A Life of Peace

[Tunnel Rat]

A gentle breeze washed over Steryle's bare upper body. The sweat that glistened in a thin sheen over his toned, tan skinned muscles made the breeze seem cooler than it was. Steryle erected himself, wiping the sweat from his brow as he thudded the rake against the soft soil beneath him. It was planting season again on Dantooine, and while Jessika was inside teaching their son, Vance, all about the Echani and their crazy martial arts, Steryle was out in the afternoon sun making sure they had a living.

It had been ten years since Steryle resigned from Imperium service. So far, no recruiters or higher ups had approached him. It made Steryle smile and a feel a swell of happiness; either the Imperium was leaving him alone or they simply couldn't find him. Either way was perfectly fine with Steryle. He could live the rest of his days in peace.

There were times, Steryle thought as he hunched back over to start churning the soil again, where he wished the excitement of combat. Nothing compared to it except for hunting. Hunting game was rather boring in comparison, to Steryle; after hunting humans, hunting for food wasn't anything more than time consuming. Was that what his life had become? One thing after another to consume time until his son grew old enough to leave the house and start a legacy of his own? Steryle shook his head, dismissing the thought. He had a family now; he may be responsible for less than what he was in the Imperium, but what he was responsible for was more important to him than anything else.

 

[Dmitri]

Image by mstargazer​

The sweet fragrances of Dantooine filled his nose, invoking nostalgia. Meeting an old friend, Geist had donned his Lucifel attire under his illusions rather than armor. The decision allowed him feel the kiss of the Dantooine breeze, as if welcoming back an old friend. Indeed, they had not encountered each other for a few months.

Geist Weiss had rented a speeder to travel from the nearest spaceport to the farm owned by Steryle Apollo. While Geist's companion had offered to bring with them a Rolls Royston Luxury Landspeeder, the illusionist preferred not attracting undue attention to Steryle Apollo.

Or Vance.

The last time he had seen the boy, it had been Vance's birthday. While Vance had been ecstatic by the artfully crafted knife Geist had constructed just for the ten-year old, the boy had begged for a lightsaber too. Jessika's don't-you-even-think-about-it death stare had been his cue he was needing to leave that day. Exchanging a high-five with Vance and have a small conversation with his parents, Geist had departed.

Now he was back, four months later. He would have preferred to have visited last month, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Core campaign, work had barred him from doing so. And while now he finally had a chance to return to Dantooine, it was alas not fully a social visit. An indicator the meeting was not the typical visit was the man in the passenger seat. Royston Spektor.

Geist was not sure if Steryle Apollo knew Royston Spektor. Spektor had worked with Steryle's former comrade Apollo Ordo, but that did not automatically mean the other two men knew each other. Geist hoped that if there was history between the two, it would not harm the coming discussion.

Just as Geist arrived in front of the house, the Rain Dancer fled the Sith Lord's shoulder, its tiny jaws snapping at an escaping insect. It fluttered closer to the house. The Rain Dancer was one he had recently nursed back to health, hit by a speeder bike on Empress Teta. The creature now healed, it was continuously testing its mended wings like a newborn.

The thought reminded him of the first time he had met Steryle's wife. Ten years ago, Steryle had decided military life was no longer the path for him. He had chosen to resign from his post and live a simple life on Dantooine with Jessika Ordo. A few months later, the Imperium had decided to host a series of interviews with veterans, to promote its military. Geist, using his Emet Selch disguise, had conducted multiple of those interviews. Such a project led him to Dantooine to interview his old friend Steryle Apollo. Not shaming their friendship, Geist had interviewed Steryle as himself. The interview had gone well, though his accounts had been shadowed by the interview with the up and coming general, Konstantine Arkydavich. Still, it had allowed him to be introduced to Steryle's wife, Jessika. After the interview, Geist had decided to take the couple out for dinner, his treat. However, on their way to the restaurant, their landspeeder had broken down. Miles from any civilization, things had only gotten worse. The pregnant Jessika's water broke. The two men, with thankfully enough level-headedness to account a single person, they had been forced to deliver the baby in the middle of no where. Geist had touched Jessika's mind with a calm probe to help ease her pain, with Steryle giving emotional support. Together, they assisted in delivering the baby. After Steryle cut the umbilical cord with his knife (he swore he would strangle Geist if he even tried to use a lightsaber to cut it), Steryle had transferred the baby into Jessika's arms. It was a moment that had touched Geist. For so long he had been a harbinger of death, but that day he had brought new life to the galaxy.

