"Back into the Wastes"
by Symm Ruus Dunn

Location: Thanatos to the Desert
Date: Eos 13 and 14, 4ABY

***

Symm's eyes weren't working properly because of the loss of blood from his wounded side but he could see the Stormtrooper patrol taking interest in him. He stumbled into the nearest alley as quickly as he could even though his right leg was beginning to lose feeling. Once in the back end of the alley, after setting two smoke traps, he laid against the wall, rifle across his lap and pretended to be asleep, unconscious, or dead.

He had begun to think that the Troopers had passed him by when the first team of two sighted down the alleyway from the cover of the corners of buildings. Seeing what appeared to be a wounded man with a long rifle, they advanced cautiously into the alleyway, rifles aimed at Symm. Symm groaned softly as he tensed his thumb on the transmitter to the smoke bombs. The Stormtroopers walked closer and just when Symm caught sight of the other two Troopers at the entrance of the alley, he pushed the button to set off the smoke bombs.

The alleyway became a whirlwind of noise and confusion when smoke clouds enveloped the first two troopers and obscured the other two Troopers' view. Rolling to his left, Symm narrowly missed getting shot yet again as he brought his rifle up to firing position. Squeezing off the remainder of his clip, Symm sent seven flechettes whistling through the smoke cloud. Symm shouldered his weapon and leapt to catch the rim of one of the building roofs close to him. He heard the gurgle of a man trying to scream through a torn throat and the thud of a body falling to the ground before he pulled himself up onto the flat adobe roof.

The smoke began to dissipate and Symm saw one of the Troopers pull a small cylinder from his combat harness and lob it into the alleyway. Symm moved slowly towards the street side of the roof and heard a grenade explode where he had set up his ambush. He peeked over the roof and saw a Trooper communications officer standing on the street relaying info to HQ. He reloaded his rifle with his last flechette clip and shot the man through the faceplate. The body was flung backward as a supersonic durasteel dart exploded his faceplate at the eyepiece. By now, Symm could see a few faces peeking out from behind curtains and he realized he was made.

He only had to wait for a second or two, before two Troopers exited the alley carrying a wounded comrade who was writhing while blood poured from a ruined knee. Setting the man down, one of the Trooper's hustled to the downed Communications man and was promptly shot in the back of the neck. The other Trooper looked up from his noisy comrade and stared at a dirty face looking down at him over the long barrel of a flechette rifle. He looked at his two fallen buddies and down at his wounded friend and raised his hands.

"There is no more need for this. I'll let you go...just let me save my friend here. You can have anything you want." The mechanical voice of the Trooper was unnaturally loud in the silence of an empty street after the short exchange of blaster fire.

"Lie face down, helmet off, Troop," Symm said, tightening his grip on his rifle. "Weapon on the ground, hands on your head. Don't even dream about moving. You have something I need."

The Trooper, seeing his options were very limited, complied with Symm's instructions and Symm slowly made his way down off of the roof, weapon levelled at the prone figure. He slowly walked towards the Trooper and pulled the magna cuffs off of the Trooper's belt. Seeing this, the Trooper protested.

"Please, guy! If I don't treat him soon, he'll die! Free my hands at least, I gotta save him. Ain't you killed enough of us already?" the Trooper pleaded and looked up. His face was directly in line with the angry claw wound in Symm's side. "Holy Madrak! Buddy, you need help too. Look, we can write this off as temporary insanity; I've seen it before." The trooper began to slowly push himself upwards.

"Shut up, Troop!" Symm exclaimed prodding the face of his captive with the barrel of his rifle. "No lip from you, I just need a few things." Symm saw that the wounded man's writhing was weaker and less loud. "Start helping your friend, but don't think of drawing on me, it ain't worth it. Just let me get out of here."

Spreading his hands and fingers wide, the Troop slowly got onto his knees and shuffled over to his now quiet friend. With adept fingers the front half of the wounded Stormtrooper's armor came off and from his harness, a medkit began its lifesaving duty. The quiet man was still breathing; it seemed easier even, and the aid-giver looked up to see an approaching speeder with Troopers on its back.

He looked around and saw that the other Trooper's harness had been taken and the wounded sniper was gone. Shaking his head, he looked at the approaching Troopers thinking, Damn. I hope you make it out of this one, guy. You deserve it. Crazy bastard!

Symm peered through a stolen pair of MacroBinocs at the scene he had just left. With a stimshot flying through his veins, he had begun feeling better, yet still weak. He saw the unwounded Trooper taken into the speeder in cuffs and the wounded one stretchered away. The dead bodies were policed up and the speeder made its way back the way it had come. A new patrol, this one nine Troopers strong began a sweep of the area, rousting people out of their homes and searching them. All in all, thirty people were taken away after the sweep was done. Symm blinked away tears. He had seen this before, many times, but this was the first time he was the cause.

He rolled over and slid down the dune and slowly made his way across the desert. Several times he had to skirt the obvious signs of patrol activity, and once he had to burrow into the sand when patrols of TIE-Fighters swooped close. But, eventually, he made it to another small cluster of rocks in the open desert. Here he would patch his open wound up and sleep for a full day, the introduction to his ordeal over.

Symm knew that in order to continue any sort of raiding, he needed contacts in Thanatos itself and supplies of some quantity. It was time to escalate his personal war into something significant. He began an inventory and disappointed at what he saw, he decided that, even though risky, a communication was necessary.

Coding his small minicomputer's transmitter to the local holonet, he punched in fourteen numbers in sequence from memory and began his report. This audio report would be sent to an address he had been given back when he was a recruit still and the report itself would be hidden within a holiday greeting card. He hoped it would get through. He had condensed water from the rock shadows and food from the battle harnesses, not counting what he could trap or hunt, but he needed something else. After the report was done, he rested, not sure what to do next.

---

"Contraband, Part 3"
By: Adam Edwards - Smuggler

Location: The Drogen Shipyards
Date: Eos 13, 4ABY

***

Level 436 was dim. Adam's contact had been right, there was almost no Imperial security on this level. He had no problem getting the weapons from his ship down here. He rounded a corner, looking for the cargo bay where the operative would be. He found it and cautiously entered. Inside was not only his contact but two others who were armed with heavy blasters, looking around nervously.

Edwards nodded. "Here's your stuff."

Telonis took the crate from him and opened it, inspecting the weapons. "Looks good. Thank you. Here's your money," he said.

Telonis handed him a box and Adam opened it. Inside was Adam's payment: 5,000 credits. Adam began to consider the things he could buy. A droid brain for his ships, maybe a new heavy blaster for his dorsal turret.

The operatives picked up the weapons and made for the door. Telons looked back. "Hey, thanks for the merchandise."

Adam answered, "Anytime you need some more you know where to find me."

With that they left and Adam left to find some enhancements for his ship.

---

"Dangerous Dealings"
by Adam Edwards
and Jadda the Hutt

Location: Jadda's Palace
Date: Eos 13, 4ABY

***

The Elusive made its descent into Chimeria. Adam had accepted a job from the crimelord Jadda the Hutt, although he didn't know the terms yet.

The Elusive dipped onto the landing pad. Adam made sure the Elusive was locked up tight before leaving. He had worked with Hutts before and didn't think Jadda would be any different. They were all calculative, greedy and ruthless. Adam managed to grab a swoop and headed off to Jadda's palace. On the way, Adam lost himself in his thoughts. Once there, he set the swoop down in front of the palace.

Adam knocked on the palace's entrance and a robotic eye came out. "What is your name and business here?" it asked.

Adam looked towards the eye. "My name is Adam Edwards. I'm here to discuss business dealings with his excellency, Jadda the Hutt."

The robotic eye seemed to consider his words for a minute and then slid back in. The door opened and two Weequay armed with Gaffi Sticks came forward. They motioned for Adam to follow them and led him down a dark hallway. At the end was an open chamber with a huge Hutt sitting in the middle. Around the room were various servants and guards. Also standing beside Jadda was a man dressed in a dark robe, with red and black tattoos all over his face. The tips of his horns were barely visible beneath the cloak. The Weequay led him to the center of the room. Adam stood before the Hutt.

"Bantoo noos shaadoor ib dontcha..." the Hutt said. Beside him, a shiny protocol droid translated. "His excellency welcomes you for coming at his request."

Adam looked at the large Hutt. "Yes, something about a job?"

"Bantocha mee dangoo oot baale dousa ib choulia. Daee beela nagousa tchunga noos fantoo Jabba... Boola dosa credits!" Jadda said then laughing. Again the droid translated. "Master Jadda states that he has cargo which he wants you to transport for him. He knows of your former dealings with Jabba the Hutt and will pay you over the price for which you worked then."

Adam considered the Hutt's words. "That's a pretty big number of credits. Something tells me it's not just a simple transportation job. There's gotta be a catch!"

Jadda laughed loudly. "Doo nousa oota antoo... Badee ob tchangoo?" he said. The droid looked at Adam and gave the translation. "Master Jadda states that what he requires are no questions asked, and asks if you will accept the transportation."

Adam considered this. "Sure, where is the place I need to go to?"

"Doos ob gaboo Aquilaris baabe bonta" Jadda explained only to have his droid translate. "His excellency will require you to go to the Aquilaris system where there will be a podrace taking place."

"What's the cargo?" Adam asked.

Jadda frowned and puffed. "Ooba dousa banoos," he said simply. The droid translated the Hutt's words as he always did. "Master Jadda informs that they are but a few regular boxes."

Adam thought about it. Of course he knew that it wasn't just a few regular boxes, but he wasn't about to tell the Hutt that. "Alright, I'll land my ship outside your palace. Have your men ready to load the cargo. I expect my payment as soon as I get back," he said.

Jadda nodded and sent him off, only to have this men escort him back outside. If the delivery was made it would save him money, and if not then this smuggler would serve as entertainment for his pet rancor...

---

"Devotion, Part 1"
By: Kallia Brael
Keeve Kandran [NPC+]
Yara Brael [NPC+]

Location: Dargus's Cruiser
Date: Eos 13, 4ABY

***

Kallia Brael was sprawled out on Keeve's bed, happily content despite the soreness of their rough lovemaking. The more time she spent with Keeve, however, the more she found she enjoyed the rougher lovemaking they engaged in. She shifted her head so she could see him and realized, as she gazed at his beautiful body, that she was actually fairly close to falling in love with him. She knew if he showed her any tenderness and caring, she'd be lost. She was happy that he kept his heart and love from her, because falling in love with him would surely complicate things with Yelara.

She wasn't as angry with Yelara now, even though she'd married Dargus Kandran. She knew she'd miss her while she was off on her honeymoon. At least I'll enjoy my time here with Keeve, she thought to herself. He was good to her when she did exactly what he wanted. The problem was that she hated doing exactly what people wanted. She hated being exactly what people wanted. Though, she corrected herself, you do like people liking you and making yourself be liked. Why else would you wear those things that Keeve wants you to wear?

Because of the way he looks at me, and other people look at me. Because it makes me feel sexy and free.

She sighed and smiled at Keeve, wondering if she'd actually be able to stop herself from loving him if he did ever show her that tenderness, if she'd ever be anything to him other than his whore.

Putting the thoughts out of her mind, she reached out and brushed a hand over his bare chest. Whatever happened, at least it would be pleasurable.

"You're awake," Keeve sighed. He cracked open one eyelid and looked aside at Kallia. With a wiry grin, he passed his hand over hers. "It's not morning yet, is it?"

"Mid-morning," Kallia whispered as she brought his hand to her lips. "We were rather busy last night, weren't we? I think we both needed the sleep."

"Not me," Keeve said confidently. "I could've gone for another hour." He grinned at Kallia to convey his jest to her. "Okay, only half an hour. But that's only because you were insatiable. You really do miss Yel, don't you?"

"Well, I do miss her," Kallia said with a seductive grin, "but there are things you can do to me that she just can't. I can't remember the last time I was screaming for that long. You are a sexual artist, Keeve."

"Only for those deserving of it," he replied. His hand dropped from her lips to her chest and sensually caressed one of her breasts. The purple and blue blotches covering the pink flesh brought a smile to his face. He knew he would never be able to be as rough with Shiv as he had been with Kallia, so he enjoyed it while he could. Correction, he told himself. You'll never be with Shiv, remember? A low growl rose in Keeve's throat until, abruptly, he flew off the bed to retrieve a robe. "Get up," he said to Kal. "I want to show you something."

Kallia complied immediately, slipping out of the bed with the grace of a hunting cat. She moved to Keeve's side, her curiousity piqued.

Keeve gave a cursory glance of Kallia's naked state as he tied his robe closed. "I don't think we'll be needing the leash. I trust you'll follow and not stray?"

"I promise," Kallia said with an alluring smile. She took a pose that allowed him to get a good look at her body while she waited for him to get his robe settled and then leave the room. After a moment, he started toward the door, and she followed obediently.

Keeve smiled back at Kallia and slipped his arm around her waist to pull her closer. If she suspected something was amiss, at least she couldn't flee if he had a secure hold on her. "Would you like to go down to the planet tonight?" he asked. "I'll even let you wear clothes if it'll make you feel more comfortable."

