We spent about three taked on Shikaakwa.
The mess stirred up here was serious, and without a third party, things could have gone the wrong way.
No, in essence, we didn’t interfere with anything — everything was always resolved peacefully; we were only witnesses to the agreements between the parties.
The Master, though he still held that setup against me, was starting to do it more in jest, and had returned to my training.
As it turned out, Irbis wasn’t such a simple master.
He had studied personally under Tsikuna, and had a specialized education from the temple of Akar Kesh, the temple of balance.
Well… that wasn’t surprising, really, considering Irbis’s character and his quirks regarding order.
So, he showed me how to enter a special form of meditation and thereby look beyond the veil.
This thing was called precognition, and while all Je’daii possessed it to some small degree, truly foreseeing was something only a few could do.
Irbis was among those who could foresee, but not too much.
He himself had tried to see what awaited him in my pair.
As Irbis said: ‘Pain, humiliation, shame.’ He was offended — really, where did I put him through that?
In response, he recalled our first meeting.
Hmm, well, yes, it was all there, and in exactly that order.
Damn… even my conscience started stirring; it was awkward.
But then, he admitted that, according to that same precognition, while I would bring problems, there would come a moment when I, with a flaming sword in my hands, would save his life, so despite everything, Irbis didn’t even think of reporting me to the Council.
He’d become strangely… different, which scared me a little, but that’s what the Force does to a being.
After this conversation, our relationship improved a bit.
At least we weren’t trying to screw each other over, and we sometimes even communicated quite well.
And returning to the precognition technique, Irbis, fulfilling his role as teacher, actually managed to get the concept across to me, and how to use it.
What can I say?
I make a cr-aaa-ap prognosticator.
Thanks to my mother and her game of ‘dodgeball,’ I already possessed precognition — specifically for strikes — so I could calmly dodge not even the projectile itself, but the trajectory it would take.
It only worked about three seconds ahead, though — anything further, nothing doing.
I couldn’t ‘tear the veil and behold the future,’ and I frankly didn’t understand how Irbis did it.
I just couldn’t properly immerse myself in either the light or the dark aspect… But at least I tried!
Sometimes.
When I wasn’t being floored by fits of apathy.
Sometimes, when it was really, really boring, such a ‘whatever’ feeling would wash over me that I would lie down on the floor with a completely detached look and stare at the ceiling right during Hadiya’s meetings, and almost nothing could shake me out of it.
Only if someone tried to stab Hadiya right then and there — yeah, then I’d get up and show the insolent fool just how wrong they were for distracting me from contemplating the ceiling!
Speaking of Hadiya, I met her father the other day.
A hardened, inveterate, and crazy Twi’lek.
We didn’t have a proper conversation — my ‘couldn’t care less’ attitude clashed with his ‘I want.’ Hadiya put up with this trait of mine and simply stopped paying attention to my quirks, but her father couldn’t.
So after the first personal meeting, we didn’t communicate anymore.
Just sometimes, rarely, over comms, and strictly about business.
One thing is good — this guy, like his daughter (or the other way around?), had a personal code that he adhered to, so I could at least deal with him.
Can’t say the same about the Re clan, who tried to hire me as a mercenary for their own purposes.
First I ignored them, then I laughed it off, but then Hadiya herself came to me, asking me to ward off the persistent outsiders.
I had to explain to them that I’m not a soldier, not a mercenary, and generally don’t do business with thugs.
Yes, it turns out there are bigger scum on Shikaakwa than the ones I knew about.
But why am I surprised — such culture, such people.
And here Hadiya distinguished herself in a positive light.
At least in my estimation.
Yes, the girl has a somewhat… specific character.
For example, once, a knife point was poked at me, with a sweet smile on her lips, when I started protesting against some particularly brutal nonsense that I refused to participate in.
“Hadiya… let me remind you, I only provide your security.
No more, no less.
And, in my opinion, poking friends with a sharp object is bad form,” I said, pretending to be offended.
The little one herself didn’t have even a shadow of a thought of actually harming me.
So it can be considered a quirk of her upbringing.
“Oh, would you really leave me to be torn apart by those dishonorable scum?” “You know… yes!” She took the knife away, crossed her arms over her chest, made an offendedly-frowning little face, and looked at me reproachfully.
Oh… how I love that mug, if only someone knew.
“Physically, they won’t touch you, no, but morally… oh no, you won’t drag me into that swamp, don’t even hope.” “But I wanted to.
