"Mall Bots"
By: Protocol Droid AC-18 [NPC]
and Astromech R5-E6 [NPC]

Location: New Plouton
Date: Niothe 14, 4ABY

***

The world was a void, and the emptiness thereof. An ocean of trinary code ebbed and flowed, lapping at the shores of consciousness. Swirling endlessly, as if rearranging itself into something tangible, something more coherent, the data sea brought with it understanding. Suddenly the waves tremored, with blue-white current racing over the surface. The waves crested, bringing one word: Activate.

At the signal from Aesir's computer, the Cybot Galactica protocol droid, Serial Number AC-18 woke from her slumber. Pale cyan photoreceptors glowed into being and Eighteen patiently ran her start-up tests. Nothing showed up out of order, so she disengaged from the power junction and stepped away from the wall. Her neck axial servos hummed softly as she turned her head to look around.

Eighteen made her way from the droid stations at the rear of Aesir and into the main living area. Her charges were already busy.

"Query," the R2 unit beeped.

Eighteen halted in her movements. "Yes?"

"Location of Owner?"

She hesitated for a moment, her circuits digesting the context of the question. Then she said, "Master Syan is not here. He has not yet returned from the hunt. But he may at any moment, so we must have things ready for him."

The astromech bounced softly, turning to face her. "Primary functions complete, Aesir operating within range of standard-repair/maintenance. Priority of secondary roles?"

"Urgent," Eighteen answered, raising her volume to punctuate it. She raised an arm toward the utilities nook and pointed. "Go. And no more arguments that you're a ship repair droid."

"Servitude. Low-priority," R2-G9 replied with some snobbish indignation. The unit had campaigned silently for some time, just over Aesir's datanet, for the addition of a cleaning droid on the transport. Eighteen had taken the request to their owner, and it had been denied. She'd left it at that. The astromech had not been so quick in his acceptance.

Eighteen ignored the beeps and trills from the indignant droid and continued toward the ship's armory.

She spent the next hour moving meticulously through the cache of blades and blasters, grenades, assorted explosives, and things she had not yet classified. One by one, she checked the blasters, removing power packs requiring charge and setting them in cradles. She dusted them carefully, lining them up in a logical order in size, series type, function, and power level. The second task she took even more carefully. Master Syan was particular about his bladed weapons and that bled into her subroutines, causing her to be equally so. She was not allowed to sharpen them or maintain them in any way beyond cleaning. So Eighteen dusted the swords and knives, throwing darts, vibroshivs, and more, placing them away in drawers and sheathes hanging on the walls.

Satisfied with her work, Eighteen locked the armory and returned to the main space. R2-G9 was on his tripod legs, pushing the grav-vac attachment. Any particles it picked up were being siphoned into the droid's cylindrical body where it would be compacted and discarded of later. As the astromech passed the protocol droid, he chirruped something that all but corroded her circuits.

"Just be quiet and work. The sooner you finish, the sooner you can start fixing things again," she said, banging her metal fingers on the droid's dome.

The R2 unit continued up the corridor, vacuuming. Its compatriot, R5-E6, or "Reese" as he liked to refer to himself, was polishing the consoles with a monomolecular sponge dripping with cleaning solution and held carefully in a single manipulator. Without stopping his cleaning, Reese shifted his flowerpot head around, bringing his triclopic visual receptors to rest on her. He beeped softly.

"Aesir informed me as well. The ship is low on consumables. Reese, I believe we will have to go and get some," Eighteen replied. Aesir had indeed informed her during her rest cycle that its stores were low on cyclable water, stored food, and morphable food packs for autogalley.

Sensing an impending mission of some sort, Reese put the sponge down and retracted his manipulator. Its cylindrical body spun on the twin treads before leaning forward and falling on to his extended third foot, giving the droid the tripod stance that was so symbolic of astromechs. Reese rolled over to her, beeping a query.

