"Back on Drogen (for now)"
By: Chun Li - pilot

Location: Drogen shipyards and others
Date: Rheudis 12, 4ABY

***

A day after the failed attempt to catch Zarrak, Li was back on Drogen. The search for the Dug had to wait for a while, as he was way too paranoia at the moment to approach. So she had taken her ship and flown back to her apartment on the shipyard. And she had also liked the fact that she was out of the winter on Arcadia, not to mention the turmoil, with the government change.

She landed back in the bay, and shut down her engines. Climbing down, she saw a figure at the end of the bay. When she was on the ground, he approached. Li was on her guard, but his weapon was in its holster. "Chun Li," he asked.

"That is correct, mister," Li answered.

"I'm Lord Ta'Galen," the man said, "I've heard that you transport goods with that gunboat of yours."

"That is correct," Li said, "maybe we can go talk somewhere else, a bit more comfortable."

"Good idea," Ta'Galen said, "I'll see you in Xayled's Abyss in one hour. That should give you time to freshen up."

The man left the cargo bay, leaving Li. She was surprised that he assumed that she would show up. Well, in fact she would, as she could use the creds. After securing her ship, she left for her quarters. There she took a shower, and choose one of her better outfits.

Before she left, she looked over the search results she had started. She wanted to see who this Lord was. He was a cooperate leader on the asteroid belt system of Oseon, at the other side of the Galactic core. That proved his wealth, but it didn't explain what he wanted here. He probably had more ships then the New Republic Navy.

Exactly one hour later she arrived at the bar. As she entered the bar, a waiter came towards her. "Miss Li," he said, "Lord Ta'Galen is waiting for you." He escorted her to one of the private boots, where the man she met in the ship's bay was waiting.

"Welcome, miss Li," Ta'Galen said as another waiter put a glass of Acron Wodka, her favourite drink, in front of her. Li didn't like that he knew so much about her already. Clearly he had a good intelligence service.

"What can I do for you, Ta'Galen," Li asked.

"I want a package to be transferred from Oseon to here," the man said, "and I want you to do it."

"Why me," Li asked, "I mean, you have a lot of ships."

"True," Ta'Galen said, "but I'd rather not draw too much attention on this transport."

"Sounds logical," Li said, "except for the fact that you will probably be seen talking to me."

"It might be," Ta'Galen said, "then again, it's rather quiet at this side of the bar. As I'm on a series of business meetings at this side of the Outer Rim, it's not all that uncommon for me to meet people in locations like this."

"Okay," Li said, "I'm willing to fly to Oseon, but first I need to know what it is I'm supposed to transport. I don't fly stuff that's illegal, generally and on the start and destination worlds specifically."

"It's nothing like that," Ta'Galen said, "it's just valuable, and it has to go fast."

"Good," Li said, "In principle, I agree. Now we only have to discuss certain small things, like where to pick it up, where to deliver it, and the payment."

Ta'Galen slid a datapad over the table. Li picked it up and quickly read it, while sipping her drink. It gave her all the information she needed, including dimensions of the package and clearance codes for the landing in Oseon. Also a price was mentioned, which was almost twice as high as she normally asked.

"It's okay," Li said, "I'll leave tomorrow. To Oseon will take me about 14 days, and 14 back again."

"14," Ta'Galen asked, "my ship does it in 9."

"True, but I need to refuel, and I can't stay in my cockpit for 9 full days. That's one of the disadvantages of flying a fighter type ship. 3 days is the maximum."

"Okay," Ta'Galen said, "that's still within the time limit."

Li said goodbye and after emptying her glass she left the bar, going back to her apartment for a good night sleep. She would need it.

---

"Caught Up"
by: Rylaa Lyssander - PC - Human
Lani Vissip - NPC+ - Human
Lorgal - NPC+ - Barabel

Location: Ares Macrotechnology HQ, New Plouton
Date: 12 Rheudis, 4ABY

***

Rylaa was seated at the head of a very expensive Alderaanian Oak wood table in a very expensive Dewback leather chair. Simple wealth adorned him in the well-tailored suit and jewelry. Simple wealth, but massive power. At the moment he was leaning forward in his chair looking at his board of directors and listening to their many long-winded speeches about how well the company was doing in which regards. With the influx of funds, namely Rylaa's personal pocketbook, Ares had skyrocketed much further than any of the directors had first anticipated.

Of course, the aging men and women who had made up the board then had quietly... disappeared after a couple weeks. The chubby criminal had replaced them with men and women more suited to his tastes. With the official business out of the way, several of the board members got up and left, and were replaced with some seedier looking members of the company. One of them, a massive Barabel who even dwarfed even Lorgal, simply sat on the floor, his bulk too much for the chairs. Besides, sitting on the floor let him go eye level with his boss.

"Morgal," Rylaa began, "How have the recent acquisitions in New Plouton been going?"

"Excellent, sir," the barabel replied in his hissing version of Basic. "The three you asked me to set up a meeting with joined right away. Just as you thought, they were all cowards at heart and when they saw the tri-vid of the kir'thana village they realized that we could bring that very power down around them. The Devonian, though, needed to be taken care of." He began to clean his needle-like teeth with a claw. "After the street gangs agreed to joined I think he realized what he had done and tried to rally them."

"Good, I want no barriers now that we have announced ourselves. All we have is the Hutt to worry about now." Rylaa tapped his fingers together in thought. "Zale Tregat," he finally said after a couple of minutes. "The man has his fingers in everything. Banks, Industries, Produce, Sex, he owns a bit of it all. With the majority of the underworld firmly in my hand I believe it's time for a bit of a challenge." He turned to look at Lani, lounging casually in a chair next him, "Find out as much as you can about the man. I want to know likes, dislikes, his favorite food, his favorite car, his favorite woman, his favorite sex position... everything. You have can have Credit help you if you want, he'll be able to crack anything they might have."

Lani nodded but said, "Are you sure about that? Tregat's a pretty major power player here, dipping into his life might not be such a good idea."

"Do it anyway. Just because I'm looking in the window at the fur coat doesn't mean I'm going to buy." Rylaa waited until she left before continuing. "Parsonage, what is the status of our Spice acquisition?"

An ancient human wearing a thick robe and bowed under it weight looked it. The wrinkles around the eyes looked kindly but the steely grey eyes themselves held a hard light. When he spoke everyone around the table could imagine the dust coming from his lungs. "Very well, sir. Our plant is on the craft and we will soon hear from our man with her. When they give us the word, our ships will strike and the load will be ours."

"Good," Rylaa replied. "Hak'klo, did our client on Coruscant enjoy his delivery?"

The fat twi'lek in charge of operations on Drogen looked very nervous. "Well... there is a slight problem with that, sir," he said in a shaky voice.

Rylaa froze. The shipment to Coruscant was very important and a lot of money was riding on it. Problems... were not something he wanted. "What... problem?" he asked in a quiet, calm voice.

Hak'klo looked at his peers for support but found none. They knew that their boss rarely gave second chances, and they all knew what he was about to say. "The shipment never arrived," he replied at last, his voice sounding beaten.

"WHAT?" the criminal shouted, slamming a meaty fist on the table hard enough to make everything jump. The sudden loud did not disturb Lani, she had anticipated what was coming. "What happened to it? Pirates? New Republic Police? I better get some answers or you're going to be taking a short cut to the street."

"W-we don't know, sir. The codes that were suppose to alert our contact on Coruscant about the incoming shipment were never transmitted, but two of our ships saw the smuggler assigned to drop off the cargo jump in system, but turn around after only a few minutes in the spaceport queue. They tried to follow him, but the bastard gave them the slip." The words stumbled over each other as they fought to leave the twi'lek's mouth.

"Find him... and find out what happened to my cargo," Rylaa said through gritted teeth. "After you find out what happened, kill him and anyone associated with him. Contact the Bounty Hunter's Guild and have a contract put out, two thousand credits to the man or woman who brings me his head. Four thousand if they bring him to me alive."

Hak'klo nodded nervously, not sure of what to say.

"As for you, my dear Hak'klo..." Two men appeared from the shadows and grabbed the fat twi'lek. They forced his head onto the table and stretched his arm out. "Your mind is valuable to me, but you don't need your hand to think." One of the thugs brought out a wicked looking knife and began to saw at the screaming twi'lek's wrist. A sudden spurt of blood sprayed several of the closest members of the hidden board, but they made no reaction. To acknowledge the punishment going on was to invite it upon themselves. When the deed was done, a hot blade was placed to the flesh to stop the bleeding.

Hak'klo was carried off to the infirmary, weeping and sobbing. He never had been strong, but he was intelligent and valuable. The price of failure was well known, and he had gotten of luckier than some. Of course, if he failed again, he would be put to death. Anger seethed through Rylaa at the possible loss of the valuable shipment. At the conclusion he quietly ordered all records of the transaction to be erased and all data concerning the research to be eliminated. His scientists were loyal to their work, he knew, but they were also loyal to the company and the ability to continue in said work.

And the smuggler who had ruined what could have been a very profitable partnership on Coruscant? He would get his. Most bounty hunter's worth their snuff and associated with the Guild will be jumping at the thought of a 2/4,000 dead/alive bounty. Many of them would be able to retire afterwards. The man would get what is coming to him, that much was sure. Now it was just a matter of time before they locate him.

---

"Transitions Into Uncertainty, Part 2"
By: Amii'a Val'or

Location: Royal Palace, Arcadia
Date: Rheudis 12, 4 ABY

***

"Madame Val'or," the young Tae'Karadan adminstrative aide said as he stood curtly in wait for a response.

Amii'a had just finished putting her new office within the halls of the Arcadian Palace Administry in order. As liaison to the New Republic Embassy she often commuted back and forth between Arcadia and the New Republic Embassy in New Plouton on diplomatic business.

"Yes Kavin?" she said with a slight smile.

"I have this data package here for you. It was delivered this morning, eyes only," he said as-a-matter-of-fact, with a hint of self importance as if he were part of an important government matter.

Amii'a fought the urge to roll her eyes with expert ease from all her experiences. She couldn't fault the young man for his misplaced zeal. Like many around Tae'Karada he was eager to help in the transition between regimes. With the new High Princess upon the throne and the usurping Empresses deposed, a new era in their future had dawned. It had quickly spawned many patriots, as well as those who saw an oppertunity to exploit, she often thought.

"Thank you," she said as she took possession of the data package.

The young man still stood before her.

"That will be all, Kavin," she said. "This isn't the military."

"Yes, Madam Val'or," he said with a sheepish grin as his cheeks flushed a rosy hue. The young man about stepped and left her office, bumbling into a shiny blue protocol droid.

"Oh, excuse me," the droid chirped mechanically as it also stumbled out of the way. "Hmm, how rude..."

"Can I help you?" Amii'a asked with a hint of irritation. She hadn't much use for droids, protocol or not.

"Madam Val'or, I have been assigned to your staff," the droid chimed with more zeal than the prior visitor. "I am designated AP3-C05. I am programmed for administrative and cultural protocol. I am fluent in over 6 million forms of communication, I have an extensive primary archive in over 1 billion cultural and customary fashions as well as...."

"Alright, alright I get the gist of it."

"Of course you do Madam Val'or, I am humbly at your service."

"I'm certain of that," she said with a sigh. It had been a long morning. "Well then, I don't suppose you have a nickname?"

"Well...I have been referred to as Bucket of Bolts, Walking Trash Recepticle and Mr. Know It All. Though, I must admit that in these references I believe they are not politicaly correct and well, seem to be derogatory in nature."

"You don't say? You are a bright one."

"Well thank you, Madam, I do strive to operate at 100% efficiency and correctness."

"Well from today on you are just plain old Five, now go plug yourself in somewhere and keep out of my hair until I need you hmm?" she said as she began the data routine of opening the secure data package she had received.

Five cocked his head and pivoted around to find his place.

Amii'a opened the secure data feed and began to study the package. It contained New Republic data straight from Ambassador Theen's office, a correlative list of New Republic business dealings with business and diplomatic leaders upon Tae'Karada. And there was a lot.