A personal Je’daii, that’s so prestigious!” “Aren’t you getting ahead of yourself?” I snorted.
“Fine, let me rephrase,” she waved the knife impulsively.
“A close friend of a Je’daii, ready to vouch for you — that’s a very serious argument in any negotiation.” “Don’t try to appeal to my pity,” I waved her off and turned away.
“Hey!” “What?” “Oh, have mercy, Shade — they’ll drain me dry,” Hadiya jumped up, looking devotedly into my eyes.
“And what do you want from me?” “For you to… scare them.
A little.
You see, the entire cream of society will be there.” “More like the scum,” I snorted.
“Say what you want, it doesn’t matter.
And naturally, they’ll be trying to make eyes at me — I’m a good match, especially given recent events.” “And?” “Oh, Shade, plea-ea-se, at least make it look like I have a suitor, so the others back off.
Oh, plea-ea-ea-ea-se.
I have no one else to ask but you; you’re the only one I trust as much as myself.” I stood there, looking into those eyes, and the funniest thing was — I knew she wasn’t lying.
Hadiya, in principle, after our acquaintance, had never tried to lie, and had even stopped being evasive, apparently re-evaluating my trust in her favor.
Right now, it was just a cry from the soul breaking out of her.
Also, I found it amusing that she really looked at me as someone very, very close and important.
I’d even caught her doing my little favors.
Her own father couldn’t force his daughter to do something against her will — too willful — but for me, they personally delivered ‘Sweet Joy’ along with specially brewed work on a regular basis.
So to speak, room service in the evening before bed.
“And your dad?” I raised an eyebrow.
“Well… I trust Dad too, but… in short, hee-e-elp!” “And what do I get for it?” “I’ll kiss you!” “Grow up first!” I flicked her on the nose.
“For starters,” I smiled, watching her wiggle her nose amusingly.
“So what do you want?” “Do you know anything about the ‘Stargazers’?” “A sect of fanatics, trying by any means to escape the system.
Escape, specifically, not kill themselves,” she corrected herself.
“What about them?” “I need information on them.
Everything you can possibly get.
Who, where, the leader, dates of foundation.
Everything you can dig up, even if it’s just crumbs.” “Mmm, that won’t be so easy,” she pulled back, thoughtfully tapping the tip of her knife against her lips.
“They’re very… fanatical.
We do business with them, of course, and they have branches on Shikaakwa, but at the same time… well, it’s complicated.
Why do you need it?” “It’s personal.
My father disappeared twenty years ago, and this mysterious organization is somehow connected to him.” “Mmm.
Okay, I’ll find out what I can.
But I’m warning you right now, this won’t be quick.
Very, very slow.
They’re real paranoids, as far as I know.” “That’s fine, I’m not in a rush.” “Uh-huh.
So, do we have a deal?
I’ll try to gather information on the sect, and you play my beloved?” “Suitor,” I corrected.
“What’s the difference?” “I’m not going to let you hang all over me.” “Ooh, you’re an even bigger villain than I am!” she protested, but immediately smiled.
“I’m so proud of you!” “Hadiya,” I sighed.
“How did I ever get into all this?” So, at one of the leaders’ gatherings on Shikaakwa, I had to play the role of Hadiya’s suitor.
Which meant — stand there, stay silent, radiate a dark aura, and glare menacingly at anyone who dared approach “my girl.” I don’t know if it was fortunate or not, but I handled the role at a hundred and ten percent — I genuinely wanted to send every last one of those “beings” on a personal meeting with the Force.
Irbis, the bastard, kept reminding me of it and ribbing me for a long time afterward.
And what’s more — he started blackmailing me!
“Irbis, do you have any conscience?
You’re a Je’daii, after all!” “So what if I’m a Je’daii?
I don’t know anything, and besides — you don’t get to talk to me about conscience.” “But if you dare tell Vessira about this, or even Mom, I’ll arrange an Unfortunate Accident for you, I swear!” I laid into that wrong-headed Je’daii.
I was definitely a bad influence on him.
Or was it the planet’s influence?
“Alright, alright, I was just joking.
I didn’t see anything,” Irbis said, raising his hands placatingly and backing away, but the look on his face… okay, where’s a brick?
Apparently sensing something of the sort, my “teacher,” citing urgent business, chose to retreat.
But what I hadn’t accounted for was the resonance this would cause in certain circles.
