Star Wars - Tales from the Outer Rim

"Not the Worst of Days"
by Symm Ruus Dunn

Location: Destroyed Settlement in the Desert Around Thanatos
Date: Eos 12 to 13, 4 ABY

***

Symm groaned as the throbbing blaster wound in his side woke him from his exhaustion. He wondered how long he had been unconscious and moved further into the ruined hovel he collapsed in. He checked his forearm minicomputer and found the screen all but shattered. Testing his luck he powered the display up and noticed that it still functioned; Symm would just have to make out the display through a spider web of cracks.

After studying the screen for a short while, Symm noted that he had been unconscious for a good four hours. He slowly and tenderly pulled his cloak over his head and repeated the process with his loose battle dress tunic. Bending slowly, he got a closer look at the wound in his right side, pulled a bacta patch from the kit that he had requested for the Folst 4 mission and adhered it onto the ugly burn. He immediately felt the coolness of bacta working itself into the wound and repairing the damaged cells. Then, from the same kit, he pulled a pain reliever and swallowed it.

Now, Symm thought to himself, what to do, what to do. Symm began to let his Intel and Pathfinder training take over. He remembered the first two weeks and Gunnery Sergeant Tasker.

"Now listen up plebes!" Tasker would start up. "The absolute first rule is, take note of where you are." With his hands on his slim hips, his nearly seven foot tall frame towered over even the Defel recruit, Thoth'Rrrrr, who himself stood a good foot and a half taller. Even he would cringe as the scarred face of Tasker layed its steely eyes upon him. Tasker would let the statement sink in, and then, inevitably, someone would do something that would put Tasker into a furious tirade.

After reducing the offender to a quivering mass, Tasker continued the lesson. "Know your environment, your surroundings, these things will save or take your life and it is best to know which one pertains....." With blinding speed, Tasker leapt and strode through the mass of recruits, all sitting on the ground around him and grabbed a poor human recruit by the name of Foss by the back of his collar and threw him out of the group. "Did I give you permission-- no, the privilege, to sleep!?" Tasker was in front of the shaking man in an instant. "Are you tired, are you sleepy? Do you need assistance in staying awake?" Tasker's forehead was pressed painfully into the face of Foss as Foss struggled to maintain the position of attention. "Wait a minute!" Tasker exclaimed. "Here you go, I've got it. Run. Run!" Tasker's voice had crept slowly up several decibels. "Run boy! Like your life depends on it!"

Foss sprinted away.

"Don't turn your back on me, boy! Look at me when I am speaking at you!" Tasker's voice had reached a fever's pitch. Foss continued running but with his eyes focused on the red faced gunnery sergeant.

"Now where was I?" Tasker began as he turned to the rest of his students......

Symm smiled as the memory overtook him. In the training battalion, every recruit had to take on a pseudonym for security reasons. Most of the recruits that made it to graduation never worked again with the people he knew in training; the open Pathfinder slots were too widespread and numerous for that to be practical.

I think I might still have that old shirt with Foss on the front. Symm smiled as he put his battle tunic and camouflaged cloak back on and took cover as he scanned the area around the ruined hovel he was in.

The rubble that used to be a village was arranged in a horseshoe with the ruin he was in at the extreme western edge of the town. With piles of sandstone and adobe around him, Symm made his way slowly around to all of the ruined dwellings and checked inside them. In one of them, there were several cans of vegetables and a package of jerkied meat of some sort. After making sure that the town was uninhabited, Symm sat against one of the remaining walls inside a semi intact house and ate through a squash-like mush which was in one of the cans. The flavor was enough to make him gag at first, but he was hungry enough to be able to ignore it.

Symm powered up his minicomputer once again and began its auto mapping subroutines. After making a complete map of what was left of the village, he was startled by the appearance along one of the dunes of a group of five thin, dune cats. He could see murder in their eyes and guessed that they were a pack type species. Symm knew that if he were to stand a chance, he would have to kill each and every one of them. Even after killing one or two, the rest would, after feasting on their compatriots' flesh, continue on to him. The dry season was starting and already a group of carnivores were feeling the effect of famine.

Symm ran back towards the mostly intact building where he had stashed his rifle just as the cats, with a chorus of snarls and yowls, started the lope down the dune's slope. He made it into the dwelling as the cats made it into the town proper, and snatched up the rifle. Chambering a round, Symm pulled the rifle up into his shoulder and aimed through the empty doorway at the lead cat.

With the same characteristic wuff sound, the rifle gently pushed back into his shoulder as Symm sent a flechette through the neck of the lead cat. The cat's body began to roll and tumble end over end as the rear two attacked it. Symm was already concentrating on the next beast. Without moving from his stance he sent the second cat tumbling into a ruin pile, a hole glistening wetly from the side of the animal's face.

Seeing two of its pack members fall dead before they even reached striking distance of the prey, the third cat veered away from the open door and disappeared from Symm's view. Symm also noticed the two who were feasting on their pack member's body, begin dragging the corpse away from the town. For good measure, Symm shot both of them down and stepped out of the doorway to find a better vantage point.

With a snarl the last cat sprang, looking to rake open the belly of the prey and bite into the soft neck. Symm fell backward with the animal as it raked into his already wounded side and missed the bite by mere inches. On the way down, Symm shot twice into the cat's belly and was rewarded by the feel of the animal going limp as it fell on top of him.

Throwing the body to the side, Symm winced as the pain in his side lanced though him. The wound lay right over the blaster wound but it wasn't cauterized and had begun to bleed. Symm knew that the wound was a life threatener and he needed to find medical attention. The time for his desert trek back was at hand. Sighing, Symm gathered his depleted equipment and began trudging in the direction he knew Thanatos would be.

It seemed hours later and the sun had begun to set on a lone figure walking over the dunes on the west side of Thanatos. As he walked bits of sand behind him were moist and red. Several times as he made his way onto one of the streets, his right foot seemed to fail him and he seemed on the verge of toppling into the sand but he always caught himself. Further down the street a Stormtrooper patrol caught sight of the wounded man and began walking towards the wounded desert wanderer.

"Marauders"
by Moff Albren Seare
and introducing Captain Degray Spen and the Marauders [NPC+]

Location: Thanatos, Tae'Karada
Date: Eos 12, 4ABY

***

Moff Albren Seare dropped the datapad with the latest casualty reports onto his desk. He sighed with disgust at the blatant disregard for Imperial authority displayed in the number of injured and dead under his command. Since Tarkin had had one of the Resistance leaders captured, the native efforts had been less focused and precise, less damaging. But, there was another, and judging from the profile of attacks, a single man that was causing no end of trouble within the area.

"Moff Seare," Lieutenent Aares said as he appeared in the doorway of the office, "the men you have requested have arrived, sir."

"Send them in, Aares," Seare said.

At last. It had taken a few days for them to arrive, but they were finally hear. They'd been stationed on one of the Star Destroyers near the Corellian Sector. Through his own influence and a little of Tarkin's, he'd managed to get them here with minimal fuss. Since the phantom terrorist was becoming a growing threat to Imperial control and influence, the use of such resources was finally approved. The terrorist was giving the people of Thanatos hope, and hope was the last thing they needed...at least from an Imperial perspective. Too much hope would give them the strength to rise up, to strive farther, and to gain an upper hand, even against Imperial superiority. Moff Albren Seare would make an example of this Hero of Hope and crush the morale of this minor rebellion by showing them there was no more hope.

And, the elite squad that entered his office then was exactly the tool that would produce that effect, he thought with a smile.

"Captain Degray Spen, reporting as ordered," the obvious leader of the group announced. "We are the Marauders, sir."

Seare quickly looked over the six-man team that stood in his office. They wore Imperial combat fatigues with a variety of weapons visible. He smiled as he finished his appraisal. They were all in peak condition and appeared to be well within Imperial regulations in regards to appearance and grooming. There were four men and two women, and he knew that he would wish to meet none of them in a back alley.

"At ease," he said and moved to his desk. "I am glad you were able to arrive here so promptly. We have a...situation, here in the desert. There is a single man giving us no end of trouble. His skills in terror and guerilla warfare are exemplary. My men are not equipped to deal with this sort of phantom threat, not with the local resistance. There is little Intelligence available at this time; all that we have his here." He slid a datapad to Captain Spen. "I want him brought in alive and as uninjured as you can arrange. Really, I only need him to be able to speak; those parts of his body not required for that task are fair game. I want him brought in as quickly and discreetly as possible."

Degray Spen glanced around at his team and then back to Seare. "We'll bring him in for you, sir. We will desire to interview with those who have either witnessed or survived any of his assaults."

"I will have them made available to you."

Spen nodded his assent. "The Marauders accept this assignment, sir. This terrorist is as good as caught."

Seare smiled. "Thank you, Captain. Dismissed."

Without another word, the small group filed out of the room. Seare's smile broadened once they were gone. Professionals, unlike the bounty hunters that Grand Admiral Tarkin favoured. He still remembered the woman as she approached him with her task. She had tried to intimidate him, but it hadn't worked. Since she had the proper papers, however, he had allowed her to do her job. She completed it with only a minor amount of property damage. Thermal detonators. He sighed. At least her task was finished and now she was gone.

The admiral's proclivity to employ such...resources was discouraging, disheartening, and Moff Seare had to question both Tarkin's strategic planning and his...well, sanity. Bounty hunters, he thought again with a shake of his head.

If he had hired the woman Tarkin used, he had a feeling that half of Thanatos would be a smoking ruin when she was finished. The Marauders, however, would be silent, precise, and so very effective.

Perhaps, he thought with a slightly more sinister smile, the wrong man is sitting on the throne in Arcadia.

"Meeting Grand Admiral Tarkin"
by Kyra Ronso
and Grand Admiral Tarkin

Location: New Empire Mainbase, Arcadia
Date: Eos 12, 4 ABY

***

The Ion engines whistled softly as they shut down in the hangar. Once outside there was an Imperial guard who came forward to her presence. She was told that she was due to meet the Grand Admiral herself, so as to officialize her arrival. As for her starship, it would be well taken care of in the hands of the team of specialized mechanics that the New Empire had.

A few minutes later, Kyra was making her way to the Throne Room. She was a few moments away from meeting one of the greatest men of the Empire, if not the greater at this point. Kyra knew that after the Emperor's death he was the only one who was strong enough to raise once again the Empire to its former glory.

She was allowed in by a Red Guard who stood before the door. He simply nodded to her and let her pass. And there he was... The Grand Admiral Tarkin himself. She walked nearer to the New Empire Leader and bowed respectully. "Commander Kyra Ronso reporting for duty, sir," she said.

Tarkin nodded in consent as he had watched her. She was indeed someone who had a look of self-confidence. And even though not as imposing as a Red Guard or as a stormtrooper's armor, her looks were menacing... It was her eyes. They were empty. An assassin's eyes. He smirked. "Welcome to Tae'Karada, Commander Kyra. I was expecting your arrival. It is fortunate that you have not been caught by the rebels in this time of turmoil and chaos. Even though I promise that soon enough the tides will change..." he told her. "Please, walk with me. We have something to discuss..."

As she walked out a side door and along a large corridor she didn't say a word. She was hoping that the Grand Admiral would simply tell her whatever he had to say. Still, she couldn't help wondering what was so important that she had to meet Tarkin in person. It would certainly have to be something important...or so she thought. Descending through some ladders they got to the gardens, which were extreemely well kept even in spite of the Imperial Walkers that lurked about.

Suddendly Tarkin turned to her and gave a small nod. "As you know, the Rebellion has managed to surpass Emperor Palpatine's defenses and with that came the loss of the Emperor... Now, as terrible a downfall that may seem, the same mistakes will not happen twice. But I am in need of your skills here where we are currently based. You see, there are some rebels and rebel friendlies. Not here nor in the region of Arcadia, but in New Plouton and Thanatos. I wouldn't worry about Thanatos, but I want you to find their location in New Plouton," he explained.

"New Plouton..." she repeated. "A very large city. And one I have not been to for almost more time than I can recall... Where am I to begin?" she asked, hoping to get a few leads on where to begin her search.

"Our Intel department believe that either Yelldon or Yallder districts would be the best. Perhaps you can start there. The starport in Yelldon may be a good place to interrogate about those who come in and out of the system," Tarkin said, omitting the fact that the latter one wasn't the nicest place to be in. But, of course, he knew that would not pose a threat to her anyway.

Intel department... Intelligence but not too intelligent! she thought to herself. She would probably have to search deep either way, as undercover rebels were hard to distinguish sometimes. But their fault had always been to be too nosy and always snooping around. And that meant one of two things: rebels or smugglers. And both deserved to be restrained if not butchered. "Your wish is my command, my Liege." She bowed. "Anything else?"

"Nothing else," he sneered. "Needless to say that I expect you to succeed without flaws. After all, your record is most impresive. Don't smudge it now! Besides, it shouldn't be too hard to find the rebels for you. After all, you used to be one of them..." he commented.

" 'Used to be' is the correct way to put it. Not anymore... That was in the past, and one I wish to put behind me and make amends by taking them out. And, just as you, I'm sure, I won't stop until my mission and goal are complete. And when that happens, no one else will stand in the way of the Empire and we will thrive in days of eternal glory."

My eternal glory! he told himself, even though he maintained his straight poker face, only nodding in consent. "Very well then. It is good to see that you agree with me. I will expect a report within the next three days. And you will report directly to me and me alone while you are here. Is that clear?" he asked.

"Crystal, my Liege."

"In that case you are dismissed. Don't forget, three days time for a report. Now go, and show me why I hear such good reputation on your person from our High Command posts..." he told her.

"You will have your report, Grand Admiral. I will have it done and delivered personally in two days time," she promised just before she bowed one more time and walked away through the gardens and back onto the hangar bay where her vessel was, having been refueled and preped for departure, as they always did in case of a need to go back out. One of the measures that under Tarkin's command did not fail. To be always ready was of absolute importance.

By the time the Grand Admiral got back to his chambers he overlooked outside and was able to see a TIE Defender blasting off the palace grounds. He grinned at the sight of it. Professionalism seemed to be the best word he could find to classify this woman. And if his first impression was correct then soon enough he would get rid of the rebellion scum that lurked in New Plouton and was surely making plans to battle him sooner or later. Now to wait for the results...

"Contraband, Part 1"
Adam Edwards - Smuggler

Location: The Drogen Shipyards
Date: Eos 12, 4ABY

***

The Elusive, a Corellien YT-2400, approached the main hub of the Drogen shipyards. "This is Adam Edwards of the Elusive requesting permission to dock," Adam said.

The answer came back. It had the icy demeanour of a Imperial. "Permission granted. Your assigned docking port is number 7."

Edwards replied, "Thank you".

The Elusive shuddered as it docked with the hub. Adam made sure his blaster was sturdy in his holster and proceeded to the ramp. The ramp was down to reveal the landing bay. Two Imperial stormtroopers stood at the base of the ramp. The first one spoke. "We must search your ship for contraband. Please wait here".

Adam wasn't worried about them finding the illegal blaster rifles on his ship that were headed for Rebel sympathizers. They were carefully hidden in secret compartments. The stormtroopers would never find them. Soon enough the two troopers came down the ramp. "You are cleared for passage on this station. Any violation of station laws will be dealt with swiftly," one said.

"I understand," Adam replied.

With that, the troopers left and Adam left to meet with the Rebels to whom the weapons were to be delivered. They would be waiting in Danebra's Descent. Putting his hand on the hilt of his blaster, he kept watch for any Imperials on the way.

"Unity"
By: Yannick - Leader of the Razors [NPC+]
Pack - Leader of the Feltreys [NPC+]
Bral - Leader of the Gorgaths [NPC+]
Kern - Leader of the Raikes [NPC+]
Tallan - Leader of the Erynxs [NPC+]
Various other NPC gang leaders

Location: Thanatos
Date: Eos 12, 4ABY

***

"Look, me and Ferrig made a pact to unite the gangs and win back the desert, and I'm sticking to it." Yannick raised his hands to quell the expected shouts of protest and contention from the other gang leaders gathered around the rickety table. It seemed the moment Ferrig disappeared, everything began crumbling. "Everyone shut the hells up! You'll all get your chance to speak. Now shut it!"

It took some table banging with his fists to capture the seemingly short-spanned attention of the gangers, but finally Yannick received it. "Pack." He nodded to the young man. "You're the new leader of the Feltreys. You go first. What do you say we do?"

"We want the desert back," Pack said, looking around at the others. "They've invaded, and now we need to drive them out. They may be better equipped, have stronger armour, have machines that can level the entire settlement...but this is our home. We have an advantage over them. We're intelligent. We know how to use the desert to our advantage. We'll take back what's ours, and let Thana take out her burning anger on them and their machines."

"But what about those duds that pale bastard sold us?" Bral, the leader of the Gorgaths asked. "That shit has less firepower than Pack's dick."

The boys around the table snickered, and one of them, Uri, clapped Pack on the back.

"Bend over, Bral," Pack said with a smirk, "and I'll show you just how powerful my dick happens to be is."

"We don't need powerful weapons," Yannick interjected. "If our strategy's sound, it won't matter how useless our weapons are. We can still beat them!"

"What about that sniper guy?" Kern, the leader of the Raike's, said. "The one who's been appearing out of nowhere, shooting a bunch of Imps, and then fading back into the sands? Maybe he could help us out too."

"If we can find him," Yannick muttered. "No one in the city's even caught a glimpse of him. The guy's a ghost. If we could get his help, great; but who wants to be the one to go out there, searching for a guy with a gun who's most likely cracked up or something? He'd end up shooting us in the head."

There was silence around the table, but everyone was nodding in agreement.

"We can use the sand. If we go up against them, we lose. If they go against Thana, they lose...especially if they're hurting her children. Maybe we could learn some things from how that sniper guy operates. Sneak in, shoot, fade out. Drive them mad trying to find us and catch us. I think killing their morale will be better than gunning them all down."

"And they won't even be looking for us either," Yannick added. "They'll think it's that ghost out there. They're expecting a single man, not a whole legion of gangers. We'll catch 'em off guard. I think we can pull this off."

"We need better weapons, but not from that sickly freak," Pack said. "You should have seen the guy coughing up blood. I kept wanting to look into that little rag he was horking into to see if there was a lung in there."

The gangers around the table enjoyed a round of laughter, quite a change from weeks of worrying about what the Empire had in store for them next.

"So, that's that, then," Yannick said, after clearing another chuckle from his throat. "Our first job is to find some weapons or modify the ones we have. I bet that sniper fellow could give us a few tips, but does anyone know any good weapons dealers who won't rip us off?"

"I might be able to put us in contact with one," Pack said. "Word is he's also 'sympathetic' to our cause. After that sickly guy, I don't think we have much money left. But, I'm sure we can make arrangements somehow."

Yannick's expression became stern. "If this contact of yours wants to continue making a living without the Imps shutting him down, he'd better be willing to make arrangements with us."

"That's what I'm counting on," Pack said. "But, I'm sure he also wants to make a living. We'll figure it out. Until then, we should go over placements. I think we can also make the settlement treacherous for them. Too bad we can't generate a nice sandstorm here. But, I'm sure Thana will provide. Who wants to go with me when I contact this guy?"

"I'll go," Bral volunteered. He grinned at Pack as he patted his crotch. "Gotta have someone to test out the firepower."

"That thing? Hell, you've got the power of one of those blasters you stick in your boot while you keep your big gun up on your hip." He patted his own. "It's going to have to come down to a duel with you, isn't it?"

"We could pick up some chicks later and settle this once and for all," Bral proposed.

"You two idiots are going home to rest," Yannick stated with a mildly reproving look. "You're waking up early to go seek out that contact of yours, Pack." He chuckled lowly. "I'll take care of the ladies for ya."

"You might need some backup for that, Yan," Pack said with a laugh, though there was no malice in his voice or his eyes. "I'll let you know what we find out."

"Good." Yannick's entire countenance became grave as he regarded Tallan, the leader of the Erynx's. "What have your boys come up with? Any news on Ferrig?"

Tallan shook his head and sighed. "Nothing. Tan is still recovering, and I think Gela's gonna lose his left hand. We tracked her to the edge of the city, but there were too many Imps to follow far. Someone took him to the city. I don't know how we can find him."

"If there's still a body to be found," Uri muttered. At Pack's sneer, he raised his hands defensively. "All I'm saying, Pack, is that Ferrig would've gone down fighting. The Imps don't like insolent scum like that. If he pissed them off enough...."

"We get it, Uri," Yannick said. "As long as we can, we're gonna keep looking. We promise you that, Pack."

"I'd hate to be that bitch when Rae finds out she nabbed her brother," Pack said. "She may not carry around those bombs or blasters and all, but that albino slit wouldn't stand a chance with Raeila Mullerin in a rage."

"Well, Raeila won't hear about it," Yannick replied. "She's wherever the hell she is and there's no way to get any news to her. It's too bad too," he added, rubbing his crotch again. "She was the best around. It's a shame she had to get all wet like she did."

"She may be wet, but I bet she's still a reisacat in the sack," Pack said. "I don't think the city makes you lose that kind of talent. I heard that the women in the city only wear clothes when they have to, and when they do go outside they wear just little gauzy dresses that you can see right through."

Bral gaped. "Really? What the hells are we still doing here!"

The group chuckled collectively, Yannick included, though he soon cleared his throat and clapped his hands together to divert their attention back to him. "It's been a long night, boys and we're gonna have even longer ones until we retake Thanatos. Before we adjourn is everyone clear one what you have to do?"

Murmurs of assent went around the group. Finally, Pack looked around the group and thrust a hand out into the middle of the table. "May Thana watch over us!"

The once contending gangers put in their hands as one and sent up a praise to Thana. Ferrig's vision had taken shape and was embodied now in the representatives of Thanatos' warring gangs gathered around a table, sharing laughs and conspiring against a common foe. Divided, they were easily overcome. United, the Empire had something to fear.

"Contraband, Part 2"
Adam Edwards - Smuggler

Location: Drogen Shipyards
Date: Eos 12, 4ABY

***

Adam entered one of the seedier bars on the station and looked around for his contact. The New Republic had said the man would have a short moustache and have dark black hair. He would answer to the name of Telonis. He noticed a man sitting in the corner matching the description. He walked up to him. "Are you Telonis?" Adam asked.

The man looked up. "Who wants to know?"

"In this case, I do," Adam told him.

The man said, "Yes, I'm Telonis. Are you my contact?"

Adam sat down and looked across the table at him. "The one and only. I have your supplies."

Telonis smiled. "All of them?"

"35 E-56 model heavy blasters, and I threw in a couple of thermal detonators because your people pay well," Adam said.

Telonis leaned across the table and grinned. "Meet my people on deck 436 tonight. Bring the supplies and I'll make sure you get your payment."

Adam said, "I'll get them there. How often is that deck patrolled?"

Telonis laughed. "Are you kidding? Imperials hardly ever go down there."

Adam stared hard at the man. "So we have nothing to worry about?" he asked.

Telonis grinned. "It couldn't be simpler."

"Okay, I'll be there, but make sure your people don't screw up."

Telonis assured him, "You have my word.

Adam stood up and headed for the door. He would have to work out a plan for getting the weapons down to deck 436 without getting stopped by Stormtroopers. Either way those supplies had to be delivered. The job had to get done. Adam always got the job done.

"Awakening"
By Jack Black
And Robin Black [NPC+]

Location: Thanatos
Date: Eos 12, 4 ABY

***

Jack had been asleep for a few days, and now his breathing had returned to normal thanks to the serum. His brother checked the ship's systems one more time. The ship could fly, not very far or very fast but it would move and with the sand piling up around it, moving was probably preferable to staying still. It could wait until Jack was up though. Robin moved across the cabin to where his brother was sleeping fitfully. He rested his hand on Jack's forehead. The hot burning skin was nothing new. He had hoped that the serum would have reduced Jack's permanent temperature.

Meanwhile Jack slept.

"Kill the child!" yelled Jack's father as his mother lay dead. "Kill it and have done with it!"

The doctor looked up. "Your wife is dead," he muttered. "There is nothing to do."

Jack's father turned angrily away from the bed where his wife lay. He reached towards Jack and grasped him by the foot; he raised the child up preparing to bring it crashing down on to the floor. Jack didn't cry.

The doctor's hand caught Jack's father's just before he could bring it down. "We've had one death from this birth, accept what you have been given."

Jack awoke again. He didn't scream over the last few days. He had gotten used to the nightmares of his birth. He could see his brother staring at him with concern.

"Turn your worried look away from me, my brother, and get the ship repaired," Jack groaned, lifting himself out of his bed.

"Jack," Robin said and was by his side in a second. "You should be careful."