"Yes, I think so too. Now would be better, now that Aesir is sorted out. Check the city's computer transit system and order us appropriate transportation."

Reese wheeled off to plug into a nearby data port. In the meantime, Eighteen reviewed the note files she'd been taking from Master Syan since he took over as her owner. Their owner was nearly as meticulous and systematic as a droid, and kept efficient records, in part depending on her to assist in organizing it. She took the duty most seriously, encouraged by the modifications that had been done to her programming by techs under his instructions. She had been designed to work with families, but a lot of his improvements to her programming were liberating. She had more free will now, more initiative. Before she'd been little but a nanny for her previous owner's bastard children.

Her quick self-exam found details that could be handled in their current situation. Things she didn't think she needed the master's approval to do. Mainly purchasing Aesir's needed supplies, and a few things he'd mentioned to her in their frequent briefing sessions.

By the time she was done organizing her own notes, Eighteen was joined again by Reese. "Transportation arranged, Sweetcheeks," Reese beeped.

"Stop that. I'm certainly not your Sweetcheeks," Eighteen replied, angrily. Where R2-G9 was all work, Reese was eccentric and possessing an unusual personality upgrade the master hadn't bothered to remove since he couldn't understand Reese's beeps anyway. "G9!"

The other astromech stopped his vacuuming, swivelling his dome around. "We' re on assignment for Master Syan. Head to the cockpit and have Aesir deactivate the defense systems until we've disembarked." R2-G9 beeped acknowledgement and disengaged from the grav-vac, wheeling toward the elevator. While he did, Eighteen and Reese made their way to the ramp and activated it. But the ramp wouldn't descend. They had to wait until the droid had the ship deactivate the security systems, since it was programmed not to let anyone on or off without certain codes.

A moment later, the keypad glowed orange and the sounds of the gantry plate outside shook the doorway. The ramp tilted down and extended to the ground, allowing them to disembark.

Eighteen and her libidinous companion, Reese, descended the ramp into the hangar she had rented with her access to the bounty hunter's slush account. R2-G9 had run his special investigative subroutines on the city's datanet, looking at customer complaints to the local business bureau, police reports, and declared income for various holding companies. In the end, he'd chosen Batari Berthing for Aesir, and Eighteen had landed the ship, denying any number of services by direct, if polite, electronic messages. The more they could limit the knowledge that the ship had no sentients aboard, the better.

Batari was not a new company by any means, nor were its hangars. Though spacious, the hangar showed layered grime and signs of frequent and careless use. Eighteen had ended up keeping the ship in repulsor hover over the hangar's top doors for a dangerously long time due to the sloth speed of overworked and under-maintained door mechanisms.

But they'd landed without incident, and the Aesir were safe and sound inside the hangar. Eighteen and Reese, however, were not to be for long.

Shuffling away from the ramp, Eighteen turned to Reese and said, "All right, tell G9 he can secure the ship. We should be back before evening." With her internal sensors, the protocol droid picked up the burst transmission the R5 had made to his companion. Moments later the gantry was retracting and the silver hull plate slid back into place, turning the ship back to its normally sleek profile.

The droids approached the doors. Eighteen activated them, and let out a small yelp as the doors jammed and started to squeal in protest against the request to open. "Most unsightly. Reese, we shall have to report this to the Batari Berthing customer service department when we return." Eighteen made a note to that effect in her memory file and waited until the astromech and rolled under the half-open doors before she herself bent awkwardly at the waist and continued outside herself.

"I hope you've ordered us reputable transportation," Eighteen said, looking around. Moments later, a white repulsorlift truck with orange and purple stripes slid silently up before the hangar. A gangly human woman in a uniform of modern cut and in the equadi style stepped out with datapad in hand, approaching the droids.

"I'm here for a pick-up," she said wearily. Her knotted brown hair was tucked under a cap.

"Did you order anything, Reese?" Eighteen asked, turning to her companion. He beeped softly, followed by a whistle. "What do you mean you ordered transportation?"

