The Light Freighter Ophidian Coil dropped out of hyperspace, a single pinprick of steel glinting in the dark of space.  A short distance away from the small ship was a large asteroid field, consisting of chunks of rubble both large and small.  This was all that remained of one of the greatest atrocities of the Galactic Civil War.

“There it is,” Whispered Pherik ‘Serpent’ Zail, sat at the pilot’s station of the Ophidian Coil, “Alderaan.”

At the co-pilot station, his father, Ardus Zail nodded.  “It’s... it’s... I don’t know what to make of it,” He said after a long pause.  Like his son he spoke in a low voice, awed by the sight.  Neither of them had ever laid eyes on the devastation that, just a decade ago, had been their home world.

“It doesn’t even look like anything,” Said Pherik.  “I thought maybe... maybe there would be recognizable chunks.  A tree, a building, something.  But this... this is just like every other asteroid field I have ever seen.”

“Tarkin and the Death Star did more than just destroy our home,” Mused Ardus sadly.  “They erased it.  I had no idea it was this horrible.”

They sat in silence for a few minutes, just watching the chunks of their home tumble through the night.  Serpent mused over his father’s words, and thought about saying something.  For years he had despised Ardus for the other’s decision to continue serving in the Empire despite the atrocity committed by that regime, though they had since reconciled.  He decided against saying anything about it, however, not wanting to spoil the sullen mood with some sort of ‘I told you so’.

Instead, Pherik found himself thinking of happier times, growing up on one of the most beautiful worlds of the Core.  He recalled the sapphire-blue waterfalls and open plains of emerald green, and remembered the thrantas that flew gracefully across vanilla skies.  He recalled his mother, Sillana Otsuka-Zail, herself a skilled thranta rider, once took him up on one of the creatures.  He had been just a child, and had screamed in delight as the beast rode the currents of the air.

Other memories rose unbidden to his mind, and before he knew it his cheeks were damp with tears.

“Are you okay?” Asked Ardus, noticing his son’s tears.

“No,” Managed Pherik, wiping at his face.  “I... I was just remembering mother...”

“It’s okay,” Said the elder Zail, laying a hand on his shoulder.  “Let it out.  That’s what we are here for.”  It was only then that Serpent noticed that his father was crying too.

“I am glad I came,” Said Pherik at last, once he had brought himself under control.  “I didn’t know how much I needed this.”

Ardus nodded.  “I’m glad you came too,” He said softly.

And that was it.  They sat in silence, lost in their thoughts, staring into space and into their memories.  Occasionally one looked at the other, seeking reassurance, but mostly they just sat and pondered their lost family.

-----

Almost an hour had passed when Ardus rose and announced, “I am ready to send the data crystal memorial.”

“Of course,” Said Pherik, standing to go with his father to the cargo hold.  They took the crystal, filled with data on their family, and placed it in a large plasteel container.  There was room, and they put in a few other items, like copies of family photos.  They then placed the container, with the name ‘Zail’ engraved upon it in Aurebesh, and placed it inside the airlock.

They closed the inner door to the airlock, but did not open the outer door just yet.  Ardus turned to Pherik and said, “Before we send the container, we should say a few words.  Would you like to say anything, son?”

“No,” Said Pherik slowly, not really knowing what to say.  “You knew my brother as long as I did, and you knew mum longer.  You should say the words.”

“Very well,” Said his father, and began.  “These gifts are but insufficient tokens of the love for you all that still burns within Pherik and I.  There are times that I feel guilty for not being with you, but I know you would not want that.  You would want us to live, and I am here today to say that we have.  We go on, and through us so do you.  Sillana, my wife, Geaden, my son, my mother and father, my brother Etran, my sister Adria and her family.  Wherever you are, I know you are at peace.  Rest easy.  We miss you all.”

“We miss you all,” Echoed Pherik, feeling the tears swell again.

Without another word, Ardus Zail pressed the release, and the container was sucked out into space, there to take its place in the Graveyard of Alderaan.

“That was... that was beautiful,” Said Pherik after a while.  “Come on dad, let’s get out of here.”

They slowly headed back to the cockpit, moving lethargically while still lost in thought.  However, that was quickly shunted aside as they arrived to find a proximity alert flashing on the controls.

“A ship has come into range,” Said Serpent, dropping quickly into the pilot’s seat and activating the sensors.  “They don’t seem to have noticed us yet.”

“Running a check on the transponder code now,” Said Ardus, sitting at the co-pilot’s station.  Neither knew when they had agreed that Pherik had the lead, despite his father being the more experienced spacer, but since it was Serpent’s ship it seemed to make sense.  “Ah,” Said the elder Zail after a pause.