"I'm always careful," Jack snapped. He swung his legs over the side of the bed. Four days he had been at rest and that was three days too many. "What's the condition of the ship? Can she fly?"

"She can fly, but wouldn't risk anything outside the system," Robin reported and moved to help his brother dress.

"Then get her working properly," Jack ordered. Jack picked up his staff. "Sensors are working?"

"Yes," Robin said with a face of worry.

"Then bring them up. I want a good scan of what is out there in the desert. Also see if you can lock onto the local news network and city computer."

"I'm not sure they have a city computer but I'll find a news network."

Half an hour later Jack was sitting in his control room with two screens showing local news, a third displayed intergalactic news. Jack looked over the sensor scans. There wasn't much out in the desert. He could detect a few life signs here and there; they could be animals, or anything. Jack sipped at a cup of coffee his brother had bought him.

"I think it's time we visited the capital," Jack said to himself, rubbing feeling into the back of his neck. For some reason all of his joints ached more than ever. He thought it must have been the injection to his lung. He looked down at the small hole. He poked it with his finger relishing the pain. He then turned back to his maps and continued to work.

"The Huge City"
By Kyra Ronso
And various minor NPCs

Location: New Plouton
Date: Eos 12, 4 ABY

***

Kyra set her coordinates for New Plouton. She was going to see where Auron had born and grown up. Every time she thought about him she wanted to cry. But she focused on piloting her TIE Defender. She saw huge buildings growing in the horizontal line. As she flew over the city of New Plouton she was quite impressed of how big the city was.

"Big," she told herself. "More like extremely huge city!" she added, then reminding what Auron had told her. Someday, I'm going to show you New Plouton and take you to meet my parents. They'll love you! She remembered every single word that Auron had said to her the day before the incident.

Getting clearance to land in a spot in the spaceport in the Yelldon district, she set down her vessel. As she came out of her ship she was met by an Imperial worker who was already there to stand guard to the incoming ships. She turned to one of the operatives who were nearby. "Fuel it up and get it ready to take off at any moment," she ordered.

"Yes, sir," the worker answered.

"Did you see or hear anything suspicious? Perhaps someone who caught your attention for a particular reason?" she asked.

"Now that I think of it, yes, there was something... There was a small group, five or six people, who came here making some questions about the Imperial ships and the routes," replied the worker as he gave orders to two droids.

"Interesting..." said Kyra, frowning as she thought about it. "Would you happen to know which way they went?"

"I overheard something about Lath's Bar."

"Very well then. Thank you." She bowed as she started to walk away. "If you keep up with the good work, maybe you'll be promoted," she added, noting the man's air of satisfaction.

Coming out of the starport, she was admired of how tall the buildings were. It seemed that from down in the streets they were even higher than she had seen from her ship before landing. She thought to herself that perhaps it would be better to a get a speeder, as it would certainly prove to be a faster way to get around the city. Besides, this Lath's Bar might not be near. Alas, there was no speeder nearby and none that she could borrow from a stormtrooper.

She walked for a while, glancing to the people in the streets. Then she saw a man who was walking towards a small speeder and turning it on. She ran towards him and grabbed him by the back of his collar, pulling him backwards, and threw him to the middle of the street. Before he could even react, she got into the speeder and she drove off, leaving the citizen shouting about being robbed.

When she entered the Yallder district she could see that it was definitely the poor district in New Plouton, as she started to notice spice dealers, people begging, and small gang groups in some of alleys. She punched the onboard computer and asked for the location of Lath's Bar. It took but a few seconds to get its location, and immediately she set her way there.

A few minutes later she saw the entrance to the bar, and thought to herself while she parked her new speeder that it was a place where she could most certainly find all the scum. As she got out of the speeder she glanced to the people at the entrance. There were two big guys whom were checking out all the girls that entered the bar. She made her way to the entrance but one of the guys stopped her.

"Well hello theres, pretty ladies," he said. "Wants some company?"

"No," she answered, looking straight at the guy with bad grammar and pushed him aside. "If you excuse me..."

"I wills not let you pass untils you give me what I wants, and what you've gots!" said the guy, taking a knife from his back.

Alas, it was less than a second after he had pulled off his bladed weapon that she punched him in the stomach and grabbed the hand with the knife. But, meanwhile, the other guy grabbed her from behind, just after she had taken the knife, making the knife drop on the floor. She impulsed her feet and placed her legs around the first guy's throat. With a twist she snapped the large man's neck and he fell lifeless on the floor, while his friend watched in terror.

She then stomped on the foot of her second foe, and while he twitched in pain she widened her arms and ducked slightly, elbowing him in the torso and then turning to face him and jabbing him smack across the jaw. The guy jerked back as everything happened so fast. He tried to look back at her and throw a punch, but his balance was somewhat off and he missed her. The last thing he saw was her grinding her teeth as she drove a punch in his nose, sending it upwards and into his skull, killing him instantly. As she stood there, untouched, she sneered at the two large dead men and entered through the doors.

The bar was full of several different species. And even though some looked at her as she entered, nobody seemed even vaguely interested about the noise that had come from outdoors before she entered. She walked slowly to the bar and examined every single person on her way there. She was looking for a group of five or six people, since that was her main lead. But she was not about to go by every table as she wanted to keep a low profile.

"Bartender, give me a Corellian ale," she ordered.

When the bartender handed her the drink she had ordered she placed some credits on the counter to pay for her drink. By then a drunk man stumbled to the stool next to her, slamming credits on the counter as he spoke loudly to the bar patron. "Give me your best drink!" he said, then turning to Kyra and giving her a large smile. "I've got money... Some strangers paid me to give them the table I was on!" he laughed loudly. "Maybe they want to discuss something that's illegal, eh?! Don't really give a damn... They can pay me drinks anytime, those bums!"

The man definitely caught her attention. She turned to him and grinned ever so softly. "I will pay you two of the best bottles in the house, if you just point them out to me..."

"You've got a deal there, lady!" he said at once, then laughing again. "This must be my lucky day! Just get me those bottles and I'll tell you!"

Kyra called the bartender and she asked to bring two bottles of the finest brew in the house. As soon as the bartender placed them she handed them over to the drunk man. "Well...?" she asked.

The man pointed at the table. It was a corner table that passed quite unnoticed. Almost hidden, and she had not seen it when she had first entered the bar.

She picked up her drink and sat in a vacant table from where it was possible to view the six rebels without being spotted by them.

After a couples of hours in the bar she saw them leaving the table and going to the exit. Getting up, she followed them to the exit and into the streets. Curiously the two dead she had left in the entrance were no longer there. Probably picked up by muggers. She kept following them until they reached a more secluded and deserted area. "What you discussed in the bar should be quite interesting..." she said calmly.

The six men turned to face her. She was at a clear disadvantage, but that didn't seem to concern her at all. "Who are you? What you want?" asked the Bothan.

"Nothing, really..." she stated. "Just want to get some information about the rebel operatives in New Plouton. And, if you're the rebels that I think you are, I will personally introduce you six to Grand Admiral Tarkin."

"She's an Imperial! Catch her!" shouted the small guy, who had quickly deduced who she really was. The six guys surrounded her, ready to attack, but she just crossed her arms, waiting patiently for them to strike first.

"You're at a disadvantage..." warned the Rodian.

"What?" she grinned. "Are you backing up from the fight?" she asked as she studied each and every one of them carefully.

The Rodian was the first to strike an offense at her. As she sensed the attack she jumped making a rotation to her left, kicking him with her right foot. He fell unconscious with that one strike. The others charged against her all at once. She jumped in a backflip, grabbing the small guy by his neck with her legs and twisting so that he was thrown to the right and hit the Bothan, leaving both of them knocked out. As she got up, the other three were stunned with how quickly she had left three people out with only two attacks.

The way they saw it, it was impossible to beat her in hand to hand combat, so their best chance was to shoot her.

Kyra saw them grab their blasters. She ran towards them, taking her dagger out of her back as it was hidden in her trench coat. She stabbed the nearest guy's hand and left her dagger there, trespassing his right hand, which made his blaster fall down, but she didn't stop there. As she reached the second guy, she hit him with her left knee in his torso so hard that he fell down, holding his stomach. She then leaped and kicked the third one in the face, sending him down and unconscious. Turning around she kicked the second guy to make sure his lights were out too...

Then she looked at the last man standing and saw him take out the dagger from his bloody hand. She started to approach him slowly, but he started to run away leaving the dagger behind on the floor. Kyra let him go for no reason at all. After all she had five unconscious rebels already. She picked up her dagger and cleaned it on the clothes of one of the unconscious bodies. Now, she was going to take her prisoners back to Arcadia.

She gathered the group, tied them and even gagged them. She picked up one by one and put them inside the trunk of the speeder she had stolen. After locking them inside, she got into the speeder, turned it on and drove off to the spaceport to take her new prisoners to the Grand Admiral. She had promised two days time, but had managed less than that...

"The Jedi Temple"
by Andro Ki'Ayalin
Talara Sorenne
Sirra Xanye
Dani
and Nieme Selrid

Location: The Jedi Temple
Date: Eos 12, 4ABY

***

They'd been hiking for several hours already today, and hopes were high that they would soon find the location of the Jedi. It'd been several days since Sirra's ship had set them down in the forest, and they were still searching. It'd seemed like they'd gone in circles at several points, and it hadn't been long before they abandoned the direction-finding equipment they brought with them.

Something in the forest was affecting that, and from one moment to the next, their compass couldn't be relied on to accurately point north. Talara had been delighted when she'd been watching the compass and saw it change direction. While he'd been amused at her enthusiasm, Andro didn't want to encourage her boisterous giggles.

Now, she was about ten meters ahead of them, with the energy that only a child could contain. At the end of their daily treks, she'd collapsed from exhaustion. But, up until that point, she had enough energy to power most capital ships. And, when the sun rose and they'd started out, she had, once again, been full of life and energy.

"I sense something ahead," Talara called, rushing back to where Andro and Sirra walked. "I sense something up there!"

Sirra glanced at Andro and reached out with her senses, briefly, before joining her two companions as they moved forward cautiously. She, too, had been amused by their young companion, and had become fond of the young woman. The Jedi Knight was also impressed by Talara's potential in the Force and her seemingly boundless energy and positive outlook. Though Sirra was able to keep check on her emotions well enough to avoid it, she was starting to become frustrated by their long journey through the forest.

"I feel something as well. I think it is what I felt before, the disturbance I felt. It is stronger than I expected, though, and I can still feel the change that occurred a few days ago. We should be cautious." She was primarily addressing Talara, since she knew that Andro would be nothing but cautious.

The girl nodded quickly and decided, at the Falleen's admonition, that she would stay back with the adults as they approached. She looked up at Andro, who nodded to her and offered a kindly smile.

As they walked, Andro glanced over at Sirra. "The feeling is different. There is darkness, but not as black as before. I sense a great tragedy."

Sirra nodded; she agreed, but saw no point in saying anything. It might even be dangerous. Though they couldn't feel anything nearby, there were some dangers that they might not be able to discern beforehand. She moved forward slowly, watching for dangers and reaching out with her senses.

Then she saw the Temple through the trees. It looked old, even ancient, but there had clearly been a recent renovation. This was where the disturbance was, this was what they all felt. But who was here? Who had renovated these ruins? She had felt a powerful dark force user just a few days ago. Was this a temple to the dark side of the Force?

She glanced at Talara and Andro for their reactions.

Andro was calm as he observed the large, imposing structure. There was a serenity in his eyes, and it was clear that he was feeling something from the place. "This is a Jedi temple," he said softly.

Beside him, Talara was more animated, and her face showed her excitement. The way she shifted from foot to foot and looked ready to leap forward at a moment's notice. "It's beautiful," she whispered. "Can we go, Master? Can we see who's there?"

Andro turned to Sirra. "I sense no darkness here now, at least nothing but the residue."

Sirra nodded in agreement, though she still looked wary. "I do not feel any darkness here, either, no current dark force presence. But we must be mindful of the fact that someone used enough of the dark side for us to feel it in the city and for us to still feel a residue here, days later."

She looked at the building and could feel the presence of the Force, more specifically of the light side of the Force. She had never been to a Jedi temple before. But caution had been the correct course time and again before.

"Let us go watchful and ready. Do not go in with preconceptions, only accept what your senses tell you is there." She quoted a teaching of Jedi philosophy, more to curb Talara than Andro, but even the Jedi Master seemed to be assuming something here. " 'Not seeking, not expecting, a Jedi is present, and can welcome all things.' "

Sirra smiled, taking the sting from her rebuke, small though it had been. "I have never seen a Jedi temple before. It is beautiful, isn't it?"

"It is indeed," Andro said. "Come, let us see what awaits us there. There is a strong presence in the Force." With that, he led them forward.

They reached a large archway and stepped slowly through it. The arch led into a courtyard where a variety of speeders and other craft had been parked. He could sense serenity and peace, knew immediately this was a place of good.

Talara moved forward slowly, her eyes wide with wonder as she looked around. She'd never seen anything like it before, not even growing up on Naboo. She heard voices approaching and tensed. Soon the voices resolved to be two young women, though they were older than she. She smiled at them, and they altered to approach her. They continued speaking to each other, their words punctuated by giggles. They were both very pretty, but the one with the purple skin was more beautiful than Talara ever imagined a person could be.

"Hi there," the purple girl said. "I'm Dani, and this is Nieme."

Nieme smiled at the young girl. "You're new. Where'd you come from and how did you find your way here?"

"We had a ship...but there were fighters. We got down into the forest, and walked." She looked back at the two adults and then stepped closer to Dani and Nieme. "Because of the weird things in the forest, we were going in circles for awhile because the compass kept changing. I'm from Naboo. My name is Talara."

"Hi, Talara, I'm Nieme." She grinned at the girl. "And you talk in riddles far more puzzling than mine. You're a Force-user, aren't you?" She looked to Dani and nodded her head. "Yep. That would explain it."

"I am a Jedi Padawan," she said. "I have been since I was two years old. Master Andro is my teacher. Are you Jedi Knights?"

Dani smiled. "We're Padawans like you, Talara. We just got started a short time ago because Master Liam Zaneth found us. He's helping to train us, but Master Koran Darr is doing most of our training."

"We're Jedi Diplomats," Nieme added. "Which means we have to show you around the Temple and introduce you to everyone." She held out a free hand to Talara. "Care to go take a look?"

Talara looked down at Nieme's hand, and then back to Andro.

The Jedi Master smiled broadly as he and Sirra approached. "Go ahead, Talara," he said. "Sirra and I will go in and seek out the other Masters. You will be able to find me inside when your tour has concluded."

Talara smiled. "Thank you, Master," she said, and then slipped her hand into Nieme's. "I'm ready," she added.

"Come on," Nieme said cheerfully. As the three made their way along the cobbled path of the courtyard, she could be heard asking, "Hey... How would you like to meet a friend of ours named Kimra?"

"A friend? I'd love to! I didn't have many friends growing up, so...oh yes yes!"

Nieme grinned slyly at Dani. "Oh, he likes meeting new people. So, Kimra it is, then."

"Thank you very much," Talara said with a wide grin.

"That's what being a friend is all about," Dani said. "And, we'll be your friends, Talara. Nieme and I, we'll be your best friends ever...and Kimra of course!"

Nieme giggled and lowered her lips to Talara's ear. "We'll even let you borrow him from time to time. Oh, we're so glad you're here, Talara." She brushed her lips against Talara's cheek as she pulled away, then smiled silkily at the girl.

"Me too," Talara said with a smile as she looked between each of her new friends. "I like having new friends."

And, with that, the three of them disappeared inside of the Temple.

"Forgive and Forget, Part 1"
by Daemor'rah - Jedi/Bounty Huntress
Kal'Aran - Jedi Master
and Aurra Sgall - Jedi Padawan

Location: New Plouton
Date: Eos 12, 4 ABY

***

The day was a hot one. It was visible that the summer had finally arrived and even in a modern city like New Plouton the sun shined in a clear sky. Kal'Aran could not stop wondering what it would be like in Tatooine, with its twin solar system. But he knew that Thanatos and the Tae Sollar desert could be just as hot.

But even amidst all the heat, it was still a nice day to walk in the city streets, especially in the market area where there seemed to be all sorts of different things, ranging from fruit and food to mechanical gear and even clothes. Aurra was quite content for the walk and seeing things, even if she didn't want them or did not know what they were.

Kal'Aran watched his padawan and smiled. She seemed to blend in perfectly, even in spite of her blue skin. Plus, without her Jedi Padawan attire she looked very different. It was curious, but she reminded Kal'Aran of Quinlan's former padawan, Aayla Secura. And he was sure that Vos thought so too.

Aurra picked up some yellowish fruit which looked very tasty, so she decided to buy it, since it was cheap and she had some credits on her. She tasted one and it was one of the sweetest things she had ever tasted.

"They call those parshicaa..." Kal'Aran said as he approached his padawan. "It means love fruit and it comes from Corellia," he smiled.

"It's tasty!" she smiled back. "I'm taking some back to the Temple so that the others may have some too!"

"That's very nice of you," he told her with a friendly squeeze of her shoulder. "Come on, let us go buy some creamy ice. In this heat it will taste even better!" he said only to get her nod and smile.

They walked away, moving amidst all the other people who walked about and entered a caf� that was open for some refreshments and creamy ice.

***

From above the buildings she watched. She had spotted them for some time and had been following them from high above. The man she knew to be a Jedi and the girl could be one too, but she wasn't sure. She had wanted to shoot them both, but with all the people around it was possible that she would fail or hit someone else by mistake and she could not afford that. If she would miss the shot then her cover would be blown and she would lose the element of surprise. Plus there was a chance that they would run away.

So, instead she grinned and held back, waiting for the best chance to strike them down and claim one or two more prizes for her collection. When they entered the caf�, she sat at the edge of a building, watching and waiting...

***

Inside the caf�, Aurra was enjoying her creamy ice and her master was having a nice cold drink. "How is your creamy ice?" Kal'Aran asked.

"Lovely... Very tasty!" she smiled. "Want some?" she offered.

"No, thank you." He bowed gently. "So, what do you want to do next? Today we have a leisure day..." he told her.

Aurra smiled at the thought. No training or studying, no worrying about nothing truly important... Just having fun! "Maybe we can buy some things and have lunch in the forest," she suggested. "I like the forest better than the city."

"Very well then, let's do that!" he smiled. "We can get the things we need from the market, I'm sure," he said with a nod.

They got up and Kal'Aran left some credits on the table to pay for their bill. As they were about to go out the door he stopped and stood frozen, placing his arm in front of her. Something had told him that it was not safe to go out. He had felt it.

"What's wrong, Master?" Aurra asked, confused.

"Someone awaits outside. Someone who wants us harmed," he replied in a soft whisper.

"Not that Sith, Dargus Kandran!" she said, worried. It would never stop. There would always be someone that wanted the Jedi extinct. The Emperor had almost done it, but others would try where he had failed.

"No, not Kandran... Older and not a Sith..." he said as he concentrated to see if he could find out who it was.

"Not a Sith?! But a Jedi would not harm us, right?" She frowned.

"Don't be too sure, my padawan. There are others... Rogues who are no different in their goal to harm the Order," he warned her, as he finally had distinguished the person who was standing outside. She was trying to conceal her presence, but he knew it was the huntress. The one whom he had faced before and whom had killed Aurra's former Jedi Master. He wondered whether this would affect the twi'lek girl. "When I say, you run as fast as you can. We will not fight and risk the lives of innocents... We must lure our opponent into an open space, and perhaps we may get away without a quarrel."

Aurra nodded, and took her lightsaber, same as her master had done and readied herself to run to an open space. He gave the signal and they started to run. It was fortunate that she was such a dedicated pupil and was able to use the Force to move faster than normal. At their current speed the shot missed them.

The huntress, having missed, was now going after them, not worrying to conceal her presence anymore. Instead she had her lightsaber in hand and one of her blasters in the other hand and was determined to catch them and kill them, as she had no more shreds of doubt that she was hunting Jedi.

Alas, Kal'Aran and Aurra were running quite fast and it was proving to be difficult to catch them. But she would not quit! It became obvious that their objective was to lure her into an open space without innocents. All the best, since then there would be no Imperials to come and hassle them.

When they finally got to the outskirts of New Plouton, Kal'Aran turned around and ignited his lightsaber. He stood between the huntress and Aurra, defending every shot that Daemor'rah fired upon them. It was by then that the young twi'lek froze. She couldn't believe what was happening. The assassin who had killed her former Jedi Master... The one who vowed to kill her as well one day. It was her worst nightmare come true.

Daemor'rah grinned as she had them seemingly cornered. But when the Jedi pulled the blaster from her hand it ceased to be a game. "Very well, Jedi, let's face-off with our lightsabers then... Others fell and so shall you!" she said.

Kal'Aran prepared himself. He had met this woman and he knew all too well that she was capable of killing. Even Jedi... And then it struck him. This had been the huntress who had killed Yandoor Lugoth, Aurra's former Jedi Master. But he dared not look back at the girl even though he could feel she was horrified.

The white-skinned woman attacked and Kal'Aran moved fast and steady with his movements precise, fending off the huntress. He was able to twist her lightsaber and even make her take a couple steps back as both of them battled. All the while, the young twi'lek girl stood frozen, her lightsaber in hand as she merely watched what happened, and her Master always kept her behind him, not letting Daemor'rah even one small step further.

"You fight well, old man!" Daemor'rah said as she was forced to back up to fend him off. "But now you die!" she told him as her second hand reached for her back and brought about a second lightsaber. There was the sound of another lightsaber igniting and a scream. The huntress jumped back. In front of her stood the young twi'lek girl.

"You will not kill again! Not again!" Aurra shouted as the second lightsaber that Daemor'rah had grabbed fell on the ground. She had moved swiftly and had struck not to kill but to prevent death.

Daemor'rah had a cut and her arm was all bloody. She ground her teeth and moved once more to attack the blue-skinned girl who stood closer now. Aurra fended her attack off and Kal'Aran pushed the huntress away with the aid of the Force. The huntress got up once more and jumped on Aurra, enraged, but this time the young girl smashed her opponents face with the back of her lightsaber and kicked her in the ribs afterwards.

Daemor'rah grabbed young Aurra by the neck and lifted her up, but Kal'Aran moved faster than she could make a movement and took his padawan from her, pushing her once more. He then looked at Aurra. "Are you okay?" he asked her.

But the girl merely screamed and pushed away from her Master, extending her hand and using all she knew and had learned about the Force to push the huntress away from them as she had gotten up once more. The blow was strong and Daemor'rah was sent flying into an opposite wall, banging her head on it.

Kal'Aran walked over to their opponent to make sure she would not get up and attack again, but the woman merely moaned before she opened her eyes. When she saw the man standing near, pointing a lightsaber at her, she backed up.

"What do you want from me? Who are you?" she asked confused. "Please, please don't kill me!"

"Is this a game to you?" he asked calmly. "How can you enjoy yourself at the suffering of others?"

"What the heck are you talking about?" Daemor'rah asked. "I don't know what you mean! I can't... I don't know..." she said, frightened.

Aurra had come closer also. "You don't know what?" she asked.

"I don't know... I can't remember anything! My head hurts. I don't know..." she sobbed.

Kal'Aran was stunned with the reality he faced. With all his training he knew that the huntress meant her words. She had suffered a severe hit and, apparently, she now had amnesia. He safeguarded his weapon and looked at the white-skinned woman. "Who are you?"

"I told you, I don't know! All I know is that I woke up and you were here threatening me! More than that I don't know! My head hurts... I don't know..." she said again as she sat down against the wall, frightened as a small child.

Aurra did not know what to think. This woman had lost all her memories and was now helpless and scared. And as much hatred she had for the huntress she believed that all this was true. She looked at her Master who was almost as appalled as she was.

Suddenly, Daemor'rah looked at herself. "Why am I carrying all these weapons? Who am I? Please, help me..." she whispered with tears running down her face and holding her hand up.

Kal'Aran helped her up, careful not to fall for a trick, even though the chances of that seemed slim. As it was, Daemor'rah handed over her weapons, glad to get rid of them. "Please... Help me..." she begged again, then fell unconscious.

Aurra was too confused, but it felt wrong to leave this woman like this, all alone. And everyone deserved a second chance... She turned to Master Kal'Aran and nodded in concordance to helping this woman. They took her weapons, grabbed her unconscious body before heading back to the Temple. Perhaps this woman could yet be saved...

"Forgive and Forget, Part 2"
by Daemor'rah/Chani
Master Kal'Aran
Master Alisson Blair
Aurra Sgall
Nieme Yaresh
and Dani

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Eos 12, 4 ABY

***

After a long trip they had finally arrived back to the Temple. The day had started out as a nice warm one, but an encounter had changed all that, and now they were carrying the very same person that had attacked them, as unbelievable as it would seem.