"I'll wear whatever you ask of me," Kallia said with a smile. "Though, I think revealing clothing is far more sensual and erotic than complete nakedness, don't you? The anticipation of barely revealed treasures, waiting for you to discover them... I am yours to command, my Master."

Keeve chuckled and kissed the side of her head. "And you are mine to obey, whore...much to Yelara's chagrin. I know you're doing this to get back at her for marrying Dargus, but I don't mind. Just as you're using me, I'm using you, so it all evens out in the end."

Kallia let her lips find Keeve's throat. "It's becoming less and less about revenge," she said. "I enjoy being with you, even if you treat me like nothing more than a whore. I know that's all I am to you, but you're more than just a means to revenge for me."

"Really?" Keeve moved his hand to the curve of Kallia's rear and smoothed his fingers over it. "What am I, then, Kallia?"

"I don't know," she responded. "I just know that I enjoy spending my time with you, and I think we go well together. You're someone I feel I can open up to about what I'm feeling. I can vent if I need to, and with you it's alright. You may be rough at times, but there's also an underlying tenderness. You're someone I can be with and not worry about anything but being with you."

"That's because we're good together, Kal," he replied. "And I think you understand me better than most." For a brief, imperceptible moment, Keeve reconsidered what he was about to do, but he recalled Shiv and what he couldn't have with her that he could have with Kallia: her undivided love and devotion, all of it for him and only him. "Kallia?" he asked with a suppressed grin. "How would you like to see where I was born?"

Kallia smiled. "I'd like that very much," she said. "I want to know everything about you, Keeve. Everything."

"Good." He kissed her cheek. "Then let's go."

The two turned down an isolated corridor where there stood a thick, tinidium blast door. Keeve punched the proper code into the wall console, and with a deep groan, the door rose to reveal a long, heavily guarded corridor, with yet another door at the end. Sentinel drones hovered up and down the hallway, one stopping before them to perform a scan. Once it recognized Keeve's DNA signature, it abruptly pulled back and resumed its regular surveillance routine.

Each guard lining the corridor was dressed in black armour and held, poised and ready to fire, blaster rifles. Eerily, though, was how each pair of blue eyes that stared back was the same; no doubt, they were all born not ten feet from where they now stood.

"It's okay," Keeve murmured to Kallia. "We're safe. Just some precautions on Dargus's part."

Kallia looked down the row of guards, and for a moment there was a glimmer of recognition. She pushed it out of her mind and concentrated on Keeve. "I understand," she said. "After the break-in, I'm sure security is very tight around here. I never really had a head for science, but it all does look fascinating down here. It looks like a medical wing." She glanced at Keeve and then grinned. "Genetic experiments. This is where you grew up."

Keeve nodded absently. "Not long ago. Everything changed that day...for the better in most ways." He laughed softly as he broke free of his reverie. "Come on. Just through here, and you'll get to see it all."

Upon reaching the door, one of the guards adjacent to it tapped the proper codes into the console and the door raised. Within was a brightly lit, stringent smelling room with liquid-filled chambers and other compartments arranged about the lab. In some, there floated partially developed fetuses, and others were empty, though would no doubt be occupied in only a matter of time.

Keeve escorted Kallia inside and the door banged closed behind them. "Where I was born," he told her. "Care to look around?"

"It's a very unique place to be born," Kallia said as she started looking around. She couldn't believe how comfortable she felt strolling around some science lab wearing not a stitch of clothing as if it were a perfectly normal activity. With Keeve, it certainly felt normal. At least he didn't drool as he looked at her naked body the way Dargus did. With Keeve, he had a genuine appreciation for her and what she could do. While he may call her his whore, she knew she was so much more than that. She could only imagine the little boy Keeve was before he came into here. He certainly wasn't a little boy now. "What was it like?"

Keeve shrugged while he idly moved forward, running his fingers along the bed he remembered lying upon during his procedure. "I don't think it hurt," he replied. "I don't remember it. I just remember waking up like this."

"It must be strange to have a part of your life that's so...empty. It must be strange to go to sleep and wake up so diff--" A sense of danger flared behind her and Kallia spun around to see a tall, humanoid alien approaching her with a hypo held in its long, slender hands. She brought up her hand and with a gesture the hypo went skittering across the room. She took a defensive stance, facing Dargus Kandran's doctor. "What is the meaning of this?"

Before Kallia could receive a reply, Keeve's strong arms seized her, one wrapped around her mid-section and pinning down her arms at her sides, while the other went around her throat. "Don't fight, Kal," he whispered into her ear. "Please? It's for the best, okay? It won't even hurt, I promise."

"Keeve," Kallia snarled. "Keeve, what's going on? What are you doing?"

The alien moved with unearthly grace as it made its way back to a table to retrieve another syringe. It turned and approached her slowly.

A part of her wanted to scream. She nearly succeeded in throwing off Keeve, but he shifted his forearm, cutting off whatever air supply she could get. Her eyes, for the first time in a very long time, shone with fear as the alien brought the hypo to her throat. It said something in a musical voice, and then the hypo hissed as it injected its contents into her bloodstream.

Kallia did cry out as her limbs grew sluggish. It was only a few moments before Keeve was no longer restraining her, instead he was keeping her from falling over.

"On the table, please," the doctor said, extending a long arm toward the table that Keeve had lain on while he'd been turned from a little boy into a man. "Am I to perform the procedure that Lord Kandran outlined?"

Keeve scooped Kallia into his arms and gave the doctor a stiff nod. "Exactly. But I swear," he said, taking a menacing step towards the alien, "if you screw up and something happens to her, I'll kill you." With that threat lingering in the air, Keeve carried Kallia to the bed and gently set her down.

As the alien moved about, preparing equipment and machines, Keeve tenderly brushed the hair from Kallia's brow and pressed a kiss to it. "You'll be okay, Kal," he told her. "I'm doing this for you too, you know. When you wake up, Yelara will never be able to hurt you again. I only wish I had that ability, then I wouldn't miss Maeren as much as I do. And I'll be here the whole time, so don't worry."

Tia Am finally settled beside Kallia. He looked up at Keeve and nodded. "She will be fine, Master Kandran," he said.

With that, he set about the procedure. There was very little blood, and watching him work, it was obvious that he was an expert. There were several times when he used a computer to check and reprogram genetic material as well as cerebral activity.

Overall, the process took two hours from start to finish. As Tia Am set the laser-suture down, he looked up at Keeve. "The process is complete. She will awake soon. I am certain, Master Kandran, that you will be pleased with the results."

Keeve nodded in acknowledgement, but kept his gaze entirely on Kallia. A part of him regretted taking such a drastic action, something that was unnecessary - Kallia was devoted to him and willing. Then, he reminded himself of the same willingness Shiv often showed him, yet where was she? No, it was the right thing to do, and she would appreciate it after she woke up with no memory of Yelara in her mind. She would be happier...both she and him would be.

Keeve lightly brushed his hand up her arm until he was cradling her cheek. "Kallia? You can wake up now," he whispered. "It's over. Open your eyes."

It wasn't long after Keeve spoke his gentle words that Kallia's eyelids fluttered open. She looked around, a mask of confusion washing over her face until her eyes found Keeve's. Once her eyes met his, relief flooded into her features and she smiled. "Hi," she said softly. "You're more beautiful than I remember. Is it possible for me to fall asleep like that and for you to be even better looking when my eyes open again?" She looked around and noticed where she was. Concern marred her features once more, but the panic was no longer there. "Is everything alright, Keeve? What's happening? Why am I in here? It's not the baby, is it? Oh, I wish it were your baby I was carrying. Our baby, conceived in love." She brought a weak hand up to his cheek. "I love you, Keeve."

It was her complete devotion he wanted, not her love, but at least it was a start. "Your baby's fine, Kal," Keeve told her softly. "You were just having a small check-up, that's all. Do you feel able to move?"

Kallia did a mental check of her body and then nodded to Keeve. "I think so," she said. She shifted her body to the side of the table and then sat up. "I feel a little woozy, but other than that, I'm alright. Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Not now," he told her. "I just want you to get...re-accustomed to everything." Keeve slid his arm around Kallia's waist and helped her to her feet. It was slow going across the lab towards the door, but it gave Keeve enough time to give a conspiratorial nod to the doctor for his job well done. "Tell me, Kallia," Keeve began nonchalantly. "Is everything alright? You don't feel...odd or anything?"

"Why would I feel odd? Yelara and Dargus are gone, giving us the whole ship to ourselves. They're a cute couple, aren't they? I think they'll be very happy together. I just wish she'd stop complaining about the outfits I wear for you."

"Yelara?" Keeve raised an eyebrow at Kallia. "You remember her?"

Kallia cocked her head to the side. "Of course I do," she said. "She's a friend and I named my daughter after her. And, she just married your father. She's a nice person most of the time, when she's not acting like the damn next empress of the galaxy." She rolled her eyes. "Well, as long as she's happy with him and they are content in their lives together, then that's all I can ask for my friend, right?"

Keeve hid his satisfaction and simply kissed Kallia's brow. "That's right, my dear. You don't have to worry about her. You don't even have to see her when she gets back if you don't want to. In fact, you'll have no time." His hand moved down to cup her rear. "I plan on keeping you quite busy."

She moaned softly and brushed her lips against his chin and then moved slowly up to his lips. "I like how you keep me busy. And, I hope I can keep you busy as well. I should probably spend some time with my little girl today." She kissed him again. "Did you want to play daddy for awhile?"

The idea was surprisingly appealing to Keeve, but only in that he enjoyed possessing, whether it be Maeren or Kallia, or even a small child... Whatever the case, he looked forward to the prospect of making Yara his own. "Yeah..." He returned her kiss, then gave her a warm smile. "Let's go visit our girl."

Kallia linked her arm with his and then pressed the length of her body against his side as they slowly started working their way toward Yelara's room. It didn't take long, and as they walked, she could feel every eye greedily roaming over her naked body. The attention brought a smile to her face. Once they reached the room, Keeve's security codes let them inside.

They were greeted by a happy squeal and in her little bed, Yara was kicking her feet and waving her hands as they approached. "I think we should move her into our room, Keeve. And, I think I should finally move in with you, if you want that, of course."

Before Kallia could reach Yara's bed, Keeve pulled her into his arms and kissed her fervently. "Yes," he said, slightly breathless after the kiss. "We'll do that. We'll have her nursemaid move both your things, this way you won't even have to leave my quarters anymore. You'll have everything you need in there."

"Except when you leave your quarters," Kallia whispered, running her hand over his chest. "But I'd like that very much, Keeve. Oh I've been hoping for that for so long. We can almost be like a family!"

"We can be," he told her. "But...you can't leave my quarters anymore, Kallia. I think...I'd prefer it if you stayed in there." He gave her a dashing smile. "I can't help it, Kal. I'm possessive of you. I don't want anyone else looking at you, enjoying you the way only I should."

"But Keeve-- Oh, please, Keeve, don't lock me in here. None of them matter. Only you. And I want them all to see how much I am devoted to you, and adore you. I want everyone else to see how little they matter when it comes to you. You're all that matters Keeve. Please let me be with you always. I am only yours and shall always be that way. If they see me, they'll only see that I am only for you."

Keeve brushed his hands up Kallia's arms lightly, then wrapped his fingers tightly around them and lowered his face menacingly close to hers. "Are you disobeying an order?" he asked. "You'll stay in your room, or there will be consequences." He tightened his grip and smiled viciously. "Trust me, you don't want to be faced with those consequences."

"I have not disobeyed any orders," Kallia said softly. "I was only saying that I desire to stay with you always. But if you wish for me to stay here, then I shall. Anything for you, Keeve."

Keeve sighed contentedly and loosened his hold on Kallia. "That's better. Now, go collect your child so I can see her."

Kallia smiled at him and then moved quickly to get Yara. Once her daughter was in her arms, she turned back to Keeve and smiled. She walked forward slowly until she was before him. "This is my beautiful Yara. She was conceived with Dargus, but I want you to be her father, Keeve."

Keeve looked upon the child with wonder and curiousity. He wondered how he would have turned out if Kaysa had loved him as much as Kallia obviously loved Yara. "She's beautiful," he said earnestly. He gently pulled a brown curl through his fingers, and smiled as the young child giggled. "I'll be her father, Kal." He gazed up into her eyes, wondering if it was truly her wish, or if it was simply a result of Tia Am's procedure. Still, he couldn't pass up such an offer. "Let's go take our daughter to her new home. She can get her acquainted with her daddy."

Kallia shifted Yara in her arms and the baby immediately found a nipple. Kal laughed. "I think she's hungry," she said. "Come on, my Master, let's go get our little family acquainted."

With his new child and alpha by his side, Keeve strode proudly down the corridor to his room. He would rather it was Shiv beside him and the child they would conceive together, but he'd settle for Kallia and his father's child.

