Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Niothe 13, 4ABY

***

It was quite late when both speeders finally arrived back at the Temple. Getting into New Plouton again after leaving Thanatos had proven more difficult than either Jae Dyn or Liam had anticipated. But, after waiting for an hour in a long line, a few mind tricks got them through and back into the city.

Nieme had awoken three times, one time nearly taking Laedra's head off with a flailing punch. Fortunately, it hadn't happened while they were waiting to get into the city.

Liam helped Laedra with getting Nieme out of the speeder. Even in sleep, the girl was fighting against them. They would have to watch her the entire night, that was for certain.

"We should restrain her in one of the rooms," Liam said. "She's most likely not going to just lie still through the night, and we don't want to keep putting her under like that." He brushed a hand across Laedra's jaw and winced. "She got you good, didn't she?"

"She is much stronger than she appears to be," Laedra replied. "Or perhaps the pain of withdrawal has imbued her with strength. Either way, I think restraining her is a wise course of action...for her own safety."

Liam nodded. He took the girl into his arms once she was free of the speeder. It appeared that Kael had Dani in his near the other speeder. He could feel Orn watching him as he started toward the entrance of the Temple. "I'll put her in one of the rooms near your room," he said to Laedra. "And, we'll need to get a room for Orn as well."

"I will find one for him and help him get comfortable." Laedra brushed her hand against Nieme's cheek and sighed. "You just get her to bed. I'll come by to see her after I've gathered some medical supplies from the infirmary for her."

Liam nodded. "Put Dani next to him," he said. "And, once Nieme recovers, we can put her there as well. Take a look at Dani when you get a chance. If she needs additional treatment, we can put her in a room next to Nieme. Though, she is empathic, so we may need to revise that plan depending on what happens when Nieme wakes."

"Judging from her reaction in the speeder, I doubt that would be a good idea just yet." As they passed Jae Dyn's speeder, Laedra stopped by Kael's side and placed a hand on his shoulder. She told him quietly to place Dani in one of the spare rooms near the infirmary and that she'd meet him there momentarily.

Kael looked at Laedra, masking the pain he was feeling as he did. He nodded after a moment, and started into the Temple with Dani, taking extra care to keep her safe and uninjured.

"It's a complete turnaround," Liam said. "Before, he couldn't even look at her without flying into a jealous rage. But now... I think he's come a long way in a very short time."

"It is unfortunate that it required such a tragedy to encourage such a change." Laedra pressed her hand to Nieme's forehead then smiled solemnly to Liam. "I will join you soon, Liam. If you need any blankets, you may take them from my room for now." Furtively, she moved her hand to Liam's and stroked it lightly before separating from him and joining Orn and Jae Dyn.

Orn agreed, grudgingly, to follow her to his new quarters after a few short words. His eyes strayed to his two girls, by whose side Laedra knew he'd rather be. "I'll take you to them after we've had a chance to get them settled in."

Orn nodded and with heavy, disheartened steps, walked with Laedra into the Temple.

"How's she doing?" Jae Dyn asked once Orn and Laedra were gone. She moved close and brushed a hand over Nieme's forehead. "Poor girl."

"Not good," Liam said. "I don't know if we can give her the kind of care she'll need here. Though, we'll have to try."

Jae Dyn nodded. "Dani was coherent enough for a while to tell us some of the things they went through. I'm surprised they survived, Liam. And, that spice that Nieme is addicted to...it's very bad. Dani'd used it before, and she knows others who had become addicted. She's scared for Nieme, as I'm sure we all are. I'll try to get onto the HoloNet to find some detox information."

Liam looked down at Nieme and sighed. "She'll need it. I hate having to do it, but we'll need to strap her down. She whacked Laedra good at one point, and I'm sure if she's left to herself, she would do some serious harm. Come on, let's go get her into a room." He kissed the top of Jae Dyn's head. "And, then we can let Yelara know we're home."

Jae Dyn smiled and brushed a hand along his arm. "I'm sure she'll like us to wake her up."

Together they went inside to secure Nieme, and then to find Yelara. Liam also found himself needing to see his son, to make sure Leshie was still there. "It's going to be a long road to recovery," he said as they walked through the hall.

***

"This will be your room, Mr. Gham." Laedra pushed open the wooden door to the musty bedchambers and frowned. "Not much, I know, but once we've got Dani and Nieme settled in and safe, I can help you spruce it up if you like."

Orn stepped into the room and looked around briefly. "This'll do, lady. I've slept in far worse places."

Laedra bowed her head at Orn. "Very well. If you need anything--"

"When can I see them?" Orn turned back towards Laedra and regarded her with a plaintive smile. "I mean...they're my girls. I won't be long; I just...I gotta see them."

"I understand, Mr. Gham. I believe you can visit with Dani for a short while...but I don't think Nieme should have any visitors just yet."

Orn nodded slowly. "Dani, then. I...I don't think Nieme would wanna see me just yet anyway." He looked away from Laedra and tried to shift his focus to the cobwebs hanging across the top corner of the far wall. All he could think about, though, was what the Feltreys had forced him to do to his precious girl. "Damn those bastards," he cursed quietly.

Laedra moved forward and rested her hand gently upon his shoulder. "You mustn't blame yourself, Mr. Gham. You were no doubt forced into whatever actions you took. I don't exactly know what those were, but whatever your actions, Nieme will forgive you."

Orn cleared his throat and nodded his head quickly. "Yeah... It's the forgiving myself part that's gonna be hard, and if those girls don't forgive me, I'll never be able to do that."

"Well, then," Laedra said gently, "why don't we go visit Dani and find out?"

With a heavy sigh, Orn turned towards Laedra. "You know, you Jedi aren't so bad," he commented as she led him out of his chambers.

"No, indeed we are not," she replied with a warm smile. She squeezed his shoulder lightly and walked with him in search of Dani's room.

***

Kael's lips pressed against her forehead felt nice. Dani smiled and brushed a hand along his arm. She could feel his concern, his strength. "Thank you," she whispered.

"Just get better," he said back to her. "Just get better so you can help me take care of Nieme."

Dani sighed, and then nodded. "It was awful, and bliss. I'm going to need to shower soon."

Kael frowned. "Bliss?"

"I'm empathic," Dani said. "And, the girl there, Raeila, she enjoyed causing the pain. And...and I could feel it. Her euphoria, and delight. I could feel her bliss as if it were my own, even as she beat me."

"You've never...never been that way have you?"

Dani shrugged. "Not so intense, but I have had a little experience. Sometimes, getting tied up is really nice. I liked what happened there, with her, because she liked it. But, only what she did to me. When she hurt Nieme...then...then I didn't like it anymore."

Kael nodded and moved back to her side. "We'll get through this, Dani," he said. "You're back where you're loved, both of you. Truly this time."

Dani tilted her head to the side, trying to read him. "Do you mean that?"

He nodded. "I want to," he said. "I know I can't...not while I'm training...but I do care for you very much, and I love Nieme. And, I want to make things right again."

"Thank you," Dani said, feeling the truth of his words.

Without warning, he kissed her lips.

She gave herself over to the kiss, and wrapped one arm around his neck. When their lips finally parted, she smiled. "Thank you for being a friend."

Kael returned the smile. "Thank you for allowing me to be a friend...after everything."

"I've never wanted anything else," Dani said, kissed him once more, and then lay back on the bed where he'd placed her.

The infirmary walls were familiar from a very different encounter with Kael. She liked this encounter much better.

Without another word, he moved to the door, pausing there long enough to watch her for a few moments. Then he left. Once he was gone, Dani felt her body sag even further into the bed.

She was just drifting off to sleep when a set of unfamiliar emotions entered the room. She opened her eyes, and offered the woman standing above her a weak smile. "Hi," she whispered.

"Dani... You're looking better already." Laedra sat upon the side of the bed and pressed the back of her hand to Dani's forehead. "Orn's here. He couldn't wait to see you. Is it alright if he comes in?"

Dani smiled. "Yes, please," she said. "I want to see him." She looked at Laedra for a moment, and then brought her hand up to touch Laedra's. "Thank you for saving us. I'm Dani."

"Yes, Dani. I know. Liam has told me all about you." Laedra rose slowly with her hand resting upon Dani's forehead for a moment longer to check for any signs of fever. Satisfied that the girl was healthy enough, she withdrew her hand and disappeared from Dani's bedside. A few moments later, she returned with a very hesitant and anxious Orn by her side.

"Kiddo?" He stopped a good distance from the bed, almost fearful of going any closer. "How you doing? You're...you're looking better already."

Dani forced herself to sit up, pulling the borrowed cloak tighter around herself as she did. "Orn," she said with a smile. "It's so wonderful to see you again. I remember seeing you at...at there, and it was like a dream. I'm feeling better. I've always healed fast. Seeing you makes me very happy, Orn." She gave him a smile.

"It does?" he asked skeptically. He hazarded another step forward and trepidly reached out his hand to cup Dani's chin. "I missed you, kiddo. I'm sorry I couldn't have come for you sooner..." Once again, the emotions he had always worked so hard to conceal from everyone began leaking through. He cleared his throat and pulled his hand back, jamming both into his pockets. "I just... I wasn't sure if you wanted to see me after...you know. I mean, it's okay if you don't. I'll understand."

"Of course I want to see you," Dani said, looking up into his eyes. "What happened...it doesn't matter, Orn. They forced you to do that, and...I don't think any less of you for it." She reached out and brushed a hand against his arm. "It's alright; I promise."

The first hurdle was conquered, and this alone allowed Orn to sigh with relief. Dani forgave him; that's precisely what he needed to hear. He finally closed the distance between himself and the bed, and affectionately pinched Dani's cheek. "So...did they tell you? Looks like this place is gonna have another cook around...just until Nieme gets better and kicks me outta her kitchen."

"You're staying here with us now? Oh, Orn, that's wonderful. It will be nice to have you here with us." She caught his hand and held it for a moment, before bringing it to her lips. "I'm so glad you're safe, Orn. I thought...I thought they might have gone back for you. I imagine they probably ruined my speederbike."

Orn covered Dani's hand with his and shook his head. "Sorry, kiddo. But you shouldn't be riding one of those anyway. Can't have you getting injured." He chuckled and finally became comfortable enough to take a seat upon the edge of her bed. "If you're hungry now, I can go fix you up something. Anything you want, Dani."

"That would be very nice," she said. "I am hungry. I don't know what I want though, so you'll have to make me your specialty. And, then when you're done, you can come back and we can talk. Kael was saying that my room will be next to yours."

"Yeah, so if you ever have a craving for anything, you just knock on the wall, and I'll be by your bedside in a second with padd in hand, ready to take your order." Orn laughed and patted Dani's cheek softly. "It's good to see you smiling, kiddo. You don't know how happy that makes me."

Dani grinned, and nodded. "I do know how happy," she said. "And, it feels good." She then crooked a finger to gesture him closer.

Orn frowned quizzically, but awkwardly leaned in towards Dani.

Once he was close enough, Dani planted a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you very much for being a friend, and for caring so much," she whispered.

Orn straightened up suddenly, with a nervous chuckle and his face blushing profusely. Laedra too was laughing gently from behind at Dani's affectionate display.

Once he recovered from his initial surprise, Orn laughed more freely and patted Dani's cheek again. "You get some rest, kiddo. I'll go fix you up a surprise and bring it to you." He rose from the bed and kept his hand upon her cheek for a moment as he whispered back, "And thank you for having such a beautiful smile, kiddo." Orn shot her a wink, then rejoined Laedra.

"I will show Orn to the kitchen," Laedra said. "Is there anything you need before I go?"

Dani smiled. "Who are you?" she asked.

Laedra's lips pressed thin and her brows knitted pensively for a moment before she laughed softly and replied, "I am Laedra Vorrel. Along with Liam, I train Kael. Now...anything else you need besides that?"

Dani shook her head. "I don't think so," she said. "I think I'll close my eyes now and wait for Orn to bring me back some food. Though, if I could borrow some clothes, all I have is Jae Dyn Brael's cloak."

"I'll find out where your room is located and get you something appropriate. When I return, I would also like to perform a physical examination, just to make certain you're truly alright." Laedra looked to Orn and nodded before she turned and started out of the infirmary.

"See ya soon, kiddo," Orn said as he waved to Dani.

Dani waved to Orn. "Thank you, Orn. I'll see you when you return."

Orn caught up to Laedra and disappeared into the hallway with one last smile at Dani. He had her assurances that there were no bitter feelings towards him. At least that was one weight lifted from him. The other would remain there until he could receive the same assurances from Nieme.

***

"Oh gods! It hurts!" Nieme thrashed about in the bed, tugging violently at the restraints clasped to her arms and legs. Her screams were guttural and tinged with torment. An unbearable pain was excoriating her insides and Nieme desperately needed the one thing she knew would cure her of this agony. "Oh gods... It's killing me! I need it! Make it stop!"

Liam moved quickly to Nieme's side. He could sense Kael behind him, hesitant and not wanting to come too close. "Let me ease the pain," he said. "I need to touch your forehead to ease your pain, but I can do it. Let me help you, Nieme. Let me help you get through this." He didn't know if his words could breach her mental fog, but he had to try.

Nieme emitted a grating, shrill cry and shook her head wildly. "I need them, not you! Master Ferrig! Please, help me! It's time to bake a pie...and I'm out of beebleberries!" She cried out again and arched her back off the bed. Her arms pulled at the restraints until they were taut against the bedpost, but not even her withdrawal induced bout of strength could tear them free.

"We're out of beebleberries too," Liam said as he reached in anyway. He pressed a hand to her forehead. "We'll have to find another way." And, then he released flows of the Force into her.

Nieme's mouth hung open in mid-cry, one that became a gentle moan as her body went lax against the bed. Her arms still struggled uselessly against the restraints, but her strength had suddenly diminished. She muttered quietly and finally fell silent as the pain subsided, and the Force soothed her.

"Nieme," he said gently. "You're at the Jedi Temple again. You're safe with people who care about you."

"No," she mumbled. Her breathing came rapidly and her eyes fluttered open and closed as her mind's renderings gripped her. "You're...you're not allowed here... Kael's coming back soon... He won't like it if he sees a stranger here. Go away...before he comes. Go away..."

"Nieme," came Kael's voice. "I'm here, Nieme. It's alright. Everything is alright now."

A long, droning groan escaped Nieme's lips as she shrank away from Kael. "It's a trick," she whispered fearfully. "I didn't see you... You never came out of the darkness. You're not...not him. Don't lie to me!" Nieme sobbed with her head lolling against the pillow. "I would've seen you if you'd come out. I was watching...and waiting...but you n-never came for your slice of pie..."

"But I'm here now," Kael said as he stepped forward. "I'm here now, Nieme. I'm with you now, my love."

Nieme glared at Kael and shook her head profusely. "No...you're not. You left me...and went back to the dark...all because Ferrig and I were having a beebleberry party." Shrewd, jarring laughter suddenly rose from Nieme's throat. "You can't fool me! I know what you are. You're just trying to steal my beebleberries. You can't have them! I won't let you."

"Nieme, it's me," Kael said softly, reaching out to touch her. "Ferrig was trying to use you, to hurt me. He wanted to steal you from me, and then show me how well he trained you. He gave you the-- He gave you the beebleberries to make you cooperate."

Nieme pulled away from Kael. "No...he gave them to me so I could bake Kael a pie...so that he would come back to me. But...he never did. Why didn't he come back..." She whimpered softly and turned her face into her shoulder to weep. "Ferrig said... He said it was because I wasn't a good lover. Kael left because...I didn't show him I loved him, not the right way. If he'd only come from the darkness, I could show him now."

"Nieme," Kael said, withdrawing his hand, "the love we made was beautiful. I was the problem, not you. It was my fault we had problems. But, things are better now. I'm focused. You can come back to me, and everything can be good again. You are a beautiful lover."

"Then why did he hurt me so much?" Nieme whimpered and shook her head listlessly. "No... I wasn't good enough. But I am now... I'll show him... But you have to go away now or he'll never come out. He'll be shy...and you'll scare him away."

"Touch me, Nieme," Kael said softly. "Feel that it's me. Please know that it's me, Nieme. Please know that I'm here with you. I love you, Nieme. Please...it's...it's me."

Nieme gritted her teeth and shook her head more aggressively. "You're trying to trap me. If he sees me with you, he'll run away again. I won't have him leave me again! Go. Go!" She followed her demands with a deafening, shrill cry. She hoped Kael would hear her and come out from the darkness, but he wouldn't if the stranger didn't leave her alone.

Kael straightened his back and stepped away from Nieme. He looked to Liam, and then sighed. "Please help her," he said. "Please..."

Liam nodded. "I'll do what I can for her," he said. "Go get some rest, Kael. I'll see you in the morning."

Kael gave Liam a short bow, and then left the room. Nieme had to get better...he didn't know if he could continue if she didn't.

Once Kael was gone, Liam moved back and helped calm Nieme again. "It's alright," he said. "Get some sleep, Nieme, and Kael will come to you again."

"He will..." she said with a sigh. "And when he does, I'll bake him a pie. With beebleberries... Oh, I know he'll like that."

"I'm sure he will," Liam said as he brushed the hair out of her eyes. "Laedra will be in soon to check on you. She's going to make sure you're okay, and that you don't have to have beebleberries all the time, if you don't want them. You could have sazaberries or mifitberries too."

Nieme frowned, but nodded her head at any rate. "As long as they taste like beebleberries. If not...I think I won't like them."

"Liam..." Laedra called out gently from the doorway.

He stepped away from Nieme. "She's a little calmer now," he said. "How's Dani?"

"She's faring well, considering. Mr. Gham is preparing her a meal and I stopped by to see how Nieme was doing, but from what I saw and heard, it does not look good."

Liam shook his head. "She's delusional," he said. "And, I don't know if she's even participating in this reality any longer. She's aware of our presence, but not aware that it's us. She didn't even recognize Kael, but was asking for Kael."

Laedra looked down and sighed. "It may not be the withdrawal alone. She may have been far more traumatized by the experience than Dani. It is common for victims of horrible crimes to escape the reality of their situation by creating in their minds a place of safety and comfort. It may take more than words to coax her from that place."

Liam nodded. "That must be the waterfall she's mentioned," he said. "Do you think you could coax her from it?"

"I'm not sure, Liam. It would have to be someone she trusts, and I doubt that person is me. Since she is sensitive to the Force, I believe we can use it to draw her out of her psychosis. But still, it would have to be done by someone she trusts...and someone very well trained, for there are certain risks involved in such an attempt."

"Before...before I was drawn to the dark side, Master Tal Dan was teaching me that sort of thing, but it was never completed. It would probably not be too far off to assume that Jae Dyn was trained in the sort of telepathic contact we'll need to coax Nieme out to us."

Laedra nodded slowly. "I will speak to her, and assess her abilities in that area. Otherwise, until I've more thoroughly examined the girl, I see no other options."

Liam nodded. "Good idea," he said. "I think Nieme should be alright tonight. Did you want to examine her now? Or should we let her get some sleep?"

"She seems calm now. Let's leave her and examine her in the morning. She deserves at least one night of undisturbed sleep." Laedra cast a glance upon Nieme, but the sight of her - the signs of pain and struggle upon her face - was too disheartening. She sighed and moved into the hallway to give herself a chance to recover and recompose herself.

Liam moved close to Nieme again, and eased her pain once more. "Good night, Nieme," he whispered. "We'll make everything better again."

He removed himself from the room, and found Laedra leaning against one of the walls in the hallway. "Shall we go to your room and I can check your back? And, probably your jaw as well. Then, I think it'll be a good idea to get some sleep."

Laedra grinned at Liam and for but a moment, hesitated before nodding her assent. "We can stop by the infirmary on our way there to pick up some medical supplies...if you think you'll require any."

Liam smiled and placed a gentle caress on her shoulder. "I think it's a good idea to get some just in case," he said. "I'd also like to check on Dani while we're there."

"I believe she is much better suited for visitors than Nieme is right now. I'll take you to her." Laedra brushed her hand against Liam's, then feeling the need to be more discreet, she pulled away with a coy smile and started down the corridor.

"Tease," Liam said with a grin as he followed after her. "After this, we'll need to talk to Kael as well. He did very well during these events, but I think they're also affecting him. We'll need to make sure it's alright for him to feel."

"He and Dani appear to be finding solace in one another. I'm certain they can get through this together. Yet still, he should resume training first thing tomorrow morning. Something that requires much focus and will give him no time to think about Nieme."

Liam nodded. "We'll leave him enough time for his thoughts, after a long day of working out so he's too exhausted for much else. But, not worrying about Nieme while she works through purging the addiction and returning to her life outside her sanctuary is important."

"I agree. As he has said, he is going to become a Jedi Knight. I would like him to concentrate on that, no matter how much he loves the girl."

"He needs to concentrate on that," Liam said. "Especially now. His mind will try to focus on Nieme, so we'll have to give him something else to focus on. I think we should work with him on the lightsaber tomorrow."

"You should work with him on the lightsaber, Liam. I hardly fared well tonight. I do have that wound on my back, after all." Laedra laughed softly. "I believe you could have handled them all on your own, Liam...and you more or less did."

Liam chuckled softly. "You were doing well, until you got one stuck behind you. And, thank you. Perhaps I can give both you and Kael some assistance with the lightsaber during training."

Laedra glared playfully at Liam and moved forward at a brisker pace. "And how would that look to a student if his Master needs training? I imagine that would do little to instill in him a faith in my abilities."

"If you feel that your lightsaber skills need honing, then during training is the best place to take care of that. However, I can give you private lessons in working with the lightsaber, if you'd prefer. Though, I think your main problems lie in the realm of confidence. You are good, Laedra, and your fears are groundless."

"I guess I merely need to build my confidence. I haven't been in battle before, Liam. That...was all new to me." Laedra turned the corner with Liam and slowly, they approached the infirmary. "However, I would prefer if we never had to go through that again."

Liam nodded. "To never be in another fight like that again would be a very good thing. Let us hope, though reality may prove entirely different. We will be ready to fight should it ever be necessary though. And, I will make certain you are ready." He smiled. "I will make it my personal duty."

"And I shall make it mine to prove to you that I am far more experienced with a lightsaber than a mere Padawan." Laedra smiled facetiously at Liam as they walked into the infirmary.

Liam laughed. "I look forward to seeing that," he said. "And, I know you won't let me down."

Dani looked up from where she was reading from a datapad, and noticed Liam and Laedra walking into the room. Their emotions hit her full on, and she couldn't help noting... She smiled at them, a very knowing smile filled with understanding. "Hi Liam," she said. "Hi, Laedra."

"Unfulfilled, Part 2"
By: Jae Dyn Brael
Kael Selrid
Laedra Vorrel
Liam Zaneth
Yelara Zaneth
Leshie Zaneth [NPC]

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Niothe 13, 4ABY

***

Yelara realized her hold on Leshie had tightened as Jae Dyn related to her the entire story of Dani and Nieme's rescue. She was all at once glad they were hidden away in the forest, apart from such cruelty and depravity. Protecting Leshie from that was now her new purpose in life. "So, the girls are relatively fine...physically? Oh gods...Kal. Those poor girls."

Kallia nodded. "Dani is doing well," she said. "I'm not so certain about Nieme though. It seems that she's retreated inside of her own mind to escape the horrors. They both look physically unharmed, though Nieme is addicted to whatever spice that bastard was giving her. Dani has some of it in her system, but not as much as Nieme. I wish we could go back down there and just scour the desert of the Feltreys."

"Oh my love..." Yelara reached out her hand and covered Kallia's. "For now, we should concentrate on making those girls better. Revenge can wait."

"I know," Kallia said. "That's what's important. And, I think we scared that gang enough that they're going to be lying low for awhile. Maybe once Nieme and Dani are doing better, me, Liam, and Laedra can go back and see what we can do. Though, I think the best thing will be showing whatever passes as law enforcement down there its spine."

Yelara sighed and kissed Leshie's head tenderly. "How's Kael doing? I guess this has been hard on him, especially having to see Nieme like that."

"He's holding together," Kallia said, "but it's difficult for him. What's nice to see is that he and Dani seem to have grown closer over the last couple hours. I think she'll be able to be a friend to him during this. It would be very difficult for him if he didn't have a friend through this time, especially since Nieme doesn't even really seem to recognize him."

Yelara grimaced and sighed ruefully. "Poor kid..." Leshie began fussing and rejecting Yelara's nipple. She pulled him up and hugged him against her chest to begin rubbing his back. "Feeding time's over. Have you visited with Yara yet? She was very good while you were gone. I wish Leshie was as well behaved."

Kallia smiled and placed a gentle kiss on top of Leshie's red-haired head. "I stopped in to check on her when I got back, but she was asleep so I came to find you. However, I suddenly have this urge to go check in on her. I'm sure she misses mama. You coming?"

"Let me finish burping Leshie first and I'll meet you there, my love."

"Okay," Kallia said, and then kissed both Yelara and then Leshie. "I'll see you soon." With that, she started off toward what had become the nursery, leaving Yelara alone with Leshie.

It was only a few moments later, when the sound of booted feet echoed through the dining hall, and then Kael appeared in the doorway. He quickly averted his eyes at what he thought was Yelara breastfeeding the baby, but quickly turned back at the sound of her laugh.

"Sorry," he said. "I just...I guess I didn't want to intrude. I can come back later."

"No... Kael, come in." Yelara laid Leshie in his carrier and began rebuttoning her vest. "Have a seat here beside me. I need some company."

He moved to the place she indicated and took a seat. "I think I do too," he said. "It's...I can't believe they'd do something like that... When I was running the gang..." He shook his head and sighed. "I hope...I hope we got them in time. Dani seems alright, but Nieme...oh gods...Nieme..."

"Kael..." Yelara didn't care how inappropriate it would look if Liam happened into the room, she pulled Kael into her arms and rocked him gently. "Give it time, Kael. She's been through a lot and it's only been a matter of hours. I can't say she'll be alright, because I don't know that. What I do know is that we won't give up on her, no matter what."

"Thank you," Kael whispered. "She doesn't even know me, Yelara. She's...she needs us. I just hope we can..." He took a breath and let it out. "She'll be fine. She's strong, and...and she won't give up. And, neither will we. We'll get to her and everything will be fine again."

"And what about you?" Yelara pulled back and brought her hand to Kael's cheek. "Are you alright, Kael? Nieme needs you to be strong, even if she doesn't recognize you right now. Just having you there by her side and having your strength will help her more than you know."

Kael nodded. "It's difficult, but I've been holding things together better before now. Though, I guess I haven't really talked about it. I'm being strong for her...I just have to remember not to be desperate when I talk to her, to try to force her to remember me. I know I'm going to be a Jedi, and I'm putting all that behind me for now, but I still love her with all my heart."

"Then that alone will be enough to pull her out of this, Kael." Yelara leaned forward and placed a kiss upon his forehead. "I'm here for you. If you ever need to talk, or need someone to make you laugh or to lend you a shoulder to cry on, I've got nothing much to do around here, so come to me for anything at all. We can take a walk sometime...but only to talk, of course," she said with a grin and a wink.