Kal'Aran was quite surprised by the way that Aurra was handling the whole situation. After all, the huntress was part of her past life, and one he knew she wanted to forget. And yet, she too had the initiative to help this fallen foe... Truly the actions of a Jedi.

"Do you want me to go get some help?" Aurra asked her Master.

He nodded. "Yes, go get Master Vos and Master Darr, and call Liam and Alisson if you find them," Kal'Aran said.

"Yes, Master..." The twi'lek girl nodded as she ran off to call the others.

Meanwhile, Kal'Aran took the white-skinned woman, with the aid of the Force to lift her, into a room and set her down on a stretcher. She was still unconscious and he wondered what it would be like when she awoke.

***

"I saw them come this way," Dani said to Nieme as they rushed through the halls of the Temple. "They had someone on a stretcher. Thankfully it wasn't our beautiful little blue girl. I think we need to kidnap her down to the waterfall soon. I miss her!"

"I definitely miss how she tastes," Nieme said. "Blue is not better than purple, but it's still tasty." She giggled and nuzzled her lips to Dani's neck as they turned a corner in the corridor. A slight twitch of her senses drew Nieme's focus to the far end of the hallway. She stared quizzically at the nothingness that was there, while the sensation grew stronger. In another moment, Nieme was grinning, and after that, Aurra sped around the corner. "Aurra!"

"Aurra!" Dani squealed with delight. "What's happening? Who did you and Master Kal'Aran bring back?"

Aurra halted and looked at the two girls with a soft smile. "We...uh... We brought someone who's in need of help. I'm supposed to find Master Koran Darr and Master Liam as well as Master Blair. Do you guys know where they are?" she asked, choosing to omit her own personal feelings about the huntress they had brought in.

Before Nieme replied, she moved to Aurra and embraced their friend tenderly. When she pulled back, she kissed her lips lightly, then gave her friend a response to her inquiry. "You'll have trouble finding Masters Darr and Liam. They're not here. Neither is Laedra Vorrel. I have no idea where Master Blair is." She smiled bashfully. "Me and Dani have been too busy to notice."

Dani grinned and, surprisingly, found herself blushing. "We've been busy, but we're not too busy now to help you find the others. Did you want us to help you, Aurra?" Before the twi'lek girl could answer though, Dani had covered her lips with a kiss. "We'll have to spend time together later," she urged. "Come on, let's go find Master Blair."

Aurra smiled at her two girlfriends. "Yes, let's go then... I don't feel too glad about leaving Master Kal'Aran alone with that woman!" she said truthfully, not taking more time to explain, but rather taking Nieme's hand and pulling her along down the corridor. Once they reached the door to Alisson Blair's room she knocked. "Master Blair?"

The door opened and there was Alisson with a large smile. "Hello, girls." She bowed. "How may I help you?"

"It's Master Kal'Aran. He called for you... He needs your assistance in the medical room," Aurra explained.

"Who's sick?" Alisson asked with a frown as she came out of her room and closed the door behind her.

"Well... A woman we brought in. It's a long story, but for now we just need you there as well!" she explained somewhat exhilarantly.

Alisson made no further questions and went after the girls. Once in the medical room she saw that Master Kal'Aran had beside him a woman with white skin. But this woman she had seen before. It was the assassin who murdered the High Princess! "What's happening in here?" she asked.

Kal'Aran turned to face his former Padawan. "Alisson, before you say anything... This woman, attacked me and Aurra but lost her senses and is suffering from amnesia. Now, we brought her here because this may be the safest place to diagnose her," he said.

Alisson sighed. She knew that Kal'Aran was right but she didn't like the idea of the High Princess' killer in the Temple. And yet, he was right. At the Temple she would do nothing and they could watch her. "But what if she's bluffing?" she asked.

"I do not believe she is..." he replied.

"Neither do I and this is the second time she nearly killed me..." Aurra stated, then looking at Nieme and Dani.

"Does anyone know when Master Koran Darr will return or where Master Quinlan Vos is?" Kal'Aran asked.

Dani glanced at Nieme and then back to Kal'Aran with a shrug. "Master Darr didn't say when he would return," she said. "And, I haven't seen Master Vos all day. Nieme and I were down at the waterfall, and then around...and doing things."

Kal'Aran nodded with a soft smile. "Very well then... Have you girls ever practiced Force healing?" he asked Dani and Nieme. "I hear you're leaning diplomacy and getting good at it, so perhaps you could make use of this skill..."

Aurra smiled trying to think things the better way. She had been learning this amongst other things and wondered what they had been learning so far. She knew that Dani had a lightsaber but not much else from what they learned from Master Koran Darr... "Are we going to perform it?"

"We should if we want to help this woman," Alisson said.

"I-I don't know how to heal," Nieme told them, "but I want to help. Maybe...maybe I can talk to her...in her head, sorta. I can help her find her way back while you heal her body."

Kal'Aran smiled. "That would be very good if this was a regular case, but it won't be necessary," Kal'Aran said, not wanting to have the huntress wake up and recall who she really was. He looked at both Nieme and Dani and gave them a reassuring nod. "You know, Master Koran Darr tells me that you are quite the skilled padawans, and he is very proud of you... I know I am not him, but perhaps I could teach you how to Force heal..." he offered as he took off his cloak and put his sleeves up.

Dani leaned close and pressed her lips to Nieme's ear. "It'd be nice to learn that," she whispered. "Especially since I'd learn what I did to heal you in the desert. Should we learn from Master Kal'Aran?"

"I guess so," Nieme replied. "I mean, are we allowed? Won't Master Zaneth be mad?"

"I don't think Master Zaneth will be mad, not if we learn good things," Dani said. "And, if not, it'll give us a chance to calm him down." She gave Nieme a mischievous grin.

Nieme returned Dani's smile, then regarded Master Kal'Aran. "We will learn what you have to teach us, Master."

Kal'Aran nodded with a smile. He then turned to Aurra and nodded to her too. "Very well then, I need you three girls to take places around our unconscious guest and concentrate. Then, I will give you some few simple instructions."

Nieme looked uncertainly to Dani for a moment, then shrugged and took her place at the foot of the bed, while Dani and Aurra stood on either side of the prone woman. She hoped they weren't doing anything wrong by taking instructions from Master Kal'Aran, but healing was a necessary skill for a diplomat, and learning it now was as good a time as any. She looked to the pale woman curiously and concentrated as Kal'Aran had told them to. She didn't dare penetrate the woman's mind; he apparently didn't want that, but instead, she scanned the surface, hoping to at least feel if she was in any pain or distress. Nieme, however, could read nothing. Whoever she was, she had done well in walling up her mind.

As soon as he felt the three girls' concentration at a good level he breathed deep. "Now, I want you to feel this woman... She too is part of the Force, as any living being is. Feel her in the stream and you will start feeling small things in her as well... Feel her heart pumping and her lungs breathing," he told them.

Aurra concentrated slowly. In a few seconds she could feel Nieme and Dani focusing also, as well as Alisson and Master Kal'Aran nearby, but she focused mainly on this woman. Her heart pounded like a steady drum and her breathing was soft like a small hum. She began to feel the very blood as it moved in her bloodstream and she was sure that it was precisely that which she was supposed to feel, along with everything else.

Kal'Aran knew that all the girls were focused on the same precise spot. "Very well... Now, the bloodstream is what carries the cells to regenerate. I want you to use that to accelerate the process. Feel her as part of yourself..." he said in a whisper.

Dani opened herself to the Force, to the woman lying on the table before them. She could feel the darkness as if it were an oily slime coating her skin, coating her mind. She pushed that away to feel the life-force pulsing within her, the spark of life that bound her to the Force. She felt the Force surge within her, and the connection with the bounty huntress was as solid as any of the cables that ran within a circuit board. She felt herself gasp as the woman's body began healing, regenerating. She slowed herself, controlling what she was doing. It was like with Nieme in the desert, when she'd healed her lover's face. Here again, she was healing the Huntress of her injuries. It was clear she had a gift for healing.

Throughout, Nieme could sense and feel her lover's beautiful, radiant essence. It pulsated within the woman and from her aura alone, beginning to glow brightly, it was apparent she was getting stronger through their joint efforts. You can do it, Nieme whispered to her. You can find your way out of the darkness. I know it! I found my way. It was scary and difficult, but people helped me. We'll help you. Just let us help you...

It was visible that the woman was healing, her small cuts slowly fading away and the few ones that bled before were now mere scratches. "Now let go slowly," he told the padawan girls. "Slowly..." he whispered. Once he felt them all back into their selves he told them to open their eyes and smiled. "You have done very well! All of you! And look, she is much better now than she was before... You should all feel proud of your skill."

Aurra smiled at Nieme and Dani. It was good to heal others. It felt like the right thing to do. And she was proud of her friends and of having such a great Jedi teacher. "Thank you, Master." She bowed.

Nieme looked to Aurra, then Dani with a large grin. She too bowed to Master Kal'Aran. "I'm glad you let us have this opportunity, Master. We can help more if you'd like. We would like to help the woman."

Alisson smiled warmly. "That would be very helpful, but for now we must let her rest and wait for her to regain her senses..." she said in a reply to Nieme.

Alas, the huntress moaned. Kal'Aran turned to face her and readied himself, just in case. Daemor'rah opened her eyes and got up in a rampant, startled with a small scream. "Who...? What...?" she asked, confused as she looked around. She was looking at everyone and seemed frightened. "Who are you? Where am I?" she asked as she tucked her knees up.

"You are being taken care of... Your wounds..." Alisson answered calmly as she motioned for her arm.

Daemor'rah looked at her arms and passed her fingers over where a wound had been, and was now healed. "Did you save me?" she asked, looking directly at Dani.

"We helped you," Kal'Aran intervened. "You were hurt and in need of help. But, tell us, who are you?"

The white-skinned woman looked down to the ground and shook her head. "I...I don't know. It's all a blur. I was hoping you could tell me. But you don't seem to know..." she said.

"You're at the Jedi Temple," Nieme replied readily. "You don't know your name...really? We could help you remember if you'd like."

The woman's eyes brightened. "Really? You could help me remember? I would be much appreciated. I... You saved my life. I can't thank you enough!"

Nieme stepped forward and touched the woman's hand. "Of course we'll help." She looked up at Kal'Aran, then, with an inquisitive expression. "We can...can't we?"

Kal'Aran nodded. "We can..." he said, as he wondered about how they could, and yet it seemed like a golden opportunity to bring someone from the dark side back to the right track. "We will help you," he added.

Daemor'rah looked at everyone and smiled. "Thank you! Thank you, all of you. I can't thank you enough, and yet I must make a request... Do you have anything to drink? My throat is dry."

"There is some water," Dani said. "I'll get you some." With that she rushed from the room. She was only gone a moment, when she came racing back in with a bottle. The others were all gathered around the woman and asking and answering questions. She handed her the bottle. "Fresh from the spring outside. I hope it's alright."

"Thank you," Daemor'rah smiled as she took the bottle and took a sip, then looked at Nieme. "You said this was a Jedi Temple. Am I a Jedi too? I shouldn't be since you don't know me, right?"

Kal'Aran raised an eyebrow. "Do you recall Jedihood?" he asked. "Or anything alike?"

"No..." Daemor'rah sighed. "And yet it all looks as if I'm used to it. Seeing those vests I mean," she said. "But I'm sure that I'm just confusing things!"

"It's alright," Dani said with a comforting smile. "We'll help you through this. We'll make you feel welcome and loved here, won't we, Ni?"

"Yeah," Nieme said with a large smile. "That's what Jedi do. When you're better, we'll take you for a tour..." She looked uncertainly at Master Kal'Aran. "If we're allowed."

Kal'Aran wasn't too sure about letting the girls take Daemor'rah for a tour. Even though all he knew told him that this woman had lost her senses and couldn't even recall who she was, he still considered the slim possibility that this was a hoax. Still, he nodded with a small, gentle smile. "Yes... Once you feel much better I'm sure it will be okay for you to get to know the others and take the tour," he said.

Daemor'rah smiled and thanked Kal'Aran. She then smiled at Nieme and Dani and Aurra. But it was an empty smile. "I can't recall anything... No family. Not even my own name!" she said quite sadly, then making herself smile: "So, you're my only friends and all I've got for now! Until I remember that is..."

"We'll help you," Dani said with a smile. "But, until you do remember, is there anything you'd like us to call you?"

"I don't know..." Daemor'rah raised an eyebrow. "I think I'd rather be called by my real name, but until we find out what that is, maybe... Chani?" she asked.

Nieme grinned. "That's a great name! We'll call you that, then, Chani." She took a seat upon the edge of the bed and covered Chani's livid hand with hers. "Are you hungry, Chani? I'll bring you something to eat. Is anything alright?"

"Anything sounds just great!" Chani smiled.

Aurra frowned. She didn't know what to feel. It was all too odd. Here was this woman, this slayer of Jedi, suffering from amnesia and they were supposed to help her... She, the same woman who had butchered her former master. And yet she knew this was right and that, despite how she felt, Master Lugoth would be proud of her. She would not oppose this, but would not help it either, so she turned around. "I'll be in my room. I'm tired..." she said.

"Thank you... Thank you once more for saving me," the white-skinned woman said, only to see Aurra nod and leave the room.

Nieme watched Aurra go, then glanced at Dani questioningly. "Um... We'll go get you that meal, Chani," she said to the woman. "We'll be right back." She rose from the bed and moved to Dani's side. "Come on, my love. We have a girlfriend to cheer up."

"We do," Dani said, watching after Aurra. "I don't like it when she's upset like that. We'll be right back." She slipped her hand into Nieme's, and they slipped from the room together. "What do you suppose it is, my love?"

Nieme sighed. "I don't know, my love. I just don't know."

With Nieme and Dani gone as well, Alisson sighed in relief. She felt it safer if none of the girls were near this assassin... And yet, she was obligated to agree that this was the right thing. Perhaps this was a second chance this woman had to start it all. She motioned for Chani to lie down. "Here... You need to rest. In a while we will bring you a meal," she said as she placed her hand in the woman's forehead.

Chani laid down and closed her eyes. She didn't know why, but had full confidence in these people. There was something about them, like some kind of an inner glow. She merely nodded and closed her eyes, letting herself fall asleep. Kal'Aran and Alisson stood there, watching her. Neither of them spoke a word but they were thinking of the same thing. Whether it was a matter of time before she remembered or not, and what would happen then...

"Till Death..., Part 1"
By: Dargus Kandran
Yelara Neerou
Kallia Brael
Keeve Zenarr [NPC+]

with Oot Kovan

Location: Dargus's Cruiser
Date: Eos 12, 4ABY

***

Everything was going off without a hitch. The decorations were tastefully arranged, per instructions. The lighting was at a perfect level. The guests were in place. The groom stood in position. And, the music had started.

Dargus Kandran, despite the fact that he was a Sith apprentice and ran a very prosperous criminal syndicate, found that he was nervous. He glanced back down the aisle where the first billows of an equadi could be seen and it took considerable effort to remind himself to breathe.

And, then she appeared. Radiant, he told himself. Simply stunning and radiant. His bride offered a smile to all who had turned to gaze upon her, and in that moment, Dargus Kandran felt the power of his love for her more strongly than he ever thought possible. Today, he was certain, would be the most magnificent day of his life. He smiled for her, and the entire universe -- guests, officiator, ship, planets, and stars -- all seemed to vanish, and for a few precious moments, only he and Yelara existed.

She was moving forward towards him and he felt his anxiousness rising with each step closer she took. No one else in the whole galaxy could generate such feelings in him, and for that he would love her and cherish her as she deserved.

She would be his empress, his life-mate, and would carry out her duties as his wife without complaint or protest. It was just what any man wanted - an obedient wife, yet one who strayed from that ideal only in the fire that burned within her. Dargus seemed to like that fire, especially when it flared in the bedroom. It would definitely be burning brightly on their honeymoon.

Yelara inclined her head slightly to the important guests filling the seats. She knew not one of them since Dargus had invited them, no doubt to use his beautiful wife to impress them. From their approving smiles, he was succeeding. Or perhaps, they were smiling at her shapely, voluptuous body visible beneath the sheer, pink fabric of her equadi. It wasn't at all cold in the room - a storage bay modified into a ceremonial hall for the occasion - but her nipples had hardened and now pushed against the gown; it put a grin on more than one male guest's face. Yelara didn't mind, though. She still moved with confidence and grace, and focused only on Dargus, especially since she could barely look at the state of Kallia's dress.

That Keeve could even think of asking her to wear such an outfit - such as it was - sickened her. The only skin concealed was that covered by the leather harness around her abdomen. A strip of leather ran up the midline of her torso, between her breasts and stopping at the thick band of leather around her neck; another long strip of leather travelled along her spine to also meet the collar encircling her throat. What was worst of all was the leash feeding from it and leading to Keeve's hand. Yelara sneered at Keeve for a brief moment, then haughtily redirected her attention to Dargus. The boy would pay later.

The smile she wore for Dargus returned, and in it she expressed her love for him. When he extended his hand to her as she neared the altar, Yelara graciously accepted, and all in the room rose. "Quite a turnout," she said to him.

"I'm quite impressed," Dargus said. "I'm surprised anyone outside of the ship would show up, but I guess Dargus Kandran marrying is quite a momentous occasion. Still, I'm quite pleased. I noticed your look at Keeve. I can't believe she would allow him to choose something like that for her."

Yelara shook her head and pressed her hand to his cheek. "Let's not talk about that. Let's not ruin our day. I just want to marry you, Dargus. That's all that matters now."

"Yes, my love," Dargus said with a smile. "How would you like to have our honeymoon on Corellia, my love?"

"We can visit my grandpa," she blurted out excitedly, then laughed. "Oh, he'll absolutely hate you."

Dargus smiled. "Is that a good thing, or a bad thing?"

Yelara traced the curve of Dargus's lips with her fingertips and purred. "A very good thing, my love..."

As the officiator moved into position, Dargus gave Yelara a lecherous grin. "Is it considered bad form to consummate a marriage before the marriage takes place?"

"If it is, we've been very naughty this past week." She lightly rested her hand upon his chest, then slowly turned to face the officiator, though her eyes remained only on Dargus.

As the officiator began his invocation, in the audience observing the ceremony Kallia Brael stifled a sob. She tightened her grip on Keeve's hand and wondered just how Yelara could do this to her. How could she go off and marry Dargus just days before they had been set to wed? Once she'd heard about the wedding, she had been very willing to wear the dress Keeve suggested. She hadn't even hesitated. She'd revelled in the staring and ogling as she came in on Keeve's arm, tethered by the leash he held in his hand. They could see her entire body, except where the thin straps of leather covered...though they covered nothing that should have been covered in polite society. All her charms were on display for whomever wished to view them. "While they're away," she whispered to Keeve, "we'll have lots of time together."

Keeve smiled knowingly, yet he revealed nothing of what was in store for her. "And thereafter as well. Don't worry, Kal. I'll make you forget all about Yelara."

"I don't want to forget about her, Keeve," Kallia said. "Not completely, anyway. I could never forget about her, Keeve. I love her too much...but...but now she's marrying someone else again. I don't know." She leaned more fully against you. "Thank you for being here with me, for allowing me to lose myself and be yours."

Keeve slipped his arm around Kallia's waist and kissed the side of her head. "Don't worry," he murmured into her ear. "I'll make it all better, Kal. You'll see."

Kallia brushed her hand sensuously down along his thigh. "Thank you," she whispered. "Later, I'll show you how much I appreciate you."

"Oh, I know you will. It's all you'll think about doing in time." Keeve chuckled lowly at the secret knowledge that only he and Dargus shared, and which Kallia would only be privy to after her procedure...if she even cared about anything but being with him after that.

She allowed her hand to brush back up against his groin. "The ship will be all ours once they leave," Kallia whispered, brushing her lips against this throat. "Whatever will we do?"

Keeve sharply jerked back the leash to crane Kallia's neck, then he ravenously nipped at her throat and teased the flesh with his lips. In a moment, he wouldn't care how many people were in the room; he and Kallia would be consummating their relationship in a less savoury fashion than Yelara and Dargus. "We can sneak out the moment they give their vows," he whispered against her throat. He trailed one finger along her slit and grinned at the moisture there. "Don't have an accident, Kal. I doubt Yel would appreciate that."

Kallia moaned quietly at his touch, but it was clear her eyes were burning with a passionate desire and yearning. "No accidents," she whispered. "I am yours, Keeve. Whatever you want of me, wherever you want me, I'm yours." She looked around, noticing a very familiar looking twi'lek watching her as she did. "Looks like we've caught someone's attention. Though, it might not be a good idea to go much further beyond surreptitious groping for now. I don't think either of us want Dargus or Yelara's ire right now."

"You're wise for a pleasure slave," Keeve commented playfully. "We'll save it for later, though. Looks like they're about to start anyway and I for one want to see if Dargus actually goes through with it."

"I'm surprised part of the ceremony wasn't the two of them having sex on that table up there while everyone watched. I'd like to watch that. I haven't seen him having sex in a long time, but I still say you're better."

"I am," he assured her with absolute confidence. "Definitely better." He laughed softly and lightly tapped the tip of her nose. "Pay attention now. As much as you're dreading this, you have to admit, Yelara does look happy."

"I'd prefer that she'd be happy with me," Kallia grumbled, "but it is nice to see her smiling. Dargus is better looking when he smiles too." She leaned against Keeve and sighed as the Officiator began speaking.

As per Dargus's behest, the wedding ceremony was performed entirely in the Tae'Karadan tradition. With his aspirations to become emperor of the planet, it was only fitting that he marry his empress in accordance with their beliefs to begin making a good impression upon them. It was, of course, degrading to any female not native to the planet, but that was Tae'Karadan ideology and if they were to honour the Karadans - even insincerely - they had to play the parts.

"Now, repeat after me," the officiator said. " 'I, Yelara Neerou am now your asri, Dargus Kandran, bound to you and ever devoted.' "

Yelara smiled at the officiator and passionately recited the vows. She couldn't help displaying the pride she felt in marrying Dargus. He was handsome, powerful, and although it was not yet common knowledge, he would soon rule a planet. Any woman would jump at the chance to marry him, yet not all would receive the love from him she did. That is what separated her from other women, that and her unique tendency to be drawn to Jedi of one form or another.

"And you, Lord Kandran," the officiator went on, bowing his head respectfully to Dargus. Even the pious sought to appease Dargus, bringing him that much closer to the omnipotence he aspired to. The man read the vow elaborately to Dargus, not once capable of holding his piercing gaze, and only looked up to receive Dargus' reply, to hear the lord speak.

Dargus smiled first at the officiator and then to Yelara. "I, Dargus Kandran, am now your asri, Yelara Neerou, bound to you and ever devoted."

The officiator raised his arms high, keeping his eyes from Dargus' as he did so. "Joined in love and obedience, may your hearts never stray from where they truly belong. Yelara Neerou, everything that you are, you are for Dargus Kandra and only him. You are Yelara Kandran. Dargus Kandran, that which was Yelara's is now yours, utterly and completely." The man held out a piece of thick parchment, a sure sign of Dargus' wealth and prosperity. A stylus appeared in his other hand, both implements offered to Dargus to complete this ritual. "Do you accept, Mr. Kandran?"

Dargus took both parchment and stylus and with a flourish signed his name to them. They would be holographically recorded and entered into the planetary records later. "I accept," he said.

With an obsequiousness only present around a man like Dargus, he took the parchment and stylus back and extended them to Yelara. "You divest yourself of all you own, and pledge it to your new lifemate. Do you accept?"

"All I have is his," Yelara declared reverently as she took the stylus and, with a steady hand, signed her name to the parchment, stretched taut by the officiator. With her signature now indelibly marked beneath Dargus's (in keeping further with Tae'Karadan tradition to reinforce the place of a woman below her husband), Yelara handed back the stylus to the officiator and focused again only on Dargus.

After a short blessing from the officiator, Yelara raised Dargus' hand to her lips. "My Lord...." She smiled silkily as she pressed a kiss to it, sealing their union.

Dargus pulled Yelara into his arms and kissed her firmly. He could hear cheering around him as with his kiss to Yelara, their marriage become, official, binding, and permanent. He felt a rush of the power such a joining gave him and the enormous love they felt for each other. Dargus realized, as he held her close, their lips sealed together, that he was truly happy.

***

Back on Tae'Karada, Liam Zaneth danced between a trio of practice remotes. Twin blades of cobalt slashed through the air to stop the bolts of crimson seeking their target. His movements were precise and true, stopping each of the blasts from the remote. It felt good, he realized, to lose himself in these moments.