As she continued to pore through the data she began to see a pattern. In the last year all New Republic programs were granted to Tae'Karadan business and social programs to help with redevelopement. But as she looked deeper, she soon saw that nearly all the profits were collected not by actual Tae'Karadan businesses and institutes, but rather by New Republic officials and CEO's who owned large percentages in Tae'Karadan business ventures, or in many cases the Tae'Karadan companies were actual subsidiaries of major corporations within the New Republic, and they in turn were greatly owned in private shares by many New Republic officials and Tae'Karadan politicals.

More than 75% of profits are going offworld, and not to the Tae'Karadan economic infra-structure, she thought as she analysed more of the data. In many cases grants and contracts for such endeavors as technology research and developement and contructions were being awarded to the lesser bidder, but the contracts exceeded the bid by more than 300% in many cases. What more she found out, many of those business leaders and companies were in fact on the payroll of New Republic companies, and not wholely owned Tae'Karadan businesses.

She tapped a few commands to bring up the sender's identification authorization. To her surprise, it was Ro'namon. And the data itself was collected straight from the New Republic secured mainframe, rooted right out from Theen's own office.

Amii'a sat back with a slight chill as her emotions churned. Many of the programs were greatly acquired through work of her own, through cooperatives between Tae'Karadan officials and business leaders and their respective New Republic counterparts who worked through the New Republic Embassy to facilitate cooperative socio-economic dealings. All in the betterment of Tae'Karada, so she had long thought.

Could it be? she wondered with frustration at the data before her. Surely Theen wouldn't!? she tried to assure herself, but the doubts lingered.

She began an authentication trace to try and see if the data was corrupt, somehow forged from bits and pieces of actual data bits. It didn't take long. The results were authenticated. The data was real, compiled straight from the source with no tampering.

It took a moment for it to all register, then it hit her. The information could very well be damning to herself, as she was an intricate part in officiating the business and political dealings between Tae'Karada interests and New Republic interests. But she knew she had done no wrong.

"Ignorance is just as much an acceptance of guilt as is purposeful perpetration," she said to herself, qouting the New Republic Ambassador.

"Oh I quite agree," Five replied as if she were talking to him. "Might I quote from the..."

"No, that is alright," Amii'a said sternly. "Five, do you have authorization access directly to the New Republic Embassy?"

"Oh of course Madam Val'or, I have level 10 clearance protocol," the droid happily replied to be of service. "Which directory would you like for me to access?"

"Do an extensive search and correlative compilation with these parameters," she instructed as she handed the data disk to the droid. "Come find me when it is done."

With that she left the droid to do its work, to get some air and think about what had been revealed.

---

"Transitions Into Uncertainty, Part 3"
By: Kel Daneb

Location: Unknown
Date: Rheudis 12, 4 ABY

***

Kel looked around the crowd, scanning the faces he saw. There was one particular quarry he was after this day, and it involved him being in a crowd. He preferred the simple bounty catches, but this guy...this guy was much more shifty than most of his high value catches. This particular person was a thief known in about 10 systems, and had stolen various priceless paintings, statues, and ancient relics of long-lost civilizations. Somewhat of a hifalutin thief, if there ever was such a thing.

He continued to pick his way along, through some city on some industrial planet, about three parsecs away from home. Such was the way of business, though. Kel smiled a little to himself. There was not much he would rather be doing, in all honesty. There was turmoil at home, on the planet, and he did not want to get involved. Kel had more Imperial leanings, but that mostly stemmed from them giving good sized bounties for people, and for actually allowing the hunters themselves to eke out an existance. Under the New Republic, things had been cracked down upon, you had to be registered, blah blah...it was all very beaurocratic, to be honest. Simpler times were behind them, though, and he had to change with the tides, or else be out of a job.

Kel wished that he had been able to wear his suit and visor. Unfortunatly, that would not work, as he would be instantly recognized by his foe. At least this way, no one knew what he really looked like, so he could surprise people. They never talked, because usually once he turned them in, they were dead.

Suddenly, Kel spotted the thief. He was slicing through the crowd with ease, almost as if they did not exist. Definately an expert thief with moves like that. Kel kept his distance, not wanting to alert the person that he was being followed. Kel watched as he ducked down a less crowded street, and Kel followed, again, keeping his distance, leaving just enough people in between so as not to draw obvious attention.

He watched as his quarry ducked into a doorway, presumably his residence. Kel waited for a bit, then followed him in. He heard the receding footsteps going up the stairs, and Kel followed, nimbly making his way up the staircase. Most places usually had lifts installed, but apparently this was a building kept around for how old it was, and the asthetic value of the place. Definately an apartment for an art thief.

Kel heard a door shut quietly, and he pulled out his blaster. This particular person was to be taken alive, so he quietly changed the setting to stun. With practiced ease, he kicked open the door, and burst inside, his blaster at ready. A shocked person was standing near the window, and then he settled down. "Ahh, you must be here to collect me," the man said.

"Yes, I am. Obviously, since I have the drop on you, you might as well just give up," Kel said, walking slowly towards him, making sure he did not lose focus of things around him, in case this was some sort of trap.

"Oh, well, you see... I have many more things to take. Did you know that the paintings of coruscant are beyond compare? And the authorities still believe it was a local job!" he said, laughing a bit. "I am surprised, though, that you found me this easily. Others have tried, but have usually made their presence known on a planet. You though, you slipped in unnoticed, moved about unnoticed. It is a true gift, one I am familiar with."

"I'm glad you liked my performance," Kel said. "Now, on the ground," he ordered.

"Ah, see, there you go again...I just can't allow that to happen," he said, and lept out the window with the ease of an expert.

"Oh hell," Kel said, holstering his blaster. What he would give for his suit right now. He looked down, and saw the man deftly climbing down the side of the brick building. Kel rubbed his head, and bolted down the stairs. Now he understood more of why the man lived here: easy exit for him, annoying for everyone else.

Kel made it out into the street, and he heard the retreating footsteps going down an alleyway. Kel gave chase, pounding his way down, leaping over an ancient fence, and continuing on. This guy could move fast, to say the least. Kel continued on, starting to catch up to him. He pulled out his blaster, and let a shot fire. To hell with keeping it on stun, he wanted to bring the guy down, and in pain!

Suddenly, he felt something large and heavy slam into his chest, knocking the wind out of him. Kel went sailing backwards, and landed hard on the permacrete, skidding a bit. A rather large and burely alien stood over him, holding a long piece of metal. Kel kicked at him, but it did no good. The alien had probably 200+ lbs on him, at least. The thief came running back, and stood over Kel as well. "You did not think I would just run, did you?" he said.

"Well, you did lead me to your home...so the thought had crossed my mind," Kel said, coughing a little. It felt like a few ribs were fractured.

"My friend here does not take kindly to bounty hunters," he said. "And as such, I will leave him to his devices," the thief said, then headed off, laughing merrily.

"Lovely," Kel said, and made a move to raise his blaster. That did not work, as the next thing he felt was a large foot stomping on his hand. "Hey, you don't think we could talk this over, do you?" Kel said.

The alien just glared, and Kel knew what was coming next. He saw the metal raise, then darkness. Pure darkness.

"He has lost a lot of blood," a medic said as they shot through the streets, heading for the nearest hospital. "Hopefully we can get him to the bacta in time," she added, making sure the man was stable. He had no ID on him, save a place of residence, which listed an Arcadia in the Tae'Karadan system. They arrived, and quickly rushed the man to the medical bots. A few moments later, he was floating in a vat of bacta. "Looks like he took a beating," the medic said to her partner.

"That it does. Looks like he was hit repeatedly by a blunt object, like a piece of metal. I wonder what he had done?" he said, musing for a moment. "Ah well... Hey T, how long will he have to be in there?" he asked.

"A few months, maybe more. Depends on how he reacts to the treatment," the droid said, looking over at the humans.

"I see. Well, I'll turn this residence card over to the authorities, maybe they can find out who he is," the medic said. "Catch you later for dinner?" he asked.

"Sure thing," the other medic said, and walked out. The lights dimmed down, leaving an unknown man, floating...with a lot of time to be there.

---

"Transitions Into Uncertainty, Part 4"
By: Master Liam Zaneth
High Princess Yelara Neerou
Meer'esh
Consular Amii'a Val'or

Location: Royal Palace, Arcadia
Date: Rheudis 12, 4 ABY

***

Liam Zaneth stood on the balcony outside of the throne room. He stood staring off to the west, across the waters still glistening with the last rays of the day's sun. Standing where he did, the memories of the past seemed to swirl around him in a cloud. The fight on this very spot had changed his life so completely, and yet how much had it really changed? Yelara is still gone, was his only conclusion. While life had returned to her body, she was gone to him. She had chosen Meer'esh.

That seemed to be the way of it since their first meeting. She always chose the other, not him.

Strangely, the loss didn't upset him. He felt oddly serene, calm. Times definitely have changed, he told himself.

He turned at a sound from the door and found Yelara standing there. He gave her a smile as he stepped away from the railing. She looked tired. A long day of talks with various delegations had only ended a short time ago, and the duties of High Princess had kept her busy the entire time. Thankfully every day wouldn't be so full, but it would certainly be a change from the life she had been living.

"I was just enjoying the sunset before checking in with security. Yara reported all clear a few minutes ago that the last of the delegates had left." He stopped a couple meters from her, hands disappearing into his voluminous robe in a restful pose. "So, how are you holding up?"

"Fine," she answered, smiling weakly. Her hand rose to massage her temple, the gauzy sleeves of her gown falling back to reveal a slender, pale arm, and a thin bracelet encircling her wrist. A charm dangled from it, too small for Liam to make out at his distance. "I've got this throbbing headache," she added with an effort at remaining cheerful, "but I suppose that's what happens when twelve people attempt to speak at once for an entire hour."

Liam chuckled softly and nodded. "Hopefully future meetings will be more...ordered," he said. "Tomorrow's meeting of the Rim Alliance. Security is already prepped with it, and should be a larger group, but more organized." He focused his sight, calling upon the Force to do so, at her bracelet. He felt a twinge within as he recognized the kestrel. He smiled slightly, then moved on. "If you can fit it in your schedule tomorrow, there's a designer coming in for the courtyard. After Tarkin and Nieme, the courtyard is in a sad state. If you have any special requests..."

"No," she sighed, and as she swept past Liam towards the edge of the balcony, a waft of her perfume lingered, wrapping Liam in its sweet, dulcet redolence. Leaning over the balustrade to look out upon her new domain, Yelara commented matter-of-factly, "I hate this place. It's so big and cold...and everytime I close my eyes, the memories of it haunt me." Then, over her smooth, white shoulder, Yelara smiled at Liam. "Come here. Join me in reviling this place."

"Before you came out," Liam said as he moved to stand beside her, "I was remembering those moments as well. Perhaps now, with the change in government, with things going back on course, the past won't haunt quite so much." He turned to watch her. "Sometimes at night, I watch the events play out over and over in my sleep."

"Thinking of what you could have done differently?" she finished with a raised eyebrow. Yelara's hand slid across the rail to cover Liam's; the kestrel around her wrist swung as if soaring across the skies. "You would have saved me if you could have, Liam. Does it plague you so much because you failed, even though you know how hard you tried?"

"Are we in a better place now than we were then," Liam asked.

With a touch of regret, Yelara whispered, "Liam...I don't think we ever could be. But that changes nothing. We're here now, and we have to cope with what our lives have become. Isn't that what the Jedi teach? Not to dwell on the past?"

"Learn from the past, but live in the present," Liam said with a smile. "Every time I go over what happened, there is nothing I could have done differently to change the course of events. While I wish I could have prevented what happened, I know there is no way for me to have done that. And, so here we are, finally at peace and with a bright hope for the future."

"And what is your hope, Liam?" she asked wistfully.

"Continued peace," Liam said. "To not have to fear for the safety and wellbeing of our son growing up. That when he's our age, the Empire and all of the pain and suffering will only be lessons from the past."

Yelara smiled thoughtfully and fondly squeezed Liam's hand. "To learn from our mistakes. I'd like that for him. But with all these squabbling politicians, it will be hard to achieve."

