Sonny awoke to a bottle rolling against the white marble floor, chinking as it went creating echoes of horror in his mind as it torturously clanged. He was then brought to the shocking realisation that Jax was moving around the room cleaning up papers, glasses and data pads on his desk. He opened his eyes wider and then immediately regretted it. His head pounded as he saw the bottle of whiskey which had now, graciously stopped rolling. He looked up at the desk, his eyes not working properly, it was like he was looking through a glass of water, with the lights flaring in his eyes. It didn't help that the entire room was white and designed to be as bright as it was.
“What?” he said, more in question as to why. The lights of the stark room blazed into his eyes, bright, white and searing. He couldn't understand. “No…” he said, sliding back onto the sofa, “Go away” he managed to get out.
“You have to get up,” Jax said steadily, not paying too much attention to him.
“No, don’t make me do stuff” he pleaded.
“I’m not making you do anything” she emphasised that she was not at fault here, “Oso has just arrived” she said, darting from one side of his office to the other, carrying bottles and data pads with her. Sonny grabbed his head, still wondering what the hell was going on, she made her way over to him and shooed him with her hands, “Up” he slowly started to move to the side, but she grabbed him, her dainty arms not able to pull him up but enough to direct him, which he currently needed.
“Why are…you?” he said, by the gods he felt stale. “Where are my pants?”
“Go shower, and get changed” she said not paying attention to him at all, as she was now fluffing the cushions on the sofa that he had been sleeping on. He had a crick in his back from it, it was after all one of those awful things built for aesthetics rather than comfort. He nodded, still feeling completely confused. The nod was a mistake, his head was swimming, and not well. He stood up trying not to turn his head too quickly, not wanting to completely dislodge his brain.
As Sonny stood in the shower with hot water running down his board showers pooling at his feet. He leaned forward hands pressed against the cold tiles, staring into the mirror, judging himself. His dark thick hair was damp with product and his normally bright blue eyes now slightly dull, with heavy lids, with the weight of sleep he couldn't quite shake. He didn't want to leave, but he also hadn't caught what Jax was saying, or why she was waking him up so early.
He spent a long time staring into the mirror as though looking at his reflection would yield some answers. He had bags under his blue eyes, he stretched his cheek and tried to put himself together. He ran his hands through his dark hair, he had always been able to attract the attention of whoever he fancied, really. He was tall, well built, a soldier's build and had been taken care of better than the average man due to his position.
He changed at a speed that worked for his banging head and made his way back into his office. It was spotless, the sofa that was tucked in the corner looked as it did when he had first ever seen it, the large stone meeting table that sat just off the centre of the room, with the glass panels revealing the edges of his Home ship and the vast abyss of space. On the other side of the room atop the dais sat his black stone desk, now neater than he had ever seen it, the symbol of the Artelis house hung behind it spanning three meters high, the symbol of his House, the Valkyrie with her sword facing down, her feet together and her wings spread wide, reaching to either side of the large room. Sonny always thought it was ostentatious.
Below sat Jax at his desk, furiously working through a data pad, she turned up at him, her sharp analytical eyes taking him in. She then vanished from site, there was a small clang as the datapad she was holding dropped to the desk, she then appeared right in front of him again with a small whoosh.
“It’s too early for you to be shifting around me, Jax” she handed him a glass with something fizzing in it.
“Triple?”
“Quadruple,” she said, vanishing from sight once more and then arriving back at the desk. He was used to her teleporting all over the place, but it somehow made him feel sick when he was hungover. Jax had been with him since she was ten years old. She was known as a shifter, considered highly valuable people in the galaxy for their abilities to teleport people vast distances, move resources, and the most impressive, armies. She was put into his service by his father. He had watched her grow up from a little blonde girl with terror in her eyes, to the most competent member of his staff. She had become tall, and beautiful with a quick wit and terrible focus on work. She held his House together. She also frequently reminded him of this. Sonny didn't mind when she did, he was grateful for her, and she was his closest advisor because of this. Nobody knew him like she did. That sometimes made him feel uncomfortable.
“There’s still that echo in here,” he said before draining the drink, he shook violently, like being kicked in the brain by an angry ex. He fluttered his eyelids and allowed the light back in, it was still harsh, but manageable enough now. It was her special concoction with a whole bunch of chemicals and remedies that she had explained to him far too many times, but he still had no idea what it was. All he knew, was that it worked. “Why did you wake me up so early?”