Suddenly, he felt his body tense in a spasm of pain. He dropped to his knees, lightsabers clattering uselessly to the ground at his sides. Great pain seared through his body as if someone were driving a lightsaber straight through...through his heart.

He let out a mournful cry that seemed to carry with it unplumbed depths of anguish. He cried out again, this time adding a word to that pain.

"YELARA!"

***

As humourless as the senator's joke was, Yelara gave him her most infectious laugh and lightly backhanded the middle-aged man on the chest. She hated mingling, especially with guests she didn't know, nor did she care to get to know them. All she wanted was to hop on a ship with Dargus and Leshie, and fly away to Corellia...after she got into some decent clothing. Thought of that inevitably brought with it a reminder of Kallia's choice in attire - Keeve's, rather - and her eyes soon set about looking for her lover. She searched the room for Kallia, no doubt still being paraded around on a leash by Keeve, but instead found someone she hadn't expected to see, someone she wished she hadn't.

The woman's eyes and face were impassive, despite the soft smile touching her lips. Yelara wondered why looking at her suddenly inspired such guilt, such anxiety. All she could think to do was look away. Rather, she turned away and leaned in closer to Dargus. "I can't believe you invited Oot Kovan," she whispered. "The woman who almost succeeding in killing you. Why, Dargus?"

Dargus smiled and kissed Yelara's hand. "My dear wife," he said, his eyes sparkling with affection, "I do believe that you also almost succeeded in killing me along with Ms. Kovan."

Yelara bit back a grin. "I did... But I've already made it up to you through hours of sex. What has she done?"

"Well, no sex," Dargus said. "But, I figured it would be nice to have someone here who could relay how beautiful our wedding was to Liam."

"Yes." Yelara smiled weakly at Dargus and swallowed back the nausea she felt within her. "A good idea, my love." She took a deep, calming breath and once again turned to face the direction of the twi'lek. "Ingenious."

"I noticed her watching you earlier, though not quite as hard as she was watching Keeve and Kallia." He glanced around for his son and leashed toy. They were nowhere around. "You remember how you were watching me last night before we made love?"

The same enticing smile she had worn during the moment in question appeared on Yelara's face. "I remember..."

Dargus smiled seductively. "That was exactly the look she had," he said. "Okay, not exactly, but very damn close."

"She had a thing for Liam too when we were on her ship." Yelara revisited that memory with a twinge of melancholy. She remembered clearly the celebration after the attack on Dargus' fleet, a celebration much like the one she was trapped in the middle of now. Afterwards, she and Liam had talked about their dreams, their future together, all before they made love to each other. How could she be so cruel to a man she still loved so deeply? "I need a drink," she said breathlessly. Her eyes flitted about confusedly before she spotted the table bearing a diverse selection of spirits. "I-I'm gonna-- I'll be back." Yelara smiled tightly at the man they'd been socializing with, then inclined her head at Dargus. "Excuse me, my love. Um...thirsty. I won't be long." Before Dargus could speak, she kissed his lips then departed for the alcoholic beverages.

Dargus watched her go, a touch of the sadness he'd felt from her lingering within him. He turned back to his guest and smiled. "All the excitement's made her thirsty. So, have you met my son? He's racing pods now. I'm very proud." He glanced toward the door as Keeve walked in with Kallia at his heels, the leash running from her throat held loosely in his hand. He could tell from her flushed skin and the slight bruising along her arms and sides that they'd been outside of the hall enjoying each other's company. If that didn't tip him off, the fluids drizzling down the insides of Kallia's thighs was certainly more than enough to do so.

He watched Keeve slip a possessive arm around Kallia's waist, and a moment later he noted Oot Kovan approaching them.

"Great," Keeve said under his breath. "The Twi'lek bitch that's been watching us all day. She has that look about her...like she wants to eat one or both of us." Keeve nuzzled his lips to Kallia's ear. "I think she's got the right idea."

"She's very beautiful," Kallia whispered. "If you wanted to invite her, my beautiful Master, I think the three of us could have a very nice time together."

"What? I haven't satisfied you yet?" Keeve brought a hand down between her legs from behind and caressed her damp slit. "I can change that. We don't need her."

Kallia moaned. "No we don't," she murmured, "but I just thought it would be fun. Look at her, I bet she knows a few tricks for under the sheets. But, I won't complain if you want to just let her keep lusting after us."

Keeve passed his gaze over the form of the slinking Twi'lek until his eyes rested on her face. There was a moment of recollection, a faded image from his youth, but he quickly shut it away. He remembered the woman from... Where? That smile... Those eyes that give you the impression that she'd rather feast on you than make love to you....

"Shit," he spat. His hand fell away from between Kallia's thighs and he shook the viscous fluid from his fingers. "Is Dargus a complete idiot? Inviting spies to his own wedding." Keeve jerked on Kallia's leash as he stalked towards the Twi'lek. He still didn't know her name, but he knew who she was.

Oot's smile broadened when she saw Keeve approaching her. The anger in his eyes didn't phase her mood or alter her expression. "Keeve...Kandran, is it now? It is so good to see you. I remember you when you were a little boy. I must say the man you are now is most impressive. Very beautiful, and with good taste in companions as well."

"Shut up," he snapped. He halted before the woman, barely leaving an inch between them. She was tall for a woman, tall enough to stare him levelly in the eyes. "You were with Zale. You don't belong here. Plan to relay information back to him?" Keeve snorted. "If you do, tell him I haven't forgotten about him or Kaysa or that pansy musician. I'll come for them one day, which means you'll need new employment."

"What did they ever do to make you so bitter? Or what did you do to so terribly break that poor girl's heart? Kaysa misses you and loves you. You leaving nearly destroyed her." She pulled out a holocube and held it out to him, then pulled it back. "A recording from Maeren...well, such as it is through the tears and sobs."

Keeve's resolve wavered for only a moment as his eyes followed the cube with a yearning to have it, to touch it as he desired to touch Shiv. With a low growl he snapped his eyes shut briefly, then opened them again to glower at Oot. "If you think coming here with...that and with your lies is going to change anything, it won't. I don't want anything from her - from them! Why the hells can't I just be left alone?"

Oot held out her hand once more with the cube resting in an upturned palm. She said nothing, choosing only to watch him.

His hands were clenched into fists, prepared to strike the obnoxiously self-satisfied smile from Oot's face, but all his rage was diffused with one look at the cube. She said Shiv had been crying, inconsolable.... He hated it when she cried, especially when he was the cause of it. Just one last look at her, one last memory, that's all he needed. Hearing her voice one more time would put his grief to rest.

Keeve reached up with a trembling hand, his fingers almost touching the cube that held within it the key to his undoing. At the last second, his hand flinched away as if struck by a slight jolt of electricity. His face contorted into an expression of grief-mingled annoyance as he hastily slapped the cube from Oot's hand. As it skittered across the ground, coming to a stop against a chair leg, Keeve took a menacing step closer to her. "Listen to me, you alien bitch. I don't want anything to do with any of them, not anymore. You tell them that." He hesitated for a moment, but added, "All of them, including Maeren. Keeve Zenarr is dead. Only Keeve Kandran remains, and I don't think they'd like him very much if they met him. You tell them." Keeve slipped an arm around Kallia's waist and pushed her slightly forward. "And tell Maeren she's been replaced. I'm sure that'll end this insane obsession of hers."

Kallia looked the red-skinned twi'lek over and frowned. "You should leave now," she said. "It's a shame, really. It could have been so nice if you'd chosen your sides better." She slipped her arms back around Keeve, folding her body to his, then nuzzled against his neck.

Oot inclined her head to Keeve and then stepped back. "Very well," she said. "I would like to see you maintain this strong exterior if you were actually watching her recording. Perhaps I should arrange to have my delivery of your message to her recorded. Would you like to see it as your message shatters her heart and destroys her? She already refuses to eat any food, and it took Lerrah considerable effort to pull her from the studio where she was destroying all of her artwork." She again inclined her head. "I hope you are satisfied with your work, young master."

"I'm not happy about any of this," he rasped. "You don't understand the situation. You don't--" Keeve clenched and unclenched his jaw in an attempt to fight back the grief in knowing he had hurt Shiv more than he was helping her. He shook his head until he was able to hold Oot's gaze. Though he had succeeded in doing that, he couldn't keep the sadness from his eyes. "Just leave," he said, his voice much more controlled now. "Just--" He sighed impatiently. "Tell her you never found me. For her sake, just tell her I'm dead. And stop interfering. None of this would've happened if people just learned to mind their own damned business."

"None of this would have happened," Oot countered, "if you hadn't loved her and she hadn't loved you. You wanted her love, but then when she tried to give you love in return, you pushed her away. And, now you expect her to stop caring and go on as if nothing happened. Perhaps that's easy for a selfish brat such as yourself, but to fall as hard as she did, and then to be dropped... Don't blame us, Keeve; this is your doing. You're the one who's hurt Maeren."

Keeve growled as he shoved Kallia away and advanced upon the obnoxious Twi'lek - obnoxious only because she was right. Before he could wrap his fingers around her neck, a wave of fluttering, pink fabric appeared from the corner of his eye and with it came Yelara. She placed herself between Keeve and Oot before an altercation could occur, and delicately pressed her hands to his cheeks. Guests were already being drawn to the scene as it was; if Keeve embarrassed Dargus, she feared for what would befall him. "It's okay," she said soothingly. "Keeve, let it go. Just take Kallia and go. I'll take care of her."

"No!" Keeve shouted. "The stupid bitch thinks she can just come in here--"

"Keeve." Yelara brushed her lips against his as she stroked his cheeks. "It's okay, Keeve," she murmured. "Forget her. Let me handle this."

"But--" He sighed and closed his eyes, surrendering to Yelara's quelling touch. "Just...get her out of here." He kissed Yelara gently then stepped back. He opened his eyes again, only to glare at Oot. Even as he bent over to retrieve the end of Kallia's leash, his intense gaze still remained on the twi'lek.

As Keeve and Kallia departed, Yelara turned, though she was hesitant to face Oot. When she did, all she felt was disappointment and disgust. She had no doubt let down Oot, her friend and a woman whose opinion she respected. Never before had she felt so guilty. "I should...get back to Dargus now." Yelara looked over her shoulder at her new husband, then regarded Oot again...barely. "Enjoy the rest of the party, Ms. Kovan." And then she quickly sought escape.

"It was good to see you again, Yelara," Oot called after her. "Congratulations." With that, she turned and started toward the door. Kambra would be upset enough as it was that she'd angered Keeve to the point where he nearly got his hands on her. But, as she left the reception, it was obvious from the slump of her shoulders and the way her lekku drooped, that she was disappointed. She couldn't help wondering, as Dargus' guards fell in step with her as they escorted her to her ship, if there was some way she could save Yelara from this fate. Or if she even wants to be saved...

"Till Death..., Part 2"
By: Dargus Kandran
Yelara Kandran
Kallia Brael
Keeve Zenarr [NPC+]

with Oot Kovan

Location: Dargus's Cruiser
Date: Eos 12, 4ABY

***

"Twi'lek!"

Before Oot Kovan could take her first step onto the landing ramp of her ship, she was turned around by the call. Keeve's pet was no longer trailing behind him and as he stalked towards her, he looked far less angry than he had been in the reception hall. He approached her with an urgency and by the time he reached her, he was panting heavily, but not from the exertion of running entirely from his quarters to the hangar bay; it was the pressing need to seek her out in time that had his heart racing. The guards parted for Keeve to reveal Oot. As was to be expected, she appeared slightly perplexed. "She sent you here, didn't she?" was the first thing he said. "Maeren sent you here to find me."

Oot smiled. "She didn't send me," she said. "I did receive an invitation from Dargus Kandran, and came because of that. However, when I told Maeren I would be attending, she asked me to give you that holocube, and to tell you that she loves you. In a sense, I guess she did send me here to find you. Though, her description of you doesn't do you justice."

Keeve laughed weakly, ruefully. "Dargus's doing. You should give him the compliments."

Oot smiled. "From what Shiv explained," she said, opting not to reveal the true source of her knowledge, "he merely advanced your age. Therefore, I imagine that in time you would have still looked as you do now. While he may have accelerated your growth, your appearance is still your own. Regardless of where your looks came from though, you are still a very attractive man...and from talking to her last night, you have clearly captured Maeren's heart."

"I know it's what I wanted," Keeve said quickly, "but I didn't mean for this to happen. I wanted her to love me, but I didn't think--" He sighed. "I hate hurting her, but she doesn't understand how dangerous it is for her. Can't you make her see that? She can't afford to be this close to Dargus. She doesn't understand that I can't protect her, not from him. Can't you make her believe that?"

"She doesn't want to be protected, Keeve," Oot said softly. "She only wants to love you. And, if you lay claim to her as your mistress, wife, girlfriend, companion, or what-have-you, do you believe that Dargus would do that? He allowed you to have her sent back before, didn't he. Perhaps it's not as dangerous as you perceive it is."

"And it's not as simple as you're making it sound," he shot back. "She's there, I'm here. She loves Kaysa and Merrick too, and there's no way she'd give them up. How exactly do you think we can be together? It's impossible and if I do give it another try with her and it doesn't work, don't you think she'll only hurt more?" Keeve stepped closer to Oot and said quietly, "You may think I'm a bastard, but I'm doing this for her. I love her more than I thought I was capable of and it's killing me to know she's in pain right now. But I have to let her go."

Oot reached out and took Keeve's hands into her own. "I understand what you are doing Keeve, and it shows that you are both noble and caring. One thing you're not doing, though, is letting Maeren have a say. She doesn't want to be let go, Keeve. She wants you, and I don't think she cares how she gets you as long as she has you."

"But I do care," Keeve told her. "I want to be able to wake up in the morning to see her smiling face as she lies next to me. I want to be able to go into the next room and find her there, waiting for me. I don't want to have to travel hundreds of light-years just to see the woman I love! It isn't fair! It isn't right. I love her and she loves me and...and..." He gave a cry of frustration and, after wrenching his hands from Oot's grasp, threw up his arms. "This isn't how it should be! We should be able to be together like we want to. She should be able to find happiness and she shouldn't be crying like she is! All we want is to be together and everything's standing in the way, and I want to know why. Why the hells can't we be together!"

Oot bowed her head slightly and then took a step toward him. She held a single, plastisheet card in her hand. "You could always go to her and ask her those very questions. She's an amazing dancer, and I should know. She'll be there tonight and tomorrow night...if you're interested."

Unlike the holocube he had batted across the reception hall, Keeve let out a deep breath and gently pulled the card from between Oot's fingers. He chuckled softly when his eyes glossed over the name of the club. "Palace of Stars? Seems suited for Maeren." The moment of levity passed far too quickly and again Keeve frowned. "I have to think about this. I have to...try and work things out in my head before I walk back into her life and have to leave again. I don't want to do that her."

Oot raised a hand to his cheek and smiled. "Hopefully you will find that you don't have to leave again," she said. "I know you won't like to hear this, but I believe Kaysa would be very proud of you Keeve. Despite your association with Dargus Kandran, you're a good man. I can see why Maeren loves you as much as she does."

Keeve smiled wanly and nodded his thanks. "In case I decide not to see her.... Will you tell Maeren I'm sorry for everything? And tell her not to worry about the...injury." His organ began throbbing with latent pain at even mention of its encounter with Shiv's boot. "I deserved it. Just...tell her that."

Oot smiled and then nodded. "I'll tell her, Keeve," she said. "Though, I'll leave out that Kallia is tending to the injury. I hope you do get the chance to see her. She is very good, and I know that seeing you again will brighten her mood considerably."

Keeve smiled wryly. "I have to think about it, but thank you for giving me the option. I guess you're not such a bitch after all."

Oot grinned. "Only when I want to be," she said. "If you can, track down that holocube in the reception hall. Or, if you'd like, I do have a copy still on my ship. If you don't mind my saying, I think you and Maeren would make a very attractive couple, for humans. I can only imagine how beautiful and full of life your children would be."

The prospect Oot spoke of almost made Keeve's mind up for him. Unless he could find a reason to do otherwise, he'd watch Shiv dance. Anything more, he'd decide when he got there. "With Maeren's looks, there's no way they could be anything but beautiful. Thanks again, Ms. Kovan. And don't worry about the holocube. I've already had someone retrieve it."

Oot smiled and gave him a nod of encouragement. "Good luck to you, Keeve," she said. "Make her happy. You wouldn't believe, even when she's sad, how her eyes light up when she speaks of you. Perhaps I'll see you again soon." With that, she started backing up the ramp while still watching him.

Keeve hadn't expected it, but he was growing to appreciate the Twi'lek. He had accepted her assistance, so it was only right he think of her as something other than a bitch, and helpful acquaintance was an accurate enough title for Oot Kovan. He waved to the woman as she reached the top of the ramp. Once she disappeared within the ship, Keeve's eyes strayed to the plastisheet card held between his fingers. He didn't know for certain yet if he would attend the show, but if he did, it would only be to watch her from afar...or so he tried telling himself.

With a dry chuckle, Keeve began making his way back to his quarters. Kallia would be getting restless without him, and he needed to quench the urges the thought of Shiv dancing inspired; though, Kallia wouldn't know he was thinking of Maeren while making love to her, as he always did. And if that wasn't enough to satisfy him, he'd watch the recording on the holocube, even though it contained a crying Shiv. One look at her would be enough for him, and that was all. He could survive with only a look...for a little while at least.

***

Dargus Kandran slipped his arm around Yelara's waist and planted a kiss on her throat. "It's nearing time for us to leave. I just need to speak with the doctor and the pilot, but then we'll be ready to go. Are you ready, my love? It's been a long time since I visited Corellia. Perhaps with you there at my side, I can make some good memories."

"We will, Dargus." She smiled. "My treat. I have to go pick up Leshie anyway, so I'll meet you at the ship. Though, what do you need to speak with the doctor about? Nothing's wrong is it?"

"Nothing at all," Dargus said with a smile. "He's working on a new project, and I just wanted to make sure things are going well."

"Alright." She sighed as she looked over her shoulder at the last of the departing guests. "At our next wedding, could you invite less people, my love? I think half of them were only here for the food anyway."

Dargus smiled as he pulled her into his embrace once more. "Anything for you, my love. Though, I really don't think I want to know what the other half were here for." He couldn't help wondering just how many of them had shown up to be able to try to kill him. At least no one tried openly, and security was very tight. "Did you wish to say goodbye to Kallia before we leave?"

Yelara lightly swatted Dargus on the chest. "Of course I do! How could I leave for a week without saying goodbye to my lover? Though, I wonder how much she'll miss me with Keeve occupying all her spare time."

"I'll go talk to the doctor, and you go give her something to keep her thinking about you while we're gone."

"That's alright, my love. I think I can give her something to remember me by." She grinned mischievously and tenderly kissed Dargus. "I'll meet you later, dear husband." Yelara began backing away towards the door. "Don't leave without me!"

"If I did that," Dargus said with a smile, "then I'd be leaving the best part of me behind."

"No need to sweet-talk me, Dargus. We're already married, remember?"

"And, I want to keep it that way," Dargus said with a sly grin. "Now, get going. I'll see you soon." He started after her toward the door, even though their destinations would be different. "I'd ask you to give her a kiss from me, but I don't want you to get the wrong idea."

"You and she had something before," Yelara stated. "I'm fine with it, Dargus." As they stepped into the corridor, she kissed him once again. "I'll give her one for you. I love you and I'll see you soon." With a gentle laugh, Yelara waved at him and skipped her way down the corridor.

Dargus stood in place, watching her go. Finally, as she turned a corner, he shook his head and laughed. So this is what it feels like to be truly happy, Dargus thought as he turned down the corridor to see the doctor. I wonder what my master would have to say. He'd worry about that another time. For now, he was just content to revel in the happiness and joy he'd found with Yelara.

***

With her ear pressed to the door, all Yelara could do was snicker at the piercing, sometimes startling cries coming from Keeve's chambers. She was no longer shocked or perturbed to know that her lover was sharing herself with another; in fact she found it amusing. Yelara waited until she heard the characteristic whimpering shriek Kallia emitted whenever she had reached climax, and once it did assail her ears, Yelara casually strolled into the room.

Keeve had just collapsed onto his back beside Kallia, and her lover was lying limp on the bed, save for the heaving of her chest with every rapid breath she took. Sweat shone on both their naked bodies and both looked quite content. "How sweet," she commented playfully. "I'm beginning to wonder why neither of you ever invite me to join in."

Kallia giggled and then held her arms out toward Yelara. "I would love to have you join us," she said. "Oh gods, Yel, would you believe Keeve is getting even better? It won't be long and he'll be one of those sexual masters you hear about. When you get back, oh gods, please join us. I think the three of us together going at it...we could probably melt a hole through the deckplates."

Yelara made a sound of approval as she sat upon the bed. "Well, he looks quite pleased with himself. I would watch the praise, my love. His ego will only expand and eventually grow too big for this ship."

"It's not my ego Kal's interested in," Keeve quipped.

Yelara looked pointedly at Keeve's organ, then shrugged. "Doesn't appear too extraordinary. I guess you make up for it in technique."

Keeve smirked. "Screw you...mother."

"Oh, what a sweet boy!" Yelara laughed and reached across Kallia to lightly slap Keeve's bare thigh. "Now, if you two are done playing, do you think I can say my goodbyes?"

Kallia grinned and ran a hand along the silky fabric of Yelara's equadi. "Is there time for a goodbye romp? My love, do you have any idea how positively sexy you look in that?"

"Oh, I have some idea," she replied. "But unfortunately, I don't have time to show you how sexy I look without it. Dargus and I have to go. But we'll be back in a week."

Kallia playfully pouted for Yelara, and then slid off the bed. "I'll miss you," she said. "Have fun; you've deserved it. And, don't worry about us, we'll make sure nothing happens while you're gone. I heard Dargus going over everything with Keeve before, and I must say that Dargus is leaving the operation in very good hands while he's away. Plus, you're just a short comm call away if anything does happen." She held her arms open to Yelara and smiled. "I love you, Yel."

Yelara didn't waste time in rising from the bed and embracing Kallia. "I love you too, and when I get back, you and I will have our day. I promise."

"I know," Kallia said, and then kissed Yel. By the end of the kiss, her knees were weak and the throb that Keeve had already sated had returned full-force between her thighs. She knew her lover couldn't stay, and so she took a step back to allow Yelara a chance to say her goodbyes to Keeve.

"You'd better keep her happy while I'm gone," Yelara told Keeve, but her smile all but removed any trace of menace from her warning. "And I want you to be happy too," she whispered to him.

"I am, Yel," he replied. "Really, I am."

"Good. I won't have my son moping around the cruiser while a beautiful woman is in his bed, ready and willing to put a smile on his face." She laughed softly and leaned over to kiss Keeve's brow. "I'll see you when I get back."

Keeve smiled at Yel. "Sure. Have a nice trip, mommy."

"Brat," Yelara teased. She turned back around to face Kallia and gave her a brief kiss before taking a step away. "I'll miss you both. Have fun around here, okay?"

Kallia flopped back onto the bed and let a hand idly trail up Keeve's thigh to his groin. "I'm sure we'll find something around here to keep us occupied," she said, and then gave Yelara a wave. "Have fun! I love you! Bye!" She couldn't stop laughing as she pressed her body against Keeve while waving her goodbyes to the woman she loved.

"Oh gods," she whispered to Keeve, "I'm going to miss her."

Keeve pulled Kallia on top of him and smoothed his hands over the curve of her rear. "No you won't," he said with a hungry smile. "Care for me to demonstrate?"

"Yes," Kallia said with a grin. "I think you will need to demonstrate. Possibly twice."

"I actually had something else in mind. But--" He kissed her roughly. "This'll work for now." Keeve surged upwards and rolled Kallia onto her back, while he straddled her waist. Without wasting time, Keeve immediately started in upon pleasuring her. It was an effective way of taking her mind off Yelara, but once Dargus and his new wife departed for Corellia, Keeve would make certain Kallia would never even remember her lover, let alone miss her. Though it was becoming more likely he would see Shiv again, he still thought it nice to have a willing slave on the side, and Kallia would definitely make a perfect one.

***

Dargus broke into a beaming smile as Yelara strode into the flight deck. He stepped away from the man he'd been talking to and approached her. "I really wish I could convince you to dress like that all the time," he said. "Though, if you did, I'd never be able to concentrate on anything else."

"Leshie seems to like it too. Easier access to his mother's milk." Yelara bounced her child gently in her arms and smiled fondly at the laughter she induced. "You don't mind that I'm bringing him, do you, my love?"