Reese beeped again, indicating the truck. "Cargo? You registered us as cargo? You malfunctioning bucket of bolts, when the master gets back, I'm going to tell him about this indignity." Eighteen snuffled, got her circuits in order, and then turned to the woman who was watching them with no sign she'd even been aware of the exchange. "I suppose it can't be helped. We are the articles you are here to collect and deliver."

She frowned, heavy eyebrows lidding mossy-green eyes. She chewed on the end of her data pad stylus. "I'm not really supposed to transport droids without restraining bolts."

Reese trilled the woman in protest, and Eighteen answered as quickly, "That won't be necessary, miss. We won't be any trouble. Come along, Reese."

The astromech followed his protocol droid companion to the rear of the repulsorlift truck where the courier lowered the loading ramp. The two droids climbed aboard with brightly colored cargo tracking stickers on their torsos.

Eighteen sat, stewing at the indignity. She was an important droid, on important business for the master, and here she was 'cargo'. The horror. In contrast, Reese amused himself recording data from the other cargo stickers slapped on packages in the rear of the van. He told her he'd give the data to G9 later to play around with and flex his subroutines, tracking down the original owners, contents, destination, and estimated legality. "Use it or lose it," Reese had assured Eighteen.

The motion sensors in the droids registered the vehicle slowing to a stop some time before the courier opened the loading doors again. "Okay, this is where I'm supposed to deliver.you. If you'll come this way please." Again the courier showed no sign of mirth or enjoyment in her work. Eighteen rather pitied her, forced to perform a duty she didn't want to. Eighteen rather loved her job. She was not certain how much of that was her own volition and how much was her original programming. Neither did she care.

The droids followed the courier into a marketplace that, even in the morning, was bustling with shoppers. Yellvin was always like this, Eighteen knew. She had reviewed an abundance of public service newsletters, corporate advertisements, community papers, and government reports on the planet and its environments, condensing and annotating the information for Master Syan. They all pointed to the Yellvin District being a madhouse of business.

The courier led them to a customer service counter. "I need you to sign for these two droids."

The young man blinked. He looked hardly out of secondary school. "You need me to do what?"

"Sign for the droids," the courier repeated with equal lack of emphasis, handing the data pad and stylus to the young man to sign. "Thanks." The courier retrieved the stylus and pad, tipped her tight hat to the young man and returned to her repulsorlift truck, joining the traffic flow for another delivery. The customer service agent stared after, still not quite understanding.

"Excuse me," Eighteen repeated for the second time, trying to get his attention. "We're on business for our master." Reese tootled. "Yes, quite right Reese. We're here to shop."

"Uh.okay."

The boy stood, nodding and entering their order into the market's datanet, confirming shipments with the dealers. Eighteen ordered foodstuffs, fresh linens for the master's bedroom aboard Aesir, and additional supplies. When the time came to pay for it all, the young man looked expectantly at them both.

"Oh, right, we have to arrange for payment now. Reese, the credit chips please."

Reese did nothing. Instead he warbled at her.

"I will not play kissy-vocoder with you, now open up and hand me those chips you mechanical deviant!" Another bang on the astromech's dome punctuated her displeasure with him. Breeping dejectedly, Reese opened up a top port in his dome and ejected the chips into Eighteen's waiting hand.

Eighteen paid the young man, and he thanked them for their service.

The two droids left the marketplace and headed for the street, looking around. "Reese, I believe it will be difficult for us to get a taxi back to the hangar." She listened to the astromech's answering beep. "Yes, I agree. Very difficult indeed."

---

"Necessary Documentation"
By: Zion "The Worm" Xandler - Systems Operator
Jadda the Hutt - Hutt Crimelord
and Vorgoth - Assassin / Sith

Location: New Plouton
Date: Niothe 14, 4 ABY

***

He did not understand what a Hutt Crimelord would want with a Systems Operator but the fact was it did not matter much to Zion, as long as he received his fees. Supposedly he was to be met by a man sent by Jadda himself. He did not know who this man was but he was told the messenger would know him.