“It’s midday” she said still working through the data pad. He looked out of the viewport of his office and saw the green lands of the ship teaming with people. A city in space, the size of a small province on some planets, held together by artificial gravity which held onto their atmosphere. It was the only thing he liked about being Head of the Artelis. The artificial sun that moved around the ship, merely a controlled fusion reaction that was kept in orbit by the ship's systems hung above the height of the viewport. The day was bright, as it always was. The rolling fields that led to the small city in the hills, held his Houses offices and various departments, schools, the university and training facilities and barracks for his soldiers. Their housing was kept on the other side of the ship, away from the prying eyes of his office. He had always thought that was a nice touch. His personal team was kept in the building below him, the building that say away from the city, and the homes, and the building that was like a sharp spike that erupted from the land that travelled through space. It held their fighter ships and military assets.
The people had freedom here, young people learning and experimenting, coming up with new discoveries and exploring new planets. However, they also needed to be ready to invade any planet at the drop of a hat or turn this beautiful disc with its lush fields and tall buildings into what it was meant to be, a fortress in the nether, designed for occupation and oppression. That was the part he really didn't like, though unfortunately, that was where his talents lay.
“I’m trying a new sleeping schedule, where I can…”
“Okay,” she said cutting him off, showing that she did not care what excuse he had today.
“What are you doing anyway?” he said walking over to the desk, “Did you say something about Oso?”
“Yes, he’s here, and waiting for you, and I’m trying to find out why. You are way behind on your duties, but you always are so that can’t be it” he decided not to give her the answer of ‘I have a system’ knowing that she knew that that wasn't true and that the fizz hadn't quite alleviated his pain quite completely yet. She looked at him intently dropping the pad to her knees, “Now, I know that you don’t like him, but be careful” she warned. Sonny sighed deeply.
“The man is responsible for more deaths in the galaxy than you could imagine” he said knowing that she was more than aware of this. He was truly a despicable man. He would sign off death warrants on people, cities, and planets and then deny any actions that he would have had in those actions. He specialised in clean ups, clean ups that led to investment into planets to get them back up and running, making a fortune for him and his cronies along the way.
“Regardless,” she said, her head tucked into the datapad once more.
“I really hoped he would have been dead by now” he said his turn now to shoo her off of her seat. He put his elbows on the desk and rubbed his eyes. “I’m ill, tell him to come back” he didn't need to look at her, he could feel her burning gaze on him. He took in a deep breath, tried to compose himself as best as possible and then said, “Okay fine, let him in”
“He’s still making his way off of his ship” she said now sitting on the side of his desk still working on the data pad. “Could this have anything to do with Yeley?”
“Yeley?” he said, now standing and peering over his desk to the port which was visible from the dais, and there it was, a Matise interstellar Yacht, the vessel of choice for his father's attache. He slumped back down. “What’s happening on Yeley?”
“No, can’t be that, it’s just some riots” she said slowly, still scanning the pad, “What did you say to Valentine last time you saw him?”
“Nothing really, just that I hoped that he got skewered by his own people in a lynching” she shook his head, “Nothing out of the norm” he said returning his eyes to the palms of his hands. It was a few moments and then there was a knock at the door, they swung open and unveiled the man, Oso. A mummy that looked as though it had died decades ago, but didn't seem to have the space in his schedule to stop working. His pale grey skin sagged on his bones, his eyes almost no longer visible under his immense eyebrows and overflowing forehead. It was like he had been inflated once and his skin never retracted. He also seemed to get a fright as the door was opening, looking up at the mesmerising act of a door opening. They probably didn't have doors when he was born, thought Sonny.
“Minister Oso” Jax said warmly, shifting to his position in a flash, he jumped as she arrived in front of him from thin air.
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“Ah, Commander Quillium, you become lovelier” he wheezed after his brief fright. Sonny watched them from behind his desk wondering how long it would take the relic to get around the Houses table. It sat Eleven with more than enough space to ensure that there was no way to reach the person sitting next to you. Sonny closed his eyes as he saw the fossil was going to walk around it, and his pace had decreased since he had last seen him.
“Super creepy, Oso” Sonny shouted. The old man either didn't hear him or ignored him. He got a violent look from Jax, he raised his shoulders in question.
“Thank you, Minister, may I get you some refreshments?”
“I have a member of my staff bringing me my tea,” he said in three breaths. She bowed and gave Sonny a look as to say, ‘take-this-seriously. He put his head back in his hands and remained that way until he heard Oso sit in the chair across from his desk. He couldn't believe how long it took.