"Only to talk," he said with a laugh. "I've also got Dani to talk with too. I was stupid before, and I want to be a good friend to her now. And, I want to be your friend, since...since there aren't many people around here for you to be friends with. Though, I'm sure Dani would love to be your friend too. She's such a warm and caring person... And, I was so rude and heartless... And, I drove Nieme to her." He laughed and shook his head. "I'm glad to have you as a friend, Yelara. I can talk to you like I can't with the others. It's nice."

"We're similar in that respect. I've told you things I don't even think Liam knows, but by telling you, I can get it off my chest, yet it can still remain my own secret." She smiled softly and pressed her forehead to Kael's. "I think, as friends go, you're the best I've ever had, Kael. And I wanna be that for you. I think Dani does too...so it's a good thing you're no longer fighting her."

Kael nodded, and then laughed. "And, I think I may even be able to be friends with Orn," he said. "He...he was like a father to Nieme, and I know she loves him very much, and him her. I hope I can be his friend." He leaned back enough to kiss her forehead. "Thank you for being here, for being a friend. And, I'll always be your friend, Yelara. And, Leshie's if he needs one."

"I think Yara will fight for that honour. I think in all that unintelligible gurgling they do, Leshie's already proposed to her." Yelara laughed, and was uplifted to see Kael laughing too. "Come on," she said as she rose from her seat. "If you're not doing anything, you can help me tuck him in."

"I'd be honoured to," he said, and then got to his own feet. "He's a cute baby, just like his parents. Yara's a lucky girl. I imagine they'll both be trained as Jedi when they get old enough."

"I imagine so," Yelara said indifferently. She grinned however and added, with mischievous glee, "Though, I do think they'll be trouble. I feel sorry for whoever takes them on as Padawans."

Kael laughed. "I'm sure that they'll be fine Jedi Knights, even if they are the terrors of the Temple," he said. "What do you think of...of this life?"

Yelara hefted the carrier into her arms and stared pensively into her child's face. With a short laugh, she shrugged. "Better than the one I was living before. What about you? I mean...if you'd never met Nieme, do you think you would have always been a ganger?"

"I wouldn't have known anything else existed," Kael said. "But, I'm happy with where I am now. It's better, and I'm with better people. And, my life is no longer centred around violence and destruction. It's a better life here, with the chance to make a difference in things."

"Like bringing peace to the desert?" Yelara asked as they strolled out of the dining hall. "I know you were telling about how you wanted to free the desert of the violence. Do you think, being a Jedi, you'll be able to accomplish that?"

Kael nodded. "Yes," he said. "As a Jedi, I'll make a better leader, and I'll be able to guide the people of the desert toward peace. At least, I hope so. With the gangs, it's hard to say though."

"I have faith in you, Kael," Yelara said. "You're the kind of person who gets what he wants, if he wants it badly enough. Just like Nieme will come back to you if you fight for her hard enough."

Kael nodded, but said nothing. He knew he couldn't fight for Nieme, not while he was still striving to become a Jedi Knight. He had to focus on his training. Though, he would be able to be Nieme's friend. He wanted her in his life again. He wanted to see her smile at him at least once more. He felt the beginning tremors of anguish creeping through him, and no amount of mental tricks would keep them away. He blinked away the tears in his eyes, and tried to steel himself against the emotions to no avail.

"Oh, Kael... I'm sorry." Yelara wanted to wrap her arms around him again, but the carrier prevented her from doing so. She looked around for somewhere to put it down for a moment, and seeing as there were no recesses in the walls or tables anywhere in sight, she settled for the floor. With her arms now freed, she embraced him and kissed him lightly upon the lips. "Cry all you want. I won't tell anyone."

Unable to hold back anymore, Kael collapsed into Yelara's arms and let the tears come. All of his strength, and he couldn't keep this back. "It's all my fault," he sobbed. "All of it, what happened to Nieme and Dani, it was because of me. Oh gods... What have I done? How could I--?" The rest of what he was saying was unintelligible, lost in the sobs he could not stop.

"You did nothing, Kael," Yelara assured him. "What happened to them was the fault of those gangers, Kael." Supporting his weight was becoming too much, so instead of standing, Yelara carefully eased both of them onto the ground. Leshie cooed and gurgled happily, while Kael wept in Yelara's arms. "Kael... Stop blaming yourself. I did the same when Kallia left. Remember? But she never blamed me. She was just glad to be back in my arms. It'll be the same with Nieme. I promise."

The tears started to slow, and the sobs lessened. Finally Kael nodded. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "It'll be fine again. We'll help Nieme be alright, and then things will be alright again. I got...got tears on your vest. I'm sorry."

"Oh, I've had worse from Leshie, Kael. The tears will dry," Yelara said gently. "They always do." She smiled at Kael as she wiped the tears from his cheeks. "I can hold you for a while longer if you like. I don't mind."

"Can we go somewhere other than the hallway?" he asked with a smile. "Let's go put Leshie back wherever he's supposed to be, and then I'll see if I need some holding."

Yelara laughed softly and nodded her head. She helped Kael to his feet, then pulled Leshie's carrier up into her arms. As they started down the hallway towards her room, Yelara stopped momentarily, and noticing Kael was in dire need of some comforting, she brushed one hand through his hair and kissed him tenderly upon the lips. "Feeling better?" she whispered as their lips parted.

Kael sighed as close to happily as he could, and nodded. "Yes," he said softly. "Feeling better for certain. You're an amazing woman, Yelara. I'm very glad you're here. And, I'm going to do my best to make you feel needed here, both as a friend and with your other skills." He quickly realized how that could be interpreted, and stammered out an addendum: "Technical skills. Like with the sensors. And, things like that. Not those...other skills."

Yelara kissed Kael again, if only to keep him from rambling and inadvertently starting a conversation with Leshie. Once she was satisfied he would no longer be talking nonsensically, she pulled her lips away and smiled at him. "I'd be glad to share those skills with you anytime, Kael. The technical skills, of course, and if you ever need them, my 'calming nervously blabbering young men' skills."

"You're very good at that one," Kael said as he composed himself once more. "I think I'm doing better now, but I think I should stay with you for a little longer, at least until you get Leshie back into his crib. Thank you, Yelara. A guy couldn't ask for a better friend than you are. It means very much to me, especially that we can be friends...after the other things."

"Oh, that?" Yelara laughed as she stepped back to give Kael more room to manoeuvre. "I know what we did was wrong, but it's not something I completely regret." She slipped her arm through his and added with a wistful sigh, "It was fun. But...there'll be no more of that. You need a friend right now and that's what I'll be. And you can stay with me however long you need to, whether it be now or tomorrow or whenever. I need the company while Jae Dyn and Liam are off doing...whatever it is they do all day."

Kael laughed. "Being Jedi Knights," he said. "Trying to find out ways to make the galaxy a better and safer place to live. I think it's a good thing. After...after Thanatos, I know we need to help make things safe for people, to make it so people don't have to be afraid anymore."

"A noble endeavour... Do you think it can be done? I mean, with the crimelords trying to overrun the planet, do you think there are enough of you Jedi to make a difference?"

"Even one makes a difference," Kael said. "And, our numbers are growing. Look how many others are here since I came. We'll be able to make a difference."

"Talking about Jedi... A new guy arrived just this morning," Yelara said with a grin. "The best part is, he's absolutely clueless about what's been happening these past thirty years because he's been frozen in carbonite. One thing is for certain, above all else, we are a peculiar bunch."

Kael laughed. "You mean someone who I'll know more about current galactic politics than? I like the sound of that. Even Aurra knows more about things than me." He shook his head. "We're also supposed to be getting another Jedi...one who lost all his memories or something like that. People are going to laugh at our eclectic band."

"Well...they can laugh all they want," Yelara said as they strolled lazily through the hallway, "because nowhere in the universe will anyone ever find a group of better people who love each other as much as we all do."

Kael smiled and shifted closer to her. He could feel the truth of her words all around him, and as they walked along, he felt more at peace than he ever had in his life. Things would be better. The Force was with all of them.

***

Liam dropped the medical supplies on Laedra's bed and then turned to her. They stared at each other for a moment, and then he laughed. "So, how do we want to do this?"

Laedra looked away bashfully, then turned her back completely to Liam. "I'm not exactly certain where the wound is," she said quietly. Her trembling hands made it difficult to loosen the ties on her tunic, but she managed it after what seemed an uncomfortably long stretch of time in silence. "I-I don't believe it is serious."

Liam reached out a hand and a stool that'd been tucked into one corner slid into the middle of the room. "Sit down there, and lift the back of your shirt," he said. "I'll take a look and see. I'm sure it's not bad."

Laedra carefully sat upon the stool, fearful that in her moment of anxiety, she would miss it entirely and make a fool of herself. She managed to seat herself without incident, then looked over her shoulder to watch Liam's approach. "Are there...any injuries you require me to look at?" Her mind was a swirl of nervous thoughts and inhibitions, all causing a moment of distraction during which she absently shed her tunic completely and hugged it to her bare chest. "It's not bleeding, is it?"

"I'll let you know in a moment," Liam said softly as he focused himself. He touched his hands to her back after warming them in his robes. "No bleeding, either internal or external. It looks like it's slightly inflamed, but I think we have a cream that can help with that." He covered the wound with his hands, and focused a gentle pulse of energy there. "How's that feel?"

Laedra let out a staggering sigh. "It...it feels nice. I mean...the pain is diminishing," she whispered. "You're very good with your hands, Liam. I mean...in healing with them."

Liam could only nod as he brought his other hand up to her back, and gently ran it up her spine. "He got you good," he said. "But, I think you'll be fine. Just a little more of this, I think."

Laedra reacted with an involuntary gasp, but she didn't shrink away from his touch. Her flesh raised into tiny bumps and a chill swept across her body, but it wasn't a reaction to the temperature in the room. Laedra closed her eyes as her head fell gently upon her shoulder and the tunic against her chest slipped from her hands. "It's feeling better...but I think a little more of that as well."

Liam's pounding heart felt like it was going to leap out of his chest. He kept his hands on Laedra's back, touching, caressing, soothing. Finally, after a long, shuddering breath, he pulled his hands away. "Oh wow," he said. "I think I like touching you very much, Laedra. And...and I think it might be a good idea...for me to check where Nieme hit you now."

Laedra nodded her head vigorously and slowly shifted around in the stool to face Liam. She looked down demurely and watched her heaving chest rise and fall. It appeared even her breasts were affected by Liam's gentle touch. "She...she will make a good fighter some day...Nieme will."

Liam glanced down at Laedra's exposed breasts and sighed. "She will," he said, unable to shift his gaze. He looked around for a way to adjust the temperature in the room since it appeared that Laedra was cold. Finding none, he decided to continue with examining her wounds, and stepped forward to gently run his hand over her jaw. "It may bruise a little, but there won't be any nipples."

Laedra looked up slowly at Liam, waiting expectantly for him to realize his error, but when one didn't appear forthcoming, she couldn't help laughing and covering the source of his fixation with her arms. "I should hope not, Liam. I think two are plenty."

When the source of his distraction was suddenly obscured, Liam blinked and looked up at Laedra. "What? Oh...scarring. There won't be any scarring. What did I--? Oh..." He laughed, and felt himself blushing. "I think a little...a little of that cream there, and you'll be fine. On the chin, not the... It's a good thing she didn't get your nose, or we'd have different problems. But, yes...that cream...and you'll be perfect."

Laedra smiled with amusement at Liam. She brought up one of her hands, while keeping the other across her breasts, and brushed it along Liam's arm. "I can take care of the rest if you'd like, Liam. You don't need to be here any longer if you don't wish to be."

Liam reversed his hand and took hers. "The problem," he said with a smile, "is that I want to be here very much." He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it gently. "Very much indeed. But, I should go if you're fine. We can do some training tomorrow, and...I'll see you then." His feet seemed firmly rooted in place though, his body still not wanting to move.

"Liam..." Laedra clung to his hand to keep him from leaving, but she knew he had to do just that or he wouldn't be leaving her room again until morning. "Perhaps we can take a walk in the forest tomorrow before training, but I promise to keep my shirt on while we do it."

"As much as I hate to admit it," Liam said with a boyish grin, "that's probably a good idea. And, a walk sounds very nice. Have a good night's sleep, Laedra. I'll see you in the morning." He gently pulled her to her feet and embraced her, and then stepped away. "I should go now...or we'll have a...a situation." He smiled, and then laughed again.

"Would that be so bad?" Laedra gazed at Liam steadily and shot him a coy grin. "Or perhaps it would be. In the end, I leave that up to you to decide, Liam."

Liam looked into Laedra's eyes and sighed gently, and then laughed. "Oh, you have no idea how tempting you are," he said. It appeared that it was taking considerable effort, but he finally sighed. "Not just yet," he added. "But, maybe soon." He pulled his eyes from her bare chest and laughed. "Now, I think I know what I was putting you through."

"So, I guess we're even then." Laedra smiled at Liam as she backed away towards the stool, then bent over to retrieve her tunic. "Forgive me, Liam," she said softly as she slipped on the white, light fabric. "I did not mean for it to seem as if I were luring you to my bed. I merely wanted to be with you... But perhaps you should be with your wife tonight."

Liam laughed softly. "I want to be with you too, but I should go spend time with Yelara. And, you didn't need to take off your shirt to lure me. Just looking into my eyes and smiling is enough to make my heart start beating fast." He stepped closer and took her into his arms. "I'll see you tomorrow, my love."

If anyone could cause her heart to jump into her throat, it was Liam, especially when he said things as romantic as that. "I'll be waiting. I doubt I could get any sleep now." Laedra kissed his lips lightly, afraid to create even more tension between them by being too forceful. "I know I love you, Liam," she said softly. "And that's enough to satisfy me...for now."

He clung to her for a moment longer, and then stepped back. "I hate this part," he said softly as he backed toward the door.

Laedra hugged her tunic closed and shrugged. "We're going to have to get used to it for a while. It's easiest to just turn around and rush from the room, then I'll quickly close the door behind you and lock it so even if you wanted to return, it would be impossible."

Liam nodded. "On three," he asked. "Just, so we can get the timing on this right." He glanced to the door behind him and fumbled for the latch to open it.

Laedra laughed softly and fanned one hand through the air to help Liam along. The latch clicked and the door slowly creaked open. "Three," she said quietly.

"Two," Liam said as he slid the door open.

Laedra stepped forward and reached out her hand to his cheek. "One," she mouthed almost grudgingly.

Liam took a deep breath, sighed, and then stepped out into the hallway. "Goodnight, Laedra," he said, and then quickly turned and started down the hall.

Laedra watched Liam and almost called out to him, but if she did, she knew he'd return to her and they'd only create complications they couldn't afford to deal with now. Instead, Laedra turned away quickly while her frustrations and disappointment became manifested as a wave of the Force that slammed her door shut and sealed the latch. She would keep it locked just until her temptation to run to Liam was quashed by the intense focus and discipline she sought now.

There was no humour, only irony in the fact that Liam, out of honour and love for his wife, found it necessary to keep her at a distance, just as Master Ina had out of devotion to a millennia old Code. Or maybe it was her.

Laedra kicked over the stool and flopped onto her bed. If she'd learned anything from watching Kael through Nieme and Dani's tragedy, it was that one had to fight for the person they loved, just as he was fighting to help Nieme through her addiction. She would do the same to keep Liam from driving her away, even if she had to draw from the tenacity of a 13 year old girl who had fallen in love with her Master, and had taken every measure she could to convince him that he felt the same. That's what she'd do again, and this time, she was determined not to fail.

"Broken Hearts Mending"
by Raeila Mullerin
and Ferrig Mullerin

Location: Thanatos, Tae'Karada
Date: Niothe 13, 4ABY

***

Alone again. That wasn't completely true, though, for the streets were full of Kir'thana strolling about looking for some unsuspecting wretch from whom they could relieve a few creds, or a spice dealer to sell them something to ease the pain of this unfortunate existence. Raeila figured she could use some of that, but she never did trust the quality of spice sold by some stranger on the side of the road; she and the other Feltreys got theirs from a private, trusted source. It was poison all the same, but at least she was confident the substance they procured from Elum wouldn't kill you...not right away.

Still, the sweet smoke she was inhaling did nothing to cloud over those thoughts of Kael that had been running rampant in her mind all day. The more she attempted to forget him, the more she missed him. Raeila ground the butt of her cigarra against the wall and pushed off from it into the crowd. She blended in perfectly with the rest of the desert folk, but then, that's what she was through and through. She wondered if Kael would be able to do the same, especially after being around all those Wetters. He had chosen them over her. But he said he still loved her, so he must still have some Kir'Thana in him...

Raeila had gotten used to crying over him, even in front of masses of people. She merely pulled up her cowl and walked, letting her salty tears leave trails in the sand behind her. Perhaps they would lead Kael back to her. Or perhaps she would have to forget about him altogether.

"I'd like to see you try, Rae," she muttered ruefully.

"Hey! Mullerin!"

"Not today, Werul. It's my day off," she hollered back.

Werul was a regular customer, and although he paid well, Raeila couldn't tolerate his distinct odour of Thana bitterroot ale and sweat. As long as he paid, though, she was always willing to fit him into her schedule. Just not today.

He pushed through the thick crowd and came up beside her. "But Rae...I haven't had the pleasure of your company for almost a week." His arm wrapped itself around her waist and his mouth was trying to find its way under her cowl to her neck.

"Go away, Werul. I'll be happy to take you on tomorrow, but not today." She tried to sidle out of his hold, but he threw his other arm around her waist and pulled her into him. "Get lost, Werul, or you'll have to find a new slut to bend over for your creds."

"Rae...come on! Just twenty minutes."

She reached back to pry his arms from her while she tried to squeeze out of his embrace, but sexual desperation made him very persistent. "Werul! Let go!"

Suddenly his arms unwrapped themselves, and Raeila was free of his embrace. In front of her, Werul was standing on his tiptoes, struggling in a futile attempt to get free. Ferrig's head peeked around his shoulder. "He bothering you, Rae?"

She hugged her arms around herself and shook her head. "He's just drunk. Let him go and just send him on his way."

Ferrig let go of Werul and pushed him away from Raeila. "Go sleep it off," he shouted and sent a kick after the man. He moved close to Rae, and slipped his arms around her. "How you doing, sis?"

Raeila pressed her face to Ferrig's chest and squeezed out more unshed tears. "It hurts so much, Ferrig. Why did it have to be this way?"

"They've brainwashed him, Rae," Ferrig said softly. "We'll get him back though. We'll get him back, and we'll help him be what he was before. It'll be alright again, I promise." He kissed the top of her head, and pulled her even tighter against him. "At least we're rid of the Rat and Purple though."

Her fingers clutched at Ferrig's cloak and her teeth clenched at the frustration of her unfulfilled vengeance towards the Rat. If she saw her again, she wouldn't hesitate to kill her immediately. "Take me somewhere, Ferrig. I can't be out here anymore. I...I see him everywhere."

"Where do you want to go?" Ferrig asked. "Do you want to go deeper? Just away for awhile? Leave all this behind for a few hours, and just go?"

Raeila gazed up at her brother and nodded morosely. "You and me... Just like always. Make me forget like you always do, Ferrig."

"Come on," he said softly. "Let's go find that bitch's speederbike, and we'll disappear for awhile. Just you and me, and we'll forget everything." With her still in his arms, he shifted his weight, and lifted until she was held in his outstretched arms. He gazed down into her eyes as they walked. "I'll make everything better again, Rae."

She encircled his neck with her arms and nestled her cheek against his shoulder. "Have you ever felt like this, Ferrig? Has it ever felt like your heart is just being gouged out with a vibrodagger? 'Cause that's what it feels like..."

"The first time Kael left us," Ferrig said. "The world crumbled then. But, we'll get him back, Rae. And, then everything will be right again."

If the words had been spoken by anyone other than her brother, Raeila would have found little comfort in them. But he always had been her source of solace and she relied on that now to pull her from the depression that was consuming her.

They arrived at Dani's speeder - now Feltrey property - hidden within a safehouse they'd commandeered. Ferrig carefully deposited her onto the back of the seat, then he himself slid into the front. Once he was within reach again, Raeila gently pressed herself against his back. "It'll be just you and me again, Ferrig. You're the only person I can trust now. I should've known that all along. I was so stupid..."

"You love him," Ferrig said before starting up the speederbike, "and he should have loved you back. He shouldn't have acted this way toward us. He shouldn't have treated us this way. You loved him more than anything, and he at least owed you enough to return that love."

"No..." Raeila looked up at Ferrig and smiled solemnly. "Not more than anything. I loved him, but my love for you far surpasses that, Ferrig. You've never let me down...not like him."

"It was the Wetters that did it," Ferrig said. "It was the Wetters that changed him, and turned him against us. But, we'll get him back again. And, then we'll make all of them pay. Like a great tide of sand, we'll crush them all." He turned back to her and gave her a gentle kiss. "Together."

"Just like when we were kids. We've always done everything together. We're strongest that way."

Ferrig nodded slowly, and then kicked the speederbike into motion. They shot out into the street, and Ferrig veered off toward the edge of the town. Within minutes, they were racing out over dunes.

Nearly a half hour had passed before Ferrig finally slowed their progress, and the bike finally came to a stop at the base of one of the larger dunes.

"The bitch got a nice bike," Ferrig said as he helped Raeila down. "We'll have to give her a special thank you next time we see her. Come on, Rae, let's head to the top."

She slipped her hand into his and together they began trudging up the dune. "Just like when we were kids, Ferrig. Remember? Dad was having one of his especially bad drunken episodes and we escaped. I remember mounting a dune like this because we thought if we were up really high, he'd never be able to find us. He never did."

"Out here, no one could ever find us," Ferrig said. "I imagine they won't like some of the shit I did to that little bitch. I don't know if they'd come after us, but...but if they do, come here. They won't find us here, Rae. And, we'll be safe."

"Kael wouldn't let them touch us, Ferrig. He wouldn't..." Raeila glanced down at their hands clasped together, and tightened her hold on Ferrig's. "Would he?"

He shook his head. "No more than he would let us touch the Rat," he said. "But...but they may not listen to him. If that guy with the freaky eyes wants to make us pay for hurting those bitches. And, then there's that crazy fuck from the Rhack." He laughed. "I wish we'd had time to get him to fuck Purple too. He probably would have just had a mental meltdown right then."

"A man like that...you know he wanted to. We should've just killed them all when we had them, this way none of them would've been alive to say a word."

"He had the gleam," Ferrig said. "He wanted them both. We were just helping him unleash his night time fantasies." He shook his head. "We'd have Kael now if it weren't for them. We're going to have to find new slaves now to keep the boys happy."

"Let them find their own damn slaves," Raeila spat. "They don't know anything of our suffering. They think it was all a game to us. But they don't know... No one understands. No one ever could."

Ferrig sighed and closed his eyes as he trudged up the dune. "Have you ever wanted to just shoot all of them dead and start over with a new group?"

Raeila laughed and playfully nudged Ferrig. "We don't have time for that. If you want some new gangers, maybe we can merge with one of the other gangs...like the Razor Purgs. I'm sure we can make them a very tempting offer."

Ferrig laughed. "And, then I'd actually have to start calling them the Razor Purgs. I know I'd forget and call them the Razor Plugs at least once. But, we should merge. Merging will make us stronger, and then we can take on the Wetters. We'll take over this whole fucking planet." He reached out and took her other hand and smiled. "I like the sound of that."

"Then that's what we'll do next...but we'll definitely suggest a name change to them." Together, they finally reached the top of the dune, sweating and fatigued. Raeila sighed and sat down in the soft sands. She brought her legs to her chest and motioned for Ferrig to join her. "We can watch the sun set...then you can make love to me right here, Ferrig. I think that's what we'll do..."

Ferrig smiled and wrapped his arms around Raeila as he sank to the sand. "I think that sounds like a very nice and romantic thing to do," he said. "I think it'll be the perfect way for us to restart things."

Raeila rested her head against Ferrig's chest and closed her eyes to concentrate on the cool breeze brushing her face - soft, gentle caresses like the ones Kael used to administer to her. She felt the tears coming again, so she tightened her hold on Ferrig. "Will we ever be happy, Ferrig...other than when I'm in your arms? It seems all my life, that's the only time I've ever been content."

"We'll find it together, Raeila," Ferrig said. "We belong together, and that's why you feel content with me. It's like we're two parts of a whole, and together..." He kissed her. "There's nothing wrong with that though."

"I never said there was. I'm glad I have you. If you weren't around, Ferrig, father would have gotten to me and I probably would have ended up a lot like mom." Raeila trailed her fingers lightly along Ferrig's arms and sighed wistfully. "Do you ever wonder about them? Do you ever think about what's happened to them?"

Ferrig was silent for nearly a minute before he let out the breath he'd been holding. "Not very often, but yes. A lot of the time it's wondering if they even realize we're gone. I mean, I'm sure they noticed...but, has it even affected them?" He shrugged. "I don't ever miss them. Well, maybe mom a little...but, I'm happier with you and the gang."

"Me too," Raeila said quietly. "I bet mom would have cared if she was even aware of what the hell was happening around her. I wish we could have snapped her out of her catatonia...but she was probably better off that way. At least when dad used to beat her, she didn't have to feel it."

Ferrig nodded. "Maybe someday, we can find her and save her from him. And, maybe we can give a little surprise to him." He sighed and pulled a cigarra out of a pocket. "You want one?"

Raeila shook her head slightly. "Already filled up on spice... Didn't work. I still feel everything."

He lit the cigarra and took a long drag from it. "Spice is good for making you feel good, but you still remember everything. And, when you feel bad, it just makes it feel hazy bad. But, Ferrig makes everything feel good. Here, stretch out with your head in my lap, and I'll tell you a story."

Raeila did as Ferrig suggested and curled up on the sands with her head nestled upon his legs. "Is it a happy story? I don't want anything too graphic, Ferrig, and please," she said as she grinned up at him, "no jokes."

Ferrig laughed softly, and began stroking Raeila's hair. "It's a story about how we're going to take over this planet, and we'll be the king and queen of Tae'Thana, 'cause we're gonna rename the place. And, everyone will bow to us, and give us their respect and worship."

Raeila stared distantly at the setting sun, then asked inquisitively, "Can I get a new wardrobe? I can't be a public figure wearing ragged clothes."

"We'll get you the best wardrobe this planet has ever seen," he said. "And, we can think up great punishments for all those who don't abide by our rules. When we are in control, we'll make this a place where people want to live, and we'll make it very difficult for the people we don't want to be here."

"I think I like that idea, Ferrig." She turned onto her back and smiled up at her brother. "That was a nice story. Thank you for telling it to me."

Ferrig placed a kiss on her forehead and then on her lips. "Anything for you, little sister," he said. "Anything at all."

"You've always liked spoiling me, haven't you?" She laughed and pulled Ferrig in for another kiss. "I love you, brother," she whispered.

"Someone has to spoil you, Raeila," Ferrig said. "You deserve it, especially after everything. I love you too, little sister. And, I'll always take care of you."