---

"Devotion, Part 2"
By: Kallia Brael
Keeve Kandran [NPC+]
Yara Brael [NPC+]

Location: Dargus's Cruiser
Date: Eos 13, 4ABY

***

"You're a good woman, Kallia," Keeve told her once they reached the room. "I'll make you happy. I will."

Kallia gazed up into his eyes and smiled. "You already have, Keeve. More than I ever thought possible."

"You doubted me?" he teased. He chuckled as the three entered their room, followed by Yara's nursemaid. "It's okay. I haven't been that attentive lately. It's everything with Maeren...it's a little preoccupying."

"I never doubted you, Keeve," Kallia said with a smile. "I only ever doubted myself. And, she's very pretty. When I saw her looking at you at the pod race, I could tell she loves you very much."

"But you love me more, right?" He smiled wryly. "Of course you do. You have no other choice. But...it'll have to do, won't it?" Keeve helped ease Kallia down onto the bed. "Are you strong enough to keep holding her? If not...I'll take her off your hands for a while."

"I can keep holding her," Kallia said with a smile, "unless you want to hold your daughter. And, my beautiful Keeve, I don't think anyone anywhere could ever love you more, or be more devoted, than I am. You're my everything."

Keeve settled his hand lightly atop Yara's head and watched the young child feed. "What about her? Am I more to you than your own daughter?"

Kallia was silent for a moment and then sighed. "I'm sorry," she whispered as tears misted her eyes. "I'm so sorry, Keeve. I...I can't. She's my baby girl. I can't..."

Keeve cupped Kallia's chin with his free hand and smiled. "Don't worry, Kal. I would think less of you if you put a man above your own child. It's okay."

Kallia smiled, relief clear in her eyes. "Thank you," she whispered. "I could never choose anything over my Yara."

"I wish Kaysa had the same mindset," Keeve told her wistfully. He took a seat beside her and idly stroked Yara's hair. "She chose freedom over me - freedom from taking care of a child, and all the other duties of motherhood. You're devoted to your child, and I admire you for that."

"I get to be the mother to her that I really never had," Kallia said. "I was taken by my Master when I was very young, so I never got to have much of a mother. It was wrong of your mother to abandon you, Keeve. But...I...I don't know. I guess maybe she doesn't deserve a second chance."

"She doesn't," he said with an air of finality. "I hate her and nothing she could ever do or say will change that. I hate her and I hate what she did to me. I hope she suffers for the rest of her days because of what she did. She deserves to."

Kallia looked down at her baby and smiled. She'd never abandon her daughter, not for anything. "I'm sorry for what happened to you, Keeve," she said. "Is there anything I can do to cheer you up, my love? I will do anything you ask of me."

Keeve's smile returned and he lowered his hand to Kallia's thigh. "Put down Yara, then. You can help ease the pain."

Kallia smiled seductively and set her daughter aside. The woman who had become Yara's nursemaid quickly approached and moved the baby off somewhere else. Satisfied her girl was safe, Kallia turned her gaze back to Keeve. "I am ready to do your bidding, my Master."

Keeve chuckled and spread his arms wide to give Kallia access to the ties of his robe. "Improvise. Make it good, and you'll be rewarded." As the nursemaid moved to take Yara into the other room, Keeve halted her. "Where do you think you're taking the child? You're both staying here. I want her to get used to seeing her parents make love."

The woman bowed her head submissively and scurried towards one of the chairs nearest the bed. She sat down upon it, her eyes still lowered, and set Yara onto her lap, making certain the girl was facing Keeve and Kallia.

Kallia gazed up into Keeve's eyes as she stepped forward and deftly untied his robe. She lowered her lips to his chest and began slowly kissing her way down along his body while her hands pushed the robe back off his shoulders. Once the robe was dealt with, she slipped one hand down between his thighs and began massaging him to arousal. Finally, her mouth reached the spot where her hand was already working. She took him into her mouth while keeping her hand working. She could tell by the feelings she could sense in him and the way his body was reacting that she was pleasing him. The thought of pleasing Keeve seemed to arouse her even more. She would do anything to please him.

"That's good," Keeve gasped. He threaded his fingers through Kallia's hair and swayed his hips in unison with the movement of Kallia's head. He gazed up to ensure Yara was watching, and she was, with surprising interest and curiousity. It was as if she knew what was going on; he only wondered if she approved. "You've gotten better," he said to Kallia, easily focusing his attention on her again. "The proced--" He clenched his jaw closed and berated himself mentally for almost ruining it all with one slip of the tongue. "You're making me very happy," he told her instead. "Just keep going."

"That makes me happy," Kallia said, pulling away from pleasuring him long enough to speak. "I will always do everything I can for you, Keeve." With that, she resumed her oral ministrations. She could feel a longing ache deep inside of herself, driving her to do everything she could to please him. With the exception of a few things, she would do absolutely anything he asked of her.

Keeve sighed and slowly reclined back upon the bed. He closed his eyes as Kallia ravenously stimulated him of her own volition. No, he reminded himself, it was whatever Tia Am did to her brain that's causing this. He wanted someone to love him freely - only him - because they wanted to, not because a series of neural impulses implanted into a woman's brain told her to, and not because he threatened and pushed and pleaded. As satisfied as Kallia would no doubt make him in only minutes, Keeve yearned for more, but only Shiv could give him that, which meant he was doomed to a life of little fulfillment.

***

Kallia reclined back on the bed, one leg draped over Keeve's middle and the other dangling off the bed. She'd shared part of the prize of her labours with Keeve and swallowed the rest, happy to gratify him once more. She gazed up at him as he looked across the room at Yara. Slowly his head and eyes turned back to her and she smiled. "I hope that was good for you," she whispered.

Keeve smiled lazily. "Trust me, it was." He dragged his hand up her thigh then across her stomach. "I think I should give you a gift to prove it. Do you like jewellery, Kallia?"

"I've never worn much," Kallia said softly, "but I like it very much. I would love to wear any jewellery you had for me, Keeve."

"Well, are you up for going and getting some?" he asked her. "I think you'd look great in silver piercings."

Kallia smiled and then covered Keeve's lips with her own. "For you, of course," she whispered. "And, I think I'll like them for me too. I am ready, my Master."

Keeve grinned at Kallia, then rolled off the bed and visually scanned the room for his robe. "It won't hurt. I promise," he told her. "And you'd better go give Yara a kiss before she falls asleep. I think the screams frightened her."

Kallia slipped off the bed and moved over to where Yara still sat, wide-eyed. She scooped her daughter up into her arms and held her close. She gurgled and cooed along with Yara as they shared a moment together. The longer she held her, the more intense the burning in her eyes became. Finally, her resolve broke and the tears flowed down her cheeks to where Yara's tiny hands could touch them. "I love you, my precious little girl," she whispered. She glanced up and smiled at Keeve.

All Keeve could do was smile back and feel even more intensely how cheated he had been in life. He envied Yara for what she had, but he couldn't hate such a beautiful creature. "You can bring her if you like, but I'd advise against it. There might be blood."

"I'll leave her here," Kallia said with a nod. "But, we can come back and see her later. She needs to get used to her new daddy." She carefully placed Yara back into the nursemaid's arms and kissed her daughter. She reluctantly stepped away from the baby and moved close to Keeve. "I'm ready, my love."

Keeve smiled and slipped an arm around Kallia's waist. As they walked towards the door, his expression became curious. "You don't really love me, do you, Kal?"

Kallia looked up into his eyes. "I do," she said. "I do love you very much, Keeve. You're a beautiful man, and you treat me well. You're going to be a father to my daughter and we get along really well." She brought a hand up to his cheek and gazed at him with genuine emotion. "What isn't to love about you?"

Keeve shrugged, albeit ruefully. "And you'd give up everything - except Yara - for me?"

She laughed softly. "What else do I have in life but Yara and you?"

The answer pleased Keeve and reminded him to reward Tia Am handsomely for his impeccable service. Yelara would go on a rampage if she found out what he'd done, but Dargus would protect him...he hoped. "Don't worry," he told her as they strolled onto the corridor. "Your loyalty isn't in question, Kallia. I...I just wanted to hear it, that's all."

Kallia smiled and then reached up and kissed him. "You have my complete loyalty, Keeve. Always. And, my love. You and Yara are everything to me. Without the two of you, my world is empty and meaningless."

"I wish it were that way for Maeren," he sighed. "If I'm enough for you, why can't I alone be enough for her? Why does she have to be so damned--" He clenched his jaw and forced back any further complaints. He had Kallia now. He didn't need Shiv...supposedly. "Let's just get your jewels. Seeing them sparkling on that wonderful body of yours will bring me further pleasure."

Kallia smiled. "Definitely," she said. "And, if I may speak freely regarding you and Maeren. I know you haven't asked for my advice, but I do want what's best for you. I would suggest that you'll never be enough for her if you keep pushing her back to her other lovers. From what I have seen, your immediate response to anything having to do with her is to push away. Pull her close and she'll have to feel your love for her; pull her close and she'll see that you are all she could ever want in a lover or companion. She'll see that she needs you in her life, and everything else is meaningless without you there. She'll never know how much you love her, need her, if you always keep her apart."

"But she refuses to give them up," he replied. "And besides, how do we be together? How do we spend time with each other when we're so far apart?"

"You're a powerful man, Keeve," Kallia said with a smile. "And, Tae'Karada is very close. You could go see her as often as you want. Make sure she has a ship, and she could come see you too. You have to make her see what she'll be getting to give them up. If you show her how much you love her and need her, she'll be more inclined to return those feelings."

Keeve walked with Kallia in silent deliberation. It seemed everyone - Oot, Kallia...Shiv - wanted them to be together and agreed that they loved each other ardently. All that was left, now, was for them to actually find a way to make it work. The invitation to watch her at the Palace of Stars was still open, and for once in two days, he was seriously considering it. "We'll see," he said. "Let's get you done, then I'll decide. Maybe you'd like to come."

"I'd like that," Kallia said softly. "And, it'll keep me close enough to continue encouraging you to seek your happiness. And, if you need time alone with her, I'll understand. I know your heart is hers, and I won't try to stand in the way. I know where your happiness and desires are, and I will do all I can to encourage them."

"I desire you as well, Kallia," he said. "Don't worry. I won't abandon you." He kissed her cheek tenderly, then escorted her into the procedure room where an astromech droid trundled towards them. "You'll want to lie on that bed now, Kal. And you can stay awake, so don't be nervous."

"With you around, I'm never nervous," she said as she reclined back onto the bed. "And, I have no worries that you would abandon me, my love. I know, even though your heart belongs to another, that I am a very important part of your life."

"You are," he told her. He brushed his hand over her cheek and smiled. "I wouldn't be doing all this if you weren't." The droid sounded its presence with a tootling beep and Keeve looked briefly at it before focusing again on Kallia. "I want her pierced." He grinned slyly. "The works."

The droid chirped in reply and rolled away to activate the bipedal, labour droid who would attend to Kallia.

"Now, I think you'll look beautiful, Kal. Trust me."

"I trust you with my life, Keeve," Kallia said, and then allowed herself to relax as the droid began working.

The areas were desensitized first with local anaesthetic, but Kallia remained awake for the entire procedure. The prongs of the metal clamp pulled taut one nipple, and after the needle was pushed through the tough flesh, the arm-like extension on the small astromech droid extended and dabbed at the spilled blood with gauze. The other nipple came next.

"You okay, Kal?" Keeve asked. "Just don't look and you'll be fine."

"I'm fine," she said, turning her gaze to watch him. "You'd think I'd be perfectly fine with this. I'm a Jedi...and besides, I've had a baby. You'd think it'd be nothing." She quickly reached out and took his hand into hers. "Thank you for being here," she added in a whisper.

Keeve patted her hand lightly, and focused only on her eyes. If he even got a look at the droid stretching Kallia's nipple any farther, he knew he wouldn't be feeling so well anymore.

"I have completed the first phase, Master Kandran," the silver-plated droid said in the lilting accent common to those of its kind.

"Good," he replied. "Now continue."

"As you wish." The droid hobbled along the bed and stopped halfway. It leaned over Kallia's mid-section, then paused and swivelled its head in her direction. "You must open your legs, ma'am."

She looked up at the droid and then nodded. With that, she shifted her legs wider apart, giving the droid and his implements access to affix the jewellery Keeve wanted her to have. She smiled, happy to wear whatever jewellery Keeve wanted of her.

The cold metal of the spreading apparatus touched the fleshy, pink lips of Kallia's opening and pried them apart. The knob of tissue that protruded was seized by the clamp and injected with anaesthetic. Assessing perfectly the moment the medication took its effect, the droid wasted no time in piercing the tiny organ with the needle, then slipping the hooped ring into the hole. Once complete, he released the clamp and removed the spreader, taking not even a moment to appraise its work. "Anything else, Master Kandran?"

Keeve smiled as he took a moment to study the droid's handiwork. "No. It's perfect. Just perfect."

After a stiff bow, the droid turned and strode away, pushing his hovercart of tools in front of him as he went, and the wheeling astromech droid behind.

"Kal? Are you okay?"

"Just feeling a little...light-headed and numb," Kallia said with a smile. "But, I think I'm fine, my Master."

