My happiness knew no bounds — right up until I saw the planet we’d arrived at.
Leaving the shuttle with the other passengers, my smile rapidly faded as I surveyed the open expanse.
“Shade, what’s wrong?” Irbis stepped up beside me.
Right next to the landing pad and the terminal was a corridor into the dome city, with transparent windows revealing a view of the planet.
And what a disheartening view it was.
A lifeless desert, covered in smoke and soot, with working factories in sight.
The sky was barely visible, let alone the stars — breathing was only possible with a suit.
Damn… this planet had once been quite flourishing, teeming with life and vegetation.
But in the course of resource extraction and factory construction, the ecology had simply ceased to exist.
I understood building dome cities on planets that were initially unfit for life, but here… Nox had been murdered.
And I’d found photographs of what the planet looked like in its pristine state.
Not even a trace remained of its former glory… “Shade?” “Just thinking out loud.
Irbis, tell me — what kind of person do you have to be to foul your own planet, the one you live on, like this?” I nodded at the view beyond the armor glass.
This sight involuntarily evoked associations with Earth.
Caricatures depicting working, smoking factories in a gray, dreary world.
“Does this bother you?” He looked into the distance.
“You know, yes.
It does.
I don’t understand the reasons for acting this way.
There are filters, there’s special purification equipment, even waste recycling plants!
On Ska-Gora, for instance, they actually protect the ecology, even with mines and quarries there — and that’s a whole planet, a preserve!
And here…” “And Nox used to be like that too.
I saw it in the archives.
But everything flows, everything changes.
And these changes aren’t always for the better.” “Because that’s why Ska-Gora is guarded so carefully.
After what Nox became, the inhabitants of Ska-Gora decided to forbid settling on the planet and retreated to the floating cities.” “Surely you don’t need to see a terrible example to understand the value of your own planet?” “No, but at that point the planetary cleanup campaign turned out to be too expensive.
So instead of cleaning the planet, they just…” He hesitated.
“Decided to finish it off,” I finish.
“Fantastic solution.
Well, in principle yes, why be petty?
The climate’s trashed anyway, it’s all screwed anyway, so why bother now?
I can guess that after this they started deliberately relocating industrial centers here.
Including the chemical industry.” “Yes.
That’s how it was,” Irbis sighed.
“And why didn’t the Je’daii intervene?” “Because they were among the participants in this…
process,” the teacher grimaced.
“We’re not the keepers of peace, Shade.
If you knew Je’daii history better, you’d know how much blood we have on our hands.
And that, by the way, is your main profile — to fight and kill.” “I see it somewhat differently.” “How exactly?” “If I’m ordered to kill someone I personally consider innocent, I won’t carry out that order, Irbis.
I’m not an executioner to mindlessly take the lives of those pointed out to me.” “But that will be your duty.
With your interests and…
peculiarities, you won’t become anything else.” “You’re wrong.
Irbis, you’ve already guessed that I’m far enough from the Order in my views.
So I’m not particularly worried about my expulsion.” “Explain?” “The Order tries to find harmony with the Force around us.
But how can we find harmony out there when there isn’t an iota of it inside us?
And no, I’m not talking about self-control,” I preempt the teacher as he opens his mouth.
“We’re fine with that.
I’m talking about views on the Force itself.
We know it’s with us.
That it’s inside us.
But then why doesn’t anyone even think about trying to understand it?” “Mmm, I don’t understand your point.
The Force is one, it’s both with us and around us.
It nourishes us, and we learn to operate with it while maintaining balance.” “Irbis, that’s not what I mean.
The Force inside us is like an invisible organ that exists, that works, and we use it without even noticing, taking it for granted.
You see…” I looked into the distance…
“it’s hard to explain, but I’ll try.
From a young age, we comprehend the Force as a tool.
The dark side and the light side, two sides of the same coin, and we learn to balance between them.
You learn to balance between them.
But I don’t understand that.
I don’t understand why you switch yourself from one to the other when they’re essentially one whole.
It’s with us, it’s inside us, so why don’t we use that?” “Maybe because…
it’s dangerous?” the teacher asked, looking at me sideways as if cautiously.
“Maybe.
I know the Force can drive you crazy — there are plenty of examples on both moons.
Honestly…
I don’t fully understand these processes, but at the same time I believe the Force is One.