"I know." She ran her fingers lightly along Ferrig's cheek. "Is it time for you to take care of me now?" she asked with a suggestive smile.

Ferrig smiled and then laughed softly. "I think it's definitely time for me to take care of you," he said.

Raeila sat up and wrapped her arms loosely around Ferrig's neck, searching his eyes and seeing in them all the struggles they had endured. They deserved to succeed in their aspirations. It was owed to them. "Slowly and gently this time, Ferrig."

"And, with all my love," he whispered as he shifted to where he was lying by her side. He kissed her gently, but with much passion. "I've always loved making love to you while the moons rise, Rae." Slowly, he started with caresses and kisses. It would be beautiful and slow this time. It would revive them after their recent ordeals, and carry them onward toward their goals. It would be a shared bliss, a love like nothing else.

"Hacking Your Way Through"
By: Zion "The Worm" Xandler - Systems Operator

Location: Yellvin, New Plouton
Date: Niothe 13, 4 ABY

***

"Man, you look hot tonight!" he said to himself as he saw his reflection in the mirror. He adjusted his nose piercing, a silver pearl, as well as his many others in his ears. Today he had chosen to wear his hair in white colour with a fire dragon painted on it, and was dressed in red leather pants with high metallic boots and a black sleeveless wetshirt.

He grabbed his long, dark blue raincoat and put it on. He was about to head out for partying, one of his favourite hobbies. Outside, he had his swoop. He got on it and took his mirrored glasses. "It's party time..." He grinned to himself as he started the engine and rode down to the nightclub above the driving speed limit.

As soon as he got to the club he could see the quite enormous amount of people trying to get in. It was a new nightclub called "Trancemania" and it seemed like one of the hottest new locations to be at nighttime. He parked his bike and got off, using a small portable device to kill its engines, and made his way to the entrance.

Pushing his way between everyone else, in spite of the complaints he got to the front entrance where a bulky man in a fine tailored suit decided who got in and who didn't. He stopped Zion as he passed by, pushing him back with an open hand, even though Zion was much taller than he was.

"Hold it! Got an invitation?" the bouncer asked.

"Chill out!" Zion replied with a huge smile. "What's with the attitude anyway?" he asked mockingly as he reached into his coat's inner pocket and took his own membership card. "'Scuse me..." he said as he passed by the bouncer with an air of superiority.

Inside it was more than he thought it would be. Two full floors with some of the best light effects he had seen and a great trance sound. On some cages set higher there were dancers and there were columns where one could climb into to dance as well. The dancefloor was huge with steam and water sprinklers and what looked like an enormous blow-dryer above. The DJ was a funky man with four arms and horns. Zion could not tell whether that was a species he had never seen or some kind of attire with crazy adornments. Across from him there was a round bar with beautiful barmaids.

Upstairs were tables and another bar plus an aquarium with weird looking fish. Zion smiled and took off his coat, which he delivered to the coathanger in exchange for a ticket to pick it up later. He went upstairs and could tell, as he passed the tables, that someone was smoking Tiesta Spice. He walked on the bar and sat on one of the stools there, next to a man with a black suit and a light beard.

"Wenderaan Spiced Ale!" he ordered from the barmaid. He then turned to the man. "Hey man... Cool joint you got here. Thanks for the membership card."

The man was the Trancemania owner. He turned to face Zion. "It is I who thank you, Mr. Xandler, for your well paid services. As you know I benefited quite well from your work with computer systems..."

"Think nothing of it my good man! We both benefited, and as you so eloquently put it, you paid well but won a lot in the process... Nobody works for free! It's all about how you hack your way through..." Zion replied. "Now if you'll excuse me..." he said as he got up and grabbed his drink, heading downstairs.

The club was full and everyone seemed to be enjoying the music. He had drunk all of his beverage and placed his cup on the downstairs bar and started to dance. He kept on the dancefloor for quite some time until he decided to climb to one of the columns. It was a great place to go out to and he wondered just exactly how much money had the Trancemania owner made from the job he had pulled out, getting classified documents from a megacorporation. Truth was he didn't care as long as he got paid his fees. No questions asked...

He was heading down from the column when another guy pushed him from behind. "You one of those new Red Dragon bozos? C'mon asshole! Put 'em up!" he said in a violent matter wanting to brawl with Zion.

"Man you drunk!" Zion said as he pushed the short man backwards. "Just because I have a fire dragon painted in my hair doesn't mean I'm a Red Dragon... Get lost!"

"You wish!" the man said as he jumped forward to get to Zion. But before he could do so, a large powerful hand grabbed him and lifted him up in the air, choking him and punched him in the stomach. It was one of the security guards.

"You, outside!" he said simply as he dragged the man with him.

"Shit! Tight security... Tough luck!" Zion mocked as he saw the small man being dragged outside. After that it was all partying without any more incidents that had him involved in any way. It was already morning when he came outside and headed back home.

Getting home he tossed his coat onto the couch and went to check his computer. He logged onto the guild and checked for contacts that could have been made to reach him. "Ahh... A new entrepreneur..." he said as he checked that he had mail.

"Waking"
By: Sirra Xanye - Jedi Knight

Location: Drogen Shipyards
Date: Niothe 13, 4 ABY

***

Sirra woke with a broad yawn and a stretch. Her long, shapely legs and slender, muscular arms stretched out as far as they would go and she lay there, the stretch pulling her muscles taut with tension. Then she rolled over, luxuriating in the feel of the silken sheets on her bare skin. She had only slept for four standard hours, but like all her kind that was all she needed. The young Falleen woman was completely refreshed.

Her movements disturbed a small nest of small, furry animals. One, larger than the others, was the white adoris feline that had been Sirra's only living companion for several months after her Master's death. Rozi stood and arched her back, stretching, and then hopped down off the large bed. Her litter - eight kittens in assorted fur patterns - lay curled in a ball of fuzzy legs, heads, and tails for a little while, then broke up into eight half-grown cats and followed their mother down to the floor.

She stood, her long black hair falling like a soft, silky sheet down her pale green back. As she walked to the freshening room, the bed, sensing that she had risen, pulled back into a slot in the wall. The bed linens would be clean and crisp when Sirra lay down for her next sleep cycle.

Sensors in the room also alerted the crew that their mistress had woken. As she took a long, hot shower, revelling in the feel of the steaming hot shower, Feena began breakfast in the galley. The galley was incredibly well appointed for any kitchen, much less the galley of a spacecraft. And Feena was a droid who knew what to do with the ingredients at her disposal. Feena was a 434-FPC, a gourmet culinary droid with a list of recipes that rose into the hundreds of thousands. And she knew from experience exactly what her mistress would want.

As Feena prepared breakfast for her mistress, a small maintenance droid trundled into the bedroom to quickly clean the area. The cats, which had at one time bristled at the droids, just looked at it curiously. Also, another droid - this one a red, humanoid model over two meters tall - moved into the room to take up a place near the entrance. It moved surprisingly lightly on its feet and made little noise on the bare metal floor near the door.

Sirra came out of the shower, toweling off her hair with a plush towel. "Good morning, Alpha."

She went over to her wardrobe and waited for a moment as the door slid open for her. "Training clothes," she said into the air, and the wardrobe rotated on some unseen mechanism, bringing a drawer to the front of the closet.

Reaching into the drawer, she drew out a garment made of a light, clingy material. The bodysuit was black, with a pressure zipper up the front from the waist to the neck. Sirra dropped the towel wrapped around her body and stepped into the bodysuit, zipping it up to her chest. It was almost weightless but made her feel secure - the clinging material held and supported her quite well.

The small droid deftly picked up her dropped towels and slipped them into its refuse space. As Sirra walked out of the room, the droid she had called Alpha fell in behind her on quiet feet. The cats followed her out of the room as well. She gave a small inward chuckle at her morning entourage.

Walking into the dining room, she said, "Good morning, Feena."

"Good morning, Lady Sirra." The droid sat a large glass of something in front of her mistress. The drink inside the glass was a thick, pale green liquid with a sweet smell to it. Feena had invented it for Sirra - a drink made of her favorite fruits from half a dozen planets - because of her mistress' dislike for a heavy meal before her first workout of the day.

Another humanoid droid, this one a very attractive figure with a pale, metallic green coloring: "Good morning, Lady Sirra." The protocol droid walked over to Sirra's side unbeckoned.

"Was there something, Xeress?"

"Yes, mistress. Ah, Navigator determined the name of the city near that spot you pointed out on the planet below. The forest is near a city called New Plouton. From there it should be a short trip into the forest."

"Thank you, Xeress. Was there anything else?"

"Ah, no, mistress."

"Then you may go. You can accompany me when I take my last trip around the concourse."

"Yes, thank you, mistress." Xeress withdrew.

Sirra drank her morning drink slowly, savoring the delicious taste and the sweet aroma that she associated with her waking moments now. She read the flimsiplast sheets that Comm had made for her during her short sleep - messages from informants and contacts as well as news from Coruscant and Falleen. Nothing important, of course, since she couldn't trust long range comunications to be secure, but she liked to keep abreast of the happenings in the rest of the universe.

Once done with the drink, she stood and left the room, leaving the flimsiplast sheets to be recycled. Returning to her bed chamber, she retrieved her weapon and went back into the hallway. She walked to the large room built as her exercise room. In one corner of the room was a black droid - a humanoid torso, head, and arms on top of a slender cylindrical base. Deactivated at the moment, its eyes were dark and its body was slumped.

Sirra walked to the middle of the room and began her exercises - slow, languorous movements punctuated by quick, powerful kicks or strikes. Every movement was perfect, precise down to the angle of her fingers and toes. After a quarter of a standard time unit sweat was starting to break out on her skin. At half a standard time unit, she was sweating from every pore in spite of the coolness of the room. By the time she stopped after an entire standard time unit, her muscles were pleasantly warm and her suit was soaked with her sweat.

Finally warmed up, her muscles limber and mind awake, she walked over to the black droid and activated it. The humanoid torso lifted itself up and its eyes glowed red. "Training pattern?"

"Single blade combat, full contact." She had disabled the droid's safety circuits - fighting against Deo was as dangerous as fighting a skilled swordsman who wanted to kill her. A three foot long rapier extended from the end of Deo's right arm. Long, slender, and incredibly fast, the blade was almost as quick at Deo's command as Sirra's lightsaber was in her own hand. And a tiny deflector shield in the droid's arms allowed the blade to parry a lightsaber without being cut through.

"Ready?"

Sirra went over to the side of the room, where she had placed her weapon. The deactivated lightsaber was twice as long as the standard Jedi weapon. Lifting it with both hands, she thumbed a series of buttons near the middle of the slender rod and twisted her hands in opposite directions. The dual lightsaber came apart into two fully operational lightsabers. She placed one back on the black foam pad on the ground and walked back to Deo.

Two arm-lengths away, she activated her weapon. A violet blade of light sprung from the end of the hilt and she took up a middle guard position. "Ready."

Without warning, Deo lunged forward, rapier leading the way. Sirra parried with a low, sweeping block and brought her own weapon across, in a flashing slash to the chest. Deo's own blade sprang back into a high block and went into the middle ready position, backing up to give itself room. Sirra put herself into the middle guard position and readied herself for the next attack.

Deo's programming put him on par with the weaponmasters of any of a dozen worlds. His reflexes were faster than any living being's. But after a few minutes of sparring, it became clear that the droid was second best in this match. The Jedi's blade was always there to parry the droid's weapon and Sirra was able to dance out of the way of most attacks that she did not block.

Sirra's technique was flawless, and her own personal style was fluid, almost dancelike. She spun and turned, jumped and lunged, with incredible grace and speed. But even with the acrobatic maneuvers that she executed, her stances were picture perfect from hand and foot position to angle of blade.

After a quarter of a standard time unit Sirra said "Stop." Deo's weapon dropped to his side and he moved back out of fighting range. It was clear to her that she would have won eventually. Her Jedi reflexes were more than a match for the droid's and she had learned all the tricks the Duelist Elite training droid had to show.

More to herself than anything else, she said, "I think it's time to get your programming updated."

Deo didn't reply. The training droid was not a conversationalist.

Sirra deactivated her lightsaber and walked over to the other half of her weapon. Fitting them back together, she secured her weapon and walked out of the room back to her bed chamber. She put the lightsaber hilt back into its cradle and stripped off her exercise suit, dropping it on the floor for the maintenance droid to retrieve.

She took a fast, cold shower and was soon back out to change. She had already decided on her clothes for the day. Choosing clothes fit for shopping at the most exclusive boutiques on Coruscant, Sirra slid into a light, thin dress of shimmering fabric that revealed more than it hid. Her pale green skin was well exposed by the sleeveless top, plunging neckline, and low back that exposed her to her waist. It changed color as the light sensitive fabric caught the light and refracted it as she moved. On her feet went light but supportive slippers. As she dressed, a small droid with a low level intelligence plaited her hair into dozens of thin, tiny braids and capped them with tiny platinum bells. A thin belt of woven silver and gold went on her waist - several small but sophisticated sensors and devices clipped onto the belt and the long lightsaber hilt slid securely onto the belt at her right hip.

Over all went a cloak of a thin, silken material in pale green, heavily embroidered with golden thread. It had a deep hood, and together they were more than enough to conceal her identity from casual observation.

As she walked to the hatch, Alpha took up his accustomed spot behind and to her left. Another droid, Alpha's twin - Beta, took up a place behind Sirra and to her right. The pair of Aro-GX personal security droids were very loyal and protective of their mistress. Sirra could almost never escape them when she left a secure area.

Xeress also joined her. A belt had been secured at the protocol droid's waist and a small sphere orbited her head at a radius of a few feet. Whenever Xeress felt that she could be in danger - and that was often, when they were in a strange place - she wore the RGV security droid system. A pair of small repulsorlift droids armed with a blaster and an array of sophisticated sensors could charge in the belt's charging dock, allowing one of the spheres to always be in the air.

Once her small entourage was assembled, Sirra palmed the pad by the hatch and it irised open. The space beyond her ship's docking cradle was noisy and crowded. Sirra pulled her hood forward a little more and walked off her ship, the three droids following in her wake. The ship had already been refueled, resupplied, and repaired, but she wanted to explore the Shipyards a little more before going down to the planet.

The door shut behind the group as they walked toward the hoverlift.

"Awakening, Part 1"
By: Raxis L'Ygr - Red Dragons, Leader
[NPC] Ronan Dayre - Red Dragons
[NPC] Olanda Davii - TNN News Anchor

Location: Yallder District, New Plouton, Tae'Karada
Date: Niothe 13, 4ABY

***

"Are we ready?" Raxis called over to Ronan from his position upon an uncomfortable steel chair centered in front of a holorecorder. "We have to do this fast to avoid detection. You can do it right?"

"Oh please," Ronan chuckled. "Do you think this is the first pirate transmission ever done? Part of the problem with the planetary holovision station is that it's used the same login information for the past twenty years. Regardless, their reporters are so hungry that they'd eat this thing up alive."

"Fame, let's hope not," Raxis murmured. "Regardless, it has to be done. It's been a long few weeks but this will only lead to new members."

"Perhaps even a few cute ones," Ronan mused, as he connected a few cables to the holorecorder. "Gods know that a man like me can get lonely when starting a rebellion against crime and white-skulls. Okay! We're good to go..."

"Interrupt after their portion on our last hit. It'll ensure we get the point across. After all, we'd be rude to not give a mass warning."

***

"Will New Plouton be subject to governmental reform? A child and father saved by masked men in the Yallder District, and have do-gooders taken to cleaning the streets? All this on News at ten." An etherial voice soothed over the news network, as its spinning logo faded into a commercial for the new and exciting season of "Slam Ball."

Olanda Davii, a Twi'lek, sat in her makeup chair as she read her notes. Ambling about her position were an assortment of writers, producers, and makeup artists for New Plouton's hottest news crew, News Alpha. Sifting through her papers, she scowled. "What is this I have to do tonight? An interview with a bluntskulled Slam Ball player? Pelo, you're killing me here, seriously."

"Well I'm sure there are Slam Ball players that don't eat and dress as nicely as you do Olanda, besides, they've paid us a ton of money for the expos�." An overweight producer halted as he walked by. He was dressed in an expensive Xon suit with matching coat, and carried a clipboard and a steaming cup of coffee. "You do like money don't you?"

"Sure, to promote Slam Ball instead of our program that runs at the same time, mind you. Haven't you people figured out that we're going to be plugging a program that might actually take ratings away from us?"

"Not unless you figure that what happens in their league is going to add new ratings. Look here," he said as he handed her his clipboard with an elaborate graph. "Say, for instance, Slam Ball adds the interest of ten percent of our audience. The sports section of our program will lure those ten percent back for replay coverage and highlights during Marco's sporting news. Get used to it, girl. There are going to be many a Slam Ball player in this studio for days to come."

"Blast," she hissed. "We should cover more on these Red Dragons, Pelo, they're at least doing something dynamic other than run around and throw ion spheres."

"Ion Globes," he corrected her.

"Whatever! It still takes more of a mind to clean the streets than it does to grow muscles and star in commercials for deodorant."

"Is that so?" He chuckled.

"Yeah," she said, crossing her arms and tossing down the tissue collar that was protecting her designer dress from the makeup artists.

"These Dragons shoot ion cannons at big muscle-bound drug dealers...there's no difference."

"But it's different!" she stressed. "All Slam Ball does is promote hapless ideology of riches and fame for doing the least amount of work possible with absolutely no contribution to society."

"People need deodorant." He laughed, and walked off with his coffee. "Show starts in five minutes, Davii. I want to you to make sure you're ready for the Slam Ball session," he said as he trailed out of earshot.

"Nerf Herder..." She scowled as she sipped her water and leaned back in her chair to flip through her notes. "Xax Palinos, Ion Guard out of Kessel...former Imperial Stormtrooper turned Slam Ball elite...."

"Awakening, Part 2"
By: Raxis L'Ygr - Red Dragons, Leader
[NPC] Ronan Dayre - Red Dragons
[NPC] Olanda Davii - TNN News Anchor

Location: Yallder District, New Plouton, Tae'Karada
Date: Niothe 13, 4ABY

***

"In other related news," Olanda began, seated at her sleek anchorwoman's desk positioned in front of her personal holorecorder. When it came to Twi'leks she was quite the beautiful woman, with her teal skin and tan colored dresses. It was said that most of her popularity came from the male population of Tae'Karada. "The Red Dragon Society, as named by their calling card, has attacked three separate groups of spice dealers in the last three days. The most recent was Yallder District's infamous "Blackjack" system of alleys, and have been preceded by two lesser areas of the Yallder District nearly as renown as "Spice Alleys". These Spice Alleys are areas of high poverty, filled with spice abuse and violent crime focused on the local spice ring. So far, the only two bystanders have been a father and his daughter, who were given funds by these masked men to cure the little girl of a lung infection and provide the family a means of escaping such a life."

The camera faded to an image of the homeless man, saved by the Red Dragon Society.

"Them's good people. Helpin' a lot of people. See, those alleys were run by people that would take people in for a price, and force them to do their bidding. Little girl almost died in the process," he muttered, from the sofa of his new apartment as he proudly wore his new uniform for the waste collection company.

"Sir, what do you feel about the Red Dragons taking the law into their own hands? Law dictates that what they're doing is the jurisdiction of the Security Corps and not righteous citizens," an off-screen interviewer asked.

"Nobody but them's gonna do nothing," he barked. "Secure-Corps don't even walk in that part of town at night."

The camera faded again, to view the face of Olanda Davii.

"Again, that was a segment from the interview with the only bystander in the Red Dragons. Tomorrow at ten we'll have an interview with Security Chief Dolenz regarding our week long coverage of the Red Dragon Society," she said, smiling softly to the camera.

***

"In other news....he....tim....Isn'.....kr...." she began, as the sound and image faded from the monitors and holo projectors of televisions system-wide. Taverns, nightclubs, and home holovision systems across the planet all simultaneously tuned to the pirated frequency. The news program faded into static, and was momentarily replaced with the silhouetted figure of a man sitting upon a steel chair.

For moments, the figure simply stared at the camera, until it finally spoke with a robotic and digitally altered voice.

"Citizens of Tae'Karada," he began, with a short pause. "We apologize for interrupting the best news program in the system to bring you this short, yet to the point message."

From behind the holoprojector, Ronan grinned like a mad-hatter. It was rare that he actually impressed himself with his technical ability, and was fighting the urge to step in front of the camera to steal Raxis' limelight.

"Your cities are corrupt," Raxis continued. "Day after day, lives are stolen from the evils of corrupt government and law enforcement. Children die in the streets under the iron grip of crime families and their affiliates. Nothing has been done to protect the innocent."

He stood and lithely swept towards the camera. He began to pace.

"Spice dealers have government or official ties, and are often released on the same day that they are arrested for crimes that commonly warrant years of rehabilitation. We have rescued a family, that would have died hungry in the streets under the hand of tyrant gang leaders. They now eat and live well, as we've seen on this program."

Raxis smiled from beneath his silhouetted wall of anonymity. He was sure to be getting the point across now this time.

"We are going to make these streets safe from these evils. Heed our warning. If you are involved in illegal activity that caused women, children, and the innocent to starve or die....we may one day be knocking at your doors. There are many criminals, but only the ones that destroy the lives of the innocent are the ones that we will claim, and claim we shall. We are not murderers. We willingly hand over the arraigned to the security force for delivery to the prison barges...and if their corrupt ties lead them to be free we will see to it that they will be sent to security personnel that will send them away.

"This system has suffered much at the hands of corrupt politics, corrupt empires, and corrupt streets. So we urge you, good people of Tae'Karada, to defend your fellow people and push us all towards living safe and long lives. Assassins, crime families, widowers, and slavery is wrong. The rest of you petty thieves and swindlers, fear us not. We'll leave you to the security of this system and your neighbors.

"All this we do...we do for you. We aren't vigilantes. We're common people like all of you, who have decided to fill the gaps that the security forces have failed to protect. Mostly, Tae'Karada itself. Starting with New Plouton."

The image cut immediately to silence and darkness.

After what seemed like forever, the screen was replaced by the speechless image of Olanda Davii. She, like many at News Alpha, didn't expect the Red Dragons to be organized enough to pull off such a stunt in under the amount of time it would take to trace the transmission.

"We'll be back...after these announcements." She sighed, as the screen returned to its commercial break.

"Money Lending"
By: Jadda The Hutt - Hutt Crimelord
Vorgoth - Assassin / Sith
Kyonna - Smuggler and Gambler (NPC by Jadda)

Location: Jadda's Palace, New Plouton
Date: Niothe 13, 4 ABY

***

He puffed on and released a yellowish smoke. He was smoking a mix of spice and some other things, although they would not affect his perception or his immune system. The Jizz players kept the scenery cool and fun with their lively music and the Twi'lek girls danced for the feast of anyone's eyes, their bodies scarce of clothing.

Jadda's empire was now stronger than ever before, even though the Hutt Crime Syndicate had suffered a great loss with Jabba's death. But this was of no matter to Jadda as it could only grant him aspirations to make his own empire bigger and stronger. Of course he had to officially regret his bretheren's death, but truth was that he almost liked the idea of expanding onto Tatooine.

Suddenly, Vorgoth entered the room and walked by all the bystanders, ignoring them as he passed them, and leaned into Jadda to tell him something private. Jadda moved his arm to cut off the festivities and pointed to the entrance. The doors were opened and in came a short bulky man.

"Bushia mangoor tchee... Dabba doo beela tchungaa?" he said. The shiny protocol droid translated. "You are interrupting... What do you want with me?"

The man nodded respectfully. "I am Kyonna. I come to ask you for a loan. Grant me this and I will pay you back twice as much!"

Jadda's eyes widened. He was always ready for a deal. He puffed again. "Bishiaa too dangoo credits." The droid was about to explain when the man interrupted.

"I need about 250 000 credits," he informed, having understood the question without need of translation.

Jadda laughed this time. "Doo daappa boshia bee toor maa tengaa..." he said. As the man waited the droid translated. "What will you give in as insurance?"

"I give you my word!" Kyonna said.

A general laugh was set by all who watched the deal in silence. Even Jadda laughed loudly. "Bashoo doo baala smuggler? Tchkaa noos beeppo daapa youl!" The droid translated. "The word of a smuggler? I shall keep your ship instead!"

"But Jadda, I need my ship to make the trip. I am to compete in a Podrace. I need the mooney to build mine! I will pay you back!" the man explained.

This time Jadda was serious. "Kyonna smuggler battaa tchungaa deellappa deeppo Hutt!" Jadda said furiously. The droid repeated, "Kyonna, you already owe the house of the Hutt!"

Kyonna's face flushed white as he had not expected that Jadda knew this. "I owed Jabba... But I hear he died so that means my debt is clean, right? Now I need that money!"

Jadda was not content with this man's exploitations. But he was somewhat spirited. He leaned back. "Laadda noor bisshaa doos credits... Tchaa doo bontia Podrace!" The droid translated automatically. "You will be granted the credits... But you better win the Podrace!"

The man bowed and headed off, knowing the money would be delivered to him. Inside Jadda thought to himself and puffed. Perhaps he ought to build his own circuit of Podracers in Chimaeria and host the races. He could make a lot of money off the bets...

"Slave Capture, Part 2"
By: Daemor'rah - Jedi / Bounty Huntress
and Jadda The Hutt - Hutt Crimelord

Location: Jadda's Palace, New Plouton
Date: Niothe 13, 4 ABY

***

Two days later, Daemor'rah was back on Chimaeria. She made her way to see Jadda as she had a report to fill in personally to the Hutt. She was taken to Jadda's presence where the large Hutt looked at her waiting for an answer.

"I come from Jabba's former Palace in Tatooine..." she said. "The place was almost deserted, except for some Anzati. The blastdoors were pried open and interiorly it was destroyed. Perhaps some Jawas or Sandpeople... Other than that only my gift to you," she informed as the two Twi'lek girls were taken into the room.

Jadda's eyes widened and Daemor'rah continued. "They were there so they must have belonged to Jabba. They are yours now... If nothing else you want I shall go," Daemor'rah said, knowing that Jadda would pay her well for her bringing in the Twi'leks.

Jadda nodded and ordered for the door to be opened and the Huntress escorted outside. And, as she knew, as she left there were more credits than those that had been originally agreed to.

"Dark Plans"
by Dargus Kandran

Location: Drogen Shipyards
Date: Niothe 13, 4ABY

***

Dargus Kandran strode through the corridors of the Drogen Shipyards unmolested. He nodded politely to one of the stormtroopers approaching him, and continued on his way. The man beneath the armour returned the nod, but kept on walking. Dargus' lips spread into a grin.

He reached his destination without incident, and he passed a hand before the door scanner. A moment later, the door slid open and he stepped inside.

The white-haired man standing on the inside was facing away, out through the large window to the outside. Dargus went to a knee before him. "My master," he said.

"Rise, my apprentice. What news on the planet?"

"I encountered Mordin," Dargus said. "He looked like he'd seen a ghost. The girl left with him."

