SJC: Chapter 5 – The Empty Inn

“Let me get this straight,” Lucas said for the third time, “There are different castes within The Order? You aren’t all one group?” He and Jane were in the armory gearing up to travel. He was able to catch on to the ships operations pretty easily but it had taken all of lunch and most of their gear up for him to begin to wrap his head around the workings of The Order.

“Basically yes. Though we don’t call them that. The Council of Elders is made up of the High Elder and the Elders of each discipline. There are the monks, the healers, the caretakers, the councilors, and the sentinels. The monks meditate and control the faith side of things. They are the core of our belief system and they represent the needs of our people.” Jane tried to explain as she geared up in the armory. She had the ships standard uniform clothes with a matching light jacket over it.

“The healers are just what they sound like. They not only help to heal and manage crises but also track the populations health.” She was attaching the compact disruptor at the small of her back, under her jacket. Lucas was also gearing up with a destabilizer in a thigh holster. “The caretakers worry more about the balance on the side of the environment. They were the ones that proposed the Great Sleep to give the planets in our region a break.”

She was now attaching a similar destabilizer holster to her thigh. “The councilors worry about the orders involvement in external affairs. This is politics both within the government and with outside alliances. They help to mediate disputes and even assist in investigations.”

Jane dropped the destabilizer into its holster and began to attach the receiving end of her battle rod’s clip to her belt. “Now the sentinels are a different story. There aren’t always sentinels actively serving the order. I was bread and trained as one but it wasn’t until the council voted to give me the rank that our class was revived. In times of peace and order the positions are sometimes not refilled. It was finally agreed that I should be filling it. I get to operate as I see fit. I serve the peace and the balance as I feel necessary, usually with weapons. Traditionally I would be given an honorary rank in the armed forces. A high one.”

She added a few small packs and pouches to her belt. Lucas had already done so and was looking at the comm and other digital gear. “Here use these.” She said as she handed him an earpiece, set of contacts, and a small wristband. Put the contact case into the console and leaned forward. They were inserted into his eyes, which tickled for a few seconds as the settled.

He attached his wristband as she attached her plate interface. They both put their earpieces in at the same time and looked at one another. “Ready to go?” He asked her.

“Let’s do it.” She said as she moved toward the armory door.

As they were heading for the cargo bay Lucas asked, “So since you are the only member of your class, does that make you the Elder of the Sentinels?”

“No. Not officially. I must hold this rank for some time and show my judgement is sound before I get that promotion. I would be promoted to the defacto leader if there was another member of the clan or at least someone in training. Eventually I should be asked to join the council, but it’s invite only. I would also be called Battlemaster Sentinel as leader of my clan.” She keyed the ramp to lower and they exited to the loading dock.

The landing platform was very modern, very opposite of the palace grounds and other areas near the capital. This was pure modernity. They deck was a flat black metal and the walls were a brushed durasteel that gleamed in the light. They walked to the doors where there was a small creature waiting for them.

Jane pulled out a small device and placed it on her head opposite her earpiece. It had a band that held a node on her temple and ran along the top of her ear. There was a small processor that sat along the back of her ear and sent a small bud into that ear. This was a government standard tool that was used for translation. Lucas drew his own from its belt pocket and attached it to his head.

The creature was chattering to June when Lucas’ translator came online, “–have any contraband that is forbidden on Relantia?”

“No sir. We are here to buy supplies. I would like to offload a pallet of Drantinian Copper to sell for local credit.” Jane told him calmly. This made Lucas think about the crates that were in the cargo bay.

“The government is authorized to buy certain supplies at a given rate. I can check on what we can offer you; however, you are free to sell it where ever. Just be cautious of some merchants. They are not all, uhh, reputable.” Said the little creature. He was about four feet tall and covered in a short fuzz. His face was scrunched in toward the center and had many thick folds; however, he had soft eyes and manners that made him seem nice despite his appearance.

The little man walked away to check on the value of the cargo. “Copper huh?” Lucas said as he leaned toward Jane’s ear.

“Drantinian Copper is a coveted building material. They will want some, I promise.” She responded as the little man walked back to them.

