"Official Welcome"
By: Grand Admiral Tarkin - New Empire Grand Admiral
and Dane Weyland - Imperial Administrator

Location: Drogen Shipyards
Date: Niothe 12, 4 ABY

***

A Lambda Class Shuttle scorched across space towards the Drogen Shipyards escorted by four TIE Advanced. The Grand Admiral was heading to personally meet the Imperial Administrator allocated to the shipyards and do an inspection to personally oversee that things were running as expected.

More demanding clearance to land rather than asking for permission to do so, Tarkin's vessel landed and the ramp extended. He walked out and was immediately greeted with a salute by a Lieutenant who was to lead him towards Weyland.

Security seemed well stationed and Tarkin wondered how the owner of the shipyards was dealing with this. Well tough luck for her. It was either to help him out or face utter destruction at his command. Nonetheless, Tarkin made a mental note to see Shrezade Anoran after he met with Weyland. Finally he reached the room were Weyland had made his office. The Lieutenant asked for permission, as protocol had it, before he let Tarkin in.

After a moment's notice, the Lieutenant turned to Tarkin, saluted, and thumbed the door's opening mechanism. With a hiss, the servomotors quickly opened to reveal Major Dane Weyland, standing at attention with a well practiced salute in place.

"Major Weyland..." Tarkin saluted back. "I hope your coming here and settling in has occured without any problems at all. What are the prospects for the initiation of the new fighter class project?" he asked.

"Everything is ready to produce." He began, dropping his salute and tapping a holopad. A transparent holographic image of what appeared to be a TIE fighter with large rectangular engines on its sides and convex foils appeared, and began to rotate. "As you see in my designs, the main errors found in the obsolete models were the lack of a shielding system. The new TIE "Hades" series contains not only four interlocking class III laser systems, but improved engines and a TIE Interceptor's shielding at seventy-five percent of the cost of a bomber. We should be fully capable of production in under seven days."

Tarkin grinned wickedly. "Good... And as for security measures... I do not wish any kind of intrusion on our newest project!"

"The construction yards we have appropriated are under twenty four hour security with a minimum of three troopers per entry hatch," Dane said with a proud grin. "The shipyard's director was a bit of a nuisance in getting us into here and I've been able to negotiate her head of security to not be allowed access to view the project, however I have allowed the two of them access to view the Lamba shuttle manufacturing as well as the Dreadnaught construction."

Tarkin folded his hands behind his back. "A new team of engineers are due here still today. Also, I will be sending some of my personal guards to guarantee the security of the project. Anything else you might want to tell me?"

"I have nothing else to report, sir," Weyland said, folding his arms across his chest and leaning against the edge of his desk. "The security on the shipyard was attempting to clear out any scoundrels that were supposedly running rampant on the station. It appears that the presence of the Empire has caused the undesirables to flee, so the operation should go smoothly pending our ability to detect and remove rebels should they show their faces."

"Very well... I want nothing to interfere with plans!" Tarkin said. "Show me the facilities," he asked with a tone that indicated that it was more an order than a question. Tarkin wanted to check everything and see for himself that things were acording to plan.

Weyland led Tarkin through the maze of corridors for what seemed like an eternity, before they came to a large reinforced blast door. The secure door was guarded by four massive stormtroopers and a protocol droid, and was littered with signs noting that the following area was restricted access. Seeing that it was the Major and Tarkin, the Stormtroopers opened the doors for them with timing that caused them to not have to slow their step.

"As you see," Weyland said, pointing towards the upper decks, "we have TIE construction on the upper decks, as well as Lambda classes and Bombers." He led Tarkin onto a hoverpad and set it to tour the facility. "The lower deck is beginning a Star Destroyer."

Before long, they were hovering over an area protected by security drones, to preview the area secured for the new TIE class.

"Here," Weyland stated with pride, "is the new location of Project Messiah where we're producing the new superiority fighters."

"Very well..." Tarkin nodded, content that Weyland was more than competent. The station had plenty of room to build all they wanted. "And who have you set to check the systems and oversee the production line? All security measures must be taken..."

"Lieutenant Morse, Sir," Weyland replied emphatically. "He was part of the Jenova project on the Intrepid before being transferred over to my command."

Tarkin nodded. "I must congratulate you, Major. You have fulfilled my expectations so far. I expect you to keep them that way. Contact me as soon as you have the test results on the Messiah Project Fighters. I have seen enough for now..."

Weyland nodded and sped the lift towards the docking bay entrance. He fought hard to hide his smile, and miraculously won. The Grand Admiral himself had just complemented him! He would surely enjoy his dinner with the Director and her head of security tonight indeed. "Grand Admiral, sir? Where would you wish the lift to take us?"

"I am not leaving yet Major... I still want to see Miss Anoran," he said.

"Very well, Grand Admiral. I am spending the afternoon in the shipyard to administrate the opening procedures for the T-Tac Twelve, should you have need of me I can be located always there or my office," Weyland said as he drove the hoverlift platform back to its docking kiosk, and opened the gate for Tarkin to exit.

Tarkin stepped off of the platform. "I shall call upon you soon Major..." he said as he turned around. With a nod Tarkin walked away.

---

"Rescue Party"
by Kael Selrid
Jae Dyn Brael
and Orn Gham [NPC]

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

***

Jae Dyn Brael and Kael Selrid walked through the sands of Thanatos, ignoring the stares they were drawing. Both moved with confidence as they sought their destination: a small diner near the center of town. With hoods up against the raging sun, both looked like overgrown Jawas, a species none in Thanatos would know...at least none of the natives. It had taken Jae Dyn nearly a half hour of explanation and a look through the galactic species databank before Kael understood.

Jae Dyn glanced at him. "What do you sense, Kael?"

"I sense a great amount of anxiety here," Kael said. "Though, it seems to be unfocused. It is a product of living in this place with the violence."

Jae Dyn nodded. "It is worse since the last time I was here," she said. "The violence pervades everything."

Kael looked around, his concern for Nieme growing. "One day I would like to free Thanatos of the violence, make it a good place to live."

"It is a noble goal," Jae Dyn said with a smile.

"And, one I know the Jedi cannot interfere in. But, they are my people, and I would like to see them freed of the gangs. But, the gangs aren't interested in talking. Thanatos is not a place where diplomacy thrives."

Jae Dyn said nothing, instead choosing to walk in silence. It was only a few more minutes before the building they sought came into view.

A longing for what he'd had shot through Kael, but he quickly pushed the emotions behind the cocoon Laedra had helped him build. He wondered what the man in there would say to him now, especially since Nieme had returned.

Jae Dyn pushed the door open, and they stepped out of the hot sun, and into the Rhack where Kael Selrid would once again have to face Orn Gham.

The man himself moved behind the counter sluggishly with his face drawn and his eyes bereft of that jovial gleam that they used to exhibit. He barely looked up to acknowledge his two new customers and merely gestured towards a table. "Lunch starts in 20 minutes. Just...have a look at the menu for now."

Jae Dyn nodded to Kael and he stopped near the door. She could sense Orn's dejection and knew something was wrong. The sickly tremor running through the Force confirmed what the man's visage conveyed. Steeling herself against the emotions, she stepped forward.

"Mr. Gham," she began, "I am Jae Dyn Brael. I was wondering...wondering if it would be possible for me to see Nieme and Dani."

Orn's body trembled involuntarily, but a common occurrence every time he thought about his two girls. His gaze slowly wandered up and when he met Jae Dyn's, he shook his head ruefully. "Sorry. Can't help you there, ma'am." He looked down again and resumed compulsively wiping down the counter. "Couldn't help them either," he muttered despondently.

"What happened, Orn?" Jae Dyn said. "What happened to Nieme and Dani?"

From behind, Kael started forward, but stopped abruptly at Jae Dyn's raised hand.

She stepped closer. "Where are they?"

Orn looked past Jae Dyn, ignoring her questions and focusing only on Kael. His rage and despair centred only on the white-haired ex-Feltrey who was, in his mind, no better than the gangers who tore Nieme from his grasp. A low, rumbling growl reverberated within his throat as he clenched his fists and bolted towards Kael. "You son of a nerf!" he bellowed. "This was your doing, Selrid!"

Kael nodded slowly and took a step forward to face Orn's wrath. "It was," he said. "And, I am here now to rectify that problem. I know I have done bad things in my past, and I'm trying to make up for that. I want to help her, Orn. I want to make things right, and then go back to training as a Jedi Knight."

Orn stopped only to emit a derisive laugh that expressed his disgust and disdain. "Make things right? It's too late for that, Selrid. The only thing you managed to do was screw everything up, including the lives of both of those girls. You should've stayed away from Nieme like I told you to. If you had..." Orn looked away and fought back the knot in his throat and the wrenching one in his gut. "I could've killed them all with my bare hands," he rasped. "I should've. I just...I couldn't."

The words were like a physical blow to Kael. He didn't need to Orn to say more to know who "them" was. He felt the bubble in his mind quaver against the emotions straining within. "Ferrig," he whispered. "Oh gods. The Feltreys took Nieme and Dani, didn't they?"

Orn jabbed his forefinger against Kael's chest, punctuating his every word. "Your Feltreys, Kael. Your doing."

"They're not my Feltreys," Kael said. "Not anymore, and not if they've done this. My Feltreys may have caused trouble, but we never kidnapped anyone and we never...never raped anyone. My Feltreys may not have been the most upstanding citizens in Thanatos, but we never hurt people who didn't deserve it."

"Yeah?" Orn said as he stepped closer. "You tell that to Nieme. Tell that to her and see if she forgives you for what those bastards are doing to her and Dani right now. It's because of you they're suffering right now. All you, Selrid."

Kael looked into Orn's eyes and nodded slowly. "I know," he said. "And, we're going to get them back and we're going to--"

"Kael," Jae Dyn said stepping forward. "Perhaps you should step outside, Padawan."

Kael nodded and bowed to Jae Dyn. "Yes, Master Jae Dyn." He backed away, keeping his sorrow-filled eyes on Orn, and slowly left the building.

"Do you know where we might be able to find the Feltreys, Orn?"

Orn stared blankly across the diner and shook his head morosely. "I went looking at their old hangout the night it happened... They've moved on. Don't know where."

Jae Dyn put her hand on his shoulder. "We're going to find them, Orn," she said. "I don't know the area very well, and was wondering if you'd be willing to assist me with looking for them."

Orn glanced over his shoulder at Jae Dyn and nodded his head. "And help you kill them. For the chance to do that, I'd give anything."

Jae Dyn said nothing to Orn's plea for death to Nieme and Dani's torturers. She knew that she should tell him otherwise, to strive toward diplomacy and peace. But, she knew that for what the girls were no doubt enduring that such inaction would be injustice. "Are you prepared to begin the search immediately?"

An insidious smile spread thin the man's lips as he moved past Jae Dyn and behind the counter again. His hand disappeared below the surface and came up again gripping a blaster rifle. "Oh, I'm ready, alright, but I doubt if Ferrig's ready to meet death tonight."

"First we'll need to find him," she said. "I want to make sure Kael's alright, and then I want us to split up. He knows the area, but I don't. If we split up with me and you, and then him, we can cover more space than the three of us together. We'll get them back, Orn. I promise you that. The Force is with us today."

"Screw the Force," Orn grumbled. "Sheer firepower is what's gonna get those girls back, lady."

Jae Dyn laughed. "We'll see at the end of the day," she said. "Now let's go. We still have plenty of daylight left to search, but we'll want to find them as soon as possible. How long have they been gone?"

"Almost a week and I haven't heard anything of them since. I haven't even seen a Feltrey around here. It's like they've all gone into hiding...the cowards."

"We'll find them," was all she could think of to say. "Come on."

She led the way outside to where Kael stood. He'd stepped to the side and had his back facing the door. It was obvious by his stance that he was trying to contain his emotions and failing. His shoulders shook and his arms were clutched tight to his body. He trembled with the effort to keep everything contained, but was rapidly failing the battle.

"He's one of 'em," Orn said disdainfully. "He should be able to sniff 'em out. Lady, I say we check out their regular hang outs and start asking questions. Someone knows something and they're gonna tell us." He patted the barrel of his blaster rifle and added, "Even if they need a little convincing."

"There are better ways to get information from people than threats and violence," Jae Dyn said as she stepped closer to Kael. "Are you going to be alright?"

Kael quickly brought his hands to his face and surreptitiously wiped at his eyes. "Yeah," he said. "It's just...this stoicism isn't all that easy."

"No one's asking you to stop feeling, Kael," she said. "You just need to be careful of which emotions you act on."

Kael nodded, took a deep breath, and was once again calm and collected.

"We're going to split up. I'll go with Orn; we'll take the west side of town. You take the east and see what you can turn up. If you find anything, contact me immediately and we'll be there as fast as we can get there."

Kael nodded. "I know a few places where they used to hang. I should be able to rattle up something."

"Come on," Jae Dyn said, tapping Orn's shoulder. "We'll see you soon, Kael." And, then she started off with Orn at her side. "Where to first?"

"The Dregs," Orn said gruffly. "It's an old bar they sometimes like to hang out in. There should be a few of them lounging about if we're lucky." Orn waved Jae Dyn over as he detached and veered off onto a new course. "You can hold your own in a fight?" he asked after quickly sizing her up.

