OOC:

This is a story I have had near completion for a while.  Thought I’d quickly finish it before changes to my character (such as maybe becoming Captain of my own ship) required too many changes to it!

Pherik ‘Serpent’ Zail was taking one of his visits to the surface of Belgaroth.  Few would consider the dingy planet a good place for a walk, but with his ship based in the orbital shipyards, there was really little choice in the matter.

Strolling through the dark and dirty streets, the young Navy man had a look at the shops he passed.  All were small, barely presentable, and he bet that few of the goods on sale were reliable.  Eventually Zail saw a datapad store, and despite the fact that he had one already, he decided on a whim to go in for a closer look.

The Duros owner of the cramped store glanced up at him as he entered.  Zail looked around at the racks of different model datapads, but what drew his eyes were the shelf upon shelf of datapacks.  As he inspected the labels, and analysed the bundles of datadiscs in each, he frowned at the contents.

“Quite a mix you have here,” He said to the shopkeeper.  “Republic opera, a complete season of Premier League Wedgesphere, a zoological survey of Kathol Rift planets...” Zail shrugged, unable to figure out the trend, if there was one.

“All very rare,” Said the Duros.  “Perhaps I point you to something you’d like?  Second shelf from bottom, third box in.”

Zail looked where instructed, and saw a datapack labelled ‘A Century of Naval History: Battles and Biographies’.  He lifted the pack, and glanced at the wealth of datadiscs within.  There was enough reading here to fill his free time for years!

“Two questions,” Said Zail.  “How much, and how did you know it would interest me?”

The Duros smiled.  “Your manner suggests you are with the VEN.  And as for price...”

Serpent did not like the figure, but he paid it anyway.

-----

A week later Zail was back on the Halcyon Warrior and sitting in the mess hall.  His lunch lay half-eaten in front of him, and his eyes were locked firmly on the datapad in his hands.

“Still reading that history stuff?” Asked his best friend, Simon Gradesh, as he fell into the seat next to him.

“Uh-huh,” Replied Zail, distracted.

“You finish reading that piece on your great-grandfather yet?” Asked Simon.

“Yeah...” Said his friend, still more focused on the datapad.  Normally Serpent would have taken any opening to talk about his ancestor, Commodore Jadion Zail, but for now he was too wrapped up in his current reading material.

“So what are you looking at now?” Pushed the other crewman.

Suddenly, Zail slammed down the pad.  “A ‘brutal war criminal who got what he deserved’!?” He roared in disbelief.

“Your great-grandfather?” Asked Simon, shocked by the outburst.

“What?  No!” Said Zail, correcting his friend.  “I was talking about Teshik.  Or at least, the picture of Teshik that this so-called biography paints.”

“Grand Admiral Osvald Teshik?” Clarified the other.  “The one captured at the Battle of Endor and executed by the Republic?”

“Yes,” Said Serpent with a scowl.  “All these datadiscs are written by different authors at different points in the last hundred years.  This biography seems to be written by some Republic historian trying justify the despicable injustice done to a great man.  Pathetic.”

Simon stared at his friend.  “Why are you so angry about this?  Teshik was with the Empire, and we are the Vast Empire.  They are as much the enemy as the Republic.  Why do we care if one of their dead leaders is painted bad by history?”

“I care,” Said Zail firmly.  “When I was a teenager I read of Teshik’s exploits and admired him.  He was not a bad man.  He did not massacre innocents or enslave anyone.  The Republic were just annoyed that, with Palpatine and Vader dead, they had no genuine war criminals to stand judgement for the Empire’s evils.  So when they captured Teshik they invented a load of nonsense and gave him a farce of a trial.”

Serpent sighed and took a deep breath before continuing.  “Listen, Teshik was not a bad man,” Continued Zail.  “He was a high ranking Imperial trying to do what was best in a corrupt regime.  It was men like him who broke away and formed the Vast Empire.  He deserves better than this.”

“Well if you don’t like it, you could always write your own biography,” Joked Simon, trying to lighten the mood.

Zail smiled at that, and then paused.  His face turned thoughtful.  “Yeah, I could!”

“What?” Asked his friend.  “No, wait, Pherik...”

But it was too late.  The idea had already taken root in the young man’s mind.

-----

The next month passed quickly for Pherik Zail, even more so than was usual for the First Officer of a Star Destroyer.  Duties kept him busy, yet somehow he found free time and filled it with two activities.  Firstly, he actively sought and read everything he could find on Osvald Teshik.  Secondly, he compiled what he learned on a datapad that was never far from his side.  Slowly, the complied notes took shape, took form.  Grouped sections on the Grand Admiral’s early life, career in the Clone Wars, and other topics slowly morphed into chapters.  His biography, his book, began to emerge.