"Very good, we are best without her here. Her needfulness was...a distraction. Send someone to eliminate her."

Dargus moved and took a seat. "There is a Temple on the planet below. Mordin is leading it. They are gathering others to their cause from what I have heard. Elisia would have been a good spy if she could have been controlled."

"The Jedi do not concern us now. They are weak, and unfocused. When the time comes, they will be eliminated." He moved toward the large chair in the corner and sat. "The fleet is massing near Tatooine. Though, there are problems with...recruiting."

Dargus laughed. "Why not use clones?"

The old man sneered. "I do not trust clones," he said.

"The only other choice is droids," Dargus said. "The clones would work. Evie worked!"

"The rapid development creates an unstable clone. We do not need an unstable army."

"We can perfect that," Dargus said. "We can make them better."

The old man thought about it for a long moment, and then nodded. "How long will it take?"

"Evie was created in a week. We can create our new army in a month. I will get my people on it at once. We will have our army, and then--"

"Patience, my apprentice. All things will happen as I have foreseen them. Now, you must return to the planet below. I sense another opportunity in your future. Find out all you can of this new Jedi Temple. Do not fail me, Darth Morikal."

Dargus bowed low. "I will do as you have bidden me, Lord Sidious." With that, he left the room.

The man that was part of what Palpatine was smiled. While the one from whom he had originally spawned was now dead, the new Lord Sidious, Dark Lord of the Sith was quite alive. Before the Clone Wars, Chancellor Palpatine had taken the precaution of preparing clones as a precaution. And, now a product of that precaution walked free in the universe once more.

All was proceeding according to plan.

"Descent"
By: Sirra Xanye - Jedi Knight

Location: Drogen Shipyards
Date: Niothe 13, 4 ABY

***

The hoverlift took Sirra and her three droids the hundreds of meters from level 368, where Remembrance was berthed, to level 34, where Sirra intended to bask in the feeling of having living beings around her as she browsed through the shops and had a snack, in seconds. The inside of the lift was silent except for the occasional hum of the droids' internal motors as they shifted position. When the doors slid open with a hiss, Sirra smiled at the return of the noise. While not quite so noisy as the berthing levels the shopping concourse that lay before them was still crowded, and the voices of hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals of dozens of species washed over the lone Jedi.

Alpha moved out of the lift ahead of Sirra, sensors constantly scanning for weapons or threatening behaviour, checking faces and builds against its database of known criminals and bounty hunters, and making room in the crowd for his mistress. Sirra followed, with Xeress and Beta close behind, and the group slowly moved out into the flow of creatures walking and browsing through the shops and eateries.

The small group meandered across the wide walkway where Sirra looked over the few items that caught her fancy. The latest fashions from Coruscant were represented in a few shops, but Sirra was not in the mood to shop for clothes. She instead walked through the many boutiques that sold the handmade goods from hundreds of worlds. Mechanization allowed mass produced items to be made and sold for a pittance. And they were boring. But handmade goods were always interesting and often expensive enough to catch Sirra's experienced eye.

But the local customary female garb caught her eye. "It is called the Equadi," the shop owner told her. "Handmade, downplanet." It was feather light, silky, and virtually transparent. She tried it on and loved it on herself after looking in the mirror. The half dozen equadi in various pastel colors were all she bought that day.

All of two standard time parts Sirra just wandered through the shops and watched the assembled creatures come and go. Getting hungry again, she started to look for someplace to eat. Her species had a very fast metabolism and she ate many times a day. "Xeress, is there someplace to get food nearby?" The protocol droid had downloaded a map of the shopping concourses when Sirra had expressed an interest in shopping today.

"Yes, Lady Sirra, there is a place nearby called Xayled's Abyss. It is only a few meters from here." The light green metallic droid gestured with one slender arm. "It is listed as a tavern but notes that there is also food."

No, she didn't want to eat bar food, even if it wasn't one of the greasy, smoke filled bars she had been to before. All of a sudden she wanted to be on the ground. She had been feeling the strange disturbance in the Force since she came near this planet and her desire to know what it was redoubled. "No, let's return to the ship. Send ahead and have Captain prepare for departure and Feena prepare something for me to eat."

"Of course, mistress."

The return to the Remembrance was much less leisurely than the trip to the shopping concourse. Sirra walked quickly, with purpose, and Xeress, if not the security droids, had to almost run to keep up. They were back in the hoverlift in a few minutes and back on 368 only shortly thereafter.

Crossing through the commons area, Sirra was distracted by a shout.

"Hey, sweets, where're you goin' so fast?" The large human male held a mug of something that was surely alcoholic or narcotic in one greasy hand and was sprawled in his chair around a table crowded with other rough looking types. "Got a boyfriend to get back to? Why don't you be my girlfriend for a little while?"

The rough looking group laughed, at least until Beta turned to face them, the double barrelled blaster on his forearm plate showing.

She wanted to leave, and didn't really want these louts hurt. Sirra paused for a moment, then passed her hand through the air. "You don't want to bother me."

The big man looked back at his friends. "We don't wanna bother this chickie."

"You want to go home and rethink your life."

"I'm gonna go home and rethink my life."

Sirra turned and walked away. Moments later, the hatch of the Remembrance was hissing shut behind her. She took a few moments to change, doffing the voluminous cloak and revealing dress and putting on a less encumbering if no less concealing pair of tight, pale green trousers and a silky white blouse with baggy sleeves. The hair arranging droid removed the braids and bells from her hair and Sirra simply pulled her long black hair into a neat ponytail. She also chose a wide, thin shawl to throw over her shoulders and hide the equipment at her waist.

By the time she had changed, the Remembrance was pulling away from its berth and was headed planetside. She took a few minutes to relax with some fresh fruit and a refreshing vitamin drink as the ship headed toward the atmosphere. The long handle of her dual lightsaber hung down below the chair in which she sat as she savored the food her cooking droid had prepared for her.

It seemed that it was only a few minutes before Captain said over the ship's intercom link: "We will be docking at the New Plouton starport in a few minutes, Lady Sirra."

At that, Sirra stood and went to the forward hatch. Alpha and Beta bracketed her, but she shook her head. "No. You are not coming with me right now. Stay aboard the ship."

The two droids looked at each other, at a loss for words. "But, Lady, it might be dangerous out there." This from Alpha.

"No 'buts.' I am going to investigate this alone. If I run into trouble, I will contact the ship and have you come for me." If she ran into trouble that she couldn't handle, likely any rescue attempt would never make it to her in time. The droids knew it as well.

"I am going alone. Don't make me shut the two of you down." That seemed to do it. The pair of bodyguard droids backed away a few steps and made no move to accompany her as the hatch opened and Sirra left the ship.

"Preparations For Oblivion, Part 1"
By: Zale Tregat
Kaysa Zenarr-Tregat
Moril Astren [NPC]
Plavus [NPC]

Location: Yesdol, New Plouton
Date: Niothe 13, 4 ABY

***

"Mrs. Tregat?" The smuggler stepped through the door of Zenarr Inc. with a sleek, vintrium briefcase in his hand. He cocked his thumb back towards the door and Kaysa nodded as she engaged the remote locking mechanism for it hidden beneath her desk. Satisfied that their privacy was ensured, the man made his way towards Kaysa's desk and took a seat at the chair she in no way offered him. One stern look from Kaysa, and the man rose again. With a sigh, he stepped forward and laid the briefcase atop her desk.

"The item is secure, is it not?" Kaysa leaned forward and smiled almost fiercely. "Don't want any accidents."

The man scoffed at her and proceeded to tap the code into the keypad. "I've been hauling this stuff for years, Mrs. Tregat. I've taken all the necessary precautions."

A short, shrill chirp sounded, followed by the distinct click of the locking device disengaging. Plavus opened the lid of the briefcase, then swivelled the entire case around towards Kaysa. "There is your merchandise. Top quality and guaranteed effective. You want me to go through how to use it?"

"No," Kaysa said absently as she stared in thrall at the device. "I know how to work one."

Plavus raised his hands and stepped back. "Okay, okay," he said with a laugh. "But warn me before this thing blows. I don't wanna be anywhere within a kilometer of it. Now...don't remove the safety on the detonator before you're ready. I've had the internal timer disconnected, which means it can only be activated by hand. That doesn't give whoever's gonna be using the thing a lot of time to get clear..."

Kaysa saw the expectant, inquisitive expression on his face, but dismissed whatever question he was obviously waiting to ask her. "None of your business, Plavus." She slid a credit stick across the desk, then sat back and stared at the spherical device cradled in porous, gray polyfoam and gleaming attractively. She never knew a weapon of such destructive potential could be so beautiful. "Good day, Plavus. And thanks."

The man slipped the cred stick into his pocket and saluted Kaysa unceremoniously. With another laugh and a shake of his head, he turned and strode back towards the door, which was conveniently unlocked by the time he was within the door's sensor range. Once it had closed behind him, Kaysa secured it again. Her fingers flexed, then stretched out to the thermal detonator. It wouldn't fail her, that she knew, for she refused to let anything go wrong and compromise her scheme.

"In time, my precious," she whispered affectionately to the device as she closed the lid over it. She smoothed her hand across the top of the case, then sighed contentedly and sat back in her chair. Everything she needed was almost in her arsenal, but she would collect the rest after she performed some intel gathering. She wondered, then, if Zale would mind her dropping in unannounced, and how much sex she would need to perform to get the answers she needed.

***

Zale was hip deep in security reports when Moril's voice came through the intercom. "Zale, there's a sexy brunette here to see you."

"Tell her not today, my wife might find out."

Moril laughed. "Alright, though she's looking very hot."

Zale thought about it for a moment. "Alright, just give me a warning if my wife enters the building. She'd probably flay the skin from my bones if she found out."

"Sending her in now."

When the door opened, Zale was reclining back in his chair and staring up at the ceiling. "Well, hello there," he said, and then glanced down. "Oh gods! Kaysa! Damn you, Moril! Why didn't you say it was Kaysa? Now, boy do I feel embarrassed." He flashed her a wide grin, and slid out from behind his desk. "Hello, my love."

"Very humourous, Zale." Kaysa moved into his arms and kissed him tenderly. "So...should I be worried about this brunette?"

"Only if you develop a second personality," he said. "And, no one could ever drag me away from you. Though, I did set up some pilots for you. One of them was a rather cute brunette, but she didn't seem all that interested in me. Still, from what I saw of the tests we gave her, she's a good pilot."

"Well...send her by tomorrow. I'll check her out and see what I think about her." She poked him in the abdomen and added playfully, "Maybe I can even set something up for the two of you."

Zale stared at her wide-eyed. "Really? You'd do that? Let me...mingle with women who aren't you or Shiv?" He made a show of thinking about the prospect and then nodded. "I think I like that."

Kaysa laughed dryly and frowned. "No you wouldn't. Trust me."

Zale laughed and kissed Kaysa again. "No, I wouldn't. I don't think I'd be happy with anyone but you. I never thought any one person would steal my heart so completely, but you have."

"Sorry?" Kaysa offered. She smiled warmly then nestled her cheek into his chest. "I like being with you too, much to Merrick's chagrin."

Zale chuckled softly as he moved them both back toward his chair. "Well, Merrick gets his time with you so he has nothing to complain about. Besides, he's practically got Shiv around him all the time...much to Keeve's chagrin." He took a seat in the chair, pulling Kaysa down into his lap as he did. "So, what brings my beautiful wife into my office today?"

"I don't know," she said with a sigh. She lay her head upon his shoulder and began idly playing with a strand of plaited hair. "I was in my own office catching up on things, and I decided I was bored so I came here. You don't mind, do you? I mean, I'm sure if you have any appointments, they can wait."

"If I have any appointments," Zale said with a smile, "I'll cancel them. And, I'm glad you stopped by. I was getting bored here, and Moril ran out of amusing stories to keep me entertained."

"Perhaps next time, I should send Shiv over to keep him occupied, that way you won't have to suffer such tortures again." Kaysa intended to lull Zale with small talk before attacking the real purpose of her visit. Since he appeared at ease, she decided now was probably the best time to begin. "You know, I really hate not getting frisked by your boys. They just use those scanner things," she said, attempting to sound as obtuse as possible. "I mean, can't those things be fooled? Being a rich man like yourself, I'm sure you've got top of the line equipment. Is there any way past it, like shielding devices and such?"

Zale laughed. "Planning on sneaking a weapon past my scanners are you?" he asked. "I only had them stop frisking you because you liked it too much. I think the question that did it was, 'Deez, are you sure you don't want to make sure I don't have a blaster strapped to my inner thigh?' but I could be wrong." He grinned and kissed her. "Actually, they can be fooled, but it's difficult. Shielding will do it. There are also devices on the black market that send a disrupting pulse to the scanner, that forces it to recalibrate. The tricky part is that the re-calibration doesn't show up on the monitors, it's all in the internal circuitry. I'm trying to devise a way to get around that, but haven't come up with anything yet. This is all probably completely boring and uninteresting though."

"No, it's not. I'm in the smuggling business so it's beneficial to Zenarr Inc. to know about any new technology that could make my smugglers' jobs safer and easier...like getting past scanning equipment." Kaysa grinned and smoothed her hand over Zale's chest. "But if you're not interested in helping your own acquisition..."

"Of course I'm interested," Zale said with a laugh. "I take it you need some of these devices?"

"If you're offering..." she replied with a sultry smile.

"I'll get in touch with my contact," he said. "I should have one for you within the next couple days. I may even be able to acquire multiples."

"And they'll work, right? They're not too bulky, are they? You can't conceal a weapon if the shielding device itself is a large, conspicuous object."

"It's only a few centimeters in diameter, and not even half a centimeter thick. It's very easy to conceal. There's a pressure sensitive spot on the surface that you touch, and it'll do its magic. Just have your pilots press it before going through the detector. The effect lasts for about thirty seconds. After that, it takes the capacitor around fifteen minutes to recharge."

"Wow," Kaysa said with a laugh. "You know a lot about this stuff. It's kind of...appealing." Having all the information she needed, Kaysa decided some tender moments with her husband were in order. She wanted as many as she could get before she went through with her fatal plan. She nibbled delicately on his throat and slid her arms around his waist. "Should we go to lunch? Or maybe we can go see Merrick at the club. We can do anything...unless you're busy."

"I'm not busy at all," Zale said. "How about we head toward the club and see how far we can get before other urges detour us?" He opened his throat more toward her, inviting her lips to do as they wished.

"I know a nice shop we could sate those urges behind. Me and Gladyne, the owner, go way back." Kaysa moved her kisses to Zale's jaw, then his lips. "In fact, she helped Shiv pick out a particularly sexy dress during one shopping trip. The only hitch is, she keeps calling those pesky Morality Guards on us."

"We'll just have to teach her a lesson," Zale said with a grin. "I could bring a few boys along to wait for the Morality Guard, to let them know what we think of them when they show up." He laughed at the riot that would ensue if that happened. "Did you want to bring Shiv along? We could get her a new dress, and it will almost be like a reunion."

"If we invited her, we'd have to bring Keeve along." Kaysa grimaced and pulled away from Zale. "Things don't look too optimistic on that front. I don't think he'll ever really be close with me, Zale. At least I can try again--" Knowing there would be no chance for another child if her plan succeeded, Kaysa avoided that particular topic. "At any rate, let's just leave them be for today. Just me and my two men."

Zale smiled. "I like the sound of that," he said, and then helped them both to their feet. "Come on. I'll let Moril know I'll be gone for the rest of the day. And, then we can go see what fate has in store for us."

"I'm so glad you're this committed to your job." Kaysa gave Zale and alluring smile, than sauntered towards the door with hips swaying lasciviously. "You coming, Mr. Zenarr?"

"You keep moving like that," Zale said, "and I will be." With a grin, he followed her out of the office where he quickly apprised Moril of the situation. Once that was done, he took Kaysa's hand and they started off toward the elevator.

"Don't you love being married to such a spontaneous woman? I mean...if it weren't for me, you'd never have any fun."

"I love being married to you, and that includes everything that comes with the package," Zale said. "And, your spontaneity makes life interesting." He drew her hand up to his lips. "I like interesting."

"And that's only because you're so predictable and dull." She smiled sweetly at him and backed into the lift. "But you make up for it in bed."

"I should hope I do," Zale said. "I didn't go through all that training for nothing. I'd better be the best lover you've ever had, or I'll be very upset." He glanced at her and laughed. "Okay, if not the best, then the most technically accomplished. I can't imagine how all of my skill could ever make up for Shiv's enthusiasm or Merrick's...whatever skill Merrick has."

"Well...Merrick sings to you in bed. Can you do that?"

"Not if you don't want nightmares," Zale said with a grin. "I imagine he's also got a huge heart, and does everything he can to make sure you are very happy by the end of the night. I know he doesn't think he fits in, but he really needs to take a look at your eyes when you look at him again. It's pretty obvious."

"Maybe I better make it more obvious for him. He thinks he isn't man enough, Zale. He feels threatened by you, even though he doesn't say it."

Zale shook his head. "That's probably because I keep telling him he's my bitch. I really should stop that, but it's one of those habits I picked up in prison, and I haven't been able to shake it yet. I'll talk to him later, and let him know where things stand."

Kaysa pursed her lips to repress a laugh, but it was a futile effort. "Well...I'm sure he doesn't mind. He does like the attention. He's a celebrity, after all."

"Very true," Zale said with a slow nod. "I wonder if he'd get my name tattooed on his arm. Or, if he'd wear a leather collar with an I.D. tag. The possibilities are endless. You know, I think scheduling time together, for all of us is going to get very difficult."

"You will not monopolize my musician's time, Zale!" Kaysa playfully batted him in the arm. "He needs to have some time to write those love songs that make Shiv and I swoon. He's very, very good at that."

"Maybe one of these days all three of us - you, me, and Shiv, can go to one of Merrick's shows. We could get someone to watch Keeve for the night, and all just go out."

Kaysa emitted a shrewd, abrupt laugh and glanced at Zale with a look of skepticism. "I don't think we should leave anyone alone with that child. They'd likely end up maimed or dead, or both."

Zale frowned and then nodded. "What about a droid? One of the kind used for military purposes. One of those E5 models. If anyone could keep that boy in line, it'd be that kind of droid. You don't think Keeve could maim a droid, do you?"

"Frankly...I think he could manage it. He's my son, which means he's resourceful and industrious. We'll probably be cleaning up droid parts for weeks."

Zale laughed and nodded. "Yeah, you're right. I think leaving anyone or anything, other than me, you, or Shiv with him is testing fate." They stepped out of the turbolift and started off down the street toward the White Noise. "Is it true he took a bath with Shiv?"

Kaysa frowned. "Yes. And he saw them in bed too. I mean...I know Shiv was from a planet with very different principles and morals...but I still can't believe--" She stopped herself before she got too worked up, then shrugged. "She knows now that it's wrong, so..."

"I think him seeing her is one of the reasons he likes her so much," Zale said. "I have a feeling if that weren't the case, I'd be the only one who could control him because one of the first things I did when he met me was give him the first spanking of his life. Shiv probably doesn't see it as wrong as you do." He glanced at the woman walking past them in an equadi, then looked to Kaysa with a raised eyebrow. "And, she's probably trying to just get the kid to like her so he won't burn up her studio or bras anymore."

"No, Zale. That's just...wrong. We can't keep giving into him like my parents did. Do you want him to end up even more spoiled than he already is? He'll be even more uncontrollable then."

"I'm the one who's been spanking him when he's bad," Zale said. "And, I think Shiv is stopping her feeding of his voyeuristic tendencies. Though, we'll see. I guess what we all need to do is decide how to handle the boy's wild side."

"Well," Kaysa said with a grin, "how did you handle mine? We could tranquilize him and strap him to a chair as well. I'm sure he's not too young for that."

"There's also that window in my office," he added. "And, I think it helped that you were falling in love with me. And, then there was...but, he's still too young for that. I guess it's windows, tranquilizers, and chairs."

Kaysa smiled wanly and walked in silence with Zale past the equadi-clad women and other pedestrians. Finally, she realized something she'd neglected to take care of while devising her scheme: Keeve and his welfare. Zale was his stepfather and would take care of him, but she had to know for certain. "You will watch him, won't you? I mean...if anything ever happens to me...you'll keep him and make sure he's alright...won't you?"

Zale laughed. "Something'll happen to me long before it happens to you," he said. "But, of course. We all would. But, nothing's gonna happen to you. I can't imagine what I would do if something ever did happen to you, Kaysa." He shook his head and flexed his new hand. "I guess thinking about it...I know what you were feeling when you found out. I think all of our lives would crumble without you; you're our anchor."

Kaysa turned her face away from Zale and clenched shut her eyes. She never did consider what it would do to her loves if she went through with her scheme, but it had to be done. They would struggle without her for a time, but they were strong enough to overcome the sadness...weren't they? "You've...you've got it wrong, Zale. I'm the weak link. It's you, and Shiv, and Merrick who keep me from falling apart. I know you'd miss me for a while...but you three would make it together. I know it."

"I want you to say that the next time you have Shiv or Merrick looking into your eyes," Zale said. "I want you to honestly say that she'd be able to pick up and move on after you're gone." He shook his head, and glanced back to the shadow on their trail. His men were doing their jobs, and with Kaysa's recent talk, he'd need to have them doing an extra job. "But, anyway," he continued, "I think we'd have our hands so full with Keeve, we wouldn't have time to think about anything else." She's planning something, he thought, and I need to find out what it is.

Kaysa laughed blandly as they stopped by the edge of the walkway and Zale began hailing a hovercab. "I've been thinking of sending him to school. Maybe there, he can learn to play well with others. It's probably not gonna happen, but at least it's worth a shot."

"Possibly one of those military-style schools," Zale said. "The kind where he'll learn discipline. He needs discipline and order in his life. He needs to have his rebellious nature diminished enough to make home-life bearable. I can help you look for a place if you'd like." A cab had seen them, and Zale stopped waving as it approached.

"That sounds great," she replied with a tight smile. She wouldn't be around long enough to actually aid him in the search, but at least she wanted to make an effort while she was still around.

Zale opened the hatch for her and Kaysa slipped inside the cab. She instructed the man to transport them to the White Noise, and once Zale was settled within, the cab sped away. "He'll be upset, however. I don't think there are any naked women in military schools."

Zale laughed. "But, that's what we want," he said. "And, I don't care if he doesn't like it. He'll have to get used to it. If they have tall walls, we won't even have to worry about him seeing women on the streets wearing equadis either. Maybe the three of us, you, me, and Merrick, can start looking later on."

"I can only do it today. I have a busy schedule tomorrow. I have to interview that women you're sending to me, I have some manifests to look over..." Kaysa sighed and let her head fall upon Zale's shoulder. "I like the fact that Zenarr Inc. is getting back on track, but I really do hate working. I'd rather spend all day like this, just me and one of my lovers going out on the town."

Zale kissed Kaysa on the forehead between chuckles. "Well, if you really want, I'm sure we could find someone to run things for you while you gallivant around the city with me and Merrick."

She sighed wistfully and shook her head. "We'll all be living together now. There'll be some time." Kaysa craned her neck to look up at Zale. "Are you moving anything in today? We can stop by your apartment and grab some clothes if you want."

"I think that sounds like a good idea," Zale said. "I probably won't need much, just clothes and other personal items. Unless there's some furniture you'd like me to bring as well."

"If you wanna wait until we get a bigger place, then you can. We have all the essentials. I don't think there's anything you need to bring in the way of furnishings. Although," she said with a grin, "I wonder whose bed you'll be sleeping in. I know Shiv would be glad to have you."

"I can't think of very many people who Shiv wouldn't be glad to have in her bed," Zale said with a laugh. "As long as you're fine with it, I guess I'll move in with Shiv until we can find someplace bigger. That means I'm probably going to have to see her naked all the time, aren't I? You know, I just don't know if I'll be able to handle that."

"Fine!" Kaysa shouted with a laugh. She pushed Zale away and sat back against the seat with her arms crossed over her chest. "Merrick will sleep with Shiv. You can sleep with me. And if you're a bad boy, I'll even let you see me naked."

"Oh," Zale said with a wicked grin, "and I'm a very bad boy. I hope you can handle me. I wish I could bring that bathtub with me, and then you could bathe me when I'm especially bad."

"That doesn't sound much like a punishment." Kaysa chuckled as she shifted back towards Zale and slipped her hand beneath his shirt. The driver's eyes flicked to their reflection in the canopy, then he quickly focused on the road again bashfully. "You are very good at dealing out punishments, Zale. I certainly do miss that."

Zale moved his hand to Kaysa's thigh and moved his lips close to her ear. "Maybe tonight, after I've moved some things in, I can figure out something to punish you for. Would you like that, Kaysa? Would you like me to deal out one of the punishments you miss so much?"

"I would," Kaysa replied breathily. She moved her hips forward to push Zale's hand higher up her thigh and smiled as his fingers brushed against her crotch. "We can send Shiv, Merrick, and Keeve to a movie, then we can make as much noise as we want."

"I like making noise with you," Zale said as he pressed his hand firmly against Kaysa's mound. "I think we're going to get quite naughty in this cab." With his other hand, he fumbled with the catch on Kaysa's pants. He shifted his eyes so they were focused into her eyes. "I think a very long movie. A double-feature."

The driver's eyes grew wider the more perceptive towards what their words implied he became. The hovercab lurched for a moment as he looked back to observe how indecent their display was. He gasped quietly as Zale's hand dipped into Kaysa's pants and her moan filled the small vehicle. The vehicle accelerated with the driver's urgency to deliver them to their requested location and be free of them, but they were still a long minute away.

Kaysa, however, wanted the ride to never end. "I don't think I've ever done it in a cab. That should be a unique experience."

"In a cab," Zale said as he started loosening his belt. "I think that's a very good idea, my love." Once he'd managed to get his pants open, he fished a hundred credit note out of his pocket, and tossed it onto the front seat. "Come here, my beautiful wife, it's time to initiate this cab."

Kaysa giggled as she slid herself atop Zale's lap and kissed him deeply. The driver hesitated for but a moment before her swiped the credit note and turned up the portable music box installed in the vehicle. He hoped that would be enough to drown out the cries that were already beginning to arise.

"Oh...my love." Kaysa cradled Zale's cheek with her hand as she positioned herself and eased Zale inside of her. She hoped to give him another memory for him to remember her by - another happy one. There wasn't time to create very many of them before she carried out her plan, but at least the ones he did have would be more than enough. "You'll never forget me, will you?" she asked softly as she writhed slowly against him.

Zale looked up into Kaysa's eyes and masked his concern over her question. "I could never forget you," he said. "You're a part of me now, and I could never forget. It's the same for all of us." He hoped his shadows were still back there following, but he couldn't be sure in the cab. If nothing else, he'd be able to follow the tracking device active in his prosthetic hand. "You know, I could get used to this in cabs. I think our driver's going to earn himself a big tip for this fair."

"And perhaps a lesson or two."

The White Noise came and went as the driver awaited the signal to finally pull over, which he imagined would come in the form of one loud, passionate cry from them.