"You could say that," Jae Dyn said as she followed him along. "From what I've heard, I don't think we'll be escaping this without a fight of some sort. Whatever you do, do not let your grief consume you. And, don't let your thirst for vengeance reduce you to their level."

"Easy for you to say to me," Orn replied. "You didn't see what they did to those girls." He clenched his eyes shut and shook his head slowly. "The things they did... I'd be surprised if Dani and Nieme ever recover."

"Easy for me to say," Jae Dyn said. "I've dealt personally with Dargus Kandran. Nothing the Feltreys will ever do could match that man's depravity."

Orn looked down at Jae Dyn with a narrowed, quizzical gaze. "You the one who killed him?" He let out a low whistle then laughed. "Maybe you can handle yourself after all."

"No," Jae Dyn said. "It wasn't me, however I know the people who were responsible, and one was trained by the same man who trained me. But, I assure you I can handle myself in a fight."

"Well...we'll see soon enough, lady." Orn kept his hand atop his rifle concealed beneath the cloak he wore. "That Selrid boy is bad news. You don't know him like I do, lady. This thing...it's his fault, and Nieme and Dani are suffering for it."

"Kael has changed since you knew him," Jae Dyn said. "He is not the same ganger who left this place. I would consider those who took the girls the ones at fault in this situation. Kael never forced them to take the actions they have."

"But he promised to protect her, dammit. He said he would keep her safe. He drove her back to Thanatos, into the clutches of those monsters. I don't care what you say, lady, he's partly to blame for all this."

Jae Dyn held her tongue, knowing that arguing with the stubborn old man would get her nowhere. With a glance at him, she couldn't help the thought that she may end up having to protect the Feltreys from Orn's wrath. But did they deserve it? After what they'd done, they very well might deserve what vengeance they would receive at his hands.

"Come on," he said as he increased his pace. "We've gotta find them before the sun sets and they head out for one of their rape raids." The word itself made Orn cringe and only fuelled his blood lust. They didn't need to go on rape raids when they had two helpless girls at their disposal. As much as he hated Kael right now, he hoped he was faring well in his search, for the girls' sake.

***

The riotous sounds of laughter and drunken conversation filtered out of the old, partially dilapidated bar. The Dregs was what they called it, and for a name, it was pretty accurate. Orn and Jae Dyn stopped across the sand-lined road from it and surveyed the exterior. "So, we just break down the door and start shooting or do we sit and wait?"

"Why don't we just go in and see if there are any Feltreys there?" Jae Dyn said. "We don't want to catch any innocents up in this."

"Lady, in the desert, there are no innocents." Orn gave a short, dry laugh and marched forward towards the bar.

Jae Dyn cast a critical eye at Orn. "Nieme and Dani."

"Not after this," Orn said bitterly. "Not after what those gangers are most definitely putting them through." He turned back and placed his massive body between Jae Dyn and the path to the bar. "What exactly do you think they're doing with them, lady? Playing dress-up? Using them as cleaning ladies?" Orn's eyes held at once a sadness and a seering rage. "They're having horrors performed upon them like nothing you can imagine, lady. If they don't come out of that completely messed up in here," he said as he pressed a forefinger to his temple, "they certainly won't be the sweet, innocent girls we adored. They'll be yet another two victims of this damn place and will never be free of its curse."

"Let's just go in there and see if we can find any Feltreys. We need to find Nieme and Dani. I know the kind of torture they're enduring, and I want them back."

Orn's rigid, stubborn facade seemed to melt under the Thanatos sun as he sighed. "Me too, lady. More than you know." Escaping the awkwardness of his emotional display, Orn started forward again. His large hand flattened against the door of the bar and he pushed it open. "Ladies first," he said to Jae Dyn.

Jae Dyn strode through the door and into the darkened interior. Her Force-trained senses adapted immediately to the light, and her other senses screamed with the danger around the room. Strangers weren't liked here, and she and Orn were most definitely strangers to this crowd. Her hand made no move toward her weapon, but she knew she could have it ready before anyone in the room made a move against them.

Orn's narrowed gaze swept across the room as he searched for the faces of their link to Nieme and Dani. "Let's go have a seat," he muttered to Jae Dyn. "We'll look less suspicious and it'll give me a chance to check out the crowd better."

Jae Dyn let her gaze pass over the crowd and then led the way toward a table in the corner of the room. "They don't like us here," she said. "The level of hostility in the room rose when we entered, and then again when we moved toward this table. Do you see anyone you recognize?"

Orn shook his head uncertainly, but paused as his eyes fell upon two youths sitting at the far end of the room and partaking of a large jug of ale. He gestured his head towards them, and gave Jae Dyn a feral smile. "Them. Do we shoot yet?"

Jae Dyn glanced at the two he'd indicated and shook her head. "If we shoot them, we can't really ask them any questions. Perhaps we should join them though, they already seem to be taking an interest in us."

"Gladly." Orn pushed back his chair and attempted to casually make his way toward the two gangers. His tall, wide frame itself was enough to put the gangers on their guard and soon their laughter died down as they focused on Orn, and Jae Dyn by his side. He stopped before them and sneered rather than smiled at them. "These seats taken?" Orn pulled out one of the chairs, displacing a pair of feet, and settled heavily down onto the seat. "Guess not."

Jae Dyn moved into the second free chair and watched the two gangers intently.

One of the two, the one whose feet Orn had just knocked to the floor, leaned forward. "Ferrig thanks you for those two sweet pieces of cunt, fat man," he said. "I don't think we ever had such obedient and talented pleasure girls before. You trained them right."

Orn's large, plump hand closed around the handle of his blaster rifle, but he kept himself from firing at the two, just until they told them what they needed to hear. "Enjoying them, are ya? Well...why don't you tell us where they are so we can get in on the action?"

The ganger laughed. "I hear you had quite a time the day you gave them to Ferrig. Though, I hear you didn't get to take Purple. I bet you're sorry 'bout that, ain't ya? Oh, she's really sweet. And the way she sucks! Sweet Thana, and man just blows it right there. But, I imagine you know that. She may not be human, but damn she puts out. And, gets all wet just looking at a man. Your fault for lettin' 'em go."

Orn had neither the training of a Jedi to keep his emotions harnessed, nor did he have the inclination to keep himself from acting out his rage upon the ganger's face. With a sound akin to the roar of a sabrecat just as it strikes its prey, Orn leapt to his feet and overturned the table. One ganger tumbled out of his chair to avoid being caught under the falling table, and the other was already on his feet and trying to make a hasty escape.

Orn was by no means nimble and fast, but with one outstretched arm, he grabbed the ganger by the collar and threw him up against the wall. His blaster rifle was already drawn by the time he stepped in front of the young ganger, and its barrel was aimed directly between his eyes. "What were you saying again?"

"Pull that trigger, fat man," the ganger said with a derisive laugh, "and the Feltreys will take that shithole of a restaurant of yours and bring it to the ground."

"I don't give a shit about the Rhack, and besides, once I track down your friends, there won't be anymore Feltreys around to light the fire." Orn smirked at the boy as he made a show of slowly depressing the trigger. "Tell us where they are, or die. It's your choice and I suggest you make it quick."

The Feltrey only laughed. He shifted his eyes to the side where his friend now stood with a blaster leveled at Orn's head. "Pull that trigger, and you won't be finding shit."

"Orn," Jae Dyn said from next to him. "There's another way to go about this."

"Oh really, lady?" Orn gave a brusque laugh. "And what do you propose? We let these curs go?"

"If you shoot him, how long do you think it'll take before his friend shoots you? However, your method is not the only way."

Orn glanced sideways at the barrel of the blaster pressed to his temple, then back at the ganger he had pinned to the wall. With a muttered curse, Orn stepped back and pulled his blaster away, leaving an impression of its barrel in the ganger's forehead. "Fine. Do it your way, lady."

Jae Dyn stepped forward as the ganger Orn had pinned stumbled away. "You will take us to Ferrig," she said in an even tone.

The one with the blaster nodded dumbly. "We will take you to Ferrig," he said, and stumbled forward.

The other ganger ambled after his friend, nodding along to unheard words.

Jae Dyn glanced at Orn with a smile on her face. "My way," she said.

Orn shook his head and laughed. "As long as it works...whatever it is you've done to them, lady."

"The Force is a powerful ally, Mr. Gham," Jae Dyn said. "Let's go before they get too far ahead of us."

Orn braced his rifle against him and led the way with the two gangers behind him and Jae Dyn taking up the rear. "It's a good thing Nieme and Dani have someone like you on their side. At least now, they've got a chance."

"I just hope we find them soon," Jae Dyn said as they moved toward the door.

They didn't get far before three men stepped in their path, arms crossed over barrel chests and sneers twisting their mouths. "We don't like your kind in here," one of them growled. "You can't come in here and start pushing people around, waving blasters and tossing threats. I think it's time you learned a little manners, old man."

"I think you should get out of our way and mind your own damn business," Orn challenged with a step towards the man. "We're gonna leave, and you're gonna sit back down and finish your drinks."

If it was possible, the man's chest got even larger, and his friends each took a menacing step forward. "You got it wrong, old timer," one of them said. "We're gonna kick your fat, wet ass around this place, and then we're gonna rape your woman and sell her to the Rhi'Hagheara. I'm sure the slavers will find somewhere really nice for her."

Orn's abrupt laughter was startling and mocking as he thwacked the man's chest with the back of his hand, then cocked his thumb towards Jae Dyn. "You think you can contend with that one? Be my guest, buddy."

"I plan to," the man said without humour, and then cracked his fist across Orn's jaw.

The bar seemed to disrupt into chaos at that point as all the inhabitants of the place seemed to surge upward and toward the old man and his woman companion. They may have fought against each other on the streets, but here in the bar they united against a common enemy: those who didn't run with a gang.

Orn stumbled backwards until the wall came up behind him. He shook away the vertigo, and managed to straighten up before a duo of gangers jumped him. Up came his blaster rifle, whose butt he slammed into the jaw of one of the boys. He was by no means fast and agile, so before he could bring it around and deliver the same blow to the second boy, another fist had impacted with his face. He plummeted to the tacky floor below, and decided a little company was in order. His thick, massive hand clamped around the boy's ankle and he jerked his leg out from under him. The moment the scrawny body hit the floor, Orn was on top of him. "Lady," he hollered while deflecting an elbow, "you're on your own!"

One of the gangers was about to bring a chair crashing down on Orn. Jae Dyn spun as her lightsaber jumped into her hand. She threw the other out, and sent the chair-wielder flying back into a group of his comrades. Shouting and curses filled the air, but it all seemed to deaden at the hissing sound of her lightsaber igniting. The electronic hum whirred through the air as she brought it up in time to deflect a blaster bolt back into a knot of gangers, scattering them. Another ganger raised a blaster toward the back of Orn's head, and the lightsaber came down, shearing his hand from the rest of his arm. His scream pierced the chaos, driving some away, but only serving to whip others into a frenzy.

They were keeping their distance from Jae Dyn and her weapon, and she edged closer to Orn to keep him from getting overrun.

The ganger he was compressing beneath his weight squirmed frantically as Jae Dyn approached. He wanted to rejoin his gang mates, where at least if he was in a crowd, he was less likely to be the main target. Orn smacked the boy across the head and pushed himself to his knees. The boy was gone without sparing even a moment and disappeared into the regrouping crowd. "This ain't pretty, lady. You got a way out?" Orn muttered as he rose to his feet.

"Get that blaster of yours firing into the crowd," Jae Dyn said as she deflected a bolt that would have cored straight through her abdomen, "and I'll make us a way out."

"Blasters," Orn said proudly as he patted his rifle. "That's my specialty." With a thick, guttaral chortle, Orn began sending sprays of random blaster fire into the congregation of gangers. Bodies dove aside to avoid being clipped by the energy bolts, and much to his satisfaction, he actually managed to hit a few.

While Orn worked at keeping the gangers away, Jae Dyn turned toward the wall. The door was on the other side of the building, and she didn't know if they could risk waiting through the gangers there. She drove her lightsaber into the wall up to the hilt. It easily cut through the cheap material used to make the building, and she began smoothly cutting upward in the form of a door. "Just another few minutes or so," she said to Orn as he fired off another volley of blaster bolts.

"This baby's got plenty of juice," he called back above the blaster fire. "You just keep up what you're doing and let Orn have a little fun."

"Almost there," Jae Dyn said. "I certainly hope that Kael's having better luck than we are."

"If not, we still got our two zombies over here." Orn cursed himself for speaking so soon. The gangers had begun firing back and one stray blaster bolt from the disorderly crowd ended up squarely on one of their tour guides' chests. The ganger slumped to the ground and Orn hollered at Jae Dyn to hurry. At least they had one left...for now.

Jae Dyn was moving on to the last cut when she sensed the sudden danger from behind. She quickly whipped around and deflected a series of blaster bolts back at their assailants, and catching the one who'd first punched Orn in the knee. He crumpled to the ground in a heap. With the danger averted, Jae Dyn returned her attention to the door she was making, and getting them out of there.

