorks loved that one. Maybe next time I should just throw my credits into the nearest sun. It would have the same approximate effect.

Season Two : Prologue.

Rain.

Artificially induced rain. Designed to fall at the same precise second every day, it cleans the air of the pollutants and disperses the smog that would otherwise suffocate the city.

I always liked walking in the rain.

At least it hides the tears.

They say the ones that hurt you most are the ones that promised they never would.

They're dead now, but it doesn't bring forgiveness for them or me.

Season One comes to a close, this blog is taking a break.

This blog is taking a break for a while to allow me to recharge my batteries and reclaim my enthusiasm for both the character and the RP world she inhabits.

"Season Two" will come later in the year (probably).  Thanks for reading.

Enter the Montraxy

Earl Alad Montraxy stood and looked out at his fiefdom. The sky crackled with electricity as the tall spires of his city became submerged within the dark clouds. At lower levels, a thick grey smog covered the ground creating an illusion that the city floated upon a dank, miserable cloud. Fiery red furnaces burned at intervals across the vista, their enormity quite evident to all who gazed upon them. This was the industrial world of Killian, the "foundry of the stars", and home of the House Minor Montraxy.

In short time, he was joined by a bulbous, large man with short cropped hair. His dark trench coat ran to his boots, each step echoing around the chamber. His voice was gruff as he spoke.

"My lord, you summoned me."

"Indeed. If you would update me on the progress of our situation...?"

"Undercroft is responding well to the reconditioning. The purge has been completed and Miss Galewind is currently working on integrating the new memories."

"Very good. What form has she chosen for these new memories?"

"Pirate raid amongst others, your lordship, It is something Undercroft has experienced before - her own mind will fill in any blanks left by our reconditioning."

Alad turned away from the window. "Ah yes. Ingenious thinking.....and where is Grinch now?"

"Grinch?", Gulgus stiffened, "He's down in the lower levels of the city I heard."

"The red light district no doubt. He is as predictable as he is vulgar. I don't approve of his actions. He has caused that young woman no shortage of troubles and I am in half a mind to order his execution myself. His behaviour on Araxes was thoroughly contemptible."

"With respect, he isn't in possession of the facts and he is very effective at what he does."

Montraxy waved his hand dismissively "Yes, yes. I'm sure you're right....As he should be, it has taken a considerable sum of coin and no shortage of diplomatic wrangling to allow him to walk freely and discreetly."

"My lord, should I have Miss Galewind accompany you for a meal later this evening?"

Alad took a sharp intake of breath and lifted his regal head into the air. "I dare not set eyes upon her countenance for fear our entire plan will succumb to my feelings for that wondrous woman. It has been nearly twenty years since we sat together in this very chamber and sacrificed our love for the greater good of the Montraxy dynasty. I trust no-one more that my beloved Elena and she has devoted herself admirably to her task."

"Her feelings towards Undercroft...."

"...are unsurprising, Mr Machydon. It is entirely in keeping with her person that she should develop a bond with the woman she is sworn to protect. You would do well not to question her loyalty again. In another universe, that woman would sit alongside me as my countess and you would pledge your total unfaltering allegiance to her. It is my dearest wish that she may yet bring her gentile ways to this damnable world"

"Yes, my lord, I apologise."

"Back to the matter at hand....the situation has turned to our potential advantage. No-one could have predicted the Sovereign would reinvigorate the memory of democracy, least of all on Araxes. Elena did a wonderful thing coercing Undercroft into running for the Dawla. Her ingenuity knows no bounds."

"A plan that worked wonders until her greed took over."

"Perhaps. Greed is a powerful motivator Mr Machydon. It is why generations of my family have sat upon this world as ruler. No, we merely need to redirect her greed elsewhere. Elena's monthly reports clearly show that Undercroft is also compassionate, loyal and determined. We can use that to our advantage, yet. As it is, we mustn’t let her desire for personal wealth allow her to leave Araxes. You must understand, her life has been hellish, hellish I tell you and it has defined her character implicitly. Had I lived her life, would I have done anything differently?"

Gulgus waited a few moments looking out of the window. "What about the quarter ton of spice?"

The Earl looked up with slight disinterest "Mmm? Oh yes, the spice. Have it put with the rest. Oh, and Mr Machydon, I trust you'll ensure Mr Grinch is suitably.......recompensed for this work."

