DbD Thirty-Four: Brentaal, Part Three (Patreon)

Ali’ya felt the moment her master arrived. After forcing the Vigo to surrender, most of the guards had either laid down their weapons or fled. Those who remained--including the six guards who survived the fight--were tied up by a disgruntled Alyse Dajaal. Ali’ya took an un-Jedi-like amount of pleasure from forcing the noblewoman to do her own work.

Here, Ali’ya thought, pushing out the route she’d taken to her Master. There were likely some of the Black Sun’s members who remained in the palace, but the route she’d taken had been mostly clear. She hadn’t been able to get much out of her captives, just a toothy smile from the Vigo, a glare from his second, and a claim of diplomatic immunity from the Phindian.

The door opened. Ali’ya turned, her thumb ready to activate her saber despite the calm in the force. “Padawan.”

“Master,” Ali’ya sighed in relief, relaxing her stance. “It is good to see you.”

“It has been far too long,” Master Bulq agreed. “Now, perhaps you might introduce me to your guests?”

“Excuse me!” Alyse Dajaal huffed. “This is my house!”

“This is Alyse Dajaal,” Ali’ya answered her master’s questioning look.

“Of the Dajaal family,” Master Bulq muttered. “Those who stand to lose the most from this agreement.”

“She was the original person behind the anti-treaty campaign.”

“I didn’t mean for it to come to this!” Alyse exclaimed. “I--they made me! They threatened me, they--”

“Come now dear,” the Vigo spoke up for the first time. “You were just as willing to usurp the throne as we were. You merely objected to some of our plans and methods.”

“Anderson.”

“Ah, Master Bulq,” the Vigo smiled. “It’s good to see you again. Think you can convict me this time?”

“If you don’t, I’ll kill you the next.” Ali’ya looked sharply at her master, his presence gleaming with reigned-in anger.

“Ah,” the Vigo said. “Perhaps I shall cooperate this time. A reduced sentence, of course?”

“Of course,” Master Bulq huffed. “I assume you are unwilling to turn on any of your Black Sun friends?”

“I will neither admit nor deny membership in any organization calling itself the Black Sun,” the Vigo stated. “I can, however, tell you anything you want to know about these two,” he gestured with bound arms at Dajaal and the Phindian. “In exchange I get, shall we say, five years at a light-security facility?”

“Ten years at medium-security.”

Master?

Not now, her master told her. I’ll explain later.

“You know that won’t make a difference,” the Vigo laughed.

“If it doesn’t make a difference, agree to it.”

The Vigo rolled his eyes, but nodded. “Fine then. What do you know about Syndicat?”

*

“Hey, Marque?” Ali’ya said. She winced, hearing the hesitation in her own voice. She hated lying to her friends, but hated coming clean even more. “I, uh, I have something I need to tell you.”

Marque raised an eyebrow, but sat down across from her. “Okay. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing!” Ali’ya said. “Or, maybe? I don’t know. I, uh, I didn’t come here just to learn.”

Marque said nothing.

“I was kinda . . . undercover?”

“Is this about you being a Jedi?”

Ali’ya stopped short. Her mouth was open. She snapped it shut. “How did you know?”

“I didn’t think it was a secret?” Marque replied. “I mean, there’s not that many Togorians in the galaxy, and you didn’t even change your name.”

“Did everyone know I was a Jedi?” Ali’ya asked. Alyse certainly had, as did the Vigo.

“Probably not?” Marque asked, and Ali’ya slumped in her chair. “I mean, you didn’t seem particularly Jedi-like, so probably just the people who were interested in your background.”

“How many people is that?” Ali’ya groaned.

“I mean, you are making waves here,” Marque said, and Ali’ya winced at the gentle tone. “There was an article in the alumni newsletter about you. Fifteen and already two-thirds of the way through a degree.”

Ali’ya groaned, hiding her face in her hands. “Just as well I’m not staying here.”

“You’re not?” Marque asked incredulously. “Ali’ya, you’re two months from graduation if you keep your current pace. Why wouldn’t you--”

“A follow-up from the reason I’m here,” Ali’ya said. “My master and I are needed elsewhere.”

“At least talk to the Headmaster about continuing via the holonet,” Marque sighed. “And don’t forget to comm me!”

“I won’t,” Ali’ya smiled. “I’m just glad you’re still willing to be my friend.”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” Marque asked. “Besides, there’s only a few people I can count on not to like me just for my status.”

