Path of Destiny - Chapter 5
The Path of Destiny
Chapter Five
Part One
Dwelling
Drayce
walked into a spare room to see his prisoner, Counselor Ryvinia waking up.
Ryvinia�s
eyes cleared then focused on Drayce, glaring at him. �I see that you had your
escape planned all along,� she told him.
Drayce
smiled. �But of course,� he replied, playing along.
�What
do you want of me?�
�My
dear Counselor, I want a number of things that I have yet to decide
which to do first.� He paused. �Your niece follows orders very nicely. Let us
see if you can as well.�
Her
eyes narrowed slightly. �What do you mean?�
Drayce
strode over to Ryvinia and roughly grabbed her chin, holding it tightly. �Do
not insult my intelligence, Counselor! I know that Sedona is your
niece and I intend to make use of your devotion to her!�
Ryvinia
swallowed, realizing that Drayce indeed knew about Sedona. �Very well. Just do
not let any harm come to her.� Her normally strong voice wavered slightly.
He
released her chin, straightening. �That will be for you to determine, my dear
Counselor.�
Drayce
gave Ryvinia such a smile that it sent shivers up and down the normally
composed Exoian counselor.
Part Two
Passageway/alleyway
After about ten
minutes, the group encountered a door that easily swung out into a deserted alleyway.
One by one the group stepped into the alleyway.
The alleyway was
a dead-end one way and the other way led into what seemed to be a main
thoroughfare. Besides boxes, trash receptacles and an occasional tiny furry
creature that scurried about, there was no physical evidence that anyone had
been here.
�Looks like
we�ve reached a dead-end,� Malcolm said sourly.
�Not
necessarily,� Caden said. �Myrek most likely had a vehicle of some kind. He
would not risk being seen with the counselor, who would most likely be
unconscious.�
Krysira, who had
been studying the area, turned to the others. �Land vehicles in use would
generate some type of heat, correct?� She questioned the group, though her gaze
rested on Trip.
Trip gazed back
at her, nodding. �Yes,� he replied. �Let me have the scanner, Malcolm.�
Malcolm gave the
device back to Trip, who made a couple of adjustments to the scanner.
Trip studied the
readout for a few moments, then gave Krysira a big grin. �There was some type
of vehicle here,� he announced. �And he went in that direction.� He pointed
towards the apparent thoroughfare.
Trey nodded. �We
will follow, Commander Tucker,� the space pilot said.
Part Three
Recreation/dining hall
Everyone looked,
as the doors slid open to admit Entok, the guard they had met earlier from the
holding cells. Three Exoians followed him: two males and one female. These
Exoians wore dark blue robes with gold trim.
Gadi, who had
been sitting at a far table with Roxx and Chelz, immediately got up,
approaching the newcomers. He bowed slightly.
�Tribune
Pallaton, Advisor Nayda and Advisor Durriken,� Gadi greeted. �What brings you
here?�
�We understand
that Drayce has escaped.� Pallaton stated. �Is this...true?�
�Unfortunately
yes, Tribune.�
Pallaton sighed.
�Is Counselor Ryvinia aware of this development?� He scanned the room. �I do
not see her here.�
Gadi motioned
towards a table. �Please sit, Tribune. I am afraid that there is a great deal
to explain.�
Pallaton nodded
and went to the indicated table with Nayda and Durriken seated on either side
of him.
Gadi first
introduced everyone, then began his explanation with assistance from Qui-Gon
Jinn and Jonathan Archer.
After about
fifteen minutes, the Tribunal had been informed of the events that had taken
place over the past few days.
�What is being
done about finding Ryvinia?� Nayda questioned.
�We have people
investigating it,� Gadi replied.
Durriken folded
his arms across his chest, leveling his gaze at Qui-Gon. �It appears that the
Jedi do not take Ryvinia�s kidnapping seriously, for they do not go
themselves,� Durriken said in a disgusted tone.
Qui-Gon met
Durriken�s hard gaze with an even gaze of his own. �On the contrary, Advisor
Durriken,� the Jedi Master replied. �Counselor Ryvinia�s well-being and safe
return is of the utmost importance. My Jedi companion, Knight Krysira Antilles
is leading the investigation.�
�I see. Forgive
me, Master Jinn. I meant no offense. I had no idea that there was another Jedi
assisting in the negotiations.�
Qui-Gon merely nodded.
Pallaton looked
over at Archer. �I hope that our people have been tending to your needs,
Captain,� he said.
Archer nodded.
�The hospitality of your people is exemplary,� the captain replied. �Thanks.�
Pallaton looked
pleased. �That is good to hear.� He looked at Gadi. �Until Ryvinia is found, I
will assume leadership, according to our laws.�
Gadi nodded. �Of
course, Tribune.�
The Tribune
stood. His advisors stood as well. �Now...if you will excuse us, we have
business to attend to, Gadi. Please keep us informed of your progress in your
investigation.�
�It will be
done.�
�Excellent.�
Pallaton looked at the others, merely nodding his goodbye. He then turned on
his heel and strode towards the door with his advisors right behind him. He
momentarily paused next to Entok, speaking briefly, then proceeded out the
doors.