I…
I believe in it with all my soul.
Moreover, we ourselves believe that after death we return to the Unifying Force.
And the dark and light sides are derivatives of the whole.” “But for that you need to balance between darkness and light.” “Rather, you have to control yourself very carefully.” “And…
how?” What’s wrong with him?
It feels like he’s probing me.
“Is it working?” “Seems like it.
Though sometimes it’s hard going.
Standard training methods don’t work on me.
Worse, after them I get headaches, sometimes bouts of rage hit me, other times I just want to lie down and do nothing.
When I was studying at Qigong Kesh it was very hard, but now it’s more or less okay.
Either way, I have to figure out how to adapt old techniques to my personal abilities, and the result doesn’t always work.
At least somehow work.” “Mmm…” “Also, when working with the Force, I got this impression of a filter.” “How do you mean?” “Absorbing the Force, we filter it, making it safe.
You don’t go crazy from deliberately breaking the balance, do you?” I glance at Irbis and snort.
“You don’t.
But with a high concentration of strictly light or dark energy, the filter stops coping, and that’s exactly when the mind starts to crack.
If you fix that filter, control returns.
If not, then…” I sigh.
“then nothing will help.
Of course, there are many conditions and factors affecting it, but I think you get the gist.” Irbis nodded.
“An unusual view, but coherent.
Where did you pick that up?” “Mom told me about the Fallen Je’daii.
A lot.
And gave me things to read.
Instead of playing outside with other kids, I spent evenings with books, carefully studying material that interested me.
She also tried to teach me traditional practice, but it never came to me, so I went my own way.” “And do you have confirmation for the hypothesis?
Well…
experiments, evidence?” “Nope.
Just my own conjectures, formed after analyzing the material.
I don’t have enough knowledge or practice, so sorry, I can’t offer anything but a hypothesis.” “And…
what will you do with it?
Go to the Je’daii Council?” “Of course not.” “But you will defend your point of view, won’t you?” “Barely need to.
If the Council knew what’s going on in my head, they’d have kicked me out of the Order long ago.
Like they did with my father.
Mom just keeps her opinions to herself, though hers also differ from the standard.” “You’re wrong.
The theory is coherent and fits the Code.
There can be no talk of expulsion — they’d rather try to re-educate you into more traditional methods of operating with the Force.” “Heh, thanks, but I’ll pass.
The thought of having to go through the whole path all over again makes my stomach churn.” “Not just your stomach,” the Noghri muttered quietly, thoughtfully.
“What-what?” “I’m saying it’s clear with you.
So why did you tell me all this?” “You’re my teacher, or are you just out for a walk?” I turn to Irbis, who gives a quiet snort.
“And besides, you’re a Master of Balance, you know the principles of force and balance better than I do.
Who else would I discuss this with if not you?” “True enough.
But there won’t be a discussion here.” “Why?” “The hypothesis is viable — more than viable…” At that moment I felt like he wanted to add something but stopped himself.
God damn it, what’s with him today?
“Ahem, but the hypothesis needs confirmation.
I won’t dispute it nor agree with it.
But if you continue to hold to it, I’d be happy to see where you end up.” “Watch me,” I shrug.
“I mean, as it develops, share your thoughts with me.” “Heh, you’ll get thoughts, just don’t regret it.” “Thank you.
And on that note, I suggest we get back to business — we’re still expected.” “By whom?” “As I said, the parties couldn’t agree on their own, so we’ll sort it out,” he shrugged.
“And we’ll act peacefully,” he looked at me.
“I said peacefully, Shade.” “And what about me?” “Let’s also see what you’ve learned.” “A bullet to the forehead is an excellent negotiation tool.” “You’re incorrigible,” Irbis shook his head.
“I was just joking.
But seriously, should I go for a walk right away, or…” I wave my hand vaguely.
“No.
This time, not a step away from me — I don’t need you staging some coup here.” “You’ve decided to put me on a leash?” I note the fact that Irbis really tries not to leave me alone for long.
“I want you to learn to think, not just swing a sword.
Watch, remember, and analyze how to conduct negotiations properly.” “Got it.
You’re the boss, I’m the fool.” “You’re all about cracking jokes,” Irbis shook his head, glancing at my smug face.