"Good," he whispered. Keeve kissed her brow. "Because you look beautiful. Do you want to see?"

Kallia smiled and brushed her lips against his chin before he could pull away. "Yes," she whispered. "I want to be beautiful for you, Keeve. I want to see."

Keeve gently eased her off the bed and supported her with an arm around her waist as they made their way to a mirror, conveniently set into the wall of the room. He watched Kallia's expression when her image was reflected back. "So? Is it...okay?"

Kallia gazed at her reflection and smiled. She ran a hand over her breasts and down between her thighs. "It's more than okay," she purred. "Do you like it, Keeve?"

"Of course I do," he replied. "You look perfect now, Kal." He slipped his arms around her waist from behind and brushed his lips against her neck. "And once they're healed enough, I can take you out for walks."

Kallia smiled, and then placed both hands over her breasts. She closed her eyes and concentrated, her head rolling back as she did. She let out a soft gasp, then slowly moved one hand down between her legs. She moaned softly and then exhaled sharply. She opened her eyes again, and fixed him with a lazy smile. "All healed. The wonders of having Jedi powers."

"Then you're ready to go," he whispered into her ear. "We have an appointment down on the planet. I can't wait to show you off. Now, let's go find you something to wear." He stepped away from Kallia and held his hand out to her. "This is the last time you'll be walking by my side, Kallia. Soon, your place will be behind me."

"As you wish, my Master," Kallia said. "Besides, you do have a very nice ass."

Keeve chuckled. "You're going to be a spoiled slave. Now, let's go."

With the twittering astromech droid escorting them to the door, Keeve and Kallia left for their shared quarters. He would leave her there to spend time with her child while he found an appropriate harness for her. This would be one of the few occasions he'd allow her to leave their quarters - occasions that would be even less frequent once Yelara returned. The longer he hid Kallia, the longer it would take her to discover what had happened, and the longer he could delay suffering her wrath. Tonight, though, at the Palace, he risked Shiv's by showing up with a slave tied to a leash. Maybe then she would finally give up her foolish obsession with him. Or maybe she'd pursue him with even more determination. He wasn't sure which he wanted more.

---

"Maneuvers"
by Adam Edwards - Smuggler

Location: Space
Date: Eos 13, 4ABY

***

The Elusive accelerated into space. Adam's new droid co-pilot, DB-7 sat in the co-pilot seat. He had bought him with the money from his last job. The freighter rocked as it penetrated the atmosphere and stars filled the view port.

Adam leaned over to DB. "I'd rather not get boarded today, keep an eye out for Imperial starships."

DB only nodded and said, "Yes, Sir."

"I've got the coordinates from the NavComputer," Adam told the droid.

The proximity sensor beeped and Adam checked his scanners. Sure enough a Imperial Carrack Cruiser was on their tail. A voice came over the comm. "This is the Imperial Carrack Cruiser Retaliation, what is your business?"

Adam clicked on the communicator and said, "Just taking some supplies to the Aquilaris system."

The Imperial officer sounded suspicious. "What kind of supplies?"

"Just some engine parts for podracers," Adam told him. "You're welcome to come over and look."

There was a long pause and Adam knew that the officer was weighing his answers. He held his breath as the voice came back. "That's not necessary. You may proceed," the Imperial said.

"Thank you," Adam told them and looked over at the droid. "See how easy that was?"

DB looked at him. "We did almost get boarded."

Adam laughed. " Ready?"

DB nodded. "I am always ready."

Adam pulled a lever and the Elusive vanished into hyperspace.

---

"The Smart Ones Run..."
by Morlin Karu

Location: Somewhere in the Outer Rim
Date: Eos 13, 4 ABY

***

"Has that bastard followed us in here?" Karu asked.

There were a few electronic noises made by the Astromech that sat behind him and read words scrolled across his screen.

"Damn, okay Tweep, you got an idea of anyplace to go?"

The Astromech, Tweep, made a slight whistle and more words scrolled across Karu's screen.

"Yeah, alright delve into your emergency co-ordinates, I'd say this is an emergency, wouldn't you?" Tweep made a reply. Then another single word scrolled across Karu's screen:

Tae'Karada

"Fine, anywhere, I really need to get out of this cockpit!"

Karu piloted his X-wing off the asteroid, which he had been using to mask himself; immediately red bolts flew past the small fighter.

"Damn it, I thought he'd be a little further away..."

He jinked his X-wing, trying to get it out of the bounty hunter's line of sight. A proton torpedo detonated just to his right after hitting another chunk of rock. He decided to go on the offensive; he flipped his fighter over, so that he now faced the bounty hunter's vessel. He squeezed his fire control sending a quad burst of red bolts towards the attacker. They were absorbed by the ship's deflector shields. He fired again, this time the bounty hunter, Magus Reel, twisted his ship and the bolts flew by, striking a small asteroid a moment or two later.

Both ships were on a collision course. Karu pushed his down, flying underneath the paid assassin. As he was directly below he flipped the nose of his 'snub' fighter upwards and loosed off a more rapid-fire series of single bolts, seven in all. The first four were, once again, absorbed by the deflector screens, but the next three struck the durasteel underside of the bounty hunter's craft. It did some damage, but not enough. He flicked fire control over to torpedoes; he had two left, he fired one, up through the hole in the screens and it smashed in, detonating. A ball of orange fire momentarily filled the blackness and illuminated the asteroids.

"Well, It looks like we can head back to the core..." Karu cut himself short asfrom behind the devastating explosionthe ship emerged again.

"Shit...must have some sort of defence mechanism that destroyed the torp' before contact. Can we jump yet?"

The Astromech gave a disheartened whistle. Karu shook his head. He jinked the craft just in time as more bolts flew past. He responded half-heartedly. His 'snub' was no match for that thing; he'd have to live to fight another day. He twisted and turned and used all the tricks he knew and thought up one or two more, just to keep himself alive and ahead of that bounty hunter's monstrosity. He made it to the outer edges of the asteroid field and his exit corridor went green.

"Tweep, lets go." He had programmed Tweep years before with the ability to automatically jump to hyperspace, either on Karu's command, or when he thought it was necessary. Lucky this occasion, as Karu finished his sentence the stars stretched into lines and then the mottled blue of hyperspace.

"Tae'Karada, here I come..."

---

"The Assault, Part 1"
Liam Zaneth
Koran Darr
and Laedra Vorrel

Location: Arcadia, Tae'Karada
Date: Eos 13 , 4ABY

***

The speeder glided to a stop in the Arcadia parking structure. Liam Zaneth shut down the engine and glanced at his two companions. A silent look of understanding passed between them, and they slipped outside of the speeder.

Liam glanced out of the open side of the building at the square below. A large statue of what had once been the third high prince lay off to the side, vandalized. In the center, raised high on a pedestal was the newly erected statue of Tarkin. He felt a sneer pull at his lips, and then let the emotion pass. Such thoughts led in a direction he didn't wish to go, and they would distract him from the mission that lay ahead.

He wore a simple cloak pulled over a black tunic and pair of breeches. At his belt were two lightsabers that, when ignited, would emit deadly, cobalt blades. He carried another lightsaber in each boot as well as a blaster on his hip. He would take no chances today, especially not after Nieme's warning.

"The supply depot is two blocks up the street," Koran said, breaking Liam out of his thoughts. "Dressed as we are, we should be able to approach on foot without attracting too much attention. Are we ready for this?"

Laedra pulled her cloak tightly around herself, concealing the black, form-fitting bodysuit she'd chosen in place of her Jedi robes. Considering the stealth with which they would need to carry out their mission, she'd decided wearing an outfit that would allow her to blend easily into the darkness and give her increased freedom of movement during battle would indeed better all their chances of survival. At Koran's questioning gaze, Laedra nodded her head to assure him and herself that she was ready for this. She only hoped she truly was. "Should we try to contact Mr. L'Ygr again?" she asked quietly. "I know we've heard nothing in days, but perhaps this time..."

Koran nodded. "Yes," he said. He pulled out a comlink and signalled for Raxis L'Ygr. There was a crackling silence on the other end, but no response. He finally shook his head and clipped the device back to his belt. "I cannot sense anything amiss. Perhaps his superiors have reassigned him or ordered him to silence."

Laedra contemplated the situation, noticeably vexed by it. But, considering she required all her focus to carry out the mission, she let Koran's explanation satisfy her curiousities for now. "Whatever the case, he is not here and he has done nothing to aid us in this endeavour. We go at this alone."

Liam nodded. "I sense nothing as well," he said. "And, that makes me nervous, especially here."

Koran looked at Liam. "What do you mean?"

"We're in the heart of the Imperial occupation. We should feel something here, the oppression, the danger. There are Imps everywhere."

"Yes," he said. "We will need to be extremely careful, and watch each other's backs." Koran looked at the exit from the building and then back to Liam and Laedra. "Ready?"

Liam gave an imperceptible smile, and then nodded. "Ready."

Laedra let out a deep breath, then bowed her head to her master. She looked up at Liam, then, and gave him a slight, tender smile. "We will succeed. I know the Force will guide us well."

Koran reached out his hands and rested them on Liam and Laedra's shoulders. "The Force is with is," he said. "Let's go."

With that, they casually walked out of the door and started across the square. There were few other pedestrians on the street, and those that were there appeared to be quite nervous. Wherever he looked, Liam saw white-suited stormtroopers. Mixed in the crowd were others, also wearing Imperial uniforms. They were drawing attention, but perhaps it was only because they were civilians. As he looked around, Liam realized that the other civilians were being watched as well. That they weren't being singled out settled his nerves slightly.

At Koran's side, where Laedra's place was as his Padawan, she noted the eerie silence that pervaded the square. Those scarce few pedestrians who occupied the area seemed to give a wide berth to the statue of Tarkin, and avoided any path that would bring them anywhere near one of the many patrolling stormtroopers. Laedra wondered if New Plouton would soon succumb to the same level of oppression. Curfews were one thing; outright intimidation was another, and it had instilled a palpable fear in all within this sector of Arcadia.

"Should we split up?" Laedra whispered. "Perhaps we would be less likely to get stopped if we did not travel in a group."

Koran nodded. "Good idea," he said. "You two approach from the northeast, I'll come in from the north. Double-tap on the comlink to signal when we're in place."

"Very well," Laedra replied. "Good luck, Master." Dispensing with any knowing looks and suggestive smiles for Koran, Laedra moved up beside Liam and the two departed from Koran. She glanced back momentarily at her master, but by then he had already vanished. Sighing softly, Laedra slipped her hand into Liam's and squeezed it lightly. "I'm nervous. I've never done anything even remotely like this."

"There is a first time for everything," Liam said with a smile. "And, after your demonstration with the lightsaber, you're more than ready. We'll need to stay focused during the assault, which should take your mind off any nervousness."

"It won't keep me from worrying about you, though." She sighed softly. "Liam...when we return to the Temple, I would like to discuss some things with you...about our relationship. I've been thinking that, with the b-baby on the way, you and I should perhaps think about getting--"

"You two!"

The filtered, crackling voice of the stormtrooper stopped Laedra and Liam, however neither turned to face the man. "Calm...remember, Liam?"

"Calm," Liam echoed, though at the moment he felt anything but. He knew where her interrupted suggestion was leading, and he knew he wasn't ready for that. Not yet. Maybe not ever. With a placid smile in place, Liam turned back toward the approaching trooper.

"Identicards," the troop grunted. He kept his blaster rifle pointed away from Liam and Laedra, though Laedra could sense his tension and knew he would level it at them if even one wrong move was made.

She furtively glanced up at Liam, prepared to follow his lead.

Liam kept his face passive and calm. With a subtle wave of his hand, he said, "You don't need to see our identicards." The suggestion underlying the words was powerful, as Liam pressed it up on the man through the Force.

"I don't--" If Liam and Laedra could have seen the trooper's face, they would have witnessed the physical signs of the mental war being fought in his mind contorting his features. The soldier shook his head slightly to shake off the confusion.

Realizing Liam's suggestion hadn't taken fully, Laedra stepped forward and gracefully fanned her hand in front of the trooper's helmet-covered face. "We aren't doing anything wrong," she said with a slight purr in her voice.

There was a time of anxious silence while the trooper stared in bewilderment at Laedra. She reached out further with the Force, gripping the man's mind tightly. "You do not need to see our Identicards. We are free to go."

"I don't..." The man sucked in a sharp breath and looked between the two of them as if startled. For a moment, Laedra believed they were in deep trouble, but soon the trooper was repeating her suggestion, word for word.

Keeping her green eyes fixed upon the man, Laedra slowly stepped back. "Thank you," she said. With one surreptitious glance at Liam, they turned away from the trooper and casually began strolling off. The stormtrooper, still in a state of slight confusion, turned as well and continued his patrol.

"We must get out of the open," she mumbled to Liam.

"There's something going on here," he said. "There's another force at work, and it feels like it's dampening our ability to manipulate the Force, at least toward the will of others." He hoped that sounded like a plausible explanation, because he had a feeling that his lack of focus was really the problem, but he didn't want her to know that. "That way. Through that alley. It'll get us out of sight, and take us closer to the depot."