Dargus smiled at the infant. "Not at all. He's your child, and together we'll raise him. He belongs with us." He reached in a finger to tickle at Leshie's belly. "He has your smile."

Leshie's squeal of delight and his ensuing laughter almost overjoyed Yelara. He seemed to like his new father. She hoped he remembered nothing of Liam, for his own sake. "I want him to bear your name, Dargus. I want him to be ours. That he's got Liam's blood in him is bad enough. I want nothing more to trace this child back to him. As far as I'm concerned, he was born Va'Lesh Kandran. That's how I want it to always be."

"Then he shall be Va'Lesh Kandran. I would be proud to have him bear my name. When we return from our honeymoon, we can make it official with the Tae'Karadan officials. He'll be ours and only ours, my love."

Yelara expelled a breath of relief and leaned against Dargus. "Yes, my love," she whispered. "Then everything will be perfect. Let's be on our way, then. I can't wait to introduce the family to Orinth."

Dargus put one arm around her waist and the other continued to tickle Leshie. "Eventually we'll live in the palace on Tae'Karada, but how would you like a home on Corellia too? A large home with lots of space and land. I've never really had much property other than my ships. I think I'd like a mansion of our very own."

"Where Leshie and Yara could run around, and Keeve and Kallia can have as much sex as they wanted in their sound-proofed room without shattering all the chandeliers." Yelara smiled dreamily. "Sounds wonderful, my lord."

"Idyllic," Dargus said as they ascended the ramp to the ship. Once they were inside, the ramp closed, sealing them inside and away from the rest of the ship. And, with that, Dargus and Yelara Kandran's honeymoon had begun.

"Resistance Movement"
by Tyriam "Ty" Kat'Ritara [NPC+]
Tasia Harough [NPC+]
and Chrak [NPC+]

Location: Drogen Shipyards
Date: Eos 12, 4ABY

***

Tyriam Kat'Ritara stole back through the darkened, unused corridors of the Drogen Shipyards. The sounds of air traffic behind him had diminished to nothing. The datapad he carried had been safely tucked into the side pocket of his pants, and his portable computer was strapped to his back. He came to another intersection and slowed his movement. At the corner, he glanced down both directions and then fled across and down further into the darkness.

Since the station had been abandoned, he'd more or less been on his own, along with a few others. Their resistance was in the early stages, but they were doing well so far. He was on his way back from an intelligence gathering mission, and he had things to report. At least they hadn't caught Mrs. Anoran yet, and Captain Kir was still free as well, according to what he'd found.

Ahead of him, a light flickered. The signal. He brought his hand down to the handlamp at his belt, and flashed it back at the person who'd signalled him. Once the signs had been given, he sped his way.

"Success," he whispered. "They didn't detect me, and we're still safe. They know something's up, but they don't know who it is."

The woman blending in with the shadows swept a loose strand of brown hair from her eye and pulled Ty deeper into the shadows. "Good. You make sure they never find out either or you'll put us all into jeopardy."

The stench of feces and urine was thick in the air, and although it was tough to stand at times, at least it kept the Imps away. As the two crept through the narrow passageway, Tasia Harough forced down her associates head and smiled at him in the darkness. "You always forget about that low-hanging pipe, don't you?"

Ty chuckled softly. "Yeah," he said. "You'd think after the first seven times, I would have learned. And, don't worry, I'm careful snooping around. I honestly don't think this place is high enough priority to station a good slicer here. Their online security is pathetic. I've got all the data I downloaded in a datapad. We can go over it when we're out of here. I'm buying this time, aren't I?"

Tasia's chocolate eyes flashed with humour. "Who taught you those manners, young man? Don't you know you're never supposed to ask a woman that question? Especially attractive, dangerous women."

Ty chuckled again. "I'll take that as a yes," he said. "And, I learned my manners within the confines of a corporate enclave, nearly chained to my desk. Which I imagine is still quite a bit better than the way men are raised here. I don't think I could ever ask anyone to put on one of those flimsy excuses for a dress, let alone to wear it in public."

Tasia grinned at Ty and slipped her arm across his shoulders. "Not even me?" She chuckled lowly and patted him on the back. "I'd like the see the day when I could show up in the repair bay wearing nothing but a transparent sheet and not get accosted. Hells, even coated in grease and wearing a flightsuit I get leered at." Her wistful sigh was easily drowned out by their heavy boots disturbing the puddles beneath their feet. She never bothered to find out what she was stepping in half the time. It was better not to ask. "We're gonna make this place better, Ty," she continued. "You can count on it."

"We've got a good group working with us, Tasia," he said. "I know together we can do what needs to be done to get our home back. And, I think you'd look damn nice in one of those dresses, but I don't think it'd be a good idea to wear one on the flight deck with Chak around." He put an arm around her shoulders and grinned. "We're gonna do it, I can feel it."

"Yeah, well we've still got a long way to go, Ty. But at least we've covered a lot of ground so far." Once again, Tasia didn't want to know what she'd just stepped in, though it did give way under her feet. She'd definitely need a new pair of boots.

The two threaded their way around stacked crates and make-shift shelters constructed from discarded hullplating and blankets that served as beds. If she hadn't lived among such poverty and pitiful conditions for so long, she would have felt only disgust towards those who called this their home. It was hers too, now that the Imps had practically driven all civilians into the lower sectors. In doing so, they'd only succeeded in uniting them.

In the darkness, the flickering neon sign of Danebra's Den lit the way, acting as a beacon to all who yearned to liberate their home. Ty and Tasia were drawn to it, as all their associates were, and easily gained entry by the guard. Even down below there were security checks, but only to weed out the Imps from the scum. Only the scum gained entrance to this place.

The jizz music was loud and obnoxious, much like the patrons who frequented the bar. The drinks weren't watered down, though, which was the only good thing Tasia could say about the place. The thing she hated most, though, was the chairs were always sticky. She'd ruined more than one good pair of pants sitting in them, discussing plots to overthrow their oppressors. Though, all had to sacrifice for one cause or another.

As they strode into the rowdy bar, searching for a vacant table, Tasia groaned. "Oh, look. Our good friend's saved us a seat. Do we run for cover or give him a break and let him buy us a drink?"

"Saves me from having to cough up credits," Ty said. "Don't worry though, I'm still buying you a drink...just maybe after he's tapped. Come on, I think Chrak will want to know what I found tonight too."

With that, they approached the table. They weren't more than halfway to him, when the large human noticed them. Most people claimed that Chrak was part Wookiee because of his size, just never to his face.

"Ty," he shouted. "You brought me a present! Oh, Tasia, is that you? Looking even more gorgeous tonight. Sit. Let me buy you a drink. Bespin Hurricanes are the special tonight."

Tasia smirked at him. "Half price as well, I'm sure."

"Of course not," Chrak said, waving off her jab. "They're forty percent off. Half? Bah. So, order up, and it's on Chrak. Though, not literally, not like last time."

As she sat, Tasia jutted her forefinger out at him. "Well you should've been paying better attention to where your hands were."

"Oh, I think I was paying plenty of attention to where they were," Chrak muttered. "Just not to where your hands were."

Ty laughed and pulled the datapad from his pocket and set it on the table. "That's what I pulled tonight."

Tasia slid the padd towards her and quickly scrolled through the intel collected. "So, they've turned another hangar bay into another construction facility. I'd like to know exactly what they're building."

"Something big by the amount of space they're taking up," Ty said. "And, they've converted Bay Seventy into more fighter storage. What are they planning with all this? They have the planet already. It's like...I don't know. It's like they're planning an invasion of somewhere."

Chrak looked over the information. "Capital ships for sure, though, there's something more. You don't think they'd try to build another one of those space station things here, do you? Those death star things?"

"I don't know where they'd get the raw materials," Tasia said. "Besides, this station isn't big enough to accommodate such a large scale building project." She signalled the waitress over, but never took her eyes from the padd. "Have you been tracking their shipments? I wanna know what they've bringing in and what's been going out. That could provide us with some clues."

"They've got raw materials coming in, but all tracking data's been removed. The amount of durasteel they've got coming in here is phenomenal. They also have a new fabrication plant being built on decks one hundred forty through forty-five. I'll try to get better numbers next time I'm in the system. I also tried to grab some system surveillance holo-captures. We can view them once we can get to a holo-unit."

"Good." Tasia smiled briefly at the girl, at whom Chrak had hollered their drink order, and who was now delivering their three Bespin Hurricanes to them. None said a word while she carried out her duties, and once she passed, it was back to the matter at hand. "We've gotta get a hold of their schematics, Ty. If we can get blueprints for what they're working on, we can tip off the Rebels. Maybe then the New Republic will get off their asses and help us."

"I'll try to grab something tomorrow," Ty said. "It'll be tough, but with the way they've got their security set up here, I can get in. Don't worry though, I'll take all the precautions. I've seen too many people get cocky, and then crash it all. What we're doing is too important for that."

Tasia shot Chrak a stern glare before he could burst into jeering laughter. He always did think the boy was too idealistic and naive. "I don't think we'll be single-handedly overthrowing the Empire," Tasia said, "but I do think we can make a difference, Ty. It would help, though if we could get some decent weapons. Chrak, you heard from anyone on that yet?"

"I made contact with a guy," Chrak said, "but it's still unconfirmed. He'll need to get them past the Imps, but I can arrange a meeting for us if you'd like. It'll cost, but I think between all of us we can come up with what we need."

"Especially with as stingy as you are," Tasia teased as she held up her drink.

Chrak held up his glass and clinked it against hers. "Stingy keeps me alive and fed," he said. "If I hadn't hoarded all of my money, we'd be drinking water right now and there'd be no chance of acquiring any weapons. And, even if it's cheap, the Hurricane is a damn tasty drink."

"Maybe if you don't mind having the insides of your throat burned away," Ty added.

Tasia winced as the liquid left a trail of fire down her throat, just as Ty had warned of, but she recovered quickly and raised her glass to Chrak again in a sign of approval. "You can buy me drinks anytime, Chrak. But you still don't get to touch."

"I guess I can live with that," Chrak said. "I bet you'd let Ty touch though."

Ty glared across the table and then looked away.

Tasia ignored Chrak's remark and simply smiled at Ty. "I want you to do something for me, Ty. While I was on the repair deck the other day, a smuggler came in. I want you to find out some things about him. He might just be of use to us."

"You got it, Tasia," he said. "I'm sure I'll be able to find out a few things he doesn't even know about himself. Who is he and what do you know of him so far?"

"Last name's Taro and he came in the other day. He's been spotted down here a couple times, but no one's paid much attention to him. I figure we check him out, and if he has something to offer us, we recruit him."

"Sounds good," Ty said. "I'll dig up what I can, and get it to you first thing. If he's good... It'll be good to have a smuggler working for us, especially one who can get on and off the station."

Tasia chuckled wryly. "Who said he can get off the station? Just getting in was tough enough; I doubt they'd let him leave now. Still, he might have connections on the outside, someone who can bring things in, even if it's a one way trip for them." She sighed and shrugged lightly. "I guess we'll see, just like we always do. It all comes down to hope, doesn't it? You've just gotta believe, and things will happen. At least if you're lucky they will."

Ty raised his glass again. "To luck," he said. "So far, we've had lots of it, and all of it good. Let's hope our streak can continue."

"And if it runs out," Tasia added, touching her glass to Ty's, "we're taking those bastard Imps down with us."

Chrak touched his glass to both Tasia and Ty's and belched his concurrence. "With a really big bang," he said, and then drained his glass.

Tasia rolled her eyes, but couldn't help chuckling lightly. As obnoxious as Chrak was, and as young as Ty was, she wouldn't trade her boys in for anyone or anything. They were loyal, good at what they did, and hated the Imps as passionately as she did. Together, they made a perfectly dangerous team. Tasia brought the rim of her glass to her lips and grinned. She liked danger.

"Preparations For The Inevitable, Part 1"
By: Koran Darr
Laedra Vorrel
Liam Zaneth
and Nieme Yaresh-Selrid

Location: The Jedi Temple
Date: Eos 12, 4ABY

***

As Koran reviewed the schematics hovering above the holographic projector resting atop the table, all Laedra could do was watch Liam. He'd barely said a word to either of them throughout the entire meeting and at first, Laedra had feared he'd discovered the illicit affair she'd had with Koran. But the pain she felt in his heart, the barely contained agony... He didn't love her enough to suffer such powerful emotions over her betrayal. No, it was something else, something far worse. Laedra was afraid to discover what.

She sighed softly and turned her attention to Koran. His aura was glowing brightly - brighter than usual - and she knew it was due to their night of passion. She exchanged a brief, but significant gaze with him, then smiled slightly and regarded the plans Koran had acquired from the Red Dragons. They were to attack the depot in a few hours, but Laedra felt nowhere near ready. With Liam in the state he was, she didn't think he could carry out the mission either.

Koran, however, seemed confident enough, and arrogantly, yet accurately, Laedra contributed it to herself. She knew what would be expected of her now, that Koran would want more time alone with her, but after last night, she wasn't certain she could carry on the ruse for much longer. As blinded by desperation as she had become, Laedra's conscience was still functioning and it was reproaching her even now for what she was doing. She had strayed from the path again; Koran should have banished her when he had the chance.

Koran glanced down at the comm unit and frowned. He'd been going over the data for their attack, and had decided to include Raxis L'Ygr and the Red Dragons in this final stage of their preparation. There was no answer on L'Ygr's comm.

He looked up at Laedra, who was busier studying the far wall than the schematics or the upcoming tasks. As he studied his two companions, he realized that each of them lacked focus. A self-study revealed the same for himself, and he quickly went through a technique to gather his thoughts. "Before we leave," he said after a few more moments of tense silence, "I believe we require meditation to put us in a state of readiness."

"Should we not simply postpone the attack, Master?" Laedra finally gathered the courage to again meet his gaze. "We've barely had a day. We...are not ready."

Koran nodded. "Perhaps that is for the best," he said. "Still, I believe perhaps some meditation will help each of us. I am still unable to contact the Red Dragons, so perhaps postponing is for the best."

Laedra inclined her head pensively. "Master, I do not believe doing this with the aid of the Red Dragons is wise. I sensed much doubt and hesitation in Raxis L'Ygr. If his friends share the same uncertainty, performing the raid with them will only increase the level of risk for us all."

"I agree," Koran said. "However, if the two of you remain as unfocused, the presence of the Red Dragons would be inconsequential."

Liam looked up. It was almost as if he was seeing them in the room for the first time. "I'm sorry," he said softly.

Laedra lowered her eyes and bowed her head. "Forgive me, Master. I believe some meditation would indeed be a good idea."

"It's understandable," Koran said. "When do you feel you will be mentally focused enough to resume our plans to attack the depot?"

"I am ready, Master," Laedra replied. "I will concentrate."

"Are you up for it today? Or should we wait?"

Laedra sighed, then gave Koran a resolute nod. "I am ready to discuss the plans, Master. The attack should wait, but I believe my mind is focused enough for discussion."

"Very well," Koran said, and moved back to the still-rotating schematic. "As long as we retain our focus, the troops guarding the facility should not pose much threat. Only if their numbers have been increased dramatically will we have cause to worry about the Empire's regular troops. Tarkin's elite guards have more training, and they may prove more difficult. However, they are seldom found outside of Tarkin's immediate area. Our escape, in my estimation, will be our greatest challenge."

"That should not prove too difficult," Laedra said. "We simply find another exit. Are there no ventilation ducts?"

"There are," Koran said. "Though, it's not the escape from the depot that will be the challenge. We will have to get out of Arcadia. I think we should manage that easily enough though. I believe the three of us are skilled enough that we can blend in when we need to. We'll want to leave behind Jedi clothing and wear something non-descript."

"The point is, however, that Grand Admiral Tarkin knows it was the Jedi who attacked," Laedra mentioned. "If the lightsabers don't tip them off, we'll need to leave behind a calling card of sorts."

"Oh, I'm certain he'll know," Koran said as he slowly moved around the schematic. "Getting out of Arcadia though, I don't want to have to fight our way back to New Plouton and then the Temple. But, while we're there, we'll make sure they know who we are."

"We could split up," Laedra suggested. She glanced at Liam, who still seemed lost in deep thought unrelated to the current conversation. All she could do was sigh and recant her previous statement. "Or, we could always hide underground. I'm sure Mr. L'Ygr is familiar with the sewage systems running beneath the city, since he and his gang are fond of cowering in the shadows."

"If we can get ahold of him," Koran said, "perhaps he can lend us his expertise. We should have a primary plan for getting out of Arcadia, and then a backup plan."

"Backup plan is we split up," Laedra said. "At least we increase the chances of one of us making it to the Temple and getting help for the others...if one of us is caught."

"The primary plan? We just try to walk out, looking as if we belong there? If we run, we're suspect. If we try to blend in, we will draw less suspicion."

Laedra shrugged. "Then we shall blend in. We should perhaps still agree on a meeting location if we do get separated. It can't hurt to plan for a variety of contingencies, even if it seems tedious."

"Extra back-up plans are a good idea," Koran said. "How about we meet at the library? It's a central location we're all familiar with."

Laedra nodded her head in assent, then looked pointedly to Liam. "Does that sound acceptable to you, Liam?"

Liam looked up suddenly, almost as if he were startled. "The library sounds fine," he said. "It's a suitable location."

Koran frowned as he watched Liam, and couldn't help getting the sense that he was...broken. He glanced to Laedra, hoping that she might have some answers. "You want some time alone?" he mouthed to her.

Laedra sighed inaudibly and nodded to Koran.

"I will go check on the power cell rechargers," Koran said. "We'll need to make sure our lightsabers are fully charged for this. I'll return shortly." He moved to the door and gave Laedra a meaningful look. And, then he quickly started out the door and down the hall, leaving Liam and Laedra alone.

It was uncomfortable, tense silence for a few moments as Liam continued staring out the faceted, multi-coloured window while she wondered if he truly had discovered the truth about she and Koran. There was only one sure way to find out. "Liam...what is it?" she asked gently. "Is everything okay? You seem so...distant today." Laedra tentatively placed her hand atop his, resting on the table. "Talk to me, Liam. Please."

"It's Yelara," Liam said as he looked up at her. "She-- She married him. She married Dargus Kandran. I was... I was training, and I felt it."

Laedra experienced a twinge of relief and satisfaction, even though she knew there was no place for it while Liam was grieving as he was. There was a sense of finality in knowing Yelara had bound herself to Dargus; perhaps Liam could fully move on now and devote his attentions solely to her. "I-I'm sorry," was all she could think of to say while she revelled in her good fortune. "But...maybe this is the closure you need to finally give up on her, Liam. Pining for her further can only cause you more pain, my love, and...I can't bear to see you suffering anymore. I'm sorry for what happened, but maybe it's for the best."

Liam looked up at her. Where there would normally have been anger, only resignation remained. "As long as she isn't in my life," he said, "I will suffer. I hurt her terribly, and I don't know if I can live with the pain I caused her. I'll never see her again; I'll never see my son. I betrayed the trust she placed in me, the bond that we forged as lovers and in our marriage, by sleeping with another. I will try to move on with my life, however."

"Try?" Laedra repeated. "What do you mean, Liam? Where-- Where does that leave us then?"

Liam looked away for a moment, and then back to Lae. "I-- I don't know, Laedra. I need to get through this. I need to get through this pain, this loss."

As calm and composed as she attempted to remain, Laedra's breathing hastened and the blood drained from her face from sudden panic. He was going to leave her; she knew it. "Liam...please don't," she begged quietly. Her hands framed his face and she desperately searched his eyes for some sign of his intentions. "Oh gods, Liam... You're not-- Please don't do this to me, Liam. Don't leave me."

Liam moved to her and took Laedra into his arms. "I'm not leaving," he whispered. "I'm still here, Lae. It's just, I need a little time to work through this. I need to sort out my own feelings, but I'll never stop loving you."

Laedra sighed unsteadily and clung tightly to Liam. "Then what are you saying, Liam?" she whispered. "Some time alone? If it's time alone you need, Liam, I'll give it to you, as long as you promise I won't lose you."

"I just need time to think, to meditate," Liam said. "Time when I'm not pushed or pulled in any direction. I just need some time to work through my feelings." He sighed. "I need to grieve."

"And...I'm preventing you from doing that?" Laedra pulled back slightly and regarded Liam. "Liam...am I causing you to suffer? If I am, please tell me."

"No," Liam whispered. "No, it's not you. I just wanted you to know...that's what I need, and that's why I'm...like I am. It's not you, Lae. If it weren't for you, I don't think I'd have as much strength as I do right now."

"I-I won't leave your side again, then," she said. "Like I did last night." Laedra kissed him tenderly. "I promise. I'll be with you always, Liam. I'll help you through this, my love. Together, we can end your pain."

"I missed you last night," Liam said with a chuckle. "If I knew you were going to be gone all night, I wouldn't have resisted Dani's advances."

Laedra laughed weakly. "If I'd known you'd miss me this much, I would have done everything to get back here, into your arms." She once again embraced him and rested her cheek upon his shoulder. "I love you, Liam. I hope that gives you some comfort."

"It does," Liam whispered. "Knowing that whatever may happen I'll still have you, here with me, loving me...it helps very much, Laedra."

"I'm glad," she said softly. "Now, are you ready for the attack, Liam, or should we postpone it? I don't want you getting injured because you cannot focus."

"I'm ready," Liam said. "Once we get out there, I'll be focused and ready. I know, despite whatever grief I'm feeling, I can still maintain my focus when I need to. I don't look forward to when the need for focus ends though."

"When it does," Laedra told him, "I'll be there to help you hold everything together, Liam." She kissed his cheek lovingly. "Come, my love. We'll meditate. I think we could both do with a little centering."

"That sounds like a perfect idea," Liam said. "And, tomorrow we'll be ready to make a difference for the New Republic."

Laedra grinned as she brushed her fingers over Liam's lips. "And tonight, I'll show you just how much I missed you."

"I love you, Laedra," Liam whispered. "And, while you're showing me how much you've missed me, I'll show you how much I love you and need you in my life."

Laedra was finally allowed a sigh of relief. "I can't wait. I'll make you smile again, Liam. I won't be satisfied until I do." She slipped her hand into his and slid out of the chair she had been seated in. "Let's go to the training room. We can meditate there."

Liam stood and raised Laedra's hand to his lips. "Some meditation, and then perhaps you, Koran, and I can do some training together. I think it'll be a good idea for us to train together before we go and raid an Imperial supply depot."

"I await that with anticipation." Laedra grinned. "I have a feeling I will give you quite the challenge. Koran says I have improved much." She shrugged. "We will have to see."

"Oh, I'm sure we will," Liam said with a grin. "Though, I've learned a few tricks as well. I'll keep you on your toes, but I think we'll both have to watch out for Jedi Master Koran Darr."

Laedra gave Liam a secretive smile. "Oh, I think I can handle Master Darr." She kissed Liam's cheek quickly, before he could jump to conclusions, most likely the correct ones. "So, what was this about Dani and advances, my dear Liam?"

"Oh, I'm surprised she hasn't tried to seduce you as well," Liam said with a grin. "Well, she and Nieme. I think they're taking their roles as Junior Diplomats and making sure everyone is happy in a different direction than was intended. I think someone will have to have a talk with them. I think they're also taking advantage of the lifting of the bans of attachment and celibacy."

"We already knew that," Laedra teased. "They've been sleeping with each other since I arrived here. You must have known that, Liam."

"Yes, I know that. It's the other people in the Temple I believe they're trying to seduce. I know they've made passes at Koran. I'm not sure about Kal'Aran or Quinlan yet though."

"Innocent flirtation," Laedra replied. "Besides, it is a good test of our self-restraint. If we can resist two beautiful, vibrant young women, we truly have mastered our focus."

Liam chuckled. "I think if I weren't with you, I might be curious to find out what it was like with a young, nubile Zeltros woman."

"Well, you will never get that chance, Liam, because I plan to be with you for a very long time." Laedra smiled warmly. "I hope that's alright with you."

Liam checked as they neared the training room. "I think I can be satisfied with that," he said. "Very satisfied, as a matter of fact."

Laedra felt her heart leap. He didn't sound as if he would be abandoning her anytime soon. Maybe he would forget Yelara sooner than later...she hoped.

Through the small opening in the training room door, the characteristic sounds of a remote firing and the hum of a swinging lightsaber drifted into the corridor. "Is he training already?" Laedra muttered. "Without us?"

"It definitely sounds like it," Liam said. "Maybe he got bored while giving us our time alone."