Their bond grew from there. Geist was named godfather of the boy. The boy had been named Vance. Over the years, Geist had spoiled Vance. And in a way, Vance had spoiled him. The Apollo farm was a break from the real world. A break from his job. A place he could relax and enjoy himself, to have fun he couldn't have elsewhere. It was a carefully crafted haven for the Apollo family and occasional refuge for Geist's sanity.

Which only made what he was about to do even harder. If things were successful, Steryle Apollo would leave his storybook ending home.

 

[Raif]

Royston liked Dantooine. He'd had a pretty sizable tabac plantation on the planet a while back, but had ultimately sold it and spent the profits on making the Cauthon Estate as successful as it was currently. Still, though, he often found himself missing the wild innocence of the planet.

Which was one reason why he'd not hesitated to accompany Geist on this little errand. The other part, of course, had to deal with who they were going to fetch. Royston had known Steryle Apollo relatively well several years before, though Steryle had little to no idea who Royston Spektor was. That was easily explainable, of course: when Roy had known Steryle, he'd been operating under the name and face of Jon Viggo, former aide-de-camp of Apollo Ordo.

Now, though, he was simply Royston Spektor, the newly-reappointed Spymaster of the New Sith Imperium. He sat in the passenger seat of the utility speeder that Geist had rented, a bliss-weed cigarillo clamped firmly between his teeth and his eyes squinted despite the anti-dust goggles he was wearing. Taking a quick drag of the joint, Roy turned to his traveling companion, yelling slightly to be heard over the sound of the speeder's engine.

"You really think he'll give this all up? Seems to me he's got himself a nice little set-up here. We might be walking into a duracrete wall, Geist."

 

[Tunnel Rat]

The whining of an engine caught Steryle's ears. Instantly his body stiffened. His grip on the rake tightened until his knuckles turned white. Icy blue eyes darted from point to point, from one corner of his eyes to the other, until finally he caught sight of the speeder travelling toward the house. It didn't look military, thankfully. Steryle sighed with relief as he realized it didn't look Imperial at all. The thought of Imperials renting a speeder never left the back of his mind though. Dropping the rake into the soft soil, Steryle swiftly walked back to the house, entering through the back door. The quick pitter-patter of bare feet echoed down the hall until finally Steryle's ivory haired son, Vance, ran around the corner. Vance crashed into Steryle's legs, nestling his face into Steryle's hip. He smiled, lowering his hand to his son's back and patting it affectionately as he tried to walk with a ten year old attached to his leg.

"There's someone coming, Steryle," Jessika said calmly as she rounded the same corner Vance had just come from. Her graceful features carried over to how she presented herself; it reminded Steryle daily of one of the many reasons he married this woman. Steryle's icy blue eyes met her intense silver eyes and he nodded with a smirk.

"I know," he said, pulling a black t-shirt over his head and upper body. Jessika reached behind her before immediately tossing it towards Steryle. He caught it, not needing to see it to know what it was: a sleek, heavy blaster pistol. He tucked it into his waist band behind his back and flipped the t-shirt over it so that it was hidden from all angles. Steryle pulled Vance off of his leg, holding his son by the shoulders as he crouched down to be eye-level with the boy. "Stay here with Mom, okay?" Vance nodded, a hint of worry crossing his small, innocent features.

Steryle erected himself and started for the front door. He opened it and stepped out just as the speeder was coming to a stop. The porch was large with tables and chairs for outside lounging. Almost everything had been hand crafted by Steryle himself. The furnature was a crafted from a dark, redish wood where as the porch itself was made from a much lighter wood with white, synthetic highlights. Steryle had had ten years to perfect the house and area around it; perfect he did indeed. He stood at the top of the four step staircase that led to the ground as the two men disembarked the speeder. Steryle sighed with relief.