Finally, after a month of hard work, he was back in the mess hall, datapad in hand and lost in editing.

“Is that thing grafted to your hand?” Asked a familiar voice.  “And here I was thinking that you didn’t have any cybernetics...”

Zail put the datapad down and looked at Simon.  “I’m nearly finished,” He said.

“Uh-huh, right,” Said Gradesh disbelievingly.  “Then again, you’ve been at that constantly.  Shouldn’t you be spending your spare time on more productive pursuits?  Like, say, Crewman Ban...”

Pherik scowled at the reference to the Twi’lek he had had a crush on since he first came on board the Halcyon Warrior.  “I can’t pursue her anymore.  I’m the XO and her superior, it would be inappropriate.  On which subject, my friend, you really should be calling me ‘sir’.”

The Corellian grinned broadly.  “Not in the mess hall, Pherik,” He taunted.  Gesturing again to Zail’s datapad, he said, “So, tell me, when will it be ready?”

“I don’t know,” Confessed Serpent.  “Something is... missing.  I feel like all I’ve done is regurgitate and reinterpret what others have said about Teshik.”

“That’s history writing, Pherik.”

“But I want to do more,” Said the other.  “I want something new, I want some real and original insight into the Grand Admiral.”

“Well I don’t think you are going to find it sitting at a mess hall table,” Observed Simon.

Zail nodded in agreement.  “Yeah, you’re right.  I need to go on a fact-finding mission.  I wonder where I should start...”

-----

Lotaith, the capital of the Vast Empire.  Pherik had visited the planet only once, for a few days stay at the capital to meet his father (who had then arranged his entry into the Academy).  Though the planet was hardly the architectural wonder of his lost homeworld of Alderaan, there was still much to admire about Lotaith, and now he had come to visit one of its most renowned locales.

The Halcyon Warrior had arrived at the planet so that the Captain could attend business in the capital.  Zail had been one of several crew to leave the ISD and descend to the planet below, taking a speeder-taxi across the central city to the quiet and majestic buildings on the outskirts.  There, a complex of structures old and modern composed the University of Lotaith, a place busy educating the future of the Vast Empire.

Zail walked across the campus, seeing the students walking about, laughing and joking under the trees that spread between the lecture halls.  He thought back to his own two years at the University of Corulag, and not for the first time regretted never having finished his course.  Then again, he had been a different man then, and tragic events had taken its toll on him.

He proceeded to the central structure of the campus, a large mansion of classic Old Republic architecture, and proceeded inside.  To the droid in the reception area he gave the name of the man he was to meet with, a Professor called Masheed.

Pherik had contacted the Professor a week previous and liaised with him through a string of messages.  One of the Halcyon Warrior bridge officers was a former graduate of the University, and had recommended Masheed when he heard of the XO’s efforts.  Serpent was still unsure how the bridge crew had found out about his project, but he suspected that Simon had something to do with it.

Arriving at the floor and room he was directed to, Zail knocked on the varnished wooden door, and a voice from within called, “Enter!”

Stepping inside, Pherik found a classic professor’s study, with shelf upon shelf of datadiscs, even the odd book, and an old man dressed in tweed sat at a grand desk.  “Greetings, Professor Masheed.  I am Warrant Officer 2nd Class Zail of the Halcyon Warrior.”

“Ah, yes,” Said the old man, rising to shake the other’s hand.  “Son of Captain Ardus Zail of the Blazing Crown, right?” He asked, his grey eyes, the same colour of his receding hair, blazing with interest and vitality.

Zail had not revealed his ancestry during their mails, so clearly the other man had read up on him.  “That’s correct,” He said simply, taking a seat opposite the other as they both sat down.

“A pleasure to meet one of the VEN, Warrant Officer Zail.  Now, pleasantries aside, to business,” Said Masheed.  “You say you are working on a biography of Osvald Teshik and need more info on him.”

“Indeed,” Said Serpent.  “You said in your messages that you could help, but not why I had to wait until I came to Lotaith.  If you had any extra information could you just not have sent it?”

The older man shook his head.  “I fear that you misunderstand.  I am the Professor of Military History here at the University, and have myself written entire volumes on military leaders both living and dead.  Grand Admiral Teshik I know about, but not in the sort of detail you seem to want.  However, I can be of service to your efforts.”

“Go on.”

“As you know, Teshik was captured at Endor, tried and executed,” Said Masheed.  “The Rebels managed to take him by disabling and boarding his ship, the Eleemosynary.  Now that ship, though damaged, was an Imperial-Class Star Destroyer.  The Rebels were not in the habit of wasting vessels, especially not ones that powerful.”

“They fixed it and took it as their own?” Asked Zail, unsure of the warship’s fate.