"Well." Laedra unclipped her lightsaber and held it up before her. With a mischievous smile for Liam, she said, "We're crashing." Before Liam could even think of arguing, Laedra pushed open the door with her foot and pulled Liam into the room. Koran seemed oblivious to their presence and simply carried on with the intricate dance he was performing to the music of remote fire. Laedra shot Liam a wink as she hollered, "Having fun, Master?"

"Much fun," Koran said, snapping his blade around to block a bolt of energy. It appeared that Liam and Laedra's presence neither startled nor impeded his defense against the remotes. "Care to join me?"

Laedra ignited the pink blade of her lightsaber. "I'm so glad you asked, Master." She smiled at Liam as she gave him a nod of encouragement. "I bet together, we could show him a thing or two."

"The way he moves that saber of his," Liam said with a raised eyebrow, "it'll take two of us to show him. But, I think you're right."

"Well, then get your lightsaber out. I'll wear him down for you." Laedra grinned at Liam as she moved into the centre of the training circle to join Koran. "Is that the lowest setting, Master? It isn't too much for you I hope."

"Would you prefer something more challenging, my young Padawan?" Koran asked as he started circling around opposite Laedra.

Laedra shrugged slightly. "If you believe it will enhance my training, Master, then yes."

Koran reached out a hand, and all three could see the setting dial on the remote spin slowly as he increased the power. Additionally, four other remotes rose from a nearby table, and swivelled toward the center of the room, ready to begin the training. "This will more closely approximate what we'll be seeing with the Imperials."

"Then they will be easily dispatched," Laedra quipped. She held her lightsaber before her and positioned herself into a readied stance. Although she attempted to do so, it was difficult to clear her mind of all that preoccupied her lately. But when the first shot fired, she managed to easily parry it away. "Easy enough," she commented with barely a glance in Koran's direction.

Koran smiled, and then stepped out of the circle. As he did, he waved at the hovering remotes, activating their practice scenarios. A moment, later, the air was filled with crimson, orange, and cobalt bursts of energy. The Jedi Master studied Laedra's technique as her pink blade flashed across the arcs of the weapons fire. He did not let his appraisal of her skill show on his face; she didn't need the boost to her ego right now.

Laedra was surprised at how easily she was deflecting the oncoming bolts, and how the lightsaber had ceased to become an instrument of defense and was now simply an extension of her body. She moved with fluid grace and skill, and for once in a long while, felt the Force working through her, seamlessly melding with her being. The moment of clarity and focus was almost shattered by the look of adoration and love she detected in Koran's eyes. Even then he loved her, yet still she felt nothing for him.

Laedra grunted as she was forced to bring her blade in an awkward placement across her chest to avoid a blaster shot; she had lost her focus in a simple training session. She wondered how badly she would fare, in comparison, during their attack on the depot. Suffice to say, she wasn't in the least optimistic.

"Focus," Koran urged softly, gently. "Find your focus again."

Liam moved silently along the outside of the circle, observing the patterns of the remotes and the way Laedra moved to defend against them. Good, he thought. Very good. Very much improved, my love.

Laedra searched for the calm and focus Koran encouraged, and with one look into Liam's eyes, she found it. She wished more than anything Koran could provide the same for her, and with as much as he loved her, he should have been able to; but Laedra knew it wasn't to be so, at least not yet.

Back on track now, she strayed from simple defensive postures to more elaborate manoeuvres. She hoped to impress both men with her newfound prowess, and to give them assurances that during the battle, they could ensure their own safety without having to defend her. Although she had been stripped of her title, Laedra Vorrel was still a Jedi Knight, and would eventually prove to Koran she deserved to hold the rank again.

Laedra neutralized the final crimson bolt in the sequence with an effective, yet unnecessary spin. When she came about-face again, a smooth downward slash from her blade ended the training exercise, and hopefully impressed both her men. With an efficacious sigh, Laedra de-ignited her blade and clipped the hilt to her belt again. "Not bad. Though, the remotes were a little slow."

"Quite slow," Koran said with a smile. "Liam?"

"No thank you," Liam said softly. "I was practicing earlier today. My form is good, I assure you."

Koran nodded. "Very well," he said. "How about three of us together against the remotes, just to give us practice working together."

"Yes," Laedra agreed readily. She regarded Liam and gave him a nod of encouragement. "Yes, that sounds wonderful."

Liam unclipped his lightsaber and held the hilt ready. "That, I am willing to do," he said.

"Good," Koran said, and moved into the centre of the room with Liam and Laedra. "We have five seconds before the remotes go live again. Prepare yourselves."

"Hey!"

All three looked to the doorway where Nieme had appeared, with a large smile on her face. "Can I watch?"

Koran motioned toward the chairs lining the edge of the room. "Be our guest," he said with a smile.

As Nieme scampered into the room and plunked herself down onto the seat, Laedra laughed softly at the girl and activated her lightsaber again. "You lead, Master. We are only the lowly pupils, after all."

With a wave of his hand, Koran activated the training remotes hovering around them. In an instant, the air was filled with the whine of blaster discharges and many bolts of iridescent light. Koran's green blade was already ignited and effortlessly parrying the blasts headed in his direction. His movements were smooth and precise with no effort wasted.

Liam's cobalt blade, made from a special crystal seldom used in lightsabers, moved with equal grace, but his style was different from Koran's. Liam was more flashy, but without being too much of a showman. Despite that, however, he was fast, agile, and very precise with the blade. While his skills may not have been exactly equal to Koran's, it was clear that he was close.

No less skilled than either of them, Laedra's pink blade swung and her body moved in a manner reflecting a combination of different techniques. Ina had taught her well, but having been alone for so long, she couldn't help develop her own fighting style. It complimented her flexibility and compensated for her lack of substantial physical strength. With her twists and turns, and intricate, light steps, she could easily evade any attacker, much as she was doing with the remote fire now.

The three of them worked as one to eliminate the minor threat from the remotes, their three blades arching through the air and not once accidentally clashing. They were all perfectly in control, and as Nieme watched them, she felt awe and a slowly rising anxiety. The orange streaks of light being deflected into the floor and walls by blue, pink, green blades... It was ominous and familiar somehow, and suddenly very frightening.

"No," she whispered. Nieme groaned and flew from the chair. "No! Stop!" With little regard for her own safety, she threw herself into the fray, narrowly avoiding being struck by the energy pulses before Laedra ordered the remotes to power down. Nieme was left standing in the center of the training room with her face flushed pale and her body shaking terribly.

Koran quickly moved to Nieme's side. "What is it, Nieme?" he asked, shutting down his lightsaber as he did. "What's wrong, Nieme?"

"T-The blood," she whispered. Her eyes stared past him and focused only on the blood. "It's everywhere. It's yours and hers and his..." She whimpered and clenched her eyelids shut. "Oh gods... I can smell it...taste it." Nieme cringed and wrapped her arms around herself. "You didn't know... How could you have known?"

Koran reached out and touched a hand to Nieme's forehead. He let the Force flow from himself and into her, using his skill to calm her. "You had a vision," he said. "What did you see, Nieme? What happens?"

Nieme shrank away from Koran's touch and staggered backwards, shaking her head wildly. "S-She said if I tell...I can stop it. I can't! It's too late. The blood's already spilled. There's no way to erase the stain," she rasped.

"I sense nothing, Nieme," Koran said. "Calm your feelings. Use the techniques I've taught you."

Nieme's eyes snapped open and her face contorted into an expression of rage. "Open your eyes! Can't you see it? You'll fight...and you'll die! That's how it happens. Look!" She sobbed and slowly fell to her knees. "Look," she whispered.

Laedra looked worriedly to Liam. "What is she talking about? Liam...she speaks in riddles."

"She has visions," Liam said. "She must have had another one, and it seems like it's a bad one." He opened himself to the Force and then turned to face Laedra. "It's about us, and our attack."

"How can that be?" she asked. "She was cured of her visions. Have you told her about what we intend to do? Perhaps she's worried and simply imagining things."

"No one has been told anything," Liam said. "At least, that I'm aware of. And, it wasn't a cure, per se. When Kallia joined with her, Nieme gained some of her confidence and skill. She was able to better control the visions. She had the vision the other day, but she recovered quickly. Seeing us here...it must have triggered something in her memories."

"She mentioned blood," Laedra whispered. "Liam...if this is about the attack...." She sighed, unwilling to express her concern about the implications of Nieme's vision. Anything that related to blood, however, was definitely not good.

"They were there," Nieme whispered to Koran. "I don't--" She swallowed hard and turned her face into her arm. "I can't make it all out, but there were others. You just...weren't ready for them."

"Can you tell us anything else of what you saw, Nieme?" Koran said softly. "Perhaps, with your help, we can be ready for them. Whatever you can remember, anything at all, will help us against what we'll be facing."

"No!" she snapped. "Just...don't! Stay away from that place!" She swatted Koran's hand from her shoulder. "You'll drown in blood." A small, choked laugh rose in her throat, one that regressed into a sob. "You'll drown," she whispered.

"Nieme," Koran said softly, "I sense nothing. You have given me no information, other than the warnings that come from this vision. You can offer me nothing more than the warnings I'd hear from a street corner prophet. Can you give me anything definite, Nieme?"

Nieme's eyes hardened and her mouth twisted into a sneer as she peered up at Koran. "You don't believe me. You think I'm lying." She sat motionless while she regarded Koran, but in another moment, she had the front of his robes clutched in her hands and her face almost pressed to his. "You'll die," she rasped. "Your skepticism will be the death of you. I saw!" Her hands flew to Koran's face where she kept his head firmly in place and forced him to hold her wild gaze. "Now...you'll see." Shedding all the mental shields and defenses she had erected, Nieme flooded Koran's mind with the images that haunted her. He would see. They'd all see.

"Preparations For The Inevitable, Part 2"
By: Koran Darr
Laedra Vorrel
Liam Zaneth
and Nieme Yaresh-Selrid

Location: The Jedi Temple
Date: Eos 12, 4ABY

***

It was only Koran Darr's superior control over the Force that allowed him to weather the flood of images and emotions coming from Nieme. The grisly sight that he found within Nieme's mind sent a cold shiver down his spine, and he could sense the pain the girl was feeling because of it. Once the last of the images had fled, he brought his hands to Nieme's head, and returned her favour. He filled her mind and heart with the calm he felt through the Force, the serenity of existing within the vastness of it. "It is not skepticism," he whispered. "It is a oneness with the Force, and trusting in it to guide my actions, Nieme."

She sighed heavily as the weight of carrying the horrifying images in her mind lifted, and for a moment, she was purged of them, but still the smell and sight of blood remained. With a groan, she pushed Koran's hand away and staggered to her feet. "The Force is guiding you into death," she warned him. "You've seen what I saw. Take it, and choose your actions wisely. All I know is that now, I won't be responsible for what happens. That burden will rest with you." Before the tears sprang to her eyes, Nieme darted past Koran and fled from the training room.

Laedra stepped forward with an expression of curiousity and concern clearly written on her face. "Master? What happened?"

"Nieme had a vision of our deaths," Koran said. "According to what she saw, and what she showed me, we will be walking into a trap. I will need to meditate on this."

"That's impossible, Koran. No one knows what we have planned, aside from the Red Dragons." Laedra sighed. "Shall we contact them? Ask them if the information has somehow leaked to the Imperials?"

"I've been trying to contact them all morning," Koran said. "Mr. L'Ygr and his associates are not responding."

"Which, combined with what we now know, is causing me some anxieties," Laedra replied. "Could they have betrayed us?"

"Raxis L'Ygr did not seem the type that would betray an associate like this," Koran said. "I cannot be certain, and I can sense nothing in regards to a betrayal. However, there is a tremour of...something. If we proceed, we will need to be very careful."

Laedra nodded. "More than would have initially been necessary. This supposedly simple raid is quickly becoming much more, isn't it?"

"It is," Koran said. "The three of us will need to decide whether we do still intend to go through with this. Can we prepare ourselves for what we may encounter there, and are we willing to take that risk for our goals?"

"That depends on how much information Nieme's vision provided." Laedra stepped closer to Koran and searched his eyes. "What did you see, Koran? What exactly were we up against?"

"I do not know for certain," Koran said. "Though, they were strong, and skilled. I could not get a clear view of what Nieme was seeing. Her vision was like looking at one of those Rodian Impressionist paintings. But, our lightsabers were distinct in the vision, as was the blood. At the end, there was only blood, and the lightsabers had been consumed."

Laedra frowned. "Our fate?"

"Always in motion, the future is," Koran said, echoing the oft heard words of Master Yoda. "It is a possible future, and one that may have come to pass if we had not been aware of this threat. Now that we are aware of the skill of those that will be present when we reach the depot, we will be better prepared to defend against them. Perhaps, just by alerting us to her vision, Nieme has invalidated the consequences she saw."

"It would make sense," Liam said. "I don't think she's ever been in a position to alter what she sees, not like today."

"But what if there is no altering the future?" Laedra asked. "What if what Nieme sees happening at that depot cannot be stopped?"

"If that is the case," Koran said with a smile, "then our fate is determined already. If the future cannot be stopped, then we will go to the depot as Nieme has foreseen and we will be killed. If there is no way to alter her vision, then we have no choice but to go there to meet our deaths."

Liam put a hand on her shoulder. "If the future is unavoidable, then we would not be able to even alter it by not going."

Laedra narrowed her eyes at them both and shrugged Liam's arm off. "Unacceptable. We have so much to accomplish and I refuse to accept that we might just die tomorrow, whatever we do. How can you two be so calm about this?"

"Because," Koran said with a gentle smile, "the future is not immutable. What Nieme has seen in her vision is not the end, but a possible end. I strongly believe, now that we know about it, that that is a fate we will avoid."

"I can remain calm," Liam said, "because I will not be dying tomorrow or any time soon, and neither will you. We will never know what the future brings until we are able to look upon it in the past."

"And what if we are no longer able to look upon the past?" she asked. "Is this even worth it? I think we have to consider that."

"Laedra, don't let your fear incapacitate you," Liam said. "The kind of philosophy you are pursuing will lead you nowhere, and in the end leave you in a position where you question whether any action you undertake will have merit. You will only fall into despair. Let the Force be your guide and we can get through this."

Laedra snorted wryly and shook her head. "Don't patronize me, Liam. I'm merely trying to be rational here. If we have been betrayed by someone, shouldn't we divert our efforts to discovering who has done this?"

"We don't know that we have been betrayed. Nieme's vision could indicate that Tarkin places more stock in that depot than we anticipated. Or it could be that we stayed too long, giving them enough time to allow more seasoned reinforcements to arrive."

"So, are you saying there's only one way to find out, Liam?"

"No, there are other ways to find out what Nieme's vision means," Liam said. "However, the number of possibilities is staggering. Perhaps today we should go into the city and see if we can track down the Red Dragons. Possibly even take a trip into Arcadia for reconnaissance."

"And if the Red Dragons are working for them," Laedra countered, "we'd still only be making ourselves a target. Do you not give much credit to Nieme's vision? Is that why you are so intent upon walking into a trap?"

"Do you sense a trap through the Force, Laedra? I sense nothing. No trap, no overwhelming danger. I trust the Force and my ability to sense through it. I trust in my abilities and in those of my companions. What would you have us do?"

Laedra laughed wearily as she started a slow pace around the circumference of the training circle. "I don't know. I have my faith in the Force, and if it sent Nieme that vision, should we not consider what she saw with more weight than either of you are giving it?"

"You sound like you wish to call this off, Laedra," Koran said. "You sound like you believe that the vision Nieme had is the only possible outcome for what we are planning. And, it's possible that her vision has nothing at all to do with the raid we are planning, but perhaps something-- else."

Laedra stopped in mid-step and turned her head towards Koran. "Something else?" This time, she brought her entire body facing his. "What have you seen, Koran?"

"I have seen nothing else," Koran said. "I was merely speculating that perhaps her vision had-- had something to do with our working relationships. We have seen a good deal of emotional turmoil recently."

"Working relationship, Master?" Laedra sighed. "You aren't implying that the three of us are going to turn on each other, are you?"

Koran raised an eyebrow and shook his head. Perhaps he'd given Laedra's powers of deduction too much credit. "No," he said. "I'm not. It was only a possible suggestion. Obviously, that's not it though."

Laedra's eyes reflexively grew wide. "How could you even think that would be a possibility, Koran? We are friends and Jedi. It is almost something unheard of in our Order. That was not simply a suggestion; that was...preposterous."

Koran's eyes grew hard. "Let the matter drop, my Padawan," he said, his tone one of warning.

Laedra's mouth flew open to spew a caustic retort, but she caught herself before she could make such a grave impropriety. Smothering her pride with her duty to the Order, Laedra bowed her head in apology. "Forgive me, Master Darr," she muttered, with a hint of sarcasm in her tone. "I will know better from now on to question anything you've said."

"Liam," Koran said, not taking his eyes from Laedra, "if you would please excuse us for a moment."

"Sure," Liam said, inclining his head slightly to the Jedi Master

With that, Koran turned and started toward one of the rooms adjoining the larger training room.

Laedra glanced up at Liam, then imperceptibly shook her head and followed Koran. She expected a lecture from him in the least, and hours of meditation in the extreme. Once she entered the room, Laedra turned away from Koran and soundlessly pushed the doors closed. She remained with her back to him as she slowly gathered her composure.

"Laedra," Koran said slowly, "I want you to relate to me the current dynamic of the personal relationships between yourself, myself, and Liam Zaneth."

"Why?" she asked quietly. "It has nothing to do with what was being discussed in there."

"Doesn't it? Think about Nieme's vision," Koran urged, "and don't interpret it quite so literally."

Laedra sighed and grudgingly turned to face Koran. "Blue, pink, and green. The colours of our lightsabers. Blood...death... Koran, that could mean anything, but not what you're thinking. We're Jedi, Koran. We would never turn against one another like that."

"What do you believe Liam Zaneth's reaction would be if I walked out into the training room and told him what we were doing last night?"

Laedra's breath caught and she leaned her back against the doors to keep from rushing towards Koran and shaking the foolish idea from him. "You wouldn't," she whispered. "Koran, he'd crumble. He's riddled with grief right now and wouldn't be able to handle something like that. But I still don't think he would turn on us."

"You are still interpreting the vision too literally," Koran said. "The lightsabers may have only been representations of each of us, not an indication that we're going to fight against each other with lightsabers. The blood may have merely been metaphorical, and the real damage will be emotionally and spiritually."

Laedra lay head back against the wooden door and closed her eyes. "I see what you mean. And I know that's a risk..." She sighed and again regarded Koran. "So...what do we do? Do we...end this, Koran, before the damage is done?"

Koran turned away to face the far wall. "Do you believe that the future is static and immutable, Laedra?"

She took in a shallow breath and moved forward towards Koran. Once behind him with their bodies barely touching, she settled her hands against his back. "I don't know," she said softly. "It all depends on which answer will keep you from ending this, Koran."

"I believe either could have unforeseen consequences if we continue, Laedra," Koran said as he turned slowly to face her. "I do not know what we can do, other than ending it. Or continue and risk the chance that that was what Nieme saw in her vision."

"But--" Laedra gazed imploringly up into Koran's sorrowful eyes, and as much as she knew she did not love him, she felt an intense need to change his mind. She thought she knew why, though - that without him, she might never fulfill her desire to give Liam a child in time to save their relationship - but it almost felt as if there was something more beneath the surface, something she was afraid to explore.

"Don't," she said quickly. Laedra slipped her arms around his neck and pressed herself to him. "Don't end it, Koran. Please... We can make this work. Koran, you said the future is mutable, that we can change our destinies. If Nieme's vision was a look into the future, we can change it!"

Koran lowered his lips to hers and kissed her gently. "Then we will see what sort of future we can create," he said. "We'll make it work, Laedra. Together, we shall make it work."

Laedra sighed and embraced Koran needfully. "I-I can't lose you, Koran. You keep me from self-destructing. And I can't lose Liam either.... I didn't think this would happen, but I don't regret it."

"Just be glad I'm not going to take the babies and run away," Koran said with a smile.

Laedra's body involuntarily trembled, but she covered it by chuckling lightly. "Yes... I guess that's one bad thing that couldn't possibly come out of this."

Koran smiled and kissed her once more. "Well, I do not plan to follow in Yelara's footsteps, so I believe we're safe in that regard. Now, let's return to the training room before we make Liam suspicious."

"Perhaps you should give me a reprimand for my behaviour to lessen his suspicion," Laedra suggested. "Maybe...an hour of meditation with my Master...privately?"

Koran's face took on a severe expression, though there was still a twinkle of humour in his eyes. "Yes, my sexy, young Padawan, that does seem like a very good idea. And, I happen to like your method of meditation...we'll use that."

Laedra smiled coyly as she backed away from Koran. "Whatever do you mean, my virile Master? I haven't even shown you yet what I have planned."

"Well then," Koran said. "I will just have to wait to see what you have in mind. I was only thinking about how Dani and Nieme mentioned that you prefer to meditate...in the nude."

Laedra felt her cheeks blush, which was odd considering she'd done far more with Koran to be self-conscious of than meditating without clothes on. "They told you that? How-- How would they know about that? Those little spies..."

Koran grinned as he ran a hand from her navel up to her chin. "I think they have potential as something much more than Jedi diplomats if they want. I don't think I've ever encountered Jedi who are quite so sneaky or able to get into tricky places so easily."

Laedra took Koran's hand and brushed her lips against his open palm. "You seem quite preoccupied with thoughts of them, Master. If I didn't know better - which I may not - I'd say you have a crush on them."

"They are attractive and interesting girls," Koran said. "However, I am still resisting their advances."

"Much as you were able to resist mine?"

"With you, I resisted as long as I wanted to."

Laedra smiled skeptically. "Or as long as I remained oblivious to your feelings?"

"Were you really that oblivious, my love, or were you just being coy with me?"

"I really didn't know, Koran," she replied sincerely. "I mean...I knew there was something. All those times we were together...when we talked and all of it...." Laedra caressed his cheek. "I didn't know, but I knew there was something there. Something apparently wonderful."

"Quite wonderful, especially with those things you taught me last night. And, the feelings you invoke in me. I didn't really ever want to resist you, Laedra, not when I wanted to give so much of myself to you."

"And my being your Padawan didn't cause you any hesitation?"

"It did for awhile," Koran said. "But yesterday...I don't know. It felt like the right thing to do."

Laedra smiled wanly at the irony of it all. For him, it was one of the most fulfilling experiences of his life, something borne out of his heart's deepest desire; for her, it was rooted in deception. How could something so wrong feel so right to him? Laedra sank into Koran's embrace again and buried her face into the fabric of his robe. "You're my master and I love you, Koran. That won't ever change."

"And, now," Koran said with a chuckle, "we should get back out to Liam before we do give him something to be suspicious over."

Laedra held Koran for a lingering moment longer, then pulled away with a sigh. "You first, Master. It is only right that your Padawan walk behind you. Besides," she said with a grin, "I like the view from there."

"Very well, this time you may walk behind me," Koran said. "But, next time you must walk in front of me, so that I may keep an eye on you."

Laedra slipped behind Koran, brushing up against him as she did. "Walk on, dear Master," she whispered into his ear, then to help him along, she gently pinched his rear.

"Hey," Koran murmured as he started toward the doors. "Watch where you put your hands, my Padawan." As he opened the doors and started to step through, he reached out through the Force, and, with a smirk, used it to pinch Laedra's rear.

She barely managed to stifle a yelp, but did stumble forward momentarily, then recovered. Laedra would punish him for that later, though she imagined he would only end up enjoying it.

Liam was in the center of the room with five remotes hovering around him. Each hand held a lightsaber, and he was moving between the remotes with practiced grace.

"He's very good," Koran said softly.

Laedra watched Liam lovingly, and with immense pride beaming from her smile. "He is.... He's better with Yelara, I know that, but I'm trying to help him through this. I hope I can succeed."

"I have faith in you, my dear," Koran said softly. "If anyone can do it, it is you."

"Thank you, Koran," Laedra replied solemnly. And if anyone can destroy him, that responsibility will solely lie with me as well.

"Should we leave him here to work out and go see to that meditation?"

Laedra sighed. She knew what she had to do to keep Liam happy - to keep him, rather. "Yes," she replied quietly, "let's go meditate, Koran. I owe it to you after my previous insolence."

At first, Koran almost reached out and took her hand, but then he thought better of it. He gave her a slight smile, and then started toward the doors that would lead them to his room.

Laedra took a moment to watch Liam perform, and as masterful as his display was, there was still a hint of sadness expressed in his movements. She would help palliate that if she could, and conceiving a child for him would be the most important step towards achieving that. Not wanting to interrupt him, Laedra silently drifted out of the room and joined Koran in the corridor.