Laedra once again slipped her hand into Liam's and the two melded into the darkness of the alley and away from any further delays. She decided, as they crept through the dank, narrow alleyways, to avoid discussion of anything unrelated to the mission. It would only cause distractions they didn't need at the moment.

After travelling in shadows for ten minutes, Liam and Laedra emerged from between two towering buildings where the depot lay before them. The moment they saw it, something odd came to mind. Beyond the high fence surrounding the installation, there were but five guards in sight.

Laedra frowned. "Liam? Where are all the perimeter patrols?"

"Perhaps," he said as he looked around the building, "they don't put a high priority on this facility. Or, they consider those five guards a sufficient presence to thwart those who might seek to disrupt things here." He looked around again, remembering the troopers out on the street. "Or, perhaps they are relying on an alarm being raised so those troops on the street could move in. The situation in Thanatos and New Plouton must be putting a big strain on Tarkin's resources, including soldiers."

Laedra sighed, and once again comforted herself by accepting the first explanation given to her, instead of thinking the worst. "Alright. We'd better comm Master Darr then. He'll be expecting us."

Liam pulled his comlink from his belt and tapped the activator twice. He was rewarded a moment later by a double-tap from Koran's comm. "He's in place," he said. He opened the channel. "We're concerned by the lack of guards here, Koran."

"I sense something," Koran said, "but nothing beyond our capabilities. Do both of you feel confident going forward?"

Laedra nodded, then replied vocally for Koran, "I am ready, Master. If the number of guards without are any indication of the security within, I do not feel we will have much trouble."

"Very good," Koran said. "Liam?"

"I'm set," Liam answered. "The power grid is on the inside in the south-eastern corner of the building. We'll want to destroy that. There's also a shipment of armaments in one of the eastern supply closets. Those should be set to ship out tomorrow for the desert. Our objective isn't to kill everyone or blow everything up; we're here to remind Tarkin that we're here. Don't do anything in there that will keep you from getting out. Security appears light, but stay wary just in case. We go in together, we come out together. The Force is with us."

"Very good," Koran said, sounding satisfied with Liam's assessment of their objectives. "After we get out of here, we'll find a nice bar in New Plouton. Drinks are on me."

Laedra grinned. "You'll regret saying that, Master. I hope you've brought plenty of creds." She gazed sidelong at Liam, then sobered her expression. "We will meet you inside, Master. Stay safe."

"You too," Koran said. "May the Force be with you both. Let's move out."

Across the way, they both saw Koran Darr detach from where he'd been hiding and start forward. His movements were almost casual, as if he seemed to belong there. The guards on the wall noticed him first, and turned their attention in his direction. Koran didn't seem phased. There was an invisible aura of command around him, an aura that seemed to seep into the subconscious, boosting morale for those on his side and diminishing those opposed.

"Let's go, my love," Liam said. "I'm thirsty."

Laedra laughed softly as she kissed Liam's cheek. "Be careful in there, Liam." After another kiss, this time to his lips, Laedra stayed close to the shadows upon the street, where the lamplight didn't penetrate, and moved towards the depot while the guards were distracted.

They moved silently together toward the edge of the depot. Once they were close enough, Liam gestured toward the top of the wall and nodding to Laedra, indicated that she should jump up first.

Out around the front, Koran had reached the front gates of the depot. He nodded to the impassive, armoured face of the stormtrooper standing above him.

"I would like to come inside," Koran called.

The guard cocked his head to the side, as if he couldn't believe the audacity of the man down on the ground. Having little to no concern for the scum of this planet, let alone the ones who deemed to annoy him through conversation and idiocy, he had no qualms about shooting the man. He brought his blaster rifle up and aimed it.

As he pulled the trigger, he watched as the man suddenly leapt into the air, easily clearing twenty meters straight up. He found himself drawn to the cloak fluttering back down to the ground, and wondered vaguely what had happened to the man who'd been inside it. The thud on the deck next to him told him that he'd found the man. As if in slow motion, he tried bringing his weapon around. Before he could get the blaster around, a shaft of green sliced through the air, bisecting the blaster rifle. Oh shit.

Koran Darr took a step back and thrust his hand outward, palm facing the trooper. A thick tendril of the Force slammed into the man's chest, sending him flying back into his comrade just a few meters away. Both toppled off the top of the building, on the other side of the gate.

"Go," he said into his comlink as the other guards began firing at him. His lightsaber moved smoothly to deflect the bolts, sending them harmlessly to the ground below.

As Liam and Laedra dashed towards the smaller control center attached to the large depot, Laedra couldn't help looking back at Koran. The urge to aid him was great, but Laedra continued sprinting soundlessly into the structure, unseen by the guards Koran had occupied. Her attention was drawn back to the task at hand by the distinctive hissing thrum of a lightsaber igniting, and the crackle of the blade slicing clean through the thick metal door. Laedra was directly behind Liam in an instant with her lightsaber held upright and at the ready.

The heavy slab of durasteel that was once a door slammed to the ground, with two guards waiting for them on the other side. Liam was the first inside, with Laedra following and slashing at the blaster fire flying at them. They made easy work of the two men...the only troopers to come to the defense of the control centre. Yet again, Laedra's suspicions were piqued.

"The power grid, Liam," she reminded him. "Then we meet up with Koran."

Liam nodded, and moved gracefully toward the humming structure that provided power to the depot. Destroying that would knock out all power, which also meant any special power needs for the devices and equipment held here. From his own experience with the Empire, Liam knew that they would surely be ruined in the process.

He found the point on the generator that would cause the most damage. With a single glance at Laedra, he plunged his lightsaber into the housing. The lighting sputtered. He continued to shift the blade within the generator as a thief would pick a mechanical lock. "Almost have it," he said. "Then we go. I can't imagine those men out there will cause him much trouble, but this is too easy. I don't like it."

Laedra watched Liam destroying the device absently. "So...you do agree. Nieme could have been right."

"We will see," Liam said. "There's no bloodshed yet. It may just be that it's too easy, and it feels like this should be difficult. It may only be our own doubts working against us." Finally, the device sputtered. There was a loud pop that seemed to echo through the whole depot, and suddenly all the lights went out. A moment later, dim emergency lighting flicked on. "That's it. Let's go."

Laedra activated her comlink and called out to Koran. At first there was no response, then finally his voice replied from the other end. "Master, we're heading for the armoury. Where are you?"

"Out front," he said. "Just taking care of the last of the guards. I'll meet you there."

"Something isn't right, Koran," Liam said.

"I feel it too," Koran answered. "Let's take care of the armoury, and maybe we can get out of here before whatever is looming happens."

"Or before we walk into an ambush," Laedra added. "We'll see you soon, Koran. Be safe."

"You too," Koran said, then closed the link.

Liam took Laedra's hand into his own and gave it a squeeze. "Let's go," he said. "We should be able to get to the armoury through that one corridor outside and to the left. According to the schematic, it's only about fifteen meters."

"I have a feeling we should be prepared to fight," Laedra said worriedly. "If anything does happen, know that I love you, Liam, and everything I have done has been only for you." She kissed his cheek and whispered shakily, "Everything."

"I understand," Liam whispered. "I love you, Laedra. Whatever happens, no matter how much I yearn for her, I do love you. When we get home tonight, I'll show you just how much."

"Then we'd better both make it home." Laedra fought back the urge to beg Liam to abandon the mission with her and escape while they still could, but she was a Jedi and there was a whole planet relying on she and the rest of her Order. With a resolute nod, Laedra stood tall and stepped aside from Liam. "We have a shipment to stop. Let's go." She was speeding down the darkened corridor a moment later, with only the fluttering end of her white cloak leaving a trail for Liam to follow.

When they reached the armoury, it was as abandoned as the rest of the building appeared to be. The heavy, durasteel door was closed, but a lightsaber would easily remedy that. Liam nodded to Lae. She took up a defensive position to guard him while he worked at the door. As before, he plunged the blade into the edge of the door, driving the lightsaber into the "hinges." A door of this kind was simple, and Liam was thankful it was a regular door and not a blast door. Finally it gave way, and clanged down into the interior. Liam stepped into the doorway and looked around.

"We've been set up."

Laedra kept her anger successfully quelled, but did say with extreme spite, "Raxis L'Ygr, I imagine."

"Perhaps we'll get the chance to thank him for this when we get out of here," Liam growled. "Let's--"

The comlink sounded. "Get out here," Koran's voice said. "It appears the trap has sprung and I can't handle this group alone."

"Koran," Laedra replied, hastily activating her comlink, "where are you?"

"Out front," Koran said, though it was obvious now that there was blaster fire, as well as the clash of his lightsaber. "I never got a chance to make it in."

"We're coming. Hang on, Koran." Laedra clipped her deactivated lightsaber to her belt, and rapidly pulled off her cloak, throwing it to the ground. With absolutely nothing restricting her movement now, not even the sleek, black outfit clinging to her lithe body, Laedra retrieved her lightsaber and the pink blade sprang to life. She knew she wasn't in love with Koran, but she did love him nonetheless and she desperately needed to go to him. And sprinting, with the Force accelerating her movements, Laedra attempted to do just that.

She could feel that Liam was near her, but the gentle rippling his presence produced in the Force was nothing compared to the tremendous fluctuation her senses suddenly became aware of. As they ran out of the complex and into the courtyard, Laedra felt an intense wave of pure Force energy slam into her, and if she weren't so intent upon helping Koran, she would have staggered backwards. "Oh gods...Liam," she whispered upon seeing the source of the disturbance. "What are they?"

Liam looked around at the two dozen men standing atop the fence surrounding the courtyard area in which they stood. The men were all dressed the same. Each wore matte-black armour in a style similar to the one Palpatine used to use for his own personal guard. Their faces were hidden from view by a helmet that appeared to be a cross between stormtrooper armour and the royal guard.

He finally found his voice. "Abominations," he rasped. "There's something...unnatural about them."

"They move like Jedi," Koran said. "That blade they carry at their sides--"

Liam looked and frowned. "They're Sith Swords. It's a special blade that basically is charged with the Force energy of the wielder. If they've been crafted correctly, then those things could effectively parry a lightsaber with little difficulty, especially given how...strong they feel. I would say that our skills with the lightsaber easily exceed theirs, but they outnumber us."

"And, they've got us surrounded," Koran added.

"We can't stay here," Liam said. "There's no back way out of here. We'll have to fight our way out. Are you ready, Koran? Laedra?"

"I'm ready," Koran said.

"I have no choice but to be," Laedra replied. "May the Force be with you." She paused and passed her gaze over the legion of monstrosities surrounding them. Laedra held her lightsaber at shoulder level and swallowed back any doubt, any fear. "I love you both," she whispered. "Truly."

Liam pulled a second lightsaber from his belt and ignited it. "I don't think we'll be able to just toss these guys around," he said. "I think we'll have to strike true and strike fast. Head for the walls, and just go. We can rendezvous in New Plouton. Agreed? We have to make sure the Temple finds out about these aberrations, as well as the New Republic. This is big."

"We're splitting up?" Laedra asked. "Liam...I don't want us to. What if one of us is caught?"

"Hopefully one of us won't be," Liam said. "But it's better than all of us getting caught. We have to tell the others about this. Perhaps we can get out together, but this is bigger than us, Laedra. These men could tip the scales in Tarkin's direction. We don't have enough Jedi yet, and with their power, imagine what they would do to a non-Jedi army. We have to make it out of here, Laedra. At least one of us has to get back to the Temple."

She was prepared to raise another protest, but instead submitted and nodded her head sedately. "I'll meet you both at the Temple. Please be there. Please..."

Before Koran or Liam could answer, the heavy doors groaned open. A single man was framed in the opening, smoke curling about his head, clouding his face in a fog. He pulled the cigarra from his lips and sent it flying forward with a flick of his fingers. He walked forward slowly, scratching at the tattoo emblazoned on his left bicep. "Sorry I didn't return your calls," he drawled. "I was...busy."

---

"The Assault, Part 2"
Liam Zaneth
Koran Darr
and Laedra Vorrel

with Raxis L'Ygr [NPC+]

Location: Arcadia, Tae'Karada
Date: Eos 13 , 4ABY

***

Laedra narrowed her eyes at the man, the one they'd called their ally, their friend, but who was now only their betrayer. She allowed herself a moment of anger, then banished it and offered Raxis L'Ygr a serene smile. "You've chosen your allies well, Mr. L'Ygr, and you played the charade even better. I commend you."

"Well, I just started taking a look at things around here, and I figured I'd joined up with the wrong side. So...here we are. I couldn't, in good conscience, ignore our meeting the other day, so I had to do what I could to stop you. However, I think Admiral Tarkin will be quite happy to add three Jedi to his collection."

Laedra held her lightsaber poised and shook her head gravely. "I'm afraid he is going to be quite disappointed."

"Oh, I'm not so sure of that. You don't know what I know about these fine gentlemen. Now, put down your weapons, and you won't be hurt...too much. Now, we can do this the easy way...or the hard way. Your choice."