“Indeed.  Of course, in the process of refitting the Eleemosynary, the Rebels unearthed a lot of information from its datacore.  Military secrets, Imperial battle plans, fleet dispositions, and...” He trailed off, fixing his eyes on Serpent.

“Teshik’s logs and personal recordings?” Asked Pherik, suddenly very interested.

The other man nodded.

“What happened to that data?” Asked Zail.

“Turned over to Alliance- now New Republic- Intelligence.  They sifted through the data for anything of note, and then, when they were done, turned the records over to public archives.  Along with a lot of other war logs from captured Imperial ships, I believe that Teshik’s logs are in one of the libraries of Coruscant.”

Serpent sighed.  “Then until we conquer that world we are never getting them.”

“I never knew naval types gave up so quickly,” Admonished the Professor.  “You and I may never get to Coruscant, but I did not write so many books by letting wars and territorial boundaries stop me.”

“You have my attention,” Said Pherik.  “What do I do?”

“I have contacts, Mr Zail,” Said Masheed.  “Do you have money to pay for them?”

Serpent nodded.  “If they have the means to get what I need, then I have the credits,” He said, and the other man smiled.

OOC:

1998 words.  This story was born out of two ideas.  Firstly, I wanted to build on my character’s previously stated love of naval history.  And secondly, I have been doing a lot of Pay Per Click, and it has left my character very wealthy (plus winning Deep’s NPC Competition really helped!).  I wanted to provide an explanation for this in-story, and writing a best-selling book would fit nicely!

After Action Report: Zail has gotten it into his head that he wants to do a biography of his favourite Imperial, the martyred Grand Admiral Osvald Teshik.  To this end, he meets with one of the foremost military historians in the Vast Empire, a professor at the University of Lotaith.

It had been a long time in coming.  For the past few months, Pherik had worked long and hard on his book, a biography of the life of his childhood hero, Grand Admiral Osvald Teshik.  He had incorporated other writers’ perspectives on the man, both Imperial and Republic, blending them together in a balanced view.  He had also, through use of an intermediary, procured the logs of the Grand Admiral himself, giving his work an insight unmatched in any other writings on Teshik.

And now, finally, after spending every free moment for twelve weeks on his masterpiece, Zail was sat in the office of a major publisher on Lotaith.  The representative of the company, a stern old woman calling herself Miss Juru, had read the book, and now he waited for her comments.

“No,” Said the woman simply.

Serpent thought that he had misheard.  “I’m sorry,” He said.

“No,” Said Juru, peering at him through narrow, almost triangular glasses.  “We will not publish it.  Don’t get me wrong.  Your book is well-written, insightful, and extremely interesting even to someone who is not big on military history or biographies.”

“Then what’s the problem?” Asked Serpent, confused.

“It’s just not convenient,” Said the other.

“Excuse me?”

“Warrant Officer Zail, your book is fair and balanced.  You praise Teshik’s early career, and are critical of how cold and bitter he became after the battle that left him largely cybernetic.  Taking into account his flaws, you do, however, come across as praising the Grand Admiral, and lament his execution.”  She spoke smoothly and with detachment, like a teacher lecturing a student.

“He was a great man,” Said Pherik.  “I’ll admit that I admire him.  You didn’t expect me to devote so much time and effort to a man who I detested or bored me to tears, did you?”

“Not at all, and I respect your devotion.  However, please look at this from our angle.  Osvald Teshik was an Imperial, one still celebrated by the Imperial Remnant, with whom we are still at war.  Publishing a work celebrating one of their greatest leaders is a delicate matter for us.”

“So that’s what this is about?” Snorted Zail.  “Politics?”

“Put simply, yes,” Replied Juru without apology.

“Put simply, no,” Countered Serpent.  “Look, I am the highly decorated XO of one of the Navy’s most powerful ships.  I serve as the right hand of the Chief of Naval Warfare, and I have fought in some of the most brutal battles that the VE has ever been in.  My loyalty is beyond reproach, and when this goes to print it will be my name and my reputation that people consider, not yours.”

She seemed to think on that.  “Perhaps,” Mused the publisher.  “Of course it would be even easier if you would use the book to make some sort of point legitimising the Vast Empire and its claim to be Palpatine’s rightful inheritors.  Such books always sell well.”

“I won’t make things up,” Said Pherik carefully, “Nor will I put words in his mouth.  However, at the end of the book, if you want me to add a page or two of my own insights, I will do so.  I can make a point about how I feel that Teshik never really belonged with the Empire, that his lack of atrocities would make him a better fit with us.  That I can do.”

Juru nodded.  “Sounds good.  I shall have to talk it over with others, of course, but I feel with a couple of extra pages, and your glowing reputation, your book could be published.”

Zail smiled.  “Then go talk, and I look forward to your answer.”