"Come on, lady!" Orn bellowed. "I'm fifteen against one here." A ganger cried out, then went silent as he toppled to the ground. Orn laughed and said, "Make that fourteen."

"Almost...got it!" Jae Dyn pulled her lightsaber back, and flung a group of gangers, whose blasters were getting far too close to hitting Orn, away. "It's open. Let's go!"

He backed away briskly and continued firing. The rifle was balanced in one hand while his other hand seized their lethargic companion and pushed him through the opening. Orn followed suit while filling the hole with blaster bolts. "Where to? It won't be long before they decide to follow us out."

"Back toward your place," Jae Dyn said. "We can find somewhere safe on the way, but it's a good place for us to head toward. Go!"

Orn wasn't one to take commands from anyone, especially not a woman, but as the gangers within began squeezing through the door Jae Dyn had carved out, he gladly complied and started down the road in a lumbering jog.

Jae Dyn deflected blaster bolts as she hurried away. She grabbed the arm of the Feltrey whose mind she'd affected to get him to comply, but he crumpled away from her touch. "Damn," she muttered, and then turned to follow Orn. She could only hope that Kael was having better luck in his search.

***

Kael walked through the streets of Thanatos focusing his thoughts on finding the Feltreys. He forced himself not to think about Nieme's plight, knowing it would only push him into a deeper melancholy. He'd already been out in the sands for nearly twenty minutes, and hadn't had any sign of them. He'd expected to find them within five minutes, but reality soon made its presence known.

The search was going to take long, and he knew that each minute they didn't find the girls... No, he told himself, don't think that. Don't dwell on that. Keep focused, and push your emotions away until you can meditate on them later.

With a sigh, he started toward the Burned Bridge, an old tavern that sold deep desert spirits, and had become a favourite of Ferrig's. Though, it wasn't the spirits that drew his former friend, but the pretty girls the owner had working the taps.

Kael approached the bar casually, his hood thrown up over his head to keep the sun off. In front of the entrance, three young men lounged in the shade offered by a tattered awning. They watched his approach with interested disinterest, a seeming art form amongst the gangs. He recognized them and knew they were Feltreys.

He came to a stop before them, and their disinterest waned until all three were sitting up and trying to get a look under his hood. To make it easier on them, Kael slowly lowered the fabric down until it rested back over his shoulders. Their eyes went wide with recognition.

"I am looking for, Ferrig," Kael said. "Take me to him."

The three exchanged amused glances, and then burst out laughing. "Told you he hit his head on something," one of them said, as they pushed themselves upright.

"You ran out on us, Selrid," another said.

"And, Ferrig wasn't exactly singing praises about you. The only reason we're not killing you on sight...well...maybe you'd like to see for yourself."

"I don't want any trouble," Kael said. "I just want Nieme and Dani back. Give them to me...and you won't have to be destroyed."

All three laughed. "You got trouble, Selrid," one said, and then they each drew blasters. "And, you ain't gettin' the girls back. We like them far too much."

Kael's hand dropped to his lightsaber, and he had it in his hand instantly. "Take me to Ferrig, and I'll spare your lives."

They all laughed and raised their weapons. Kael ignited and raised his. No one moved for a long minute as they just stared at each other. And, then a shot was fired.

Kael's lightsaber flashed, intercepting the bolt, and sending it into the sand. The air came alive with blaster bolts, and Kael slashed and parried, frantic to stop them all before they hit him. It wasn't until he saw the other gangers pouring out of the bar before he truly realized his folly. He started backing away, as the air thickened with crimson and blue bolts, mixed with hot orange and yellow. He kept his mind focused, and his blade moving.

Suddenly he cried out as a searing pain broke his calm. His left thigh felt on fire, and then he felt a hot lance score his shoulder. His concentration faltered, and he pushed back faster.

Just as he was about to leap away from the danger, up onto the nearest building, he was enveloped in soft, blue energy. And, then all went black.

***

Orn had barred up both the front and back door, and for extra security, as well as his own peace of mind, he piled up chairs and pushed tables against the doors to create obstacles for the gangers and give them more time to seek an escape route if they did try and break down the door. He passed the back of his hand over his brow to clean off the sweat, then sank heavily into the nearest chair. "What now, lady? We've just made an enemy of every ganger in this desert."

"They made themselves our enemy long before tonight," Jae Dyn said. "I'm sure they recognized you and will know to come here, so we don't have much time." She pulled her comlink off her belt and signalled for Kael. "Kael, this is Jae Dyn. Please respond."

There was no answer.

"Kael, this is Jae Dyn Brael, please respond immediately."

After another several seconds of silence, she slipped the device back into her utility belt and bit back a more vulgar curse, and instead settled with, "Damn."

"Maybe he dropped it," Orn said. "Or maybe he turned it off so it wouldn't alert anyone."

Jae Dyn nodded. "Possible," she said. "Though, it concerns me that he didn't contact us before doing so. Is there another place that we could go? A place that no one would associate with you?"

"As far as I know, the gangers have no idea where I live. I could take you there, but I'm really not looking forward to accidentally leading them to my home."

"I understand," Jae Dyn said. "I will keep my senses open to the danger, if you're concerned. I will do everything in my power to keep from leading them to your home." She put a hand on his shoulder. "You're a good man, Orn Gham. Nieme was very lucky to have you as a guardian for so long. Force willing, with your help we can help save her from whatever torture they've subjected her to."

Orn nodded his head while trying to maintain a hold on his composure. He cleared his throat of the knot forming within it and rose abruptly from his chair. "I'd protect that kid with my life, and I tried to. But she begged me, you see. She begged me not to. Dammit...I'd do anything for her. You understand that, don't you? You understand why I wasn't able to protect her? I tried... I tried."

Jae Dyn clamped down hard on her emotions as she looked into Orn's eyes. "I understand," she said softly. "And, I know that she loves you and looks up to you more than anything. And, we'll get her back, Orn. I promise you, we'll get her and Dani back. And, we'll make the gangers pay." She suddenly wrapped him into an embrace. "We'll do everything we can to get them back."

Displays of emotion weren't something Orn was comfortable with, and reciprocating certainly didn't come easily to him, but as the sole tear ran down his cheek, Orn let his hands rest upon Jae Dyn's waist - the closest thing to a hug he could allow himself. "She's strong. She'll come through," he said, trying to convince himself rather than reassure Jae Dyn. "They both will."

"They are strong," Jae Dyn said softly, "and they are strong in the Force. It will see them through this and protect them. They'll need us when we find them, and rescue them. But, I'm certain, we'll be able to help them through this. I promise you, Orn, you will see Nieme smiling up at you again. And, she'll make a special batch of Mepat pie."

Orn found what little comfort he could in Jae Dyn's words, and clearing his throat uncomfortably, he stepped back and nodded his head. "We'll find them. And we'll find Kael too, just so I can give him another piece of my mind." He turned away and furtively wiped a tear from his cheek. "So...I guess we should be off then."

"Yes," Jae Dyn said. "Let's see if we can trace his steps, and hopefully find where he ended up. I just hope he wasn't too impulsive in this. He doesn't quite have all the training to be a Jedi yet, and I fear that he's overconfident. Let's go find out where he went, and hopefully it'll lead us to them."

Orn nodded as he hefted his rifle up into his arms. He started for the back entrance of the diner, through the kitchen, that led into the alley behind the diner. "If the Feltreys have got him, he's as good as dead. I hope he's a better Jedi than you give him credit for."

Jae Dyn followed after Orn, hoping that very same thing. "The Force is strong with him," she said, "and the Feltreys will find him very resilient to whatever they throw at him. But, we should still hurry."

"Yes, ma'am," Orn said, doffing an invisible hat with the barrel of his blaster. He unbolted the back door in the kitchen and kicked it open. The blaster rifle was the first thing out the door as Orn scanned for any gangers planning an ambush. He nodded to Jae Dyn then stepped out into the alleyway. "Come on. The sun's almost down. We'll have a better chance of going unseen once it's night, but we also run the risk of stepping into the middle of a gang raid, so we better hurry."

"I'm right behind you," Jae Dyn said as she slipped into the alley. She sensed no danger waiting for them, and moved to the edge of the alley. "Let's go find those girls...and Kael."

Together they moved out into the darkening night, and stole their way across the sands in search of the missing girls.

---

"Flashback, Flashforward, Part 1"
By: Koran Darr
Laedra Vorrel
Grel and Amren [NPC]
Master Ina Galean [NPC]

Location: Forest around New Plouton
Date: Niothe 12, 4 ABY

***

The sleek, smooth gray rock lay cradled in the blue-green grass as the gentle zephyr swayed the blades and added even more so to her frustration. She knew she'd be able to concentrate better without him scrutinizing her and without the damn wind blowing her hair into her face. With a frustrated shriek, she kicked the rock away with the heel of her boot and watched with satisfaction as it disappeared below the depths of the clear, blue lake. "So," she said casually, but with smug pride, "how was that?"

Ina sighed - the only way he knew how to convey his displeasure - and looked out upon the lake where his teaching tool now lay. "Can you explain to me why you did that?" he asked in the same analyzing, patronizing tone he always used on her when she'd done something wrong.

"I did it because it's what I felt like doing. Do I need a better reason?"

"That is no reason at all. Why didn't you complete the lesson?"

Laedra shrugged her small, scrawny shoulders then sat back upon the grass with her arms propping her up. "I couldn't. I tried to make it move, but it wouldn't. Then I got to thinking," she added with a grin, "that it was a stupid lesson and that I didn't wanna waste my time doing it anymore."

Master Ina sighed again, which rankled Laedra even more so. "If you cannot move a rock, Padawan, then how do you expect to become a Jedi?"

Laedra turned her narrowed gaze to Master Ina and said with contempt and disrespect, "Well, maybe I've changed my mind. Maybe I don't wanna be a Jedi. It's not like I had a damned choice in the matter."

Master Ina was on his feet and staring down at Laedra before she even realized he was making an effort to stand. One elbow buckled beneath her and with a grunt, she fell back onto the grass. Ina bent low towards her with his face hovering over hers and his eyes bearing the same impassive, neutral expression that annoyed her so much.

"You don't wish to be a Jedi?" Laedra made no answer and focused instead on keeping her sudden anxiety from her face. "You wish me to take you back home to Muunilinst, back to your father?"

This time, Laedra answered with a resounding "No!" She scrambled back until she was no longer beneath Ina's looming presence, then she jumped to her feet and kicked at the grass below in agitation. "No! You can't send me back there. I'd rather you left me out here in this forest to fend for myself. Anything but back there."

Master Ina slipped his arms within the sleeves of his robes and gave her a short nod. "If that is what you wish, then so be it."

Laedra was rendered speechless as Master Ina turned and headed away with no indication that he wished her to follow. Whether he wanted her to or not, Laedra took a step forward to do so, but was quickly pushed back by a wall of unseen Force energy. She growled and proceeded to run towards Ina, determined to break down his wall if she needed to, but her body slammed into it as if it were made of dense ferrocrete and she ended up only landing flat on her back.

"Fine!" she hollered at him. She tore a handful of grass from the ground and threw it fitfully, but the blades dispersed in the air and fluttered slowly to the ground, diffusing her rage.

Master Ina disappeared within the forest and Laedra was left sitting upon the bed of grass while trying to decipher the game Master Ina was obviously playing. She laughed and figured it was simply a ploy to help her rediscover her desire to become a Jedi and that he'd be back within the hour to end the charade and resume her training.

It was not to be so, which she realized ten minutes later when a turbulent wind engulfed the clearing she was in. The trees swayed and leaves were plucked from their branches as Master Ina's ship ascended from within the forest and hovered high above. She stared in bewilderment, her hair once again whipping against her face, but the shock of seeing the ship without her in it, dispelled any aggravation it might have caused.

"Master Ina?"

The ship's repulsors fired again, taking the ship higher. Laedra struggled to get to her feet as the torrents of wind knocked her off balance. "Master Ina!" She waved her hands frantically in the air to grab his attention, but she had no delusions that he had simply forgotten her and that her attempts, even if noticed, would land that ship.

He was leaving. He was leaving her alone, in the forest, with nothing but the robes on her back and her journeypack. "I'm sorry, Master! I-I changed my mind. I wanna be a Jedi!"

Her pleas were lost in the howling wind as the ship's thrusters fired and it rocketed away. Laedra staggered back with the force of her shock hitting her. He left her and she had no idea if he was coming back for her. Laedra's legs wobbled beneath her until they gave out and she sagged to the grass below. She was alone on a foreign planet with no civilization that she was aware of. She was stranded and as good as dead with the amount of food she had left.

Laedra reclined back on the grass and stared dazedly at the pastel sky above. It would be night soon and for the first time in her life, she was truly, physically alone and without Master Ina's guidance, which she now realized she had utterly depended upon.

She felt lost and scared, no matter how much she fought against both, but beneath it all lay an underlying resentment towards Ina, and an overwhelming desire to seek retribution in the form of her fist in his gut.

"Balls," she amended bitterly. "One swift punch in the balls."