Entok made his
way over to the group, stopping in front of the Jedi Master. �Tribune Pallaton
has offered my services...should the need arise,� he said.
�Thank-you,�
Qui-Gon replied. �Any assistance is greatly appreciated.� He turned to the
others. �We should prepare to join Krysira and the others, when it is time.
Entok will be joining me, as well as Obi-Wan, Captain Archer and Elkan.�
�Master Jinn.�
It was Lonan. �I would like to go along as well.�
Qui-Gon neared
the young Exoian page, laying a large and gently on his shoulder. �Your offer
is appreciated, Lonan; however, you are too close to the present situation and
your judgment may be impaired.�
Lonan�s
shoulders slumped. �I understand.�
Qui-Gon smiled
gently. �However, giving whatever assistance Chelz and Ensign Sato might
require while here in the government center is just as important.�
Lonan
brightened. �As you wish, Master Jinn.�
The Jedi Master
smiled, taking his hand away then turned back to Entok. �I believe that the
group should take weapons as a precaution.�
Entok nodded.
�Of course. If you will follow me, I will see that you are properly armed,� he
told the members of Qui-Gon�s group.
The guard headed
towards the door. Qui-Gon, Elkan, Obi-Wan and Archer followed.
Those that were
left: Lonan, Kaylar, Roxx, Gadi, Hoshi and Chelz sat a table.
�What do we do
in the meantime?� Hoshi questioned.
�One of the
hardest things anyone can do...wait,� Chelz replied.
Part Four
Marketplace
The scanner
readout led Trip, Krysira and the others to a small marketplace that looked
closed. The stores were set in a semi-circle with the thoroughfare ending in a
cul-de-sac shape.
Trip stopped,
sighing in disgust. �Damn!� He swore softly.
�Trip?� Krysira
questioned in a concerned manner, as she peered over his shoulder, discreetly
laying a slender hand on his low back.
�I lost the
trail.� He motioned to the scanner display. �There�s just too many heat residue
trails. It�s impossible to figure out which one we were following.� He growled
softly, as he leaned lightly against Krysira, enjoying her closeness. Upon
feeling her calm demeanor, Trip relaxed a bit.
Malcolm sighed
heavily. �Another dead-end!� He exclaimed.
Krysira gazed at
Malcolm. �Take heart, Malcolm. The Force will show us the way,� she assured
him.
The British
armory officer had to smile. �Not for anything, Krysira, but you sound just
like Qui-Gon.�
Trip, Trey,
Caden and Sedona all chuckled softly.
Krysira smiled
gently. �I consider that a compliment. Thank-you,� she replied.
Malcolm grinned.
�My pleasure.�
Trey looked over
the area, then turned back to the others. �We could check each store,� he
recommended.
Malcolm frowned.
�I believe that that would be considered breaking and entering,� he pointed
out.
Trey shook his
head. �I am not suggesting that. What I mean is looking inside each store to
see if it is in use.�
�What are you
hoping to find, Trey?� Trip questioned.
�It is obvious
that Myrek came this way with Counselor Ryvinia. Therefore, one can assume that
he entered one of these buildings.�
�What if we�re
wrong about assuming that he came this way?� Malcolm asked.
�It is a chance
we must take.�
�Trey is
correct,� Krysira replied. �We must try and there is no harm in looking.� Her
gaze swept over the buildings. �Trip, Trey and myself will look around these
three stores...� She indicated the buildings with a graceful gesture of her
hand. �Malcolm, Caden and Sedona, the other two. Agreed?� She saw the others
nod. �Let us continue.�
Part Five
Recreation/dining hall
Roxx walked over
to Lonan, who was seated at a table in the corner. The younger teenager looked
up at the other teenager�s approached.
�May I...join
you?� Roxx questioned.
Lonan merely
nodded.
The older
teenager seated himself. �Please...accept my apology for not believing you,� he
said.
Lonan stared at
him. �Of course, Roxx,� he replied. �But...I suppose telling all those stories
made it...hard for people to believe me.�
�Perhaps...but
no one will doubt you now, my friend...especially me.� He grinned at Lonan.
Lonan smiled
brightly.
Roxx�s smile
faded a bit. �I am sorry about Sedona. I never expected that of her.�
The younger
teenager sobered a bit. �Neither did I.... But it seems that she had no
choice.�
�Are
you...defending her actions?�
Lonan sighed. �I
guess, I am trying to understand the situation from her point of view. Everyone
does things for a reason and we are obligated to make every effort to
understand what those reasons are before we pass judgment...do you not think
so, Roxx?�
Roxx rested his
forearms on the table, thinking. �Yes...you are right, Lonan.� He suddenly
grinned again. �You are sounding like the Jedi now.�
Lonan blushed
slightly. �Obi-Wan has been helping me deal with the events that have happened
recently. And I value his friendship as well.�
�Then he is a
good friend indeed...as I hope I can be as well.�
�I would like
that very much.�
The two teens
grinned at each other, feeling the bonds of friendship forming between them.
Hoshi and Chelz
sat a table in the middle of the room.
