Post by sakurajudoka on Sept 20, 2021 12:49:26 GMT
Ancnet
Breaking news!
Another Vaplanan celebrity has been found dead in their hotel room, making this untimely passing the third like it in the past two weeks. Alyce Renee, aged 19, was in the middle of an intergalactic tour for her new album ‘Sunrise’ when she suddenly and unexpectedly passed away in her sleep yesterday evening. Her many fans across the galaxy have been plunged into mourning for their bombshell idol, whose tragic passing has been felt in the hearts of thousands- including the Vaplanan Queen, Fidelia Eklasse. Her public statement of sorrow at the news made this morning summarised exactly how many Vaplanans feel at the loss of so many of their beloved stars:“This tragic death has impacted so many, both at home and in lands across the galaxy. I hope that Alyce can see how many love and miss her from a fairer place, and that she may rest in peace. Her life may have been short, but she achieved so much. I am proud that she was a Vaplanan, and just wish she hadn’t been taken from us so soon.”
Royal Palace, Veulas
“Thank you for coming at such short notice, Malax.” Fidelia had been pacing back and forth in her private sitting room, not even stopping to drink the tea that Thalia had brought her. It was stone cold now Malax entered the room; Fidelia turned to him desperately running her hands through her hair.
“Fidelia…” Malax stopped in his tracks. The Queen was distraught. Usually, she was the epitome of Queenly composure and grace, but now she seemed to be falling apart at the seams. “My dear, of course I came! Please, sit with me, and tell me what is on your mind.” Malax gently took The Queen by the shoulders and guided her to one of her plush sofas, making her sit. She kept playing with her hair and since she couldn’t pace anymore she bounced her leg up and down nervously. She was a wreck, something had clearly shaken her. Before she spoke up she dismissed the guard that was standing at her door. Malax rose his eyebrow at that, but since he was with her he could protect her. So he allowed The Queen her true privacy.
“Something is going terribly wrong, Malax. But… If I told you just anywhere I fear we may be overheard. That’s why I invited you here! Thalia and I went through the entire room last night looking for bugs, so this is the only room I know for sure I can speak my mind for now.” Fidelia whispered, leaning close towards Malax and clutching his arm tightly. “Those deaths, those three deaths… They didn’t die naturally, I know it! But nobody I mention it to takes me seriously! You believe me, don’t you, Malax?”
Malax knew exactly which deaths Fidelia was talking about. Alyce Renee, a famous popstar and fashion idol died yesterday evening, making the toll 3. Before her came Draex Ethos 9 days ago, a classical poet and influential speaker. Then the first, Zarina Belevova the ballet dancer who passed 2 weeks ago. All were decently famous Vaplanans. All were perfect candidates for Vaplana’s information gathering sector…
“The celebrities… Fidelia, they were spies in your section of the information network, weren’t they?” It was the only conclusion Malax could come to which fit the circumstances. Fidelia wouldn’t be so het up if these deaths weren’t so suspicious, and considering the mission she had given her spies a month ago the consequences of these deaths could be devastating. Fidelia merely nodded, not being able to articulate all of the thoughts racing through her mind, but Malax was on the same page. Words need not be said, both knew what that meant.
“What do I do, Malax? If we are to find who was behind the Aurelius Bridge attack and the assassination attempt I can’t have my spies dropping dead at a moment’s notice! There’s a mole, Malax, and that means I can’t trust anyone now… You and Thalia are the only ones in Veulas I can trust, and poor Thalia is already at her wits end with me. I wish I hadn’t sent Jax and Liliya away…” Fidelia rambled; the dam had opened and she couldn’t stop the words flowing out of her mouth. All of her typical composure was nowhere to be found, replaced with nothing but fear and paranoia.
“Fidelia, breathe.” Malax reached for her teacup on the table, but when he noticed it was cold he instead pulled the Queen into a hug. “Our situation may be dire, but your father’s blood runs through you. He faced many troubles like this during his rule, and he overcame every single one. I know you can too, I’ve seen the same steel in your eyes as I saw in his.”
Fidelia leaned into the hug and let a few silent tears loose where nobody else could see. “What can we do? My network has been clearly compromised, they cannot continue their investigation into the mastermind of the attack. And until we know who was behind stealing one of your cars we cannot use your network either. We are done, Malax!”
“Not yet, my dear.” Malax decided not to let on that he knew Fidelia was silently crying in his arms, allowing her dignity to remain untouched. “Do you trust me, Fidelia?” The Queen looked up at Malax, looking like a distraught daughter begging her father for salvation.
“Yes.”
“Then let me handle this. I will keep you in the loop-”
“No. If you communicate with me it may be overheard, and then we will be back to square one. Once you leave this room, we cannot speak on the matter until you know who is behind everything and have the mole identified. But, how will you investigate…”
“We will have to find some outside help. I know that comes with its own risks but it is the only option we have. Do you trust me to find some people to save us?”
“Do what you must.” Fidelia stood and wiped away her tears, looking a lot better for having confided in Malax about her troubles. Her Queenly composure was returning slowly, and Malax felt better about her mental state as he left her rooms and Thalia replaced him by the Queen’s side.