***

After the fourth day, Laedra decided to stop counting the days until Master Ina's return. She was faring adequately on her own, but with the rations from her journeypack depleted, and only the berries she'd found while wandering through the forest, she knew her already underweight body would eventually succumb to malnutrition and she'd starve.

At least the water was safe to drink. She cupped another handful of it into her palm and drained the clear, sweet liquid from it. Laedra had found that being on her own wasn't as terrible as she'd first thought it to be. The fear of sleeping alone, in the dark and out in the open, quelled after the first two nights. There were no animals bigger than a Beeja rat dwelling in the forest, and even those left her alone and tended to their own business of scrounging for food.

She dipped her hand again into the pool of water and once the rippling waves of disturbance smoothed out, she gazed down into the depths, straight to the bottom. The water was clear enough that she could make out distinctly every single rock and gently swaying piece of aquatic foliage at the very bottom of the pool.

She squinted as a breeze swept across the water's surface and jarred the objects out of focus. The first thing to come back into view was the tiny slab of rock she'd drowned in a fit of agitation the day Ina left her. She'd tried to use the Force to move it, as Ina had asked her to, but she couldn't. He kept telling her to focus, which only made her impatient and even more distracted. But what frustrated her the most, was that she couldn't do it.

"We'll see about that," Laedra challenged as she stood up upon the edge of the lake.

She began pulling at her ripe robes and threw them off. Hopping one-footed, she tugged at her boots until one, then the other came off. Her pants soon joined them upon the grass until she stood only in her underclothes, although with how underdeveloped her breasts were, she wondered sourly why she even bothered to wear support at all.

She blew at a wisp of hair that had fallen into her eyes, and redirected her attention to the rock laying at the bottom of the pool. She wasn't much of a swimmer, but Laedra took a deep, long breath, pinched her nose closed, and jumped into the water. She plunged to the bottom and felt her body going weightless as it began floating to the top again. Her legs and arms thrashed through the dense liquid as she tried to invert herself and dive deeper.

The pressure increased the farther she descended. Her lungs felt close to collapsing as the weight bore down upon her chest, but she needed that rock, more than she'd ever wanted anything in her life. Burning pain radiated through her bosom and her heart beat at a maddening pace. She stretched out to the rock, her fingers barely even close enough to brush against it. An internal struggle to return to the surface for air, or persevere and get the rock, ensued within her. But she wanted that rock.

Bubbles of spent air escaped her pursed lips, and soon the rest of the stale air within her lungs rushed out. The rock still wasn't in her hand and although she could've resurfaced and made another attempt, stubborn pride dictated otherwise. She waded frantically and reached out again for the rock. Her lungs were ready to explode in a searing ball of flame, and her heart was ready to break free from her chest.

She drifted only farther from the rock, but reached out her hand in one final effort driven by determination and impetuousness. The yearning was potent and almost tangible, as was the oscillating vibrations in the water around her. Even in these depths, the Force was present and now it was surrounding her and penetrating her. It extended out from her fingertips, drawing on her desire and passion, and especially her desperation.

A rock. She was willing to drown for a rock and she couldn't understand why. Yet there she was with her fingers massaging and plucking at the tendrils of the Force stretching out towards the rock.

Her heart screamed at her and her body's internal mechanisms were compelling her to breathe, when at last the threads of the Force wrapped themselves around the rock and pulled it through the dense column of water into her hand. Her fingers closed around it and her legs kicked madly against the unyielding pressure of water surrounding her.

She upraised her arm and the rock was the first to break the surface. Sunlight glinted off its bevelled, gently arching edge - a beacon signalling her success and triumph, but she still had no idea what she had conquered, what obstacle she'd overcome, besides not drowning...well, almost not drowning.

Laedra coughed and sputtered out water as her head finally emerged again. She thrashed about, remembering she still couldn't swim. The rock remained firmly in her grasp and she barely noticed the pain flaring in her palm as its sharp edges sliced into her flesh. Her free hand slapped against the grassy bank. She clawed at it, but only managed to pull free a hand full of grass and dig up dirt with her fingernails.

She coughed again and choked on another mouthful of water she'd swallowed when her head resubmerged momentarily. The only thought in her mind now was that she was going to die. At least, though, she still had the rock.

Her arms flailed errantly and once again her hand came down upon the bank. She could still not find anything secure to clutch at, but she no longer needed to. A strong vice-like grip clamped down around her wrist and dredged her up out of the depths. She was laid out upon the grass, heaving and racked with coughs. Her sore limbs rested limply in a bed of thick grass, but the rock still remained in her hand.

Laedra's eyes squinted and she lolled her head to the side to identify her saviour. With the sun light blotting out the person's form, only his voice revealed who it was.

"So...you do not think the lesson is so stupid now, do you?"

Laedra gave no reply, and would have in fact given him quite the snide retort if she could catch her breath. Instead, she lay panting heavily upon the grass, with her skin soaked through and only a pair of undergarments to shield her flesh from the cold. She did, however, manage a sly grin for Master Ina as she raised her arm and held out the rock to him in her open palm.

For the first time in all her years of training with him, Laedra had never seen the man smile at her peevishness and displays of her impish nature, not as he did then. He'd always reproached such behaviour and attempted to correct it through rigorous, intensive teachings in discipline. Now, however, he was grinning at her with a detectable sparkle in his gray eyes.

Master Ina took the rock from her hand, then held her other in his and pulled her to her feet. Her sopping brown hair fell into her face, and between the straggling wisps, she watched as Master Ina pulled off his cloak and wrapped her in it.

"You've learned an invaluable lesson today, Padawan," he said with a distinct note of admiration in his normally rigid voice.

"I...I don't understand. It's just a rock," Laedra replied quizzically.

"No, my dear Laedra," he said gently. "It's more than the rock." Much to her surprise and utter confusion, Master Ina brought a hand to her face and tenderly brushed aside the locks of hair obstructing her vision. He was in full, clear view now, and the admiration she thought she'd recognized in his eyes became something entirely different. Were they soft and somewhat wistful? Was that affection she saw in his smile?

Laedra almost shrank away when he pressed a hand to her cheek and said gently, "You've finally decided you want to become a Jedi, Laedra." The hand that had left the burning blush on her cheek lowered and picked up her hand. He turned her wrist around until she was staring into the bloody wounds inflicted on her palm by the jagged edges of the rock. "And this, my Padawan, is a symbol of the path you have now chosen for yourself. It will be fraught with struggle, heartache, much loss, but in the end, those wounds will be overcome and your path will be unobstructed and unhindered, with no more tears in the road."

Laedra gazed up at her Master, almost slack-jawed and definitely speechless. Her body was trembling, and not merely from the chill of the water upon her being dried by the air. Master Ina had never shown this side to her before, and frankly, if he had, she would have made his life a lot easier long ago.

His black hair swept across his brow as the wind picked up. He noticed the tremor running through Laedra's body, and felt the gentle stir of one beginning in his own. Laedra gasped quietly as he abruptly stepped away from her and fixed upon his face that characteristic stolid, resolved expression he always wore with her. The eyes no longer gleamed and the smile - that beautiful, wonderful smile - was gone.

"I believe you have learned your lesson, Padawan. You may rejoin me on the ship. It is two kilometers from here on foot. Grab your robes." He turned, dropping the rock as he did. Before he started forward, he turned his head and spoke over his shoulder: "You may wear the cloak during the trek." That was all he said, then immediately he headed into the forest.

Laedra was still dazed and disoriented, but she did as he asked of her. She collected her robes and placed her boots upon her feet. Prior to leaving the clearing, however, she crouched down and scooped up the rock from the ground. It still bore her blood, and she vowed, then, never to wash it off. There lay the sign of her sudden dawning and realization that being a Jedi was what she chose for herself.

As she looked up and saw the trees closing around Master Ina, she also realized something else: she was falling in love with him.

***

Laedra finally emerged from the depths of the reservoir after a ten minute submersion. With her Jedi training, she was able to control her heart rate and slow it. She considered making it a part of Kael's training, for it was a good method for teaching control, but she could not. Doing so would mean an intrusion into the past - that day with her and Master Ina. He didn't belong there. No one did but she and her beloved master.

It was the most pivotal moment in her life. If Master Ina hadn't left her in that forest, alone, she might never have become a Jedi and certainly would have not become the disciplined, mature woman she was today.

Laedra sighed and hefted herself out of the water. She closed her eyes and raised her head to the sunlight. Its rays warmed the water rolling over her bare flesh and infused her with a tranquility she could never find through meditation. She was glad this sanctuary existed so close to the Temple. When she felt herself faltering, she would come here and rediscover her purpose and find motivation. And here, all alone, she could be with Master Ina and remember how a 13 year old girl first fell in love.

But perhaps alone was an inaccurate assessment.

Laedra's eyes flew open as the trees rustled from behind. She was momentarily stunned and nearly jarred by what she felt as a ripple in the Force. There wasn't even time to reach out and beckon her lightsaber to her, for the branches of the trees were pushed up and away, and into the clearing stepped a strange man.

Koran breathed a sigh of relief once he'd found the inhabited clearing, but when he saw the object of the habitation he took a sudden step back. It had been a very long time since he'd seen a naked woman, and he had to admit that the woman that stood before him looked better than most. How long has it been, he asked himself and then quickly pushed the thoughts away.

"Good..." He glanced around trying to figure out what time of day it was, and finally determined it was still fairly early. "Good afternoon," he said. "I am Koran Darr...and I believe I'm...somewhat lost."

Laedra stared at the man with stunned bewilderment. Her increasingly widening eyes glanced down at her dripping, naked body, then back up at the man. Did he even realize? Whether he did or not, she was well aware of her nudity and with a yelp, she sought concealment within the reservoir again.

She floated by the edge of the bank and gazed up at the man after recovering her faculty of speech. "You are quite lost, sir. In fact, I am not certain how you made it this far. These parts are--" Laedra swallowed back her initial surprise and managed to speak in a steady voice. "I am Laedra Vorrel. What are you doing in the forest, sir?"

"It's a very long story," Koran said. "And, probably difficult to believe. The truth...I was drawn here." He glanced back. "I have two companions following me. If you wish to dress yourself, now would be a good time before they arrive. And, I can turn around if you'd like."

If I'd like? Laedra frowned at the man. "I believe you should do just that, Koran Darr."

"Very well," he said. Before turning, he picked up the robe sitting by one of the rocks and moved it closer toward where Laedra sat in the water. He was careful as he moved closer to keep his eyes averted. And, once done, he stepped a few meters away and turned his back to her. "I am sorry for intruding like this...but...but there is a place of power around here, and...and I'm certain you're already aware of that."

Laedra paused in her attempt to push herself onto the bank. She tilted her head up towards the man and narrowed her eyes in scrutiny. "A power?" she asked seemingly casually. "What kind?" She stepped onto the grass and moved lightly and quietly to her robes.

Koran could sense the power within the woman, but her questions left him wondering if she herself knew it was there. "The Force is an energy field that binds all things together, and this area is...is like a focus for the Force."

He was a Force user, that much was clear to Laedra. But what kind? She slipped on her robes first, but hastily and paying little care to how neatly they hung. It was her lightsaber she was more interested in. She grabbed it within her hand tightly, but concealed it beneath the cloak she had draped over her arm.

"The Force?" Laedra turned to face the man, and eyed him warily. "Are you a scholar? How do you know of the Force?"

"You won't need your weapon against me, Laedra Vorrel," Koran said as he turned. "I intend neither you, nor anyone at this place any harm. My name is Koran Darr, and I am a Jedi Master of the Old Republic. I've been a little...out of the loop for awhile."

She had sensed the Force in him before and had then been uncertain as to his allegiances. But even upon his declaration of being a Jedi, his somewhat incredible claim only served to discredit him in her eyes. "Sir... Forgive me if I don't believe you, but you are no more than 40 years of age, as far as I can tell. The Old Republic has been dead for almost as long. You cannot be what you say you are."

Koran smiled. "From what I have been able to gather from my companions, I...disappeared shortly before the incidents that led to the Republic's collapse. I was on a mission for the Jedi Temple, but was overwhelmed in a warehouse by a group of nikto. They managed to get me off-balance and into a carbon freezing pit. I have been decorating the wall of the study of a crimelord ever since...at least until a few days ago when my companions managed to accidentally free me from my carbonite prison."

Laedra's tight grip on her lightsaber hilt didn't ease up, but she did take a step towards Koran. "I'm sorry for that...what happened to you, and forgive me for being skeptical, but the Jedi have been hunted and killed for decades. It has, unfortunately, made us very suspicious of others." She approached Koran with increasing caution and placed her hand atop her cloak in case she needed to pull it away quickly and unleash her lightsaber. "And you came here because you sensed a focal point in the Force here?"

"That is correct," Koran said. "Or at least, I believe it is because of the strength of the Force in this area. I just knew that I had to come here. I was on my way to Coruscant to seek out the Jedi Temple, and hopefully to find others who...who managed to survive the atrocities of the last thirty years. But, before we got there, I found myself pulled toward this planet. Once we were on the ground, I found myself drawn here."

Laedra glanced back at the lake, then cocked a brow at the man. "Drawn here? There is nothing here but me, Koran Darr, and I doubt I am strong enough in the Force to have lured you all the way to this planet."