Kaysa unfastened the buttons of her shirt quickly and adeptly. She finally pulled it open and pushed Zale's face into her bosom. "Oh gods..." she moaned. "How can one man be so good with both his hands and his tongue?"

"That's the Master part of Shac'Tae Master," Zale rasped, and then quickly returned his face to her breasts. While there wasn't much room for maneuvering in the backseat of the cab, Zale was managing his part with his usual skill.

The cab driver flinched as Kaysa's piercing cry speared at his ears, causing the cab to swerve. He managed to regain control of the vehicle, but it was proving difficult considering the incrementally louder cries arising from Kaysa. She clutched at Zale's shoulders to steady herself, and was caught between laughter and shrill screams as he administered his Shac'Tae specialty to her.

"This makes up in advance for any fight we get into-- Oh gods!" Kaysa's back arched and she cried out again. The driver resorted to clamping a hand over one of his ears to at least mitigate some of the pain her screams were causing.

Zale tossed two more hundred credit notes at the driver as he continued to thrust himself deeper inside of Kaysa. He started adding his own cries in as a counterpoint to hers. He knew they wouldn't last much longer, though the longer they stayed the richer their cabbie would be. "Oh gods, I do love you. I could never be with someone who didn't have a wild streak like yours. Oh! Oh yes...scream for me, Kaysa. Scream and let me know you love what I'm doing."

And that she did, adding some choice curses in for good measure. The cabby adjusted the volume settings on his music box, but even full volume wasn't enough to drown out their cries.

Kaysa was delirious with pleasure and it no longer registered with her where they were or how they had ended up there. All she knew was that the precipice was quickly approaching, and she was about to plunge over it with Zale. Her fingernails were digging into Zale's flesh through his shirt, but he didn't seem to mind, since his motions didn't falter once.

The rest of the universe seemed to fade away into nothingness, leaving only himself and Kaysa behind. And, then as their cries seemed to reach a crescendo, he thrust into her one more time and all of their passion exploded into a bliss so pure and potent, that passing vehicles on the street were suddenly aware of the impassioned screams coming from their hovercab. And, then the peak of their lovemaking passed. With one last cry, Zale collapsed back against the seat. "Oh gods..."

Kaysa slumped against him, breathing heavily and unable to speak. She finally managed, however, to bring her lips to Zale's ear and whisper an endearing 'I love you' before her head fell upon his shoulder from exhaustion. Too tired to force them back, silent tears rolled from her eyes and bled into the fabric of Zale's shirt. This was the last time she would do anything this daring with Zale, and that thought alone almost made her reconsider what she was setting out to do. But it had to be done, and she couldn't lose her determination now.

"Do you think Merrick will be able to tell?" she asked breathlessly. "If he does, he might want a go too." She glanced up at Zale and smiled, all for him; always for him. "Are you sure you're up for that?"

Zale opened his eyes and looked at her. "I don't know if I have enough steam left for Merrick," he said. "But, if Merrick wants a tumble, I'll do my best. He just has to find something else to do with his hands than pull my hair."

"I'll tie them up behind his back with the strings of his baitar. Will that do?"

"You should probably tie them in front," Zale said. "If you tie them behind, he'll probably try to tickle me or pull something else when I'm back there giving him his go."

Kaysa chuckled softly and pulled back to look at Zale. "You know, I worry that you really mean what you say sometimes. I half expect you to request that I allow you to join Merrick in his bed."

"I wouldn't mind Merrick joining me to help send you off into a blissful, pleasure-filled dreamland, but you don't worry about Merrick and I running off together."

Kaysa smiled lazily then laid her head upon his shoulder again. "That'll do." She sighed as she began playing blindly with one of Zale's braids. "You know how to make me so happy, Zale. I hope I do the same for you."

"You make me happier than I've ever been in my life," he said. "I can't imagine how I got from day to day without you at my side. And, I certainly can't imagine a day in my life without you anymore. I don't think I would even want to try without you."

Kaysa was glad to have her face turned away from Zale's; he couldn't see, then, the dejection displayed in her downturned lips, or in her eyes, the internal war raging. He was strong and would make it without her eventually. He'd have Shiv and Merrick, and even Keeve, all of them living peacefully without the threat of Dargus' retaliation looming over them. They'd have true happiness, then.

"Uh...White Noise coming up...again," the cabby called back. "Should I pull over this time?"

"Yeah," Zale said. "I have to go have sex with Merr-- Oww! Yes, just pull it over here." He turned to Kaysa and grinned. "You didn't have to hit me. We'd better straighten ourselves up if we're getting out of the cab."

Kaysa agreed with a nod and slipped onto the seat next to Zale. She refastened her pants and shirt, then helped Zale smooth out his own clothing. The cab pulled up outside the White Noise, but before exiting, Kaysa threw herself up against Zale and kissed him deeply. "Just wanted to give you something more to remember this day by," she said with a tender smile.

"I don't think I could forget it," Zale said with a laugh. "And, I don't think the driver ever will either." He reached into a pocket and pulled out another wad of hundred credit notes. He handed the man in front ten of them, and returned the rest to his pocket. "Have a good day," he said to the man, and then nodded for Kaysa to get out.

Once they were both standing on the sidewalk, he slipped his arms around her and kissed her. "I remember all of our days together."

"Even the bad ones? I hate those days."

"Remembering those days makes the good days even better," Zale said with a smile. He slipped his hand into hers. "Let's go find Merrick."

"If you're lucky," Kaysa said as they began mounting the stairs leading to the club, "you might even get to see him performing. I bet you'll fall in love with him all over again."

"I'll try to be good and not throw my underwear up on the stage at him," Zale said with a grin, and then slipped his arm around her waist. "I've been wanting to hear him live after listening to Shiv singing his songs."

"You might get your chance, then. And if he's taking a break in his dressing room, I'm sure he'd agree to a private performance." She glanced at him sidelong and added, "Especially if you toss him your panties."

"Do you think he'd like that? Shiv says he has quite a selection now. I'm sure he'd love to add mine to that collection, though they wouldn't match those dainty things you wear."

Kaysa feigned an expression of concern as they reached the doors of the club. "A collection? I had no idea he kept those lacy gifts from his fans. Well...it would appear Merrick likes giving private performances, so you just might have a chance after all!"

"Really?" Zale asked, and then made a show of adjusting himself in his pants. "I'm ready. Though, I've heard it's a very small collection. So far he has two of your panties, and two of Shiv's and three bras. I heard she gave him the bras because she doesn't wear them anymore."

"Then she won't mind the next time Keeve burns one of them." Kaysa stepped forward and pulled open the door for Zale. "After you. And it'll help if you flick your hair back from time to time. Guys really go for that."

Zale frowned. "They do? I'll have to remember that. And, I think the fact that Keeve is burning anything, regardless if it's Shiv's discarded, unworn bras or not, is still something to be concerned about." Zale stepped through the door, and then reached back to hold it open for Kaysa to step through.

"Preparations For Oblivion, Part 2"
By: Merrick Braston
Zale Tregat
Kaysa Zenarr-Tregat
Chrik Grolog [NPC]

Location: Yelldon, New Plouton
Date: Niothe 13, 4 ABY

***

"Ohh," Kaysa whined as she walked into the club. "He's not singing."

"Hey!" Chrik's coarse, raspy voice sounded out from the bar, where he seemed to be always seated with the same drink in his hand and a cigarra resting between his fingers. "Oh, it's you," he said to Kaysa. "Didn't see ya behind that big fella."

"Sorry, Chrik. We just dropped in to see Merrick. Is he around?"

The surly man thrust his thumb back over his shoulder and replied tersely, "Dressing room. Pretty boy needed a break." He mumbled sourly about celebrity types and their temperamental whims, but the rest was drowned in the glass of liquor he brought to his lips.

"Come on." Kaysa linked her arm with Zale's and led him through the maze of tables towards the backstage entrance. "That's the proprietor of the club. He's an okay guy once you get to know him, but he's always in a bad mood for some reason."

Zale glanced at the man and nodded. He was met with the most friendly scowl he'd ever encountered in his life, and he nearly laughed. "So, does he actually like anyone? Or does he always look like he just bit into a sour algraberry?"

"Well...I think he likes Merrick, although he'd never admit that even to himself. He seems to like me too, and it's not just because I'm a woman. Frankly, I don't think he cares either way."

Kaysa pushed through the backstage door and pulled Zale along. Her steps quickened and she felt herself filling with glee as they neared Merrick's dressing room. "I wonder if he'll give you a hug and a kiss too? Well...it's something to hope for I guess."

"A hug and--? I was hoping for something a little more substantial," Zale said with a grin. "But, I'll be happy with a hug and a kiss if that's what Merrick wants to give me." He glanced at Kaysa and laughed. "You want me to hold you down before you start bouncing against the ceiling?"

Kaysa jutted her head loftily in the air and straightened her back stiffly. "I am not bouncing, and even if I am, I do the same when I come to see you."

"So, you were acting like that when you came to see me earlier? All excited and giddy?" He grinned and slipped a hand into hers. "You know, I think you're more like Shiv than you realize. Bleach your hair and let it grow longer, and we wouldn't be able to tell you apart."

"I knew you always preferred the blonde over me! Fiend."

"Wouldn't you?" Zale laughed and slipped his arms around Kaysa's waist. "You know you're the one I'd take over anything else. You're the only one I need in my life, Kaysa. The only one in all the universe."

"I'm sure there's someone else. You just haven't had time to search." More than anything, she hoped that was true, for when she was gone, Zale deserved to have someone to love, someone who could make him forget her.

"I've looked Kaysa," Zale said. "There's no one else. Trust me. I enjoy being with Shiv, but not even Shiv would be able to make me feel the way you do."

"Don't worry," she said softly as she smoothed her hand over his cheek, "you'll get over it one day soon, then maybe all those beautiful women you rejected before will be in luck."

"So, what are you planning, Kaysa?" He kept his gaze straight ahead, but he could still make her out to his side. He had a feeling things would get bad now.

Kaysa smiled but it lacked warmth and was present only to conceal her surprise. "Planning? I'm...planning on going into that dressing room and giving Merrick a kiss, then letting you two have some quiet time."

"Of course," Zale said. "Though, it sounds like you're planning for something that you won't be returning from. You're going out of your way to assure me that I'll be fine when you're gone."

"Well...if something does ever happen to me, for whatever reason, then I just want to make sure you know that...you're a strong man and you'll be fine without this nagging brunette in your life."

"If anything ever happens to you, I'll probably just go berserk and destroy the planet," he said with a grin. "So, I'll have to make sure I protect you from anything happening to you. And, I happen to like that nagging brunette."

Kaysa laughed softly and slipped away from Zale. "Come on. Let's go visit your boyfriend."

"You're just jealous because he screams louder for me," Zale said as he quickly followed after her. "I think I'm going to want to stay with him tonight, especially if he writes a song for me. You'll be alright with Shiv, right?"

"Oh, I'm always alright with her, especially when she--" Kaysa smiled coyly at Zale and stopped before Merrick's door. "Well...you don't need to hear about that sort of thing. It'll just get you worked up."

"I'm about to see dreamy Merrick," Zale said with a sly grin. "I want to be worked up." He pulled Kaysa into his arms, and kissed her. "Now, tell me about Shiv if you want to. If not, I'm opening that door, and giving Merrick a very big Zale Tregat hello."

Kaysa shot Zale a challenging smile, then blindly tapped on Merrick's doorchime. "I'd really like to see that."

"You don't want to see that," Zale said quickly as the door started to open.

Merrick was standing in the doorway, and his features brightened when he saw them there. "Kaysa, Za--"

Before he could finish, Zale bounded forward, and scooped Merrick up in his arms. Somewhere from within Zale's massive embrace, there was a yelping sound, followed by the wet sound of a kiss.

Kaysa stood with one foot in the room, and the other frozen in the process of stepping forward. Her mouth hung open and her eyes grew wide as she witnessed the surreal sight of her husband kissing her boyfriend. "Should...should I come back?" she said almost sincerely, but definitely worriedly.

"No, no," Zale said as he stepped back. As he did, Merrick came into view once again, and it appeared he was wiping off his forehead.

"It's good to see you too, Zale," Merrick said. He leaned closer to Kaysa, and conspiratorially asked: "Does he slobber that much when he kisses you?"

"If he did, I don't think I would have married him." She pulled down the sleeve of her shirt and used it to wipe at his brow.

"Thank you," Merrick said with a smile. "So, you two here for the show? Or are you here to just smother me with kisses?"

"Either way, I doubt you'd mind." Kaysa took a moment to kiss Merrick. She grimaced as her cheek met with the remnants of Zale's overly enthusiastic kisses upon Merrick's cheek. She ran the back of her hand over her mouth and stepped back. "Zale...being a Shac'Tae master, you don't kiss very well."

"You'd be surprised what use saliva could be during a Shac'Tae ritual." He laughed at the look she gave him. "Okay, okay, there are very few uses. But, it was still fun." He gave her a smouldering look. "I'm not going to have to prove to you how well I kiss, am I?"

"I bet you'd like that." She took Merrick's hand and led him towards one of the chairs. After pushing him into it, she settled down upon his lap. "Zale wanted to stop by and see you...for obvious reasons that I certainly didn't know about, so you can imagine my shock."

"Oh that," Merrick said. "Well, we were going to tell you eventually. It's one of those things that's hard to keep a secret. Now, I'm sure it could really be something special if he'd just stop pulling my hair."

"I bet you like the hair pulling," she teased. "I never did take you for the kinky one, Merrick."

"Oh yes," Merrick said forcing all the humour from his voice, "I really do love that pain and punishment. Maybe Zale and I could have some time together while Keeve torments me too. I think that would surely get me all wet and sticky."

"Merrick!" Kaysa batted his chest gently and slipped off his lap. "For a singer, you certainly have a foul mouth."

"Hey! I have to know words like that for when I sing my more raunchy songs. Though, I only do that when I've had way too much to drink."

"And here I thought you were the more romantic of the two." Kaysa crossed her arms haughtily over her chest and strode towards another free chair in the room, where she planted herself. "I guess I'll have to find a sensitive, genteel man, for obviously the two I have now are nowhere near that."

"Your husband corrupted me," Merrick said just as Zale was saying, "Your boyfriend corrupted me."

Both looked at each other and laughed, and then Merrick approached. "I don't know any wild songs like that. I heard that wet and sticky line from...from Shiv, and...well, you know how she gets. Honest, I'm still your romantic and genteel Merrick."

"Well..." Kaysa looked to be contemplating the sincerity of his declaration, but finally laughed and pulled him down into her lap. "Wow...my love, you're heavier than you look, which means Zale is far stronger than he seems."

"Oh, definitely," Merrick said, looking back to Zale. "And, I'm really not all that strong. I can barely pick Shiv up and she's practically a feather. I'd try picking Keeve up, but that'd only put his teeth near my nose."

"The doctors are great with prosthetics," Zale said, showing them both his hand. "I'm sure if Keeve bit your nose off, we could get a replacement."

"I think by then, I'd be looking for a replacement myself." She grinned at Merrick and scooted him off of her. "So, my boys, what have we planned for the day? This may be your last chance to have me all to yourselves for an entire day...since work is picking up, of course."

Zale frowned at Kaysa's comment and knew something was up when she shifted her gaze from him.

"How about we go grab a bite to eat, and then we can maybe do a little shopping, and then the two of you can come back here for my show tonight? How's that sound?"

"I think that's a great idea. I knew I was keeping you around for a reason, my love."

Merrick grinned and glanced back at Zale as a means to show off his importance. Zale quickly recovered from his frown, and returned the smile. There was little humour behind it, but Merrick's pride didn't allow him to see it there.

"I guess we should be going then," Zale said. "There's a new caf� opening up down the street. Maybe we can go there. I hear they have some great Tarkayze salmon."

Kaysa jumped to her feet at the sound of that and immediately rubbed her hands together expectantly. "So...which of my men will be paying for my meal? I guess you could always fight over that honour...in a pool of mud with only your underwear on."

"But I was going to be throwing my underwear at Merrick tonight during the show--"

"Don't you dare! It's bad enough with Shiv standing up and tossing her underwear at me, especially when she makes sure she has everyone's attention first. But, I don't need you doing it too. That's the last thing I need."

"Now, I don't want any fighting," Kaysa said as she stepped between her two men. She slung one arm across each of their shoulders and pulled them close. "We're going to have a lovely, uneventful lunch, okay? I want this day to be perfect. Can we please do that?"

Merrick smiled and his joking manner diminished. "I think we can," he said. "Let's go buy our woman some lunch, Zale. I think she needs to be pampered."

"I think you're right," Zale said.

"Though, it looks like you were already pampering her on the way over. Or was it before you left? No, no...on the way over. It's the only way to go." He laughed and gave Kaysa a kiss. "The salmon awaits, my love."

She glanced at Zale with a sly grin and for a moment considered taking them both in the hovercab. "We'll save that for after lunch," she muttered as they headed out of the dressing room.

With Zale on one side and Merrick on the other, the trio exited the dressing room and headed out of the White Noise. Merrick told Chrik he'd be gone for a bit as they reached the outside door.

"Try to stay away from the Morality Guard this time," the man said with a dry laugh.

Merrick waved him off and stepped out into the sunshine with a laugh. "I love his sense of humour," he said. "Don't you love that about him? Such a breath of fresh air."

"I could go take care of him if you want," Zale said with a grin.

"I think that's alright. I think he'd fire me if you did."

"You could buy the place."

"I could," Merrick said. "But, that's too much of a hassle. Why don't you buy it?"

"Don't tempt me." He glanced at Kaysa and grinned. "How would you like to be part owner of the White Noise, my love?"

"I think that'd be just less free time on my hands. Why don't you and Merrick buy the place? You seem to share well...when it's women you're sharing."

Zale nodded as he thought about it. "Might not be a bad investment, especially with Merrick Braston headlining."

"It's a good idea," Merrick said. "Maybe we can work out the details later."

Zale gave Kaysa a kiss. "A wonderful idea my love," he said. "Of course, you'll have free tickets for life. And, I think we should get Shiv up on stage with Merrick next week. What do you think, Kayse?"

She glanced up at Zale, who was wearing a smile that conveyed how clever he thought himself to be. He probably had her whole plot figured out by now, as seemed apparent by the allusions in his statement...and not to mention that annoying smirk. "I think Shiv would enjoy that immensely, my love," she replied evasively.

Zale only nodded. "That's what I was thinking too," he said after a moment.

"This the place?" Merrick asked as he indicated the sidewalk caf� they were approaching.

"This is it," Zale said. "Just sit out at one of the tables outside, and they'll come out to wait on us. Lunch is on me." He gave Merrick a playful look and added, "But not literally."

"Unless you keep up this game you've got going," Kaysa whispered into his ear. She shot him a stern look, certain he understood her meaning. With a bright smile, she moved away from them and headed towards a table sitting partially in shade and in sunlight. "This one looks nice," she called back.

Zale watched after Kaysa and Merrick for a moment, then followed. As he neared the table, he slowed. "Actually," he said, "I need to make a quick comm call. I'll be right back." With that, he started toward the inside of the caf�.

Merrick watched Zale go, and then shrugged it off. "I think Chrik came here for lunch the other day, but he said it was a little too upper class for him."

Kaysa ignored Merrick completely and watched Zale disappear within the establishment. "Where's he going?"

"To make a comm call," Merrick said, glancing toward the door Zale had just disappeared through and then back to Kaysa. "At least, that's what he said he was doing."

Kaysa managed a tight smile for Merrick as she pulled out her chair. "Well...it's probably some business matter." Trying to keep her impulsiveness in check, Kaysa decided against following Zale inside and spying on him. She needed one happy day with Merrick, and if Zale caught her eavesdropping, she would have anything but.

Merrick nodded. "Well, he is one of the top crime figures on the planet, so I'm sure...it's business. I can't believe he kissed me. Well, at least kissed me like that. I mean, I don't mind him kissing me...as long as he...as long as I don't need a towel afterward. I think he's insane."

"He's not insane," Kaysa said with a laugh. "He's just very happy." She reached over and placed her hand atop his. Her tone became far more serious than she'd intended it to be, but then again, it was a serious matter she was addressing. "You'll make sure he stays that way, won't you? I mean...if anything happens to me, you'll make sure he doesn't go completely crazy and blow up the entire planet, won't you?"

Merrick laughed. "Oh," he said with a chuckle, "of course I'll do everything I can to stop Zale from doing something stupid."

"This isn't a joke, Merrick! I mean it. You and he are sort of...friends. If he'd listen to anyone, it'd be you."

Merrick nodded, and his tone sobered considerably. "Well, if in the extremely unlikely chance that anything ever happened to you, I'll make sure to do my best to keep Zale from going crazy. I promise." He reversed his hand to hold hers, and then brought her hand to his lips. "And, you don't have to worry about me and Zale, my love. We're friends, but we're not going to run off together."

Kaysa smiled and nodded her head. "I know. I don't think either of you could live without a woman." She looked upon her hand in Merrick's, gazing wistfully at his thumb stroking her flesh. "I almost died, Merrick. It could happen again at any time, and next time, I might not survive. If that happens, you'll be alright, won't you? I mean, you'll still have Shiv and Zale... You'll be happy...won't you?"

"I don't think I could ever be truly happy without you, Kaysa," Merrick said. "I love Shiv very much, and she's an amazing girl, but you're the one who's so deep in my heart that it hurts when we're apart. I don't want to think of life without you, because I remember those four months without you."

Kaysa closed her eyes and looked away. Her death would essentially kill Merrick too, but if she allowed Dargus to live, they'd be forced to live under the shadow of his threat until he either killed them all, or they gave him what he wanted. She was far too stubborn to give him the spaceport, and doing so would also damn all of Tae'Karada. That was guilt she couldn't afford to live with. The only solution lay with killing Dargus and doing the entire planet a favour. Her life was but a small cost to pay, although she doubted Merrick, or Zale, or Shiv would feel that way.

Kaysa whimpered softly as she pulled her hand from Merrick's and quickly rose. "I...I need to freshen up. You...order me something." Kaysa stumbled past her chair as she hurried away towards the interior of the caf�. It wasn't fair of Merrick to make her doubt herself, to force her to reconsider her actions. She was going through with her plot no matter how guilty he or Zale made her...and no matter how insecure she now felt about her decision.

Zale was just starting back toward the table when he saw Kaysa rush inside. Something was wrong, and her posture and the expression she wore screamed it. She was oblivious to his presence, and it made it that much easier for him to follow her to wherever she was going.

A waiter crossed her path, and she pulled him back by the arm, almost knocking the tray he was carrying out of his hands. She asked him frantically for directions to the refresher. Once he administered them, she pushed past him and bolted towards it.

A sudden churning in her stomach afflicted her and she covered her mouth to keep herself from unleashing her morning's breakfast upon the floor. Merrick always did manage to have that effect on her, but this time, her sickness was rooted in guilt and doubt, and the realization that in planning to kill Dargus, she was arranging her own death as well.

The refresher door slid open for her but she never made it to a stall. She buried her head into one of the sinks and heaved violently as she purged her anxieties and fears down the drain.

Zale stepped forward and helped pull Kaysa's hair back out of the way. "That doesn't sound good," he said softly. "Kaysa, we need to talk."

She groaned quietly and coughed as her bout of vomiting died down. Once she'd rinsed her mouth out with water from the tap, she managed to raise her head enough to gaze upon Zale through the reflection in the mirror. "Talk? This couldn't wait until after I'd finished making this disgusting mess?"

Zale gave a wry laugh. "Well, I figured the talking part would wait until you were done," he said. "But, I just wanted to give you a warning." He rubbed her back soothingly.

Kaysa sighed and straightened up slowly. "A warning?" She turned around to face him with a stubborn frown and her arms folded over her chest. "What is it exactly you wanted to discuss, Zale? Is it your intention to take Merrick to your bed?"

"Merrick is my friend, Kaysa," Zale said. "Nothing more. And, as much as he and I may joke about it being more, it's not. Kaysa, I'm worried. The things you've been saying today... I know you're planning something, and it sounds dangerous... Please talk to me, Kaysa. This is very important, especially now."

"You're being paranoid, Zale," Kaysa said with a grimace. "Why should I be planning something? I was only being rhetorical today."

"You've been rhetorical all day," Zale said. "And, I know you, Kaysa. I know something's going on. Look into my eyes and tell me you're not planning anything."

Kaysa gazed up into Zale's eyes and replied, "I'm not planning anything." It wasn't a complete lie; she'd already planned everything, so there was nothing else to arrange. "And what about you? Sneaking off to make a sudden comm... What exactly are you planning, Zale?"

"There are many things I'm planning," Zale said. "I'm a crimelord. I have plans within plans. And, I have to make sure my plans happen the way I want them to. Which means I sometimes need to contact my people to make sure things are going...according to plan."

"Good, because I wouldn't want you wasting your time planning something to foil one of my plans since I haven't planned anything to begin with."

"Of course not," Zale said. He looked around and shrugged. "Well, I guess you don't need me in here anymore since you have everything under control."

Kaysa shrugged back and turned away to face the mirror. "I always do, don't I?"

Zale nodded, and then turned and left without another word. He'd find out what she was hiding, what she was planning, and he'd put a stop to it before she could get herself hurt. Though, it certainly appeared that she'd taken her self-destructive streak to a new level.

Waiting a few minutes to collect herself and to give Zale time to rejoin Merrick at the table, Kaysa splashed water onto her blanched face, cleaned her mouth out one more time, and started for the outdoor patio.

In the end, Zale would resent her for lying to him, but it would be easier for him to move on if he hated her. That's what she'd have to do, then. To make her loss less difficult for them all, she'd have to give them reason to want her gone. Considering how well she was doing with driving Zale away, she didn't think that would be too difficult at all.

"Sorry," she said as she seated herself in her chair. She glanced at Zale, then looked to Merrick and smiled. "I had to use the refresher."

Merrick nodded slowly. "That's what I hear," he said. "How are you?"

Kaysa pursed her lips tightly and shot a rather scathing glare at Zale. "I'm so glad you found it fit to inform him of my weak constitution, Zale. If I'd wanted him to know of my activities in the refresher, I would have told him myself."

"My humblest apologies," Zale said ignoring her glare. "When he asked how's she doing, I figured I would tell him. I am not about to make a habit out of lying to my loved ones."

"It's not lying. It's merely withholding irrelevant information." She patted Merrick's hand assuringly and said, "I'm fine, Merrick. It was just a little nausea. Nothing more."

Merrick nodded, but the concern in his eyes didn't go away. "Okay," he said. "Do you need me to do anything for you? Get you something to drink? Rub your feet? Your temples? Your unmentionables?"

"It's alright, my love. Zale took care of that during the cab ride." She laughed softly and cradled his cheek in her hand. "I'm not sick, or pregnant, or anything. I don't need to be fussed over."

"I think you need some tender loving," Merrick said softly. "And, Zale and I are going to give you that tonight after the show. We'll go back to one of his other apartments for a night together, just the three of us."

