-50 BBY-
Location: Alderaan - (In Capital city, Aldera - spaceport)
"Seriously! I keep telling you, you don't have to leave!.....just please, give me some more time and I'll deal with our vassal houses worries"
"I truly, thank you elder brother for all your efforts to help, but we both know that is for the best, they wont be satisfied as long as I'm here. I must go for your sake, my own, and our noble house's"
"Damn it! why did things had to come to this. If only the heads of the vassal houses would shut up with their outlandish conspiracy theories. Their paranoia have no end!"
In a galaxy far far away on the on the lush and beautiful world of the planet Alderaan a core world of the galactic republic.
Two brothers of alderannian nobility spoke with sad tidings.
The first brother was Helmac Qel-Droma, a 26-year human male, the eldest of the two brothers and the family heir, who would soon take his place as the head of the ancient and distinguish noble family of house Qel-Droma. Born between the current family head and his legal wife.
(Image of Helmac Qel-Droma)
The second brother was Helmac's younger 22-year-old half-brother Vinik Qel-Droma. Who was born between the current Head and his mistress, who was of common blood.
(Image of Vinik Qel-Droma)
This technically made the two half brother.
But for as long as either one of them could remember the brothers had always been inseparable with an unbreakable bond. Helmac never viewing his younger brother as inferior for being born as a bastard of common blood.
And Vinick in turn never looked at his elder brother with envy or distain for being the legitimate heir.
Truly the two were the perfect example of loving siblings.
But in recent years the siblings elderly father, the current Qel-droma family patriarch had begun suffering rapid health decline do to old age. As such Helmac, as first born was chosen to inherit his father's position as head of the house of Qel-Droma.
"You know brother when I first hear you were finally taking the reins of the family, I was so happy. I had hoped I'd be by your side and aid you as you fulfilled your duties. But sadly, it seems fate has other plans for me, and now I must leave our home"
He said with slight sorrow.
When news of Helmac's secession spread, at first cheers and celebrations spread and could be heard all throughout the House's holdings. Which was of little surprise since Helmac had always been a charismatic and capable leader. Being fluent in policies and territorial management, few had reason to concerned with him taking control.
But as the cheers die down, dark whispers began to take their place. A small hand full of the vassals in their inner circles began to secretly question whether Helmac was truly the best candidate to take over the family.
While none of these vassals dared to voices these opinions openly against Helmac's birth right, the whispers over time slowly grow into shouts and managed to gained additional support among more of the vassals.
And ended up forming a small "Reformist" faction.
These shouts of the Reformists called for Vinik to become Head of House Qel-Droma.
"I still can't fathom why the Reformist keep pushing so viciously for me to become head. They completely ignored the fact that many times I have vocally stated I don't want to rule the family"
Whenever Vinik openly opposed and spoke out against the Reformists wishes that he take control they always countered saying Vinik was just being forced to say such things against his will. By his his brother Helmac.
This was used as an additional rallying crying by the Reformists to garner support. That they need to save the oppressed second son who was unjustly under the thumb of his tyrannical brother.
Helmac watched his brother complain and scowl at the audacious actions of the Reformists. Inside his heart he was smiling at his brother endless loyalty to him.
"Come now Vinik you and I both know no matter what reason they give, they don't really want you as head. They simply want to create a rift between us"
"And during such a rift they would try to seize more power and authority from the main house....Yes I know brother"
Vinik said dejectedly completing Helmac's thought.
And wondering just when did his family and their vassals, who for so many generations have stood strong and united, become so divided and power obsessed hungry.
"But in the end you are still the first born Helmac, and as such your claim to be family Head is undeniable, something I will never have to deal with thankfully"
Helmac simply stood in silence pondering on Vinik's words. Because while he knows his younger brothers' words where true, he also knows his brother did in fact had something that gave him at least some claim to lead the family.
"Vinik.... you know that among some of the vassals they believe you also have an undeniable claim yourself. You know due to you being...."
"Brother ..... please... don't say it, that thing you are about to speak of. Its the very cause of all our current troubles, remember. In my eyes its a burden and nothing more. Certainly not some saving grace for our house, that some of those fools think it is"
"....As you wish, please forgive me"
Not wanting to agitate Vinik more Helmac dropped the topic.
"No forgiveness is needed, after all you were just trying to speak the truth"
What Vinik had stopped Helmac from speaking of was a secret which had remained hidden within their main family for over a decade. But either as the result of someone's mistake or worse a spy in the main house, the secret was found out among the vassals.