Geist had come back, and that meant that Steryle could relax. He didn't recognise the man who had come with Geist, but he looked familiar. Steryle had spent an extensive time across the galaxy with many Imperial and Mandalorian peers. A smile cross Steryle's lips. "Had enough of the galaxy already, Geist?" The rain dancer flew toward Steryle and then immediately changed direction. It looked to be chasing something, though Steryle couldn't see what. A squeal of pure delight roared from behind him. Before he could turn around to see what it was, Vance had rushed passed his father and was chasing the rain dancer. Steryle sighed.

 

[Dmitri]

Geist disembarked from the landspeeder. Royston followed suite, conveying thoughts on the matter.

"Possibly, but one must try nevertheless," replied Geist.

Geist began to reconsider one part of his plan though. Coming to the farm unannounced. He could sense some worry from the inhabitants. Geist hoped that Steryle would not shoot first, ask questions later. However, such concerns were quickly dissolved. Steryle realized who had come and exited the house to approach him.

"Or the galaxy has had enough of me," Geist chided back jokingly. Geist extended his hand to shake it. However, it was interrupted by a squeal of pure delight. Vance had discovered who had come to visit, and what was with him. The boy chased after the Rain Dancer, the dragon now confusingly trying to decide if the insect was worth it.

"Sorry for coming unannounced," Geist said. "I was in a bit of a hurry and didn't want to be followed here." Geist motioned to the man before him. "I'm not sure if you two have met before. Steryle, meet Royston Spektor. Royston, this is the former leader of the Stormtrooper Corps, Steryle Apollo."

 

[Raif]

Roy bounded lightly out of the speeder, pulling the goggles down so they hung loosely around his neck. He walked alongside Geist, making sure to keep his hands out and within easy sight. He knew this Steryle Apollo fellow, though the man would have no idea who Royston Spektor was, and he didn't want to get a face full of scatter-shot as a welcome.

Roy made mental note - as he did with everything - of the way Geist paid attention to and interacted with the child, Vance. You never knew when such information would come in handy.

He didn't have much time for mental notes, though, before it was time for the introductions. As Geist introduced him, Roy stepped forward with his hand extended and a friendly smile on his face.

"Steryle, I know you don't know me but I know of you. I was a good friend of Apollo Ordo's back in the day. You may have known another friend of mine, Jon Viggo?"

To anyone else, it would have sounded like just a bit of friendly name-dropping. Like most things the Spymaster did, though, it had its purpose. For anyone who had spent any time among the Mandalorians a decade ago - and Clan Ordo in particular - the names Apollo Ordo and Jon Viggo would be significant. Roy wanted Steryle to know from the get go that he was dealing with a professional, and not just an empty suit.

"This is a beautiful home you've got here, I'm sorry for intruding. Like ol' Geist here said, though, we're in a bit of a hurry. You understand, I hope."

 

[Tunnel Rat]

"I was in a bit of a hurry and didn't want to be followed here." Steryle nodded, knowing all too well the perils that Geist more than likely got himself into. It was however, what they had mutually come to agree to over time. When Geist was ever in trouble or needed time away from the Imperium, this was the place to do it. Having heard Steryle call Geist out, Jessika strode out behind Steryle, her grace and elegance saying more than her words ever could. She hugged Steryle's arm, waving to Geist with a smile.

"I'll go bring out some tea," she said, releasing Steryle's arm and watching Vance run and leap after the rain dancer as she walked back into the house. Steryle looked to the man he had never seen before. He took the man's hand and shook it firmly, looking the man right in the eyes as he did so. This was the stage in every relationship, as far as men were concerned, that told the character of the man the other was meeting. Steryle wasn't about to disappoint.

"I know Jon Viggo, yeah," Steryle said, motioning for the men to take a seat around one of the small, round tables on the porch. He didn't mind them coming to his farm in the way they had; kept him on his toes. The furniture wasn't the most comfortable, but it was good enough and easy to lounge in. "I don't know too much about the man, and I rarely saw him, but I know him. There was always something more interesting to do in Clan Ordo than meet people," Steryle winked. Meeting people in Clan Ordo was a bystander to the combat missions that took place almost weekly.