Koran laughed. "I don't believe you are the source of whatever has been pulling at me, though I suspect it is ahead of us in that direction." He pointed ahead of them. "I only stopped here because there was a naked woman standing on the edge of the lake. It's not every day you see something like that, no matter what my companions say." In the distance, the loud conversation of his companions could be heard. As usual, it was mostly Grel's voice, with occasional rumblings from Amren.

Laedra was smiling grudgingly at the man, until the point where he mentioned his guests would be arriving. She wasn't about to get caught in an ambush, so Laedra tossed her cloak to the ground and held her lightsaber out to the side, prepared to ignite it. "You say you sensed something - a place - but I'm afraid I cannot allow you to go there until I am certain of your true intentions. I will protect it with my life if I must."

Koran smiled. "And, how can I prove my true intentions to you?"

Laedra studied the man's eyes while she succumbed to deep thought. Finally, Laedra shook her head and sighed. "What do you offer?"

He held his arms open to her and stepped forward. "I have very little I can offer," he said. "I am thirty years out of my time in a galaxy that no longer resembles the one I knew. I come only seeking to rejoin what's left of the Jedi, and to offer my abilities to those who wish to learn from me. I offer that I have made no threatening moves toward you, and that you should be able to feel no darkness within me."

"I do not," Laedra said slowly. She hazarded another step towards the man, and carefully clipped her lightsaber to her belt. "I will not take you to the dwelling you speak of...yet. You and I, however, shall take a walk. We shall talk, and once I am satisfied you will not endanger anyone at...the dwelling, then I shall escort you there." She stopped before Koran and watched him expectantly. "Is this acceptable?"

Koran offered Laedra a bow. "It is acceptable," he said. "Though, I should probably send my companions back to the city. I think they would be better off there for now, anyway."

"They are not Jedi," Laedra stated. "Unless they are very good at masking themselves."

"They're barely passable as the petty thieves they claim to be," Koran said.

"There you are Koran! We thought you run off on us. Ha! Wouldn't that be a riot! We save your life and then you-- Oh hello..." His eyes quickly fed off of Laedra and a large grin spread across his face. "Oh, very nice, Kor, ol' friend. Thirty years as a wall hanging, and I guess you gotta check if the urges are still there, eh? Har! Still, you should try going for the ones wearing practically nothing. Oh those little gowns they wear. They make me feel...well, never mind that. You should... Ha! Look at me going on like a Jawa trader. Hello, little lady. My name is Grel, and I think I have met my destiny."

Laedra placed her hand upon the hilt of her lightsaber with the intention of igniting it merely to slice the leering grin off the man's face. She looked to Koran with a sour expression and asked, "Your friends?"

"My companions," Koran said. "There is a difference."

"We're old friends," Grel said stepping forward. "Oh, Korrie, buddy, you wound me. And, you never told me there were such beautiful Jedi. I think I'll have to change my opinions about you. So, does this little flower have a name?"

Laedra sighed with displeasure and turned to face Koran completely, making certain to place her back towards the rude fellow. "Koran Darr, I really must be returning soon. So if you still wish to have our discussion..." She motioned her eyes suggestively towards his companions.

Koran nodded, and then stepped around Laedra toward where Grel was making eyes at the back of the woman's head. "I'm going to need to talk to her...alone."

"Oh, you're like a bantha in heat. Go for it, Kor."

The Jedi ignored Grel's comments, and pressed on. "Return to the city and have fun for the night. I'll return and see you tomorrow, and we'll plan the next stage of our association."

"But, what about my date with...her."

"No date," Koran said. "Now go. I'll see you tomorrow."

After a few more minutes of protests, the two thieves turned and trudged back the way they'd come.

"They're not the most...respectable of people, but they did provide me transport here. So, shall we take that walk?"

"Yes, of course," Laedra replied. She mentally assessed the direction towards the Temple, then chose the one farthest from it and started forward. "Koran Darr," she said as they made their way, "why do you associate with those men? Especially that presumptuous and rude one..."

"Those men are the ones that freed me from my carbonite prison," Koran said. "And, they had a ship and agreed to take me to Coruscant. When I left the city, they followed me. Due to the gratitude I feel toward them for freeing me, it would be rude of me to send them away now. Besides, if things don't work out here, I will need the transportation to Coruscant."

"I understand being beholden to others and feeling obligated to repay that debt...no matter how trying those people may be at times." Laedra allowed herself a genuine smile for the first time since first encountering Koran, but she quickly neutralized her expression and stared ahead along their path. "What are your plans, Koran Darr? If you truly are a Jedi Master, what do you have envisioned for yourself and your future as a Jedi?"

"If there are others like us," Koran said, "then there could be even more who are untrained. I was going to try to find others who survived on Coruscant, but it sounds like I've found some here as well." He walked a few steps in silence. "You were trained by, Ina, weren't you?"

Laedra's gait faltered, but other than that, she gave no indication of her surprise. "You knew Master Ina? How?"

"It was many years ago now, at least going by your calendar, but we were both at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant together. I wouldn't say we were close friends, but we were friends."

Laedra nodded pensively, then lagged behind Koran and finally stopped. "You were at the Temple and you knew my former Master." She looked up at him as he turned to her. "Show me," she said. "If you knew him, show him to me."

---

"Flashback, Flashforward, Part 2"
By: Koran Darr
Laedra Vorrel
Liam Zaneth

Location: Forest around New Plouton; Jedi Temple
Date: Niothe 12, 4 ABY

***

Koran nodded, and closed his eyes. He held out his hands in front of him and concentrated on a face last seen thirty years ago, even though to him it was only a few days ago. The air in front of him shimmered, and solidified into the form of Ina's face as he'd last seen him.

Laedra felt an immediate knot growing in her throat, as much as she tried to rein in her emotions. It was him as she had remembered him, except a little younger, but he was still as handsome as the day she'd fallen in love with him. The gray eyes sparkled in the glimmering light of the projection, and his black hair was bereft of the fine, silver streaks she remembered from long ago. She reached out to the image with her hand, but as she touched his cheek, the iridescent light rippled and distorted his features. Laedra pulled her hand back and placed it over her trembling lips. "Alright, enough," she said quietly. "I've seen enough, Koran Darr."

Koran made the image fade back into nothingness and then clasped his hands behind his back in silence. "I can see him in your aura."

"He was very important to me," Laedra replied softly. "I...cared for him very much and he had a great influence on my life." She nodded and started forward again. "He taught me much."

Koran nodded. "I know what you mean," he said with a tight smile. "I was taught by Orianna, and then later by Yoda. And, I came to care very much for them as well. And, Mace Windu was...I don't know if I could have ever asked for a better guide in the Force. I hope to find out what happened to them...during my absence."

"I'm sorry I cannot help you with that. During the purge, the Jedi tended to keep a low profile. Perhaps now that the Empire has fallen, we will find out what happened to those of our Order. I doubt many of them were lucky enough to have been frozen in carbonite and preserved for thirty years."

"No," Koran said softly. "Though, I would have preferred to make my stand then. But, since I am here, I will be able to lend my knowledge to whatever we do now." He glanced to Laedra. "There are others here with you too, aren't there?"

"You seem to know more than you let on, Koran Darr. I guess, then, you don't need me to tell you about the Temple." Laedra glanced at him and smiled. "You were headed straight for it, but I redirected our course. We are now heading away from it. And yes, there are others there. A Master, two Knights in training, and two Padawans."

Koran nodded. "Not much now, but I'm certain that our numbers will grow over time. That is, if I am welcome to join you here in the new Jedi Temple. And I only know what I am able to gather through the Force."

"All I can do is introduce you to the others, Koran Darr. We have formed something close to a Council there, and it will be up to their ruling to decide if you may remain." Laedra glanced at Koran and smiled. "However, I now believe you are who you say you are, Koran Darr, therefore I will vouch for you."

"Thank you," Koran said with a slight bow. "Do you have facilities here for the crafting of a new lightsaber? Mine was lost the other-- thirty years ago."

"My associate has crafted two himself, so I believe we do." Laedra grinned and abruptly turned back, in the direction leading towards the Temple now. "Come. I'm certain once he meets you, he will allow you the use of those facilities."

Koran laughed. "Thank you," he said. He took a breath and let it out. "Despite all my training, it's difficult. It's like waking up one morning, and finding that over the night everything in the galaxy you knew has changed."

"Everyday since I can remember has been like that," Laedra replied ruefully. "Master Ina used to tell me stories of what it was like before the Republic fell. The Jedi were a proud Order and prolific in number. Now, I am not even certain if there are enough of us left for the Order to survive extinction."

"If we can find enough to teach, and we can avoid those who hunt our kind, we should be able to survive and flourish. Though, it will strongly depend on how many we can find to teach. Though, it is possible that more of our kind survived the purge. It sounds like we have a fair amount here, and if there are similar numbers on even one of every ten or twenty planets... If the Force is with us, we will make it through these hard times."

"The Force appears to be with you, Koran Darr. It was very...uncanny that you found this place, especially from such a far distance away. I myself did not feel it when I arrived on the planet."

Laedra looked ahead and realized they hadn't much farther to go. She only hoped Koran would be met with less skepticism than she had shown him. "We will thrive," she added quietly. "And you will be a most helpful addition, Koran Darr."

Koran bowed his head in thanks. "Before I was put into the carbonite, I was asked to be on the Jedi Council," he said. "It is strange to be in a position again where I stand to have a stronger voice in the workings of the Jedi Order. I only hope my knowledge and guidance can be put to use here."

"I've no doubt it can be. Liam and Jae Dyn have yet to complete their training, and there is only one Master currently at the Temple. We will need someone with in depth knowledge of the Code." Laedra looked pointedly at Koran and added, "You might just be that someone, Koran Darr."

He glanced at her again, and smiled. "I have extensive knowledge of both the Code, and Jedi history. I offer my talents freely, and perhaps with only a short amount of time we can get both Liam and Jae Dyn finished with their training and active in the training of new Padawans."

Laedra sighed and smiled tightly at Koran, knowing she would most likely be met with disapproval. "They are already actively training Padawans."

Koran mulled over the situation for a moment, and then nodded. "I imagine the desperation of the times has led to some compromises," he said. "In your opinion, how are they doing as teachers?"

"I have yet to see Jae Dyn in action, but Liam is a very talented teacher. His Padawan, Kael, has shown much progress in only a week. I am, however, assisting Liam in the boy's training. I too disapproved at first, but..." Laedra sighed. "Times are quite different. We can try to cling to the old ways, but there are just some sacrifices we must make if we are to survive. I figured allowing unknighted Jedi to train Padawans was the least drastic change, so I allowed it."

Koran nodded. "And, as long as we can watch their progress, and make certain their teaching is leading the Padawans down the correct path. Though, we should put them through their trials as soon as they are ready. Would you say that they are very close?"

"I believe Liam is, but I'm not certain about Jae Dyn. I speak very rarely to her." Laedra sighed, recalling her initial difficulties with Jae Dyn. "Our personalities have clashed at times, and although we have reconciled, it is still somewhat awkward. But, you may speak to them yourself and decide. You are officially a Master, so it would be your place to do so."

"I will talk to them at the first opportunity," Koran said. "Liam appears to be on track for taking his trials, though that you know little about Jae Dyn concerns me."

Laedra watched her feet treading upon the ground, then looked to Koran quizzically. "Why is that, Koran Darr? We speak when necessary, but I don't think it's required that we become good friends."

"Not that you're good friends," Koran said. "That isn't a concern. Everyone can't be friends with everyone else. However, my concern is merely in the little amount of information I have on her. It's not a serious concern. Though, we will be able to correct that easy enough I think...not knowing much about her that is."

"Koran Darr," Laedra said hesitantly. "I think there is something you should know, however, before you meet Liam and Jae Dyn." She halted and gently placed her hand on Koran's arm to pull him back. "Please...before we arrive."

Koran stopped and turned toward Laedra. He nodded to indicate that she should continue.

"I don't quite know how to go about saying this..." Laedra chewed her lip anxiously. "First of all, I want you to know that Liam Zaneth is a good man and an honourable Jedi. He has come a long way and is devoted to the path towards becoming a Knight. However..." The pause was long and deafening as Laedra attempted to phrase her words in a way that would not besmirch Liam's reputation, and prejudice Koran's impression of him. Finally, she decided upon a direct approach. "Liam's a former Dark Jedi."

"I see," Koran said softly, considering this latest piece of information. "What is your assessment of his capabilities as a Jedi? Do you feel that he runs the risk of falling back into darkness?"

"I do not, Koran Darr. Liam is disciplined and more than determined to avoid taking that path again. I feel he is absolutely penitent about the actions he was forced to take while under the thralls of the darkside."

Laedra met Koran's gaze squarely and thought of something more she could say to convince him. Telling him she was falling in love with the man would solve nothing; he would only reprove both she and Liam for breaking the vow of celibacy, or in her case, thinking of doing so.

"Koran Darr...he wants to be a Jedi Knight. He wants to atone for his violent past. He has a wife and child, and I do not believe he would do anything to jeopardize that. As I will vouch for you to them, I am now vouching for Liam. I trust him, and I hope you will learn to as well."