"Are you sure you wanna do that, Merrick? I don't know if you can handle it. I mean..." Kaysa glanced at Zale, recalling how passionate their nights together usually were. "It could get kind of intense, Merrick."

Merrick sighed. "Let me decide what I can and can't handle," he said. "Do you think I'm scared of intensity?"

"I don't...know really. I mean...have you even really thought it through, Merrick?" she asked. "Can you really picture yourself in bed with me and Zale?"

"Fine," Merrick said, the exasperation in his voice clear. "If you don't want me there, I won't be. You two go off and do your thing, and I'll figure out something to do with my time. I'll be fine."

"No, no," Kaysa said jeeringly, "why don't you and Zale have a lovely evening together?" She patted both of their hands with hers and slowly slid out her chair. "Zale can go to the show, throw you some underwear, then after," she said as she rose, "you can have some time together in your dressing room." Kaysa stepped behind her chair and pushed it back in. "I completely forgot that I have an appointment I'm late for. Enjoy your lunch, boys."

And it was done. She turned, and strode lazily away from the table, having completely alienated both her loves, but for their own good. Once she was far enough out of sight, she'd let go of her tears, but she couldn't betray the charade by letting them witness how penitent she was about hurting them. Everything she was doing, and would do, was all for them. They might never realize it, but one day, they'd be grateful to her.

"Fine," came Merrick's voice from the patio.

"Merrick, wait," Zale called after him.

"I can't live like a stranger anymore," Merrick shouted. "My girlfriend doesn't want me around anymore. Shiv and I can't be close without that brat sinking his teeth into me. This is insane."

"Look, buddy--"

"Get your fucking hands off me!"

The sound of a table crashing to pieces followed by the sound of heavy footsteps storming away filled the patio, and then it was silent.

Kaysa heard the piercing sound of shattering glass and the minor scuffle...but even then she resisted the temptation to turn back and reveal her ruse to Merrick, to assure him it was all an act to achieve just what she had: his hatred.

She moved away faster so that she could finally seek shelter and weep bitterly, but there was no time for that. Things had to be prepared, she had to find a way to keep Zale from uncovering her plot, and most of all, her mental resolve had to be steeled, for she would need it in the upcoming days to prevent her from backing out of the plan. It had to be done. Then, Merrick, Zale, and Shiv could be truly happy.

Dargus' death would be the greatest gift she could give them, and in her sacrifice, the truest testament of her love for them all.

"Aggressive Tendencies, Part 1"
By: Maeren "Shiv" Shivral
Keeve Zenarr [NPC]

Location: Yesdol, New Plouton
Date: Niothe 13, 4 ABY

***

"Zoom!"

Keeve made another circuit of the living room with his miniature podracer raised above his head. He made shrill whines as the toy made steep dips through the air, then came up again as high as he could manage to get his arm to reach. Neighbours had complained twice about the noise, but he'd managed to scare them off by baring his teeth to them. They'd heard enough about Keeve Zenarr to know what that meant, and they quickly decided they could learn to put up with the noise.

Keeve grinned wickedly as he eyed a vase resting atop the coffee table. He weaved the podracer along a straight path towards the crystalline vase, planning to pull up at the last minute, but his reckless, mischievous tendencies got the better of him. He shrieked in imitation of the podracer's brakes straining to stop the vehicle, but it was too late. The small toy collided with the vase and sent it toppling to the floor. Keeve giggled excitedly at the sound of the crashing crystal, and hopped up and down with arms upraised, cheering at another victory.

Shiv came rushing in from the other room, paint staining the smock she wore as she wiped her hands on it. "Keeve, what are you doing in--? Oh gods, Keeve! What did you do?" She rushed over toward the broken vase, careful not to step on any of the shards in her bare feet. "Oh gods, baby, what did you do?"

"I didn't see it," Keeve explained. "I was playing and it got in the way."

Shiv bent down and started picking up the pieces. "Well, be more careful from now on," she said a little too harshly. "I bought this for Kaysa when we all got together again...and now... Just be careful from now on, Keeve. Alright? Will you please be careful for me?"

"I'll try, Auntie Shiv. For you, I'll try." Keeve threw his podracer onto the couch and crouched down to help pick up the pieces. "I'm very careful. It's just sometimes...I get too excited."

Shiv nodded slowly. "I understand," she said. "But, we can't just keep replacing everything. If you keep breaking things like this, we're going to have to sell some of your toys to pay for the replacements."

Keeve became motionless, staring agape at Shiv. "My toys?" He gasped and shook his head profusely. "Not my toys! I'll be careful, Auntie! I will!"

"Okay," Shiv said with a smile, and then kissed him on the forehead. "Let's get this mess into the recycler, and then maybe we can go outside on our hoverboards."

"Then we can come in and have a bath!" Keeve carefully placed shards of the vase into the palm of his hand, then scurried towards the recycler. "You really need a bath, Auntie Shiv. Don't worry, though, I'll get all that paint off you."

"That's very sweet of you, Keeve," Shiv said. "But, we can't take baths together like that anymore. It's not right for us to do that, so we can't anymore."

Keeve threw the shards of crystal into the receptacle, then marched back to Shiv seemingly unfazed by her comment. "Don't worry. I know you're only saying that because you're afraid Kaysa will get mad at you. But I promise, I won't tell, so it's okay if we bathe together."

"No, it's not Keeve," Shiv said. "Your mother doesn't want us doing that, and we're not going to be doing it. I can't go against Kaysa like that, Keeve. I love her very much, and I can't defy her like that."

Keeve stopped before Shiv, staring down at her with his most menacing sneer. "Yes, you can," he said coolly. "And you will. You're my girlfriend, which means you have to do what I say."

"If you're going to behave this way," Shiv said, her sweet expression quickly turning into a glare, "then maybe I don't want to be your girlfriend anymore. We'll have more than enough time for baths later when we're married, and we shouldn't be taking them together now. And, I do what I want, not what anyone says."

"You do what Kaysa says," he retorted. "Maybe you love her more than me. Maybe you don't love me at all!" Keeve stomped his foot on the ground, then pushed Shiv roughly before he fled towards the door.

Shiv managed to stop herself from falling, but the sharp pain in her hand told her she shouldn't have tried to steady herself from falling in the middle of the pile of shattered vase. She cried out and quickly pulled her hand away, rolling back away from the broken crystal as she did. Tears stung her eyes, and her hand was on fire. "Keeve," she called between tears. "Keeve Zenarr, get back here!"

"No! You hate me so why should I listen to you!?" Keeve pounded the door panel with his fist and the metal door slid open. "I'm leaving and I'm never coming back...and I hope something bad happens to me so you'll never forgive yourself!" He ran out of the room and into the corridor, making as much ruckus as he could while he went.

"Oh gods, Keeve," Shiv murmured as she rushed out after him. As she moved, crimson droplets stained the floor and marked her path. "Keeve!" she called. "Please sweetie; please come back!"

Keeve shrieked and hollered, but didn't turn back. Much like his mother, he was good at running away. "I hate you, Auntie Shiv! You can marry Moronic Merrick!"

"Keeve Zenarr, get your rebellious little ass back here right now, or I'll have Zale spank you until your butt glows brighter than a starship's ion drive!"

Keeve stumbled at the startling threat and brought up his hands to cushion his collision with the doors of the lift. He grunted and rebounded off the metal doors to land flat on his already bruised bottom. Grumbling sourly, he looked back towards Shiv. "Why should I come back? Everyone's always so mean to me! And now you! I thought you loved me, but you don't!"

"I do love you, sweetie," Shiv said as she walked toward him cradling her injured hand. "I love you very much, but you're always so mean to everyone else. You bite Merrick, you make Kaysa feel awful. I'm sure you'd do terrible things to Zale if you thought he wouldn't blister your bottom. Why do you have to be so mean to everyone?"

"Because," he said with a stubborn grunt. "No one cares about what I want. They always make me do what I don't wanna do, and don't let me do what I want." He pushed himself to his feet and gazed up at Shiv with slowly saddening features. "No one ever listens to what I want. If they did, I'd still be on Bespin right now with my mommy and daddy."

"Do you want to go back, Keeve?" Shiv asked. "Do you want us to send you back to be with your mommy and daddy?"

Keeve looked at Shiv's hand and watched as a droplet of blood fell from it and plummetted to the ground. He needed to protect Shiv still and he couldn't do that on Bespin. He had to be with his girlfriend. "I don't wanna leave you, Auntie," he said finally. "I want to stay here with you. Will you let me stay?"

"Of course, I will, Keeve," Shiv said with a gentle smile. "I want you here with us. And, I want you to be happy. I need to go clean and bandage my hand, will you come with me, sweetie?"

Keeve looked almost anguished with remorse as he asked, "Did I do that, Auntie Shiv? I'm sorry... I would never hurt you, Auntie."

"It's alright," Shiv said. "I should have been watching where I put my hand."

"I pushed you though." Keeve pouted and flung his arms around Shiv's waist. "I'll make it all better, Auntie. I'll make you love me again."

Shiv wrapped her good arm around Keeve and smiled. "I'm sure you will, sweetie. I'm sure everything will be wonderful and happy." She kissed the top of his head, and then glanced back toward the apartment. "Now, let's go make my hand all better."

Keeve nodded vigorously, his cheerful spirit returning. He placed his hand into Shiv's good one and pulled her towards the apartment. "I promise never to break another vase again, Auntie. And I'll be a good boy. Then maybe you'll take a bath with me again."

"If you promise me that you'll be good to everyone else, and you'll try to be their friends, genuinely be their friends, then I'll take a bath with you after we hoverboard. But, if you ever break your promise, we'll have to sell all your toys."

"I won't!" Keeve replied with an excited squeal. "I'll never ever break my promise. I won't be mean to Moronic Merrick, and I'll even be nice to Kaysa!"

"And, you'll be nice to Merrick, and his friend, and you won't call him moronic anymore, right?"

"Of course not, Auntie," Keeve said. He kissed Shiv's stomach and gazed up at her with a dreamy smile. "Anything you want, Auntie Sweetcheeks."

"Better watch that, or I'll have to call you my buttercake," she said with a giggle. She led the way into the kitchen and started working at getting her hand washed off. She sighed with relief to realize that there wasn't any of the vase still stuck in her hand. "So, you want to go grab our hoverboards while I do this?"

"Yes! Because the sooner we finish hoverboarding, the sooner we get a bath!" Keeve bolted out of the kitchen and went to his room, then Shiv's to collect the hoverboards. He carried one under each arm and returned to Shiv with the same bright, excited smile on his face. "I'm so glad you're still my girlfriend, Shiv. I would have missed kissing and hugging you."

"I'm sure you would, sweetie," Shiv said. "And, I would have missed you too. But, I'm glad things are okay now." She pulled her hand away from the water, and grabbed the medical kit. It wouldn't take much to bandage her hand up, and by tomorrow, the synthetic skin would have healed everything up. "Almost ready."

"After you're done, maybe I can kiss it better. That would help, Auntie, wouldn't it?"

Shiv grinned. "It would help very much, sweetie," she said with a big grin. "Kisses are always good to make hurts go away."

"Then you get lots of kisses, Auntie, because you always look sad, especially when Kaysa's around." Keeve cocked his head inquisitively to the side. "Does she make you unhappy a lot?"

"No, sweetie," she said. "Kaysa makes me very happy. It's just that things have been very difficult for her lately. I love her very much, and she's a wonderful person. And, I really want you to be her friend, and to love her. But, she doesn't make me unhappy. I just get worried."

"About what? She's not gonna die, is she?"

Shiv shook her head. "Of course not," she said. "It's just... I love her, and I want her to be happy. But, she was stabbed, and you don't like her. And, I'm worried, that's all."

Keeve frowned in reflection for a moment, then smiled up at Shiv. "I'll try to be nice to her. That way you won't have to be so sad and you won't have to worry anymore."

"Thank you, sweetie," Shiv said with a smile. "That means very much to me."

Keeve took Shiv's bandaged hand and pressed his lips to the covered wound. "When you marry me, Auntie, you'll never be sad again because I'm going to make you the happiest woman ever."

Shiv smiled, and then gave him a kiss. "I think you can definitely make that happen too," she said. "Ready to go out on our hoverboards?"

"Oh, yes!" Keeve pulled away from Shiv and held out her hoverboard to her. "After you, Auntie. I'll walk behind so I can watch out for any suspicious looking fellows."

Shiv grinned, and gave Keeve a kiss. "That's very thoughtful of you," she said. "My protector." She took the hoverboard from him, and then took his hand into hers. She unhooked her helmet from the board, and slid it onto her head, and then grinned again at Keeve. "I'm ready."

Keeve laughed. "Oh, Auntie Shiv, you look funny with that helmet on. But you're still the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."

Shiv giggled. "Thank you, Keeve," she said. "And, the helmet will keep my brains where they belong if I fall off." She tucked the hoverboard under one arm and took Keeve's hand again with the other. Then together they headed toward the door.

"I like your brains, Auntie," Keeve said pensively. "But I'd still love you if they fell out."

Shiv giggled. "Well, I think I'll keep them inside, because I think I'm more fun with my brains inside. But, it's very nice that you will love me no matter what."

"I will," he said sincerely. "I always will. And when you're my wife, I won't care if you get all fat and old. You'll be my Shiv and I'd have to love you even then."

"And, I'll always love you, sweetie," she said as they reached the front door. "Always and always, Keeve. Should we race to the park?"

He glanced sideways at Shiv with a mischievous, crooked smile. Keeve punched the door panel and flew out of the apartment with a howl. "You're gonna lose, Auntie!"

"No cheating," Shiv said as she raced after Keeve. She could hear the neighbours' doors banging open as they both screamed past and then down the stairs. "No fair!"

Keeve flew into the lift as the doors parted, then blindly mashed the panel with his hand, depressing numerous buttons simultaneously. "Run, Auntie! Don't get squashed!" he warned as the doors began closing.

Shiv surged forward and barely made it into the lift before the doors banged closed. "You're cheating," Shiv said as she tried to suck in large gulps of air. "You better watch out, or I'll have to cheat too."

"Oh yeah," he said with a challenging smile. "And how will you do that?"

Shiv grinned an evil grin. "Well, I guess we'll just have to see, won't we?"

The lift stopped at almost every floor before hitting the ground level. "Race ya to the street, Auntie?"

"Deal," Shiv said as she waited for the doors to open.

Keeve fumbled with his helmet and pushed it down atop his head. He strapped it on securely, then gave Shiv a mock salute before bending his knees and flexing his arms, ready to sprint out of the lift. The lift came gently to a halt and a chime alerted them that the doors would soon open. When they began to, Keeve giggled boisterously and pushed past Shiv. "See ya on the street, Auntie!" he hollered as he darted out.

Shiv sprinted after Keeve, her longer legs carrying her faster than he could run. She giggled as she caught up, and then raced past him.

"Oh, Auntie Shiv!" he whined. Keeve burst through the doors after Shiv and watched as she sped away on her hoverboard. He hopped onto his own and immediately started after her, giggling uncontrollably. He knew, in that moment, Shiv was definitely the only friend he'd ever had, and someday, she'd be his wife as well.

Shiv glanced back to make sure Keeve was behind her. She eased up on the hoverboard's throttle to let him get closer. She didn't want to get too far ahead of him, especially with Dargus somewhere out there. As he neared, she giggled, and opened the throttle a little more, knowing that if Keeve wanted to he could catch up to her.

His cheerful whoop preceded him as he whipped past Shiv and moved out in front of her. He turned his head back towards her and waved vigourously. "Auntie! Isn't this fun?"

Shiv laughed and waved at Keeve, and then clamped down on the throttle. She let herself move closer, but she let Keeve keep the lead. He was having too much fun, and she knew he wanted to win. Today, she decided, he could win.

"Aggressive Tendencies, Part 2"
By: Maeren "Shiv" Shivral
Keeve Zenarr [NPC]

Location: Yesdol, New Plouton
Date: Niothe 13, 4 ABY

***

"Come on, Auntie Shiv!" Keeve had his hands firmly on her rear, pushing her all the way to their apartment while she held the hoverboards. "I think I really really need a bath, Auntie."

Shiv giggled. "Oh, do you now," she asked. "Why don't we wait until we get inside before the bath? And, watch where your hands go back there. I can't believe that old lady yelled at us."

"I'll go back and teach her a lesson later," he said quickly. "Just hurry, Auntie!"

"I'm hurrying, sweetie," Shiv said. "You really want that bath don't you?" They finally reached the door of the apartment, and Shiv let them inside. "Here we go, you go put the hoverboards away, and I'll start the water."

He tore the boards from Shiv's grip and sped away. Deciding to expedite the process of preparing for his bath, Keeve scrambled out of his clothing while the hoverboards were still sailing through the air towards his bed. He screamed with delight once his clothes were shed and ran into the bathroom for his date with Shiv in the bathtub. "All done! Now it's your turn, Auntie."

Shiv giggled as she reached the refresher, and started the water running. Once that was happening, she pulled off her top and tossed it to the floor. As Keeve stared in wonder at her, she slipped out of her pants and underwear. "As soon as the water's ready," she said, "we can climb in, sweetie."

"I can wait." Keeve let his eyes drift slowly over Shiv's naked form, almost giggling as he let them rest upon her mound. With no inhibitions or hesitation, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Shiv's waist. He placed a kiss upon her stomach while his hands clutched at her rear. "I'm so glad you decided to bathe with me, Auntie. I wouldn't like it at all if I had to do it alone."

"Well, you're just lucky I love you so much," Shiv said with a grin. "And, don't forget your promise. Now, let's get in the water, and we can get all clean."

Keeve's eyes shot wide open and his mouth parted in a broad grin. He quickly plunged into the water, splashing most of it onto the bathroom floor, then bounced excitedly as he awaited Shiv's entry. "We'll clean each other, Auntie! I promise to get every spot."

Shiv giggled and slipped into the tub. "I'll be squeaky clean when you're done," she said. "So, do I get to clean you first?"

"Uh huh," Keeve replied with a rigorous nod. He wriggled closer to Shiv until he was seated between her spread legs. "Wash away, Auntie!"

Shiv grabbed one of the washing cloths and some soap, and started lathering up over Keeve's body. "You sure did get grimy today," she said. "Look at all this dirt I have to get off you." She giggled. "But, that's what happens when you're out hoverboarding like that."

"You're dirty too, Auntie. I better start helping you clean." He scooped up water in his hands and poured it over Shiv's chest. Cheerfully, he began rubbing the water across the tops of her breasts before surreptitiously covering them with his tiny hands and continuously rubbing. "Auntie Shiv? Why were Kaysa, Zale, and Merrick all unhappy and yelling the other night?"

"I don't know, sweetie," she said as she closed her eyes. "I think it had something to do with Dargus, but I don't know for sure. They could have just been upset because Merrick suggested they all sleep together again. Or was that Zale? I want to talk to Kaysa tonight about it. I hate it when they're all upset; it makes everything here so tense."

"Well...I'll make you feel better, Auntie." Keeve hummed a light tune as he moved his hands to Shiv's stomach after losing interest in her breasts. They weren't as fascinating as they had initially been, but he still liked them at any rate. "I don't think I like that Dargus Kandran. He makes you very sad, doesn't he?"

"He's a really bad man," Shiv said. "And, he took me away for awhile, and I think he wants to get me back. But, yeah, he makes me sad and scared. But, I'm feeling safe inside with you. I don't think he'd try to get us here."

"I'd never let him near you, Auntie. I bet if he showed up, we could outrun him on our hoverboards." Keeve fished in the water for the bar of soap, and when he found it, he brought it high above him and began circling it around his head. "Like this!" He laughed in between his imitation of the thrusters roaring as they fled from the evil Dargus.

Shiv giggled as she watched Keeve racing the soap around his head as if it were a hoverboard or a pod racer. "He'd never be able to catch us, and everyone would laugh at him for being so slow. And, then we'd be safe from him for ever and ever."

"I'd even hide you away in a castle if I could...just to protect you from him." Keeve giggled and sent the soap into a nosedive. His hand and the soap disappeared beneath the murky water, where they stayed. He sighed as he brought his other hand to Shiv's stomach and began tracing out the indentations of her ribs upon her skin. "You are going to marry me, aren't you, Auntie?"

Shiv smiled at him and nodded. "I can't imagine not marrying you," she said. "You're such a sweet, charming guy. And, I imagine as you get older...well, we'll see when you get older. But, yes, sweetie"

"Good," Keeve said with a dreamy grin. "Because when we're married, I wanna try all the things you and Merrick do. Like that special kissing you do...and the touching. The orgasms too." He continued running his fingers lightly along her stomach. "How does that work anyway, Auntie? How does it happen?"

"I don't know, sweetie," she said. "It just does. It's just the way our bodies are supposed to work when we're excited. And, when a man or woman stimulates each other, the body...just reacts."

"Oh..." He looked down at his fingers trailing across Shiv's fair skin and reflected upon her words and what he'd seen that night while she and Merrick were exercising. He also remembered all the things he'd vowed to do the next time they bathed together, and his curiousity being piqued, he set out to do them. Deftly and somewhat uncertainly, his submerged hand moved blindly towards Shiv. "Auntie," he said distractedly while concentrating on bringing his hand to its destination, "am I the cutest boy you've ever seen?"

Shiv giggled. "Of course you are," she said. "Hey what are you doing down-- Oh gods, Keeve. You shouldn't touch me like that. It's not right to touch me down there." She squirmed backward, but found the wall of the tub was keeping her from backing farther away.

"But Auntie," Keeve said, perplexed, "you're going to be my wife. I'm supposed to touch you like that." He shifted closer to Shiv and pushed himself to his knees so his eyes were level with hers. "I have to learn these things before we get married or I won't be ready."

"You don't have to get ready now, Keeve," Shiv said. "We still have lots of time. It doesn't all have to happen now. We can wait until later. Until it's closer to time to get married. We have plenty of time, Keeve."

"But I want to practice now!" Keeve's fists came crashing down upon the water. Droplets of the upsurged bathwater trickled down his face, but his gaze never broke from Shiv's. "You let Merrick touch you and now you have to let me."

"Keeve, Merrick and I are adults and in love. You're still only ten years old, and we're not ready to do this yet. Please, Keeve. Please, let's just wait until you're ready. It's illegal for me to let you touch me."

"But I want to touch you. It's different!" Keeve hobbled on his knees closer to Shiv until he was straddling her lap and peering down at her. "I get to touch you. Those are the rules," he said quietly, menacingly. "You're not allowed to break the rules, Auntie."

"Keeve, you can't touch me like that," Shiv said. "That's against the rules. You can't touch me against the rules."

"Whose rules? Not mine, Auntie!" He clenched his teeth in frustration and felt his little heart pounding furiously against his chest. Shiv was going to be a difficult wife, he knew, so he decided it was time to start teaching her how to obey. "I make the rules, not anyone else! And when I say something, you have to do it!" His deceptively small, delicate hands gripped Shiv's arms tightly. "If I wanna touch you, I get to. You can't stop me!"

"Keeve," Shiv shouted, "stop this now. Get away from me! If you don't stop this right now, you'll never be able to touch me again!"

"You won't let me anyway!" he hollered. His voice once again took on the familiar whine that belied his true age. "I just wanna be your boyfriend, Auntie! Why won't you let me?" Keeve leaned forward and clumsily kissed Shiv upon the mouth.

Shiv pulled away from the kiss, and tried to push Keeve away. "You're only ten years old, Keeve," she said. "Your body isn't ready for this yet. We can't. You're too young, Keeve. Please, Keeve. It's too early for this. You have to be a boy."

"I am. And you're a girl. I only want to touch! Why am I too young to touch?" Keeve moved in to kiss Shiv again, and to prove he was adult enough to touch her, he released the hold on one of her arms and covered her breast with his hand.

"Keeve, no!" She pushed him away, and squirmed to get her thighs clamped tightly together. "This is wrong! You're only ten, Keeve! NO!"

"Fine!" he shouted back at her. "I'll find a new girlfriend, then! I don't think I like you anymore." Keeve's mouth was contorted into a sneer and his eyes were simmering with rage until he collected all his anger and channelled it into a sharp slap across Shiv's cheek. "You're a bad person, Auntie! I hate you!" He surged to his feet and jumped out of the tub. A trail of water was left behind him as he fled from the bathroom naked and soaked to the bone.

Shiv jumped out of the tub and ran after Keeve, tears mingling with the water from the bath dripped down her face. "Keeve!"

He covered his ears with his hands at the sound of his name and sped into his room. The door hissed closed behind him and he pounded on the panel to lock it. "Go away! I said I hate you! I never wanna see you again!"

"Oh, you're gonna see me alright," Shiv snarled as she moved to stand outside his door. She opened the panel outside his door and typed in the override code. The door slid easily open and she stormed through the doorway. "That was very mean, Keeve."

He was momentarily shocked and startled, but his face once again took on a look of rage as he stared at Shiv. "You were mean to me, so I was mean back. You deserved what you got!"

Shiv moved forward and quickly grabbed his arm. "Maybe Kaysa will send you off to some boarding school somewhere," Shiv said. "That's what Zale was saying last night." She dropped down onto his bed, and pulled him over her knee. "You're getting a spanking you little brat."

"No!" He shrieked and squirmed wildly in an attempt to escape, but Shiv was stronger than she seemed. "Leave me alone! You were mean to me, Auntie Shiv. You should be getting the spanking!"

"I was not mean to you," she said. "You shouldn't have been trying to touch me like that. That was very wrong, Keeve. And, if you don't start behaving, I'm telling Zale tonight!"

"Then you better start behaving like my girlfriend," Keeve shot back. "And if you don't, I'll tell Zale that you were trying to touch me."

"Do you really think Zale would believe you," Shiv asked. "After everything else, do you think he'd believe that about me?"

"Well..." Keeve was speechless. Zale would probably spank him worse than Shiv was about to if he told him that lie. "I'll tell the Morality Guard!" he blurted out. "If you don't let me go, I'll call them and tell them what you did to me!"

"And, if you do, I'll make sure my first call is to Zale," Shiv said. "And, I'll tell him to spank you at least one hundred times, and to turn off the pain receptors in his hand. You do that, and it'll be doubly bad for you."

Keeve knew defeat when he heard it, or felt it in the form of Zale's hand bearing down on his bottom. "Fine," he said between clenched teeth. "I won't say a word. But I'll never forgive you for this, Auntie. Never."

Shiv nodded, and then pushed Keeve off her lap. She stood up, wiping the new tears from her eyes as she did so. She started toward the door, keeping her eyes focused on the hall outside.

"It's...it's your own fault," Keeve called back, watching Shiv walk slowly and morosely towards his door. "You started it," he said quieter. The pain and dejection he'd caused Shiv was apparent in her gait and the gentle tremors caused by her tears. "I-I won't tell...but you shouldn't have been mean."

Shiv turned back to Keeve. Her face was red and streaked with tears. "What you were trying to do," she said, her voice soft, "was as bad as that man. To touch a woman, or to force her to have sex against her will is rape. It doesn't matter who you are or what your relationship...if a woman says no, you stop."

