The Only Way Out is to the Stars

[Victer Dejan]

Fate, or time, or everything seemed to conspire against any informal moments spent between the Queen and her favored advisor. Victer had a plan, though. The problem seemed to stem from the fact that they could be easily interrupted, be it at his office or her private chambers (which weren't private enough.) Victer had been called away on bussiness for two weeks, since his trader's group conference on Bestine.

He had spent some of his personal money on purchasing a Corellian YT-1930. They weren't in huge abundance, but like most Corellian designs, were easy to source parts for. Victer had decided it fit his style: a moderately unpopular vehicle designed for trade. Many of the systems had been repaired or modernized wherever logical, and the interior had been stripped of evidence that it was a craft of any origin but his. It's previous owner hadn't done much with it, but many of the upholstery had gone to rot. Victer tastefully redecorated the comforts of the ship. The craft now looked like more than a another purely functional Corellian freighter - it bordered on nice. Not quite a luxury yatch, not quite a freighter. How many freighters had wine coolers? But it's corridors showed it's plainer roots, except for part of the right cargo hold that had been converted into a bedroom. The other part was now the expanded dining area.

He'd secured a landing pad at the Palace without too much trouble, with the combination of his voice and correct authentication code. Naming the ship Dejan's Gamble probably hadn't hurt either.

He had a strong feeling the Queen was expecting him.

[Adraudia Basillie]

Poised behind the painted yellow line of the safe zone, Queen Adraudia Basillie waiting impatiently for her Captain to arrive, if one knew her well enough to take notice. Her fingers fidgeted with the loose silver necklace that fell just past the length of her breasts, lost in a sea of green teal that was her dress. Adraudia was never one to fidget, but the stoic guards that flanked her on either side did not care about such idiosyncrasies. Only that they protected their Queen from all harm.

All the time. Even after the truce with Mandalore secured, the Court still thought it prudent that her escort be with her constantly, fearing duplicity by their former enemies. And now with the Hapans arriving on Onderon, there was yet a new possible menace that may try to snuff out her life.

And for what purpose, the Queen wondered. They have a Navy, more area secured, and far more power then she had. At least for now. The Queen Mother was the one that needed to worry about her reign with the machinations working behind the scenes for her demise. Of course, she couldn't placate the Court with that admission.

The landing platform hissed to life and started to lower. Adraudia steadied her hands, clasping them before her; the picture perfect of calm. Inside, she was bubbling over with enthusiasm in seeing Victer again and tried to peek over the top of the platform to get a glimpse of him without looking too anxious.

[Victer Dejan]

The ship settled gently. Victer wasn't the best pilot, but he was good at landing. Jostling clients was never a good way of building business. Victer knew plenty of great pilots who never managed that soft touch. It had something to do with not liking the deck.

Aside from it's cargo wings and centerlined cockpit, much of the design was borrowed from the popular YT-1300, including the side-ramp exit to the left of the ship. Victer was dressed in a fashionable but comfortable green with black vines button-down shirt, black slacks, boots, and a bottle of wine in hand.

Victer stopped a few meters in front of the Queen and bowed.

"My Queen." he said as he rose. "I brought you a bottle of wine."

[Adraudia Basillie]

"A present from your travels?" she said, her eyes dancing with delight. "How very thoughtful of, Captain."

Adraudia stepped forward and took the gift, and turned it over in her hand to read the label, and her eyes went wide with disbelief. She looked up at Victer speechless. He had bought her a bottle of Necr'ygor Omic, '48 vintage. It was terrible expensive. Terribly!

"You did not have to go to such lengths for me," she finally said, truly taken aback.

[Victer Dejan]

"The market was very kind to me last quarter." Victer smiled. The bottle had eaten nearly a tenth of his dividends. It had been very expensive.

"I have a friend of a friend who deals in rare wines." Victer explained.

"Would you like to see the ship?" He asked.

[Adraudia Basillie]

She answered by lacing an arm around his, clutching onto the bottle mostly carefully. "I'd love to. I hadn't realize that you were in the market for a new one."