"Oh really?" Jessika said, bringing out a dish that held an assortment of cups and a large tea pot in the center. Steryle looked up and over his shoulder innocently. Jessika placed the dish down in the center of the table. She smiled at Steryle's playful innocence before turning to the guests as she sat down. She held her hand out to Royston elegantly. Even her pale, Echani skin showed a grace mostly unseen in the galaxy. "I'm Jessika, Steryle's wife, it's nice to meet you."

"Uncle Geist! Uncle Geist! Is he mine!?" Vance screamed as he ran up the porch. Trapped in his arms was the rain dancer. Steryle looked over, dumbfounded that the kid had actually caught the dragon. He opened his mouth to say something about the rudeness of asking for gifts, but shut it again and turned back to the guests. He was definitely his father's son. Jessika was staring in disbelief at Geist. She had said no to a lightsaber, so the man brought a dragon. Unbelievable. When Geist would give the boy his answer, Vance would run back down the steps of the porch to play with the dragon some more. That's when Steryle let his smile fade.

"I suppose I won't be able to count this as just a social visit, can I?"

 

[Dmitri]

Jon Viggo was a common acquaintance, as it turned out. Unbeknownst to Steryle, though, Royston was Viggo. Geist held up a hand. "We're not that much in a hurry," he rectified. Geist glanced at Vance. The boy had captured the tiny dragon. It was then he realized what kind of situation he had put himself in.

"Uh, well it's up to your parents," Geist remedied. "He was injured and I've been nursing him back to health. He's very tame. Curious, just like certain young boys, always getting into trouble." He suspected the boy might get a kick out of that.

Geist took a sip from the delightful tea Jessika had presented, then placed it down. "Unfortunately not," Geist confessed. Geist waited for Royston to talk. The man was the leader of the diplomatic corps, and would be able to describe the offer better. After all, Geist didn't want it to appear as though he was trying to take advantage of Steryle's friendship.

 

[Raif]

Royston grinned at Steryle as he made the comment about Clan Ordo, following him and Geist onto the porch and to the proffered chairs.

No sooner had Steryle made the little joke, though, then Royston was quickly getting back onto his feet as a woman approached them. She introduced herself as Steryle's wife and offered her hand, which Royston lightly took in his own before bowing over it and lightly kissing the back of her hand. He wasn't being lecherous or disrespectful, of course, simply honoring the trappings of civility wherever he could.

He looked at Jessika with a friendly smile before introducing himself.

"I'm Royston, and it's a pleasure Mrs. Apollo. You and your husband have a lovely home here. I hope our visit hasn't caused any undue excitement for your family."

Just then, the young boy came bounding back up with his lizard, and Roy took the opportunity to return to his seat. He tried and failed to hide the grin that appeared on his face during the slightly uncomfortable moment where Geist had to explain the Rain Dancer. It was sort of fun watching the normally unflappable Illusionist squirm.

His moment of private enjoyment was over quickly, though, and Royston caught Geist's signal loud and clear. Like a professional wrestler tagging into the ring, Roy leaned forward to pick up where Geist had left off. He was careful with his words, of course, given that both the wife and child were present. If Geist wanted to broach this topic with the entire family, that was a decision that was firmly up to him. Roy wouldn't be the one to do it, though.

"Yeah, as beautiful as this planet is, we're here more for business than pleasure."

Roy grinned, almost looking chagrined that they were here for something as impersonal and mundane as "business." Hopefully the wife would eat it up.

"You see, Geist and I have...a venture that we are starting together. I'm sure you know enough about what Geist is into that it shouldn't surprise you when I say that the specifics are a bit on the "hush-hush" side. Nothing too exciting or anything, of course, but still. Anyway, there's a particular position with this venture that he and I both thought would suit you well."

Royston leaned back in his seat again, taking the moment to try the tea Jessika had brought to them. It really was quite delicious, though it would be better with a dash of Corellian Whiskey added in.

"Does this sound like something you may potentially be interested in, Steryle? Or should I save us all some time and awkwardness and just zip it?"