Like: the clan heiress found herself a future husband, and he’s a JE’DAII!!!
What news, what passion, wow!
And the most annoying part — I didn’t think Ves or Mom… especially Mom (why would she, all of a sudden?) would be following all of this so closely, and when the rumor reached them, I had to explain the whole truth to my beloved catgirl, who had fallen into hysterics, for a long, very long time.
“Ves, listen, it’s just a performance they asked me to put on for the public, to temporarily fend off the eager suitors.” “Waaah,” came the wailing from the other side.
“Just hear me out first, then you can scream, okay?” And without letting her answer, I continued: “Since I’m her bodyguard and spend a lot of time with Hadiya, they figured it would be logical to spread a legend that I was her future husband.
She herself can only enter into marriages in a year… or a little less, I don’t know anymore, I haven’t had time for that.
In short, we pulled the wool over their eyes.
But you, my sweet, kawaii miracle that I would never, ever leave — Irbis, get over here!” I called over to the teacher standing nearby, his eyes full of sincere sympathy.
“Yes, yes, Vessira, that’s right.
I was one of the initiators of this idea.
I apologize for not informing you — I didn’t think about the need for that, and I certainly didn’t think you were monitoring our news.
I sincerely apologize!” My eyes went wide as I looked at Irbis in disbelief.
This Noghri had just soared to unprecedented heights in my eyes!
“R-really?” “Yes, Ves, it’s true — you know me, I’ve never lied to you in my life, and I am what I am — brash, rude, and I call a spade a spade.
So please, calm down.
Besides, we’re almost done here and then we’re flying off to another assignment.
By the way, where are you now?” “Mmm, Ves went to wash up,” came my mother’s voice from the speaker.
“Hi, Mom,” I sighed wearily, rubbing the bridge of my nose.
It was bad that interplanetary communication could only be established through special spires or bulky equipment.
I dreaded imagining how worked up Ves had gotten while we were waiting for our next pre-arranged comm session.
Though, on the other hand, didn’t they practice harems around here?
Okay… don’t think about that!
I’m a decent pers… Togruta… half-breed.
“Hi, Shade.
We’re on Kreu-Keur right now — a group of researchers disappeared here with one of the Je’daii, so we’re searching.” “I see.
Mom, are you two okay?” “Yes, more than okay.
I’m teaching your long-eared one here.
And you know, she’s got talent!” “I don’t even want to know,” I grumbled.
“I’ve got enough crazies here as it is.” “Ha-ha-ha-ha-ah… you have too low an opinion of me,” Mom laughed from the heart.
“I know you too well.
How’s she doing?” “Well… when she found out, she immediately panicked.
I comforted her as best I could.
It helped.
She’s washed up now, pulled herself together — looks completely different.
Right, Vessira?” “Lady A-a-ala!” came the indignant voice.
“Alright, I’ll leave you two…” Irbis also left the room, and we were able to talk privately.
Having finally calmed down my beloved floppy-eared kitty, I steered her thoughts toward business and future plans.
We promised to meet up when possible, and we’d see how things went.
And after the connection ended, I thought sadly that here we were, flying through space, planets colonized, but there wasn’t even a hint of something like the internet.
Moreover, even the communication we did have came with certain problems!
“Irbis,” I called out to the Noghri who was waiting for me outside the door.
“M?” “Thanks.” “What do I hear… or is my hearing deceiving me?” That bastard recoiled theatrically.
“I’m saying thank you.” “Heh.
You’re welcome.” “But don’t get cocky — I still don’t like you, and you can’t make me follow etiquette!” “By the Great Force, do I look like I care about throwing you against a wall?
Spare my nerves, Shade!” he retorted with a grin.
“Alright, I’ll spare you.
Do you know where we’re heading after this?” I asked, walking out the door.
“Thanks,” I said with a short nod to the dispatcher, receiving a polite nod in return.
Life got a lot easier when your own home had a big antenna.
And Hadiya’s clan had two.
“No idea.
I’m curious where they’ll send us myself.
“Y-yeah.” But I didn’t know how right I would be with my words “we’ll fly off soon.” Just two tiths later, we received official confirmation that the assigned task was complete, and now we could pack up.
Though no new orders came through, so Irbis considered it time for rest.
Rest from Shikaakwa and its madness — so I couldn’t even dream of a resort.
Je’daii can only dream of rest.
It’s even a bit paradoxical.