"But...it's what I wanted," he explained as if it justified everything. "I'm a boy. That means a woman has to obey my orders. That's what my daddy told me. That's how it is."

"That's not how it is," Shiv said. "You don't do things to people that they don't want you to do. It's not right! It's very, very wrong, Keeve. Your daddy was wrong. It's wrong to touch someone like that, or to force them. People like Dargus Kandran, and that man you saved me from do that. Bad people do those things, Keeve. And, I don't want you to be a bad person."

"I'm not trying to be, Auntie," Keeve said worriedly. "I don't want to be like that man! I-I love you, Auntie. I don't wanna hurt you or make you sad." He took a step closer to Shiv with his head lowered. "I don't want to be a bad person... I want you to love me so you'll marry me."

Shiv took a couple steps back toward Keeve. "I want that too, Keeve," she whispered. "I want you to be a good boy, and a happy boy. Don't grow up too fast, Keeve. Don't become a grown up too quickly, sweetie. We'll have lots of time together, and we don't need to rush. Be my sweet boy for now, and I promise you can be my man later."

"I want to be a good boy for you, Auntie. And I will be," he said as he looked up at her. "I will be a good boy from now on!" He ran towards Shiv and wrapped his arms around her waist tightly. "I'm sorry, Auntie. I didn't know I was being bad. But you can teach me to be good."

Shiv nodded, and quickly folded Keeve into an embrace. "It's all going to be okay now, sweetie," she whispered. "Everything will be okay. And, I'll love you, and we can be friends, and happy, and everything will be wonderful. You'll be a good boy for me, and everything will be perfect." She kissed his forehead, then his lips. "It's gonna be okay now, Keeve."

"Good, Auntie. I...I don't like seeing you cry. It makes me sad. I won't ever slap you again or be mean to you. I'll be a proper man so that you can marry me even sooner."

Shiv held Keeve tight, and then kissed his cheeks. "Good," she whispered. "Now, I think we should get dressed and go get some food and a frazzie. Kaysa said that she was going to be with Zale and Merrick all day, so we're on our own. How does that sound?"

"That sounds wonderful, Auntie!" Keeve kissed Shiv's stomach then squeezed her waist tightly. "I'll even help you pick out your clothes. You'll be the most beautiful woman on the street."

"That sounds like a wonderful idea," Shiv said. "Let's get you dressed first, and then we can get my clothes."

Keeve pulled away from Shiv with a cheer and extended his arms in imitation of a podracer as he flew around the room. "When I buy a podracer one day, I'm gonna fly you in it, Auntie!"

Shiv giggled. "There isn't enough room in a pod racer for two people, silly boy," she said affectionately. "But, I'm sure you'd be the best pod racer ever." She moved over to the chest of drawers where his clothing was kept. "Though, you'll have to be very careful. I saw a pod race on Malastare, and three people died." She started rifling through his clothing looking for something he'd like to wear.

"Oh, I won't die, Auntie. I have to be your husband, so I can't die!"

"I'm glad to hear that," Shiv said a giggle. "I wouldn't want you to get hurt. Who would protect me from all the bad men out there?"

"Well...I suppose Mor-- Merrick could, but he's too scrawny," Keeve said as he dropped his arms to his sides and marched over to Shiv. "I bet Zaletregat could too, but he's never around." He pushed his arms through the sleeves of the shirt Shiv held for him, then poked his head through the top. "But I'm a better protector. I've got good biting teeth." He gave Shiv a big smile to display his weapons of choice. "See?"

"Very nice," Shiv said with a smile. "Though, when that one there comes back in, I can't imagine anyone not running in fear of you. You'd be the best protector ever with those teeth." She pulled out a pair of underwear for him. "And, Zale's a good protector, but he's very busy. And, Merrick...Merrick's an artist, and hasn't spent a lot of time getting good at being a protector."

"I can teach him," Keeve offered. He stepped into his underwear and hopped up and down while pulling them into place. "But I don't think he'll ever be able to be better than me."

Shiv giggled and kissed him on top of his head as she handed him his pants. "I am sure with your help, he'll be a decent protector. Though, I think you're definitely the best of all."

"'Cause all I demand in return is kisses." Keeve had finally finished dressing, then spun around quickly to display himself to Shiv. "Now for you, Auntie! We have to make you beautiful too."

Shiv took Keeve's hand and led the way into her room. She indicated for him to go pick out her clothing, and then took a seat on the edge of her bed to watch him decide what to put her in for clothes. As she watched him start across the room, she wondered if she should be feeling more nervous.

He rifled through Shiv's closet for a moment. "How about this?" Keeve pulled out the equadi Shiv had acquired during her and Kaysa's day with Zale. He looked at her through the thin, translucent material. "I think you should wear this."

Shiv laughed. "Oh, sweetie, I don't think I should wear that out there. It's a beautiful dress, but it...it's not appropriate... Can I please wear something else? Kaysa's out there, and if she sees me in that...I'll get in really big trouble."

"You can wear a coat then." Keeve thrust the dress out towards her and peeked his head around from behind the purple material. "For me? I really want to see you wear it, Auntie."

"How about I put it on when we get home?" Shiv asked. "It's too warm out there for a coat. I'll put it on when we get home after we get our frazzies. How's that, Keeve? I'll wear it after. Please?"

Keeve slowly lowered the dress as he attempted to keep his temper quelled. "Alright," he said grudgingly. "After, then. But tonight, you have to sleep in my bed...please?"

"Promise," Shiv said with a gentle smile. "And, if Kaysa gets upset, we'll just tell her you're having nightmares."

"I like that idea," Keeve said with a conspiratorial wink. He moved back to Shiv's dresser drawer and lay the equadi on top of it. Once he'd completely inspected the drawers, leaving clothes dangling over the edges, he pulled out Shiv's favourite pants and a surprisingly respectable top. "These?"

Shiv grinned, and then nodded. She hopped off the bed, and moved over to take the pants from Keeve. She gave him a kiss, and then pulled on the pants. "A very good choice, sweetie."

"Thank you." He gave a low bow to Shiv, then giggled and moved to help her fasten her pants. "You're my best friend, Auntie. You always let me do fun things and buy me nice toys. If Kaysa bought me toys, I'd be her friend too."

"Do you want me to tell her that," Shiv asked with a smile. "I really think she wants to be your friend." Shiv pulled on the shirt he'd brought to her. It was a t-shirt that was a little tight, but not too much so. She pulled it down, and settled it into place. She glanced down as Keeve was working at the fastenings on her pants.

"All done!" he shouted triumphantly. Surprisingly, he'd managed to refrain from touching any areas that might have caused Shiv anxiety, but he did kiss Shiv's stomach peeking out from beneath her shirt. "Let's go get some frazzies now, Auntie."

Shiv giggled, and slipped her hand into Keeve's. "Frazzies, coming up," she said as they started toward the door, and out into the city. "If you're really good, I'll get you a double."

"Oh, I'll be good," Keeve said. He pulled his hand from Shiv's and placed it firmly atop her rear. With an impish smile, he squeezed the supple flesh and added, "Very good."

Shiv laughed and looked down at him as they started down toward the lift. "You know, my dear," she said, "you truly are incorrigible, but I do love you." With another laugh, they stepped into the lift, and descended to the realm of frazzies.

"A Dark Encounter"
By: Alisson Blair - Jedi Knight
Kalaira Valreth - Former High Princess [NPC]
Vorgoth - Assassin/Sith
Daemor'rah - Jedi and Bounty Huntress

Location: New Plouton
Date: Niothe 13, 4 ABY

***

The ship finally set itself down and they were now once more safely home. Alisson sighed and wiped her forehead. It had been quite a long ride home and she had never taken much liking in large spacial travels. Turning to Kalaira she nodded. "We are here, Your Highness. Now, we must keep a low profile, at least until we get safe home, so I ask you to put on this cloak..." she said as she handed over a dark brown cloak to Kalaira.

Kalaira nodded. "I must thank you for all you have done. Our world will be forever in your debt should we ever win back the throne of the people." She took the cloak and pulled it on, pulling the hood over her head.

As they stepped out, Alisson turned to Kalaira. "I am not doing more than what I truly believe is right. We must set the people free from tyranny, and Tarkin is the opposite of that," she said.

Suddenly, Alisson stopped and extended her arm in front of Kalaira, stopping the woman from going any further. "Wait... Something's wrong. I can sense it."

Kalaira froze. She had long since learned to trust this woman's instincts. She did not make a sound nor move so that she did not distract the Jedi.

Alisson looked around. Although she could not see the foe, she knew that it was present and nearby. It was certainly dangerous to stay in an open scenario as they were, but it could get much worse if they chose to start moving around, as they could fall deeper into a trap.

Alisson took hold of her dual lightsaber, readying herself for whatever may come. Suddenly, she heard a swift sound coming from her left. It was a dark man dressed in black robes and he too had a lightsaber. Alisson ignited her own blades and defended the path between the assassin and the High Princess.

Jumping back to gain some space, Vorgoth growled. He had missed his target. The Jedi woman had been faster than he had expected. He pulled his cloak down, taking it off. The tattooed face and the horns were most certainly threatning.

Alisson stepped back. "Stay behind me, Your Highness. This is no ordinary foe. I never knew a Sith to roam on Chimaeria..." she said as she made the dual saber twist and turn to make a distance between herself and the Zabrak.

Kalaira's blaster had practically leapt into her hand as she moved back to give Alisson room. She would not fire unless she sensed Alisson was in danger. She trusted the young woman and knew that with her, she was at least safer than on her own.

The Zabrak thrusted forward, his red lightsaber making a luminescence as it moved swiftly and with a deadly precision. But Alisson was cautious and blocked the attacks, moving slightly backwards as she did. Overall, she could not let the Sith get near the High Princess.

Suddenly, Vorgoth growled and made a circular move as to make Alisson's blades fall out of the way and with a jump, kicked her in her ribcage and out of his way. The Princess was dead ahead, and even though she tried to fire at him he was simply blocking the shots.

Just as he was about to get to Kalaira, Alisson got up and put her blades in the way of the Sith's and kicked him in the stomach, forcing him backwards. She moved forward and struck a mighty blow at him, but he was faster and somersaulted backwards into safety and screamed in fury at her.

***

She was watching the people move around down below as she stood at the top of a building. All of a sudden she stopped. She could feel two opposing forces in a conflict. Jedi and Sith. She immediately knew that a combat between the two was the correct guess and so she grabbed her things and ran their way, her implant scanner telling her where to go.

From the top of the building she could see the dark Zabrak as well as another woman. The Zabrak, she knew, was Vorgoth. Jadda's right hand man. The woman, however, Daemor'rah had not seen before. She grinned wickedly as she knew she could have advantage over the two. Once one of them lost she would kill the other one.

Alas, another person suddenly struck her interest. It was the High Princess. One of the greatest bounties offered so far for someone. Dead or alive. This was proving to be better than expected.

***

As Alisson made the Zabrak stay at a safe distance, she took opportunity to shout out to Kalaira. "Run! Get yourself free while you can! He wants you, not me! Get safe and I will find you later!" she told her as she dodged and blocked Vorgoth's attacks as best as she could.

Somewhat mesmerized by the skill of the two, it took a second for Alisson's words to register. Finally, Kalaira turned and fled. She moved through the streets quickly. She headed for the market districts. There she could blend in with a great deal of people who would care less who she was as long as she had credits to spend. She could only hope that Alisson was truly better than her foe.

Alisson was somewhat relieved to see Kalaira running away as she clashed her blades with Vorgoth's. She knew she had not the strength to go on for much longer and she wasn't so sure about her attacker who kept at his peak, as it seemed, moving faster and faster, as he used his lightsaber as well as his feet and body to kick and ram Alisson.

***

Up from above Daemor'rah saw the High Princess run away. She was more interested in the Jedi against the Sith, and she even wondered how well would she sustain against either of them. But Kalaira Valreth was much more worth her time, financially speaking and she did not want another bounty hunter to get to her before she had the chance to do so herself.

Grabbing her blasters, she ran over the building roof and jumped across to a nearby one and finally cut the High Princess' escape route. "Well now... What have we here?! Escape is futile, so please don't even think about it! Don't play pathetic!" She grinned.

Kalaira's blaster came up and she fired. Had the bounty hunter not been ready, it would have been lethal. As it was, the princess barely missed.

Daemor'rah growled and Force pushed the High Princess into the farside wall. With a fast, swift move she was holding Kalaira by the neck and punched her hard in the stomach and let her go. As the royal woman stood on her feet in pain, the huntress smacked her across the cheek, making her fall.

***

Alisson kept at a fast pace, pushing her limits to fend off the Zabrak, who seemed all but tired. She had never been in such a fight, but she knew that she was not up to him and that the best thing was to retreat.

Vorgoth wielded his lightsaber to dodge Alisson's blade and kicked and pushed her about. It was clear to him that the woman was getting more and more tired every passing minute. Soon he would get his victory. With a mighty blow he was able to get Alisson open on the side and kicked her right across the ribcage.

Alisson staggered and brought her hand to the place where she had been kicked. Before Vorgoth could deliver another blow she Force jumped to the top of a building and ran off. She had to find Kalaira.

Vorgoth let the Jedi woman go. His target was the High Princess. He put his lightsaber away and ran off to where he had last seen the royal woman.

***

Before Kalaira could get up, already did Daemor'rah have a lightsaber in her hand, which she ignited. The low, base sound of the blade cut through the air and at the huntress' command plunged into Kalaira's back.

Kalaira gasped in pain as she sank to the ground. She had never expected anyone to kill her, as she had expected to be more valuable alive. She had been shot before, but this pain went beyond even that. She groaned on the ground, waiting for the final blow, her breathing coming in firey gasps.

Daemor'rah pushed the lightsaber back revealing a large wound that had cauterized already, as all wounds that came from a lightsaber. "Dead or alive..." the huntress said right before she kicked Kalaira to see the woman die while she looked into her eyes.

Already was the High Princess more dead than alive, but nonetheless the woman revealed that she was a noble above all. Daemor'rah delivered another blow across the chest and saw the last breath being exhaled. The High Princess was dead.

Retrieving the body, she prepared to go away and take her prize to Grand Admiral Tarkin to collect the reward offered.

***

Alisson got to where Kalaira should have gone to. She was frozen by what she saw. Kalaira laid dead on the ground and a chalk white skinned woman was preparing to take her away. She was suddenly filled with rage in a way she had never felt before. "LET HER GO!" she yelled as she closed in on the huntress.

Daemor'rah blocked Alisson's attack easily and punched her in the face, making her lose her lightsaber. The huntress grinned. "Nothing would please me more than having your head too..." she said. Only suddenly, she stopped. The Zabrak was coming her way as well. "It seems you live to see another day! Unless you don't get away before the Zabrak gets you," she said as she grabbed Kalaira's body and tossed it on top of her swoop and rode off.

Alisson was left at despair. But even though she did not like the idea, the huntress woman was right. She did have to leave, unless she too wanted to die. Getting back to her feet, she picked up her lightsaber and ran off. All the while she could only think to herself: Master Kal'Aran will know what to do!

"Intimate Behaviour"
By: Rilanna Kir
and Major Dane Weyland

Location: Drogen Shipyards
Date: Niothe 13, 4ABY

***

Rilanna strode through the shipyards in search of the bane of her existence: the scum that had become her mission. She let out a long sigh, and forced herself to stop, to calm down. So her last meeting with Shrezade had gone poorly, but she couldn't let it affect her job. Enough of that, she told herself, it's been two days already. She started off again, keeping a wary eye out for anyone breaking any of the rules.

After twenty minutes of walking, she realized she'd moved into the Imperial-occupied section of the station. A stormtrooper stuck a white-clad hand in her path, stopping her.

Rilanna glanced around, and then back to the trooper. "I'm looking for Major Weyland."

The stormtrooper nodded coldly at her and looked over his right shoulder. "The security chief requests access to Major Weyland, Lieutenant," he said to a massive trooper with a large crimson shoulder pad.

The trooper turned and faced Rilanna, staring her down for a moment with the death's head gaze his helmet provided. "Let her through, Corporal," his hollow, metallic voice sounded through the corridor. He gave the girl a stern nod, and returned to his work.

"The Major is one floor below at the firing range, Ma'am," the young Stormtrooper said, and motioned towards a door protected by a lone veteran trooper.

"Thank you," Rilanna said, and then started toward the door the trooper had indicated. As she approached the man, she gave him a smile. "Security Chief Rilanna Kir looking for Major Weyland," she said, and then stepped through the door at his nod of assent. She followed the way until she found Dane Weyland with blaster in hand firing down the range. She waited for him to complete his set, and then stepped forward. "Nice shooting," she said.

Dane stared forward, watching the last of the targets fall to the floor with a smoking hole in the synth-padding. "Well thank you," he muttered, and after a lengthy pause, added: "For not interrupting."

He spun on his heel and shoved the blaster back into its holster, slung low on his hip, and leaned against the frame of the firing range. He took a moment to look her over, and then cracked a smile. "You look like you've been keeping yourself busy."

Rilanna smiled. "Well, I wouldn't be an effective head of security if I didn't keep myself busy," she said. "This is a big station, and it can really keep a girl busy running from crisis to crisis. So, how are you doing, Major?"

"About as good as I can be," he said with a shrug of his shoulder. "It's just one day after another. Ironic as it sounds, I was just considering going off to find you. I had a few questions I wanted to ask you."

Rilanna smiled and took a step forward. "Well, I found you first," she said. "So, you don't have to search." She glanced around to make sure they were alone, and then back to the major. "So, did you want to ask your questions now? Or would you like to go grab a bite to eat?"

Weyland stepped closer and nodded, with a hushed tone to his voice. "I want to talk to you somewhere where we can speak alone. I want a drink, and I'd like you to have one with me."

Rilanna smiled. "I like all three of those ideas," she said softly. "Your place?" she asked. "Or would you like to go back to the gym?"

"My place," he said while he massaged the right side of his shoulder and led her out the door. He silently led her to the lift past the countless number of guards surrounding the appropriated section of the shipyards. The doors to the lift hissed shut, and Weyland turned to Rilanna with a sigh.

"How have you been, Rilanna?" he muttered coldly, as he leaned against one of the lift's railings.

"Busy," Rilanna said. "But, I've been good. Things just keep getting busier around here, though at least the stockade is full."

"Well," Dane chuckled. "That's always a good thing. You're probably going to make yourself obsolete around here aren't you?"

"In a facility of this size," Rilanna said, "I'll always have a job. While we may not have the criminal problem that existed when I arrived, there are other issues. If I'm not constantly hunting down the scum from Downbelow, I can actually be a security chief for this place."

"Well there's never a shortage of scum above or below, Rilanna," he said with a bitter shake of his head and a wave of his hand as the lift's doors hissed open to reveal his deck. "It's always safer up above however. Please, after you."

Rilanna stepped out of the lift ahead of the major and glanced around. She hadn't been on this deck very often, only once or twice she could remember. There really had never been much need. He was right about it being safer up here which meant most of her time was in the lower decks. "After spending so much time down there, it's always amazing to realize how much cleaner it is up here."

Weyland chuckled as he strode from the lift, pulling a key card out from one of the many pockets of his breeches. Stepping confidently in front of Rilanna, he led her to his quarters and waved the card across the sensor, allowing the doors to hiss open. "These decks can afford maids. The higher up you get you can afford maids and bodyguards. The lower decks can't afford either so they require constant babysitting," he said as he ushered her into the lavishly decorated suite with dimmed lights and a dark interior. "I'm not sure if the housecleaning droid has been up yet, so excuse the mess if there is one."

The door hissed shut behind him as he followed her inside.

Rilanna stepped further into his quarters and nodded approvingly. "Very nice," she said. "And, I think you're in luck. Or, at least it looks like the housekeeping droid was out here." She turned back to face him. "I like what you've done with the place, Major."

"Well that's a miracle. That bastard droid usually waits to come by last, and it almost seems like Ms. Anoran's programmed it herself." He laughed and tossed his tunic aside, throwing himself into a comfortable leather chair. "Sit wherever you want. What would you like to drink?"

Rilanna took a seat in one of the chairs and allowed herself to relax into it. She thought for a moment, and then smiled. "I don't know what you have over there, so I'll have whatever you're having."

Weyland laughed and whistled for a small droid. With a metallic whirring of its engines, it floated a bottle of golden liquor and two glasses over to them. Weyland poured her a glass and smiled. "It's called Demasque, from Kessel," he said with a smile and reclined back in his chair. "It's strong...think you can handle it?" he taunted.

With a laugh, Rilanna reached out and took the glass he'd poured for her. "I can handle it," she said. "You'd be surprised at some of the drinks I've had." She raised her glass to him.

Weyland raised his glass in a silent toast, and the two tipped the glasses back and drank their cocktails. Dane smirked with the burn of the alcohol and set his glass down, and placed his blaster on the table beside it. For a moment, he stared across the table and watched her, running his eyes across her form with his hand rested on his chin.

"Rilanna?" he asked, breaking the silence. "What's the story on Anoran? No bullshit, no bureaucracy. I want to know what she's all about."

"I'm not entirely sure," Rilanna said as she took a swallow of her drink. The burn was intense, but she managed not to choke. After a moment, she smiled and indicated the glass. "Very nice. Mrs. Anoran is Mrs. Anoran. This is her station, and she doesn't like anything that infringes on her control. She's a very morally and ethically grounded woman. She's ultraconservative, and looks down on anything that goes against her world view. She likes being in control and superior to everyone around her."

"So she must be absolutely loathing me being here," he said as he lit a cigarra filled with Corellian tobacco. "Now, dropping the politics and down to personal opinions. What do you think of her?"

"She's overbearing and conceited," Rilanna began. "She's far too harsh in her views of punishment and how to deal with prisoners. The only person that matters in her life is herself, and the rest can fit in however they will...as long as their views coincide with her own." Rilanna shook her head and laughed. "Other than that, I like her and would consider her a friend if she didn't hate me right now."

"Well if it means anything," he started, "I'm sorry if I have something to do with that. I still can't believe that she threatened to open fire on an Imperial Armada."

Weyland stood and moved over to the window, gazing out into space. "This conversation doesn't leave this room, Rilanna....but I need you to give me an oath that our time together is not discussed. The things we say are confidential, are they not?"

"Whatever we say is completely confidential," Rilanna said. "Nothing will be repeated anywhere else. You have my word."

Weyland let out a deep sigh. "Well allow me to drop my politically correct stance for a moment," Weyland said with a drag off of the cigarra. "Anoran had the brass balls to threaten opening fire on Imperial warships, and is damn lucky that we weren't ordered to merely take the shipyards. I wasn't about to risk losing any of my soldiers, much like I'm sure you wouldn't want to lose any of yours. But the Empire isn't in any position to abandon this project."

Weyland moved closer to her, revealing an unseen strength that he had not shown yet before. He looked down to her from above with an expressionless face. "She's your friend and your boss...and I don't want to interrupt that. Regardless, the Empire needs this shipyard. I need you to tell me if at any time she plans on removing her uninvited guests, because I can't guarantee her safety if she does so. If that means deciding between the safety of my men and her prized possession...well, I shouldn't really have to finish that sentence should I? You have men under your command, I'm sure you understand. Don't you?"

"I am the head of security for this station," Rilanna said, straightening herself up to her full height. "My actions will be in the best interest of this station. And, I would imagine while Mrs. Anoran would have liked to have opened fire on your ships to show you she's in charge here, she wouldn't. To do so would jeopardize this station and all lives aboard, including her own. She knows that against your ships she's at a severe tactical disadvantage. But, it is a good thing you weren't ordered to take this station, Major. She won't give this place up without a fight, and I'm sure there wouldn't have been much left of it to take possession of."

Weyland could only nod and stare off into the distance, lost in thought. After nearly a minute of complete silence, he leaned down to kiss her forehead.

"It's tough." He sighed. "Minding your p's and q's to every detail while worrying about how polished your medals are. Sorry if I seemed so uptight the other night."

Rilanna looked up at him, standing over her, and smiled. She slipped her hand into his. "It's alright. I didn't think you were that uptight, especially once we got our clothes off...for the minute or so that our clothes were off."

Weyland laughed and pulled her up into a soft kiss, letting the moment linger before pulling away.

"Well, Imperial brass has policies," he muttered.

"So does Shipyards brass," Rilanna said. "Fortunately, the brass doesn't say I can't be here with you." She kissed him again and sighed. "If you want we can put our comlinks outside for awhile. Go officially off-duty, and let those under us in the chain of command handle any crisis that may come up."

Weyland grinned and slid a hand down her side and pulled her comlink out, tapping the power off. "I'm off duty."

Rilanna kissed him again, and then smiled. "You know, for some reason, I really like off duty."

Chuckling, he leaned down, kissing her back into the chair, sliding in between her legs and lowering himself to lean across her. He propped his arms up on the sides of the chair and held himself to hover above her, and closed his eyes into the embrace. "So do I," he murmured between kisses, grinning softly.

As she continued to kiss him, Ril slid her hand up his chest and sighed happily at the touch. She closed her eyes, and let herself fall into his embrace and their passion. She needed this time, and she was glad it was here with him. She slipped her arms around Weyland, and held herself tight to him. She could definitely get used to this.

Weyland sighed in contentment, and lowered himself down onto her form. Pressing forward against her, he forced her back against the sofa and slid his hand to her hip. He wouldn't be interrupted this time, and Rilanna was the focus of his frustration ever since that night. He let out a soft moan, and pulled her up into his kiss. Holding her close he slowly drifted into lucidity and their bodies began to act as one, writhing against each other on the small leather couch.

Rilanna's hands moved quickly as she began working to get Weyland out of his clothing. It was a similar feeling to the other night, though this time she knew that there would be nothing to stop them. She moaned as his hands touched her in ways she had almost forgotten existed...well, as much as one could forget something like that in a year. Oh yes, she definitely needed this.

After being shrugged out of the last of his clothing, Weyland gripped her by the back of her hair and pulled her head back ferociously, and moved his lips to her neck. Feverishly he sent a trail of bites and kisses down her body, peeling clothing off as he went. Taking control, he buried his face between her thighs and dug his nails into the soft flesh above her hipbone, devouring her.

Rilanna threw her head back as a wave of ecstasy washed through her. It was very obvious that Weyland liked it rough, and if that's how he wanted it... Too rough, she mentally scolded him, and I'll snap your head off with my thighs. With a smile, she reached down to where his hands were digging into her skin and tried to ease his grip slightly, but quickly changed tactics, digging her own nails into the fabric of the couch as she let loose with a cry.

He pressed himself into her, his lips and tongue working slowly as he trailed his hands to her ass and pressed her up against his face. Moaning softly into her he stared up at her writhing form and admired her. It had been over a year for him as well, and he silently vowed to never forget this moment. He slowly closed his eyes and urged her forward in her spasms, lovingly tasting her beneath the fury the two had created.