"I've never been one to choose the easy road," Liam growled.

"We will not bow down, Mr. L'Ygr," Laedra added. "I'm afraid you'll have to take us dead, or not at all."

"Laedra, take left," Liam whispered. "Koran, take right. I'm going after L'Ygr."

"Bring us his head, my love," she said far too calmly. Nodding to Koran, then Liam, Laedra charged towards the left wall. Tarkin's new breed of soldiers seemed to sense their intentions and as one, organized collective, they seemed to float down from the walls. Laedra was certain, now, that she was facing her death.

"Go," Liam shouted, and charged forward toward Raxis. As he did three of the troopers from the walls above vaulted down, landing easily in his way. In an instant, the upper hand he'd thought he had was gone. He quickly switched to defensive mode and began parrying the assaults by the Sith troopers.

Compared to Laedra's lot, Liam had it easy. Four Sith landed effortlessly before her, and as if with one mind, they unsheathed their weapons. Keeping her wits about her, she thrust out a hand and the Force sent two of them hurtling backwards into the perimeter wall. It barely seemed to faze them, and as quickly as they had crumpled to the ground, the sprang upright again. The other two surged forward in the mean time and unleashed a deadly attack upon her. Each impact their blades made with her own seemed to drain her of strength, as if they were feeding off the Force that flowed through her. They were fast and strong, and their blade-work was precise, however they had yet to get past Laedra's defences...for now.

Koran's verdant blade clashed loudly with the Sith blades. If he'd been a lesser Jedi, he knew that he wouldn't have been able to stand against the five who surrounded him. He attempted to use the Force to push one of the troopers back, and nearly lost his hand in the process. He spun away from an attack, parrying the blade back toward one of the other Sith. While the trooper was off-balance, he sliced his lightsaber back across, aiming for the man's exposed side.

The blade didn't penetrate. Koran stared at the smoking scar in the armour and suddenly knew that they wouldn't easily get through this, not if their opponents' armour was impervious to lightsabers. "Their armour stops the lightsabers," he called out.

Laedra grunted as she rolled away from a downward stab of one of the Sith's blades. When she was upright again, she called back to Koran, "I know!" She blocked another attack from behind and jumped out of the way of another blade aimed for her abdomen. "Koran! We must retreat!"

Raxis had backed away, and three other of the Sith troopers had moved in on Liam. Both blades were whipping around frantically, searching for any opening he could exploit. He did not know where they'd gotten their training, but they were damn good.

One of the Sith raised his blade to bring down in an overhand slash, that would surely split Liam's head in two. Liam snapped his blade around, and brought it hard down on the man's elbow. Where the other parts of the armour had protected, to allow manoeuvrability, the joints had lost some of the protection. It took more effort, but Liam's lightsaber sliced cleanly through the man's arm.

"Aim for the joints," Liam called. "They're vulnerable!"

Koran would have done so, but it was taking everything he had to keep from getting cut in two. He tumbled back away from the Sith, and flung an arm out. Tendrils of Force, knocked three of the Sith to the ground. Koran charged forward, and then leapt. Aided by the Force, he easily reached the catwalk above. "Retreat," he called down to Liam and Laedra. "We have to get out of here!"

Accurate observation, Master, Laedra thought to herself. She'd managed to repel, for the moment, three of the Sith attacking her. As they climbed through the crates she had thrown them into, their comrade dealt a dizzying series of intricate blade manoeuvres to overwhelm Laedra, and allow for the others to finish her off when they recovered.

Laedra edged her way towards the wall as she parried the Sith's assault. She kept her senses stretched out to keep track of where the other four were, but having to divide her attention hampered her ability to fully anticipate her opponent's strategy. That was why when she swept her blade upwards and over her head to deflect a stroke of the Sith's blade that would have likely decapitated her, she received in return a debilitating kick to the abdomen.

Normally, Laedra would not have performed such an unwise manoeuvre that left her exposed and vulnerable, but having to allocate her focus to keep eyes on all four, and being so close to such a powerful source of darkness weakened her link with the Force. She'd managed to block the Sith's first swing, but being on her knees and cradling her stomach, he made another attempt.

As her vision recovered from the explosion of blinding white light triggered by the immense pain, she caught a glint of the Sith's approaching blade in her periphery and heard it slicing through the air. She knew where it was aimed and what it would do when it reached its target. Her sight returned, but her pain remained, and her senses, still tracking the other three, told her they were quickly closing in.

It was a rather profound moment, realizing she was so near death, yet she was prepared for it. But, she wasn't yet prepared to go without at least a fight. The Sith's raised arms lifted his body armour and revealed the gap between his breastplate armour and that covering his lower body. It was one of the vulnerabilities Liam had mentioned, and Laedra was going to take advantage of it.

Summoning the Force, seizing it from the dark cloud obscuring it, Laedra held out her hand and called her fallen lightsaber to it. The weapon leapt into her palm and with a loud grunt, she plunged the weapon into the Sith's exposed abdomen. His blade stopped short of her neck as the troop collapsed backwards, with Laedra's lightsaber still protruding from his stomach. The thunderous footsteps of the other Sith advancing upon her forced Laedra to her feet, and with one arm wrapped around her throbbing midsection, she staggered towards the dead Sith, retrieved her lightsaber and struggled to reach the wall. She hadn't enough strength left to clear the distance to the top of the wall, and instead reached out a hand to Koran. "Help me!" she groaned.

Koran, from the top of the wall, reached a hand out to Laedra and wrapped her closely with Force energy. Slowly, she lifted off the ground toward the top of the wall. One of the Sith raised his blade, readying to hack at Laedra's dangling legs.

From where he was fighting against the Sith, Liam managed to cross his blade across one man's neck. Alone the blade couldn't cut through the Sith's armour, but paired it was a simple matter. He brought the second blade up, crossing it along the first, and scissored the blades sharply. With a wet thud, the head toppled to the ground, followed by the body.

Before he could move to defend himself again, Liam sensed Laedra's danger. He spun around and deactivated one of the lightsabers. Judging his distance and aim, Liam flung the blade toward the Sith who'd raised his weapon against Laedra. Halfway through the air, as he controlled the lightsaber, Liam ignited the blade with a thought.

At the peak of its arc toward Laedra, the Sith gave a gurgling cry as a cobalt shaft was suddenly vomited out of his mouth, with the hilt of the blade jammed tight against a chink in the armour protecting his neck. The man dropped to the ground, blazing lightsaber still burning through his head.

After clasping Koran's other hand and being physically pulled up the rest of the way, Laedra gazed out upon the compound from the top of the wall. More specifically, she watched Liam as a swarm of Sith flocked towards him. She called out his name and was prepared to throw herself from the wall to go to his aid, but Koran held her back. "We can't leave him like this!" She struggled to wrench her arm from his grip. "Koran...let me go!"

Even with the odds as they were, Liam continued to fight. He now had a dozen of the Sith warriors crowded around him, and it was obvious he wouldn't last long.

"Laedra," Koran rasped pulling her back toward him as he edged along the wall. "If we go now, we can come back for him. If we go back now, we won't make it. For Liam's sake, we have to stay free. Laedra, we'll come back for him. I promise."

"Come back? For what! To carry his corpse home?" She pulled forward to try and escape Koran's hold, but a surge of fresh pain in her abdomen almost sent her to her knees and quashed any attempt to go to Liam. "I can't leave him," she sobbed. "Koran...we can't!"

Koran glanced down to the scene below. Liam was still fighting hard, but there appeared to be little hope. Several of the Sith troopers had broken off and were approaching the wall.

"If we go down there, we're dead," Koran said. "At least then we'll have a chance to get him out of here. If we go now, none of us may get out of here, and no one will ever know about these abominations." As if to give weight to his argument, the troopers opened fire on the top of the wall. Koran's green blade ignited and immediately started deflecting the blasts.

Laedra could no longer keep her eyes on Liam and witness his fate at the hands of Tarkin's creation. The blinding light of the blaster shots exploding against the wall forced her to look away...thankfully; it made it easier to leave behind the man she loved. With an agonized groan, Laedra pushed away from Koran and ignited her lightsaber. Although the tears in her eyes blurred everything she looked upon, she managed to succeed in parrying the blaster fire. "Koran...let's go," she shouted. "Liam...I love you," she added in a whisper, then forced herself to step off the edge of the wall and out of the complex.

Koran looked down into the courtyard once more, where Liam was holding off the troopers, barely. He looked tired and weak, ready to collapse at any moment. It took a great strength of will for the Jedi Master not to leap back down to Liam's defense.

But, then Liam looked up at him and met his eyes. "Go," he mouthed. A sword blade crashed down, slicing cleanly through the hilt of one of Liam's blades, drawing his attention back to the fight.

With a sense of guilt that should have overwhelmed him, Koran turned away from the scene and jumped back off the wall.

Back in the courtyard, a sense of hope flared in Liam as he managed to slice through a gap in the armour around the knee of one of the warriors. The odds were definitely starting to look better. All he had to do was get near one of the walls--

A sharp crack sounded and swirling blackness and stars danced in Liam's vision. He staggered, and fell to his knees. Pain blossomed at the base of his skull, and knew if it hadn't been for the Force he would be unconscious right now. One of the troopers had smacked him hard across the back of the head with the flat of one of the Sith Swords.

He winced as a sharp pain erupted in his hand. He saw the lightsaber skitter away. His head lolled and he felt relief at seeing there wasn't a bloody stump at the end of his arm.

A boot suddenly slamming into his stomach bent him double and brought his attention back to Raxis L'Ygr.

"A brave fight," Raxis snarled, "but futile. You know, I almost liked you, but you were too much of an asshole. And, all that Jedi showing off crap. It really doesn't sit well with those of us who aren't Jedi." His fist cracked against Liam's jaw. "Bind him. Then get the hell out of here. Tarkin's not ready for you guys to make an appearance yet, so get back to the Palace. You were never here. I'll get this one back to the Admiral."

"Yes, sir," one of the troopers answered.

Once Liam was bound, Raxis collected his blaster and lightsabers, then noticed that the troopers had left one of their own behind. He sneered, and realized he was about as trusted as the beaten Jedi.

"Get the other arm," Raxis said, and the man obeyed.

They started hauling Liam out to Raxis' speeder when Raxis slipped a vibroblade out of a wrist-sheathe. He timed a step perfectly to make Liam stumble. As the Jedi nearly pitched forward, he let the trooper do most of the work. While he was trying to keep Liam on his feet, Raxis slammed the blade into the base of his skull, driving the weapon right through the same gap Liam had exploited earlier. With a sinister sneer, Raxis twisted the blade.

"Now, my little friend," he said to the barely conscious Jedi, "how would you like to make me lots of money? You've really managed to piss a lot of people off. Sounds fun, eh?" His laughter echoed around the area as he hauled Liam Zaneth to his speeder.

Soon, Raxis L'Ygr thought, either Grand Admiral Tarkin or Lord Dargus Kandran will make me a very rich man.

***

Laedra stumbled again, the overwhelming heartache too much to physically bear. Koran was there to keep her from falling though, and the two continued on towards the speeder. She whimpered Liam's name again, and fresh tears sprang to her eyes. Never would she forgive herself for leaving him, and never again would she feel his lips caressing hers and his smile make her heart flutter. Laedra clutched at Koran's robes and pressed her face to his chest as she let out a mournful cry.

Koran kept one arm around Laedra as he tried to console her. His other hand still held his lightsaber. They reached the square with the statue of Tarkin, overlooked by the parking structure where they'd left their speeder. "As soon as we get back to the Temple," he said, "we'll begin planning a rescue. We won't let Tarkin have Liam. We'll get him out of there, Laedra."

"He's dead," she groaned. "We left him there to die." With a shriek, Laedra tore herself away from Koran and staggered forward on the path to their speeder. Her body trembled as her sobs rang out through the square. She was battered and weak, and slowly her heart was crumbling, but she still had enough strength to cry for her Liam.

"Laedra," Koran called after her. "If we don't go back for him, he is dead. Don't let your grief overwhelm you; don't let your grief stop you from living."

"That's easy for you to say!" She choked on a sob and cradled her sore stomach. "You didn't love him. He was just in the way for you, wasn't he? I bet you're happy. I bet you're glad he's out of the picture!"

"Laedra stop," Koran said, though his voice was calm. "I am not happy for what happened. I am not happy that Liam is in the hands of the Empire. But we have a mission now, a very important mission that could turn the balance of the conflict with Tarkin and the Empire. We have to remain focused, despite whatever happened today. Do you believe Liam would want you to curl into a ball and disappear from the rest of the world and the Jedi? What do you think Liam would do if that were you in there?"

Laedra whirled around and regarded Koran with a sneer. "He would never have left me behind," she spat. "And I'm not going to stop living, Koran. I'm going to thrive long enough to get Liam back, dead or alive, and hold him one final time. And no one is standing in my way." She turned on her heel and took a step forward. An agonized groan came from Laedra as pain stabbed at her abdomen and drove her to her knees. She instinctively sent healing waves of the Force from her hands to her stomach in an attempt to quash the pain, but she only succeeding in lessening it.