Those who preach peace and tranquility are always engaged in a very intense activity.
So it was with us — Irbis came up with a new occupation for us… or rather, not for us, but for me specifically.
And it would have been fine, but this tor-mentor also had a good memory and decided to get back at me for everything.
But while I didn’t know that yet, there was still one more trial ahead.
“Shade!!!” Hadiya burst into my room with a crash as I was packing my small belongings.
“Hi, Sunshine.” “What do you mean, ‘you’re leaving already’?!” “Just that,” I shrugged, and biting off a piece of breadstick, I tied up my bag.
Crunch-crunch.
“The mission’s done.
Next one.” “But I still need a guard!” “Hadiya,” I sighed, turning to the anxious, even somewhat frightened girl.
“Calm down.
The Shi Clan is no longer a threat — it’s been ground down and steamrolled over, so everything’s going to be fine now.
As for me… there’s no more need for my services, so it’s time for me to go.” “Hey, why am I only finding out about this now?!” she jumped up and poked me with her fingernail, glaring menacingly into my eyes.
“Well, the order only came in today.
And what difference does it make to you?” I took her hand and gently moved it aside.
“You have your own life, I have mine.
I’m an outsider here.” “No, you’re not an outsider!” “Oh, really?” “Yes!
And anyone who says otherwise will have to answer to me!” She even stomped her foot to emphasize her words.
Though, being in heels, it looked very comical and cute.
“I don’t doubt that.
But nonetheless, I really have to go.” “But…” “Hadiya, calm down.
The system is small — we can always contact each other, or meet up later.
Besides, I never got that information about the ‘Stargazers.'” “Sorry.
There were… some complications,” the girl faltered.
Then she immediately perked up.
“Right!
The Stargazers.
Maybe you could stay a little longer?
And I could tell you something about them?” “Alas, no.” “Mmm,” the little one pouted.
“Eh, what’s wrong with you?
I left my contacts, so if anything comes up, you know how to reach me.
And if you have problems — call.” “From now on, everyone who dares to cross me will have problems,” she promised me.
“And get in my way.” “Is that a threat?” I raised an eyebrow.
“A statement of fact.” “And what if I’m in your way?” “Then you’ll get a lift,” the little one smiled slightly, a blush of embarrassment flaring up.
“It’s not always that things turn out the way we want them to,” I sighed and shook my head.
“Yes.
But some things we can still do.
You’ll drop by sometime, right?” “If possible,” I shrugged.
“I don’t know how things will go, but if I’m on Shikaakwa, I’ll definitely stop by.” “Mm.
And…” she opened her mouth, but then froze.
“What?” “No, nothing.” “Whatever you say.” I slung the bag over my shoulder, adjusted my swords, and headed for the exit.
“Wait!” “M?” I turned around, and immediately found myself in an embrace.
“Thank you.
Thank you for everything, Shade.
These few tiths spent in your company were the best in my life!” “Hey, Hadiya, what’s the matter?!” “Quiet, I’m not done!” she snapped at me, lifting her tear-filled but serious little eyes.
“I… understand that you’re an outsider here.
In all this time, you never asked for anything — you never even hinted at money.
What’s more, you never flattered or tried to please anyone.
With you, I could relax, feel like I was behind a wall.
You can’t relax here.
They can always bribe you, they can always pressure you, they can always… poach you.
But not you.
You just came and helped.
Just because.
Just because you wanted to.
And you were there.
Just because.
It’s hard for me to understand that.
Still hard, even though I tried!
But thank you.
For everything.
And when you fly here next time, I promise everything will be different, and you’ll be received as you deserve.” “Heh, well, we’ll see.
So, see you then?” “Uh-huh.
Now get out of here before I change my mind!” “Um… change your mind about what?” “About not keeping you here,” she muttered, turning away.
“Y-yeah… w-women,” I snorted, adjusting my bag and leaving the room.
But even so, I couldn’t deny that if Hadiya were older, Ves would already have reason to worry — the girl was something special!
But as it was… she was still young.
Give it a year or two, and it would be a completely different conversation.
Yes, age is a flaw that passes quickly, but I figured by then Hadiya would have a different life, and I’d remain somewhere in the past, on her — albeit short — list of friends.
Leaving the clan house, I met my teacher at the checkpoint.
“Said your goodbyes?” Irbis asked, his arms/hands folded across his chest.