“Ah, Oso, thank you for joining me, you look great,” he said flatly. The old man chuckled without expression. “Is it that babies are that nutritious or is it catching them that keeps you so fit?” The staff member with his tea was standing behind him, trying desperately to hold back a laugh. He must have arrived in the room some time ago and followed the old man to his chair. The old man must have chosen not to hear this. “What can I do for you, Oso?” he said waving his hand at the servant, he wouldn't be sure if Oso would notice that they were there.
The staff member placed a teacup in front of Oso, and poured the tea from a delicately designed pot. It looked like an old Sha-En styled teapot. His treasures of war. The tea stank, so Sonny held his hand up to indicate that he was fine and Oso’s servant made their way out of the room while the Minister readjusted his deep purple robes, the man had no strength so it was a tough watch. He finally managed and then adjusted the same purple-coloured headdress.
“Lord Matise,” he said as though just realising that Sonny was there. He couldn't remember how many times he had told the old man that he didn't like being called by his family name. “Thank you for hosting me,” he said with a small bow of his head.
“No problem, how can I help?”
“I have been asked to deliver a message to you, on behalf of your father, the High Lord Rene Matise. He sends his greetings”
“Hi. Now, why are you here?” he said leaning back into his chair.
“Bad business, I am afraid, you have heard about Yeley, I am sure, being so fond of the planet yourself?” Sonny had heard the news just moments before from Jax, and felt surprised that a visit from Oso was to do with some riots. He must have missed something here. The fact that a Planetary leader was dealing with riots on their planet was not anything peculiar. In fact, most of the time it was to be expected, and it was also something that Yeley had had happen a number of times before.
In saying that, Pac Traes, was a good man and allowed his people to participate in their government. It wasn't anything new, the Planet leader and his more talented wife, Eher had navigated times like this before. It was an important planet, being the agricultural centre for their region, an entire planet dedicated to the food production of twelve planets, most were independent but the planets spread across three regions, Sonny’s own, the Artelis, and the Dorlec led by Joseph Valentine. A waste of oxygen in Sonny’s opinion. It also supported the Eshara, the known criminal underworld that was overtly headquartered near the planet, but again, that was nothing new, that wasn't something that would cause Oso to come here. Victoria Saquiera, the head of the Eshara did work for the Houses.
“No, what's happened?”
“Awful, really, it seems that the people of Yeley are rising against the dear Regent Traes. A coup d'état seems to be on the horizon” Sonny noted that Oso still referred to independent planetary leaders as Regents, as though they held that seat for his dearest Autarch.
“Yeley is an independent planet, they dont belong to the Houses” Even as Sonny said it he realised, ‘belong to the Houses’, the Houses were an alliance of powers, they were not meant to be an over-ruling dominion, “Why would I need to be briefed on this?”
“Ah, yes, well, we are aware of your fondness of the planet and the Regent and his family, so we have been tasked with asking that you do not get involved in this matter” he wheezed.
“This must be the fifth time that they have had riots, they have never been ousted before. Why is this any different?” Sonny was starting to feel nervous about this now.
“Well, it seems” he said nodding worryingly, “This time, they may be successful, and the Houses cannot have a hand in this at all” he had an awful lurch in his stomach and it wasn't from the hangover. He knew what that meant.
“I would never think of it,” he said with a smile, “As I said, they are independent”
“Ah, good, ah yes,” he said digging in the pockets of his robe, he eventually pulled out a paper envelope with a gold seal, a seal of a crown emanating sun rays, and within the crown an eye wide open. The Autarch's seal. The Autarch's seal on paper, was an official order. Sonny took the envelope from the withered hand, and saw light emit from the space where he had touched it, authorising its opening.
“An official order telling me to stay out of Yeley?” Sonny said, trying not to say it through gritted teeth. He thought of the last time that he had held a paper order with this seal upon it.
“Or having any contact with any representative of it,” said Oso. If Sonny could determine any emotions from the man he would imagine that he would be relishing in this moment. So they were getting him out of the way so that they could take the planet unimpeded.
“Understood” he wondered how little effort it would take to end this man.
“I know that these may be difficult orders”
“We both know what I do when I get difficult orders,” Sonny said with a warning smile, “Will you be staying long?” Sonny said now wanting this man out of his sight as soon as humanly possible.
“No, unfortunately not, I am now on my way to Dorlec space, to meet with Lord Valentine”
“Similar orders, I would imagine” hoped.
“Something of the like,” said the ancient wicker man who endeavoured to stand, though Sonny could see he was having difficulty. He didn't help.
“Of course” Sonny smiled through his anger.