The city we entered was strikingly different from the view outside the window.
Some buildings doubled as support columns for the dome and stretched all the way to the ceiling.
There weren’t many — just six of them — but it looked epic.
Also, unlike Shikaakwa, which existed somewhere at the junction of the fifteenth and twenty-second centuries, something vaguely resembling cyberpunk reigned here.
Narrow streets, glowing signs, crowds of the most motley people — from guys in dirty work overalls to men in decent suits with personal security.
Regular residents were also present, but mostly the working class walked around the city.
Well, what did I expect from a planet-factory?
I was hasty with the “planet-forge” label, but give it another millennium or two, and it would fully earn that proud title.
“Shade?” Irbis glanced at me as I rubbed my nose in annoyance again.
“The air.
It’s irritating,” I grumble, trying to shake off the nasopharynx irritation with the Force.
The air here was strange — somehow mechanical, dry, with notes of oil.
Unpleasant, overall.
“That’s from unfamiliarity.
Nothing, you’ll get used to it in time.” “Is it like this everywhere on Nox?” “No, it depends on the air purification system.
In this city it’s old; newer ones handle it better.
But overall, the air is unpleasant everywhere, just to varying degrees.” “Right.
On one planet we have maniacs, on another an atmosphere that makes your eyes water.
What’s next — regular meteor showers plus earthquakes and tornadoes?” “Mmm, no — we’re not flying to Sunspot yet,” Irbis shook his head with a smirk.
“Did I guess?
Seriously?!
Damn…
take me back to Tython.” “Pfft-ha-ha-ha…” “What are you laughing at?
I’m serious!” “Heh-heh-heh — you haven’t been to Krev-Kor yet, that’s a real fairy tale.
Scorching atmosphere, the surface covered in crystals, you can only move normally through caves, and they’re full of hungry local wildlife.” “Well, great,” I shake my head.
Yeah, Tython turns out not to be the worst planet in the system.
The whole system is just one big hellhole!
Sighing, I reach into my pocket for a bar.
At least some joy in this gray, dreary world…
“Wha?” I glance at Irbis.
“Why do you keep eating those?
They’re a kids’ treat, for little kids — for when they’re teething.” “It’s actually a very tasty thing, you know.
Mom got me hooked on them — they clear the mind, you know?” “Those are some suspicious bars,” he actually squinted at the treat in my hand.
“Why are you so suspicious?
I’ve been eating them my whole life — nothing wrong.
Here!” I hold out another one.
“Shade, if you don’t care about your own reputation, at least don’t ruin mine.
I’m not supposed to indulge in such nonsense by status, you know.” “Suit yourself.
‘S really an awesome thing.” “…” “Crunch-crunch-munch.” “…” “Nom-nom!” “Fine, give it here, let me try what you’re scarfing down.” “Heh-heh-heh,” feeling like the serpent-tempter, I hand over the treat.
“Mmm…
yes, there’s something to this.
Moderately sweet, firm, high-calorie with dried meat bits,” the Noghri nodded.
“You know, I’m thinking of starting my own company someday.” “M?” “You know, new bars, marketing, business, all that.
And I’ll call it: ‘Evil Bars!'” “Cough-cough-cough…” “Or: ‘Malicious Happiness.’ Has a ring to it, doesn’t it?” “Khe-khe…
oooh…” “Irbis, what are you coughing about?
Did you choke?” “No, it’s for khe-khe…
celebrating you.” “Sure, I can feel your ‘joy.'” So, word by word, we reached the enterprise that was having problems.
It was a small company manufacturing electronics for everything under the sun — with shipments going directly to Tython.
Were going, until now.
Throughout the negotiations, I stood nearby and kept a low profile, watching how Irbis conducted them.
It turned out the company was being squeezed by some friendly colleagues who first flooded the market with quartz sand, then immediately created a shortage.
The paradox was that the sand-supplying company had pre-arranged the dumping date, and “their people” were warned and bought everything up in time.
Then, when prices shot up, those same people simply bought the sand at three times the price to drive it even higher, while the supplier company returned part of the funds by purchasing — again at triple price — equipment from the buyer.
Both sides were controlled by the same owner, so it was more like “pouring from one container to another.” But that didn’t make it any easier for us.