“What?” Asked his son.  “Who are they?”

“It’s an old Alderaan Royal Engineers corvette,” Said Ardus, “The ID reads as the Indomitable Hope, and it’s a Guardian ship.”

“Guardians?” Asked Pherik, thinking on the name.  “Alderaanians who patrol the Graveyard?”

The other Zail nodded.  “Yes.  They defend this place from pirates and looters who come to steal the ruins of Alderaan and the gifts given by Returnees.”

“And what?  Are they affiliated with the Republic-aligned government of New Alderaan?” Asked Pherik, who obviously had never visited the colony set up by survivors of his home world.

“No, they are independent,” Said Ardus.

“So they will have no problem with us, right?  We are just two of their countrymen come for a Return, right?”

“Maybe,” Mused the elder Zail, “But I still think we should go.”

“Understood,” Said Pherik, and pulled back on the throttle, angling out of the asteroid field and into clear space from where they could make a hyperspace jump.

As they moved, Ardus suddenly spoke up.  “They have noticed us!  They are coming about and... incoming hail!”

“Ignore them,” Said Pherik, not wanting to cause any trouble.  “We’ll be out of here soon!”

“The Indomitable Hope is closing,” Said his father.  “That ship’s a lot faster than I expected!”

“Frakin’ Guardians must have modified it,” Mused Pherik.  “No matter!  Begin making the calculations for the jump back to VE Space.”

“Doing it now!” Ardus assured his son.

They raced for the edge of the field, swinging around an asteroid at high speed.  Then, just as their escape was in sight, the whole ship suddenly lurched as if hit by something.  “Tractor beam!” Exclaimed the younger Zail, realising that the Ophidian Coil had been snagged.

“We need a way out!” Said his father.

Pherik wrestled with the controls, but it was no go.  “They got us,” He said sadly, and he knew it was over.

Slowly but surely, their transport was pulled back to the waiting corvette.  The Indomitable Hope, though much bigger than the Ophidian Coil, did not have a landing bay big enough to swallow their ship.  Pherik and Ardus were instead pulled alongside and a docking tube extended to their vessel.

The Zails headed for the airlock, there to meet the Guardians as they forced their way on board.  “We have done nothing wrong,” Said Ardus.  “Let’s just assure them of that and then we will be on our way.”

The docking hatch opened, and half a dozen armed men and women wearing the livery of the Alderaan Royal Guard greeted them.  Pherik doubted that the men had ever served the Royal House of Organa, and was instead merely using the uniforms and colouring to honour that extinct group.

“Hands up!” Said one of the men in the lead, and the two Vast Imperials complied.

“We are Alderaanians!” Declared Ardus.  “We have just done a Return and were leaving.  Let us go on our way and we shall trouble you no more!”

“I think not,” Said a new voice, and the six soldiers parted to allow a man in a naval uniform (also in Royal House colours) to step forward.  He was tall, ruggedly handsome, with a nearly combed mop of blonde hair.  However, it was his eyes that drew the attention of the two Zails.  His eyes were a rich and brilliant blue, a match for their own shining orbs.

They stared at him.  The man was familiar, but they could not quite place it.

“Uncle Ardus, cousin Pherik,” Said the man with a smile.  “It’s been a while.”

OOC:

1526 words.  Just two more posts to go in this one!  It had long been my intention to bring in one more surviving member of the Zail family, and finally his hour as at hand!

After Action Report:  Pherik and Ardus visit the Graveyard of Alderaan and are greatly disturbed by what they see.  They say some words to those of their kin that are dead, and then the Zails leave a container of memories.  As they are leaving they are intercepted by a ship of Guardians, Alderaanians who defend the Graveyard.  They board Serpent’s transport, and one of them seems to know Pherik and his father...

The ‘trial’ was simply held in a small conference room on board the Indomitable Hope.  Pherik and his father Ardus sat along one side of the large oval table, and Hedrin Iltris sat across from them.  At the head of the table, flanked by a duo of armed Guardians, Captain Rist sat as the judge.

“Let us begin,” Announced the grey-haired woman.  “Ardus Zail, son of Alderaan, you stand accused of executing prisoners.  Whether or not you have actually committed this action is not the issue, as this is merely an extradition hearing.  We are here simply to find out if there are grounds for such an extradition.  If so then you shall be sent to the Republic-aligned world of New Alderaan to stand trial.  Do you understand?”

“I do,” Said the white-haired old officer.  “You may proceed.”

Pherik said little, having no official role to play in this.  He was, however, permitted a place at his father’s side, and could request private consul with him.  In this regard he saw himself as akin to a lawyer, and wondered how well he could possibly serve as such.