Machydon smiled, showing his broad yellow teeth, and having nodded with respect at the Earl made his way out.

Terminus

Seren walked down the steps of the Council Chambers, pulling the hem of her dress from the floor, and basked in the bright amber light of Mu Draconis' twin suns. To her left, she heard the Al Raqis marketplace bustle with people. The familiar cry of the water-sellers, the pottery makers and the thriving throng of humanity.

A familiar odour of cinnamon drifted along the breeze from the famous old bakery in the town. She looked to the north and saw the freighters and frigates coming and going from the spice facility. Looking straight ahead, beyond the immediate buildings and landing pads of Al Raqis, she saw the desert spreading out as far as she could see. She sighed, admiring the beauty of the desert dune crests, before readjusting the skirt of her dress. She looked at her timepiece and realising she had time to spare, decided to stroll to the landing pad where her ride was docked.

The day's Dawla meeting had been brief but she'd succeeded in getting the Araxian Freedom of Information Act past the first stage of approval. Consulari Jai Raghilda and Doctor Isaacs had both voted in favour of the act and in concert with her own vote gave them a majority. Delegate Gaffer and Gustav had yet to vote but even their unlikely opposition wouldn't be able to prevent the act going to the Laandsrat. She didn't know if the Laandsrat would pass the bill. She suspected they would.

 After all, Seren was adept at playing the game. She often feigned stupidity. "Greater minds than mine..." was a common ploy. It invited others on board, massaged their egos, got them to do the dirty work. It worked in business, it worked in politics. The more people feel they'd been involved in something, the more likely it was to succeed. Her second tactic was to publicly belittle her opposition. In this case, the Laandsrat. Call them corrupt, call them a police state. Let them react. Put them in a position where refusal to comply confirmed the accusations. Either they'd pass the bill of their own accord or they'd feel they had to pass it to avoid public criticism. There was always a risk involved in this strategy. Always the possibility of blow back.

Seren passed by the bakery. The queue was extraordinary, no matter what time of day it was. More than once, Seren had to adjust her path to avoid the playing children who darted in-between passing artisans, mothers and guards. She came down the steps, past the Sinisterhood tower and walked through the Zenobian Quarter. The Medical Centre had become a familiar landmark on her way 'home' and she strode past the security team on the landing bay showing her credentials and smiled. She banked right, past the Asgardian representative's vessel and met with Elena Galewind who walked down the ramp of the Erinyes One.

"Hello Mistress, how did the session go today?"
"It was short. Very short but I finally got the act through."
"Many congratulations, mistress."

Seren nodded and joined her companion as they strode together up the ramp. She walked into the cockpit and flopped down into the co-pilots chair. Her eyes were shut tight, the sun illuminating her eyelids through the transparent metal windows. She heard Galewind take the pilots chair, running through the take-off procedure. A familiar sound of clicks and beeps, she heard the engines ignite.

"This is Erinyes One, requesting take-off."
"This is Al Raqis Command Tower, Erinyes One is cleared for take-off, vector 114,202,75 to 100,109,725 approx."
"Confirmed."

With that, the Erinyes thrust into the sky, the ornate towers of Al Raqis giving way to desert, then sky and finally stars.

"We received the Khaliifa's shipment of spice, mistress. It has been tested and quite carefully placed within the Persephone's central hold."

Elena could see the captain's reflection in the Erinye's view port. She was smiling broadly.

"Captain?"

"Yes?"

"It seemed you completed your objective."

 "Yes, yes it does, doesn't it? That quarter ton of spice, invested wisely, is going to make us rich beyond our wildest dreams."

 "And the Dawla? What are your plans there?"

 "We got what we came for. To get rich. I did what I could. I'm a freighter pilot, how much can I do? Let others take the strain. I can't very well overthrow the Sovereign can I?"

 "That would be unlikely....". Elena's face contorted as she banked the shuttle into the landing orbit at Highport Station, "...so what now?"

"Dock with Highport, attach the Erinyes to the docking clamp beneath Persephone and high tail it back to the New Paradigm."

 "What about the charges?"

 "With this much spice, I can buy myself out of that."

Elena nodded and saw from the Captain's reflection that she hadn't yet reopened her eyes. She allowed her finger to move to a button on the communications terminal and pushed it. Dipping her head, Elena smiled to herself and pulled a lasgun from beneath her jacket, concealing it within a fold in her sleeve. She read the text only display on the terminal before her.
"Very well done, Miss Galewind. Proceed." As they landed, Seren rose gingerly from her chair and patted her companions arm. Together they strode down the onto the landing platform.