"In time, they'll come around. We'll need to watch for the ones trying to grab power for themselves, but once they see the direction we're heading.... We have to have hope though. I think it will be a long road, but what awaits at the end of the road is worth the journey."

"And as long as you're here to help me see through all those with their own agendas" --her smiling eyes held his-- "we can do this." Fingers lightly brushing over the back of his hand, she added, "Don't you think?"

"Very much so," Liam said with a nod. "I think we're off to a very good start so far."

"Me too." Continuing to stroke his hand, Yelara's dreamy gaze returned to the expansive sky and cityscape far beyond the palace. Shifting closer to Liam, she murmured, "Stay awhile longer, won't you?"

"Of course," Liam said and allowed himself to relax at her side. "It is a very nice view, that's for certain."

"It is," she sighed. "It's too bad Leshie hates the cold or he could join us." Comfortably, Yelara nestled her head upon Liam's shoulder and pressed against him for warmth. "Liam?" Yelara asked quietly. "Do you think I'll make a good High Princess? Am I doing well?"

"You will," Liam said. "You have a good heart and a strong sense of what makes us a good people. You'll have people who can advise you and be there when you need them. I think you'll make the best leader this planet has ever known."

Yelara chuckled and accused playfully, "Liar. I'm untried, have no knowledge of statecraft or politics... I'm an amateur, and I'm making decisions for an entire planet." She glanced up at Liam gratefully. "I'm glad I have you whispering advice into my ear. I rely on you, Liam, more than you know."

"And, I'll be right here for you," he said. "I know this is a fragile time, and one where you're uncertain which step to take, but I promise whenever you need me, I'll be there."

"Then put your arm around me and keep me warm so we can stay out here a little longer," she told him serenely. "Just a little while longer..."

Liam smiled and put his arm around her as she'd asked, allowing his cloak to drape over her as he did. Together they looked out over the city, and it was almost as if all their troubles might not have existed. Almost.

***

His rage and jealousy had been palpable, for producing not a sound as he had wandered out onto the balcony, Liam had become aware of his presence. Thier eyes had connected across the distance separating them, blazing cobalt clashing with icy violet, while Yelara obliviously continued her observation of the city. She didn't seem too bothered by Liam's embracing arm about her shoulders. And that was what drove Meer'esh from the balcony at an angry clip before he could explode.

He had never anticipated, when accepting this task, that he would be unable to remain objective, though he had never proclaimed himself to be a professional in the art of espionage. In fact, he had done nothing of the sort, not in all his 67 years of programming and repairing mining droids, but his people's natural aptitude for anything technological had appealed to his current overlords, who thought his skills put to better use infiltrating a planet's government. But, with as insignificant as they believed his people, his overlords hadn't thought him capable of emotion and attachment. He was masterful at repairing droids, but he, himself, was not a robot. If they discovered his burgeoning affection for Yelara, he would not survive long, and as much as he tried to suppress such dangerous feelings, every day with Yelara was a reminder of the joy he'd missed out on as a slave.

He'd never experienced the passion Yelara had introduced him to, yet he was always tentative and pulled back when Yelara pushed for more. It pained him to do so, but just as it had taken months for his blue-dyed hair to grow out - the brand of ownership by his former slave-master - Meer'esh knew progress towards being able to open himself fully to Yelara would be achingly slow.

And it was made worse by Liam's presence. They had a past, a connection, and Meer'esh could see no way to come between them, even though it would place his mission in jeopardy to do so. Liam was a risk not only to his goals, but to securing Yelara. Striding resolutely through the palace's capacious hallways, feet cracking loudly against the marble floors, Meer'esh determined that all he was striving for would be made that much easier with Liam out of the picture.

Not as artful in deception as he might wish to be, Meer'esh knew he would have to learn quickly if he was to succeed. So, he tracked down the one person who could unwittingly aid him in his endeavour, and she was located in her newly acquired officespace - more a vast chamber than a consular's modest cubicle.

Meer'esh composed his features, forbidding his rage from resurfacing, and his mind from revisiting Liam and Yelara's far too physical survey of the stars. He tipped his head in greeting to Amii'a as he entered the room then glanced about, ensuring privacy. "Politicians are certainly being excited to hear their own voices, hm?"

Amii'a nodded in return as she delved back into her data pad. "It would seem," she said with some distance as she puzzled over mundane diplomatic information.

Looking up to the strange man she continued, "You always get the good with the bad, even with democracy. Politics is often like that. Though there are those who always seek power for themselves and fame in the eyes of the public, there are those who work tirelessly and selflessly for the good of the people and not the self."

Meer'esh nodded slowly as he nonchalantly strolled to the grand arched window facing him. "And what category are you thinking these politicians should occupying?"

Amiia slid away from her data pad and pondered the question for a moment. She had been looking into the backgrounds and associations of those who were helping to usher in the new regime, and she was somewhat troubled by some of the findings.

"I think that there is a precarious balance between those who would be good for Tae'Karada and of those who would not," she said carefully as to not reveal anything specific in terms of individuals or of herself. "What do you think, Meeresh?"

Piercing violet eyes looked back at Amii'a from over Meer'esh's shoulder, and a mildly distasteful smile seized his lips. "I am thinking, Consular, that Yelara is needing better advisors. She is listening to me, this is so, but the representatives, they are not without voices, and Yelara is needing herself to listen to them. But they are having selfish goals." He was careful to allow no trace of satisfaction touch his expression as he added, "Including Liam Zaneth and Ambassador Fida. Or having you not noticed how many private meetings they are arranging with her? I may not be there to listen, of course, so I am not being able to caution Yelara - but what might they be wanting from her, Consular? And whatever it is being, why cannot they be discussing such things before the rest of the committee?"

Amii'a thought upon his words. He was closer to the High Princess, that was certain. She herself had her ways, being in the position she was alongside Theen. Recent developements and discrepancies had caused her to distance herself and approach things with alternative perspectives. She had many talks with Ro'namon, and now she was beginning to see that perhaps the old crone was wise to guide her and this Meer'esh together.

"I don't know what they could be talking about, I can only speculate based upon my knowledge and assignments," Amii'a replied softly. "As of course you can only speculate as to their motives. I must admit that Theen is a politician and a crafty one at that...but Master Zaneth? He is a Jedi. Are they not suppose to be honorable?"

"Oh, I am not being implying that Master Zaneth is trying to deceive Yelara," Meer'esh explained, turning fully and making his way towards the table. "I am just saying that the Jedi are not being very liked right now, not when two of their own were recently being terrors on the planet. Without Liam's place by Yelara's side" --he flattened his hands upon the table and leaned forward, his face lingering close to Amii'a's-- "the Jedi would be enemies of this planet. And besides, he is not being a typical Jedi. He has a child, was being married.... Why could he not being manipulating Yelara to have his way? Yelara has already given them forgiveness for the two girls; why could Zaneth not being convincing Yelara for more? And if she is so delicate...why could Theen not being doing the same?"

She could argue his points, it was in her nature. For some reason she didn't, or maybe she just didn't want to. She was present at many of the key meetings prior to the installation of the High Princess, hell she helped to pull together many of the world's local leaders. If her latest findings that had pointed to Theen's office as having been less than honorable in many of the New Republic's dealings on her world, why couldn't what Meer'esh said be true, she wondered.

Could Theen and the New Republic have alterior motives? she thought. Have I been so blind? she thought as her head boiled with such ideas.

"We have just instituted this government change, Meer'esh," she said. "It is fragile, it may even be susceptible. I cannot deal with speculations alone, I need real proof. What would you suggest as you have the ear of the High Princess?"

Meer'esh bowed his head, and interpreted this as an invitation to pull out a chair and seat himself adjacent to Amii'a. After doing so, he leaned in for privacy and whispered, "We must first be insisting she continue the search for those former High Princesses...without the Jedi being assistants. If the Jedi cannot be finding them, and an independent search party can be, we can be proving the Jedi are having been deliberately protecting these two demons. This will easily be putting Master Zaneth from the picture. As for Ambassador Fida...." Meer'esh sighed deeply and shook his head with just the right touch of regret. "He must being banished from the council...but only if Yelara is admitting to me what they are speaking of, and I will be telling you. Perhaps he is not being open of what he truly wants; perhaps his requests to Yelara are seeming innocent to her. But if there is being a larger agenda hiding in those requests, you will be seeing it, won't you?"

"Cutting the Jedi out will not be easy," she whispered in reply to the easier of the two subjects for her. She was still struggling with the ideas that Theen could be so devious. "Perhaps he is not, and if you could bring to me solid proof of what is being talked about behind closed doors...I believe then we can see just exactly where Theen's motives lie."

"Then that is what I am being doing," he decided resolutely. "When I am knowing more, I will report to you." Meer'esh watched Amii'a fixedly, his preternaturally coloured eyes seeming to see into Amii'a's and read her very soul. "This will be ours only? You will not be discussing this with others?"

"You have my word," she replied with more personal reasons than she was willing to admit to the man. "Having others involved would only hamper such investigations. I'm a patriot, Meer'esh, my only concerns here are for what is right and best for my people...not power, not riches. Unlike some others."

"Then we must be succeeding in this. We must not be allowing Tae'Karada to fall again into the hands of evil." Smiling confidently, Meer'esh rose, assuring Amii'a, "And it will not being. I am going to be beginning now; we will be meeting again when I have been learning anything." Meer'esh bowed to Amii'a, but his unsettling gaze remained on her. "I am being delighted by your pledge, Consular Val'or. With your being on the side of justice, we will not be failing."

"And I for your candid concern and trust in coming to me with these issues," she replied as a multitude of interconnected motives and consequences raced through her brain.

She couldn't bring herself to believe that the man could harbor any danger to the new government, he seemed genuinly concerned and eager to help - as well as to have a friend and ally in such endeavors. After all, he was basically a nobody with no political or cultural ties to Tae'Karada or the New Republic, save his friendship and confidence of trust with the new High Princess. And that in itself, Amii'a thought, had to count for a lot.

She knew in some ways Yelara was a pawn, chosen for many reasons but most importantly, to Amii'a anyway, because of her character. Amii'a had done her best to run a background check on Meer'esh, but came up rather empty - which nagged at her but did not set off any red flags. After all that had transpired upon Tae'Karada over the last few years, let alone years under Palpatine's Empire, such was the case for many beings who were just looking to start life over, or reinvent themselves.

Still though, she knew, there could be grave consequences if she was not careful. She couldn't stress enough how imperative it was that they had duracrete proof of any transgressions in regards to all that they had talked of. Part of her hoped that they were all wrong, that it all amounted to some shady politics, but not outright corruption and betrayal of her people's future.

---

"Transitions Into Uncertainty, Part 5"
By: Administrator Shrezade Anoran
Captain Dresh Kano

Location: Drogen Shipyards
Date: Rheudis 12, 4 ABY

***

Dresh Kano strode into the command deck of the Drogen Shipyards. The air was charged with excitement and from the brief glance at the face in the window, he knew the reason. It was the second time he'd been back since Nieme and Dani's fall, even though the two had yet to be found. He gave a nod to Hajne, who was practically bouncing in her own seat from the infectious energy coming from within. He didn't pause before heading straight to the door that would take him into the inner office.

With an expectant whoosh, the door slid open and he stepped into the doorway. He smiled at the woman across the desk from him, trying her hardest to look composed and controlled. Not that any could see them here.

"Honey, I'm home."

"I see that," she answered brusquely, her smile inquisitive. "And how did things go?"

"Things went well," Dresh answered. "The new high princess is extremely charismatic, but quite unsure of herself. Still, for all the arguing, she's holding up well against the career bureaucrats and making a good turn for herself. I think the planet's in capable hands now, even if she doesn't realize it. She seems to have a good staff behind her too, including the Jedi."

Reza chuckled scoffingly and commented, "I had no idea the Jedi were interested in politics. They certainly like to have their noses in everything, don't they?"

"These Jedi didn't seem to be all that pushy," Dresh said. "Maybe it's because the two who stole the throne used to be their students."