[Victer Dejan]

"I had a good ship, but I decided to get something that reflected me a bit better. This one also has a much larger cargo capacity. It's been in the works for six months."

"Ah." Adraudia said. She could hear boots behind her.

"We'll only be a moment." She waved to the guards.

The ramp entered into a open space, for a smaller cargo ship. A larger than usual dining/conference area was present, and the galley had been extended slightly. The table had a polished metal center with red wood trim around the edge. The chairs had the same red wood trim, but with a small lever barely hidden on the bottom of the seat that would allow the chair to move freely.

The cockpit had taken a more Imperial style layout than the original Corellian one. The pilot's station had been moved to the left side, so that Victer could access Navigation easily if he were flying solo. The seats were now highly adjustable and wrapped in durable black leather. Each had a shoulder belt along with the standard lap piece.

"Most of the rest of the ship is standard, except for the starboard cargo bay." And the power system, shields, weapon systems, engines...

[Adraudia Basillie]

Adraudia hummed appreciatively at his choice of remolding, especially the red wood trim. It gave some color to the dreary grey of most ships. "I like it," she said, sliding into one of the chairs by the table and placing the bottle of wine on top of it. "I think it suits you. It pleases me to know that business has been lucrative for you."

[Victer Dejan]

"In no small part thanks to you. Some of the Happan goods are fetching quite a price in other systems." Victer stopped at the entrance to the galley, and grabbed a handle. The door swung wide. Inside, from floor to two meters, were bottles of wine.

"I think you should save that one for a special occasion." Victer said, and pulled out another bottle, a Tallian red. He pulled out two wine glasses and a bottle opener.

With the glasses slotted between his fingers, he expertly poured each to the halfway point, and re-corked the bottle with one hand.

"Cheers." He said, and lifted his glass up.

[Adraudia Basillie]

"Well, at least our dealings with the Hapans are proving fruitful. I hate to think our aggravation in negotiating with them was for naught," she said languidly.

Adraudia daintily clasped the stem of her glass and hoisted it up. "Cheers, my darling, Captain Dejan," she purred before taking a coy sip.

[Victer Dejan]

Victer also took a sip.

"Well, there is one last thing I would like to show you. It's really best viewed from space."

[Adraudia Basillie]

Her eyebrow arched in curiosity over the rim of her glass. "You do realize that if we leave the planet just to go into orbit, my guards, not to mention the entire Palace, is going to go mad with worry."

It was a statement of fact. Iziz Court would be fearful of their Queen's life until the day an heir was proclaimed.

[Victer Dejan]

"Sure." Victer shrugged. He ran his finger across the edge of his glass, which emitted a low hum. He took another sip.

"I already filed the flight itinerary, though. It says a tour through the solar system with one passenger. It would be a shame to waste it."

[Adraudia Basillie]

Adraudia mulled it over in her head with a pout. Duty was begging her to walk out of the ship, down the ramp and stand by her loyal soldiers outside. It was the proper thing to do, and if not for Razielle's free spirited nature infecting her being and a long desire to do something, anything, fun clutched needfully inside her heart, she would have.

And she would be with Victer. Out in space. All to herself. With no one to distract them.

"Frak it," cursed the Queen unexpectedly and thumbed her comm link with a smirk. "Captain Dejan is going to demonstrate the capabilities of his ship. We shant be gone for too long and will remain in this sector. And before I hear any protests about how unsafe it is for me to go, need I remind you of the Hapan fleet protecting our planet?"

She heard them clear their throats. It wasn't as if they were going storm into the ship and try to shoot their way into the cockpit and take Victer hostage. He was an adviser to the throne and may endanger their Queen in the process. Not to mention showing poor manners. No your Majesty, but we must contact the Palace and make them aware of your departure.

"But of course," she said and waved her hand for Victer to start the engines before the Court could attempt to stop them, "I wouldn't want them fretting about my whereabouts."

[Victer Dejan]

"Me either." Victer deadpanned.