“Very well,” Said Rist.  “Ensign Iltris, you may proceed.”

Serpent looked over at his cousin, and mentally tagged him as the prosecutor.  Hedrin rose from his chair, his handsome face and immaculate hair granting him the image of smooth and charismatic attorney.  Ah yes, Pherik recalled, His father was a politician!  The natural charm must run in that side of the family.

“Thank you, Captain,” Said Iltris.  “I shall be brief, as I don’t see the need to drag this out.  During the fall of Coruscant, the Republic gained access to several major Imperial datacentres and military records.  Alderaanians in service to the Republic at that time compiled a list of all our countrymen who chose to remain with the Empire, rather than desert or defect during the course of the Galactic Civil War.  Ardus Zail’s name is on that list, as well a great many details of his service record leading up to the Battle of Endor.”

As he spoke he pulled out a datapad and handed it across the table to his uncle.  “As you can see, Mr Zail, several incidents are highlighted.  Among them your arrest and execution of Karl Elson, plus seven other Rebel sympathisers serving on your ship, the Venator-Class Star Destroyer Blazing Crown.”

Pherik leaned over his father’s shoulder and scowled at the records compiled by New Republic Intelligence.  Again, he could not help but notice how pro-Republic the supposedly ‘neutral’ Guardians were.  “This merely says that my father was XO of the Blazing Crown when these events occurred.  What makes you so sure he is personally responsible for them?”  Asked Serpent.

“The arrest orders were signed by him,” Said Hedrin.  “And the report attached to the arrest of Petty Officer Elson makes it explicitly clear that your father carried out the arrest himself.”

Ardus said nothing as he studied the datapad, so Pherik spoke for him.  “One arrest,” He repeated with emphasis, “And no evidence of the actual execution.  That’s all you have?”

“It is sufficient,” Said Iltris.

“For extradition?” Echoed Serpent.  Turning instead to the judge, he said, “Captain Rist, you cannot lay a War Crimes charge at someone simply for carrying out an arrest.  If the Republic wanted to charge every former Imperial with such then the trials would take over a century for the Coruscant judiciary alone, never mind the rest of the galaxy!”

To his surprise, Rist actually nodded.  “Indeed.  You will need more than that, Hedrin.”

Serpent’s cousin looked annoyed, and Pherik instantly felt proud.  He turned to his father, expecting to see Ardus also happy with the judge’s decision, but instead he seemed far from it.  The elder Zail was still quiet, silently sitting and staring at his service record.  “Are you okay?” Serpent whispered to him.

“Fine,” Replied his father in a soft voice, though he seemed anything but.

“Very well,” Said Iltris, “Let me go to other evidence.  Ardus Zail, are you aware that, in the course of an encounter two years after the Battle of Yavin, that you did kill a fellow child of Alderaan?”

Now Ardus did react.  “What?  Who?”

Hedrin smiled at seeing his uncle finally react.  “The woman’s name was Saari Kilesa, and she was an X-Wing pilot who was shot down on your orders during a skirmish.”  So saying, he produced another datapad and shoved it across the table.

Ardus took it, looking at the image of the soft-faced woman he saw there, and sighed.  His blue eyes looked even sadder than before.  “I killed a fellow Alderaanian?” He said to himself.

“Irrelevant,” Said Pherik bluntly.  “Killing the enemy during a combat situation is no War Crime.”

“He killed a fellow child of Alderaan!” Snapped Iltris.  “You think there are many of us left that we can afford to kill each other?”

“He couldn’t know that one X-Wing out of a whole Squadron had one of our countrymen on,” Said Serpent, making certain to say ‘our’ countrymen to remind Hedrin that he did not hold the monopoly of feeling pain over the loss of their people.  “And you cannot pick and choose over how acceptable or not it is to kill.  He killed an enemy combatant, that is it.  The home world of said combatant should not affect the right or wrong of that action in any way.”

“Again,” Said Captain Rist, “I must concur with your assessment, Lieutenant Commander Zail,” She said, using his rank instead of saying ‘Mr’ so as to distinguish him from his father.  “I have no doubt that the Blazing Crown shot down numerous Rebel fighters in the time that Ardus Zail served as its XO.  That one of those fighters happened to have an Alderaanian on board is, though deeply regrettable, hardly grounds for any extra punishment.”

Hedrin Iltris stared at his CO in horror.  “He’s a traitor!” The young Ensign blurted out, pointing an accusing finger at the elder Zail.  “He learned of the deaths of our world and our family, and then sided with the mass-murderers responsible!  The exact details of who he arrested and shot down are irrelevant.  Ardus Zail has betrayed his people and deserves to be sent to the remnants of those people on New Alderaan to stand trial and answer for his actions!”