Because of internal squabbling and one company’s desire to eat someone smaller — not necessarily even the one we’d flown to — Tython and several other electronics-buying enterprises were suffering.
So, having heard the problem, Irbis arranged negotiations where representatives of the nominally warring parties met.
Honestly, I didn’t see a peaceful resolution to the conflict, so I really did watch with interest how Irbis organized it all.
And the teacher surprised me.
He threatened the big company that if they didn’t moderate their appetites and stabilize the situation, Tython would cancel its orders and tighten its belt temporarily.
On Shikaakwa itself, there were similar electronics factories, albeit with smaller output, so we could manage.
But the company, losing SUCH contracts, would most likely not recover.
Again, the world didn’t hinge on this one company alone.
There were other small private enterprises.
Yes, their volumes were much smaller, but what difference did it make whether we bought from one firm or several at a lower price?
Realizing what a hole they’d dug for themselves, the conflict was resolved that very evening.
Moreover, that shrewd bug even managed to wring discounts on the already lowered (!) price as compensation.
Yes, Irbis used the Force here and there, but still — his resourcefulness and ability to turn circumstances inside out…
I was impressed!
I told him so directly.
“Learn, my Padawan, learn and remember.
A gun to the head and a kind word — effective as they are — aren’t the only path to conflict resolution.
What do companies, especially big ones, fear most?
Bankruptcy!
Or heavy losses.
So you can and should use that to push your interests.
Besides, between a company and a client, the initiative is always with the client — YOU are buying their goods.” “And what if it’s a monopoly?
The goods are needed, there are no alternatives, and the company gets cocky.
What then?” “It depends on the situation,” Irbis tapped his claw thoughtfully on his lips.
“You can approach their friends, negotiate with other clients — under collective pressure, even a monopolist will have to bend.
As a last resort, you can act in your manner.” “Oh!” “What ‘oh’?
I didn’t say you do things badly.
Yes, it’s effective, but when there’s an alternative, why always act one-sidedly?
Besides the whip and pressure, there’s also the carrot.
For example, negotiate a new contract, some services, or at least mutual discounts — even a monopolist needs to buy something from someone, and there are options there.
I remember having just such a conflict.
So I approached the equipment suppliers, made a deal with them, and things got very, very bad for the Pentary powder monopolist.
Since then, there’s been no monopoly on that powder.” “Right…
I’ve got a long way to go before I’m at that level,” I sigh.
“Nothing, you’ll learn.
Nothing comes at once,” he clapped me on the shoulder.
“Mm-hm.” And so began my wanderings through the Tython system.
After Shikaakwa, we never stayed long anywhere, spending most of our time on ships.
Taking the opportunity, I pestered the technicians, pilots, and even the captain.
Yes, I was a novice, but I was interested, so given my education level, they tried to explain things in accessible language.
Arranging lessons wasn’t hard — the crew was happy to share knowledge with a curious, decent kid.
Training with Irbis also continued — mutual training.
Since I primarily tried to adapt techniques to myself — I wasn’t an ordinary Je’daii and used the Force a bit differently — I demonstrated that to Irbis along with the perks it provided.
Irbis, in turn, kept drilling me on theory and practice.
Regularly, we staged mock scenarios where Irbis played whatever part, and I supposedly had to convince him of something.
It went so-so, but it was fun.
A breath of fresh air came from an unexpected meeting with Gris.
The Wookiee was hanging around Ska-Gora with his master, keeping order, acting as…
well, the closest thing would be police.
And the moment that fur rug sensed me, he ran over and nearly choked me with a hug.
While we chatted about training and how things were going, the teachers talked about their own matters.
Later it turned out Zeng and Feng were also around.
The twins had become Chasers.
A Chaser was a type of Je’daii who went into the most dangerous zones to retrieve something especially valuable — either for the Order’s benefit or for commercial purposes.
And since we had plenty of dangerous zones, the profession was very, very prestigious.
The funniest part was that no one other than Ramira had inspired them to do this.
I never expected that from that dandelion…
The girl needed special roots for her medical research — roots that didn’t grow just anywhere.
So those two volunteered to get them.
That sparked their interest, then they were given a teacher with the right skills, and that’s how they started roaming the system.
They got the roots, by the way.
Ramira herself, together with her master, traveled across planets gaining experience by studying her test sub…
I mean patients.