Koran nodded, and then smiled. "Then I feel that, despite his past, I have nothing to be concerned over in regards to Liam, or his taking the trials. Of the little information you have, what do you know about Jae Dyn?"

Laedra sighed with the relief of knowing Liam and Koran would not experience any contention over Liam's past...and he would not be angry with her for divulging his secret to Koran. Focus returned to the present topic, and now she had to think of something encouraging to say about Jae Dyn Brael. "She...suffers from occasional insecurities and sometimes lacks confidence in her abilities. Other than that, she has good instincts and is well trained."

"Well, I'm sure things will go smoothly then," he said with a nod of approval. "It is heartening to hear these things, Laedra."

"I am so glad you do not have a problem, Koran Darr. We have lived through such trying times that it has sometimes become hard to live by the Code, or to even believe in our abilities. Oftentimes, it was easier to deny what we were, to reject the Order, if only to save our lives and prevent persecution." Laedra shrugged and continued forward again. "We have all had a rough time of it, but we are mending things now. It will take time, but we will succeed."

"I have faith in your abilities, and those of those for whom you vouch. Shall we go meet them?"

Laedra smiled and gave a short nod as she traipsed through the forest with a potentially new associate. She only hoped he didn't ask his awful friends to join him.

***

Approaching the Temple was suddenly unnerving for Laedra. She remembered what Liam had said about the spirits warding off those whose intentions were impure, or who had darkness within them. Her eyes flashed to Koran for a moment, but she suspected he would be allowed to enter. She hoped he would be. He was acquainted with Ina and had known him in a different capacity than she had. She had been his apprentice and because of that, she couldn't help feeling she'd missed out in truly knowing who he was. Through Koran, she hoped to gain that insight she lacked and perhaps truly know the man she'd loved.

"How do you feel?" she asked Koran while deliberately slowing their approach. "No...strange emotions or sensations?"

"I can feel the strength of the Force permeating this area," Koran said. "I'm feeling slightly light-headed, but other than that...nothing else."

"No...strange compulsion to suddenly turn back?" Laedra asked as casually as she could manage.

Koran couldn't help laughing. "No sudden compulsions," he said. "Should I be compelled to turn back?"

"Well...no, unless you've somehow offended the spirits guarding the Temple." Laedra noticed the flash of confusion on Koran's face, so she elaborated as much as she could. "There are spirits, possibly previous dwellers who have died and whose souls have remained to guard the sanctity of their Temple. Any whose soul is unclean or who has impure intentions is forbidden to enter...or so we suspect. We've never really encountered any the Temple has rejected."

With a long look around, Koran gave an approving look at the arrangement. "Force willing we'll never encounter any. With our forces so depleted, it's not something I would really want to test too strenuously yet."

"Well, Liam's wife has set up some security devices to protect the perimeter from intruders," Laedra replied. "And we don't believe anyone is even aware this place exists. It doesn't show up on any known sensors, as Liam's told me, so we are relatively safe here."

"That's very good to hear," Koran said. "It sounds like defense is well in hand. I am impressed, Laedra. At some point, the Order will want to set up a public facility, but not until we are stronger and greater in numbers."

"Well this facility is certainly large enough. I still haven't explored all the levels." Laedra pushed away a branch for the two, and as she did, the grandiose Temple came into view. Seeing it always took her breath away, as it had the first day she arrived. "This is it," she said softly. "My home, and hopefully soon to be yours too."

Koran let out a low whistle as he stepped into the clearing. "It is definitely large," he said. "This place has to be...they must have stood here long before the terraforming. I would guess they have survived for at least a thousand years. And, yes, hopefully my home. It's magnificent."

Laedra looked to Koran with a grin, and was surprised to discover that he was more casual and easy going than she thought a Master was supposed to be, or perhaps his reaction was merely a result of being overwhelmed by his first sight of the Temple.

"This way," she said. She led him along the path and towards the double-doored entrance. "The interior is just as beautiful."

"What sort of power structure have you established out here? I would surmise that a place like this wasn't already set up for power." As they passed inside the doors, he let out another sound of approval. "It does actually remind me of the Temple on Coruscant. It's a very suitable location for a Jedi temple."

"Yes, a very secluded location and concealed by the kilometers of forest." Laedra's voice and their footsteps echoed in the large corridor, but the entire Temple still seemed so still and calm. "Liam would be better qualified to discuss the mechanics of the Temple, and I'm certain his wife could as well. She has currently given birth to a child, and we're hoping soon that we will see signs of the Force within him. Jae Dyn, in fact, has a child as well."

"I would imagine that both children should have fairly strong potential with the Force," Koran said. "Though, a Jedi with a baby could be a concern. At this stage, we won't have to worry though. In the future, we may have to watch for any conflicts of interest. Hopefully that will not be an issue."

"You would have to speak with Jae Dyn and Liam about that. However," Laedra said with a slight frown, "Liam's wife is somewhat stubborn and wilful. If you are to find any obstacles in training Liam's child, they will come from Yelara."

Koran nodded. "I can be quite persuasive when I need to be," he said, "but hopefully it won't ever come to that." As they moved deeper into the temple, the sounds of a practice remote could be heard up ahead. Punctuating the sounds of the remote was the distinctive hum and crack of a lightsaber. "Someone is practicing."

"That must be Liam," Laedra said, abashed by the excitement she heard in her voice. "This would be the perfect opportunity to assess his abilities, although he might consider it spying..." She smiled at Koran and shook her head. "Come on. He won't mind."

Laedra guided Koran to the doors of the training room. Slowly, she pushed them open, just enough for Koran to get an unobstructed view of Liam's practice session. "He is quite good," she whispered. "I believe you will be impressed."

Inside the room, Koran could see a man with three remotes spinning around him. He held a lightsaber in each hand and was parrying the nearly constant volley of shots being fired from the remotes. The amazing part was that all of the bolts were being directed back into a single target. "Not bad at all," he whispered. "In fact, you're right. He is very impressive. He is definitely a masterful lightsaber duelist."

"Yes. I, in fact, have taken up training with him. Being alone for so long, I got a little out of practice, but he has helped me much." Laedra watched Liam through the doorway, smiling helplessly. "Shall we go introduce you?"

Koran motioned for Laedra to lead the way, while hiding his amusement at the near-blush that seemed to wash over her. "Let's go meet Liam."

Laedra obliged hastily, surprising even herself. Liam had sensed the movement, but completed the training routine before shutting down his lightsabers. She approached with a large grin, and Koran by her side. "Liam...we didn't interrupt, I hope."

Liam shook his head. "I was just finishing up," he said, and glanced at Koran. "With Kael away, I figured I'd get a remote workout in for myself."

Laedra followed his gaze and found it upon Koran. She stopped a distance away from Liam as a precaution and decided introductions were necessary to avoid a duel. "This is Master Koran Darr, Liam. He is one of us."

Liam offered the Jedi Master a bow. "Master Koran Darr," he said. "It is good to meet you, and to have you here in the new Jedi Temple."

Koran returned the bow. "It is good to meet you as well, Liam. I have been talking to Laedra about your training. Based on her assessment, I believe we will soon be able to allow you to take your trials."

"My thanks," Liam said. "It has been a long road, but I am happy to have reached this new crossroads. Has Laedra shown you much of the place yet?"

"Only what exists between here and the door. We heard the sounds of your workout, and decided to investigate."

"I hope you don't mind, Liam. I told him much about you and merely wanted to show him how accurate my description was," Laedra interjected. "I know I should have discussed it with you before bringing him here, but I trust him, Liam and I knew you would approve once you met him."

Liam nodded to both Laedra and Koran. "I trust you and your judgement," he said. "So if you trust Koran, then I have no reason not to as well. I take it you found us here, as opposed to Laedra going out and finding you."

"That is correct," Koran said. "I was...drawn here."

"And I merely helped him adjust his course," Laedra said. "He...stumbled upon me in the forest and once I was confident he was who he said he was, I decided he could escort me back."

"Wasn't there a Koran...? But, it couldn't be.... That'd make you, in your seventies..."

"I am the same," Koran said. "I've spent the last thirty years frozen in carbonite, and have only recently been revived."

Liam laughed softly. "Wow. That must seem like one hell of a nap."

Koran nodded. "The sensation is indescribable," he said. "But, I feel I can adapt. Though, it will take getting used to."

Laedra smiled to herself at how well the two were relating. They were being companionable and Liam was actually grinning at Koran. The sight of that alone made Laedra blush. "Koran Darr wanted to ask you about security for the Temple," Laedra finally supplied, "but perhaps we should show him to a room...if you would like one, that is."

Koran smiled. "I would like that very much," he said. "And, if it's not too much of an imposition, a tour."

"I think Liam would be the one to give you that. But perhaps he could give us both one." She looked to Liam and smiled warmly. "He has yet to bring me on one."

Liam chuckled softly and nodded. "Fine," he said with a laugh. "Hint taken. Come on, we'll start with the upper levels first. There's really not much to see up there, and we'll have to carry along light sources. But, the architecture is still quite amazing."

"Well then..." Laedra said as she clasped her hands together. "Why don't you put on your shirt, Liam, and Koran Darr and I will wait in the hall for you." She grinned at Liam, indicating she'd rather he go without a shirt. She doubted, however, Koran would appreciate that, not as much as she did.

Liam tried to hide his amusement, but failed. "Okay," he said. "I'll be out in just a moment." As he stepped behind Koran to retrieve his shirt, he cast a glance at Laedra, wishing they could have at least ten minutes alone.

"Come, Koran Darr." Laedra turned away to keep her flushed cheeks from being visible to Koran, then strode almost hurriedly from the training room.

Koran glanced back to Liam, nodded, and then followed Laedra out. Once in the hallway outside, he began examining the construction. "Judging from what I've seen so far, this building could take quite a pounding without collapsing. Though, the stone is starting to show signs of wear from the passage of time."

"We're not certain how old it is," Laedra said. "There are no records of it on any map available. I doubt if anyone knows it's here."

"Perhaps the spirits you mentioned earlier are the cause for that, keeping out those who were deemed unworthy, including cartographers. If it hasn't been done already, I'd like to check into the historical archives to research this area. My thoughts are that this area was formerly believed to be haunted, or the product of some other type of phenomenon. And, few would venture inside. Which could also explain why, when the planet was terraformed, dense forest was placed around it."

"I think that could be an interesting project," Laedra said with genuine intrigue. "If you would like some help, I would be happy to aid you. Master Ina instilled a genuine love of learning in me, and I haven't had much opportunities recently to delve into any scholarly undertakings."

"I would appreciate the assistance," Koran said as footsteps sounded out in the hallway behind them. When he and Laedra turned, Liam stepped through the doorway, now wearing a shirt.

"Let's go take a peek upstairs," Liam said. "There's this one section where you can get what would be a decent view of the area if it weren't for the trees. I'm certain from there, you would have been able to see anything approaching for many kilometers. I think I've found what was formerly a chapel, but I'm not able to read any of the inscriptions on the wall." He started down the hall toward where the stairs went up to the second level.

"Perhaps I could take a look at the inscriptions," Laedra offered. "I am versed in many languages, and perhaps I can identify and transcribe it into basic."

"I read a little of the history of this planet on our way here," Koran said as they climbed the stairs. "It would stand to reason that whoever built this temple was not what the records call the native Karadans. I would hazard a guess that it was some sort of progenitor species, or possibly even the Jedi. One thousand years ago is well within the lifespan of the Order. Or possibly another Force sensitive species or group."

"If that is so, one thousand years ago, these trees and this forest were non-existent. The entire landscape was desert," Laedra stated. "That means the Karadans as well must have known of this place. I would venture that if it were considered a religious sanctuary, there must be mention of it in Karadan folk lore or mythology. Perhaps we could find a collection of those stories that would help us gain some insight into what this place was originally used for."

Koran nodded. "Perhaps there is a library with documents from the time. It would require a trip into the city, and would give me a chance to make sure Grel and Amren aren't getting into trouble. Would you care to accompany me?"

"Of course," Laedra replied with a smile. She glanced up at Liam, who was ahead of them upon the staircase. "Liam owns a speeder. Maybe he could take us into the city tomorrow, after you've gotten settled in."

"That will be great," Koran said. "I imagine there will be quite a bit of reading to do. Perhaps, if they have converted the documents to a digital medium, the search will be easier. And, depending on the volume of research, we may need to hire a few extra eyes to help us look."

"Well...maybe you would like to join us as well, Liam," Laedra called out to him. "If you would like, of course. Not everyone gets as excited about spending a day in a library as Koran Darr and I obviously do."

Liam chuckled softly. "I may have to do that," he said. "I'd like to learn more about this place too." He reached the top landing and turned to wait for them. "Besides, it would give me a chance to hone my underused research skills."

"Then we shall make a day of it tomorrow," Laedra said with a beaming smile. They joined Liam atop the landing, and Laedra went to his side while resisting the urge to take his hand. "So...lead the way, Liam."

"That chapel I mentioned is this way," Liam said as they started forward. Liam pulled up one of the hand-lights he'd brought along and shone it out in front of them as they ventured off into the Temple to explore the marvels that had stood in that location for at least one thousand years.

