A New Taldrya Rises

It was a proud day.

Not just for the dozens of Taldryanites who had gathered inside the Taldryan Tower’s immense ballroom.

Not even just for the Taldryan Republic at large around them, which continued to grow by the day after the immense hits it took following the near civil war over a year and a half ago.

It was a proud day for the Taldrya, as this was the day that a new addition would be brought into their ranks. There were murmurs and suspicions among the Taldryanites on who it might be, even some with betting pools to gather a few extra credits. Some years, they were right. Other years, they lost thousands.

Near the front of the ballroom sat the various members of the Taldrya, some having not set foot on Caelus since the last additions a year ago. Among them at various tables sat Seraine “Erinyes” Taldrya Tenama, Jac Cotelin Taldrya-Cantor, Aylin Sajark, Cassandra Oriana Taldrya, Rian Taldrya, Benevolent Taldrya Whiner, and more.

At the front walking up from stage right was the blue digital hologram of Vodo. The Twi'lek was dressed in the finest of Taldryan uniforms, well-kept and groomed as he normally was. But then again, he was a hologram. It wouldn’t be hard to be well groomed at all times. The room fell silent as he approached the middle and the lights shined upon him.

“Welcome, everyone.” Vodo began, with glances around the ballroom. “We are gathered here tonight to celebrate the induction of one of our most esteemed Taldryanites as a Scion of Taldryan. Someone that has demonstrated exceptional loyalty, dedication, and excellence to Taldryan itself.”

“On a weekly basis without fail, he encourages individual development and the growth of knowledge by creating inquiries centered around missions undertaken in a specific region of our various worlds. What kinds of plants did you encounter? What new potential threats or predators have appeared? Or even environmental issues in the Ice Flats.”

“He consistently serves as a driving force with our new recruits, helping them to become oriented with the Taldryan Republic and the Brotherhood at large. He maintains his involvement with the Republic unphased, participates in missions directly when he does not have to, all in the name of making sure our new recruits see what we are capable of. To keep from leaving for other Brotherhood clans or just disappearing.”

“He reminds me much of not just myself, but Cassandra, Zen, Appius may his missing soul rest in peace, Erinyes, and many other Taldrya with his demeanor, his focus towards the Republic’s future and activity both in the here-and-now as well as in the future. But most of all, helping when anyone-” Vodo had continued before someone in the crowd yelled out to interrupt him.

“Just get to the name!”

“Tonight.” Vodo said, with a slight anger in the word, as he pulled a small folded card from a pocket. “I am proud to announce the induction of the newest Scion of Taldryan. Please give a round of applause to -”

He opened the card and started to read, but paused. His eyes were locked on the card, staring at it for a moment. He couldn’t say the name that was on the card.

At that moment, Teebu wheeled out a display case that had something metallic laying inside of it that everyone could see. Vodo immediately took notice of this before looking back out at the crowd to see Jac trying his hardest not to laugh.

Vodo dimmed his eyes. He knew exactly where this was going.

“Please give a round of applause to…Carbon Rod Taldrya.”

The lights shone upon the metal device, which indeed, was a carbon rod from the flagship Leviathan. Erin suddenly leaned forward mid-drink and spit some of her alcohol out of her nostril into her hand as she broke out laughing. Jac, as well, was smacking his knee with his hand as he laughed hysterically.

Aylin sat there and quietly facepalmed, shaking her head at the same time. Cassandra just sat there and glared at the Ewok. The only other one who had Vodo’s access codes, outside of Jac.

Zen just stood there with his arms crossed, silent at this. Howie was in the back of the room, snacking on a massive platter of trout either unphased by this or completely oblivious. Rian quietly uttered some words to Ben, who himself nodded but was clearly trying not to laugh.

“Three cheers for the Control Rod!” Jac called as he stood up snickering between laughs, his glass raised. Everyone stood and celebrated, except for the more serious of the Taldrya. Howie raised a whole trout into the air in celebration before letting it fall into his mouth and be swallowed whole.

Vodo just stood there on stage, his hologram looking as if it were almost paused while he seethed in the background.

He had just welcomed the Carbon Rod into the ranks of the Taldrya.