"That's quite the blow to their reputation." From her snide grin, Reza seemed almost pleased by the Jedi's troubles. "They'd better be on their best behaviour then, or the people of Tae'Karada will be driving them off the planet."

"They do seem to be doing their best to become the peacekeepers of the Old Republic," Dresh said with a shrug. "Perhaps they'll figure out a way to succeed. Whatever the case, it does appear that we are living in interesting times."

She chuckled lowly while rounding her desk towards her store of liquor against the side wall. "It's a time of change at the least, but I'd prefer the station be as far removed from the dramas occuring on that planet as possible." Reza gestured Dresh into a chair and selected a bottle from the cabinet. "Thirsty?"

"Of course," Dresh said as he moved to the small couch occupying the corner of the office. "I have a feeling we won't be able to stay completely isolated here, but the brunt of it will escape us. So, remember that news I'd mentioned in my last comm?"

"Yes," she answered carefully and with a skeptical eye as Reza lifted two filled glasses to carry to the sofa. "Is this when you tell me what that news is?"

"I thought I might," Dresh said as he accepted one of the glasses from her. "The new government of Tae'Karada made me an offer. Tae'Karada is in a fragile state and, after all of the fighting, a bit disorganized. It was brought up the other day, but the official offer was made today. High Princess Neerou asked me to take command of Tae'Karada's navy. I accepted."

Reza's hand slowed for a moment in passing Dresh his beverage, but her expression remained passively amused. "That's a pretty prestigious position. What exactly does that mean for you?"

"It means I will need to find permanent residence here in this system. Though, I'm open to suggestions for good places."

"I know a few pleasing locales in Arcadia," Reza offered, her features composed despite the joy bubbling within. She joined Dresh on the sofa with an air of complete indifference. "If you'd like, I can consult Hajne. She likes fine things and will certainly know some locations that might appeal to you." Then, she languidly sipped at her drink.

"Oh, that would be perfect," Dresh said with a grin. "Something close to the shuttleport would be perfect, though I guess a short speeder trip won't be so terrible."

"Whatever would you need the shuttleport for, dear?" she drawled, suppressing a grin.

"To be able to get up to my ship," Dresh said with a laugh. "Can't really command my navy from the comfort of my own sitting room, can I? Though, with this prosperous peace we're having, there may not be a pressing need for running around in ships."

"Well, if commuting to the planet is going to be a problem..." Reza concealed her smile with the glass conveniently placed before her lips. "I do believe there may be a vacancy on the station, if you're interested."

"Oh," Dresh said with a thoughtful nod, "that does sound as if it'd be much more convenient. Perhaps that will be my best option."

"Or" --Reza laid her hand upon his knee and turned her alluring smile onto Dresh-- "you could avoid having to move all your things out of my quarters and simply stay there." She squeezed his thigh enticingly. "With me."

"Now, there's a perfect idea," Dresh said with a smile as he leaned in to place a tender kiss on Reza's lips.

After a protracted moment filled with silence punctuated by heavy inhalations and exhalations as their kiss intensified, Dresh and Reza pulled back, watching each other hungrily. "This is why you didn't tell me over the comm, isn't it?"

"Exactly why," Dresh said. "Very difficult to celebrate properly over a comm. Perhaps later on we can enjoy some fine dining and something with bubbles in it."

"After I get through some reports," she agreed. "Though, I did make plans with Rilanna for this evening, but we can postpone that."

"Or Ril can join us," Dresh said. "Depending on what your plans with her entailed, I'm sure we could have dinner and drinks."

"If you've no objections. I'll warn her that you're joining us." She grinned slyly. "That'll ensure she doesn't show up wearing absolutely nothing. Though would you mind, I wonder?"

"It would be somewhat distracting to have her seated at the table naked while we were trying to eat," Dresh said with a chuckle. "Rilanna's an attractive woman, and I'd be lying if I said seeing her without clothing on wouldn't be pleasing, though not nearly as pleasing as seeing you."

"Well, that's not going to happen, Mr. Kano. Rilanna prefers women. Though, if it's flesh you want...." Reza chuckled enigmatically. "You'll have to wait till later, hm? But for now, why not tell me any other news from the planet - anything affecting the station?"

"Not at the moment," Dresh answered. "They will be sending someone here soon enough to discuss some plans and issues with you. Plans currently include contracting some of the Tae'Karada naval repairs from the station. There are some who have found dealing with you less-than-pleasant, and are pushing for a second station being constructed in orbit. Personally, I think a military station would be a good idea, though I'm not entirely sure how it will affect things here. I'm sure you don't want to have to deal with planetary officials or military officials. However, there were a few strongly suggesting that the Drogen Shipyards' autonomy should be curtailed and the station be brought closer under the domain of the planetary government, as the station is orbiting the planet. Still, at the moment it's mostly words, and the High Princess isn't yet ready to make any decisions on matters, though she had expressed interest in perhaps meeting you."

Reza emitted a loud, amused laugh. "Her highness wishes a conference with me? Is she brave or stupid?"

Dresh chuckled. "I'm certain she'll be bringing a Jedi with her," he said. "And, the Jedi's two students. And, I'm certain there will be others who will want to be assured of the High Princess' safety. And, considering that she took the job, she very well could be brave or stupid, or possibly both."

"Well." Reza sighed and leaned forward to set down her empty glass. "Whatever the case, she'll have to contact me if it's a meeting she wants, and I'll have to check my schedule."

"Just a bit of advice," Dresh said. "Cooperate with the government, Reza. Don't play hard with them. Tae'Karada and the people down there have been through hell, and I think if you put your back up, the high princess' advisers are as likely to push for a plan to take the station away from you and take control for themselves as they are to just blow this place to stardust and start fresh. And, while I guess it's not very important, if it came to a conflict between this station and the planet, my career would be over...that is unless you think I should lead Tae'Karada's fleet against you, because that would be what they asked of me."

"And would you do it?" she riposted with a shrewd smile.

"No, Reza," Dresh answered. "I'd die here with you and Rilanna, and Hajne and all of the others."

She rolled her eyes and drawled, "You're so melodramatic, Dresh. And besides, would the High Princess truly resort to such strong-arm tactics? Or is she at the mercy of her advisors and too spineless to decide matters for herself?"

"She's a puppet," Dresh said. "If she finds too much backbone, it's conceivable that we could find ourselves with a new high princess. Perhaps they wouldn't attack, that'd be pretty drastic after what everyone has been through. Sanctions, however, wouldn't be too bloody. Or their new space station to compete with us here. One of the councillors was commenting that the new station could cater to decent people while Drogen remains home to the vermin that infest it, or something similar. And, my love, you must admit that when you're at your stubbornest, you can rile even the most soft-hearted person."

She chuckled lowly. "Then I'll most definitely have to meet with this puppet princess. Can you arrange it?"

"I can," Dresh said. "I'll let her know you're looking forward to meeting with her. We can figure out the details later. Will that be suitable?"

"Quite," Reza answered serenely. "Now, are you going to get out of here so I can work, or are you going to stay and continue to fawn over me?"

"Well, I had thought of calling your chef up here to whip us up some lunch, so we can just lounge back and enjoy the day," Dresh said with a laugh. "But, perhaps I should go get my things stowed and send a report planetside. So, you get your wish, my dear. I'll see you tonight."

Touching his hand lightly, Reza told him ardently, "I'm glad you're back. It was beginning to get dull on this station without you."

"I'll keep things exciting for you," he said as he brushed his fingers against hers. "I have a couple days before I need to be back. I don't know how much time you can arrange, but I was hoping to be able to make you dinner."

She gave a derisive snort and dismissed teasingly, "I'd like to see that. So...I think I can set some time aside for that."

"Tomorrow night," Dresh said with a laugh. "Don't be late!"

"And you'd better not disappoint," Reza shot back with an alluring smile. Unnoticed by him, Reza was trembling with anticipation she was struggling to contain. Her love was home, and would remain there as long as she was concerned.

Tossing back the remainder of her drink, Reza savoured the warm tingle that reached her belly; she couldn't decide if it was the alcohol, or excitement over the prospect of a future involving Dresh never having to leave her side. Whatever might happen to the station, Reza found she cared little, as long as she had Dresh all to herself.

---

"Transitions Into Uncertainty, Part 6"
By: Master Laedra Vorrel
Master Koran Darr
Padawan Cole Slaton
Padawan Talara Sorenne
Jedi Knight Kael Selrid
Raeila Selrid
Ferrig Mullerin
Tralesha Zibel

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Rheudis 12, 4 ABY

***

Laedra Vorrel stood by the training room door, smiling at and giving words of praise or encouragement to the young students filing out after a very intensive sparring session. Some had fared better than others, but she knew their abilities would grow as they did, which roused some concern regarding another, older student she had held such high hopes for, but who had recently regressed in her training.

As the last student hurried off to catch up with her friends, Laedra sighed and made her way to the study, where she knew Koran was holed up. There had been much to consider lately, with the sudden departure of many of the Temple's Jedi Masters, and Dani and Nieme's presence. Their future was uncertain, for the council had been unable to reach an agreement regarding their request for asylum, and Laedra suspected that dissent had been the breaking point for many of the older Masters who refused to stray from the ways of their predecessors. As much as Laedra had respected her elder peers, they were far too old-fashioned for a time when change was necessary for the survival of their Order. In the end, they had not been prepared for such change.

Reaching the study, she rapped lightly upon the door before entering. As expected, Koran was bent over a particularly thick text, deep in rumination. Laedra chuckled softly and approached the desk. "Any revelations, Master Darr?"

"None yet," Koran said, sitting back and rubbing at his eyes. He turned and regarded Laedra, then laughed softly. "The language they use to describe mundane things is still hard to wrap my brain around, but I think I'm getting there. This section I was reading was about a crisis of leadership they had early in their days here. Sounds familiar, doesn't it?"

"Very," Laedra returned sardonically. "What are we going to do, Koran? We have new students everyday and not enough teachers to train them. We can only stretch ourselves so thin."

"We'll do our best," Koran said. "Kael's said he'll teach when we need him to, and now that she's had her baby, Jae Dyn will be ready to resume some of her duties again soon. I know it's not enough, but perhaps it will allow us to get by until some of the apprentices, like Padawan Bek, are skilled enough to also pick up some of the basic teaching."

"That seems our only option," Laedra agreed. "I'm just not so certain I can take on another padawan at this time, Koran. I'm concerned that Zari is at a standstill in her training. In fact" --she sighed deeply-- "I believe she is slowly losing skills instead of gaining them. I know she's preoccupied by something, but Zari insists everything's fine." She shrugged faintly. "Perhaps it is and I can no longer train Zari. We may simply be incompatible as teacher and student."

"I would trust your judgement in the matter over Zari's willingness to speak of any trouble," Koran said. "We will watch her more closely. Perhaps, we will have found our first apprentice who cannot be trained. It did happen occasionally before. She is a very nice girl, and it appeared that she was getting better. I have not dealt with her much, but it appeared that she seemed very distracted when I have spoken with her. Do you suppose she and Cole are...together again?"

Laedra shook her head thoughtfully. "I can't be certain. She hasn't spoken of him, and I've yet to see the two together.... Short of spying on the girl, we can only speculate, and I'd rather hear the truth from her. Though," Laedra sighed, "she can only be a minor concern for the time being. Do we still agree? We can't turn Dani and Nieme over to the New Republic authorities. That would certainly mean their demise, and I truly think Dani has found her way back to the light."

"I fully agree," Koran said. "I am uncertain of her association with the Dug, but as she said, Nieme made an arrangement with him while they were still in the Palace, and she's only honouring that. While I don't believe Dani truly needs a protector, if anyone from the New Republic or Tae'Karada authorities ever find out they are here, they may need all the help they can get."

"Speaking of which..." Laedra shook her head gravely. "Whatever is shrouding Nieme's mind is imprenetrable, Koran. I am not yet prepared to give up, but we can't keep trying, not when we have other responsibilities to manage."

"I am certain we can continue to try to help her as time permits," Koran said. "While I am hesitant to do so, perhaps there is outside assistance we can seek in dealing with her mind."