“I’m happy to be one of them.”

*

Cormond Herald

Cormond Courthouse--Alyse Dajaal has been arrested, Oryn Antilles announced late last night. The head of the Dajaal families, Alyse Dajaal was arrested in connection with the series of terror attacks aimed at destroying Brentaal’s relationship with Denon. While most of the attacks have been foiled by the original mediator of the deal, Jedi Master Sora Bulq, eighteen have died and countless more been injured by Dajaal’s heartless actions. Dajaal was arrested by Master Sora Bulq after having her life saved by Master Bulq’s apprentice, Jedi Padawan Ali’ya. Those familiar with the Brentaal Commerce Academy may recognize Padawan Ali’ya as the young Togorian who has completed four semesters of study in as many months.

Padawan Ali’ya became aware of Dajaal’s involvement in the attacks after Dajaal herself confessed, seeking protection from her partners. Although not explicitly named, both Whym Anderson and Jon Coru have been arrested in conjunction with the attacks, as has Phindian Morel Adders. Both Anderson and Coru have been connected with the Black Sun syndicate in the past, though Anderson has never been convicted. Adders is an assistant to the Phindian ambassador to Brentaal, who has claimed ignorance of his aide’s actions.

Following the announcement of Dajaal’s arrest, the share price of Dajaal Technology’s stock has fallen drastically. With share price already low in anticipation of the Brentaal-Denon Free Trade Agreement this has led to speculation among many that Dajaal Technology may be sold in the near future.

For more on the Brentaal-Denon Free Trade Agreement, click here.

For more on Phindar, click here.

For more on Dajaal Technologies, click here.

*

Quest: A Proper Gander Completed!

Discover who is spreading propaganda against the Brentaal-Denon agreement

Rewards: 1,000 experience points

Bonus Quest: Discover the backers of the anti-treaty terrorists

Rewards: 1,000 experience points

Quest: Denon Arrival Completed!

Ensure the safety of the Denon delegation at the 944 ARR Galactic Commerce Meeting, taking place at Brentaal

Rewards: 100 experience points per attacker defeated (8,700 experience points), win the respect of certain parties who support the Brentaal-Denon alliance

Bonus Quest: Discover the attackers’ identities

Rewards: 500 experience points per identity discovered (1,500 experience points)

Bonus Quest: Arrest the attack’s leaders and supporters

Rewards: 500 experience points per leader captured (1,500 experience points), 100 experience points per other person captured (1,200 experience points), increase reputation on Brentaal

Bonus Quest: Stop the attack before it begins

Reward: 2,000 experience points

Quest: Tip-Top (Year 1) Completed!

Make the top 5% of students at the Brentaal Commerce Academy

Rewards: 1 experience points for each person you out-perform

Class Size: 5,575

Position: 55th

Experience Points: 5,520 experience points

Bonus Quest: Make the top 1% of students at the Brentaal Commerce Academy

Rewards: 5 experience points for everyone in the top 5% who you out-perform

Top 5%: 278

Position: 55th

Experience Points: 1,115 experience points

Bonus Quest: Make the top ten students at the Brentaal Commerce Academy Failed

Quest: Tip-Top (Year 2) Completed!

Make the top 5% of students at the Brentaal Commerce Academy

Rewards: 2.5 experience points for each person you out-perform

Class Size: 4,877

Position: 9th

Experience Points: 12,170 experience points

Bonus Quest: Make the top 1% of students at the Brentaal Commerce Academy

Rewards: 10 experience points for everyone in the top 5% who you out-perform

Top 5%: 243

Position: 9th

Experience Points: 2,340 experience points

Bonus Quest: Make the top ten students at the Brentaal Commerce Academy

Rewards: 25 experience points for everyone in the top 1% who you out-perform

Top 1%: 48

Position: 9th

Experience Points: 975 experience points

Bonus Quest: Be top of the year at Brentaal Commerce Academy Failed

Level: 21 → 23

Experience Points: 4,100/23,000

Quest: The Graduate

Complete your degree at the Brentaal Commerce Academy

Reward: +25 to each skill studied at BCA

Failure: -50 to each financial skill

Quest: Tip-Top (Year 3)

Make the top 5% of students at the Brentaal Commerce Academy

Reward: 5 points for each person you out-perform

Failure: -5 points for each person who out-performs you

Quest: Phindar

Learn the truth of the Syndicat

Reward: ???

Failure: ???, possible death