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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Ankh-Morpork Guard" data-source="post: 3567114" data-attributes="member: 10079">Chapter 467: Change of Plans“Faban Sunrunner has resumed his contact with the Mrrakesh despite the heavy security around him. How he managed this is still being worked out, but for the moment he is under constant watch and hasn’t left the sight of his guards. It is unknown how much he has relayed to them, as the only way with know of this at all is because of your cousin, Kato, coming forward that she was contact by him. However, he did not relay her any vital information at all.    “The damage is already done. From what Kato gave me, all we know is that he is attempting a power grab again. He seems to feel that he needs her if he wants any power at all. You know that the Empire wouldn’t just accept a random ruler in your stead, and Kato is still the next in line until Andrea is old enough. I wouldn’t expect he has many backup plans but that does not matter.    “The Jendari have been alerted to keep a close eye on the Mrrakesh border, but they report no increased activity. Since their guarding of the border has started, the Mrrakesh have kept their distance and that looks like it has not yet changed. Despite this, though, I am worried and I am unsure of what action to take. It is possible that Faban is not acting with the entire Mrrakesh Combine’s wishes, and simply a small group. But if we act at all against any of them, with the current situation they will band together against us.”    The image of Jyren’s father, Navik Kero shook his head and looked down slightly before looking back up, “I know it is dangerous to send this message to you, Marix, but there was no choice. I am sorry that it seems to be one problem after another...” he sighed and made an effort to not look exhausted, “The twins are doing well...but they miss you. I hope that you can return to us soon. If not for the Empire, then for them.”    And then the image faded, leaving the cockpit and viewport to be seen clearly.    [I can...drop out of hyperspace soon and change course.] Loki said very carefully. He had noticed Marix’s mood the second she and Venda had come aboard, and was doing his best to just be helpful and not make things more difficult. This news didn’t seem to help. He had received it not long after she had left, but had simply waited for Marix to get back to tell her about it and hadn’t even looked it over himself despite the boredom that came with sitting around in a hangar for hours.    Marix considered this.    They were headed for Yavin IV to drop off Venda, who was currently in Loki’s small galley meditating or something like that. It wasn’t much of a detour to go to Yavin first, but it would add at least a day to the trip...depending on the war. The longer it went on, the harder it was becoming to move to and from Alraxian space, which was towards the entrance corridor the Yuuzhan Vong had taken into the galaxy.    After a few moments to think it over, she decided there really wasn’t any choice and said in a soft voice that Loki wouldn’t have heard if he wasn’t the ship, “Yes...yes do that.”    Loki went about checking their relative position and noting that it would be a short few minutes before he was sure they were in empty space to drop out into. While he waited, he found his focus shifting again to his old friend, Marix. She had returned with the human woman in a mood that he’d only ever seen in her once before.    Back then, they were both children. Very young children and she probably didn’t remember it very well...but Kanyaks had strong memories even from their early years. It had been roughly an Alraxian year before she was taken by Faban Sunrunner to be trained as a Tam’Day’U, and her older brother, Tobias, had died. She had just closed up and hadn’t ever been the same since. The Tam’Day’U training didn’t help that.    [Marix...]    Her ear shifted slightly to the side despite the fact that the voice was completely in her mind. In the same quiet voice, she asked, “What is it?”    Loki was as inexperienced with these kind of things as Marix was. Despite that, though, he felt like he had to at least try. [Is there anything I can do to help...? I mean...beyond heading home right now.]    “Just gets us home, Loki,” Marix said softly as she got to her feet and started out of the cockpit. She stopped, though, and put her hand on the bulkhead that divided the small corridor from the cockpit. After standing there a moment, she gave the bulkhead an affectionate pat, “Thank you.”    Marix then made her way to the galley. She found Venda sitting at the single table that was against the wall and the Force was resonating off of her. But when Marix stepped into the small room, the strong feeling in the Force faded and Venda opened her closed eyes. She looked up to Marix curiously, but didn’t actually say anything. Like Loki, she knew something was wrong with Marix...but unlike Loki, Venda had no experience dealing with Marix and from the outbursts earlier, decided it was best to leave her be.    “We’re changing course,” Marix said in a droid-like, flat voice, “It is necessary for me to return to my home without delay. When we arrive at the Gateway I will attempt to find you a ship to take you back to Yavin, but I cannot promise that one is available.”    Venda at least knew a small amount about the Alraxians. It was a great deal more than most of the galaxy knew, and it mostly centered around their isolation. Because of this, she felt the need to ask, “If there isn’t one?”    Marix held the human woman’s gaze for a short time before saying something she knew that later she would regret, “Then you will stay with me until there is time to find you a ship.”    The Jedi managed a half bow while she was still seated, “Thank you.”    And that was that. Marix didn’t have the willpower to care about anything beyond what needed to be relayed, and so turned and decided to head to her quarters and try to get some rest. But as she stepped out into the corridor, Venda’s voice stopped her, “I know that we barely know each other but...can I help at all? I can be an ear to listen if nothing else.”    Marix stood there at first, but never turned around. Her tail flicked slightly, but Venda likely assumed that just happened and would have had no idea that it showed Marix was annoyed. Everyone wanted to help, it seemed. It was like being surrounded by Jyrens...the last thing she needed at the moment.    But her voice remained in the same flat tone and she said simply, “There is nothing either of you can do,” unbeknownst to Venda, Marix was also speaking to Loki at the same time, “Unless you can talk sense into the dead or change the past, there is nothing you can do.”    Without waiting for any response, not that one would come from either of the two listening, Marix walked off to Loki’s small, makeshift hangar. It was not the original plan, but at this point it seemed like nothing was going as planned, anyway.</blockquote>

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