“Yep.” “You know, she likes you.” “I know.” “And?” “What ‘and’?
I have Ves.” “Ah, first love, young hearts…” he gazed dreamily at the sky.
“Irbis,” I eyed him sideways.
“I was just expressing my opinion about that wonderful time, what’s wrong with that?” “Keep it to yourself.” “Are you sure?” “Absolutely.” With that, the adventures on Shikaakwa were over, and new ones awaited.
“So, where are we flying?” I glanced at my teacher.
“To Nox.
I was informed that there’s some kind of suspicious activity there, and if things keep going this way, we’ll most likely have to fly there and see what’s happening on the ground.” “And what kind of ‘activity’?” I wiggled my hand vaguely.
“Electronics shipments are experiencing delays.
As far as I understand, it’s related either to a worker strike or resources… in short, we’ll see when we get there.” “That’s if it doesn’t sort itself out.” “If you knew anything about politics, you’d understand that it won’t sort itself out,” Irbis shook his head, watching a shuttle land that would take us to the transport ship.
Unlike in later periods, we didn’t have liners shuttling between planets, nor did we have fast ships.
For example, it took us one and a half tiths to fly from Tython to Shikaakwa, and that was when the planets were aligned.
What if it were on the other side of the star system?
Exactly — space travel here took a freaking enormous amount of time.
It would be easier if there were an internet, but there isn’t, and that’s that.
Hmm… maybe I should establish one?
Like, I came up with… “Shade!” “Ah, yes-yes?” “Were you even listening to me?” “Absolutely!” “Repeat what I said.” “You said there are problems on Nox and we’ll most likely have to solve them.” “You are the worst student there ever was…” Irbis exhaled in defeat.
“Mmm, is that a compliment?” “Don’t celebrate too early — it’ll take us five tiths to reach Nox.” “I’ll note that for five tiths, you’ll have to look at my face.
I don’t know how we flew to Shikaakwa without killing each other, but this number… is bigger.” Irbis didn’t answer, only smiled with the corners of his lips, but in his emotions, gloating flashed for a moment.
I didn’t understand… what was he planning?!
“Master?” “Oh, so now I’m ‘master’?
I’m moving up in the world, though,” his smile widened.
“Teacher, you’re scaring me.” “Me?
Scaring you?” He feigned surprise, even widening his eyes and putting a hand to one of his hearts.
The doors opened and boarding the shuttle began.
“How could that possibly be, Shade?
Think about it — it’s impossible!” He clapped me on the shoulder and walked toward the doors.
“Teacher, wait!
I don’t like the look on your face — what awaits us on Nox?” But I was given no answer.
He sat there, silent, smiling mysteriously.
Vindictively, spitefully so.
He wasn’t even trying to hide his emotions.
I involuntarily shuddered — what was up with him?
But Sweet Joy managed to cheer me up a little and calm me down.
And then, when we were already on the ship and it was accelerating, IT happened.
I was the first into the two-person cabin, sprawled out on the bunk, waiting for Irbis, who had lingered in the comms hub.
My gut feeling was buzzing insistently about trouble, and I was already thinking the ship would be shot down, when HE walked in!
Happy — so happy.
“U-um… t-teacher?” My voice even cracked at such an unusual sight.
“So, Shade?
Get ready — now we’re going to learn how to survive.” And this half-lizard, half-mammal spread his face into such a gloating grin that I involuntarily hiccuped.
“Hic!
In… in what sense?” “In the literal sense, Shade.
The literal sense.” “Are we going back to Tython or something?” I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.
“But we just got on the…” “No, not at all,” he interrupted me.
“We’re still flying to Nox — the plans haven’t changed.” “You want to dump me on the planet and say ‘figure it out yourself’?” “Again, no, but the idea is tempting.” “Into outer space, then?” “Heh… something scarier.” With that, he pulled a massive tome from his bag.
“(O_O)” “We’re going to learn the political part of our native system!
Because I get the feeling you’ve conveniently skipped those lessons.” “Irbis…” I whispered, recoiling and paling.
“Have mercy!
Spare me!!!
I’ve had enough of Hadiya and her crazy psychos — please, don’t finish me off!” “That’s nothing — this is just the standard textbook.
I specifically found it for you on Shikaakwa.” “…” “And this,” he placed a flash drive on the table, “is the latest data on the interplanetary trade-economic situation in the Tython system!
I just updated it specifically.