He sat in a booth in a café as he waited. Dressed in a pair of purple velvet pants with an orange shirt and his sunglasses, and wearing his hair in a series of blue and white stripes, he waited as he sipped his coffee.

Vorgoth entered the cafe. He paid little attention to the people who looked at him as he entered, his hood covering most of his face and the cloak covering his body. He saw Zion in the corner booth and headed his way, sitting down as he got there, not bothering to ask if he could.

Zion was about to complain to the hooded character but he soon realized that the man in the hood was Jadda's messenger. "Man, you couldn't pass unnoticed anywhere! Well, maybe in Thanatos, but who wants to go there anyway?!"

Vorgoth growled and looked at Zion. "Jadda wants to see you now. Follow," he said simply and coldly.

"Shit man!" Zion exclaimed as he saw Vorgoth's tattooed face. "I can understand tattoos but that's ridiculous! None of my business though... C'mon, lead the way..." he said as he got up after the Zabrak.

Vorgoth made his way and took Zion to Jadda's Palace. Inside the main chamber was Jadda, sitting fat with his guards standing at their places. Vorgoth took his place next to his master while Zion stood facing Jadda in the center of the room.

"So, what's the big deal? Why did you want to see me?" Zion asked.

"Bontchaa meesa bakanoos tchunga boos noor billapa isa darpoo Podrace..." Jadda said simply. Beside him the protocol droid translated. "I want you to get me a permit to build a Podrace circuit."

"Podrace?! Why don't you get one of those yourself?" Zion said, surprised. "But sure, I can get one... It'll cost ya, though! But I guarantee a job well done."

"Bintcha boos dingoo bocanoor New Empire... Bissa doo bolla poo dinga tchoo credits," Jadda said, laughing at the end. "The New Empire would take too long... And I will pay you your credit fees for it."

"Enough to keep me quiet! I'll have it done today and you will get it later this evening. One permit for a Podrace circuit here on Chimaeria! Quarter of a mil' credits!" Zion offered.

Jadda laughed. "200 000 credits..." he counter-offered.

"Very well... Consider it a first time discount," Zion agreed, as he knew better than to piss off a Hutt. And the price was still very good. Truth was he was quite willing to do it for a lot less so the payment was still quite good.

Zion left and went home to get the job done. He sat at his terminal and linked it to his self-built mother processing unit that gave him the capability to access just about any remote system, namely Imperial ones. In no time he hacked his way through to the main terminal and into the local database computer for building permits.

"Here we go!" Zion grinned as he passed the security systems with code breakers and bypassing programs. He created a permit with a couple of days existence and inserted it amidst all the other files and deleted his access records and inserted a user created one in the same date so as to make everything as real as if it were true. Making sure all the traces were deleted he exited and printed the permit he had created and sent it to Jadda in express mail.

Zion leaned back. "Another satisfied customer..." He grinned to himself. Soon the money should be on his account...

---

"Recovery"
by Padrick Norvin [NPC]
and Weibran the Hutt

Location: New Plouton, Tae'Karada
Date: Niothe 14, 4ABY

***

"Aww, come on," said the large man sprawling across the couch, a bucket of chippin resting on his chest. "He'll pull through."

Padrick looked up and frowned. "Do you really have to eat that stuff right here? It smells awful, and I'm really not in any mood--"

"I really don't care about your moods!" the thug shouted as he surged upward, spilling chipping across his chest and then onto the floor. He sank back to the couch, and then tried getting up again. He finally managed to get himself upright on the fourth try, and turned on Padrick. "We have to have faith that the boss will pull through this!"

Padrick edged farther away, holding his hands up protectively as he did. "Okay, okay," he said. "Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean any disrespect."

"Yeah. Just don't let it happen again. Or...or you know what happens to those who disrespect the boss."

