[IRW Aylhr] Penumbra - SD242302.22 | Plot Prelude | Penumbra

A Mission Post by Riov Rhaego tr'Neyl
Mission: Penumbra
Location: Alpha Eridani
Timeline: 1 Month Previous

[Alpha Eridani, Planet Eternity]

Eternity was a giant blue marble of swirling clouds and dark turquoise oceans. Every time he visited the planet Chavek was impressed with its natural beauty. The sun's reflection glimmered brilliantly in the ocean just as the transport passed through a thick tuft of white clouds. The transport jolted slightly from turbulence and the sound of belongings jostling about in their cubbies could be heard in the cabin. Chavek gripped the armrest of his chair as the transport slowly started gliding downward towards the silver city at the ocean's edge. As they got closer the bright metallic blob transformed into the articulate towers of steel and glass that reached high into the sky, surrounded by emerald parks and well-manicured forests, both dotting the city's interior and surrounding its exterior. The horizon was dominated by a line of emerald and white mountains. It was always a beautiful sight that reminded him of Latasalaem on ch'Havran.

"We will be landing shortly. Please remain seated and then you may collect your belongings. Passengers, please use your designated departure exits." A mechanical voice echoed from the intercom in Rihannsu.

When the transport finally landed Chavek grabbed his small duffle bag and made his way to the airlock nearest to his sention. He found himself in a short line and then walked down the steps to the concrete below. His robes fluttered gently from a cool breeze coming down from the emerald mountains that lined the far horizon tipped with white ice.

"Dei- I mean, my lord!" Chavek looked up to see Narek rushing to him. His young aid appeared out of breath when he reached the Senator. "Forgive me my lord- I almost forgot your request." Chavek stared sternly at the youngster. He had asked Narek to not address him as 'Deihu' and instead as lord. He would rather not have anyone knew that a Senator was visiting. Such information would invite trouble in a world such as Eternity. Though he would forgive Narek for the lapse. The young man came highly recommended and had spent almost a decade with the Tal'Diann. While he appeared a bit clumsy at times, he was quite clever and meticulous in his work. These traits made up for his deficiencies.

"It is fine." Chavek said. He set his bag down and motioned for Narek to grab it. When the young picked it up, he studied the space port's open tarmac "where is our flitter? I wish to visit my sons before I retire to my room."

"Understood Lord." Narek bowed. "Please follow me." He led Chavek across the tarmac and to the terminal. A large crowd from the transport was in front of the checkpoint at Eternity's customs' station. When they made their way to a customs kiosk Narek walked through a small cylindrical hallway. Chavek followed and could hear a light buzzing sound as he went. When they exited the computer announced, "scans indicate no contraband" in both Eternity standard and Rihannsu. The guard that met them at the exit looked between Narek and Chavek and then waved them on.

When they arrived at the flitter Narek gently set the bag in the cargo hold and then opened the door for the Senator to enter. Sitting down in the plush back seats Chavek could finally feel the tiredness of his journey begging to tug at his eyelids. Taking the driver seat Narek activated the autopilot and input the coordinates. The flitter lifted off and pulled out into the blue Eternity sky.

"It is secure in here?" Chavek asked.

"Yes, my lord. I have installed proper communication jamming equipment."

"Good." Chavek nodded his head and then leaned back against the headrest "how goes your investigation?"

"I've been looking into the matter, and I believe I have found the source of the illegal contraband. I've been slowly collecting evidence and have sent most of the data to your personal ISD as requested. Though I have yet to discover the leader of the operation, I believe I am very close."

"Once you do, we can finally bring the issue to the Praetor and Galae'EnRiov. To think that others in the Senate would be involved in such illicit dealings..." Chavek sighed with annoyance. However, it wasn't hard to believe in all reality. Some valued power over honor and would do anything for it. But he would expose them, and they would be dealt with accordingly. While his cynicism didn't give him faith in much, he at least knew that Arrenhe t'Ahaefvthe and Shiarrael t'Rehu would deal with the matter harshly.

The flitter slowly began to make its way up the side of a mountain. Below them was a thick forest of tall pines that tapered off towards a large clearing on the side of the mountain. The flitter slowly descended and stopped on the edge of the large clearing. Thousands of marble headstones lined the pristine slope of the mountain. At its center was a large golden statue of a wing spread mogai. "Please wait for me, I will not be long." The door hissed open and Chavek stepped out. The breeze here was much colder than it was at the spaceport, but he found the sharpness of it a bit relaxing. He made his way down the familiar row of headstones until he reached the two, he was looking for.

He swept his hand against the cold marble causing a cloud of dust to be swept into the breeze. "How have you been my sons?" he asked, lowering his head, and leaning slightly into the marble. How long had it been now since both of his sons had died in orbit of this beautiful planet in war against the Federation? "Almost three decades have you slept here." He sighed. He could still remember both as young boys. Running and playing in the fields around their estate. Their smiles burned into his mind; he could see them smiling at him when he closed his eyes.

His eyes shot open, and he gripped the marble as a sudden burning sensation erupted into his chest. Water began to fill his eyes as he looked down to see the glinting edge of a bronze blade protruding from his abdomen. He coughed and a large spittle of emerald stained the white marble. His vision began to fade as he crumpled against his sons' headstones. Chavek tried to speak but only found himself choking on blood.

"Such a shame." A voice echoed in his periphery. He started to reach up towards a growing blur but was quickly consumed by eternal darkness.

[Eternity, Star Empire Consulate]

Marek tr'Ridion stared at the gurneys hovering into the Consulate's basement morgue. While it was not unusual for Rihannsu to die on Eternity, mostly from mining accidents, it was unusual for them to be murdered. He had waited five days for the Eternity authorities to release the bodies to him. Until this moment he had little details about the incident or the Rihannsu involved. The consul grimaced at the dark purple feet hanging off the edge of the gurneys. "Vaebn, what do we know of them?" He asked his assistant.

"Since we just received the bodies, we haven't been able to look into the matter." Vaebn held up a bag "but this was found in the flitter with one of the bodies." He walked over to a table and set it down and pulled the tabs open. He started going through the contents and pulled out several robes and pairs of undergarments. "Hmm, this is interesting." He finally pulled a glittering golden pendant out. "Some sort of jewelry?" He looked at Marek.

Taking a step forward Marek studied the spinning thing in Vaebn's hand. It took a moment but when the realization hit him, he inadvertently gasped. "Get me a channel to Ch'Rihan at once. That is the seal of a Senator!"

[To be continued…]

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