So these five tiths, you and I are going to dedicate to geopolitics!
And also, what ‘negotiations’ are, how to conduct them, and where to start.
And we’ll touch on some cultures too, if possible, so to speak.” “(T_T)” If I could, I would have let out a spirit of utter doom.
“Hang in there!
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!” “Nooooo…” a cry of despair tore through half the ship.
“Yessss!” “Sniff-sniff.” Yes, Irbis’s revenge was terrible and deadly… for part of the journey to Nox, I sat with that tome.
Then with a datapad, studying the latest reports.
And then more.
And more again… simultaneously answering questions on the studied material.
And when the material required explanation, Irbis would give me a whole lecture on the topic, pounding into me whatever was left of my brain.
And right then, I understood the real reason Irbis was assigned as my teacher.
He wasn’t a fighter.
He was a negotiator.
And I, besides being an antisocial type who didn’t get along easily with others, also conducted negotiations in a very one-sided manner.
So, when he assessed my level of knowledge and skills and drew up a rough program — he got down to business with me seriously.
And the most annoying part — I couldn’t argue, because this arrogant, obnoxious, vile son of a bitch pressured me with… arguments.
He knew I didn’t give a damn about authority, but even I wouldn’t go against logic and common sense, so, grinding my gears, with tears in my eyes and pain in my heart, I had to learn this drivel.
“And so, who rules Nox?” after another cramming session, this tormentor interrogated me.
“The Board of Directors.” “What kind of board?” “Authorized individuals responsible for the major companies, appointed to their positions from different planets.” “All of them?” “No, there’s an exception.
Two of the five developed to this state on their own, and post-factum, the bulk of power on the planet is concentrated in their hands.” “Continue.” “While the other three were appointed, these two make contact with places like Shikaakwa to resolve special delicate problems and procure certain services there.
They also managed to gain the favor of the Wookiee chieftain on Ska-Gora, which gave them cover from two sides at once.
Through this, they hold their position in society securely, and this also holds back those who dream of taking those seats.
I won’t go into the internal dynamics — even a rancor would break a leg trying to figure that out.” “Good.
What about Nox’s trade turnover?” “What can you expect — it’s a forge world.
The ecosystem is dead, everyone huddles in dome cities.
The planet is the industrial center of the system and supplies a huge number of goods to absolutely everyone, including Tython.
Resources are brought to it from planets like Sunspot and Maltera.
Moons of the gas giants Maur and Aubrie are also used for extraction.
Food for the planet, as for some others, is supplied from Ska-Gora.” “Good.
Who handles cargo transport between the planets?” “The main logistics hub is on Kalimar.
That’s also where the headquarters of the company ‘Vortix,’ which handles interplanetary freight transport, is located.
Second on this list is the Hagarad clan from Shikaakwa.
The third company is also on Kalimar, called ‘ExKalimare.'” “Why Kalimar specifically?” “Kalimar is the main trade and economic center of our system, or in common parlance, ‘the jewel of the system.'” “And what other kind of center is it?” “A religious one.
There are several movements on it that preach their own direction, unrelated to the Force.
The planet is relatively peaceful — all conflicts involving armed struggle, for example over a company, happen outside Kalimar.
On the planet itself, the worst that can happen is a contract killing, and even that is rare.
Those who might be targeted aren’t fools and take care of their security.” “Good.
And who is our primary shipbuilder?” “Umm…” Thud!
— the textbook hit me on the head.
“Remembered!
‘NoxIndustrialVertix.’ ‘Vertix’ operates as their subsidiary company,” I immediately perked up.
Yes, Irbis could afford that, and even though I cursed him, he was a master of his craft, and that commanded involuntary respect.
“Good!
Moving on…” Irbis said cheerfully, squeezing the textbook.
Yes, he was getting back at me for everything, for all my sins and pranks.
Eh… and when the topic turned to negotiations, this psycho went completely feral and sawed at me like a maniac with a small, dull hacksaw.
Slowly.
And painfully.
“No, Shade, Hadiya did well to teach you the traditions of her world, but besides THOSE methods, there are others,” Irbis lectured in an instructive, professor-like tone.
The little book lay on the table next to him.
“For example, how do negotiations begin?” “With a greeting?” “Exactly.
A greeting.
From the first seconds, you need to create the right and desired image of yourself in your opponent’s eyes.” “As if I care about his opinion!” Thud!
“Got it.
I do care.” “That’s the foundation for starting negotiations.
