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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Ankh-Morpork Guard" data-source="post: 2257823" data-attributes="member: 10079">Chapter 217: Until I Can No Longer Tell You To Stay...Just as they made it into the largest part of the Kanyak’s cabin, where nearly all of the Alraxians onboard the ship had gathered, a large holographic image of shimmered into existence up on the wall where everyone could see. At first, it was impossible to make out what was actually being seen. Just a blur of colour and odd shapes that didn’t seem to form anything. And then the image pulled back, and it was obvious what was being seen.    It was an Alraxian. Seated in a chair, with an odd, slightly shimmering visor over his...no, her face. Her ears could still be seen over it, but her mouth, eyes, and nose were completely covered. Jyren didn’t need to see her face to know it was Shadow. He didn’t even need to see the black striped, white hair...or the slightly torn and beat up clothes she wore. He could feel it through the link. Distant, though she was, somehow seeing her seemed to strengthen it, though that was about the only thing good to come from it.    He also knew the visor right away. It was of the same design that the Mrrakesh had used on him. Which meant she was...or rather, should have been unconscious. However, she was moving and struggling against some kind of bonds holding her to the chair. She wasn’t struggling very hard, though, so the visor still had some effect at least.    Throughout the room, as people began to realize who it was in the image, gasps and hushed words could be heard. Also, many eyes slowly glanced back at Jyren. Yes, he noticed...but for once, he didn’t care. His focus, as was the focus of the Empress and Cole, was still on the image.    It stayed the way it was, just Shadow feebly struggling, for a few moments before another figure stepped into view behind her. Even though Jyren had only seen him once, he could pick Ket Halpak out in a second. Not only did the lack of a tail give him away, but the way he carried himself and the smug expression were also dead giveaways. Smiling, Ket leaned one arm on Shadow’s shoulder and looked straight towards...Jyren could swear Ket was staring into his eyes as the Alraxian spoke in a casual manner.    “Good morning, Ferror,” Ket said with a smile, and the Empress simply stared back with a glare. He couldn’t see her...but the other Alraxians could, “I hope you enjoyed my little show. You wouldn’t believe how long I’ve had to wait to actually do that! But bragging can be left for a different time. I believe that you and I have some business...”    He couldn’t see her...but he could hear her. So, still maintaining her strong image for the others around, the Empress said sternly, “I will not play your games, Halpak.”    Before she could say anything else, he laughed, “Oh, of course not! You’ll send one of your little mindless assassins to deal with me! Just like you used to do for me! Maybe your weapon will actually succeed, even! But you know what, Ferror? It won’t matter. This will happen again.”    “Don’t try to sound so self-righteous,” she snapped, “You’re no liberator. You’re only looking for an excuse for your petty revenge.”    “Perhaps,” Ket shrugged, but then leaned down to look at Shadow.  He stood up again and walked around her, still looking towards them all, “But the why doesn’t really matter, now does it? I am here...and you know I’ll get that petty revenge no matter what. Otherwise...what would your tiny little Empire do without its heir? You know that we can’t have that!”    A short second of silence. It was long enough for Ket to speak up again as the Empress had been caught up in making a critical decision. He smiled and removed a small, oddly shaped device from a pocket before looking to Shadow and speaking over his shoulder, “We can keep going around in circles, but you know as well as I do where we’re going to end up. So, I’ll just cut straight to it, and make things simple. You will return to the Capital in one hour, alone, and we shall decide things honorably.”    Silence. Jyren didn’t know exactly what that meant, but he had a been feeling about it. The Empress nodded, and spoke in a calm voice, “Very well, then, I accept your challenge.”    A victorious smile found its way onto Ket’s features, and he shifted his gaze to almost exactly where Jyren stood, “I know the boy is there somewhere. Truly, I apologize for you getting caught up in all of this, but it was your own choice. This will hurt very much.”    The image went dead. And then, suddenly, a sharp pain shot through Jyren’s shoulder. But no...no, it was more like a phantom pain that wasn’t really his. Something that he’d understood long ago was through the link. It was like a deep burning right under the skin, and considering how intense it was, he was amazed Shadow wasn’t killed by it. But he didn’t make any noise beyond a surprised grunt...though he did stumble back in a slight shock.    The Redstar quickly stabled him as best as possible, and for the next ten minutes all eyes and attention was on him...for multiple reasons. Then...slowly, the pain faded. Or maybe he just got used to it. Either way, his vision cleared enough to see the Empress and Emperor standing in front of him looking both concerned and sad.    Finding his voice, Jyren spoke hoarsely, “I’ll go. Tell me where my X-Wing is...and I’ll go and finish this...”    The Empress shook her head and said softly, “I cannot let you do that.”    “You have to,” he responded before she’d even finished the last word, “This is my fight...that’s my...that’s...that is Shadow. This wouldn’t be like this if not for us...let me.”    “No,” this time, the Empress’ words were much more stern, though Jyren could still detect a strong sadness in them. He opened his mouth again to start cursing and began to push past them to find a ship to find his own X-Wing to find Shadow, but this time, the Empress grabbed him and looked him dead in the eyes, “Jyren. You cannot go.”    They stared eye to eye for a long time. He tried to read her...but couldn’t for some reason. She, on the other hand, looked to be reading him perfectly. And then, almost suddenly, she drew him into a very tight hug, whispering into his ear, “Listen to me...do not do anything until I can no longer tell you other wise. Until I can’t tell you not to. Do you understand? Until I can’t tell you to stay, you must remain here.”    She was sounding desperate...something Jyren had never seen or heard in the Empress. It was...worrying, to say the least. But before she could continue repeating it, and just as he noticed a hint of tears in her eyes, Cole pulled her back and spoke quietly, “Calm...if he doesn’t understand now then there’s nothing you can do about it.”    The older Alraxian then put an strong hand on Jyren’s shoulder and smiled as best he could, “Keep my daughter safe, son.”    As Cole began to pull the Empress away, it all dawned on Jyren suddenly. His eyes widened, and he reached out to grab her arm. Catching her wrist and stopping her, Jyren stepped forward and whispered sharply, “You don’t have to do this!”    An odd, haunting smile formed on the Empress’ features, and her hand twisted around to squeeze his arm gently, “It is my duty. When all is done...you will understand. But you must trust me until then. And after...love my daughter, stay at her side, and protect our people.”    And then, without realizing it, Jyren released his grip on the Empress. She nodded, held the soft smile, and then exited the cabin with her mate. Jyren just stared as they left. He couldn’t say anything else. There was nothing he could do. He wasn’t in control of anything at all...    Then, he felt a hand rest on his shoulder and also help to keep him standing straight. The only other in the cabin to have heard the quick conversation had been the Redstar, and she was keeping that well hidden as she spoke quietly, “Come and lay down...you need rest now.”    Jyren didn’t fight her as she helped him away from all the staring eyes. They knew the same thing he did...or at least part of it. They knew that their Empress was going to face Ket Halpak alone. They knew she had to. They didn’t know that Ket was more than match for her. They didn’t know that it was the last time any of them were ever going to see her face. They really know how much things were about to change.    Jyren did.</blockquote>

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