***

"Yes," Koran said as he looked around the room that Liam and Laedra had brought him to. "This room will be fine. I don't have any belongings to unpack. Though, perhaps when we're in the city tomorrow, I should purchase a few things. These are the only clothes I own, and I...I borrowed them from Grel."

"I was in the same predicament you are when I first arrived," Laedra said sympathetically. "I lost all my belongings during an interesting first encounter with a huntress in Thanatos." Including the rock she'd saved that pivotal day in the forest with Master Ina. The thought dimmed Laedra's mood, but she kept a smile upon her face to conceal it. "At any rate, if you require funds for your purchases, we can provide you with them gladly."

"Definitely," Liam said with a smile. "Actually, your situation, at least not having any belongings, is fairly common here. And, we have enough funds to get you the things you need."

Koran bowed to them both. "I thank you very much," he said. "It's not the Temple I remember, but the feeling is similar."

"We're glad we could give you back at least some of what you've lost. In time, you will feel comfortable and at home again, Koran Darr," Laedra assured him with a warm smile.

Koran smiled. "Thank you," he said. "And, may the Force be with you both. And, now, I believe I should do some meditating. It's been a long day. Perhaps I will see you for the evening meal."

"Of course. I shall inform you when it is ready." Laedra looked to Liam with a gentle smile and added, "Liam is the designated chef around here, and it truly would be a shame if you missed one of his meals. He's very talented."

Liam chuckled softly. "Well, I don't do it all myself. I have a couple droids to help...though, I just can't bring myself to let droids do all the cooking. I'll have something ready around six."

"I will be there," Koran said. "And, I look forward to tasting what culinary masterpieces you create."

"Until then, Koran Darr." Laedra bowed meekly and respectfully to the new Master, as did Liam. She knew once they departed, Liam would question her on her meeting with Koran in the forest, but to make things less complicated, she decided to neglect mentioning that she was naked at the time.

Koran smiled after the two as they left his new room. He had found more than he expected here on this isolated world in the outer rim. There was much to do, but he wanted a hand in reforming the Jedi Order. Reforming. It seemed as if only the other day it was thriving and stronger than ever. With a sigh, Koran settled into position to meditate. Tomorrow he would have to meet with Grel and Amren again. The thought brought out another sigh, and he wondered how difficult it would be to extricate himself from them. Probably my penance for missing the last thirty years, he thought. With a grimace, he cleared his mind and let himself sink into a deep meditative state.

---

"Blissful Regression, Part 1"
By: Kael Selrid
Raeila Mullerin
Ferrig Mullerin

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

***

Everything was black. A vast plain of empty nothingness. But, in the middle of it all, he stood. Or at least it felt like standing. He could have been lying down, but really it didn't matter. At least he was alive.

Sights and sounds were muted, distant. His eyes couldn't focus, making everything just look dark and dead. Except for himself. He was quite alive. And, with each passing moment, he could feel himself becoming more and more alive. Strength returned to limbs and and...other places. He heard his voice, again muted and distant, crying out. Or was that a moan? He couldn't focus. He moaned again, and could feel his body fully awake. A fire seemed to spread from his loins outward, waking every part of him it touched.

In the midst of the blackness, points of light began to appear. And, with each passing moment, more light appeared, and the fire turned to something much different indeed. The pain of his wounds evaporated, to be replaced by amazing pleasure. He could feel movement. His own, most likely. His body writhing uncontrollably against the sensations filling him.

"Oh gods," he managed to slur. "Oh gods, yes."

His pleasurer grinned and reverted to caressing Kael with her hands instead of her mouth. He certainly was showing signs of life...in many more ways than one, and what pleased her more was that he was responding to her touch, just as he used to. She gently whispered his name, then brought her lips to his erection again and resumed kissing it and feeding from it graciously.

Kael murmured something unintelligible, and his hands fumbled to find the source of his pleasure. When his fingers brushed through the soft hair, he sighed. He whispered something back, but knew that whatever he said couldn't be understood by anyone...not even himself. He wanted to thank the person who roused him from the blackness and dropped him into such bliss. A spike of pleasure shot through his body, and he cried out softly. Only one person could affect him that way. "Rae," his mouth managed to say. "Oh yes."

Hearing her name somehow spurred her, and Raeila laughed throatily as her actions hastened and became ravenous. Her hands smoothed over his chest, then back down to his thighs and buttocks. Feeling him throbbing within her mouth brought back joyous memories of her times with Kael, and it gave her hope that she could make him forget about the Rat, and fall in love only with her.

He couldn't help the motions his body was making. It was as if it were being controlled by another. With gentle thrusts of his hips, he could feel his arousal growing even more. He recognized that feeling. He really liked that feeling. He moved his hands down to guide the head he know was buried in his crotch, ravenously devouring him. Raeila Mullerin, a part of his mind told him. No one could match Rae in bed, and the feelings sent Kael right back to the days when he'd shared his bed with Raeila every night. They were good together, damn good. He'd often found himself missing her, missing them doing what they were doing right then. His eyes opened slowly and he gazed up into the darkness. It was night, but soft light surrounded him. He shifted slightly and moaned again. Oh gods how he missed this.

Raeila called out Kael's name in a sing-song voice as she pulled her mouth away. She rubbed her hand along his shaft and slid her body along his. As she swayed against him, she spread kisses along his chest. "Kael... I've missed you so much, my love." Raeila kissed his lips longingly as she finally slid him inside of her. Their tongues danced while their bodies writhed, and Raeila's wishes finally manifested. "You're back," she whispered. "Oh, Kael, don't ever leave me again."

"Never," Kael replied, groggily gazing up into Raeila's eyes. She was setting the pace, and he was matching it. Oh gods how they moved together. "I've missed you too, Rae," he whispered. "But things have been...I had the strangest dream." He laughed. "But, it's...it was so...it felt so real. But, it's alright now. Oh gods, baby. Oh, it feels so good when you do that."

Raeila moaned almost triumphantly as she felt Kael finally within her grasp again. "You've been gone so long... It wasn't nice of you, Kael. You belong with me. Say it, Kael. Say that you belong to me...always."

Kael let out a shuddering sigh and laughed. "Of course," he said. "When has it been any different? I just have to get used to sharing you with that no good lout of a brother of yours. But, I guess that's alright. As long as you know I'm the one you really want to be with."

"I've wanted to be with you," Raeila groaned, "but you went away." Her body swayed against his faster, as if trying to make up for so much lost time in the short amount they had together, and to definitely make it memorable. "You don't love her. Tell me you don't love her like you love me."

Kael laughed. "There's no one but you, Rae," he said. "No one else comes close. It's only been you. The other girls never meant anything; you know that."

"I know... I just get worried sometimes." Raeila moaned and leaned forward to kiss Kael roughly. She missed his lips, and the way his hands roamed over her flesh whenever they made love. There was no way Rat was ever getting him back. "Tell me you love me," she whispered. "Tell me how much you love me, Kael."

"Of course I love you, Raeila," Kael said, as he let his hands explore her bare skin. "After everything we've been through, how could I not love you? I love you, Rae, just like I always have."

"Oh, Kael," she moaned. "That is what I like to hear." His profession was invigorating and brought her closer to climax. The room filled with their mingled cries and their heavy breathing. It was the moment she'd schemed and planned for since he'd left her. "Oh, Thana... I love you too, Kael."

Kael arched back and let out a long cry, as his body screamed out for release. He shifted his hands to her hips and drove himself deep inside her as his climax hit. "Oh Thana," he said once he was spent, "I don't think I could ever get enough of you in bed."

Raeila had collapsed upon Kael as her weeks of waiting ended in a culmination of her passion for Kael. She kissed his neck tenderly and ran her hands along his thighs. "You can have as much as you want as long as you stay with me, Kael. I'm always yours...always."

"I like the sound of that," he murmured, and slipped his arms around her. "You know what the most amazing thing in life is, Rae? Waking up with you in my arms. Though, it is only slightly better than when you're on top and looking down into my eyes. Oh, nothing beats that."

"We can stay like this forever if you want." She ran her fingers through his hair, but frowned at the new way he'd styled it. "You shouldn't have cut your hair... It's alright. It'll grow back."

Kael laughed softly. "We'll make it just like you like it again," he said. "Anything for you, love." He winced and then laughed again. "It feels like I was on the losing side of a knife fight. I'm glad I have you here to make it all better."

"And I will." Raeila kissed Kael long and fervently, then slipped off of him and onto the bed. She pressed her naked form against his side and trailed kisses along his neck. "You got hurt, but you'll be alright. I promise. Now that they know you're back, they won't hurt you anymore. I won't let them."

"I always said you're good at taking care of me, Rae," he said. "I don't think I could do this without you. What...what do you think about making our relationship more...permanent? I know before you said you didn't want to be tied down, and we fought. But, what about now? What about you and me now?"

"Oh, Kael...I couldn't bear to lose you again. If that's what you want, and that's what it'll take to keep you, then I'll do it...whatever you ask of me."

"Good," Kael said as his eyes closed. He smiled a dreamy smile and pulled her close. "Then that's what we'll do. We'll make it official, my aroz--" Before he could finish, consciousness was swept from him but his face showed a look of pure contentment.

"Kael?" Raeila slapped his cheeks gently and called out his name again. When she received no response, she sighed and reclined back upon the bed. "I was so close," she muttered irritably. "Ferrig! He's out cold! You can come back in here!"

Ferrig stepped into the room and looked at the bed where Kael was nuzzled up against Raeila. "You guys put on quite the show, even with him half-asleep. It sounds like his feelings for you are just as strong as they ever were, little sister. Did he mention the Rat at all?"

Raeila giggled and shook her head. "He was completely taken with me, as always." She caressed his cheek affectionately and mused, "I think he was even about to propose."

"Really?" Ferrig said with a wide grin. "Now that would have been a victory. Maybe next time he wakes up, he'll actually go through with it." He sighed and sat on the edge of the bed. "It's good to have him back. He...he really pissed me off before, but it's good to have him back now. This is where he belongs."

"We'll make him realize that, Ferrig." She looked to her brother and sat up to rest in his arms. "We'll convince him that he needs the desert...us. He's not leaving again, even if we have to chain him up and brainwash him into staying."

"I don't know. When it comes to you, I really don't think Kael will need much convincing. You always had a way with him like no other." He looked at Kael on the bed and smiled. "It's going to be perfect, the three of us here again; nothing will be able to stop us now. I give Thanatos a month, at most, before the three of us are running things."

Raeila looked up at her brother and kissed him tenderly. "I think there's room for two kings of the desert. I shall be your queen...both of you."

Ferrig laughed softly and pulled Raeila into a close embrace. "It's a very big desert," he said. "And, together, the three of us can keep it in line. Maybe once we have the desert, we can reclaim the rest of the planet too, the parts they ruined with all the water."

Raeila laughed and slipped onto Ferrig's lap. "Maybe we can keep some of the water, as a luxury of course. Or we can use it to drown all those damn wetters, then cover it all up in sand."

"I hear that they submerge themselves in it," Ferrig said as he lowered his lips to Raeila's shoulders. "Can you imagine? To just lay in a water-filled tub. I think I would like to share one of those with you. I think after what we've endured, we deserve some luxury in our lives. Maybe we can take that palace they have there, and we can really live in luxury. Do you think that would be selling out, little sister?"

"Not if everyone else does it too," she replied. She laid light kisses upon his lips and neck, attending to his needs as she had hers and Kael's. "It's a big palace, I hear. Maybe we can have all the gangs merge into one, and they can live there too. A king and queen are supposed to have a security force and they can be ours. This way, no one will be able to stop us."

"Exactly," Ferrig said with a wide grin. "And, we can have a whole harem full of pleasure girls, like that one crimelord guy. Too bad we're getting rid of Purple and Rat, or else they'd be perfect for that role. But a harem to service every need would certainly gain us the loyalty of our security force, and everyone else beside."

Raeila's features tensed and her body stiffened. "Those bitches have to die, Ferrig. If Kael wakes up and sees her... It'll ruin everything!"

"Don't worry," Ferrig said with a glance toward the wall that separated them from the two pleasure girls, "they're so out of it right now that even if he did see them, he'd be disgusted by their display. But, he's not going to see them, and they're going to die in the morning. We'll make sure Kael's still asleep, and then we'll take them out and wet the sands with their blood."

Raeila moaned gently and softened in Ferrig's arms. "One day, he'll thank us for what we did. But until then, he mustn't ever know. He thinks it's a dream, and I want it to remain that way. Just one very bad dream..."

"It will all be a dream then," Ferrig said as he moved his lips to Rae's. "We'll make sure he stays nice and sleepy until they're dead and sand maggot food. We'll have to grab us a couple more pleasure girls though. I think the boys have gotten used to the idea of having someone around they can just fuck whenever they feel like."

"Why don't you get the boys to go find some today? This way we can have the house nice and quiet and just to ourselves." She looped her arms around Ferrig's neck and ran her tongue lightly over his lips. "Just you, and me, and our Kael."

"Your very own pleasure boy," Ferrig said with a grin. "I'll have the boys go find a few girls. I figure, maybe three or four? Do you want me to send them out now? They could have them back before we drag Purple and Rat out in the morning, and then tomorrow we can start breaking them in."