“It was good seeing you again, Lord Matise” he said bowing his head again after managing to stand up, somehow there was another pop, but Sonny had no idea what part of the anatomy could have popped from just standing.
“And you” said Sonny bowing his head, “Just one more thing Oso” said Sonny unable to help himself, “I am aware that you always travel with your entire family”
“Always, my Lord” Sonny stood at the answer, allowing his imposing frame to dwarf the man even across the desk.
“Next time you arrive at my port without notice, I will throw your ship and your entire bloodline into a star, understood?” for the first time Sonny saw the man’s eyes, he looked taken aback,
“Apologies my Lord, it will not happen again” he said again bowing. Sonny sat back in his chair and eventually turned it to an angle to look out of the large viewport, staring out into space, he could no longer watch Oso labour his way to the door.
Yeley, he thought, that world, and all that it meant. Once Oso had left the room and the doors closed once more, he spoke,
“Jax” she arrived before he had finished saying her name,
“What did he want?” she said eagerly, then she saw the envelope, “Oh hells”
“Get the idiots” Once again she vanished, but this time arrived back with two men, one in a towel and one that must have been sitting down when she transported him, as he fell over as he arrived. He still had a fork in his hand with some noodles on it, his only reaction was to lay on the floor legs are arms up looking at the fork. He had been transported enough to know what had happened, and now merely was angry that he never got any warning. The one in the towel just saluted.
“Lord Sonny!” Top shouted with his hand posted to his forehead.
“It’s midday, why are you in a towel?” Sonny said, drawing in a look from Jax.
“Apologies my lord” he said his eyes looking at least three feet above Sonny’s head.
“Alright, Jam?” Sonny said to the man on the floor, still staring at the remnants of his lost lunch. These men could not be more opposite, Jam, was dark-featured, spoke slowly and always seemed to have his eyes halfway closed. Top, was a labrador, blonde, with a permanent smile and always filled with energy, everything was fun for Top.
“Peachy,” said Jam from the floor glaring at Jax who was not paying him any attention,
“What did he want?” she said. Sonny filled the other two in before starting. Jam mentioned that he saw the ship coming in, he had suspected that they were all going to be arrested. He didn't clarify what for. Then after a ‘yes, yes, yes’ from Jax Sonny continued,
“The Houses are looking to overthrow the Traes on Yeley” he didn't stop at Jax’s expression as she was the only one that knew what this actually meant, “I haven't heard nearly enough about this, I need you two to find out what is happening there. All we know is that there are some riots and Oso mentioned that there is the threat of a coup, though I dont think we can believe that”
“You want us to go meet with the Regent?” said Jam, at his usual slow pace.
“We can’t” Sonny said tapping the paper envelope, “We have been barred from even making contact, even from representatives. Do not contact anyone from the planet, or be involved with the planet, use your wiley ways and find out what the hell is going on here” he added in reaction to the look that he was now getting from both of them at the difficulty of finding out what was happening on a planet, without being able to interact with anyone associated with the planet. “We need to meet with Victoria,” he said to Jax, “But I need to go there with something, I dont know if she is already in the loop, if she is I am sure she is on a war path about now. We need to resolve Yeley quickly and quietly, and we need to hold Victoria off which means that we need a plan. Get me those things” he said,
“Yes Lord Sonny!” bellowed Top. Sonny closed his eyes.
“What are we looking for?” said Jam, shaking his head at his compatriot.
“I don’t know just yet, anything that links the Houses to the planet that we don’t know about. Check what’s happening with the Dorlec in particular” he felt proud at the faces they pulled when he mentioned that House. “There is something else happening here” they nodded.
“Ma’am” Top said in Jax’s direction, slightly uncomfortable, “It’s quite far to my quarters” looking at his towel and looking at the door. She grabbed him by the shoulder and vanished, arriving back in a second. She looked at Jam, who held his arms out and just said,
“I’m good”
“Send word as soon as you have anything” and with that he made their way out of the room, already using their comms to make calls. Sonny heard him trying to explain to the person on his comm why he hadn't spoken to them for so long. They were idiots, but they were very resourceful, and effective. Most good smugglers were.
He could see that Jax was boring a hole into the side of his head, but he didn't look, wanting to think this through for a moment.
“Do they know?” she asked quietly.
“Get us a meeting with Victoria” he said turning to her. She nodded and vanished from sight once more leaving Sonny in his office alone. He could feel his hangover more than ever now and picked up the small glass that Jax had given him and finished it. There was no way that this was going to end well.