He reached into his pocket and pushed a button. The ramp closed quickly, and the ship hummed to life. Ten seconds later, as Victer settled into the pilot's seat, the struts had retracted, and the ship hovered three meters off of the landing pad. Adraudia had climbed into the co-pilot's seat, and turned off her com with a chuckle. He pressed a button near a blank spot in the console that seperated the pilot and co-pilot's seats. The spot turned over, revealing a pair of adaptable drink holders. He slipped his glass in. The ship lifted gently, the repulsors making a quiet whine. Victer eased into the power, not bothering to break the sound barrier until well clear of Iziz, and flicked the ship's comm off wtih a smile. The accelleration compensators were able to easily keep up with the gentle manuvers.

They broke through the atmosphere a minute later. The Gamble took an orbit opposite from Dxun. The jungle mood always made him nervous.

He tipped the autopilot on, instructing it to hold position above the planet and grabbed his glass of wine. Half of the starboard cargo hold had been converted into a personal suite.

"Close your eyes." He instructed at the door. The door opened. A carpeted, modern bedroom with more of the same color trim as the rest of the ship. Again, it wasn't as ostentatious as a yatch. It didn't have the opulence, and was too restrained. There was no gold, or obviously expensive wood trim. In the center, a king-sized bed. Behind the bed, the armor had moved aside of the transparisteel windows that ran the length of the two outer sides of the room.

"You can open your eyes now." The planet glowed below, surrounded by stars.

[Adraudia Basillie]

"Oh my!" Adraudia almost spilled her glass, but Victer was there to deftly catch it before it could stain the carpet.

The Queen had not left Onderon since she was a child, and those memories of space travel had hardened into foreign memories long since forgotten. She pressed her hands against the transparisteel and gasped again in awe at seeing Iziz from this high up. You couldn't miss it for it was the only source of man made light, but there were fires around the city, part of Mandalore's camp to be sure. On the distant horizon, a Hapan Battle Cruiser kept a watchful eye on the planet below and the sea of space surrounding it. Adraudia felt a moments guilt at the sight, wishing it was her non-existent fleet protecting Onderon. But if everything went to plan, it would be ...

[Victer Dejan]

They were in low orbit. To the left, a glorious view of the atmosphere glowing against the eventual dawn. He let Adraudia stare in awe. As far as planets from orbit, Onderon ranked high. It's small oceans and lakes were bits of blue in a green sea, with occasional browns and whites from frozen peaks. When Adraudia turned back, Victer finally spoke.

"I'd heard it had been a while since you'd been in space. How do you like it?"

[Adraudia Basillie]

"I have no words to describe how grateful I am for this," she said, closing the distance between them. "They believe they are protecting me, but all they are doing is suffocating me. But you!"

Adraudia cupped his cheek tenderly. "You gave me wings and set me free. Even if only for a short time. Gods..."

A shy chuckle came, "I sound like a silly little girl, don't I?"

[Victer Dejan]

"No." Victer said, and took her hand into his.

"You sound like a woman who has been suffocating under duty and formality." He lifted her hand up and kissed it.

[Adraudia Basillie]

His lips against her skin sent a quiver up her arm and she smiled. "Yes, but not now," she purred, gazing into his dark eyes with longing.

[Victer Dejan]

Victer kissed his way up her arm. He could see her skin flush, and feel the heat roll off her.

[Adraudia Basillie]

She sucked in a heated breath and ran a hand through his scalp, brushing up his hair into a mussy mess. But then her lustful eyes widened, Adraudia's mouth forming an 'o' as she realized that this was Victer's plan all along.

"You're the devil!" she laughed, taking him into her arms and looked into his eyes longingly. "My clever Captain."

[Victer Dejan]

"I'm your devil." He said, agreeing, and kissed her neck. His hands explored her back.

[Adraudia Basillie]

She squeaked in surprise, but it quickly subsided. Her eyes fluttered closed as she succumbed to his desire. Hands ran down his sides and rounded his waist.

It was usually at this time that some meeting, or decision or just plain bad luck of a servant would disturb their tryst. But out here in space, with only them on board, could they finally fulfill a wanting desire that had been building for close to a year.

[Victer Dejan]

It was four hours later. They had worked out quite a bit of tension in that time. Things had gone more smoothly that either could have guessed. In the year that had gone by, both had become adept at reading each other, and it had transitioned well into the physical realm.