"We can even let them watch as we kill the little bitches. A lesson in obedience... That'll ensure they never even attempt any acts of insolence." Raeila pouted playfully as she began undoing Ferrig's shirt. "Although, I did enjoy punishing Purple... I might just have to punish the new girls for fun."

Ferrig laughed. "By the sound of it, I think Purple liked being punished," he said. He let Raeila help him out of his shirt as his hands moved to caress her breasts. "Before we kill them, and while she's still in that mood to fuck anything that moves, I need to get in there and fuck her hard again."

"Can I watch?" Raeila asked with a grin. "Can I whip her while you do? Oh please let me whip her, Ferrig. I want to kill her with some nice purple bruises on her body."

"Of course, you can, little sister," Ferrig said. "Just as long as you don't hit me with that leather strap of yours. I think she'll probably explode from the whole thing. She likes that whipping, and I think we'll overload her with this. It is a shame to lose her, but she has to go."

"They both do, or we'll lose Kael. I'm not losing him again." She pushed his shirt away from his shoulders and kissed his chest. "Now take me to my room and make love to me, brother. Unless you want Kael to participate in his first threesome," she said with a sly grin.

Ferrig laughed. "Well, he doesn't really look up to participating yet," he said. "But, maybe later we can initiate him. For now, let's go find out how sturdy your bed is. Unless you'd like to make love with him asleep right next to us."

"My room," Raeila repeated slowly into his ear. "Now, Ferrig, so we can celebrate our first victory."

"I love celebrating with you, Rae," he said. Once she had removed herself from his lap, Ferrig stood and moved toward the door. From outside, he glanced back in at Kael and laughed softly. "It's good to have him back." With that, he closed and locked the door, then took Raeila's hand and led the way toward her room.

***

For the second time that night, Kael opened his eyes. This time, however, the indescribable feelings of bliss were absent. He blinked in the darkness and forced himself into a sitting position. What had happened?

He realized, upon sitting up, that he was unclothed. He swallowed and looked around. What the fuck was happening? A moment's assessment told him he was in a room, on a bed, and it was night outside.

Vague memories of his stand out in front of the Burned Bridge filtered back through the haze surrounding his memory. He was wounded, but it appeared he'd been bandaged up. He slid off the bed and grunted against a sharp pain that pierced his right shoulder.

A quick search of the room told him his things had been removed, and that the door was locked. With a derisive laugh, Kael reminded himself and the door that no lock could ever hold Kael Selrid. It took nearly ten minutes with improvised tools, but Kael finally managed to spring the lock. Taking one of the sheets from the bed to cover himself, he stepped out into the hall.

As he started down toward what appeared to be a common room, cautious and extending his senses as he'd been taught, he heard noises coming from the room next to him. He heard a voice cry out, and he knew the voice. Everything crashed back at once. Dani! And, if Dani was there, Nieme would be too. With a look down the hall, he let out a sigh of relief that he was alone.

He took the handle of the door and twisted. The door slid open silently, and the sight inside was like a punch to the gut. Dani, completely naked except for a thick leather collar around her neck lay sprawled on the bed. Her head was thrown back and her fists gripped the bedding as she appeared to be in the middle of an orgasm. Between her thighs, ravenously feasting, was the image that tore Kael's heart into shreds. Nieme! Oh Thana! Oh Thana, please let this be a dream, he begged. But the sight did not waver.

"Kael!" Raeila's voice called out from behind. He wasn't supposed to be up and out of his room, and he definitely wasn't supposed to be seeing what he had. She rushed over and placed herself between him and the door. The two girls within the room were oblivious to all that was happening around them; the spice and ecstasy they were basking in made certain of that. "You should be resting," she said softly. She casually tried to close the door and push Kael back into the hallway. "My love, let's go back to your room."

Kael stared at Raeila and tried to push down the anger that was now boiling within the shield Laedra had helped him construct. "Back to my room," he said in a wavering voice. "What...what am I doing here, Raeila? Last thing I remember was...was looking for them." His eyes met hers. "Maybe I should have just taken the hint when she left. Come on, Rae. Let's go back to my room."

"Okay," she whispered soothingly. "Anything for you, my love." She pulled closed the door behind the scene that had just thrust Kael into her arms completely, much to her delight. She kissed him tenderly upon the cheek and took his hand into hers as she began leading him away. "Forget them," she said. "You've got me, Kael. I'm all you'll ever need now."

"I'm sorry for being such a foolish idiot," Kael said. "I don't know how I could have ever... How could I have ever thought that it could be like it was with you? No one else is like you, Rae. No one else could...could be right."

"I'm sorry you had to see that," she said as genuinely as she could with the overflowing excitement brewing within. "You didn't deserve that. She's wrong for you, Kael. I mean, you should've seen her when we let the boys have her. She didn't even require much encouragement." Her hand dipped into the sheet around his waist and she massaged him gently. "Let Dani have her...let them have each other. I'm yours now, and you can be mine. I love you, Kael. She doesn't, or she wouldn't be doing that with that slut."

Kael took in a deep breath and let it out. "Dani can have her," he said. "Let them both... How could I have been so stupid? She...her eyes. That's what got me. But, she...how could she? You'd never hurt me like that, Rae. You're good to me." He covered her hand with his and sighed. "Oh gods, I've missed you, Raeila. The bitch had no idea how to fuck." He let out a laugh. "To get some good cunt at that Temple, I had to fuck the leader's wife. She likes it rough too, but she's not as good as you."

Raeila laughed and led Kael back into her room. She kicked the door closed behind her and pulled his sheet away. "I knew you wouldn't last long there, Kael. You're a Kir'Thanan. You belong here, with me and Ferrig and the rest of the Feltreys." She kissed him deeply as she pushed him towards the bed. "You can be one again, Kael. Come back to us and we can rule this desert together. Then we can make those little bitches pay..." Raeila giggled as she jumped into Kael's arms and tackled him onto the bed. "She deserves to die for what she's done to you, Kael. They both do."

Kael looked up at Raeila and sighed. "I--I don't know," he said. "Maybe Dani for taking Nieme away, for corrupting her. But, not Nieme. I don't know, Rae. Kill Dani, but...but keep Nieme as a slave. She'd make a very good slave, I think. She's very submissive... After everything, I don't know...I don't... It's all so confusing, Rae."

"Shh... It's okay, Kael." She kissed him tenderly and stroked his hair. "You don't have to decide right now. Just let me take care of you, Kael. Let your arozeil take care of you, my love."

"My arozeil," Kael whispered, and then gave a soft, wry laugh. "I called her that. I thought she was too. How wrong I was. An arozeil wouldn't do something like this, not like that. You'd never do that to me though. You love me too much to do that to me."

"I do love you, Kael," she replied fervently. "That's why I worked so hard to get you back." She swayed against him gently while running her hand along his cheek. "She wasn't your arozeil, Kael. She and that purple bitch were using you. They wanted to make a fool of you, Kael. I bet they planned it all along. Get her to fall in love with you while those two were screwing behind your back, laughing at the poor, gullible fool they'd duped. Bitches deserve to die."

Kael lowered his lips to Raeila's chest, kissing gently across the tender skin. "My arozeil," he whispered. "I was a fool, but I'm going to fix that now. With you at my side, among other places."

Raeila giggled exuberantly as she rolled onto the bed and pulled Kael down atop her. "I like you in those other places. Oh...we're gonna be so good together again, Kael."

"So good," Kael repeated, and slid himself into one of Raeila's other places with a laugh. "Oh Thana, I missed this. You really know how to welcome a guy home, Rae."

Cries erupted from the other room, penetrating the thin walls. Raeila covered Kael's mouth with hers to quell whatever fury the sounds induced in Kael, but the angrier he was, the rougher he would take her, which was just what she liked. "Tomorrow, we'll give you a real welcome, Kael. We'll let you slit Purple's throat with your own hands and if you like, you can watch as the guys take the Rat. We'll make her bleed too...make her suffer like she's made you suffer."

As Kael pounded himself harder and harder into Raeila, his mouth twisted into a feral grin. "I'd like that," he growled. "I want to see them hurting for what they did to me. I want to hear them cry. Maybe I'll even take Nieme like I've always wanted to, but she didn't like it like that. Oh gods, Rae. It's good to be home!"

Raeila gripped Kael's shoulders and dug her nails in deep. Her head lolled against the bed as she cried out in a pain-tinged voice. "Make her hurt, Kael. Oh gods...you're never leaving again," she groaned.

"Ever," he cried out as her fingers dug into his wound, but it helped to heighten what they were sharing. "We're gonna rule this place, Rae. We'll have the rest feeding out of our hands, and then everything will be perfect!"

"Oh Thana, Kael. I knew the Wetters couldn't kill your spirit." She arched against the bed and brought her legs tightly around Kael's waist. "You're back, Kael. You're back for good. Everything else will fall into place now."

"We'll make them pay, Raeila," Kael said. "We'll make them pay for all the things they've done, and a few they haven't thought of yet. We'll take back everything they stole from us, and drive out all the damp interlopers who have infringed on our sands!"

Raeila leaned up and kissed Kael aggressively. With a breathless laugh, she said, "You always did talk too much during sex. Now shut up and make me hurt, Kael. Make me scream."

With a laugh, Kael did just that.

---

"Blissful Regression, Part 2"
By: Kael Selrid
Raeila Mullerin
Ferrig Mullerin
Jae Dyn Brael
Liam Zaneth
Orn Gham [NPC]

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

***

It was several hours later when Ferrig entered the room and found Kael and Raeila curled up together sleeping off their wild activities. He approached and sat on the end of the bed. "You two look like you had fun," he said loud enough to rouse them, as he noted the scratches covering their bodies.

Raeila blinked languidly and managed a haggard smile for Ferrig. "Just getting him reacquainted with how we do things in the desert, brother." She ran her hand along Kael's cheek and gently called out his name.

Kael slowly opened his eyes and grinned. "I like how we do things in the desert," he said. "Though, I liked how you woke me up before."

"Oh, I'm sorry, my love," she cooed, "but I didn't wanna wear you out on your first day back." She kissed him tenderly upon the lips and laughed. "But don't worry, there'll be many more opportunities, now that you're back for good."

Kael laughed softly and brushed a hand over Raeila's thigh. "You're so thoughtful, my love," he said. "And, after earlier, I don't think I'll be performance ready until morning. I'd forgotten how good you are. Damn."

"Well, you should've never left to begin with, you jerk," she replied playfully. She giggled and pushed herself upright. "Come on...someone's here to see you, Kael. Get up so you can say hello."

Kael slowly pulled himself up until he was sitting, and spotted Ferrig. "I hope you don't mind that I fucked your sister again."

Ferrig laughed and shifted closer to Kael and Raeila. "It's alright," he said. "I did too just before you woke up again. She's been inconsolable since you left, you know. Earlier was the first time I'd seen her smile in...in weeks. Don't you ever do that to us again, you wet fuck. We're gonna have to roll you around in the sand to dry you out."

Kael laughed and punched Ferrig in the arm. "Just try it," he said. "So, how are things going for us? I saw a lot of gangs out there."

"We've pretty much got everything under control," Raeila answered. "Us Feltreys are basically the gang not to be contended with right now." She grinned proudly and nodded her head. "That's right, Kael: Us. You're looking at the first female member of the Feltreys. Ferrig had me initiated and everything."

Kael raised an eyebrow. "Really," he asked, and then laughed. "With the shock sticks?"

"With the shock sticks," Ferrig said as he ran a hand over Raeila's thigh, and up to her breasts. "She was amazing. I think you would have been quite proud of her."

"I would have liked to see that," Kael said. "I would guess that you were pretty...aroused afterwards. Did you take on the whole gang, or was it just a private initiation after that?"

"The others were too busy getting drunk or I would have." Raeila smiled silkily at Kael as she ran her fingers lightly over his shoulder. "If you'd been here, you could have helped Ferrig initiate me. We can recreate the entire event sometime and we can do it right."

Kael laughed and glanced at Ferrig. "I think we may just have to do that," he said. "I imagine with the three of us in here going at it, we could practically bring the roof down."

Raeila giggled excitedly and placed one arm around each of her men and pulled them into an embrace. "Oh, it's so good to have the gang all together again. We'll be unstoppable now."

Kael laughed and gave Raeila a kiss. "I have an idea," he said. "I like this new place you've got here, but I think we'd be much happier in the Thanatos Constabulary offices. What do you say we really move toward taking over this place?"

Raeila looked to Ferrig with a grin. "What about that, brother? We could have the people of Thanatos paying us for providing them security. Wouldn't that be a good way to gain their worship?"

"I like that idea," Ferrig said with a large grin. "You know, I think with the three of us working together, we may just be able to take over this whole damn planet. And, we could get rich off this. Give us money, and we'll make sure you stay safe. And, if they give us the money, we stop the other gangs from attacking." Then he laughed. "And, more importantly, we won't attack. As long as we get our money."

"I hate to say this in front of my brother, Kael, but you're damn cunning." Raeila kissed Kael, then laughed softly and kissed Ferrig. "You two really make a