Roy grinned over his tea cup, hoping that Steryle would make this trip worth their time.

 

[Tunnel Rat]

"Oh, a gentleman?" Jessika said, bowing her head in a respectful thank you to Royston. "I haven't seen one of those in a very long time!" She laughed as Steryle shrugged. Having met in a cantina in an Ordo camp, she hadn't expected Steryle to be a gentleman at all. It wasn't until they moved to Dantooine that he started to show a romantic side to him. The smile that graced her lips turned into an almost apathetic happy expression, though her eyes burned with a passion to rip Geist a new one. She turned her gaze toward him as Steryle looked back at his son and shrugged again.

"I mean, he already has it in his hands," he said, turning to Jessika with a smile. She was too busy glaring at Geist. She had stopped his attempt to give her son a lightsaber before, and now the man brought her son a dragon? If she didn't trust Geist as family, she'd have killed him. Steryle nudged her with his elbow. "Jess, he could use a friend to play with," Steryle said. Jessika sighed and threw her arms up in surrender.

"Fine, he can keep it," she said. Vance squealed and ran back down the porch out of ear shot. Royston leaned forward, signifying the talk was going to get serious. Jessika stayed, but politely allowed herself to exsist in the background. Steryle kept his disposition calm and collected, a small smirk hid behind the scruff of a beard he had started growing. "A venture that we are starting together," the man said. "Specifics are a bit on the "hush-hush" side. Nothing too exciting or anything, of course..." Steryle knew what this meant, and he knew Jessika knew as well. She silently rest her hand on her husband's leg, out of sight from the two guests. "Suit you well." The three words were seemingly the loudest for Steryle. He nodded his head slowly, taking in what seemed like only a little information but to him was rather a lot. Now that Vance was out of immediate ear shot and too busy playing with his new friend to care, Steryle finally broke his laid back appearance and leaned forward.

"A position that suits me well," Steryle said, quietly as if playing the words through his mind. His icy blue eyes slowly rose to Royston's and then shifted to Geist's. "This position, I'm going to assume that it puts me in harms way, as that's the only thing I've ever been good at. I'm going to need the full story, before I agree to anything."

"You need a commando, don't you?" Jessika asked, her voice softer than it had been mere moments before. Her silver eyes were fixed on Geist, expression revealing none of the concern she felt.

 

[Dmitri]

An Ithorian once told Geist that there wasn't anything more scary than a mother's fury. Having known Andraste for years, he had doubted it. However, seeing the expression in Jessika's eyes, he began to doubt his initial assumption. He was very thankful Jessika wasn't a Sith Lord. He wouldn't have made it past tea.

Steryle thankfully was his savior, persuading his wife. Geist decided to nurse the situation a little bit. "The Rain Dancer is well behaved. It can be shy sometimes, though seems to have taken a liking to Vance." That comment was debatable, considering it was trying to slither out of the boy's arms, who was squeezing possibly a little bit too tightly. However, it was obvious it wasn't minding too much the capture, as it hadn't tried to bite the boy. The Force have mercy on Geist had it drawn blood. "It no longer has its venom sac, so you won't have to worry about poison." Geist fished a bottle out of his pocket. "However, Jessika, as I know you like to always be prepared, here's the antidote just in case. The venom doesn't affect humans much. A mild irritant, but nothing severe. It would go after a day." Geist glanced at the boy, who had been rearranging the position he held the dragon. He seemed to have finally found a posture the dragon found no qualms with. "They say Rain Dancers can form strong bonds with its owners. It will do whatever it can to help your son."

Unfortunately, while the dragon could try to keep Vance safe, the proposition than had instigated the visit might bring danger to Steryle. "The Imperium is expanding its influences. Military takeovers have their place, but sometimes finesse in other domains can prevent the need for war. Spektor and myself are a part of an organization. This organization is focusing on strengthening the Imperium's economy, along with influence other economies. If successful, we may be able to end this war sooner than predicted by the media." The media was always guessing when the war was going to end, how long it would take for the Imperium to take over the galaxy. Recently their timetables had shrunk, with the recent expansion into Hutt dominions. Geist was fine with mentioning the details in front of Jessika. He trusted her. And with his information vague for now, it would not be incriminating were she to ever turn, which he doubted she was ever do to Steryle.