"He told us to go," Koran said, moving to stand by Laedra. "And, Liam knew that what we have gotten ourselves involved in is bigger than any of us. Liam Zaneth, despite his past and present, knows when he needs to do what is required of him. He would have fled to get the news we carry to those who need it, and then he would have done everything he could to get you out of Tarkin's clutches."

"You speak as if you believe he's still alive," she said in a strained whisper. "I-I can't feel him, Koran. Everything's...obscured and dark... I can't feel him and it frightens me."

"He is still alive, Laedra," Koran said. "He's alive and we will rescue him. Open yourself to the Force, Laedra. Open yourself to the Force, and you'll feel that he still lives. Move past the darkness you feel, and he's there."

"Perhaps," she whimpered. "But for how long?"

"You're giving in to despair, Laedra," Koran said softly. "Despair will lead you to the dark side. We must get back to the Temple. We must make preparations to get Liam back."

"But it hurts, Koran," she whispered. Laedra turned her face up towards him, tears trickling down its sides. "I don't know if I can go on. I need help, Master. Please." She reached out a trembling hand to him. "Help me, Koran."

Koran reached out a hand and placed it in hers. "This is one of the reasons relationships have been forbidden to Jedi," he said. "But, we'll get through this, Laedra. I will help you find the strength to see this through, at least until we rescue Liam."

When Laedra found her footing again, she let out a gentle cry and threw herself into Koran's embrace. "Oh gods...Koran. This can't be happening. It can't."

Koran pulled Laedra close and kissed her forehead. He said nothing, knowing there were no words he could speak that would make the tragedy they'd experienced today any less. He was confident they could free Liam if they got to him in time, but would they be able to get to him in time? "We should go," he whispered. "We need to get out of here before they find us."

"Yes," she murmured. "I don't feel so well. Let's go, Koran." She brushed her lips against his neck, then nestled her cheek to his chest. "I just...want to go home."

With that, Koran led the way back to the speeder. Once he'd settled Laedra in the passenger seat, he got behind the controls and sped them back toward the Temple. He took a circuitous route to make certain no one was following them. Once he was satisfied there was no one tracking them, he slipped into the forest.

As they neared the Temple, he found himself thinking: And, now the difficult part begins.

---

"Happiness, Part 1"
By: Keeve Kandran [NPC+]
Kallia Brael
Maeren Shivral

Location: Dargus' Cruiser; The Palace of Stars - Yesdol, New Plouton
Date: Eos 13, 4ABY

***

Keeve had taken far more time than usual choosing his attire, but he wanted to make certain he looked sharp and dashing, and with Kallia on his arm, be the envy of all at the Palace of Stars. He tugged at the tight collar of his shirt and decided undoing the top button wouldn't hurt his appearance, and would help his breathing. The shimmering, blue silk shirt went perfectly with his black, thigh-length jacket and black, straight-legged pants. Kallia had commented that the blue went perfectly with his complexion - something he'd inherited from his bitch of a mother. At least, though, he had one thing to thank her for.

He shot Kallia one of his charming, rakish grins and caressed her cheek briefly with his free hand as she walked proudly beside him. Her creamy, supple flesh was an exquisite complement to his dark clothing, and with the black, leather leash attached to her piercings held securely in his grip, they looked the perfect couple. He hoped Shiv was sufficiently jealous. "You look wonderful, Kal," he told her.

Kallia smiled dreamily at Keeve, happy to please him. She knew that, dressed as she was, going out in public would cause a scandal. The idea brought a smile to her lips. She wanted to make a scandal with Keeve. She wanted to do all the things her Jedi upbringing had denied her. With Keeve, she could be as naughty as she'd always desired to be; in fact, he encouraged it. Thankfully, she'd given him no reason to tug on the leash that he'd attached to the silver rings piercing her flesh. While she thought she could withstand that pain, she preferred pleasing Keeve rather than frustrating him.

Other than her new adornments, she had been allowed a black and silver collar that bore the inscription marking her as his and a pair of flimsy black, leather sandals that were more for show than to protect her feet. "For as wonderful as I may look, my Master, it is nothing compared to you. Black is your colour, my love."

"Fitting, I guess," he mumbled. "Kind of accentuates my evil streak, doesn't it?" He chuckled and absently tightened his hold on the end of the leash wrapped around his hand. "I just don't want to be too conspicuous," he said more seriously. "Though, I doubt I could be with such a radiant, divine creature walking beside me." He kissed Kallia's cheek as the two entered the hangar bay. "You won't be cold, will you?"

"With you by my side? Highly unlikely," Kallia purred. "However, with me wandering virtually naked clad only in a leather collar and a series of leashes tethered to my unmentionables, I think we'll be noticed."

Keeve smirked. "I hope you don't outshine Maeren. I have a feeling she'll quickly grow to hate you if you do. Though...getting fought over isn't such a bad thing." He snapped his fingers at the attendants waiting by the shuttle, and they hopped into action, one lowering the landing ramp, and the other signalling the pilot to begin preparing the vessel for take-off.

"You would fight for me, wouldn't you, Kal?" Keeve asked. "Because I'd fight for you, you know."

"Of course I would fight for you," Kallia said. "And, I will try not to outshine her for you. I know how much you love her, and I do not want to be the source of problems for the two of you. When you can be with her, I will be elsewhere waiting...that is unless you and she wished for me to join you."

Keeve frowned quizzically at Kallia. "Who said I was going to be with her?" He sighed as they stepped onto the ramp. "I haven't decided that part yet, actually. I figure it'd be easier to just watch her dance, get my fill that way, and move on. I have you to satisfy me now, after all, don't I?"

"I may satisfy your physical desires, Keeve," Kallia said softly. "But, can I satisfy your emotional desires? You love her, Keeve. I know that; I can see it in your eyes. If you do wish for more with her, I will understand, and I know it does not affect us. I am yours regardless, my Master."

"I know," Keeve said. He gestured Kallia towards her seat. "I do love her," he added, while taking his own seat, "but I still need a little time to think about whether it's even worth it... Worth all the suffering that'll happen in the end."

"Perhaps seeing her there tonight," Kallia said as she took the seat, "will help you with that choice."

Keeve sighed and rested his head back against the seat. He did have a decision to make and he'd no doubt make it before the night was over. As the shuttle lifted off the flight deck and hovered towards the parting blast doors of the bay, he felt his insides already twisting. He could leave Shiv behind forever and start anew with Kallia and the shallow relationship they were participating in, or he could have one night with his Maeren and be unable to turn his back on her again forever. Either way, the decision would not be made lightly.

***

As they strolled from the small shuttle port to the Palace, Kallia was already drawing stares. While most people on the planet were used to people wandering in a state of near-undress, they weren't used to people wearing little more than a pair of sandals and a collar. Her body was graceful and lithe as she strolled at Keeve's side, the leather leashes trailing from her breasts and between her thighs to his hand.

As they rounded another corner that led toward the fifty meter tall bantha, a pair of whistles directed in Kallia's direction were quickly silenced by a cool look from both Keeve and Kallia. She glanced at Keeve and smiled. "I must admit, I do like the attention."

He grinned. "So do I. It's nice to know I'm envied by all." He tugged on Kallia's leash and drew her in closer. "Don't stray too far. We're almost there. Gods...that Weibran has horrible taste. I only hope his choice in women is much more appealing."

"Well, we know that he at least had the good taste to want Maeren dancing for him," Kallia said. "Though, the bantha really should go."

Keeve almost visibly shuddered at the sight of the disgusting creature towering over them. His composure returned, however, once they reached the top of the stairs and were halted by the guards at the doors. After giving his name, and showing them he was worthy of passage into the prestigious club by slipping a hundred cred chip to each of them, the doors were opened and Keeve and Kallia entered. They were received by a smartly dressed usher who, after receiving a hundred credit chip from the many Keeve had in his jacket pocket, led them to one of the private balcony boxes. The usher gave a stiff bow before departing, and Keeve and Kallia were free to sit where they chose within the spacious alcove.

"We won't be interrupted in here," Keeve told Kallia as he pulled out a chair for her at the small, round table. "Though, that doesn't mean you can misbehave, my dear."

Kallia took the seat Keeve offered her and gazed up at him. "I will behave as you bid me, my Master. However, I like that we will not be interrupted, should you...desire..."

Keeve leaned over Kallia's shoulder and kissed her neck. "If I desire..." As Keeve's hands were reaching down to her breasts, a throat clearing behind them drew away his attention. He looked back, almost scowling at the intruder, but couldn't exactly stay angry very long at a scantily clad woman holding up a tray of complimentary wine. "Set it down over here," he told her.

As the woman moved forward and set down the first drink, Keeve gripped her wrist when her hand came up to retrieve the other filled glass. The girl gasped softly, but Keeve's smile all but banished any fear. "And next time, don't come in without announcing yourself properly. We're not scum off the streets. We're practically royalty, so you'll treat us accordingly."

"Yes, sir," she whispered. Her lip trembled with oncoming tears, and Keeve released his hold on her. She hurriedly set down the next drink, then fled.

"Pathetic," Keeve spat as he took his own seat. "You're far better behaved, my dear."

"Thank you, my Master," Kallia said. "It is strange to be calling another Master, but I must say that I prefer you as a Master, much more than I ever did Tal Dan. He would have never freed me as you have, my love."

"Freed you?" Keeve swirled the wine in his glass and watched the deep, red colour reflected by the light of the club upon Kallia's chest. "You walk around on a leash. That's hardly very liberating, Kal."

"I choose to walk around this way," Kallia said. "I choose to allow myself to appear as a slave, submissive and catering to your every whim. Okay, so I love catering to your every whim, but I have chosen this as how I wish to be. I did not choose the path of the Jedi. I did not choose to be good and proper. With you, I can walk down the street with barely any clothing on my body, yet I can still hold my head high. With you, Keeve, I am who I want to be."

Keeve savoured the wine sliding down his throat while he nodded thoughtfully. "So...if someday I do relieve you of your duty to me," he said, "what will you do?"

The question took Kallia slightly aback. She thought about it for a moment and then smiled. "I think perhaps I would try to find something I enjoyed. Perhaps I could get a job dancing here. Or maybe work on some freighters. I'll figure it out then, but you've freed me of the burden of my birth, shown me that there is more than that path." She brushed her hands across her breasts, pausing slightly at each of the silver rings there. "And, you've shown me some of the other joys there are to experience in life."

Keeve wondered, then, if Kallia's newfound yearning for independence had been the result of the procedure, or if her time with him had given her the opportunity to seek it; either way, he figured he had a hand in it, which meant Kallia owed him. He only wondered what kind of repayment he should ask for. "Drink something, then. We'll toast to your freedom, Kallia Brael."

Kallia picked up her glass and held it out toward Keeve. "To freedom and the pursuit of our dreams."

Keeve tapped Kallia's glass and grinned charmingly at her. "You've already made mine come true." He brushed his fingers over her hand and brought the brim of the goblet to his lips, still watching Kallia with a hungry gaze. "We might have to test out just how private this box is later. And I'd like to see how quiet you can be."

Under his gaze, Kallia felt her heartbeat speed up. "I would like that," she whispered. "And, I believe I can be quite silent when I wish to be. However, we would need to test that to be certain. I await your command, my Master."

Keeve's smile conveyed his lustful intent. He twined Kallia's leash around his hand two more times, then jerked her forward roughly. The piercings on her nipples pulled the flesh taut and he could only imagine what his tight hold was doing to the one between her legs. "Climb onto the table," he told her firmly. "I'll close the curtains, but you have to promise to be a good girl and not scream."

Kallia let out a whimpering moan and did as he asked. Once she was on the table, she gazed at him with a lustful grin. "I promise not to scream, my Master. I'll be very good."

"Not too good I hope." Keeve rose from his seat and while keeping his penetrating gaze on Kallia, he moved to the opening of the balcony and slowly drew closed the curtains. They wouldn't keep out any cries that Kallia let loose, but at least it would prevent anyone from witnessing their carnal act and leading to their removal from the club. The sounds from the ground floor of the establishment still filtered through the thick drapes, and provided them both with ambient music to accompany what would no doubt be an intense experience.

"Kallia," Keeve murmured. "I'm afraid I can't afford to sully my suit." Surreptitiously, he pushed back one side of his jacket and slipped his concealed blaster from its holster. Security in the Palace of Stars was completely horrible, luckily for him. "Do you mind if...I improvise?" He turned around with the blaster held in one hand, while the other stroked the barrel of the weapon. "I'll be gentle. I promise."

Kallia looked down at the weapon and then up at Keeve. "Kind of small compared to what I'm used to," she purred. "But, for you, of course, Keeve."

"Good," he drawled. "Then you'll hardly scream at all, right?" He chuckled as he shifted closer to Kallia. Her legs spread wider for him as he approached, her body almost trembling for what she desired. After slipping between her legs, he drew the tip of the barrel up and down her slit, while his free hand caressed her inner thigh. "Hold your tongue, Kal," he whispered. "Be an obedient slave and keep quiet."