The room was deadly silent for a moment, with both Rist and Pherik staring at Iltris in shock over his angry declaration.  Finally, it was Ardus himself who spoke.  “You are right, of course, nephew.”

“What?” Exclaimed Pherik, turning to face his father.  “Dad, what are you saying?”

“It’s okay, son,” Soothed Ardus.  “I get it now.  I see that I have sinned against the memory of my home world.  I knew it the moment I looked out at the Graveyard and saw the devastation with my own eyes for the first time.  And now, to learn that I killed one of my countrymen.... It is too much to bear.  The specifics are irrelevant.  I am guilty.”

Pherik just stared at his father blankly, horrified by the confession.  Had his father owned up to his mistakes ten years ago Serpent would have been happy, but not now, not when they had finally put it all behind them and grew closer than ever!

“Thank you,” Said Hedrin with a smirk of victory.  “Captain Rist, I believe this hearing is over and...”

“One moment!” Said Ardus, rising.  “Captain Rist, I admit that I have dishonoured the memory of Alderaan, and I seek to make amends.  Now, you yourself have said that I am guilty of no War Crimes by the measure of the Republic.  If I am to atone for my actions, I want it to be here, at the hands of you Guardians, and not to the Republic government of New Alderaan.”

“What do you suggest?” Asked the judge.

“I wish to join you,” Said Ardus Zail.  “To live the rest of my life protecting the Graveyard as you have done.  Here rests my wife, my second son, my brother, my sister, my parents and grandparents and other ancestors stretching back millennia.  Let me atone by serving them.”

“You can’t seriously be thinking of letting this Imperial join us?” Said Iltris to the Captain.

Rist, however, silenced him with a look.  “Ardus Zail is a son of Alderaan, a veteran naval officer and an honourable man!  Of course I should consider him!” She said to Hedrin.  “Dismissed, Ensign!”

Outraged, the young man turned and stormed from the conference room.  When he was gone, Pherik spoke to his father.  “Dad, are you sure about this?”

“Very, sure, son,” The other replied.  “Here I feel I can do something more... more meaningful than I could with the VE.  Besides, the Vast Empire Navy needs young men like you to run it.  Old guys like me just get in the way.”

Serpent nodded, and then turned to Captain Rist.  “You take good care of my old man, you hear?”

The grey-haired woman nodded.  “He will be treated with respect due a son of Alderaan, I promise,” She vowed.

“So be it, then,” Said Pherik, accepting how it was.

-----

The two Zails said their final goodbyes at the airlock that led back to Pherik’s ship, the Ophidian Coil.  They hugged several times, and both fought back tears.

“I’m going to miss you, dad,” Said the younger Zail.

“We hardly see each other anyway, son,” Laughed the other.  “We are always too busy.  But from now on you’ll always know where to find me.  We may even see more of each other as a result!”

“Yeah,” Said Pherik with a half-laugh, “Maybe.  I’ll... I’ll tell the Navy what happened and have all your stuff sent to you.”

“Thank you,” Said Ardus.  “Now, are you sure that the VEN will be me okay with retiring at such short notice and then going off to join another navy (albeit a small one)?”

“Trust me, dad,” Pherik assured him, “I will put Naval Intelligence on it.  They’ll sort out the paperwork in your favour.”

His father frowned.  “Someday you’ll have to tell me just how much pull you really have with VENI,” He said.

“I’m just a Fleet Liaison,” Serpent told him, “Nothing special.”

“Uh-huh.  Well, whatever else you are, you are my son, and I am damn proud of you.  Take care, Pherik.”

“You too, dad,” Said the younger Zail as they embraced for one last hug.  “Keep the Graveyard safe for me.  I’ll want to come back and visit mum and Geaden some time.”

“We’ll all be here for you,” Ardus told him.  “Good bye.”

And so saying, Pherik stepped away and into his ship.  He waved one last wordless farewell, and then shut the airlock door.  A few minutes later he had detached from the Indomitable Hope and set a course for home.

Returning to Alderaan had been far more emotional than he expected, but Pherik could honestly say that he, and his father, definitely felt better for it.

THE END

OOC:

1848 words.  An emotional conclusion to an emotional tale.

After Action Report:  Serpent’s father, Ardus, is faced with extradition to the Republic for his actions under the old Empire.  However, he is found innocent (much to the chagrin of his pro-Republic nephew, Hedrin Iltris).  Rather than return to the VE, though, Ardus tells his son that he is staying on with the Guardians, protecting the Graveyard of Alderaan.  Pherik wishes his father well and departs, vowing to stay in touch.