"Our organization requires another expert. Our organization needs a paramilitary aspect that has been in the works. Alas, we need someone to forge it into the skill necessary. I'll be blunt, I'm no soldier. I have no intention of pretending I am. As such, I seek out a man who is. One who has the skills we need to complete our organization. You are the most qualified, Steryle. You've demonstrated yourself on multiple occasions. You've forged troubled teenagers into disciplined troops. You've orchestrated invasions, minimizing casualties. We don't need a man with a gun. We need who knows how to obtain victory without always needing the gun. We need a leader. We need a person who can organize and lead our organization's paramilitary into a finely carved piece to the puzzle we are constructing. Steryle, we need you."

 

[Raif]

That Jessika was a sharp one – like most mothers, it appeared that she had developed a highly-sensitive “sixth sense,” and was able to pick up on any potential for danger that may involve a loved one. Of course, with a man like Steryle as your husband, that sense would have likely gotten quite a workout over the years. Thankfully, this was one of the few times where Royston wouldn’t have to look someone in the eye and lie to their face, since they weren’t actually looking to put Steryle on the front lines…at least, as long as things went according to plan.

The Spymaster opened his mouth to begin his response to Jessika’s concern, but was pleasantly surprised to find himself beaten to the rhetorical punch by his companion.

Roy sat back, a slight raise of his eyebrows the only outward indication that he was a bit taken aback. Between the two Darths, the task to deliver rousing, motivational speeches almost always fell to Royston after all. However, as Roy took another sip of the delicious tea that had been served, he had to hand it to the Illusionist; the Spymaster himself likely couldn’t have delivered a more impassioned and convincing rebuttal to Jessika’s worry.

As his fellow Councilmember finished speaking, Roy leaned forward to seize the initiative presented by the momentary silence.

“We know this may seem hard to believe, especially given your field experience, but it’s the truth: if everything goes the way it should, then a commando is the last thing we should need. Like Geist said, what we require is a leader of men, someone who can keep a cool head under pressure…and, occasionally, maybe a voice of reason to keep us two megalomaniacs from getting carried away with our delusions of grandeur.”

Royston smiled his warm, open, ‘trust me’ smile as he spoke, making sure to address both members of the husband-wife pair even though the words themselves were directed at Steryle.

“Lastly – and I hate to cheapen things like this, but I think we’re all practical adults here – I can assure you the work will be quite rewarding for you financially. No more ‘three hots and a cot,’ with barely enough left on your paystub to pay for the shine on your boots; this will be a whole different animal than the IAF.”

 

[Tunnel Rat]

Steryle listened to Geist's words, thinking carefully on each sentence. Memories, from the first combat he ever saw to the last, flooded his mind as well. He forced his icy blue eyes down to the table, letting his mind savor the memories and his ears play the soundtrack to them via Geist's voice. When Geist had finished speaking, Steryle looked up at the man he called a friend. It was a touching speech, and he could feel the hand Jessika had been touching his leg with loosen its grip. It was enough indication that she would at least think about letting him go, though Steryle would have to make up his own mind. That's when Royston took the opportunity to speak. Steryle internally thanked the man for that, for he wasn't exactly ready to speak himself.

Jessika turned to look at Steryle during Royston's bit. Steryle kept his eyes on the table, though he shifted a hand under the table to grasp hers. Finally, at the mention of finances, which weren't a problem due to the Apollos living off the land and building their own furniture, Steryle looked up. His gaze shifted between the two men, never staying in one spot for too long. Jessika stayed silent, her silver eyes focused on Steryle. It was ultimately his decision, and she'd support him through what ever happened. If the two men were truthful, Steryle wouldn't have to see any more combat than he already had.

"Before I accept this offer," Steryle said, his eyes shifting back to the table, and then slowly to Jessika. "This place, this farm, and my family stay under the radar. No mentions, no hints, nothing." That said, Steryle turned his eyes back to the two men, his expression stern. "Can you give me your word that my family will stay protected and concealed?"