Kallia whimpered slightly, but kept herself quiet. She nodded to him, signalling her acquiescence. She would make him proud, make him realize what a good slave she was.

"You stay with me, Kal," Keeve murmured as the barrel slid down to her opening, "and I'll make you happy." He eased the cold, metal cylinder inside of her as far as it would go, and after taking a moment to ensure she wasn't in any serious discomfort, he slowly pulled it out, then worked it back in again, repeating the same pattern continuously. "Are you happy, Kal?" he asked. "Tell me you're happy."

"I am happy," Kallia said softly, enjoying the sensations Keeve was causing her. "I'm very happy with you, Keeve. You treat me so well, Keeve. It makes me want to be with you even more than I already do."

"But you will be. I'm keeping you all to myself, so you will be, Kal," he replied. He held back a grunt from the effort of pumping the weapon in and out of Kallia. It was difficult to believe he was gaining so much pleasure from such a detached act, but it was the power and domination he enjoyed, and the knowledge that Kallia was willing to do anything he wished. "You can have one little moan, Kal," he whispered as he leaned over her. His lips brushed against her chin and Keeve smiled. "Moan for me, my slave."

Kallia did just that, letting out a moan just for Keeve. She gripped the edges of the table with her hands, and her feet dug into the carpeted floor. Another moan, this one louder, was welling up, but she kept it silent for now. He only allowed her one, she wouldn't be a bad slave.

Keeve abandoned all attempts at being gentle, and jammed the weapon into her aggressively, desperately. "Say you're only mine, Kal. Just mine, and no on else's." He kissed her roughly as he jerked the weapon especially forcefully into her. "Say it," he ordered through gritted teeth. "Say it, and you can moan again."

"I'm yours, Keeve," Kallia rasped. "Yours and only yours. Yours and always yours. Oh gods. Oh...my...gods..."

Keeve covered Kallia's mouth with his own before she could cry out, though, being the good slave she was, she never made a sound. He shoved the weapon's barrel into her at an increasing pace until he felt her body go rigid and her back arch off the table. He pulled his lips from hers to ensure that his precious slave wouldn't disobey him and scream. On his hand, he could feel the warm trickle of liquid spilling from Kallia's opening, and all he could do was smile with satisfaction.

Despite the sensations ripping through her body like a Zeltros orgy, Kallia never made a sound. Finally, she let out a long, ragged whimper. "Oh wow. I never realized a blaster could be used that way. My love, I wouldn't recommend shooting anyone with your blaster for awhile; I think I made a mess with it."

Keeve laughed softly and expressed his approval by kissing Kallia deeply. After gently slipping the weapon out, he laid it down upon the table and wrapped both arms around Kallia. As he straightened up, he pulled Kallia into him and lifted her off the table. He held her in his arms while the kiss lingered, then set her feet down upon the ground. "You're perfect, Kal," he told her. He brushed a tendril of brown hair away from her cheek and kissed her brow. "Absolutely perfect."

It took a moment for Kallia to steady herself on her feet. She smiled at Keeve and kissed him once more. "Thank you," she whispered. She slipped her arms around him and held herself close, held him close. The feeling was beautiful, safe. "I love you, Keeve."

You wouldn't if you knew what I'd done. He sighed and rubbed her back soothingly. "You're a good slave, Kal. A very good slave. I'd never trade you in for anything."

"I'm glad to hear that," Kallia said, snuggling against him. "I never want to be traded in." The sounds outside of their own private having were changing and Kallia glanced back toward the curtain. "I think the show's about to start."

Keeve involuntarily held Kallia tighter and nestled his cheek to her shoulder like a frightened child. He didn't know what would happen if he saw Maeren; he didn't want to lose everything he had now only to have his heart broken again if he succumbed to his desire for Shiv. "We should just leave," he muttered. "We don't need to see her dance. Let's just leave, Kal."

"You should stay, Keeve," Kallia whispered. "You should at least see her one more time, watch her dance, and then decide. Don't just run from her; don't run from your heart."

Keeve looked up at Kallia and smiled ruefully. "How do you know where my heart is?"

"While I may be your slave, Keeve, what I learned as a Jedi is still with me." She placed her hand over his heart and sighed softly. "There are times when I can feel you very strongly, feel your desires and needs, your hopes and dreams. It's shadowy and distant, but I can feel them. I know that Maeren is a source of light in your life, light amidst shadow."

"But when I'm with her, everything feels so right, Kal, but then...it just falls apart. I don't want that. I can't handle that again."

Kallia brought a hand up to his cheek and stroked it gently. "Perhaps everything falls apart because you won't allow yourself to be with her. As soon as you get near her, you pull away. If you don't give it a chance, Keeve, it will fall apart every single time."

He chuckled softly and looked up at Kal. "You're pushing me into her arms?" He kissed her lips. "You're a good little slave."

Kallia smiled. "I am here for your pleasure," she said. "Even if that pleasure comes in the arms of another woman. I can see it in your eyes and feel it in your heart. You at least need to give this a chance before something within you dies."

The music from the club slowly died down to nothing, and as the lights dimmed, the entire crowd grew silent. Shiv's performance was about to start, which meant Keeve had little time to make a decision. He knew there was truth in what Kallia had said - he would die without his Maeren, one way or another.

His eyes shifted to the closed curtains of their alcove, then back to Kallia's warm, loving gaze. She would be his either way, so there was nothing to lose by seeing Shiv again, even if it was the last time. "I'm glad you're so insightful, Kal. That's something Dargus couldn't give me, no matter how good Tia Am is." He cradled her face with his hands and kissed her brow, then he stepped past her and parted the curtains. Those hanging over the stage were just beginning to spread, and Keeve found himself gripping the edge of the balcony in nervous anticipation.

Kallia stepped back slightly, letting Keeve have this time "alone." She kept her senses on him, ready to administer to his needs if it came to that. She would be here if he needed her, but for now, he needed this time to focus on Maeren.

The curtains finished their ascent, sliding across the stage and then up into the dark nothingness out of the wash of stagelights. A single form was in the center of the stage, though diminutive in the vastness, she seemed to dominate the area, to command every eye to focus on her movements.

The costume she wore, what little of it there was, seemed to be composed only of fabrics and gemstones that reflected light, sending showers of sparkles throughout the entire hushed room. She started moving slowly, the reflected and refracted light mimicking her movements all around the room. A low note sounded from the orchestra and was quickly joined by others. Maeren Shivral's movements were graceful and precise, perfectly timed with the building music.

As the tempo of the music picked up, so did Maeren's dancing. The steps were complex, but ever so graceful. The crowd was held in rapt silence, unable to do anything but watch. As the pace picked up even more, it was as if pure light itself were dancing on the stage, pure light given human form.

Keeve wondered, then, who she was dancing for, that exquisite nymph who so tightly held his heart, yet who caused him so much inner turmoil. All the men in the crowd were no doubt in love with her, and she would give herself to them all if she had the chance. Did she even want him? Despite the radiance of her outfit, it was clear in the sorrowful expression that marred her gentle features that her soul was too tortured to even think about those in the audience, those who would love her as she deserved to be loved. Even in her hauntingly beautiful body movements there was a sadness. Keeve wondered if he'd caused it; he hoped he had, for it would mean she truly did love him and pine for him, that her heart truly was his, or at least part of it.

He found his legs growing weak the longer he watched, until he found himself sagging into the chair behind him. Mesmerized by her grace and the glow she radiated even in her grief, Keeve could only continue to watch.

The dance seemed to go on and on, flowing from one movement to the next. It seemed to last hours or days, perhaps the time was infinite. But then finally the music came to an end with Maeren returned to where she had started the dance, still shining like a sun, lighting the darkest days.

Keeve was breathless with excitement and would have flown from his seat, down the stairs, and taken Shiv into his arms if he hadn't been rendered motionless by her enchanting performance. It convinced him, then, that he loved her passionately and would not survive without her. Yet still, he couldn't go to her.

---

"Happiness, Part 2"
By: Keeve Kandran [NPC+]
Kallia Brael
Maeren Shivral
Moril Astren [NPC+]
Lerrah Breijal [NPC+]

Location: The Palace of Stars - Yesdol, New Plouton
Date: Eos 13, 4ABY

***

Around the auditorium, the crowd was going crazy. Cheers and applause were nearly deafening. On the stage, Maeren couldn't wipe the smile away as she continued to bow and curtsey to their enthusiastic praise. However, as she continued to soak in their adulation, she was distracted. It appeared that she was busily looking around the audience, searching.

Keeve, as mesmerized as he was, noticed Shiv's gaze glossing over the audience, seeking out whoever it was she sought. Keeve's eyes joined Shiv's in the hunt, and he soon found who he presumed she was looking for. His lip curled into a sneer as Zale Tregat's right-hand man rose to his feet and cheered for Shiv. How quickly you've forgotten me, my love... With a growl, Keeve sprang to his feet and stormed over towards the balcony exit. He stopped on the way to pick up the end of Kallia's leash resting at her feet upon the ground, then he tugged her forward. "Come on," he snapped. "We're leaving. We never should've fucking come!"

Kallia's hand snapped out and grabbed the leash, Force-aided strength easily overcoming Keeve's grip. She tugged once, pulling him back toward her. "She's still looking," Kallia rasped. "Step out to where she can see you, my love. Let her find the one she seeks."

"She may not have found him yet, but she will eventually," Keeve grumbled. He let go of Kallia's leash and stepped back. "Even if she is looking for me, she still associates with them, loves them. I don't want to be just another one of her lovers. I won't!" He slapped the curtain aside and tramped out of the balcony.

Kallia stormed after Keeve, any hint of the submissive nature she'd been exhibiting around him gone. "You will think of absolutely any reason to sabotage this won't you," she called after him. "If it wasn't him or them, you'd find a different reason, wouldn't you? Are you afraid of possibly finding some hint of happiness? What the hell is wrong with you, Keeve? At least give it a chance! She was looking for you! She was trying to find you!"

Keeve stopped in the middle of staircase and whirled around to face Kallia. "Trying to find me for what!" he hollered back. "One night of sex after which she runs off with that long-haired freak or her lesbian girlfriend? How could that possibly bring me happiness! Did it bring you joy when Yelara--" Keeve bit back the rest of his statement. He was angry and in a stubborn mood, but it didn't mean he would ruin everything with Kallia by letting the truth slip out. "Just leave it, Kal. If she really wanted to seek me out, she'd find me. Now hurry up. We have to leave." He turned and started down the stairs again.

"She found you once on the ship through those recordings," she called as she followed after him. "She found you at the pod races. She was hoping to find you here. How many times do you want her to find you before the truth sinks in through that thick, ignorant skull of yours!"

"I know she loves me!" he hollered. "And I love her. But she also loves half of fucking New Plouton! She doesn't need me." He waved off Kallia as he stepped onto the landing and was halted by the usher before he could start for the door. Keeve wasn't in the mood to listen to the man's blubbering, but in his delay, Keeve glanced up towards the stage where the curtains were beginning to close over Shiv. He watched the dejection dim her brilliance as she failed to find who she searched for: him. Though, she'd have Moril to console her. "Get out of my way," he rasped and pushed past the usher.

"Have some patience, sir," the man said. "There's a lot of traffic here, and you'll have to wait your turn."

As Kallia stormed into the lobby behind Keeve, she too noticed Maeren on the stage and she saw something Keeve had not: Maeren was looking out in their direction, recognition showing in her face.

Shouts sounded from somewhere in the crowd, and it was obvious someone was trying to push their way through. A moment later, Moril's angry, scarred face was directly next to Kallia's. He glared at her for a moment, before turning his attention solely on Keeve. "You bastard," he growled. "I owe you!"

Keeve laughed derisively at the pathetic creature. "Don't worry about it," he bellowed in a voice rich with sarcasm. "I enjoyed beating you! There's no need for repayment. In fact, I'd do again." He smirked and with a dismissive gesture, turned his back on Moril to search for a break in the crowd.

"No, no," Moril snarled. "I always repay my debts." He grabbed Keeve's shoulder and spun him around. With his other hand, he cocked back a fist, ready to send it crashing into Keeve's face.

"Moril! Stop!" Shiv burst through the crowd and stood staring at the two men. "Stop." She studied Keeve for a moment, a mix of wonder and joy in her eyes. "You made it," she added in a whisper.

"That's right," he said. "And I was just leaving." With Moril momentarily halted by Shiv, Keeve took it as his opportunity to jam his fist into the man's stomach, then send another blow to his jaw. As Moril staggered away, Keeve adjusted his jacket and muttered, "Debt repaid."

Shiv surged forward, and before Keeve could respond, cracked her fist across his jaw twice. She then pushed him back as hard as she could, sending him reeling into a nearby pillar. She was in front of him again in a heartbeat, pressing him back against the stonework. She pressed her lips to his, kissing him greedily. "You are not leaving yet," she said once she pulled away. "Not until I'm done with you. You are not leaving me again. And, you're not pushing me away