What next?” “Depends on where you are.
Though the roots are the same, traditions have distinct features depending on the planet.
And based on those, you decide how and what to say.
First the traditional part, then you try to steer toward the topic you need.” “It’ll do,” Irbis snorted.
“For a start.
I’ll remind you, Shade.
You are a Je’daii.
You have the Force.
Moreover, you sense the emotions of others far better than some Je’daii.
So use it!” “Forgive me, Teacher, but I’m afraid your efforts will be in vain,” I immediately screwed my eyes shut, ready to get hit on the head again, but no — no blow.
I opened one eye and looked at Irbis’s strange expression.
“Why in vain?” “Let’s be honest — I’m a lousy negotiator.
And the problem isn’t with you, but with me.
With my manners.
If I’m faced with some degenerate I have to talk to, I’ll just take his head off without any words.” “On Shikaakwa, you didn’t swing your sword,” Irbis noted.
But after a moment’s thought, he added: “At least not right away.” “Well, I wasn’t the one doing the negotiating.
I was the scarecrow, nothing more.
And even then, my hand kept reaching for my sword.
Or I just wanted to clench my fist and strangle someone, so repulsive were their… emotions.
But Shikaakwa isn’t my world.
It’s Hadiya’s world, and I was a guest there.
So I tried to restrain myself.
If it had been about me, and I’d been told to negotiate with one of those people Hadiya had spoken to, I wouldn’t have stood on ceremony.
Don’t get me wrong — I’m not bloodthirsty, no.
It’s just, as you noted, I sense others much better.
And when I stand next to someone who’s lying brazenly, trying to butter me up, smiling to my face while mentally cursing me… I feel like I’ve been dipped in filth.
Seriously.” “Mmm…” “One more thing.
Once, I even lost my temper in front of Hadiya.
There was this guy who, while talking to the little one, felt attracted to her and kept hinting at bed.
And that was despite the fact that he knew full well — I was her suitor!
In other words, this guy was so brazen that, without any shame in front of me, he tried to dictate his terms to her, mentally reducing her to nothing and imagining her in every position.
I almost smeared him across the wall!
Literally,” the cry of my soul burst out.
Yes, at that moment I even felt like Vader for a second — grabbed him by the throat, lifted him, and was about to choke him.
It worked out — the client was just lucky his skin was valuable, Hadiya intervened.
He quickly came to his senses, apologized, and fled.
“It’s not that I didn’t believe in Hadiya and her ability to stand up for herself, but in moments like that, I just… I don’t know, that kind of behavior just infuriates me.
Damn, I’d rather go kiss a flint-lizard and drink to brotherhood with it than stoop to associating with such scum and talking to them as equals!” “Easy, Shade, I understand you,” Irbis raised his palms placatingly.
“But that’s the job of negotiators.
We have to talk to such people and come to a peaceful solution, otherwise it’ll only get worse.” “Irbis, have you ever thought about what would happen if we suddenly stopped interfering in their affairs?
If a third party that can crack down on both sides suddenly wasn’t there?
No?” “I have,” the teacher admitted reluctantly.
“They’d wipe each other out.” “Exactly.” “So what difference does it make to us?
What do we care about idiots?” “Directly, Shade.
Whoever they are, they’re descendants of the first colonists, our distant brothers and sisters.
We protected them before, and we protect them now, including from themselves.” “And where has that led?” “Well, it’s not all that bad.
They live and thrive well enough, and the madness you described only happens on Shikaakwa.
And again, you saw the upper crust, but did you ever talk to the common people?
Ordinary citizens just living their lives?” “Not really.” “You know, a friend of mine once told me: when big people can’t come to an agreement, the ordinary folks are the ones who suffer first.
So consider that we’re doing this for them.” To that, I just shrugged.
We sat in silence, each lost in our own thoughts.
“Shade, you never studied at Padawan Kesh, right?” Irbis suddenly changed the subject.
“And?” “How about I teach you to hide your emotions?
It’s a useful skill, especially if you meet a potential enemy.
Otherwise, they’ll read you like an open book, hmm?” “Heh, let’s do it.” And so, classes on hiding my own emotions were added to the program.
Yes, I could hide in the Force, but that wasn’t the same as closing off my emotions.
So even though I’d overlooked this technique, I was now diligently making up for it.
And when we arrived on Nox, my happiness knew no bounds.
It all helps promote the story.