"A doctor?" Laedra guessed. "It would have to be someone we can trust implicitly. If word of their presence here gets out, the reputation of this Order could be compromised."

"That's my biggest hesitation," Koran said. "Perhaps Kael can find something in his studies, but I am uncertain whether it is wise for him and Nieme to have much contact given their past. We're in a very fragile time for the order, especially with the deaths and departures. To trust everything to someone who could so easily turn information over to our enemies...."

"Then we will have to keep trying in our own way." Having perched herself upon the desktop, Laedra leaned forward to kiss the top of Koran's head, then rose. "Are you coming? It's about time for dinner."

"Sure," Koran said with a smile for her. "I think I've been able to get as much as I'm going to be able to get out of this book for today. Stare at them long enough, and your eyes cross."

"There won't be much time for reading in the coming weeks, so get in all you can." Sighing as he joined her in the leaving the room, Laedra added, "We've a long road ahead of us. We must prepare ourselves."

"My hope would be that we would be able to get through that road without worry, but I sense something on the horizon. Something...elusive, that I can't pin down. It will be an interesting time, that is certain."

Laedra chuckled, commenting playfully, "You always say that. You're too adventurous for a Jedi."

"I was frozen in carbonite for a very long time," he said, eyes flashing with mirth. "You try sitting still for over thirty years and see how adventurous you become."

"With all these young padawans seeking our attention and knowledge, I doubt we'll have a moment's peace again for at least thirty years."

"I wish that weren't so very true," Koran said with a shake of his head, "but at the rate we're going, you may be right. I just hope that perhaps Kael may be ready to take on a student sometime soon, or that a miracle happens and we find some others who happened to escape the purges. Still, not a dilemma we're going to solve before supper's over. Come on." Taking her hand in his, he led the way out of the room as they both silently ruminated on the future of the Order.

***

Sweat ran down the small of his back leaving a trail of itchy wetness. Of course it was nothing compared to the rest of him. Bruises. Aching muscles. Loss of breath. His heart pounded in his chest as he walked with the other Padawans. The sparring session had been severe, more so than any recent session. Cole had a feeling part of the reason was the latest development in the Jedi Order, the departures of Masters, even with the seemingly endless flow of youngsters wanting a chance to become Jedi.

It had taken a long time for Cole to reach this point; he knew he hadn't been the easiest of apprentices and held a great respect for Koran. As he walked with the younger Padawans, seeing the look of worry on their faces, Cole couldn't help but smile. "Trust in the Force..." he said to one such boy, no older than twelve years.

He could now say those words and mean it, not only understand them. He did trust the Force, how it shaped the Galaxy. It was sometimes still overwhelming trying to imagine its power, yet it had led Cole to this point. A small speck, in the grand scheme of things, but still the Force had time to lead him on this path.

It sort of made the young Corellian feel rather special.

"You hungry?" Cole asked.

"Starvin'!" the young boy chirped. Laughing Cole guided the youngling into the dining hall. Like a vreil-sheep in a crowd Cole and the youngling entered the cafeteria following those in front. The hall was as always packed with hungry mouths wanting food. The Padawan helped the youngling with his food and found them a seat, though it had taken some effort to track it down.

Much to Slaton's joy there was little talking at his table. Glancing at each face Cole smiled, watching them shovel the food into their mouths, looking down at the meat stew - which had small pieces of potato bobbing up and down - he rotated his shoulders trying to get the kinks out.

He was going to hurt in the morning.

***

On the opposite side of the Temple from Masters Koran Darr and Laedra Vorrel, two spears of coherent light crackled and hissed against each other. One of blue, one of green, wielded with skill unparalleled by the two duelists, they sought openings in their opponent's defense.

Talara Sorenne swung her lightsaber at Kael Selrid's head, but at the last moment, snapped the blade down to drive it toward his knees. Kael, however, anticipated the feint, and was ready with his own defense. With a deft parry, he riposted with an attack of his own, driving Talara back.

The sudden opening in her defense seemed like a hangar bay ready for a freighter to land in it, and Kael took the opportunity. Reversing his attack once more, he drove toward the waiting gap on Tala's right side. Too late, he realized that the opening she'd given him was deliberate. It was only his skill with the blade and lightning reflexes that brought his blade back up to within centimeters of his own neck where it stopped Talara's sudden attack.

Their blades locked and clashed, hissing and sparking as they circled one another. Kael jammed an elbow toward Talara's throat as her knee came up between them. A slight shift in his stance put his thigh in her attack's path, but it was enough to throw his own attack off. As his elbow connected with Tala's forearm, the girl disengaged their blades, and used his body to flip herself back away from him.

With a laugh, Kael looked down at the scorch crossing the front of his robe as it crossed from his right hip up to his left shoulder. After landing steadily across from him, Talara was frowning at the burn marring her blade arm. She looked up at him and laughed.

"I think you won," Kael said as ecstatic clapping started from the side of the room where Raeila had been watching their sparring match. "Beautifully fought, Talara. Your skill is definitely impressive." They bowed to each other.

"There were at least ten times I thought I was going to lose," Tala said. "Thank you for letting me spar with you, Kael."

"I'm happy for the workout, and I think my lovely wife enjoyed the show," he glanced over as Rae was rushing toward them.

"I love sparring against you, or Master Darr, or Master Laedra," Tala said. "I wanted to spar with Master Zaneth, but he's still over at the Palace, so I haven't had a chance." She turned and grinned at Raeila as Kael turned in time to catch his wife in his arms. Spinning her around and kissing her deeply, they both ended up facing Talara, breathless but happy. "Things have been so busy here, I've hardly had a chance to see you. Would you like to have our meal in the dining room with me? Unless you were going to be out with Dani in the courtyard again."

"Oh, Tala," Rae chided fondly, "there's always time for things like that with friends. It'll give Orn some time, while we eat, to pack up something we can bring out to Dani."

"I'd like that," Talara said with a nod. "Dani is very kind. Even when...before, she was kind. I wonder if there is anyone who can resist falling in love with her, or if we're all fated to it." As she grabbed a towel to wipe away the sweat from her duel, she returned her lightsaber to its normal setting. Kael was already doing the same for his. Tala glanced up at Rae. "Is Ferrig still upset with him? I hope he knows that I still do love him as much, if not more, than I always have. Until I'm a Knight, I can't be distracted by the relationship and attachment. As much as I would like to be."

"I'm sure he still thinks of you everyday," Raeila replied gently. "He's just...angry, I think. Have you talked to him lately? You really should...just to let him know what you've just told me."

"I saw him the other day," Tala said. "We talked a little, but...but I know he still wants to be close, and I can't right now. I wish I could tell him how hard it is to resist him, and that when I'm near him, it takes every bit of control I've learned to resist him."

Rae smiled sympathetically at her friend. "I could talk to him if you want. He sometimes listens to his little sister."

"I'd appreciate that," Talara said with a smile. "I know it's a difficult time, but we can work it out, I'm sure."

Winking at Talara sweetly, Raeila whispered, "I know it." Then, with a burst of energy, Raeila exclaimed, "Now, come on! The longer we're out here worrying, the less time we'll have to eat!" Giggling, she snatched Talara's hand and tugged her into motion as Raeila gaily skipped towards the Temple.

Kael laughed softly as he fell into step behind them. He couldn't express the joy he felt inside at how carefree and happy Raeila was. It really did make things feel alright. The hopes he had for their life together didn't seem so far away after all.

As they reached the kitchens where Orn's booming voice could be heard laughing and the other sounds of life filtered through the doors, Talara paused. A cold shiver had suddenly worked its way down her spine. A tremor of something rippling through the Force. Something wasn't quite right. She looked around, searching with senses more than just physical. The elusive feeling passed and she was left with Rae and Kael looking at her. She shrugged. "Thought I felt something. It's gone now. Come on, let's get food before Orn gives it all away."

Laughing again, they started in, but Talara took one more look around, wishing she could pinpoint the source of her feeling.

***

The sudden feeling of forboding that had overcome Talara Sorenne found its source deeper into the Temple. Curled in on herself, Zari Zathmir cried soundlessly. With one hand over her eyes and the other clutched tight to her chest, she couldn't stop the tears that were soaking into the sleeve of her robe. She was trying not to let the despair claim her. She had to be a good Jedi, had to prove herself to Master Laedra.

And, yet how could she be a good Jedi when she hated Ferrig Mullerin so much? As she finally began to pull herself together, wiping away the remnant of her time forcibly spent with Ferrig with the sleeve of her robe, the object of her hate strolled along the corridors of the Temple as if nothing were wrong.

The surprise in her eyes as he'd pulled himself out and unloaded into her beautiful face was priceless. A part of him felt bad at treating her so badly, but she probably liked it anyway. She seemed the type, and other than her tears hadn't expressed any complaints. Of course, it could have also been the fear at being caught that made her so pliable. She was certainly a perfect little whore.

The power and control put a spring in his step, taking him back to the powerful days of the Feltreys. He'd forgotten how much he loved those days.

He was about to turn away to go find Raeila when a figure coming down the corridor in the distance caught his eye. He paused. After a few moments, he smiled.

"Tralesha," he said. "I didn't expect to see you here. I thought you were off living in New Plouton with Mr. Neerou."

"Hi Ferrig," Tralesha said. "We stopped by so I could grab some more of my things and visit with people. We're not here for long though. How are you?"

"Very good, actually," Ferrig said. "We're up here for a visit with Kael."

"Orinth is visiting with Orn, and Kallia's showing off the twins," Tralesha said with a smile.

"Did you...did you need help with whatever you were getting?"

Tralesha thought for a moment, then nodded. "Sure, one of my bags is fairly heavy, if you want to help with that one."

"Glad to help," Ferrig said as he and Tralesha started down the hallway toward Tralesha's former room.

Once they got to her room, Ferrig leaned against the doorway watching her as she began gathering her belongings. "Talara and I aren't together anymore," he said, taking the leap. "She thought it was best for her to become a Jedi not to have the attachment."

"I'm sorry, Ferrig," Tralesha said softly. "I know how much you two love each other."

Ferrig sighed and shrugged. "I'm sure things'll work out somehow," he said.

"I'm sure they will," Tral said with a gentle smile for him.

"I still can't believe the luck of running into you here," Ferrig said. "You look great, Tralesha. Really great. Though, I think I prefer you in the bikini."

Tralesha laughed. "Thank you," she said. "And, I think it's a little too cold for bikinis now."

"I'm sure the sun's still shining in Vendra," he said. "We could go check if you want, me and you?"

"I'm not sure--"

"I don't see what the problem is," Ferrig said with a charming grin. "I'm single now...and free."

Tralesha smiled. "That's true," she said.

"Well, if not how about something else," Ferrig asked. "You and me, I'm sure we can find somewhere. Do you like dancing?"

"I love dancing," Tralesha answered.

"Then it's settled," Ferrig said. "You make sure it's alright with Orinth, and we'll go dancing. How about tonight?"

She smiled and then after a moment, nodded. "I'd like that."

Ferrig smiled, perhaps a little more wolfishly than he should have. "Great."

---

"Transitions Into Uncertainty, Part 7"
By: Padawan Vaya Bek

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Rheudis 12, 4 ABY

***

Vaya relished the cool breeze against face as she jogged through the woods surrounding the Temple. After her training spars and exercises she had wanted to go for a run to finish off her physical training as well as to clear her mind.

She felt somewhat uncertain as to her future at the Temple and with the Jedi. She knew she was skilled and thought of herself as a good student, but it seemed that with everything that was transpiring on this world she just didn't know where her place was. She felt somewhat awkward, being an older Padawan but a newcomer to these Jedi. And of course her mentor had other Padawans to attend to as well.

Do or do not, there is no try, she thought in regards to an old bit of wisdom one of the Temple Masters had reiterated from a past Master.

She continued to run, with each step and exhale she pushed out her thoughts and minor anxieties, attuning to the Force to fill her with the energy she needed to push herself past normal human means.

How she loved the feel of the Force pulsing through her being, making her feel more alive than just mere flesh and waking consciousness.