The secret being that Vinik was force sensitive, and powerful one at that.
"I bet one of the servants must have over heard me discussing about it with father, and quickly reported back to their household"
"Well it wouldn't surprise me it that were the case. After all, its pretty much noble tradition for the children of lesser nobles who serve as maids and butlers to higher ranked nobility, for a time while young. And during which those same children secretly report back to their families about any information they come across or overhear in the house they are serving at"
It was as Helmac said, its an unwritten Alderaanian custom for the children of minor nobles to work as serves in waiting of higher nobles as a means to forge connections, but at the same time those servants double as spies. Such were the ways of noble society
"Well regardless we cant change any of that now. Or the fact that I have this power. This power, which has always greatly made up much of our family's legacy"
Both the History and bloodline of House Qel-Droma were filled with notable force sensitives who went on to become legendary jedi within the jedi order.
These individuals helped solidify the Qel-Droma name in Alderaanian and Republic history.
But in recent centuries no person within the family was blessed with a noticeably strong connection to this gift. Causing the families fame and renown to wain over the ages.
Because of this, when the news that Vinik may be a powerful force sensitive started circulating around, the reformist faction opposing Helmac began using this as one of the main reasons for their demands of appointing Vinik as the new Lord. Instead of his brother.
Believing that he could be the key for the House's return to prominence.
*****************
((ATTENTION TRANSPORT BOUND FOR ORD-MANTELL IS NOW BOARDING AND SET TO SOON LIFT OFF!))
Vinik and Helmac's conversation was interrupted when they heard to the announcement from the spaceport's speaker system. As it announced the approaching departure of the ship Vinik was scheduled to take.
"Well I guess the time has come, I should get going"
He said grief filled as he looked at Helmac.
"Is there really nothing i can say to change your mind"
"Please just trust me brother this is what's best for all"
"Sigh... "
"Very well. But of all planets you could have pick to go to why the hell did you pick Ord Mantell! It's a well know gathering spot for the galaxy's worst, filled with pirates, gangsters, slavers and other scum! Why would you pick such a place to settle on! Couldn't you have at least picked a planet in the inner rim or better yet some where in the core"
"Don't worry Helmac, Ord Mantell is not my real destination that's just a rumor I spread to the public. Ord Mantell is just a pit stop. This way if any of those foolish Reformists nobles try to find me to bring me back, they'll be looking in the wrong place"
"Truly? Then were are you really going?"
"Sorry brother but I cant tell anyone that. Not even you"
Vinik refrained from telling his brother his true destination. In part because like he said it was in order to trick anyone who might come looking for him. But mostly it was prevent Helmac from trying to find him himself.
After all Vinik know Helmac best, and he know his would eventually would try to find him, out of worry.
Hearing this, the anxious look Helmac's face grow even deeper.
"Haha, don't make that face. Don't forget brother you and I both received rigorous survival training when we were young and hunting was my main hobby growing up. I've grown quit skilled with my carbine rifle, which I'm bring along. I'm more than capable of defending myself."
With tension growing over secession Vinik decided to make a decision that would stop the conflict before it could escalate into violent bloodshed, and that choice was for he to leave.
Not just his noble house but to leave Alderaan all together. With him gone to who know where the opposing vassals would have no figure to rally behind and his brother could then take leadership of the family without any further resistance.
The planet he choose to start a new life on was secretly the farming world of Dantooine. Due to its isolated communities Vinik felt it would be the perfect planet to disappear on. And with the planet having mostly nothing but farms and little else of value, most pirates or marauders would fine little reason to attack the few settlements there.
Plus as he mentioned earlier, his survival and rifle training gave him the means to protect himself from what ever threats that called Dantooine home. And being a skilled hunter Vinik was sure he could make a decent living selling game to the farmers there.
Having said all that he wanted to Vinik moved to walk away, but Just before he could turn towards his shuttle Helmac quickly pulled Vinik in for one last hug, softly asking him one last question with tears in his eyes.
"Will you ever come back home?"
Vinik remained silent for a few moments in his brother's embrace before answering with a small sad smile.
"Maybe brother,....Maybe"
After a few more seconds of hugging the two would separate and Vinik would walk way into the spaceport not looking back. Quickly disappearing into the crowd of people move about the space port trying to reach there own departing ships.