A mewling growl set Padrick's teeth on edge just a moment before the canine-like creature latched onto his booted ankle.

"Rancor!"

The beast only seemed to become more infuriated by the complete lack of screaming and death throes, and began to violently yank and tear at Padrick's boot.

"Rancor!" he called again, but the mutt wasn't listening.

It let go for only a brief moment before it once again latched on. Padrick watched helplessly while Rancor gnawed at his ankle and the thug with chippin stains all down his front hooted with laughter. He finally stood up and started across the room, ignoring both thug and latching Rancor.

"Just don't kick him," the thug said, indicating the canine clinging to Padrick's leg. "The boss would be very upset."

"I won't," Padrick said. "I need some kaffe. You want anything?"

The thug shook his head. "Nope," he said. "I've got my chippin here."

Pad shuddered and continued down the hall. How had he gotten involved in this organization?

***

It was two hours later when the doctor approached them. A gurgling bark sounded from down around Pad's ankle, and he looked to see Rancor crouched low, ready to pounce at his leg again.

"He is awake now," the doctor was saying, "but he is under orders to take things slowly. We don't want him aggravating his injury."

Padrick nodded. "So we can see him?" Rancor leapt at his leg, but Padrick shifted out of the small beast's way before it could latch on again. With a yelp, he bounded off the chair, and then sat for a few moments, dazed.

"You may see him."

Padrick nodded to the thug, who had a chippin bone stuck in his mouth, and he was chewing on it in his sleep. With a shake of his head, Pad motioned for the doctor to lead him to the boss.

Before Pad could get ten paces, he heard a laughably fierce yelp, and then felt something clamping onto his boot down around his ankle. He groaned inwardly, but held himself to the axiom: if you ignore it, it will go away.

The doctor led him down a long hallway, and then into an ornately finished room. The bed was huge, extremely so. However, so was the body reclining in the center of the overstuffed mattress. He wore a pair of linen pajamas with reisacats and teddy bears on them. A bib had been tied under his chin, and he was eating from a large bowl.

Weibran the Hutt had to be the luckiest man alive, Padrick thought to himself. There's no other explanation.

"Padrick! How are you, Padrick-my-boy?" Weibran set his bowl aside, but before he could release it from his grip, he'd pulled it back and was shovelling in another large mouthful of its contents.

"I'm doing good, sir," Padrick said. "It is good to see you well, sir."

"Well? You call this well? I lost nearly a hundred pounds!"

Padrick swallowed hard. "Yes, sir," he said. "However, under the circumstances...that's not all that bad considering."

"Considering what?"

Padrick glanced to the doctor for help, but there was none forthcoming. "Someone tried to blow you up, sir," he said. "You almost died! You almost got turned into a roast chippin!"

Weibran took on a sudden dreamy look, and then smiled. "Roast chippin. Doc, order some up for me."

"Yes, sir," the doctor said, and then exited the room.

"So, how are you feeling, sir?"

Weibran regarded Padrick for a moment, then smiled. "A little lighter than normal, but I'm doing fine."

"That's good to hear, sir," Pad said. "We were worried about you."

"Worried about me? What about that chippin that got all burned up in that damn explosion!?"

Padrick sighed. "If it weren't for that chippin, that explosion would have killed you. If you hadn't fallen under that table..."

"But that bastard...all that...tragedy, Padrick! It's tragedy! I want you to find the bastard that did that! I want you to find him, and kill him!"

"Yes, sir," Padrick said. "I'll start immediately, sir."

"Where's Rancor?"

Padrick lifted his leg up to rest a foot on the bed. "Here, sir."

"Rankie!!"

The small beast yipped, and bounded up toward the head of the bed and into Weibran's arms. Pad sighed, and then turned to go. He stopped at the door and looked back at Weibran. How had he gotten involved in all this again?