“The current trade rate,” The little man began as he crossed back to them, “Is one thousand and twenty-four credits per decounce. How does that sound?”

Lucas thought that sounded great but Jane was not happy. “I want to see a certificate of trade for today.” She asked in a very no-nonsense manner.

The man looked down at the tablet in his hands and pressed it a few times. He then seemed to be surprised when he said, “Oh my, the rate must have just increased to one thousand eight hundred credits per decounce!”

Jane smiled like he had never done anything wrong and agreed happily. After she had given him enough of the cargo to get them about forty thousand credits they sealed the ship and departed. When they entered the market quarter from the dock Lucas was awestruck. They were along an ocean. A huge beautiful ocean that surrounded the massive market district. He looked around and was able to see tube with cars that ran to other floating districts.

“They separate the districts of the city by sea clusters. The tubes allow them to track the population from district. It makes security much easier here. There is a spaceport right here for the market district. We would need travel permits to leave this district. It makes it pretty nice for us too, less work to get through to resupply.” Jane explained the floating city as Lucas tried to take it all in. “Lets start to scope the place out.”

She led him from merchant to store purchasing supplies that would be delivered to the loading dock that we were birthed at. After lots of supplies had been bought Jane led Lucas to a bistro where they sat at an outside table. She yelled to yet another short creature that she would have to of her usual.

“Come here often?” He asked her, surprised.

“I stop by from time to time to get supplies for the order. Many of them don’t like the seedy environment but I find it refreshing compared to the life of a monk.”

An older looking short creature showed up with two large plates of food for them. “I saw you at Drallis’ shop so I started your favorite.” The little guy rasped at her.

Jane smiled and kissed him on the top of the head. While the little old man was swooning still she said, “You’re the best Frankie.”

“No problem, kid.” He said as he walked away, presumably back to the kitchen.

“Frankie?” Lucas asked.

“He grew up on a human colony,” Jane explained, “And that’s what the other kids called him. It’s silly, but he kept the name even after coming to his home system after his human adoptive parents died.”

“Oh, wow. What a life.” Lucas said, at a loss for anything better to say. “So what now?” He finally asked.

“Well we need a team for you. A crew. I can’t maintain the ship and complete all the tasks we are going to need alone if we do this tour.” She explained to him, “We will need a team for you. Some can come from back home but I think some diversity will serve us. I know a few people here and I asked them to come meet us here.”

“Okay. That sounds good to me, I guess.” Lucas responded but anything further was cut short by a yell.

“Hey there princess!” Came the voice of a beautiful woman of a species Lucas actually knew. A Norelli.

“Sand you know I hate being called that.” Jane protested but Sand pushed on.

“Princess of the great order.” She laughed and then Jane gave a small smile.

“Sentinel now.” Jane told her and Sand got serious.

“I know I got your message. Who’s this handsome guy and when do I get to meet this king or whatever.” She asked Jane.

“Well,” Jane started.

“I guess I am just a handsome king.” Lucas said with a playful shrug, “Nice to meet you, miss Sand.”

The beautiful woman in front of him turned a light pink color and took his outstretched hand. After taking it in her hand she brought it to her lips and breathed on it in a very strange manner. She let out a bit of pink breath that coated his hand in a sweet-smelling sent. “I am sorry, sir. I hope that I will be able to be of service to you.”

“Me too.” Lucas said as if he actually knew what was going on. He had let his guard come back up now that he was no longer one on one with Jane.

“Merisand of the Cloud People at your service, my lord.”

“She will be joining us, with your approval, as your Yeoman.” Jane explained.

“I will be able to aid you in any of your duties, keep your agenda, and accompany you on your visits. Basically I am your assistant and protocol officer. I will help you through customs you don’t understand. I have known Jane for many years. We met when I did a lot of work for The Order. The council still keeps me on retainer.” Merisand declared to Lucas.

“Welcome aboard. Pack your things and meet us for departure in two hours.” Lucas said with a smile. He liked her and knew that he would not do well without her skills.

She bowed slightly and hurried off to, Lucas assumed, get her belongings in order.

“Okay Jane, who’s next?”