Rilanna's cries and shouts were coming much more frequently as Weyland continued pushing her toward the brink of ecstasy. She moved her hands to his head and seemingly tried to pull him even closer. Her body was writhing, gentle tremblings brought on by his touch. The pleasure was exquisite and amazing, and she certainly hoped that she and the major would be spending considerably more time together.

Weyland slid out from beneath her and grinned, gazing up at her. He rose from the couch and pulled her to him, kissing her passionately with her face cupped in his hands. In the heat of the moment, he moved against her and bit down softly on her ear. Sliding up the couch so that his hips met hers, he turned to gaze down upon her...and leaned in to brush his lips against hers.

Rilanna let out a quiet cry as his teeth gently bore down on her ear, but even so she pressed her hips against him, grinding with the desire that was burning through her. She let out another whimpering cry as she kissed him again, feasting from his lips as if she were starving. She slipped a hand down between their bodies to caress his erection. The touch brought out a purring from her own lips. "Oh gods," she whispered.

Dane leaned up to stare back down at her with drunken eyes. A smile slowly cracked its way across his lips before he leaned down into her, pulling her into an earth shattering kiss. Guided by her hand, he slid inside her slowly and came to rest within her.

Rilanna let out a moaning cry, and then laughed. Oh gods yes, she thought. She gazed up into his eyes as they continued their kiss. Her hands slipped around to his back while they just lay together, sharing in the union of their bodies. She started rocking her hips slightly, enjoying the feeling of Weyland inside of her while her small movements sent jolts of pleasure all through her body.

Weyland let out a small moan and moved with her slowly, leaning down to kiss her tenderly. He cupped her breast softly and writhed against her. Sliding a hand to the back of her neck, he used it to pull himself into her as his back arched in her embrace. "Gods," he murmured. Wave after wave of pleasure quaked through his body as he rolled his tongue over hers. Breaking the kiss, he stared down upon her with his warm breath cascading down over her neck. He prayed silently that this moment would, in fact, last forever.

The minutes seemed to stretch out into infinity as they moved together, as one. Rilanna's eyes were closed as she let all the pleasure they were making cascade through her body, driving her closer and closer toward the pinnacle. Finally, Rilanna let out a cry as her climax hit. Her legs, wrapped around his waist, tightened as her body trembled. Her cries built into a crescendo, that turned into one, great, pleasure-soaked scream.

Weyland moaned aloud and pulled her body close to his, the force of her climax pushing him over the edge. They held each other close, bodies shuddering against the waves of pleasure rolling through them. Once it all subsided, he cradled her in his arms and nuzzled his face deep into her neck, kissing it softly and finally broke the silence.

"Gods," he muttered, and then let the silence hold. He didn't want to tear apart the intensity of the moment, and for the first time in years he actually found himself thankful for silence. He could feel the energy running between the two as they cradled each other in a tight hug. Weyland let out a content sigh and leaned back over her face, dropping down into a sweet, loving kiss.

Rilanna gazed up into Weyland's eyes for a very long time and then laughed. "No interruptions this time," she said softly. "Very nice. I think I could use breaks like this more often."

"Yeah," Weyland said with a small chuckle. "You know you're more than welcome here, Rilanna.."

"Thank you," Rilanna said with a smile. "I like what you've done with the place. My quarters feel so empty when I'm in there. Yours seem so welcoming and comfortable, but it could be because we just made love on your couch."

Weyland laughed and rolled over off of the couch, pulling her along with a chuckle. "Well I'm going to have to make sure it's regularly clean now, seeing that you're going to be here often, right?"

Rilanna smiled and then kissed him deeply. "If you want me here regularly," she said, "then yes. Definitely yes."

Weyland leaned up into the kiss and smiled. He laid his head back on the floor and looked up to her with a content sigh. Gazing at her, he cracked a smile. "Gods you're a beautiful soul, Rilanna."

Rilanna felt herself blush, and she looked away briefly. "Thank you," she said. "And, you're one of the most amazing men I've ever met. If Mrs. Anoran ever stops hating me, I'll have to thank her for inviting me to that dinner. And, later on, when you've got some of your strength back, I'm going to thank you for being at that dinner."

Weyland grinned and tickled her sides "Oh believe me...I'll be rested. The trick will be to get Anoran to stop hating me. You'll need your strength for that."

Rilanna laughed softly as she squirmed away from his tickling touch. "Well, I'll see what I can do, but I don't know if she can ever stop hating someone she's chosen to hate. Though, I'll see what I can accomplish with her. Though, I think I'll need a little tender, loving care after that. Are you up for the task?"

Weyland blinked and lifted an eyebrow. "What are you proposing?"

Rilanna grinned and reached a hand down between his legs. "A repeat performance," she said with a smile. "If you don't mind, of course."

Weyland laughed. "With her? For one I'd highly doubt she'd go for that. And for two, no offense, but she'd probably cut it off and feed it to Tarkin."

Rilanna laughed and punched his chest playfully. "With me, you dolt," she said. "And, she wouldn't have anything at all to do with you in that kind of way. Me, however..." With that, she began sliding down his body, leaving a trail of kisses as she went.

Weyland squirmed, running his hands through her hair with a relieved sigh. "You had me...worried...for a moment," he murmured. He tilted his head to watch her snake down his form, and relaxed to gaze down at her with half-lidded eyes.

"I'll try not to do that anymore," Rilanna said as she started trailing kisses along his groin. "The only woman I'll ever encourage you to sleep with his me. And, I hope I can be very encouraging." And, without another word, she slipped him into her mouth to try to rouse him for a new round of pleasure making.

Biting his lip and writhing beneath her touch, Weyland slowly closed his eyes. "Gods..." he muttered. "...don't even think I'd consider another." He laid himself back on the floor and arched his back, breathing slowly and heavily as she rolled him around her mouth.

Rilanna had little experience with this part of sex, but she did know enough to keep from causing any lasting harm. The last time she'd ever been with a man like this, he'd seemed pleased enough. And, judging by Weyland's reactions, she was doing a good job today as well. Throwing herself fully into the act, she gave herself over to providing him as much pleasure as was possible to give.

The two forms squirmed along the soft carpet of the suite's floor. Weyland stretched his arms to the side and gripped the carpet tightly as Rilanna teased him between her lips. His breathing slowly became heavier and more labored as the flesh of his knuckles tensed and slowly became white.

To keep him from squirming away as she pleasured him, Rilanna wrapped her arms around his thighs and held tight to his body while her mouth continued to bob above his groin.

Groaning aloud, Weyland shuddered as wave after wave of ecstasy ripped through the coiled muscles in his body. His nails dug into the carpet and tugged against the plush fabric to shove his back into a painful arch as his legs squirmed beneath her. His mind raced as the orgasm tore through his body and died slowly. Finally, he lowered himself to the floor and let out a deep breath.

"Can I keep you?" he murmured with a chuckle.

Rilanna laughed softly. "Of course you can," she said with a smile. "Though, I don't think I'll need to eat for awhile." She crawled back up toward where he was watching her and slipped into his arms.

He gave her a soft squeeze and stared at the ceiling, leaning his head over to kiss her softly on the forehead. Again, he was stuck at the moment that he was begging to last forever. After years of fighting and running from the Rebellion he had finally found a moment of clarity.

He glanced across the room to take a look at the chrono on the wall to see how late it was getting, and let the digital numbers on the wall slowly focus into his vision.

Rilanna just lay in his arms for a long time before she finally sighed and shifted against his body. "I wish we could just make everything else disappear," she said. "Duty, work, all of it."

"We can, in here," Weyland said with another kiss to her forehead. "I want you to stay here with me whenever you want. Dress for work here and leave for work here if you please. I'm sick and tired of living like a statue."

"I'd like that," Rilanna said with a soft, content sigh. "I can move some things in here, if you want. I don't know what Mrs. Anoran would think of her Head of Security living in here, but it is my personal life, and none of her business."

"Well it's going to be one bitch of a hard time getting an assassin in here that's for sure." Weyland chuckled. "Besides, it'll probably ease Anoran a bit, assuming that her head of security is keeping her pain in the ass in line."

"And, a very nice ass it is," Rilanna said with a giggle. "Yours that is; not hers. She may have one, but I haven't looked. I imagine you did when you checked her out. But, you thought mine was nicer, and that's why we're here together right now."

"Yeah," Weyland said as he slid a hand down to her hips and gave her ass a soft squeeze. "But that's not all I look for in a woman. It was mostly that whole 'blows stuff up for a living' air that you had."

Rilanna laughed. "I do that really well," she said. "Maybe we should blow something up together sometime. I think we'd make a great team." She squirmed her body against his. "Hell, I think we already make a great team."

"That's a good idea actually. Let's start small though. Let's take some large fruit down to the firing range, and then work our way up to space pirates."

"I think shooting fruit can be kind of sexy if you do it right," Rilanna said with a grin. "Though, I think I'd like to take on some space pirates with you too. Although, it could be very fun for the two of us to go Downbelow and round us up some criminal scum to fill my detention cells with."

"Do you think that Anoran would go for that? Either way it sounds like a good time. Let's do it."

"As long as her station's getting cleaned up, she'll be happy," Rilanna said with a grin. "I think we should get suited up and do some cleaning very soon. Do you know if Admiral Tarkin has larger facilities for holding all these criminals? We're getting pretty filled up."

"I can have a barge sent over to collect the bastards." Weyland said with a yawn. "Empty the cages and make room for a whole new payload."

"Maybe we should have a little party once they're gone," Rilanna said with a grin. "We could break open a bottle of calduin, order up a plate of Mon Cal shrimp, and prepare ourselves for the next batch."

"Sounds like a date to me," Weyland said giving Rilanna a soft squeeze. "Besides it isn't often that I get to actually draw my blaster. When should we start?"

Rilanna thought about it, and then laughed. "Well, I'm going to have to get back on duty fairly soon, but maybe we can start tomorrow after your shift ends."

"Alright," Weyland said with a smile. "Are you coming back here to sleep after your shift or will I just see you around tomorrow?"

Rilanna grinned and edged closer. "I think I'll be coming back here," she said before kissing him. "Now, I'd better get moving before Shrezade Anoran decides to hang my carcass outside the station as a warning to all those who shirk their responsibilities." She gave him a quick kiss, and left his quarters before they ended up doing something that would have kept her there longer and really got her on Shrezade's bad list.

"Back Home"
By: Ellemiek Vermolen - Alliance Colonel
and Zale Tregat - Entrepreneur and Crimelord

Location: New Plouton
Date: Niothe 13, 4 ABY

***

She had just arrived back to Chimaeria, the planet where she had grown up and yet had left so long ago. Things seemed different and yet it seemed as if all was still under the iron hand of Tarkin. Still it was good to be back, even if freedom was still a long way from their grasp.

Passing themselves off as rather wealthy merchants, Ellemiek and a crew of three more Black Squadron members set their ship, a Corellian Transport, in the local docking yards, paying the fees as anyone else normally would. A nearby apartment had been set for them in one of the tall housing buildings.

"Ok, you settle us in while I go and see Mr. Zale Tregat," she told the remaining of the crew. "With his aid I am sure we can find out what has been going on around here and what the current situation is."

The rest of the team nodded and departed as Ellemiek made her way in the opposite direction. A few minutes later she got to Tregat's main office building. She entered and walked up to a desk where a man stood looking at her. "Please tell Mr. Zale Tregat that Miss Ellemiek Vermolen is here to see him," she said simply hoping that would be enough to remind Zale of who she was.

Moril Astren's eyes narrowed as he looked over the woman. "Just one moment," he said. "I will let Mr. Tregat know you are here." He nodded to Deez as he slipped into Zale's office.

"There's an Ellemiek Vermolen out front to see you, Zale," Moril said once he was safely inside the office.

"Ellemiek? Blonde? About this tall?"

Moril nodded.

Zale laughed. "I wonder what the Rebellion wants with me."

Moril glanced at Zale's hand and chuckled. "I don't know," he said. "I'll send her in."

"Good," Zale said. "I wonder if Kaysa would be jealous."

Moril laughed. "I think the Rebellion would be missing one of their soldiers." With that, he slipped out of the office and found Ellemiek examining one of the paintings on the far wall. "Mr. Tregat will see you now," he said.

She got up and tossed her blonde hair to her back. So Tregat remembered her... She walked in. "Mr Tregat, I thank you for receiving me on such short notice," she said, extending a hand.

"Given recent events," Zale said, as he shook her hand, "I figure it would be a good idea to meet with a representative of the Alliance, and I assume, the forming New Republic."

"Yes, a New Republic is forming," Ellemiek replied with a slight smile. "May I?" she asked as she took a seat opposite from Zale. "As you have aided us before with information I would like to ask you to provide us with data on the recent events. We know, as surely you do as well, that a New Empire is born and that Tarkin has named himself Grand Admiral. Let us put it in simple terms: We do not concur with his politics."

"I think the only people who do are those who profited from the Emperor's reign of tyranny," Zale said. "I'll gladly help you with whatever information I can provide. So, what information can I help you with?"

"Well, whatever information you can provide with would be good. Mainly on Tarkin and his operations. What he has done and such," she said.

Zale nodded. "I can gather information together," he said. "So far he's been lying fairly low. Some of my people on the Drogen Shipyards indicate there's something brewing there. It also appears the Jedi have returned. One of them was at the party I was attending the night the Empire fell. And, then there have been reports in Thanatos."

Ellemiek leaned back. "Well then, it seems you know even less than we do. Tarkin is more influential than you seem to know about. He has hold of all the major ex-Imperial bases. But we still need your help. Maybe we could discuss these matters over dinner?"

Zale nodded again. "Dinner would be fine," he said. "And, my knowledge of current events really only extends to the local area, or other regions where my corporate holdings are prominent. In any event, I will do what I can to help, but we can discuss that over dinner."

Ellemiek could see that perhaps she had been too harsh in the words she had chosen. "I didn't mean to offend you when I said that we knew more about Grand Admiral Tarkin, Mr. Tregat. In fact I would be willing to share the information with you... But we can discuss this later then. Any recommendations for a dining location?" she asked with a gentle smile.

Zale smiled. "The Segrelat Tower is always nice," he said. "Usually whenever anyone asks me for dinner recommendations, that's first on my list."

She nodded gently. "Well then, pick me up in a couple of hours? I'm staying in the Gemini Towers, apartment 2219."

Zale nodded, and then smiled. "I'll be there," he said. "I'll see you soon, Ellemiek."

She smiled gently and nodded as she shook his hand once more. "Well then, if you'll excuse me," she said and left the room.

***

She had returned to her apartment and took time to take a long hot bath with flower scents and oils. She then dressed herself in a small silver coloured top with an open back that tied itself at the back of her neck and wore a pair of black leather pants with a small silver chain at her waist and black knee high boots. Her hair she let hang loose with a few curls at the bottom.

As she was leaving her room she decided to let the others in the next apartment know she was leaving so she knocked at their door. As Kilgara opened the door she stared at Ellemiek. "You going out now?"

"Yes, just to let you guys know. Keep a low profile for now. Hopefully soon we'll have info to grant to our superiors," she said and left downstairs to meet Zale.

Zale was just walking up the steps as Ellemiek was reaching the downstairs area of the building. He gave her a smile as he approached. "Reservations are all taken care of, and they're expecting us," he said once he was close enough. "You look very nice. I feel as if I'm a little underdressed."

"Thank you for the compliment. You look very well. I have never known you to look otherwise," she replied with a smile. "And thank you for taking care of the reservations and picking me up. I realize you are a man who has little time to spare..."

"I always have time for things like this," Zale said. "And, my previous plans for the evening didn't pan out, so I'm delighted to accompany you and see what difference we can make on Tae'Karada."

"Oh I'm sure we can make a difference." She smiled as she took his arm and walked at his side towards the exit where he had his driver waiting. "I haven't been home for quite some time. I guess that means that tonight I am in your hands, Mr. Tregat."

Zale raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Well then let's go see what kind of night we can scare up." When they reached his speeder, he opened the door for Ellemiek, and gestured that she should climb in. The driver gave Zale a knowing smile, then shook his head.

Zale watched him for a moment, then laughed softly to himself as he climbed inside. "I'm sure you'll love the food at the Tower. It's one of my favourite restaurants in the whole city."

"Then I am sure it is most exquisite," she replied simply with a smile. As the speeder made its way through the city, she felt less and less compelled to talk business. Truth was that she had missed being home and the idea that tonight she could detach herself and have fun was most attractive. She told herself otherwise. "I have a padd with our gathered intelligence of what appears to be the main pillars of this New Empire. They have secured several strategic locations and systems. I'll have it delivered to you tomorrow," she told Zale hoping that he would pull the conversation to something else.

"Very well," Zale said. "I'll go over it with my security adviser and we'll see where we can fit in." He glanced over at Ellemiek and smiled. "So, when you're not fighting for the Rebellion, what do you do with yourself?"

"Well...truth be told, I have not had leisure time in almost longer than I can recall. The Alliance had some pretty tough times recently. But when I had the spare time usually I spent it repairing stuff, although that's not much of a hobby," Ellemiek replied. She looked him in the eyes. "What about you Zale? Can I call you Zale? I was wondering what a man such as yourself does for fun."

"There isn't much time for fun when you're running an organization like mine," Zale said. "But, I have other ways to find fun. I have close friends...and we tend to make our own fun."

"I see," she said cordially, not really knowing for sure what he'd meant. By then they had arrived at the Tower. "I hope that by being in your company tonight I can glimpse some of that fun you speak of... It has been too long since I last had fun just for the sake of it!"

Zale glanced over at Ellemiek and smiled. "I'll see what I can arrange," he said. "We've got a long night ahead of us." He stepped out of the door as the driver opened it, then offered his hand to help Ellemiek from the vehicle.

She took Zale's hand and stepped out. The Tower was above all a place that could easily be marked as one that was elite only as it looked rather costly. "Well then it would seem that once more I will be in debt with you. As long as we don't mix business and pleasure," she teased.

Zale offered her a smile, and then quickly gave his driver instructions before sending the man off. With that, he took Elle's hand, and led the way toward the Segrelat Tower. There was a turbolift waiting for them already, and he punched in the number for the restaurant on the top floor. With that, the lift started upward. "I have a feeling you are going to love the food here," he said. "Most people do. And, then after dinner we can see about that exchange."

She nodded gently and followed Zale up until their table where a woman greeted them and offered them the food list. Seated across from Zale, Ellemiek raised an eyebrow while looking at the list. Everything was most certainly better than the rations she was almost accustomed to by now.

"Well, there are so many things, that I do not know what to choose. Perhaps you would do the honours and choose for us," she said cordially. "I'm sure that you will choose well."

Zale smiled and set down his menu. After a few more moments, the waiter arrived. Zale gave the man their orders and then handed the man the sheets back. Once the waiter had gone, Zale turned back to Ellemiek. "I know what's good here," Zale said with a smile. "I've been coming here for the occasional meal since I first arrived on Tae'Karada. I'm actually a partial owner, but I try to keep quiet about that. If you'd ever like to return, just let me know. The food is amazing, the dancing is better than you'll find anywhere else, and the view is breathtaking."

Ellemiek looked out the windows nearby and the sunset could be seen, as it made the skies turn in patterns of orange and blue and even purple. "One thing about this planet. I have never seen sunsets as beautiful, except maybe on Tatooine. The view is indeed beautiful Zale," she said somewhat dreamily.

The food arrived then and it was simply divine. They were clearly the most exquisite dishes that had been thoroughly worked to become simply the best of all, both in aspect and in flavour. The talk was subtle throughout dinner and Ellemiek sought out to free herself from her ties with the Alliance for one night only and have fun. She did deserve it after all...

By desert time Ellemiek held Zale's hand across the table. "I want to thank you for the lovely evening. I must say that it surpassed all my expectations," she told him as a nice slow melody was started up by a live band at a corner stage. "Dance with me?" she asked.

Zale smiled. "Of course," he said as he stood up. He played the part of the gentleman and offered her a hand while she stood. Then, together they moved out onto the dancefloor, with Zale taking the lead once they were there. After they'd been swaying together for a few minutes, Zale smiled again. "You move really well," he said. "Do you get to do much dancing anymore?"

Ellemiek smiled at the compliment. "You flatter me Zale but it is you who dances quite well. It's easy to dance with someone who leads as you do," she said as she laid her head ever so slightly in his shoulder and closed her eyes. She could feel his well built body and his strong hands, and yet he could be so gentle. She moved her hand up to his neck and caressed it gently.

Zale smiled and shifted his hands slightly to hold Ellemiek closer. "Thank you," he said. "Though, I can't take all the credit. I think when dancing, you can't give all the credit to only one person. Dancers work together, and I think you and I move very well together, Ellemiek."

She had to smile at his compliments. She kissed him across the cheek slowly and with feeling. "Thank you. For everything. I must admit I never thought you to be quite the gentleman..." The music had stopped but she let herself stay in his arms.

Zale smiled, and started drifting them toward the edge of the dancefloor. "Of course, I'm a gentleman," he said. "It's only my enemies I'm rather harsh with. And, you're most definitely not an enemy." Once they were at the edge of the floor, he smiled at her. "So, did you want to stay for another dance? Or should we go find something more exciting to do?"

"I say we find us some other entertainment," she said with a smile. "I would trust you to know where and what to do."

Zale smiled and slipped an arm around Ellemiek's waist. "I think that all depends on what you like to do," he said. "Why don't we go ahead and head outside, and see what happens. We could always hit a club, or if you're interested we could go somewhere with less distractions."

She placed a hand on his cheek softly. Everything she knew told her that he wanted to spend some leisure time in private just as she did. Without taking much consideration for others who might view them she closed her eyes and leaned forward, kissing him on the lips softly and yet passionately as well. "Your place or mine?" she whispered in his ear, as she held onto him.

"How close is your place?" Zale asked. "I say whichever is closest, we go there."

"The Gemini Towers are closer, I think," she replied as she took his hand and left outside, where Zale's driver was waiting. It took them only a couple of minutes to get to the Gemini Towers.

Once in apartment 2219, Ellemiek's home, she grabbed onto his muscular body, now more alive and brutal and pushed his coat off as she kissed him countless times.

Zale returned the kisses, slightly overwhelmed by the ferocity of Ellemiek's advances. He slipped his arms around her and allowed himself to be pulled further into her apartment. "You are a woman who knows what she wants, aren't you?"

She smiled but did not answer. Instead she kissed his now topless body as they disappeared inside her apartment together. As the door closed, a quiet laugh was heard from the doorway of the apartment next door as one of the Black Squadran members sat smoking a cigarra. It would be an interesting night indeed.

When Ellemiek woke up Zale was gone. Beside her was a note that simply said, "Had some business to attend to. I'll call you soon. Zale." Elle sighed, then got up and walked to the bathroom. She felt truly home.

"Life Debt"
by Rilanna Kir
and Chamlembac [NPC]

Location: Drogen Shipyards
Date: Niothe 13, 4ABY

***

Rilanna Kir strode through the corridors of the Drogen Shipyards as if she were gliding. The afternoon she'd spent with Major Dane Weyland had helped to assuage some of the tension that had been building over the last year, and she was feeling great. She laughed, and then chided herself for acting so giddy over the whole thing.

She entered the infirmary and was immediately approached by one of the medical staff.

"May I help you, Captain Kir?"

Rilanna looked around the room and then nodded to the man. "I was just stopping by to check on those we brought in from the incident the other night."

"All but one have been released," the man said. "The Wookiee was out until earlier today. It if weren't for that large bandage over his head, he would have likely torn the whole infirmary apart. As it is, we had to tranquilize him."

"He's the one who was down when I got there?"

The doctor nodded. "That is correct. He had a concussion, and that kept him down until this morning."

"I want to see him," Rilanna said.

"This way then. He should be out for a little while longer."

The doctor led Rilanna back through a large set of doors into what she would have guessed would be a recovery room. Lying sprawled out on one of the tables was a large, hairy Wookiee, looking completely at peace in sleep.

Rilanna approached and studied him. His fur was mostly brown but the tips appeared to be a mixture of black and silver. She wasn't exactly an expert, but her guess would be that he was still quite young. She smiled as her hand brushed against his fur, which happened to be quite soft.

"He's going to be alright?"

"Oh, I'm sure he'll be fine," the doctor said. "Though, I've been having to fend off his foreman for the last two days. I guess he hasn't reported for work, and the man's getting uppity."

"What's he do?"

"He's a technician," the doctor said, while checking some more of the instruments "I guess he works on the smaller freighters that come in. I checked and he has no criminal record on the station."

"Good," Rilanna said. "Off the station?"

"Searches come up inconclusive. It appears that he was a slave before showing up here. I don't know how he ended up on Drogen, but he did. He's been here for nearly a month."

Rilanna stared at the Wookiee for a minute before she smiled. "Well, see that once he is well enough that he returns to work," she said. "And, see that his employer compensates him for the time he was injured. If he has problems with that, send him to me."

"Very well, Captain," the doctor said.

"If you have any questions, or need me for anything, you can reach me through the control deck." With that, Rilanna started away.

Just as she was reaching the door, a sudden howl brought her around. The doctor's frightened yelp of surprise, and then a choked gurgle had her rushing forward. The Wookiee was demanding to know where he was and what happened.

A guard rushed into the room with his blaster out, levelling it at the Wookiee. Rilanna quickly pushed the weapon down so it aimed at the floor, and then started forward.

"You're in the infirmary," she called to the Wookiee, trying to get between him and the doctor. "You were hurt. These people were taking care of you."

The Wookiee howled again.

"In a bar," Rilanna answered. "A man was holding you and a bunch of others hostage. You were bleeding pretty bad, and I had you brought here. Let him go before you kill him."

It was another moment before the massive paw clamped around the doctor's throat opened. The Wookiee pulled his hands into his chest, and made a woofing noise.

"You're welcome," Rilanna said with a smile. "They've taken good care of you, and you'll get to go back to work soon. My name is Rilanna."

He let loose with another barking howl.

"Chamlembac," Rilanna said with a smile. "It's good to meet you."

The doctor edged forward. "You can understand him?"

Rilanna glanced at the man and laughed. "When I was younger," she said, "my parents had a Wookiee on their staff. I learned to understand their language then."

The doctor nodded, but said nothing else.

Chamlembac let out a series of questioning barks.

"He wants to know when he can go back to work."

"It looks like he's as good as we can get him," the doctor said. "If he wants to, he can go now."

Cham nodded, and then plopped a massive paw down on Rilanna's shoulder. He cocked his head to the side and said something that turned Rilanna's cheeks red.

"That really isn't necessary, Cham," she said.

The Wookiee gave her an adamant howl, and crossed his arms over his chest.

"No, really," she said. Rilanna stared at him for a couple moments before she finally threw her arms up in defeat. "Oh alright."

Cham let out a long howl that turned into what sounded like a laugh.

The doctor, looking perplexed, leaned close to Rilanna. "What happened?"

Rilanna shook her head. "It appears that after saving him from certain death in that bar," she said, "I have found myself a new partner who won't take no for an answer." She looked up at Cham and then laughed. Oh, Shrezade isn't going to like this, she told herself, which only made her smile bigger.