If his interpretation of Nieme's vision had been correct, she would be the cause of much heartache and strife in the future, but that fate could be changed, as Koran had told her. Once she was certain there was a child in her womb, she would be forced to reject Koran and give herself only to Liam. It might destroy him, but at least she and Liam would live happily...with their new child, whomsoever it belonged to.

"Back From The Dead"
By Auron Ronso
And Rear Admiral Jason Tallen
And various minor NPCs

Location: Tae'Remok System & Super Star Destroyer Lysankya
Date: Eos 12, 4 ABY

***

While Auron was in hyperdrive, he picked up the small device that he brought from his escaping pod over two years ago. He tried to connect to the system because he knew it was the only way to enter an Alliance ship.

He came out from hyperspace before he entered the Tae�Remok System. Knowing that the SSD Lusankya was in a nearby nebula, he set his course for the only nebula in that location. He hoped that the small device would do the trick. This device had every code of the Alliance. He placed the Alliance device in place so as not to be shot at and sent the codes.

***

Aboard the Super Star Destroyer Lusankya there was a signal that was being picked up. But upon reviewing and examining it closely, they could see that there was something else. The communications officer on the bridge called for his superior.

Within minutes Rear Admiral Jason Tallen was on the bridge.

�Admiral Tallen, we are picking up a signal from an Imperial Lambda Class Shuttle. It has a signal from the Empire and its on a direct course for the center of the nebula. There is also another signal, a very weak one,� he explained.

"You're sure it's not another ruse by the Imps? They've already tried false Rebel signals many times," Jason's executive officer, Commander Chris Zeeb, said, bending over the panel next to the communications officer and examining the readouts closely.

"Negative," the officer said. "It's a standard Imperial signal, but it has something embedded within it."

"Can you ID it?" Jason asked, referring to the weak signal. "Its nothing I've ever seen before, sir. I'll run a comparison with all other signals."

"Good, begin that immediately," he said turning to his flight operations officer. "Order two squadrons of Headhunters and the Falcon out to greet our new guest. If we find out that it is an Imperial ruse, we're going to eliminate it."

"Aye, sir," the reply came back, the flight officer quickly passing on the orders to his flight commanders. "We'll have a welcoming committee out there in two minutes, sir."

"Good..."

"Sir, I've found a match. The embedded message is an old Rebellion cold, dating to back before at least Hoth, probably earlier," the communications officer quickly reported.

"Good work. Now, are the Imps using an old Alliance code to try and lure us out, or is it a genuine New Republic sympathizer?" the question asked, more to himself than anyone else.

"We'll find out in a minute when our welcoming party greets them," the XO spoke up.

"Order them to allow the shuttle into the nebula to dock in our forward docking bay. I want detailed scans of that ship, before and after it docks. Make sure there are no explosives or anything of that sort on it."

"Aye, sir."

***

Auron saw two squadrons appearing on his scanner. He started to doubt that the device had worked properly, being old and with what he knew would be old Alliance codes. But then, to his relief, came a message over the communications link.

�Imperial Lambda Class Shuttle, this is the Super Star Destroyer Lysankya. A small group is en route to meet your current trajectory and will guide you into our docking bay,� the voice said over the commlink.

Auron replied to the message over the same frequency in which he was being hailed. �This is Shuttle Arrow. I acknowledge your orders and will proceed according to regular Alliance procedures,� he promised. He wondered if they were still the same after three years.

As the squadrons neared his ship, he knew that they were scanning the Arrow. After all it was the basic safety procedure. But it should be fine, as there was nobody else aboard, and since he had personally checked the ship while in autopilot in hyperspace, he had nothing to fear.

Now to meet the CO of the Lysankya.

As Auron approached the main ship, he was appalled by its greatness. Inside the nebula it was almost larger than his sight distance would allow him. He had never seen anything as big, except perhaps the Deathstar. He was content that the ship was in service for the Alliance but couldn�t help wondering how many there were. Certainly the costs would be larger than any other ship, but without much time to admire it, he was guided into the forward most docking bay by a tractor beam.

The Arrow landed perfectly inside the bay, retracting its wings and setting smoothly on the deck. There was a squadron of Alliance soldiers standing by with their blaster rifles pointed at the ship. It should be everyday that an Imperial ship landed there after all, even though the mainship itself was initially Imperial. He also noted more than a few E-Web Heavy Blasters to his left and right, also aimed at his shuttle.

Auron came out of his ship walking regularly but showing his hands. He could tell by the rifles pointed at him that he wasn�t trusted, and since he recalled none of the faces, all he had as proof that he was an Alliance starfighter pilot was his name. But he was more than determined to get his post back.

As the shuttle's ramp lowered and he emerged from it with his hands in the air, a team of soldiers passed by Auron and entered the ship to search it. A commanding officer then approached him, asking him what his name was and what his business was here.

Auron delivered his belt with his blaster to the commanding officer and gave him a nod. �Aside from that, I am unarmed,� he stated. �I am Commander Auron Ronso, pilot of the Wild Cats squadron, sir. My number is�� he said, then paused in thought. Finally, he sighed. �I can�t recall my number.�

�Is this some kind of a joke?� the commanding officer asked, his face not too friendly as he took Auron�s blaster and gear.

�No�� Auron replied. �This is no joke, sir.�

�The Wild Cats squadron hasn�t existed for a long time!� said the officer. "Not since the... incident."

�What do you mean by incident, sir? What incident?� Auron asked with a raised eyebrow.

�Come on. You have a lot to explain to Admiral Tallen!� the officer replied as he signaled for Auron to make his way ahead of him, still not trusting him.

It took him a couple of minutes for the four guards to show him to the small conference room where the admiral awaited. Auron entered, stopped and saluted the Admiral. �Sir��

The admiral was turned away from Ronso, looking out through a fairly large viewport at the nebula. More than a few ships, of both Imperial and Mon Calamari makes, were clearly visible against the pink, purple, red and yellow background of the nebula.

"Greetings, Auron Ronso," the admiral said, still not turning to greet the pilot. "It's been a long time since we saw you last."

"Yes, sir. I can't really recall everything, but to put it in simple words, I wasn't killed. Rather, I crashed on a remote deserted planet. I was lucky enough to be picked up by some smugglers who took me into their crew. Until I could remember who I really was, that is..." Auron explained.

"Ahh, I see," the Admiral said, turning to face him. He nodded to the guards, and they quietly exited the room, leaving only the pilot and the admiral. "I am, as you have no doubt guessed, Rear Admiral Jason Tallen, commander of the New Republic's fifth fleet. Our current assignment is to retake the planet Chimaeria, but it has been such a long time for you, I'm willing to grant you a little leave. You can use it to catch up on current events and our recent advances in starfighter and starship technology."

"Thank you, sir, but, with all due respect, I don't need recuperation time. I would rather enjoy being given an assignment and get back to active roster."

"Very well," the Admiral said, not willing to argue at the moment. After all, one more soldier wouldn't hurt. "We currently have no fighters available for you to pilot, however, I do have a proposal for you. How would you like to take some supplies to one of our secret bases on Chimaeria, and then remain on the surface for a while?"

"Planet surface? Yes, sir!" he replied, content. This was much more to his liking and he could now go back to his home planet's suface. Perhaps this could bring him one step closer to remembering everything.

"It's done then. Just report to Commander Chris Zeeb, I believe he's on the bridge at the moment, and give him this," Jason said, handing Ronso a data pad. "He'll then give you command of a small freighter, a cover story, background history, and everything else you'll need to smuggle yourself and our supplies onto the planet. The cargo isn't anything special, just some basic foodstuffs and a handful of basic equipment. If there is nothing else, you are dismissed."

"Thank you, sir," Auron said, saluting his superior officer crisply before exiting.

Jason smiled, and turned to look outside again.

�Interrogation Approval�
By Kyra Ronso
and Grand Admiral Tarkin

Location: Arcadia
Date: Eos 12 to 13, 4 ABY

***

Kyra left the spaceport in her TIE Defender, followed by a small ship which carried the prisoners. On her way to Arcadia she crossed paths with an Imperial Lambda Class Shuttle that was en route to New Plouton.

By the time she arrived to Arcadia the night had fallen. She landed her TIE Defender on a docking bay and the small ship landed next to her. She went to check the prisoners and when she entered the small ship she saw that they were still knocked out.

Knowing better than to disturb the Grand Admiral at a night time when he should be resting she ordered for the prisoners to be taken away and locked up in the detention level. She then turned to the officer on duty. �Is my personal chamber ready?� she asked.

�It is, Commander�� the officer replied with a nod.

Kyra made a mental note to see the Grand Admiral first thing in the morning and without any further loss of time made her way to her chambers. Once there, she took off her trench coat and walked over to her bed, picking up a picture of her husband, Auron. That photo was the only thing that she was able to think about when off mission, but it was that same picture that kept her going. Every time she looked at the photo it gave her strength to go on.

Tears ran down her cheeks as she thought about Auron. She was somewhat afraid of going to sleep because she knew that she was going to dream about that awful mission in which Auron had died� Alas, in time she finally gave in and shut her eyes, falling asleep. As most times, she woke in a rampant, startled, but was relieved to find out that she was still in her personal chamber. From the light that came in through the windows she could tell that it was morning already. She was coming out of the bathroom when a communications console beeped. She was expected in the throne room.

She grabbed her trench coat and headed out of her room. As she got to the main doors that lead to the throne room she was hailed by two Red Guards. They told her to wait as they got clearance and she nodded in concordance. Surprisingly, neither of the Red Guards moved or entered the room. It seemed they got clearance through telepathy.

As she entered the room she faced the Grand Admiral, who was standing and seemed quite content. She bowed respectfully. �Sir��

Tarkin nodded softly. �I must congratulate you on your success. I was content to hear about it this morning,� he said. �Now all we need is results from the interrogation to see how well you did.�

�They must have every kind of information, sir,� she said. �They talked over a couple of hours in that bar. Even if the information isn�t good enough it gives us new leads.�

�Let us hope so, for your sake� I would hate to be disappointed after such high recommendations like the ones I received about your skills,� he said coldly. �But I am sure that will not happen�� he said with a pause to look outside through a large window that overviewed the gardens.

�Yes, my liege,� she replied. �If you would allow me, I would like to conduct the prisoners� interrogation myself. I promise to retrieve every information they have. But my methods are not�by the book.� She frowned with cold eyes.

Tarkin grinned. Those eyes were her seal of guarantee. A person could fake, could lie, and could even have great acting qualities, but the eyes would always give them away, most especially in the hardest and most stressful situations. And this woman had cold eyes, as if almost lifeless. A true product of the Imperial special training program. �Very well then, you may conduct the interrogation,� he allowed.

�Thank you, my liege.� She paused and thought to herself, This man was a great leader, but he could still have more faith in his personnel.

He nodded and gave the girl a grin. He approached her and looked directly into her eyes. �You have surpassed my expectations, Kyra, and they are set on high standards. I expect you to get me the information of what these Rebels know about. And I will overlook your methods to do so, as long as they don�t die�� he told her.

She bowed respectfully and saluted the Grand Admiral. �Thank you,� she said just before she left the room.

"Old Friends"
by Auron Ronso
Ellemiek Vermolen
Commander Chris Zeeb [NPC]
other Minor NPCs

Location: SSD Lysankya & New Plouton
Date: Eos 12 to 13, 4 ABY

***

Auron went to the bridge to meet Commander Chris Zeeb. On his way he glanced at the magnitude of the Super Star Destroyer. He arrived on the bridge and he saw the commander talking with Rear Admiral Tallen on the console screen.

"Very well, sir," said Commander Zeeb, then turning around to face Auron.

Auron saluted Commander Zeeb. "Sir, Commander Auron Ronso, reporting for duty as requested, sir."

"Change of plans, Commander Ronso," the Commanding officer said. "Moments ago we received a report that six operatives were attacked by Imperial forces. We are in serious business in New Pouton. Five of them were taken prisoner."

"At this point do we know if they're dead or alive? Perhaps if the mission is compromised?" Auron asked, as he tried to analyze the situation.

"Not at this point..." He paused and then walked to a window, and Auron accompanied him. "Your mission is to go to New Plouton and help Lieutenant Commander Ellemiek Vermolen on her mission, which at this point, is to assess the current situation for a possible ground invasion and possible allies," he explained.

Auron thought the name Vermolen wasn't strange to him, but he didn't recall a face.

"Take the Imperial Lambda Class Shuttle Arrow and go to New Plouton. Commander Vermolen will meet you in the Starport in Yelldon District," said Commander Zeeb. "Your orders are to answer directly to her, even though your ranking is higher. For the time being she remains team leader, and thus you follow her lead."

"Yes, sir," answered Auron.

"You are dismissed, Commander Ronso. You have permission to go right now to New Plouton. We will send an encrypted massage to Commander Vermolen when you blast off from here."

Auron saluted once more and went to the hangar where the Imperial Shuttle Arrow was stationed. He entered and saw a soldier taking off the device that Auron had installed earlier. He set it down on the cockpit and waited until the soldier was finished. As soon as he was given clearance, he ignited the engines and slowly left the hangar bay, setting his course to New Plouton. In a few moments he was en route to the planet and passing near the Imperial blockade.

"Name your business and destination!" an imperial officer said over the regular communications channel.

"This is the LCS Arrow, en route to New Plouton for delivering supplies," Auron said over the comm.

"Transmit your clearance codes," the Imperial officer said.

Auron pressed the button and answered back. "Transmitting codes now..." Now, he only needed a little luck to make this work.

***At the same time in Ellemiek Vermolen's apartment***

Her console beeped. Immediately she knew that it was a message from her superiors, as a message only rarely came through to keep tracers from pinpointing her position. She went over to the desk and pressed the button to see the message. As it was, Rear Admiral Tallen had sent some extra help, since the others had been caught. The times were chaotic and extra help would be blessed, although at this point perhaps they ought to seek new refuge somewhere else. If they too were caught or if the others spoke under the merciless tortures of the New Empire things could get even worse!

She turned back to face Jubey Khanor, who was being taken care of by a standard medical droid who had made a wonderfully skilled job at rebuilding his hand and tendons through semi-organic tissue. It was good that he was back and fully operational, but a wonder of how a dagger could make such damage. Worse! How all the others had been caught in such less time... She had to rescue them, if they were still alive. Question was...how? If only that Jedi could help them. She hoped that woman, Alisson Blair, would contact her soon enough.

"Jubey, I am to go to the Starport. It seems we have an extra hand on the way..." she said. "You stay here and watch yourself."

"We should move out of here... You know it's only a matter of time before they find us! Nobody can resist those IT-O droids forever!" he said.

"I know..." She nodded.�But three people work faster than two, so I'll pick our new aide first and we'll do that right afterwards," she promised.

"I'll start packing things," Jubey replied as he gave her a reassuring smile just before she walked out of the door.

***Tae'Remok System***

Auron waited for his clearance to pass the blockade and go to his home planet, to the city he hadn't seen for almost five years since he joined the Alliance. He thought to himself who his parents were. One of the downfalls of having amnesia. He couldn't recall who his parents were or what they did.

"Your clearance codes are checked. You may pass," said the Imperial officer over the comm.

"Thank you," replied Auron simply, as he took the controls of the Imperial shuttle.

He made his way to New Plouton. It was strange. He knew the city well now, but he didn't recall any of his childhood life there, only that he had been a Tae'Morad. When he saw the city he thought to himself, This city hasn't changed one bit all these years! It's still the same...

He went to the spaceport in the Yelldon District and retracted the Imperial shuttle's wings as he set it down. He then got up from his chair and gathered his stuff, leaving the shuttle and exiting through the ramp that led outside.

***Meanwhile, outside the Yelldon District Spaceport***

She had so much in her head at this point. Her whole team had been caught and she knew nothing of them at this point. Only that the Grand Admiral had them as prisoners. She hoped to find them still alive and be able to rescue them, although at the hands of that tyrant the chances of that happening were slim.

And then there was this newcomer. She hoped he wasn't a rookie, whoever he was. Rear Admiral Tallen would never do so, would he? Sending in a rookie? She hoped not, even though she knew that wasn't going to be the case. But she also didn't want a 'thinks-he-knows-it-all' type...

As she got to the spaceport she saw an Imperial class shuttle setting down. Just like the one she had been warned about, in which her aide would come in. Making her way there she walked towards the ramp as someone came out. When she got there, she was caught off guard and raised her eyebrows, surprised. "Auron? Auron Ronso?" she smiled.

Auron smiled and recognized the girl that spoke to him. He came near her and said, �Hi, Elle. Long time no see!� He paused. �How are you?�

Ellemiek gave him a large hug. She had thought him dead for so long, and he was alive after all� She never foresaw this possibility. �I�I thought you were dead. What happened?� she asked. �Where were you all this time?�

�Well, it�s a very long story, but we must get out of here because these walls have ears!� he said still with a smile.

She nodded in agreement. �Yes, they do. Come, let�s go,� she said as she placed her arm around his and strolled down the streets, where many people mingled about while in their affairs. �Listen, sorry to tell you that you�ve come in a bad time. We�ve suffered an attack and we�re moving out of the apartment for security reasons. Still, it�s good to see you, to see that the intel department was wrong about your death!� she said warmly.

�Well, I was living in a remote planet and I was picked up by smugglers two years ago,� he said.

�And it took you two years to get back?� she asked with a raised eyebrow.

�Well I suffered amnesia after the accident. Actually, there�s still much I don�t remember! I only recalled a few things when I heard about the death of the Emperor,� he replied.

She stopped and looked into his eyes with a mocking smile. �And yet you remember me� How sweet!� she grinned.

Auron laughed out loud. �Well, I see you still have your sense of humor!� Auron said, then pausing. �But now I�m here to be at your service��

Ellemiek frowned. She knew he was a Commander and she was still Lieutenant Commander, a rank below his. Still, it made sense, since Auron apparently had lost his memories�or part of them. �Come on, let�s go. I�ll brief you in over dinner at the new place. But now we have Jubey waiting for us!�

�Jubey? How is that rascal?� questioned Auron.

�Apart from having his hand stabbed last night, he�s fine. Nothing a little bacta and a medical droid couldn�t fix� Anyway, he�s in the squad too. And I guess you are too now,� she told him. �And let me warn you, once a Black Hawk, always a Black Hawk!� She smiled, then laughed as they strolled down the street.

�Apparently my squad doesn�t exist anymore. The only thing left of it his my escap pod,� he said.

Ellemiek gave him a tap in the shoulder. �Don�t worry. We may not fly X-Wings because we must maintain a low profile, but I promise that when we're off the planet I�ll take you on one of my training flights. And I�ve been warned about them too!� she smiled. �It seems they�re thought to be suicidal, but it should be okay for a former Tae�Morad! If you can still fly, that is...� she mocked him.

�If your training sessions are those you tried to convince me about when we were dating... That to me would be a piece of cake! Since I was your flight instructor�� he mocked back at her.

�Oh, far from it!� she smiled. �We use asteroid fields now!� she teased. �And if I recall, I was relieved from your class and passed onto the next level. A good thing too, or I could never have dated you. A student and a teacher� Now there is a real problem! Can you imagine that?� She laughed.

�Yes, I can!� Auron laughed and continued, �I probably saved your butt on Yavin 4,� he smiled.

�More than once too!� she confirmed and stopped in front of a building. �Well, we�re here. Only moving out� Don�t worry, by tonight we�ll be at a new place. Come on!� she told him as she took his hand and led him into the building.

"A New Job"
By: Kelvin Rixx

Location: Ord Refier, a small nightclub; Thanatos
Date: Eos 12, 4ABY

***

Three weeks ago...

Kelvin had been relieved of his latest contract that night, too many complaints of brutality. If the 'administrator' was so squeamish about my methods, then why did he call me in, in the first place? he thought as he sat alone at the bar. Just then a slinky Twi'lek waitress approached him.

"Kelvin Rixx?" she asked.

"That's me," he said, "what can I do for you?"

"There's a holonet call for you in booth three," she said, giving him a sly smirk. "By the way, I wanted to personally thank you for your work here. You've made living here a bit safer for all of us," she said, leaning in to give him a good look at her cleavage.

Kelvin stood up from his stool, his face remaining slack. He looked her up and down, then downed the last of his drink in one massive gulp, placed his glass on her tray and said, "Shut up." Then he moved past her toward the holonet booths in the back.

He found booth three and opened the plasteel door, entered and sat down. As he did, a hologram sprang to life in front of him. A representation of a portly man took shape, the projection made the man seem bigger than he probably was. He was dressed in gold and finery. Probably some 'fat cat' merchant looking for a body guard, he thought.

"Kelvin Rixx?" the image asked.

"You've found him," Kelvin said.

"Ah, good," the hologram said, "I am Rengras Teeja, representing a group of merchants and civilians on the planet, Tae'Karada. As you may or may not be aware, the New Empire, under the control of a man calling himself Grand Admiral Tarkin, has seized control of this planet. Thanatos, one of the desert settlements, is under siege and we have not the strength or manpower to oust these aggressors from our land. We did not ask to be governed by Tarkin or his people, and they will not listen to our pleas. They are only interested in taking what's ours and following whichever laws and customs they desire. Please, Kelvin Rixx, help us!"

Kelvin sat passively, listening to the man pour out the gory details of his terrorized town. It was the same opening line he'd heard from the "representative" of every city, town, village, or settlement who'd had enough cred to hire him.

"My fee is twenty-five thousand plus expenses, which include room, board, fuel, ammunition, and incidentals. Do you have the resources?" His usual fee was thirty thousand, but the New Empire was involved, so he gave this one a small discount.

"Yes, yes," Teeja said enthusiastically. "And we've already arranged for your accommodations. When and if you do arrive," he added with an expectant smile.

"I own an old Imperial shuttle, named Vigiles Securitatis. I should be arriving within the next three weeks. And arrange accommodations for my partner as well. We'll settle the contract when I arrive. Until then." Then Rixx cut the channel, and quickly left the booth. As he came back out into the noisy, smoke filled room, he saw Tee Cee, his partner, flirting with the same, overly grateful waitress he'd met earlier. Kelvin walked up to him, scaring off the girl. Tee Cee gave him a look as if to say, 'why in the hell did you do that?'. "Pack your things and get the shuttle ready, we've got a new job," Kelvin told him, phrasing it more like an order.

***Tae'Karada--Thanatos landing field***

Now...

It could be said that the Thanatos landing field was little more than a hole in the ground. Anyone who called it that would be right. With the frequent sandstorms that blasted through the settlement, the entire facility had been constructed under ground. Excess sand was cleared from over the landing hatches through an ingenious array of force fields.

As Rixx's craft settled its way toward the planet's surface, one of the bays yawned open, force fields deftly clearing away the sand that had piled atop it. As expected, there were Imperial craft all over the place, and within the bay, two Imperial Stormtroopers stood waiting. Normally, getting this far would have been difficult, but it was quite extraordinary what just a little bit of credits could arrange.

The shuttle's wings folded into their upright landing position as it settled to the ground, kicking up a huge cloud of dust and sand. Well, they weren't lying about this place crawling with Imperials, Rixx thought as he surveyed the scene from over Tee Cee's shoulder. Kelvin turned and retrieved his concussion rifle from its wall mount. He loaded it and turned to his partner.

"Extend the ramp and follow me out in the skimmer, I think our day is going to start early," Rixx said as he headed aft, toward the shuttle's exit ramp.

The two troopers waited for the dust to settle a bit before approaching the shuttle.

"Does that look like one of ours to you?" one asked the other as they looked it over, seeing the worn paint, and the multitude of laser scars.

"Not at all," the other said, readying his blaster.

Then a rush of compressed air flooded out of the shuttle as its ramp came open and began slowly moving toward the ground. Rixx stood at the top of the ramp, watching the two troopers attempting to peer inside. Before the ramp touched the ground, Kelvin shouldered the concussion rifle and fired. A blue bolt tore through the air, slamming into the ground between them and exploding, sending them flying in opposite directions. Kelvin ran halfway down the ramp and jumped off the right side. As he landed on the ground he fired again, this time at the trooper who had been cast to the right, catching him square in the chest as he tried to stand up. The trooper was, for a second time, flung through the air several feet, landing on his back. This time his duraplast chestplate was caved in. He didn't move again.

The other had gotten back up and was running away. Rixx walked out into the open and slowly leveled his rifle, taking careful aim. "Bullseye," he said to himself. Then he pulled the trigger. Another blue bolt leaped from the rifle, exploding on the retreating trooper's back. The trooper vaulted through the air, landing face down in the dirt, there to stay until a mortician cleaned him up.

Tee Cee had started their patrol skimmer and was hovering behind Kelvin.

"You think you got 'em?" he said sarcastically at the obvious overkill of using the concussion rifle on simple stormtroopers.