As they came into the artificial atmosphere, Seren balked. Before her stood the very man she thought she'd never see. The man she thought she'd killed all those years ago.

Magnolious Grinch was alive.

She turned to run back to the shuttle and found herself pistol-whipped to the face. She fell back to the floor hard and cradling her head looked up to find herself face-to-face with a lasgun. 

"Elena?"

"Get up."

Seren felt the shock hit her like nothing she'd felt before.

"I said get up."

The lasgun fired towards the ground, narrowly but purposely missing the Captain's left hand.

"What the hell are you doing?"

"I'm sorry Captain. Really I am but somethings are simply too important."

"Too important..?"

Two burly henchman lifted Seren to her feet and she came face to face with Grinch for the first time in years. The reddish face, dark beard and cruel eyes were instantly familiar. She spat at him. He laughed.

"That's the Seren I know. Impetuous as always." He unleashed a punch, catching her full in the face. Her vision blurred, the world drifted away momentarily before coming back in searing pain. She felt warm blood trickle from her nose. The next fist to her temple turned the world dark and she drifted out of consciousness.

"Put her onboard the Persephone and plot a course.". Immediately his henchman did as they were told and dragged her body across the concourse to the docking bay. Elena, meanwhile stood still, the only movement her heavily heaving chest.

"Don't feel too badly, Miss Galewind. You knew this day would come. House Montraxy will be most pleased with your work."

"What will happen to her?"

"She'll be reconditioned. She'll remember none of this, dear child, so don't worry your little face about it. Of course, were it up to me, the little slut would be mind-wiped and be put to work in one of my brothels but alas, powers greater than myself have a purpose for her."

Elena nodded and blinked a couple of times. She felt she wanted to cry but she knew the greater order of things. Oh, she hated this man with all of her heart.

"It's hard." said Grinch, "I can see that but you need to prepare. For all intents and purposes, Delegate Undercroft has left Araxes to conduct business in the Paradigm. No-one will know differently. Now, if you'll please..."

He gestured towards the gun, Elena paused and then nodded, handing the lasgun over.

"You did well, this day, Miss Galewind. Your dear Alad will be most proud."

The Lightening of the Burden

It had been a chaotic and busy Laandsrat session. Seren had sat in the middle pew in the chamber as the light cut through the air from stained glass windows. The chamber had been a hectic cacophony of life with those unable to take seats standing at the back. It had been an important day - a new Great House had been inaugurated and the Asgard, a somewhat mysterious species, had taken their seat on the Laandsrat. The creature was short and grey with a bulbous head - the most alien....alien she'd seen in some time. She hadn't been happy and expressed it in no uncertain terms although she suspected no-one had heard her. Another outsider on the Laandsrat. She understood the reasons behind it. It allowed the Laandsrat to act unilaterally for the good of various factions within the Concordat and far, far beyond. And while they dealt with matters that spanned the stars, it would increasingly allow the Dawla to become the defacto planetary government. At least it would, if the Laandsrat didn't keep the lower house on a tight leash.

 After that lengthy process, they had moved onto other issues. A missing navigator from the Spacing Guild Corpus. Major Arnold Gustav had arrived to give an update on the investigation. That's quick work, Seren had pondered, the news had broken just a few hours earlier at the Dawla session. Or had news of the disappearance been suppressed allowing the investigation to work unhindered?. Seren had never actually seen a Navigator before although a hefty percentage of her profits were channelled towards them so it came as a surprise when one of their number phased into the chambers in a cloud of spice smoke. The Laandsrat session collapsed into chaos and the Magistrate used her executive powers to eject the audience from the chambers.

Standing outside in the sandy courtyard, Seren stared at the large doors that led to the chambers. The courtyard bustled with people, some sitting, some standing, some talking, some smoking. Seren saw none of them, her focus was entirely on the doors. She knew something important was going on inside that chamber. She was a member of the government. That goddamn grey thing that had barely been on the council half an hour would know something an elected official did not. Unacceptable! She strode towards the doors with a purpose and as she reached the door, pushing it aside, she heard someone say "I wouldn't do that, Ma'am."

She span on her heel, casting her eyes across the crowd. Several people were staring at her and she hadn't recognised the voice. With an air of defiance, she walked away from the doors, raised her voice to make sure everyone could hear and said "And why not? I have every right. I will know what's going on in there by hook or by crook!"