Before long she wasn't thinking, she was but a vessel for the Force as she romped through the woods like a wild creature.

As she neared back towards the Temple she began to slow, she was fatigued but very much in control of her body and mind. She felt refreshed, both physically and mentally. She knew the Force would lead her way, and that she needn't worry about the likes of those things she had been. She knew she just had to trust and listen to the Force, and all things would fall in place as they were meant to be.

Not to say that a little initiative wouldn't hurt, she thought with a smirk. After all, help comes to they who help themselves.

As she continued back to the Temple she felt something in the Force and turned around.

She saw nothing. She scanned the treelines...a shadow? she thought.

She turned around again as she felt another nudge in the Force, like a probing. Yet...a presence that felt familiar, but it soon slipped away.

She felt outwards, scanned her surroundings but nothing. As she turned towards the Temple when she saw a slight glint from the corner of her eye. She walked towards the trees, towards what she had thought she saw. She looked down and found what appeared to be a coin of some sort. She inspected it, turning it over and feeling its weight in her gloved hand.

It was an odd blueish metallic color that slightly changed color when she turned it she noticed. A little green, a little black, a little purple. Whatever markings had been etched or stamped were nearly rubbed away with age or handling, so she couldn't make it out or recall anything quite like it. She clutched it in her hand as she looked out around the trees about her with the Temple just off in the distance.

Without another thought she pocketed it and headed back home.

In the distance a robed figured stealthily slid out from behind a massive tree trunk, studying the young woman as she walked back to her new home while in one hand he rolled a coin back and forth across his knuckles....

---

"Conversations in His Wake - Transitions to Uncertainty, Part 8"
By: Cirran Tyris
Sgt. Mathias 'Walker' Coin
Various NPCS

Date: Rheudis 12, 4 ABY
Location: Drogen Shipyards, Docking Bay 37

***

"So what's the plan, spacer?"

"Well, whether I like it ot not, this place is still the only lead I've got. When you reckon the heat - wherever it comes from - is off, contact me, and I'll head back."

"Well, with luck it'll die fast, 'cause life will be a lot more boring without you."

"Nah, you can just use the drinking time to knock more heads together. Plus there's the insatiable demands of the chief."

"Good point."

"OK...I'll see you, Walker."

"Right. Try to stay out of gunfights."

"Scared you'll miss all the fun?"

"No, it's more that I never met anyone worse than you with a blaster."

"Good point."

***

New Republic Drogen Operations Centre, Operational Briefing

"Right then, report, lieutenant. What's all this hubbub this morning been about?"

"Well sir, tech support advise that someone or something breached our systems and accessed our tactical database early this morning, sir."

"Anonymously? An electronic attack of some kind?"

"No sir, the techs detected no loss or corruption of data, and there's no sign of any hidden code or malicious software left behind - nor have they found any way to possibly trace the source of the breach."

"What do we pay these tech people for? Surely we should have defences against this sort of thing in place?"

"Well, that's just it sir, we do - but no flags went up because - well, it's just information. Someone piggy-backed in on an official channel and uploaded information to us, sir."

"Information? What kind of information?"

"It seems to be a dossier on an unknown substance of some sort."

"A substance, lieutenant?"

"More precisely a weapon, sir. Initial analysis suggests the material contains a combination of biological and chemical agents which, when introduced even in small amounts to a bacta supply, would fundamentally alter the nature of bacta fluid, in particular the behaviour and function of the bacta bacteria. In effect the bacta would become a carrier for a highly contagious disease, which potentially has a total cross-species fatality rate of around 64 percent. In humans it would be as high as 93 percent."

"Good Gods man, do you know what someone could do with that?"

"Indeed, sir, assuming it isn't a hoax of some kind, although again the analysis suggests otherwise."

"We have to treat this as genuine in any case, lieutenant. Has Medical seen this data?"

"Yes sir, they've been working on it for a couple of hours now."

"Good. We'll probably want to notify Captain Kano, the new government planetside and possibly even Coruscant. In the meantime, prioritise the analysis, and keep trying to trace the upload source."

"Very good, sir."

"Any other business, lieutenant?"

"We're continuing medium-range patrols, and there is enough evidence to suggest Remnant activity around the edges of the system, sir - we have located garbage dumps and energy readings that suggest a large ship operating somewhere nearby, but we don't have a confirmed sighting."

"Ah yes, Thrace's 'Star Destroyer'. I believe his analysis was correct - I'm not convinced it would attack here, surely it would be too risky. The longer time goes on, the more I'm convinced this Lyssander character was exaggerating the threat to avoid awkward questions. Still, again it pays to be careful. Increase the patrols, and maintain heightened alert status."

"Yes, sir"

"Is that all?"

"Not quite sir, I have approved leave list here for your once-over. Darklighter, Hardis, Juke, Clayton, Mornak, Tyris, and Urah."

"Hmmm...Tyris?"

"From the reserve, sir."

"Oh of course, our deserter. Does his request check out?"

"Yes, sir. He didn't use any of his allotted leave time in the war - of course, not many of them did - so now that he's received a pardon, he's free to use what he's got stored up. He's put in for several months...you know, they say he was something to see at the Battle of Lianna, sir"

"I don't give a damn for exaggerated war stories lieutenant, the man is a deserter and not to be be trusted. It's a miracle he stopped long enough to fill in the forms this time. Still, I'll take comfort in the fact he's off causing trouble somewhere else. Right, that will be all, thank you lieutenant."

"Very good, sir."

***

Elsewhere in the station...

"He's what?" hissed the voice from the commlink.

"Gone. On leave. Left this morning, from what I can gather" the hooded figure replied.

"Under what circumstances?"

"He came back from Coruscant on the job for Ares Macrotech, the one Mallik told us about. It should have been simple enough, but he got back and took off again within 4 hours. He didn't log a destination with shipping control, but the homing device is still secure."

"What do we know about Ares?"

"Not much. It was a legit job for a legit company, to the best of my knowledge."

"I can't believe this has happened again...why didn't you stop him?"

"How, exactly? Not all of us have your influence. We've been waiting for the right time and couldn't take him too soon, you said."

"Timing is crucial, but having Tyris alive is even more important, as well you know. Need I remind you what I got up to on my little jaunt to the Tri-System? We risked an investigation just to make sure that worm wouldn't upset our payday - and now the gangly moron will probably go and get himself brained in some bar brawl on a third-rate mining planet somewhere. Can't the man do anything simple?"

"The rumour that you were in-system was supposed to keep him here, remember?"

"Admittedly, I thought it would. Perhaps young Cirran's sense of family duty is slipping."

"I doubt that. He just needs a reminder, at the appropriate time."

"Leave that to me. In the meantime, I don't need to tell you what your job is."

"My ship is already prepped, I'm heading to it now. I'll be his regular guardian angel."

"Don't get too attached, will you?"

"Have no fear of that. When we're done with this thing, I still want to be the one to kill him."

"Of course. Would I go back on a promise?"

---

"Transitions Into Uncertainty, Part 9"
By: Kimara
Keeve Shivral
Maeren Shivral
Kaysa Zenarr-Tregat
Vrax Draydge
Merrick Braston
Analesse D'vrishay
Zale Tregat
Moril Astren

Location: Various Locations
Date: Rheudis 12, 4 ABY

***

"It's freezing out here, Kim," Keeve said, rubbing his arms furiously to generate warmth. He watched Kim incredulously, who was lounging comfortably on the balcony and taking no apparent notice of the chill in the air as she took a drag of her cigarra. "You sure are out here a lot," he noted. "Are you trying to develop hypothermia?"

"I'm not trying," Kim said. "I just didn't want to smoke inside. And, I'm freezing, but the cigarra kind of helps. I'll be in in just a moment." She took one final drag off the cigarra, then ground it out on the deck and dropped it into the can placed to the side for that very purpose. She had a habit of just flinging them off the balcony, which had the discarded butt of one of her cigarras landing in the brim of a man's hat. While he'd been fine, the hat hadn't survived. She hurried toward the door where Keeve stood shivering. "In, in, in."

"Is this going to be a habit?" Keeve asked, stepping aside for Kim then following. "It's not an attractive one, you know."

"No," Kim said, "it's not. It's just...when I get stressed like I am right now, I want to do one of two things, have wild, insane sex...or smoke. And, you looked busy, so I didn't want to bother you. I need a mint or something."

Keeve gripped her arm gently to keep her from straying too far. "That better wait for a while," Keeve told her hesitantly. "You might need another cigarra after I tell you what I have to say."

Kim blinked. "I see," she said. "Okay. Has...has something happened, Keeve?"

He shook his head, but his furrowed brow and taut lips betrayed his anxiety. "It's about everything that's going on with Maeren and...." Keeve looked away, unable to gaze into Kim's wide, concerned eyes. "We-- Do you think it's alright if we...we postpone the wedding," he murmured.

Kim sighed softly and then nodded. "Of course we can," she said, moving closer. "We can postpone as long as we need to, Keeve." She held up the pack of cigarras. "Did you need one?"

He blinked, answering distractedly, "No. Aren't you mad? You've been waiting so long for this.... I-I can't get married, not until I know Maeren's alive and safe. That...that might mean never, Kim."

"I'm disappointed, Keeve," Kim said, "but I can live with that. I can't force you to marry me like this, not without knowing. I know you love me, and I know we'll get married when we can. So we won't be married yet, but it'll be when we're both ready, not when we're too impatient to wait any longer. Our marriage will be a happy one, Keeve. Until you know for sure, it can't be. So we'll just go on as we are, and it'll happen when it does. Just please don't tell me you want to stop sleeping together until we've found her...because then I might get mad."

Keeve laughed and assured her, "I didn't say anything about celibacy. And besides" --he slid his hand from her arm to cup Kim's face-- "who needs marriage? Would it really change anything for us?"

"It would be special for us," Kim said softly. "But, I can wait until we're both ready for it."

He frowned curiously. "Are you saying you're not ready either?"

"I'm ready," she said with a smile. "But, I know you're not, and that's what's important...that I'm ready and you're ready."

Chuckling, Keeve wrapped Kim in an embrace and quipped, "Yep...still as odd as ever. I think we'll be just fine."

"I know we will," Kim said softly. "We've got a good, strong relationship, we work and play well together, and I think we were meant to be together. We've got everything going for us. It's perfect."

"It would be," he teased, sniffing at her hair, "if you'd stop with the cigarras."

"I think I can manage that," Kim whispered. "Or you could have one with me, and we'll smell the same."

"Then I'd just be letting you get away with it," he chided, and more seriously: "Maybe we can plan a short holiday to the coast. With all that's happened, have we really had a moment of peace together?"

"I think I'd like that very much," Kim said with a smile. "You suppose Kallia will be alright with that?"

He grinned. "We won't be long, so I'm sure we'll get her blessing...if that's what worries you."

"Not at all," Kim said with a laugh. "I just thought that being away from your other girls would be hard for you. And, Kal has been working hard the last week on getting her figure back." She rolled her eyes. "I wish I could have the Force to help me get my figure back after having a baby. In another week, you'd never know she'd just popped out twins."

"Oh don't be jealous. You look just as good." Kissing her brow, Keeve hoped to assuage her narcissistic envy. "Now," he sighed, "go and have a shower. I'll meet you in the bedroom...if you're up for it."

"Oh, I'm definitely up for it," Kim said with a grin. "Now, you go make sure Hope's going to be busy for the next couple hours and won't be bothering us. And, I'll meet you in our very large bed in fifteen minutes." After giving him a languid kiss, she started toward the stairs.

Keeve's wistful smile faded only once Kim had passed from view, and he was left with a sense of relief and surprise that she had taken the news of their postponed nuptials so well. At the least, it spared him the guilt of having to upset his fiancée, and of betraying Maeren by marrying another in her place. No matter the pain it caused him, Keeve accepted it in favour of Kim's happiness and keeping the memory of Maeren alive, even if she might not be. He wondered if Merrick was doing the same for Kaysa. Snorting a laugh, Keeve shook his head and started for the stairs, for judging from Merrick's impassioned profession to Analesse, he doubted Merrick was thinking of Kaysa at all.