Fact of the matter was that Victer was able to keep up with his younger counterpart, but not as well as he would have liked. Somehow, she had found the time to keep in excellent physical shape. Months of negotiations had taken a small toll on Victer's regular regimen.

They lay on his new bed, each with a glass of wine in hand, properly winded. The ship trembled. Victer peered out of the one-way glass.

"I do believe Onderon's system defense has taken an interest in us."

[Adraudia Basillie]

Adraudia followed his line of sight to the Hapan cruiser that had gotten just close enough to rock the boat, so to speak. They had been caught in the wake of their engines in order to promote a response.

The Queen sighed, "Well, it was too good to last. At least it took four hours this time to be interrupted."

She accentuated that point with an adoring kiss on Victer's lips and slipped into something suitable, a blue silken robe. Last thing the court needed to see was their Queen in a unruly state of undress. Fingers ran through her hair to make her presentable as she sat down at the Captain's desk. A red light blinked in and out excessively on the console. A communication from Iziz City was the source of the message, not the Hapan vessel surprisingly.

"The Court had probably asked the Hapans to politely get our attention." She calmed herself and closed her eyes briefly before accepting the communication. Instantly, a voice barked over the speakers.

"Your Majesty!" It was Minister Khom, one of the older gentlemen on her staff. He oversaw all of the agricultural resources that Onderon had to offer. "The Court is in uproar at this ... this ... antic! You've scared us half to death and the Royal Guards are at their wits end!"

"Calm down, Khom. I haven't gone far and the Hapans are out here protecting me as I'm sure you've noticed," she said snidely.

"Yes, well, can you blame us? As the only ...

"Line of Basillie still alive and with no successor to the throne, my life must be protected at all costs."

Khom's holoprojected likeness stared downwards. "Yes, but as I said, can you blame us? We have a duty to protect the line of succession and ensure the throne is secure."

"I take my duties seriously, Khom. The Court knows this, but ..." Her lips grew thin and her stomach wretch with a wave of nausea as she placated him. "I needed time away. For myself. The Hapans are generous, but their ways have proved ... taxing."

Khom nodded appreciatively, knowing exactly how difficult it was to negotiate with them.

"But, my short lived vacation is over. Captain Dejan will be bringing me home shortly."

She watched Khom's eyes narrowed with suspicion. "I should certainly hope so. See you soon, your Majesty."

Adraudia was taken aback by how curt he was. "Hmm, I think the Court does not approve of you any longer, dearest."

[Victer Dejan]

"Hah." Victer said. "You should tell them it's in their best interest to increase the chances of an heir to the throne. Bunch of bristly worry-worts." Adraudia glanced at Victer. Her heart was fighting duty, and duty won, again. Victer set his wine glass aside. He was familiar with that look, and knew better than when to push against it. Adraudia was a grown, powerful woman, and liked to make her own decisions. Victer simply presented interesting and otherwise unavailable options.

"I don't care. It was worth it." He said, and stretched his bare arms wide. "Four hours." He added while he gathered new clothes. "A new record." Victer grinned while he dressed. He had no problem with disappointing authority figures over their unrealistic expectations of reality, unless that authority figure was his favored.

[Adraudia Basillie]

Adraudia actually blushed. So uncharacteristic of her, but this was the first time she had ever laid with a man. A better part of a year without expressing her desire with Victer had drove them both mad with passion.

But yes. He was right. It was quite worth it and stood to dress. "Be careful what you wish for though, Victer love. The Court might actually take you up on that offer and force you to stay with me."

Her smile was coy. "After they settle down of course. Best you lay low for awhile."

[Victer Dejan]

"If that's the worst they threaten, I think I'll manage." Victer feigned worry and bravado at the same time. He gave her a kiss that threatened to turn into something more. Both stopped before it did.

"I'll go start the descent." He said, nose rested against hers.

"Yes, you should." Adraudia agreed with a bit lip, and gently pushed him away. Victer buttoned his shirt as he dissapeared around the corner to the cockpit. The ship began to move moments later.