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The empress stood like a statue in her dark uniform of black and grey. Her eyes reflecting the bright lights and dark shadows of the landing bay in various shades of deep purple. A royal purple, that tyrian purple of the ancient galaxy. She stood in the midst of three guardsmen who dwarfed her height, towering over their empress, as terrifying as Varangians and gentle as the slopes of Naboo. They were Imperial Knights, the fist of the old Remnant. A holdover from the schism and ruin that had befallen the Jedi order little more than five years before. Their faces, much like their empress’s, carried the scars of the long war. Though her’s were hidden under her long gloves and dark crown. The crown was of darkened durasteel, a heavy and yet elegant piece. Forged in the fires of dying Carida. When the old IMperial Worlds rose in rebellion against the ill fated Galactic Alliance as the Sith swept in ruinous abandon over the outer rim. Millions had died in those fires. As Sith warships dropped death from the sky in the form of brilliant green turbolasers. They had sworn their vengeance then, and the Imperials of Carida, now sequestered on the small world of Nar Shaddaa, would have their long victory. They had seen a great alliance fall, they had seen worlds cracked and ruined, they had seen Jedi Knights butchered in the streets of Iziz while the holocameras ate it up like mid afternoon dessert. The Old Empire, that of Deton and Dagon was alive and well, waiting for its time of glory. When they could hunt the Sith Lords into bitter extinction and finally have the peace that had been promised at the end of the last civil war. But this old empire flew the red phoenix of the Rebel Alliance. Not a deception, but a compromise to those that had fled to Nar Shaddaa when Coruscant fell. There would be no more republic with its inbuilt weaknesses of democracy, that was the promise of the crown of steel. But Nar Shaddaa was an example of the egalitarian nature of the new Rebel Alliance, work for all, jobs, and care. But no democracy. At least not yet. The Empress inclined her head in a formal recognition of the Alliance Militia led by Vox and the Jedi Knight who was still in his flight fatigues. She and the Queen embraced, the formal embrace of royalty. Kissing each other on the cheek before the Queen took her place at her side. “Jedi Apprentice Vox and Jedi Knight Jackson.” The Leader of the Rebel Alliance said. Her voice soft but powerful, carrying easily to where both of them stood. “You have done well, you deserve the recognition of the Rebel Alliance. And though we do not have much to offer here on the flagship, I can offer this.” One of the Imperial Knights, a man with a long grey beard and the face of a warrior strode forward to first Vox and then jackson. On each he pinned the Medal of Valor. The ribbon a dark red that contrasted wonderfully with the shining silver of the medal. “You have the thanks of the Rebel Alliance. Vox for rescuing the Queen of the Naboo, and Jackson for the freeing of the Naboo Starfighter wing. You have helped us at much personal cost, for which we are eternally grateful. Now get some rest if you can, there are rooms prepared for you.” She turned to go, but then looked back at Vox. "And Vox, I have heard from our advanced scouts that your Master did survive." She left off the 'Just Barely' for the apprentice would likely have already felt the extent of the wounds of his master.

The cold hung in the air. The cold of the deep, salty air. The cold of the dead creature. The cold of the darkness. Edelmor's breath came fast, and he forced himself to inhale and exhale before he did anything. A racing mind hopped up on adrenaline wouldn't do anyone any good. Peace took him as he made long, slow breaths. He could feel his pounding heartbeat slow. The dull ache of bruises he hadn't felt at the time began to make themselves known. He was calm. And what's more, he seemed to be intact. "Whatever's down here," Edelmor said, his voice the same light tone he would have used at a state dinner, "I don't think I fancy leaving it alone. How about we drop a tracker here and call some of those workers down here to cart these off? I imagine it should be safe now. Something that big doesn't seem like that kind to share territory." He frowned. "Though how would the smugglers have gotten past it?"