***

With his wintrella resting on his knee and Analesse seated beside him, Merrick Braston couldn't think of a time when he'd been more at peace, more certain of the direction of his life. While he did worry about Kaysa and Maeren, he couldn't bring himself to let it show. He'd been having difficulties sleeping because of it, and his songwriting had suffered. But his feelings for Kaysa had changed. She was no longer the woman he married, the one he'd fallen in love with. He hoped she was safe, hoped she returned home, but he couldn't let his life stop because of it. He loved her still, but he had fallen out of love with her.

Maeren was a different story, however. He couldn't be certain how much of the time he'd spent with her had been her as herself, and her as a clone of herself. When Zale had first told him, he'd been very shocked. But it did explain a good many things. And, it made it very difficult to look at Kimara the same. Oddly, he thought he saw similar looks from her. He did still love her, but the passion wasn't as fiery as it had been. There was a draw to be certain, and he knew that if they allowed that to be kindled it would spark into something blazingly brilliant.

But, they both knew, without having ever discussed it, that they couldn't. The love they felt for their own lovers was too strong, and neither doubted that the love would not stand for being shared. And so they shared the love they felt through creative expression, songwriting in his and Kim's case, and Kim's amazing artistic skills. He smiled as he wondered if Keeve really knew what a treasure he had on his hands.

He turned his attention to Analesse, and once again his breath caught in his throat and his heart began to pound in his chest. Merrick Braston definitely knew the treasure he had. And, the way she looked at him, the way she smiled at him, and all the ways they shared together when they were alone were reasons enough to devote himself to her and only her.

And in the look she was giving him now, the fear and doubt that had been keeping his muse at bay parted and allowed his creativity to flow once again. His fingers moved of their own accord, plucking out a tune on the wintrella that drove deep into the heart and took it on a flight of passion and joy.

His eyes twinkled and his smile was infectious as he gazed upon Analesse D'vrishay. "Have I told you how beautiful you are yet today?"

"You did," she replied with laughter in her voice, "when we first woke up this morning, or did that not count?" Giving him one of her entrancing smiles, Analesse extended one finger and plucked a string of the wintrella. It produced a discordant twang. She chuckled. "I like how your hands move. So...graceful." An unchaste thought crossed Analesse's mind involving Merrick's hands and herself, causing a blush to colour her cheeks. She lowered her head to conceal a bashful smile.

"Too late," Merrick said, his smile turning into a mischievous grin. "I saw that red just sweep right up into your cheeks. So, unless I'm losing my touch, what exactly did you want my hands to do that suddenly turned your cheeks into twin sunrises?"

Analesse gasped and slapped his arm, laughing. "Don't ask me that! Just because someone thinks something doesn't mean they have to admit it" --she narrowed her eyes and grinned slyly-- "no matter how much you want to hear it. That would just swell up your pride, wouldn't it?"

Merrick chuckled and returned to strumming the wintrella. "Maybe just a little," he said. "Alright, but it just means that I now know that your thoughts aren't always pure as Tae'Karada snow."

"As reserved as I am," she informed him, "I'm not entirely inexperienced, Merrick Braston. Believe me, I don't require any sort of education in that particular field." Her alluring smile returned, though now with a trace of arrogance. She added her fingers to Merrick's and interrupted his soothing tune by again picking at the strings artlessly and teased, "Did you think you were getting a newly bloomed flower still waiting to be plucked, Merrick?"

"Oh, I had no such preconceptions," Merrick said as he gave up on the wintrella and set it aside. "It's just a side of yourself you hadn't displayed before, well...except for on a few occasions."

"I'm modest when I need to be," she explained, "but I don't want to hide things from you, Merrick, not if we're to be even closer."

"I approve," Merrick said. "I'll love you no matter what, and I want you to know that always."

"That's very dangerous territory," Analesse warned half-heartedly, leaning in towards Merrick to thread her fingers through his hair. "You've just given me leave to do what I like without worrying about pushing you away. You would never make a good businessman, Merrick Braston. You're too forgiving."

Merrick laughed aloud. "Don't get ahead of yourself, my dear. Just because I said I'll love you for always doesn't mean I will forgive everything and forget all that isn't pleasant. However, if you wish to negotiate our relationship like a business deal, I'm quite certain I can play the part of the shrewd businessman." He gave her a smile that wasn't entirely pleasant, but something in his eyes took the edge from it. "I just hope the offers you have for me satisfy my needs while I'm able to give back the least. That is what business is all about, yes? Take all you can get while giving up as little as possible? Sounds like a very equitable arrangement."

She focused on a wisp of golden brown hair that had fallen over Merrick's eyes as she mused, "It is...if you're on the winning end of things." Analesse pushed it away and continued the motion of her hand to slide it against Merrick's cheek. Half-resting her torso against his and draping one folded leg across his lap, Analesse's lips hovered closer than ever to his, still curled into an amused smile. "I think I'd rather we hide as little as possible from one another. This isn't a business arrangement after all...or is the suit throwing you off?" She glanced down at her subdued, stuffy attire of crisp white blouse and trousers. "I did take off the jacket, may I remind you, or is that not sufficient to banish your view of me as a boring, sometimes ruthless, businesswoman?"

"I like the jacket," Merrick said as he brushed his hand against hers. "It's the parsing everything down into business terms that keeps the image alive. If you think of this as more of a partnership where we seek to help each other gain and work to support your partner, perhaps that will be closer to the mark. We can both win, that way. As opposed to normal business negotiations where someone has to win and someone has to lose, or at least that's the objective. As I said, get the most for the least."

"Then I think I've got the edge on that," Analesse quipped. Her hand caught Merrick's, fingers laced with his as she continued sincerely, "I got you...and in the process I've acquired your entire family. There's Kim - she's a great girl and smart. Then Keeve, even though he's a little pest." She chuckled. "I think Zale would agree, but he's become a good friend. And Aria..." Analesse sighed, a pensive fondness warming her features. "She's adorable, Merrick. How could anyone want to abandon a child like that?"

"I have no idea," Merrick said with a shrug. "Though, I think we'll all agree that Kaysa isn't right in her head. But, that's her loss, as cold as that may sound. In any case, we should probably check in with Zale and see how things are going."

It was with a tight smile and mild disappointment that Analesse glanced down at the close and intimate proximity their bodies had to one another; she detached herself from Merrick, her cheeks burning with embarrassment at her rejected invitation. Though, Analesse wondered, had he even noticed at all with his wife's welfare suddenly foremost in his mind? "You should--" She cleared the knot from her throat and began rebuttoning the topmost fastenings of her blouse that had been surreptitiously undone during Merrick's performance. "He'd likely contact us if there was any news... But you should probably comm him anyway."

Before she could completely pull away, Merrick pulled her back to him. "The sooner we check in on Zale, the sooner we can go home to a very comfortable, warm bed, instead of this musty old couch in my dressing room," he said. "The sooner we get home, the sooner you will need to replace those buttons I'm going to tear from your blouse as I rip it open. But, we should check on Zale and make sure he's still alright, check on Aria and make sure Zale remembers which end the diaper goes on, and we're doing it together. Once we've done that, we're going home...which is on the way."

Analesse stared wide-eyed at him, speechless with astonishment before she recovered enough to stammer, "You're insane!" Then she chuckled breathlessly. "It's not the same if it's planned out, Merrick, or are you not the romantic your songs portray you as?"

"I don't understand Lessa," Merrick said. "One moment you're commenting on how Kaysa abandonned Aria, and then you're ready to make love... I just...I'd like to check in on Zale, and then we can go home and...see what happens. I just...for now, I want us to go check on Zale together, make sure Aria's alright, and then...see what happens."

"Merrick," she whispered, her alluring smile making another appearance, "tearing open my shirt after we visit Zale is just fine. Though, next time" --Analesse smoothing her hand against his chest tenderly-- "kiss me before brushing me off, won't you?"

"As long as you don't mention my soon-to-be ex-wife just before you decide you want to be kissed," Merrick said with a mischievous glint in his eye.

She shrugged. "Deal...as long as you don't think about her while you're kissing me."

Merrick laughed. "You don't have to worry about that," he said. "When I'm thinking about her now, there's nothing I want to kiss. There was a time...but she made sure that there's nothing but bad memories left. When I'm kissing you, Lessa, I promise you you're the only one."

"That'd better be true," she warned him playfully, draping her arms loosely around his shoulders and her face drifting closer to his, "because I'm very competitive, Mr. Braston, and if I don't have your undivided attention, I'm liable to--" The distinctively muffled beeping of a comm device halted Analesse. She cocked an eyebrow at Merrick. "I think that's yours...unless you'd rather not answer." Her lips brushed his.

"For the moment, not answering it is looking like the most attractive option," he said as he met her lips with his own.

Analesse mumbled in agreement, but was quickly absorbed in the kiss - one so passionate and so convincing of Merrick's singular focus on only herself, that it was easy to ignore the insistent alerts from Merrick's comm, and that Merrick had ever had a wife after all.

***

"You know how I feel about this," Zale Tregat was saying as he watched the information scrolling over his desktop display.

"I know, Zale," Moril answered. "But we can't continue pouring Antorial resources into the search. Our people are incredibly loyal, but the cracks are showing in the areas where we've pulled staff to cover for those on the search. We've talked about it already."

"I know," Zale answered. "I still don't like it and wish we could do more. And, before you say it, I know. I just wish we could keep the manpower we have focused on it now, and not...change that."

"Perhaps with a single person continuing the search, we'll do better." Moril searched for any sign of weakening in Zale's expression and found none.

"Alright," Zale finally said. He activated a recorder built into his desk. "This is Zale Tregat. As of now, Antorial resources being used in the search for Kaysa Zenarr-Tregat and Maeren Shivral are to be curtailed. This is no longer an Antorial operation." He closed the recorder with a sigh. "There, it's done...but I can't help the feeling that I'm giving up."

"You're not giving up," Moril said. "The search will continue. It'll just be more focused, and conducted by one person." He looked up at the woman seated across the room. She gave him a nod. "Shaza Nightshade has a reputation as one of the best in the business. If anyone can find them, she's the one."

Zale sighed and nodded. As he was standing up, the door opened, revealing Merrick and Analesse. "Where the hell have you two been? I've been trying to get ahold of you."

Merrick looked slightly sheepish. "We were...occupied," he said. "And then we were on our way here. We were busy, right?" He glanced at Analesse.

Her expression gave away no indication of what had kept them incommunicative for the last hour, save for a faintly desirous smile for Merrick. "Business," she concurred. "Very intense business negotiation."

"I'm sure it was quite productive," Zale said. "We've just...just officially ended the search for Kaysa and Maeren using Antorial funding and personnel. The rest of the search will be coming out of my personal expenses. We've hired Ms. Shaza Nightshade to conduct the search." He indicated the woman seated behind Merrick and Analesse. The woman who was clad in a sleeveless, leather bodysuit nodded. "She's the best at finding people according to everyone I've talked to, even Moril."

Analesse returned the woman's greeting, but briefly as she turned back to Zale. "If it's credits you're concerned about, Zale, then you can back out of the project. It's alright - no hard feelings...just do what you have to do."

"The credits aren't a concern," Zale said with a smile for her. "Though, I do thank you for your thoughtfulness. My main...objection is really having to take my hands off to allow Ms. Nightshade to work. Though, in the end, I know I'll get results, which is why I did agree."

"He's just stubborn," Merrick and Moril said together, then both laughed.

"And while my fees are exorbitant," Shaza said with a smile, "I'm sure I won't break Mr. Tregat."

"She's a bargain at half the price if she delivers," Zale said.

"Oh, and I will deliver," Shaza said. "I've only ever not delivered once, and I can't think of a single person who would have gone through on that job as long as they had a heart beating in their chest."

Analesse was paying little attention to Shaza's braggadocio, and instead was watching Merrick to gauge his true feelings on the situation. Would this sudden turn of events set them back, or push them forward past the initial, tentative stage of their relationship? She furtively slipped her hand into his, hoping it was the latter.

