Fiction Activity

Competition
[GJW XIII Phase I] Fiction - Multi-Objective Prompt
Textual submission

OBJECTIVE THREE
(I had a hard time writing, but hey! Heres an entry!) -A
------------------

19:50, early evening
Estle City, Capac Ring
Shortly after War was Announced

Fear spread across the town like blue butter slab on a hot and fresh slice of toast. Alara didn’t have time to waste. The Sephi determinedly continued on through the shifting currents of the citizens’ panic around her. While others ran to seek shelter, she did as she has always done best: walked straight into the fight.

She had to find her shuttle and get to the Lyra system as soon as possible. The Seer had arranged for her bags to be packed and waiting for her there. She already disclosed her plans to her loved ones, Gregryck and Jae’lle.

“You’ve trained me for long enough, haven’t you? Let me into the fray! I’m used to bloodshed, you know that to be true!” She recollected Jae’lle’s cries in her memory.

“Jae’lle, you’re strong and learning well, but you’re only twelve. You have to wait. I need you here to watch the city walls and to be with Gregryck should he need your assistance.” Her own personal words echoed through her mind.

“Your Master is right, you know. You’re needed here with me. Don’t think we will be doddling around while Alara has all the fun.” The old ewok had tried to persuade the girl, but to no avail.

“This isn’t fair! You have been fighting since the age of nine, Alara. Nine! How can you expect me to sit back right now?!“ The Mirialan girl hollered.

“It’s true, I’ve been fighting since I was nine. But I wasn’t fighting in a war, Jae’lle. Merely a few battles. And only because Gregryck was there to help me as my Master. You have to stay here."

No matter what Alara had said then, it wasn’t enough for the fiery spirit she had been training up. Ever since she had adopted her as her own apprentice after finding her a street urchin on Ulress, the girl grew more rebellious by the day. Alara couldn’t afford to have her rebel further. Though she wouldn’t admit it ordinarily, she was growing attached more and more to her daughter. This led her to understanding Gregryck, her adoptive father, more and more each day.

“No matter how hard I work. No matter how hard I try to serve you. You still don’t trust me! Why did you bother taking me in anyhow?’´ The young apprentice shouted through her tears.

´´Jae’lle, its because I trust you that you’re being put to work here instead of being sent off to your cousins back on Seraph. You need to understand that—“

"Forget it! Save your excuses!" Jae'lle cried. She spun around and fled back to the house.

With a sigh, Alara turned away to face her father once again.

"She will understand soon enough. Do what you need to do." Gregryk gave his daughter a kiss on the hand, held it for a moment, and followed after Jae'lle.

The Seer bit her lip, and headed to the city's airport. Her ARC-170 was awaiting, all packed and ready to go. When Alara grew closer, the ship's ramp automatically folded open for her entrance. She stepped forward and walked to find her tusked cat Artemis and her KX series droid inside.

"So where is it exactly that we are going, Alara?" Her droid asked from the pilot's seat.

"To the home of the Meraxis. I've got a target to kill." Alara replied and petted her feline in greeting. Artemis responded with a rich purr.

"Why? Is this target involved in the Collective or the war?" The droid spoke curiously in a masculine-programmed voice.

"Not exactly. I'm using this time while I await orders to complete my own mission. I'm going after the man who killed Brandon, my sister's husband."

"I see. And where is this man, exactly?"

"Seraph, of course." Alara spoke plainly.

"So we are going back to the fray. Back to where your enemies await you."

"Quite right. I'm not doing this to make a statement to Scholae Palatinae. I'm doing this to avenge my brother and to help my sister heal. It feels like the right thing to do. I don't care what that clan thinks when it happens. I'll stop anyone who gets in the way." Alara stood up and sat in the passenger's seat next to the droid."

"You've made up your mind then. But you have missed one detail, Miss Alara."

"And that is?" She turned to look at him.

"How does Mr. Wyndell feel about all this?"

Her thought process stopped. Wyn… did I even tell him where I was going? She gulped and placed her hand over her mouth in thought. With a slight hesitancy, she lifted her hand and opened her mouth to speak again. "I'll shoot him a text, I suppose."

"Will that be enough?"

"It will have to be." She flicked her datapad open from her wrist and began to tap away at the screen:

Going on a trip. I have a target to deal with on Seraph. I'll be home as soon as it's done. Then we will figure out what to do in this war together. Love you. -Lara

"Another thing, Miss Alara," the KX series droid spoke once more.

"Yes?"

"You never gave me a name after programming me. Is there something youd like to call me?"

Alara smiled brightly at him and tapped his metallic shoulder playfully. "Kicks it is. Let's call you Kicks. Sounds like KX."

"Thank you, Alara. Kicks it shall be. Now, off to Seraph."