She flounced to the ground, pulling at her dress to ensure a comfortable seat. It was then she noticed the Sister who appeared to be taking an interest.

"Delegate Undercroft", said the Sister, speaking from beneath her habit, "..would you care to retire to the nearby tavern?"

Seren stood gingerly, dusting herself off. She eyed the sister briefly and having allowed herself time to think responded positively. The tavern was busy when they sat and it was difficult to hear above the commotion. After a few minutes, they decided to go to the Colosseum and when they got there, sat on the stone seats  above the arena.

"It is pleasant here", said the Sister, "...when there are no games." She cast her eyes over the arena then turned to Seren apologetically, "Forgive me, I am Sister Rose of the Nicomedian Sisterhood. I don't recall having introduced myself"

Seren had followed her gaze around the arena and eventually met it, smiling "You didn't but it's quite alright."
Sister Rose returned the smile and looking back out towards the arena said "I have read your campaign literature....this must be very frustrating for you, the lack of transparency."
"Yes....yes it is. I still have to push through the acts that will prevent...this from happening." Seren pointed her thumb in the general direction of the council chambers to clarify what she meant. "Just today, I'd prepared the Araxian Freedom of Information Act, but we ran out of time before I could present it to the Dawla."

Seren noticed a soft smile upon the Sister's face but it was tinged with a hint of sadness. "You will need allies. It is a building that you are creating."

The captain pursed her lips and nodded "That's an interesting way to put it." She sighed reflectively. "I don't know who to trust, I came into information that made me question people I work with."

"None of us are quite what we seem", said the Sister sagely, "Even you Delegate...some see a freighter captain but miss the politician." She paused to let the words sink in. "Cicero wrote: 'Confidence is that feeling by which the mind embarks in great and honorable courses with a sure hope and trust in itself'...perhaps you only need to trust yourself."

Seren straightened up and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly.When she spoke, she couldn't hide her pessimism, a sense of defeat. "Maybe....but the truth is I am just a freighter captain. I'm not the leader of an alliance or the commander of a vast army. I'm just a freighter captain."

"And isn't that your strength? You have no other agenda but your own. No master to serve but the people who elected you. No star to follow but that which burns in your heart."

Seren found she took great comfort from the Sister's words and wondered why she found it so easy to talk to the woman before her. Perhaps it was true that it was easier to talk problems through with strangers than friends. Or maybe it was because someone seemed to be take a genuine interest in her ideas without an ulterior motive. Whatever it was, she felt comfortable in the Sister's presence.

Turning to the sister, she nodded and replied "I know what you're saying is true but sometimes....sometimes it gets too much", and then with a hint of frustration, "I'm not respected, that's clear."

"Is there no-one you feel can trust?"

"My crew...perhaps, but beyond them, here on Araxes....I dare not turn my back for fear of finding a dagger in it."

"Ah", the Sister smiled wisely, "welcome to the world of Araxian politics.....tell me, why did you run for office? I know what your literature says...I mean beyond that."

Seren paused to think, expecting her trader/politician mind to generate a suitable public-relations type response but instead the simple, honest truth came to the surface.

"Someone thought I'd be good at it."

"And you have faith in their judgement?"

"I do, I've known them since I was a child, practically raised me."

"And this faith is solid, it has not changed?"

Seren paused and looked at the Sister, again realising she was taking a great deal of comfort from the conversation. "No", she said, "I don't think anything could change that."

"Then what has changed to shake you so?"

The captain sank back into her chair, looking up into the sky beyond the awnings and feeling the sunlight dance upon her skin. "It's just too hard, I can't do what I promised people I could."

"How will you lighten the burden?"

Seren jabbed a finger at the sky "I could run as far from this planet as I can."

Turning away, Sister Rose asked "Is that what is at the center of your heart?"

In response, the Captain laughed a humourless laugh. "A few years ago...maybe so. I still want to run but I don't think I could look myself in the mirror everyday if I did."

"Then you have your answer", the Sister spoke with clarity, tenderness and directness, "You must stay and fight."

They sat for a few moments, letting the words settle. After a while, Sister Rose stood and asked "Shall we return to the chambers, Delegate Undercroft?"

Seren looked up at the sister and smiled, saying thank you without words. She stood and they walked back to the chambers.