She was met with a gentle, loving squeeze of her hand from his. He turned and glanced at her and gave her a warm smile. "Looks like they have everything under control here," he said softly. "You want to head on home?"

"Are you sure?" An uncertain look towards Zale, then back at Merrick and she added, "Do you think he'll be alright?"

"I don't really know," Merrick said. "It's going to be very hard for him for awhile, at least until there's news. Do you want to stay here for a little longer? I'm sure he could use having his friends close now, and you are one of his friends."

She grinned brightly. "Then it's settled. We're staying, or if Zale agrees to leave with us, we're going home to visit Aria, who could really use her father right now."

"That's a perfect plan," Merrick said as he looked to where Zale was now standing looking out across the city. "I just hope she's found, and I hope she's safe. For all the problems Kaysa and I had, if she isn't past the point of no return, I think Aria could use her mother back too."

Analesse tried to smile, but was drawn back to the lone figure of Zale, silently gazing across the city of New Plouton. Was his cessation of Kaysa's search truly a strategic decision, or had his optimism depleted and not his funds? She sighed and tilted her head against Merrick's shoulder, both watching Zale sedately.

On the outside, Zale appeared to be a stony, emotionless figure, except for his eyes where the depth of his sorrow was present for any to see. He knew the path he was taking was the right one, that Kaysa and Maeren's chances were better with Shaza Nightshade looking rather than his own people. It was a tremendous leap of faith to go outside his own circle for help. But, her reputation gave him a little more confidence.

Where are you, his mind cried. Where are you so that I can bring you back to me? He could not know if her disappearance was partly Kaysa's doing. He had to assume it wasn't, not with Cadwin dead. He couldn't believe that Kaysa would slip that far. Please just stay safe until we can find you, my love...and then I'll make the bastard behind this pay.

As the last rays of sunlight disappeared below the New Plouton horizon, leaving the city bathed in the glow of its lights from within, Zale Tregat's eyes shone with the tears of his sorrow and rage. For now, he still had a mission and goal, and that would keep the despair at bay for just a little longer. Just a little longer...

***

The violent tendrils of electricity stabbing every surface of his innards reverted to a minor, tolerable tingle as the binders cuffing his wrists to the armrests of his metal snare ceased their jolting output. He sighed raggedly, his body relaxing and chin falling to chest; sweat rolled off his face and further stained his shirt, mingling with the drying blood there that remained following the initial few rounds of torture. Those brute force methods hadn't succeeded in breaking him and it had been an inestimable amount of time since they'd opted for electrocution - the durasteel chair acted as the perfect conductor and made certain not trace of the current was lost. Each time, it lashed him, bringing him that much closer to deciding maintaining the anonymity of his employer was not worth the agony, especially considering no attempt to rescue him had been made. Mezluh laughed bitterly.

Saris moved a step closer, moving into the light that shone harshly on the chair and its occupant. She was clad in skintight leather pants and a tanktop that left plenty of cleavage visible. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail and her eyes were hard as she leaned close to him. "Is it really worth it," she asked, her voice silken. "Is it worth it to hide him? Think of this all being over: no more pain, the company of women, real food. Think of it all. All you have to do is give a name." It was the first time she'd spoken, the first time she'd been in the light for him to see, but she'd been present for all the questioning. "We just need a name, that's all."

"It's more," he rasped, his blood-shot eyes straining to look up at her, "than just a name. I tell you...and I'm dead."

"You tell us, we'll protect you from that," Saris answered. "You worked here. You know what Tregat's capable of. You need protection, you'll have it."

"Protection." He chuckled derisively. "That won't help if Tregat doesn't weed out the other spies he's got working under him...the foolish bastard."

"You know who they are," Saris asked with a smile. "You can help us to protect you even better. Then again, we could just charge up the chair again."

"Protect me? Like you did that slut the boss sent me to kill?" A hoarse, exhausted laugh trickled from his blood-encrusted lips. "Zale Tregat's lost his touch, girly. That's how the boss got to his woman, you know. He didn't even see it coming...."

"Perhaps not," Saris said. "Perhaps Zale has lost his touch. However, I seem to note that Analesse D'Vrishay is still alive, and you're strapped to a chair being tortured. Your boss has abandoned you, and you're stuck here to endure hour upon hour of torture to protect his identity. He's obviously abandoned you, yet you'll keep his secret even through all the pain we're forcing upon you." She leaned close, her lips almost brushing his ear. "Was it worth it? Whatever he paid you, whatever you got from turning against a man who would not have abandoned you, was it worth it?" She stepped back and away and once again moved out of the light. "I'll ask you one final question, and then you won't be asked any more. After this, it will just be torture until your body finally gives up, and I'm sure you can attest to the skill of the medtechs here at Antorial to be able to keep you alive for a good, long while. Who hired you?"

Silence ensued, undercut by the rasping inhale and exhale of Mezluh's strained breathing. There was life yet in his eyes, which blazed with hatred and resentment, but his obdurate facade was revealing cracks. After days of various torture, it was a wonder Mezluh had yet to reveal the identity of his employer. But unwittingly he had, yet only Saris was aware of that.

Futilely maintaining his silence, Mezluh grinned a now somewhat toothless smile and spat, "Suck me, Bitch. You think I'm gonna submit to you? The boss will find a way to get to me. He's a slippery bastard. He's cheated death; I'm sure he can find a way to come for me."

"Not if we don't get him first," Saris said as she stepped back to where he could see her. "You should have made a deal with me, Mezluh. You should have cooperated. Now, you'll only know pain until the end of your days." She gave him a smile that held no humour. Without turning, she spoke to one of the guards behind her. "Begin conducting a search of core records for New Plouton and Thanatos for a man named Draydge. Vrax Draydge. Known aliases can be found in his file in our central database. I'll report in to Zale Tregat personally."

"No," came a choked gasp. "I-I never said a word. I never!" Mezluh hollered, straining against his fetters. Spittle launched from his lips as he raved, fear and rage finally breaking Mezluh's previously unbendable composure. "You're...you're a Jedi! A filthy Jedi mind-reader! You tell him that when you find him. Right? You tell him! I never gave him up!"

"It didn't take a mind reader to figure it out," Saris said. "There's only one man who is so completely obsessed with Kaysa that he'd go to such lengths to get to her. You didn't give his name, but you laid the pieces of the puzzle out nicely for me. Like I said, you should have made a deal."

"You can tell Zale that I did," he entreated Saris desperately. "You tell him I gave Vrax up, and I'll owe you. We can work something out, can't we?" Mezluh executed a shaky smile, hoping to persuade Saris with charm. "Right? It's better for your reputation if they believe you were crafty enough to get the name from my lips, hm?"

"But, isn't it even more crafty to deduce the identity of your employer from the cryptic remarks you were making, Mezluh? You said some very hateful things to me, and now I believe you're only being nice to save your own neck. What do you think you could ever give me that I can't already get?"

Mezluh raked his eyes over her body and licked his lips salaciously to say, "Anything you want, little woman. Anything at all."

"Trust me, you couldn't handle me," Saris said. "And, I've already got all I need, and I'm sure Moril would be quite upset if I took a twirl with a lowlife like you." She slid a hand sensuously from her breasts down to her hips and then between her legs, and finally back up to her breasts again. "Though, I had thought of using my body to try to get information from you, but you were being so uncooperative. I figured you didn't deserve what I had to offer." She shrugged. "Too bad you had to play it the way you did, hm?"

"You whore," he growled, and again jerked against his restraints to no avail. "When I get out of here, you're dead, bitch! Watch your back, because you're dead!" A barrage of idle threats and a flurry of insults were thrown at Saris' retreating back as she swaggered confidently from the chamber.

Saris stopped briefly in the doorway, half glancing back in Mezluh's direction. "I'd be more worried about your own life because I'm certain Vrax will be none-to-pleased when he finds out you gave up his name. Have a good night, Mezluh." With a smile, she stepped from the room, and was off to report to Zale. She wondered if he would be as surprised as she that their target was none other than Vrax Draydge.

***

The metropolis was an easy place to lose someone among the steady, dense flow of pedestrians, and that was exactly what Vrax Draydge had been aiming for. To disappear from Zale Tregat's radar was a goal he had achieved upon landing on the intensely urban planet, but to ensure he didn't misplace his prizes in the process, Vrax and Tav maintained a firm grip on Kaysa and Shiv's arms, respectively. Although he had preferred them nude aboard the freighter for the flight's duration, Vrax considered it prudent to clothe them for their winding trek across the city to their permanent residence.

Now in black cloaks, and nothing more, Kaysa and Shiv were led even further away from their home, weakening their spirits that much more. The ceaseless, deafening din of a thousand voices speaking out at once, and the thick, sometimes foul, air was suffocating. Kaysa lowered her head, choking on the stench and her own stifling guilt, as she struggled on. Her legs failed her now and then, but Vrax was always there to steady her; he seemed ecstatic there was one more reason to pull her close to his body and murmur words of encouragement.

Following the two women, Tav made sure they wouldn't escape. They had gone through a lot of trouble to get the two off the planet, and he wasn't about to lose them now. He wasn't sure if he truly liked Shiv's seeming acceptance of their slavery. At least there was some spirit left in her. If she lost too much of that fire, he'd have to find himself another.

With a smile partly at the thought and partly at the gust of wind that briefly blew open Shiv's cloak, he reminded himself that there were still at least two others back on Tae'Karda. If this one didn't work out, he'd have to go back and grab himself one of the others. And if he had one of the others, maybe the boss wouldn't cut her up. At least now that Kaysa was cooperating, he didn't have to worry so much about that. In fact, except for the times when Vrax rode the bitch hard to show her he was the boss, he left her alone. What did bother Tav was that Shiv liked that far too much. Thankfully, she liked it just as much when he rode her just as hard. Kaysa, of course, was hands off to everyone but Vrax, but Vrax had been all too willing to agree with Tav's idea that once they got settled to whore out Shiv to anyone willing to pay. As he'd told Vrax, the bitch might as well earn them some money to keep food on the table. With a wide smile, Vrax agreed. He took great delight in telling Shiv about the new arrangement that night. All in all, Tav was pleased with the turn of events.

He glanced around the city that was now their new home, seeing the potential clients and all the other opportunities waiting for them in the shadows. It was good to be home.

---

"Hope's Arrival - Transitions Into Uncertainty, Part 10"
By: Master Liam Zaneth
Dargus Kandran

Location: Royal Palace, Arcadia
Date: Rheudis 12, 4 ABY

***

Yelara had gone back inside, deciding sleep would be necessary before the meetings the following day. Her departure left Liam alone once again on the balcony. The future wasn't certain. Rather than the dread of the unknown, he looked forward to what it might present. With the Jedi Order, the new government of Tae'Karada, even with all of the losses, there was hope.

A sound at the door caught his attention and Liam turned. A familiar figure stepped through. Memories of the past came unbidden. It was on this spot a year ago, against the figure before him, that Liam Zaneth's life turned upside down. And now, despite the evils of the past, the man before him was on his side, repented for his previous crimes.

"Dargus," Liam said, "welcome home."

"It's good to be home," Dargus Kandran said with a nod. "I caught up on a lot of the news on the way in. It sounds like I missed a lot."

"Yes you did," Liam said with a chuckle. "Though, it appears the worst of it is over now, and we're in a period of healing and rebuilding."

"It is interesting you mention that," Dargus said. "I brought someone back with me."

Liam glanced into the darkness behind Dargus and felt the presence there. It was perhaps one of the strongest presences within the Force he had ever felt. The shadows formed into a man dressed in black. He was younger than Liam by a few years, though Liam could tell the man's power was greater than any Jedi alive on Tae'Karada today.

Dargus stepped aside and gestured to the newcomer. "Liam Zaneth, may I introduce Jedi Master Luke Skywalker

Liam bowed deeply before the man. "Master Skywalker, it is an honour."

And as the Jedi Masters met, as Inner and Outer Rim Jedi finally came together for the first time, Liam Zaneth could feel the shifting in the Force. They would not be the Jedi of the past, but they would be the guardians Tae'Karada and the Outer Rim needed.

---