"Had to be sure," Kelvin said as he slung the rifle and jumped in the skimmer's front position. "Our rooms are in a place called 'Thana's Solace'," he called back without turning around. "It's supposed to be near the center of town."

Tee Cee just shook his head. "On our way... sir,"

"Indiscretion"
By: Dani
Aurra Sgall
Nieme Yaresh-Selrid
and Master Andro Ki'Ayalin [NPC+]

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Eos 12, 4ABY

***

Aurra entered her room and took off her cloak, dropping it to the floor and letting herself fall on the bed. She was indeed tired, but what really bothered her was to have a killer woman so close. She had fought so hard to get the images off her mind, to be able to sleep well without waking up with nightmares of that dreadful day. And now, this woman was back in her life once more...

She closed her eyes and sighed. She knew this was the right path still, even if she didn't like it. She was sure that even Master Lugoth would have said so, even after she had killed him. She heard a couple of steps and knew it was Dani and Nieme. "Come in..." she said before they even knocked.

The two girls tentatively opened the door and peered into the room. "Aurra? Are you okay?" Nieme asked. "You just sort of left in a hurry, and we were worried about our girlfriend so we came to visit her." She smiled. "Do you need some comforting? We're good at that."

Aurra forced a smile. "I'm sorry if I worried you... It's just that I'm not too comfortable about this new woman in the Temple," she explained.

"Really?" Dani asked as she studied Aurra. "What is it about her that makes you uncomfortable?"

Aurra shook her head. "If I told you what it is all about you would treat her in a different manner and I don't want that... Promise not to treat her different from what you would if I tell you?" she asked.

Dani smiled. "I treat everyone the same, Aurra," she said. "No matter what secret knowledge you have, I won't treat her differently."

Aurra nodded softly. "You know that I had a previous Master. I used to live with him and another Jedi Master in a far away system, until one day there was an assassin who came and butchered them. It was no mere assassin, but a Jedi assassin. It was after that incident that I met Master Kal'aran..." she explained as a tear came rolling down her cheek. "The assassin was that woman... Chani she calls herself now."

Nieme was rendered motionless and stunned for a moment, then settled upon the bed and pulled Aurra into an embrace. "It's okay, my dear, sweet girl," she whispered. "We won't let her hurt you, if she even remembers who she is. We're sorry for what happened, but you're safe here now."

"I know..." Aurra whispered. "It was partially my suggestion that she was brought here, even after she had attacked me and Master Kal'Aran. That's how she lost her memories. And I know this is the right thing to do, but I can't stand looking at her. It brings so many bad memories!" she explained, then turning to look at Dani. "Am I a worse Padawan for not liking her, Dani? You can feel other people's feelings... What do you feel now?"

"I feel your fear, Aurra," Dani said. "Fear that she'll remember who she is and try to kill you again. You don't have to worry though, my precious one, there are many Jedi here, and if Chani reverts, we will stop her before she can hurt anyone."

"I have more fear that she will hurt you or Nieme or one of the Masters more than myself..." Aurra said as she caressed Dani's cheek. "But you're right, I do feel fear. And fear leads to hate, and hate to anger. Those are the steps that lead to the dark side, and I don't want to walk them! I mustn't give in to that!" she stated fiercely, then looked at both girls. "Be here for the night with me?" she asked.

Nieme grinned and drew her hand up Aurra's thigh. "Of course." She pressed her lips to Aurra's throat, then added, "Anything for our girl."

Dani's lips found Aurra's and then she gently added, "We've been hoping to spend more time with you. I think this is the perfect chance. We'll stay with you tonight, and we'll help make you not afraid anymore."

Aurra smiled and kissed Dani back, rolling her tongue over the purple girl's. "That's good. I was hoping you would say yes," she said honestly. "I just want to feel you near me and share our body temperature. To hold you as I sleep... And maybe something else too!" she added playfully.

Nieme purred as her lips trailed down Aurra's throat to her chest. "I like something else. A lot. Maybe Kimra wants to play too."

"I am certain Kimra would love to play," Dani whispered. "And, maybe our new friend Talara would like to join us."

Nieme giggled and slipped her hand between Aurra's thighs. "Oh, she'd definitely like our blue girl. We really should introduce you to our friend, Aurra. But tonight, it'll be just us."

Aurra sat up straight. "Who?" she asked with a raised eyebrow. "I know Kimra's a sexual gratification thing of some sort, but who's Talara?" she asked.

"Oh Aurra," Dani said with a playful scowl. "I am surprised at you. Kimra is so much more than an instrument for sexual gratification and definitely more than just a thing." She smiled and kissed Aurra to help her see the error of her ways. "And, Talara is a new friend. She and her master and a Falleen woman showed up at the Temple today. Nieme and I saw her, and we quickly became friends. Isn't that so?"

Nieme nodded. "Oh, she's a sweet girl, and very willing." Her warm lips touched Aurra's, then curled into a grin. "Almost as willing as you. Come on, Aurra," she whispered. "Show us how willing you are."

Aurra giggled. "Oh, I'm a lot more willing than you think!" she warned playfully as she touched Nieme's thighs, massaging them, while she pulled the girl so that she sat on top of her lap and kissed her neck lustfully.

"Oh gods...you really have missed us," Nieme moaned. She ran her fingers up and down Aurra's lekku and returned her kisses fervently.

Dani giggled and moved in close. "I believe that she is quite willing my love. Don't worry, Aurra, we'll help you get what that woman did out of your mind. Few things expel bad memories the way intimate contact between loved ones can. And, we love you very much."

Aurra smiled and let herself fall back into the bed. She giggled. "I've missed you too... And I'm sure you know how to keep one's mind off bad things. Actually, when in your presence I can only think of good things like those we did in the lake!"

Nieme began untying Aurra's pants as Dani worked on the girl's tunic. "We'll do all that," she said, "or we can try something a little different." She kissed Aurra's exposed belly, and moved her kisses downwards as she peeled back her pants. "Aurra, you haven't ever been with a man before, have you?"

Aurra felt small bursts of pleasure as Dani kissed her and slid her pants down. She was eager. "No, I have only been with you. Why do you ask?"

Nieme trailed her finger over Aurra's slit as she grinned at Dani. "My love... Go get the harness...the extra large one."

With a delighted giggle, Dani kissed Aurra, then Nieme, and fled from the room.

"Don't worry, Aurra," Nieme whispered into her friend's ear while her fingers slipped inside the girl. "It won't hurt for long. I promise, you'll love this."

Aurra felt her thighs spasm and her body shiver with a wave of body warmth. She pulled Nieme closer to her and slid her hands down Nieme's pants, touching the other girl, caressing her private parts. Aurra gave Nieme a long profound kiss. "I trust you..." she said in a whisper.

Nieme moaned happily and kissed Aurra again. While the two girls lay together, caressing and kissing one another, the door flung open and Dani skidded into the room. "Oh gods," Nieme sighed. "Did you get it?" She looked over her shoulder at Dani, with the harness dangling from her fingers. "Bring it here! I think she's ready."

Dani quickly brought the harness over to Nieme and handed it off. "Oh, you're going to love this, Aurra," she said. "It's so wonderful and liberating. You'll love the feeling!"

Nieme sat up and quickly shed her Jedi robes. As Dani attended to Aurra, Nieme could only giggle helplessly and let out a triumphant squeal as the last of her clothing was dropped to the ground. "Oh, Aurra, I can't wait," she purred as she rose to her knees. She strapped the harness to her waist, and languidly stroked the synthflesh organ protruding erect from it. "Dani...did you bring the lubricant? We don't want to injure our beautiful girl."

Dani produced a large tube from behind her back and handed it to Nieme. "Of course, I did," she said with a lustful grin. "I wouldn't forget something like that for our beautiful Aurra. Here, my love, let me help..."

Dani squirted a blob of the transparent, viscous substance onto the phallus, and with boisterous giggles, both their hands worked it over every last bit of the shaft. Once it was sufficiently coated, Nieme grinned lustfully at Aurra. "Spread your legs, our sweet love. And don't worry," she whispered, "the pleasure will make you forget about any of the pain."

Aurra was much too overwhelmed to say anything. She merely glanced at Dani and Nieme as they excitedly did their ritual. As Nieme told her to spread her legs she was a bit nervous. "What do you mean by forget about the pain?" she asked as she opened her legs as asked. Not that she thought her friends would ever hurt her!

"It's only a brief amount of pain," Dani said. "It's normal, my love, but after that it'll be all beautiful. Don't worry, my beautiful Aurra, we'll do everything we can so you never even notice the pain, only the blissful pleasure."

Nieme knelt between Aurra's spread legs and smiled soothingly. "Only blissful, wonderful pleasure," she echoed softly. She nodded subtly to Dani as she rested her hands on Aurra's knees to steady herself, and to keep their friend from moving too much when she began. Dani took the cue and began kissing and caressing Aurra to distract her while Nieme held the phallus poised at Aurra's opening and slowly entered. The fit was a tight one and the shaft refused to go in fully, but with one forceful thrust, Nieme managed to get it completely into Aurra. She looked to their friend, hoping she wasn't in any pain, then began her smooth, long thrusts.

Aurra's hand jerked and caught the sheets on the bed, gripping them tight. The feeling was that of a smooth pain interlaced with enormous amounts of pleasure every time Nieme moved at all. The blue twi'lek girl couldn't help letting loose a small cry. She glanced at Nieme and smiled. "Don't stop... Oh, by the Gods, don't stop," she moaned, letting her head fall back and into Dani's lap. She could her the noises that the phallus and herself made together.

"Isn't it a beautiful feeling, Aurra," Dani whispered as she trailed kisses across the twi'lek girl's cheeks and face. "I think it won't be long before we'll have to find a boy for you. I think Corun would be very happy to be with you, don't you, Nieme?"

Nieme snickered. "Silly Dani... Not just yet. We'll have to prepare Aurra slowly for that. Though, I'm very impressed you're doing so well with one so big!" She giggled and thrust into Aurra faster. "Don't worry, you'll be ready in no time!"

Aurra smiled and frowned at the same time, as she bit her lip from both the pain and the pleasure. "Don't want a boy... A Jedi should be committed only to the order..." she said between hard breaths. "I want...only you!" she added up as she now began to motion as one with Nieme, wrapping her legs around the other girl's waist.

Nieme drew her fingers up along Aurra's thighs and grinned at the girl. "But you have to try at least once," she said. "Being with a man is completely different and amazing! You'll love it, Aurra, and it'll only be one time, so you don't have to give up your commitment to the Order." She jerked her hips forward with an extra forceful thrust, and giggled at Aurra's cry. "Trust us. It'll be just as fun as this."

Aurra was breathing deeply. Every time Nieme thrust harder it hurt a little, but the phallus felt just too good for her to tell Nieme to stop at all. And she was starting to get used to it by now and it seemed to hurt less. She began to feel funny, the same way she did when the three girls had met in the lake. "Ohh, I think my juices are going to flow!" she warned.

Dani grinned broadly and kissed Aurra. "It's a beautiful feeling," she whispered into Aurra's ear. "You feel wonderful, Aurra. Just let it happen. Let yourself open yourself to the pleasure you feel, and let it free you."

Aurra nodded slightly and opened not only herself and relaxed but rather opened her whole senses to what she felt. It was as if the colours bonded with life itself and became all part of the Force stream. "Oh, yes... Oh it feels so good! Oh, by the gods!" she cried as she fell back and gripped the sheets tightly, her sighs with small spasms.

Nieme continued pumping into Aurra, heightening the girl's climax. Nieme held onto her waist to keep her at least steady enough not to toss her off the bed, and even the slight touch created enough of a connection to allow Nieme to experience what Aurra was feeling. With the intensity of the their friend's emotions, Nieme couldn't help moaning along with her. As Aurra cried out, so did Nieme, and even Dani was writhing slightly in ecstasy in response to the power of Aurra's orgasm. When Aurra's body finally relaxed and the wave of bliss passed, Nieme collapsed atop their friend, breathing just as heavily as she was and feeling equally as satisfied. "Oh...gods," she whispered. "You're a very good girl, Aurra."

Aurra raised her hand to her lips and giggled. "Guess it's true what they say about twi'leks..." she teased herself. "But you... You're the best!" she told them.

Nieme raised her head and looked down at their girlfriend with a dreamy smile. "Oh no...definitely you, Aurra." She kissed the blue girl's lips deeply, then pulled back and grinned. "It's your turn." Nieme crawled off of Aurra and knelt upright to begin undoing the harness.

"What is going on here?" a very male voice from the doorway said. Standing there, wearing a Jedi robe was an older man with long grey hair pulled back behind his head and a beard bristling on his chin. "Is this the behaviour of the future Jedi of this order?"

Nieme gasped, and the loose harness fell onto the bed and bounded off it onto the ground as she turned to face the intruder. She did nothing to conceal her exposed body and instead stared in bewilderment at the Jedi master frowning disapprovingly at them. Slowly, her gaze shifted to Dani, then Aurra, and all Nieme could do was giggle. She regarded the old man standing before them and quipped, "Well, Master...I guess it is!"

"Who is your master, Padawan?" Andro asked. "And, is he aware that this kind of activity goes on in here? With the three of you engaged in this kind of...activity?"

"It isn't an activity," Nieme protested. "It's making love. What's so wrong with that?"

Andro glanced down at the harness. "Is that what you call it," he said. "I sense very little love here. I sense lust, and the need to control. I sense darkness."

Nieme narrowed her eyes at the man and slipped off the bed. She approached him slowly, menacingly, then stopped before him with everything bared. "There is no darkness here, old man. There is only what you interpret as such. What we do in here is none of your business and it makes us happy. So what does it matter?"

"Your activities are an unnecessary distraction. I know that the ban on attachment has been lifted, but I do not believe the others would approve of something like this. I will bring this before the Council."

"You will not!" Nieme grasped Andro's forearm and focused her piercing gaze on him. "We've done nothing wrong," she rasped. "You will not go to the Council." As if an instantaneous transformation had occurred, a sweet, innocent smile lit up Nieme's face and she lightly stepped in towards Andro, brushing her breasts against his robes. "Please? We won't do again. We promise."

Andro took a step back from Nieme. "I can sense the duplicity in you, young padawan," he said. "You will not use your body as a means to gain my silence. This is a serious matter, and must be taken before the Council. One lover I can understand, but three together using a plastic prosthetic? This isn't love, young lady."

"It doesn't have to be!" Nieme hollered. "You don't know anything about this because you've never experienced it." She stormed over to where the door stood open and gripped the edge of it, prepared to slam it into Andro if she had to. "Now leave," she growled. "You understand nothing, old man, and I won't waste my time explaining, so just leave."

Andro turned and started out the door. "This is not the end of this, I assure you," he said.

"Very well," Nieme replied. "And next time knock!" With a swift push, Nieme slammed the door shut then pressed her back to it. "Oh dear... My loves, I think we're in trouble."

Dani's purple features were quite pale. "Nieme, you shouldn't have been so defiant to him, even if he's wrong. Oh goddess...what do we do?"

She sighed and looked upon her poor, frightened girls. "I don't know, Dani. I just don't know."

Aurra was startled at what had happened, but mostly at Nieme's way of acting. She quickly got up and put on her pants and her tunic and walked towards the door. She gave Nieme a kiss on the cheek. "You know, Dani is right... You shouldn't have. But thanks for everything still," she smiled as she exited the room.

Aurra sped down the corridor after the Jedi Master who had just seen them in the room, as she did her robes. "Master! Master, please wait!" she hollered. As she caught up to him she placed herself in front of him and bowed respectfully. "I am Padawan Aurra Sgall. I have not seen you before so I imagine you are Jedi Master Andro Ki'Ayalin," she said. "Please, allow me to explain what you have just seen and let me apologise for the actions of Padawan Yaresh..."

Andro raised a bushy eyebrow. "Very well, Padawan," Andro said as he crossed his arms over his chest. "And what was it that I have just seen?"

"I.... Well..." Aurra staggered. She then sighed and looked down. "It is as you've said," she admitted to him. "But there were reasons! I mean, they were just trying to cheer me up by making me feel good... It's really not their fault. I realise that these are not good reasons, but surely you agree that nobody is perfect and that we all commit mistakes!" she said.

"That is correct," Andro said. "We do all make mistakes, however I believe that what was going on in that room was more than a mistake. How many times have you done such things with them, Aurra? I do not believe that the ban on attachment was lifted so that the Padawans at the Temple could engage in near-orgies. I will need to speak to your master, as well as those of Nieme and Dani."

"I have only been with them twice," she answered. "And I must agree that the ban was not lifted for this. I do believe, however, that privacy is also part of the life of a Jedi... Privacy which you invaded," she said then sighed. "Nothing in my life is more important than becoming a Jedi and honouring my Masters as well as our code of conduct. Do you really believe that by bringing this into public you will gain something?"

"I believe that the Jedi Council and your masters should know what is happening behind closed doors here," Andro said. "And, the emotions that were surging from that room made it a public matter as I was walking down the hall. I could feel what was happening in there as surely as if the door were wide open."

Aurra bowed ever so slightly. "I am aware that Nieme has little self-control, but she is learning more about control. It is Dani who keeps her stable most of the times," she admitted. "Still, perhaps a conflict of this sort would not be welcome at this point? I mean, what might that do to help her control herself? Maybe if you were to reason calmly with her instead?" she said, offering the other option that could be taken.

"So, you are saying then, that we should coddle her and expect less of her as a Padawan because she has the inability to control her actions. That does not sound like very sound reasoning, Aurra Sgall. I will speak with Nieme's master, and we will have this matter settled. If she is unable to control her actions, then perhaps the life of a Jedi is not for her."

Aurra shook her head. "What I am trying to say is that she is still learning. But can be a little bit of a rebel at certain times. But you have to consider what she's been through in the past!" she argued with a raised eyebrow. "If you take Master Quinlan Vos as an example, he too was somewhat rebellious in his padawan days, I hear, and became one of the most important Jedi Masters in the old Council still..."

"Padawan," Andro said softly yet firmly, "I will be speaking with the Jedi Council on this matter. I will speak to Nieme's master, and I will speak to your master. This is a matter that must be discussed by the Council, not by you and I. I suggest you return to your room, Aurra. I suggest you find some time for meditation." With that, he turned and started back down the corridor.

Aurra interrupted his way one more time but bowed in respect. "Master Ki'Ayalin, I see that your mind is set in this matter and that not I nor anyone else is able to change that. But I do request that I do speak with my Master so that he hears this from me. I think I have that right... Plus, I owe it to him," she said.

"Of course, Padawan," Andro said. "You may talk to your master, as Nieme and Dani may speak with theirs. However, I will be talking to them as well."

Aurra bowed one last time. "Thank you for allowing me to address Master Kal'Aran before you take this to the Council," she said as she got out of his way. This whole conversation made her wonder what it was like for Master Ki'Ayalin's padawan, as well as what was she like.

Andro nodded once, and then turned back down the corridor.

"That didn't sound good," Dani said, coming up behind Aurra. She had one of the sheets from the bed wrapped loosely around herself, not that she really minded being seen. It was a taboo quickly divested growing up on Zeltros. "I guess we should talk to our masters then." She turned to Nieme. "I think Master Koran is still gone."

"Good," she said. "There's a chance, then, that he won't have to hear about this." Nieme kissed Dani's bare shoulder from where she stood behind her, and slipped her arms around her lover's waist. "Come back in, Aurra. We can finish off what we started."

Aurra sighed. "I'm not sure we should... After being warned about it and all. Don't get me wrong, I love you both very much, but maybe we should keep this for more secluded areas, like the lake, or maybe wait for an answer on the Council..." she said.

"Oh, come on, Aurra," Nieme said. "You're not afraid of him, are you? We're allowed to do this. He can tattle on us if he wants; we've done nothing against the Code."

Aurra raised an eyebrow. "That's just it! We have... You see, the only code existent is the one of the old days which prohibits sexual gratification as well as loving attachments. And whatever you or I think will change nothing if the code is not reviewed and in it specified what we can and cannot do!" Aurra replied. She then kissed Nieme's cheek and looked into Dani's eyes. "I love you still... Perhaps even more. But we ought to concentrate now on speaking to our Masters and perhaps placing our point of view to them so that we are allowed to see each other."

"Aurra," Dani said softly, "if the Council has decided that relationships are alright, then being in love is alright too. Master Grumpy-Bones is just old and conservative, and doesn't understand that there is nothing wrong with what we were doing. We are designed to feel pleasure and it's a shame to deny us that. If you wish to wait until the Council has decided, then you may. Nieme and I will be here for you when you feel comfortable about being with us again."

"I do feel comfortable with you, but this is all new to me..." Aurra explained. "Frankly, I just need to know Master Kal'Aran's answer. I am his Padawan, and as such I respect his requests and teachings. I will always be yours in heart, but I need this sorted out first..." she stated.

"We understand," Nieme said with a sigh. "Me and Dani will leave. You can meditate and figure it all out... We'll be around when you're ready."

"Thanks..." Aurra whispered, looking from one girl to the other. She knew she was doing the right thing, but she couldn't help wondering how they felt about her response. She gave each a soft kiss and walked down the corridor. Right now, she had to find her Jedi Master.

"Meditating On Consequences"
by Aurra Sgall
and Master Kal'Aran

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Eos 12, 4ABY

***

She entered the oval-like shaped room. It was empty so she decided to wait there. It was now being used by the Jedi Masters as a Council Chamber. A place in which they would discuss many important matters and meditate on them, for sure.

Aurra sighed. Perhaps Master Ki'Ayalin was right and she ought to maintain her posture by seeking her path in between the old days' law. And then again, things were not the same anymore. People were not the same anymore. It seemed that not even the older ones would follow the Code, but rather acted as rogues sometimes.

At that point Kal'Aran walked inside. "You wanted to see me?" he asked. "I can feel there is something you wanted to tell me, my young padawan..." he said softly.

Aurra turned to face him. At first she was troubled that he might already know, but in a split second she could tell that he did not. She forced a smile. "You will have to teach me that trick someday, Master," she said.

"It isn't a trick..." he corrected her with a smile, as he approached her. "When you know someone you can tell if they are bothered through small simple signs," he told her.

The young twi'lek nodded and looked deep into the Jedi Master's eyes. "You are correct. I am somewhat troubled, and have things to tell you... I wanted to tell you before but I wasn't brave enough to say this to you..."

Kal'Aran frowned. He wasn't sure what she was talking about, but hoped things would be fine. He placed his hands on her shoulders. "Aurra, no matter what, you can always count on me and trust me... You know that, don't you?"

She nodded in reply as tears began to come to her eyes. She fought them back by sighing and closing her eyes firmly for a few seconds. "You see, Master, with the lift of the ban and all... What I mean is... Well, I haven't ever been with a man before, but I did engage in a sexual experience."

Kal'Aran raised an eyebrow, shocked with the news. He had never foreseen this, even though it was an obvious possibility. "What do you mean, my Padawan? Do you care to elaborate?" he asked.

"It was with Nieme and Dani... They showed me what they do. And I succumbed to its feelings. I was weak and couldn't resist," she explained, then raising a hand quickly. "Oh, but it wasn't their fault! I just couldn't say no... But they never forced me. I think they were just trying to express their love for me in their own way."

"Well, Aurra, there are many forms of expressing love and most don't take on the exchange of body fluids," Kal'Aran commented. He then sighed. "Jedi may love. They were always encouraged to do so. But not to have possessions and assets and not to have carnal bonds. But you are right, the ban was lifted, meaning you may do as you please..."

Aurra shook her head. "No, Master, not like this! We were in my room and things happened. As a consequence we were overheard by Master Andro Ki'Ayalin and he reprimanded us. Perhaps he was right, and it was much beyond a loving relation..." she sobbed.

Kal'Aran nodded and embraced Aurra. "It does not matter. Not really..." he told her in a whisper. "I for one believe that you still maintain all of your qualities and perhaps even more now. And I have no doubt that one day you will sit at the Council if that is what you want. But you must decide if that is what you want first..."

Aurra looked up to her Master. "It is. I want to be a Jedi more than anything else!"

"Then meditate on this subject and its consequences," he said. "And keep in mind that you are committed to the Order, and it should be part of your life."

Aurra stepped back and bowed. "It is and always will be!" she smiled. She had never figured that Master Kal'Aran would take this matter so easily.

Kal'Aran bowed to his Padawan. "It takes a lot more strength to admit guilt and try to compensate for it than just to keep a straight path in life. I am proud of you, my Padawan," he smiled.

"And I am blessed with you as my Master," she replied just before turning to go away and leaving the new Council Chamber. She would do as her master had suggested and meditate on the consequences of her own actions.