-----

And it happened.  He had the okay in a couple of days, and soon datadiscs containing his work were being created and sold.  A great many were bought by various schools throughout the Vast Empire, and among the Navy the discs sold very well too.

Zail was at first stunned by the sales figures for his little work, but then he considered the worlds that the VE spanned, and the masses of citizens that comprised its population.  If even a fraction of a percent of all those people bought his book, that would equate to a lot of sales.

Still, Serpent found that he did not care much about the sales.  He had written his book, it was done, and he felt an enormous amount of achievement in that.  While the overwhelming majority of the copies of Zail’s book were simple datadiscs, the publishers had created a limited run of hardcover versions.  They took a few weeks to make and be sent to his apartment, but Pherik was very eager to have a look.

When the message arrived from his droid, the sarcastic Raseven, Serpent took a shuttle to the orbital habitat Moonsliver, and his apartment on level Grek.  Like a kid eager to open a birthday present, Zail bounded in through the door and raced to the package on the table in the living area.

“Welcome home, sir,” Said his silver protocol droid, sounding far less than welcoming.

“Let’s have a look at these!” Said Pherik, opening the metal shipping container and pulling out the first book he saw.  “Oh wow...” He breathed, awed by what he saw.  The copies of the book were actual paper, bound in burgundy leather, with the title ‘Defender of the Core: The Life of Grand Admiral Osvald Teshik’ and his name printed on the front in gold.

“How primitive,” Observed the droid.

“Quiet, Raseven,” He told the machine.  “Take a note of all this.  I want these books sent to those I have served with and befriended throughout the Fleet.  Captain Mihawk of course, and Lieutenant Trykon.  Also send copies to Petty Officers ‘Dunny’ Dunn, ‘Ellesmere’ Blondeau, ‘Hades’ Aita and ‘Ryn’ Kerdi; Warrant Officer ‘Echelon’ Bandoran; and also Ensign ‘Deepsix’ Qorbin.  You got that?”

“Yes, sir,” Said the bored-sounding droid.

“Ah, and one for my father, of course,” Added Zail.  “Then maybe...”

His sentence went unfinished, for suddenly there came a knock at the door.  Serpent cast a confused glance at his servant droid, and when Raseven gave his mechanical version of a shrug, the Alderaanian suddenly became wary.  He was certainly not expecting guests.  “Who is it?” He asked, walking to the door.

“A... a fan...” Came the hesitant voice of a woman from beyond.

Curious but still on guard, Pherik opened the door, and beheld a middle-aged woman with white hair standing there.  Her clothes were old and threadbare, and she had a nervous demeanour about her.

“Who are you?” He asked at once, beholding her wrinkled face and furtive eyes.

“May... may I come in?” Asked the woman, glancing about her as if afraid to be seen in public.

“Uh... yeah, sure,” Said Serpent, permitting her inside.

The woman walked in, glanced at Raseven, and then sat down.  Her eyes fell on the crate of books.  “I read the biography you wrote, Mr Zail,” She said eventually, as he fell into a chair opposite her.  “It was good.”

“Thank you,” Was all he could think to say, still mystified by who she was and not really picturing her as the type to read about military heroes.  “Can I get you a drink or something...?” Offered Serpent.

“No, please,” She said quickly, “I... I won’t stay long.  I just came to say, that... well, your book...the words are kind and... and...”

“Yes,” He prompted.

“Osvald would have thanked you,” She blurted out.

It took a split second for Pherik to pick up on the woman’s use of the Grand Admiral’s first name.  “Wait a second, who are you?”

His question came out too harshly, and it pushed the nervous woman too far.  Her nerve broke and she made for the door.  Opening it she dived through, but not before casting Zail a last look back.  “Thank you,” She said, and then was gone.

Serpent watched her go, his mind full of questions.  Who was that he had just met?  Despite all he knew and had researched, he had little visual records of the Grand Admiral’s family and friends.  Was that one of Teshik’s relatives, a sister or a cousin maybe?  Or even closer, could that have been a secret girlfriend, or even widow?

He had no answer, so instead of focusing on who she was, he thought of what she had said.

Osvald would have thanked you.

The words brought a smile to Pherik’s lips.  He liked to think she was right.

THE END

OOC:

1424 words.  My second Personal Story is complete!  And to those of you whose names I mentioned, I am just name dropping to say thanks for some of the great stories and battles we have shared!  (It’s my one year anniversary in the Vast Empire, so I am reminiscing a bit!)

After Action Report:  Despite a little politicking, Zail’s book, ‘Defender of the Core: The Life of Grand Admiral Osvald Teshik’ has been published.  An old woman turns up to congratulate Serpent, saying that she thought that Teshik himself would approve.  Zail has no idea who the woman was, but is thankful for her words.