�When we were in
the cells, Trey and you seemed, well, rather close,� Hoshi pointed out.
A purple tinge
highlighted Chelz�s cheeks. �You are quite observant, Ensign Sato,� she replied.
�We have been apart far too much and Trey wishes to remedy that.�
Hoshi smiled. �I
can see that this makes you happy.�
Chelz beamed.
�Yes. I had hoped for some time now that Trey would want to make our
relationship more permanent.�
�Marriage?�
�In time. There
are things that we each need to tend to, before starting a life together, but
the marriage will take place.�
Hoshi reached
out and squeezed Chelz�s hand briefly. �I�m so happy for you.�
Chelz nodded.
�Thank-you.� She paused. �I have noticed that Commander Tucker hardly leaves
Knight Krysira�s side.�
�True.
They�re...inseparable.� Hoshi pressed her lips in a thin line wondering if she
let on too much about Trip and Krysira�s relationship that she had just found
out about earlier.
The Exoian woman
arched a delicate orange eyebrow. �Inseparable?� She thought for a few moments,
then smiled. �They do make a very handsome couple, do they not?�
Hoshi nodded.
�Yes, they do...but I don�t think that I should say anymore about it. Probably
shouldn�t�ve said what I did.�
�Rest assured,
Ensign Sato. I will not speak of it to anyone. It will be between us.�
Hoshi looked
relieved. �Thank-you.�
Chelz smiled.
�Come...let me introduce you to some Exoian sweets.� She rose to her feet.
�Sounds great!�
Hoshi stood up as well.
The two women
made their way to the food service area.
Part Six
Marketplace
Ten
minutes had passed without success for the group. Trey, Krysira and Trip
approached the last building, which was made of black stone.
All peered through a window. The inside looked as though it had not been used
in years.
Trip, on a hunch, turned the scanner back on. After a few moments, his eyes
widened upon seeing the results of the scan.
"Krys," Trip began. "There's a heat residue trail inside. Looks
like it originated from the left side of the building. But it ends
abruptly."
"Then this building is not as...abandoned as it appears," Krysira
remarked.
Trip, then, began to scan around the front of the building, slowly moving
around the corner to the left with Krysira a couple of paces behind him.
Trey saw the others turn away from the building that they were at. Upon seeing
them look his way, he motioned for them to come over.
A few seconds later, Malcolm, Sedona and Caden joined Trey.
"What is it, Trey?" Caden wanted to know.
"It seems that we have found a possible
lead," Trey replied. "Come."
Trey led them around the left side of the building to see Trip, scanning the
wall.
Trip looked over at the others. "According to the scanner, there�s definitely
a door here," he told them. "Opening it is a whole other story."
"Commander?" It was Malcolm, then continued seeing Trip look at him.
"It could be triggered by a signal. Maybe if you found the
frequency..."
"Then the door will open!" Trip finished.
Malcolm nodded. "Precisely."
Trip made a few adjustments on the scanner. After about five minutes, an
audible click was heard. He felt a hand gently clutch the back of his tunic,
pulling him back from the wall. He knew that it was Krysira without even
looking. He was very much aware of her gentle presence. Part of the wall slowly
slid up to reveal an open area that had a land vehicle and a smaller passageway
that appeared to be of metal origin, that gave off a low
eerie greenish glow.
Krysira closed her eyes, as she let go of Trip's tunic. /"Qui-Gon,"/
she thought.
/"Krysira? Have you found something?"/ Qui-Gon's reply was
instantaneous.
/"Yes. Please listen carefully. The passageway behind the bookcase leads
into an alleyway. Follow it to the left. It leads into a main thoroughfare. Go
right. This will take you to an empty marketplace with five stores. Go to the
left of the black-stoned building. There is a doorway that can be activated by
using the correct frequency. We are about to follow a smaller
passageway."/
/"Excellent, Krysira. Keep us informed of me informed of your
progress."/
/"As you wish, Qui-Gon."/ Krysira closed the connection and opened
her eyes to see Trip looking at her.
"Letting Qui-Gon know what we found so far?" Trip assumed his voice
soft.
"Yes," she replied, smiling softly at Trip's growing perceptiveness.
"Let's go, then," Trip suggested, moving towards the passageway.
Krysira followed him. Malcolm and Trey were next, followed by Sedona and Caden.
They entered the passageway. As they walked along. Krysira got a sense of
danger from the Force. It seemed to grow slowly as the group moved further down
the passageway.
Trip was several paces ahead of Krysira. He grunted softly, upon seeing that
the scanner's display was picking up absolutely nothing. He shut it off,
putting in his belt pocket.
About five minutes later, Trip saw that the passageway not only went straight,
but also to the left. He paused in the middle of the 'T' to see that there was
a small curve in the right sidewall before straightening out again. He looked
then to the left.
The danger that Krysira had been feeling hit her full force. The nimble Jedi
Knight sprinted forward. "Trip!" She shouted.
Trip had no chance to respond for Krysira had shoved him out of the way,
causing him to land face first on the ground in the corridor straight ahead.
Krysira began to turn towards the same passageway that Trip was looking down
when she was suddenly flung back without warning or sound.