*******
(Location: Orbit above Alderaan)
Looking out from the cockpit window of an aged CSS-1 Corellian Star Shuttle currently in orbit over alderaan, Vinik was taking one last look at his home, as the shuttle prepared for jump to light speed.
Something he had requested of the ship's captain, who in turn had permitted but only for a brief moment
"Mr. Qel-Droma, I'm sorry to disturb you but we're nearly finished powering up for light speed. I recommend you return to the passenger area before we jump"
"ah...Yes understood, thank you"
Listening to the pilot's word Vinik walked through the sliding door of the cockpit. And after a short walk through the ship he would reach in a passenger seating area. Then he took a seat next to a long robed hooded women.
He surveyed his surrounding as other passengers also taking their seat, remaining alert for any dangers.
"Are you nerve? This is a big step we are taking. And you may never see your family again"
The covered woman sitting next to Vinik spoke to him a familiar tone, as if the two know each other closely.
He smiled at her in response to her concerned tone.
"Not at all"
Vinik said, placing one of his hands over the women's.
If I'm being honest I'm really looking forward to this new chapter of my life"
Vinik loved his family and home with a passion, but he deeply hated the lies, scheming, and grab s for power that came with being nobility. Many things he dreamt of leaving it all behind and striking out into the galaxy to see what he could make of himself.
But the guilty of abandoning his people and family, his brother especially for such a selfish reason, had also be the bullwork that kept him for acting.
That is until now
"Then I am truly thank the force that the two of us may write that new chapter with you. Me and this little one. We're both blessed that we have you, my love"
The mysterious woman said. While in her arms, laid nestled was a cradled baby, barely one year old, wrapped in a fine silk cloth.
"No my dear, I'm the one who should be thankful. For I am truly blessed to have you two by my side"
He said, as he wrapped the women in a one arm embrace around her shoulders. While at the same time stoking the soft cheeks of the fidgeting infant in her arms with his other hand.
The woman next to him was Vinik's secret wife. A young miralukan women who appeared to be in her early to mid twenties named Loa who he meet two years age, and the baby in her arms was their one year old child.
(Image of Loa)
Vinik did want to stop the want to stop the conflict rising in his family's land, but in truth these two were the real main reason why Vinik was so willing to leave his homeworld and family.
It was two years age.
Vinik was completing his higher educational studies at one of alderaan's most prominent universities.
Then one day, he happened to meet a young miralukan women who was one of his fellow students. At first He was always nervous when ever he ended up speaking to Loa. Mostly due to the fact that he was uncomfortable being around the miraluka species.
This stemming from the fact that miralukas are so similar to humans, but are born without eyes. Which, for most humans who have never seen a miraluka, can be a bit unnerving.
Loa on the other hand at the time felt no real interest in Vinik and often ignored him.
But one day when the two were casually passing by each other in one of the university hallways Loa happened to trip by chance. And as if on reflex Vinik reached out to catch her in his arms.
In that instance where they made physical contact, the both of them felt a sudden connection to the other. As if their very beings had become linked.
A link forged through the force.
After that, they were constantly egged on by the invisible link that seemed to draw them together, the two began interacting more of each other.
At first they only felt awkward, since they know near to nothing about each other, but kept wanting to be near each other. But in time, they slowly grow close. And within a year, they entered into a romantic relationship.
When they first started dating they wanted to tell Vinik's family, but Alderaanian noble society held social statue, highly and political marriages were just a fact of life for nobles. Vinik was expected to marry some of similar statue to himself. And sadly loa was just a commoner.
So for a time they had no choice but to hide their love.
But in time they would be with child.
After the baby's birth, Vinik and Loa would secretly marry and they once again considered revealing their relationship to his family. Not wanting to subject they child to a life of hiding and secretes, as if his very existence was somehow wrong and to be ashamed of.
Within his heart Vinik prayed hoping that his wife and child would be accepted into the Qel-droma.
However, just before he was about to make the big reveal, the secession conflict arose.
The grown turmoil gave him the perfect excuse to leave while rising little suspicion.
His leaving ultimately would spare his family from facing a possible civil war. While allowing him live openly with his wife and child on some other world. Away from all those who could possible obkect to their union.
Deep down in his soul Vinik still wished he could have at least told his brother about his wife and son, but he new that if Helmac found out, his brother would have been even more worried and more adamant about him and his family to staying.
Where they could live in safely and comfort. But Vinik just couldn't risk it.
"I'm sorry brother maybe one day I tell you the truth, but not now"
This was Vinik's last thought before the shuttle's jump to light speed.