But the best time came with our next arrival on Nox.
By chance, Mom and Ves were there, having stayed on the planet for a few days just for us.
And when we arrived, a very warm company greeted us…
“Vii!” I was nearly knocked off my feet as someone ran up from the side and hugged me with all her might.
“Shade!
I’m so glad to see you!” “And I’m just as glad,” unable to resist, I put my hand on her head, ran my fingers through her hair, and scratched behind her ear.
“Mrrr…” Blissss.
How I’d missed this…
“Hi, Shade,” Mom came over.
“Mom,” I give a slight salute, not letting go of Ves.
“Master Aala.” “Master Irbis.
May the Force be with you.” “And with you.” “Glad to see you both in good health.
I see you’ve gotten along well with my son.” “Yes…
it was hard, but we managed to coexist,” that sly Noghri grinned, glancing at me.
“Would you like to join me?
It’s not far,” Mom nodded to the side.
“You’re not going to do anything to me, are you?” Irbis raised an eyebrow playfully.
“Only if I kick you a little.
Just for prevention.” “Too bad, too bad.
And I was hoping to have a cup of vorca with you.” “Vorca works,” Mom nodded.
So, exchanging banter, they headed off toward a cafe, leaving Ves and me alone.
No, I understood Irbis’s concern — he really did fear my mother, which was clearly felt in his emotions, and not without reason.
Just in our last communication session, Ves mentioned how Mom had cut off some Selkath’s appendages for inappropriate behavior at her company and lewd hints.
And he was a former Je’daii, now on the run.
Well, technically not on the run anymore — now he was sitting on Bogan, but without the appendages.
Yeah, you don’t want to make Mom angry.
But shaking it off, I focus on Ves, who’s pressing against me.
“Well, how are you, kitten?” I pull back to look into those wonderful green eyes with vertical pupils.
“Great!
Master Aala shows me so much and explains it so well — wow!
Now I understand why Gris had such a high opinion of you on our first meeting.
With a personal trainer like that, it’s physically impossible to be weak.” “Yeah…
that’s true.
And…
what did she teach you?” “Well, to fight.
Properly.
At Qigong Kesh we had problems with that, but now I’m pretty good with a sword.” “And?” “Well…
she told me…
you know…
stuff.
Yes!
Shade, don’t pry — it’s girl stuff,” she punched me lightly in the chest.
“Heh-heh-heh…
fine, I won’t,” and leaning in, I kiss this cute little wonder.
She’d actually grown in the time since.
Before, she was a head shorter than me; now only half a head shorter.
After playing around and pulling away to catch our breath, I rub my cheek against this sweetheart’s head.
“How I’ve missed you.” “Me too.” “Come on, I know a place — not a soul around.” “Oh!” So, hiding from prying eyes on the roof of one of the buildings — getting there was no problem for a Je’daii — I was able to relax and rest properly, constantly squeezing this cute miracle sitting on my lap.
And she didn’t mind — just sat there, melting, soaking it up.
Bliss!
Though the bliss was interrupted by a message from Irbis — we were away too long in some unknown place and should come back.
And there, at the cafe, I was thrown to my mother’s mercy.
How?
What?
When?
There were so many questions I was amazed Irbis had even given me a couple of hours alone with Ves.
I’d definitely thank him later.
Ves herself also wanted to hear the details of my adventures.
She was especially interested in my circle of female acquaintances.
Yeah, after the rumors about Hadiya, she’d started getting a bit possessive, so I was sure — if a rival appeared, she’d be quietly and peacefully buried, and given what Mom had taught her, that wouldn’t be a problem.
Right.
But I passed the test with honor, and when night came, the reward came to my room in the form of Ves.
A very heated, literally blazing Ves, who didn’t even let me make a sound, immediately jumping on my neck, wrapping her legs around me, and kissing passionately.
Click!
— said the door lock as I fell onto the bed.
“Last time…” Ves broke the kiss, breathing heavily.
“…you were on guard.” “M?” “Master Aala taught me two medical techniques.
One to conceive, the other to prevent accidental conception,” she whispered in my ear.
“So don’t hold back,” she purred the last words, scratching my chest.
Yeah…
Mom definitely had a very, very bad influence on Ves.
And damn, how good that was!
It all helps promote the story.