---

"Roving Spirits, Part 1"
By: Dani
Jae Dyn Brael
Laedra Vorrel
Nieme Yaresh-Selrid
Liam Zaneth
Yelara Zaneth
Leshie Zaneth [NPC]

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Niothe 14, 4 ABY

***

Dani stood outside the door willing her nerves to settle. She took in a deep breath and let it out, and followed it with three more. During her recovery, she'd managed to convince Laedra Vorrel to teach her a few meditation techniques. They'd helped for the most part, and now with breathing she'd managed to rid herself of the anxieties Nieme's heightened emotional state caused. Nieme lay on the other side of the door, restrained to protect her from injury.

Finally finding the courage and resolve to do so, Dani pushed open the door and stepped inside. The sight of Nieme, bound to the large bed, was almost too much for Dani to take; the wave of emotions emanating from her friend and lover, however, was.

"Nieme," she whispered softly as she approached the bed. "It's Dani, Nieme. I just wanted to come in and spend some time with you." She moved to the side of the bed and felt a sob choke itself in her throat. "We're gonna help you get all better, Nieme. You'll shine again, my beautiful star."

Nieme whimpered and turned her head away from the voice that broke the soothing calm produced by the thundering falls. Why did people keep intruding upon her sanctuary, pushing Kael further into the darkness? He'd never come out now. "Go away," she murmured lethargically.

"Nieme," Dani whispered. "It's me. It's Dani. I just wanted to be with you. I just want to make sure you're getting better."

"I'm hungry," she whispered. "So hungry... I need some beebleberries. They always help when I'm hungry."

"There aren't any beebleberries here," Dani said and took another step closer. She put a hand to Nieme's forehead and frowned. "We'll get you something good though. We'll make everything alright."

At the touch, Nieme writhed gently on the bed and moaned softly. "It hurts. It hurts so much." She opened her eyes and stared up at Dani longingly. "Make it go away," she pleaded. "The ache...make it go away."

Dani leaned close and pressed her lips to Nieme's. "I want to make it go away," she whispered. "I want to make you feel wonderful and happy again. I want to dance with you, and hold you in my arms. I want it to be like it was."

"No!" Nieme growled. She pulled at the restraints on her arms in an attempt to lunge towards Dani. "I don't want that! I want you to make the ache stop. I want you down there to make it go away!"

Dani couldn't help backing away from Nieme anymore than she could help the sudden release of pheromones into the air. "The ache will go away once the drugs Ferrig used on you are out of your system," Dani said. "I know you won't understand me, or believe me, but it's the truth. You'll be fine again once your system is clean. But...but it will hurt until then."

The pheromones had the unintentional effect of arousing Nieme even more so. Her moans grew louder and deeper, and her body squirmed uncomfortably on the bed. She tugged more forcefully on the restraints to free her hands so she could attend to the ache between her legs, but her frustration only mounted the longer she struggled vainly. "Help me... Oh gods, help me. It's gonna kill me if you don't touch me and help me. Oh gods! Oh...please..."

"Oh goddess," Dani muttered. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Nieme." She quickly thrust her hand between Nieme's legs, hoping to assuage the sensations she'd caused there. "Oh, please baby, I'm so sorry. I'll make it better. I'll make it all better."

Nieme emitted an abrupt, guttural moan and thrust her hips towards Dani's hand. Her head thrashed against the pillow and her body contorted and writhed on the bed. "Oh... Oh thank you..."

"Anything for you, my beautiful star," Dani said. "I'll do anything and everything for you, to make you feel better." Well, not anything, but close, she told herself. She'd help relieve the pain. "I'll make you better, Nieme."

Nieme's back arched off the bed with a jolt and she let out a sustained cry. "Oh gods!"

"Nieme?!" Yelara burst through the door and stumbled into the room. She'd heard the cries from the corridor and thought Nieme was having another episode, but she soon realized it was something else entirely. She stopped cold and looked between the bed and the door, trying to decide which way to go. "Oh...uh...I..."

"Oh goddess," Dani said, but kept her hand where it was. "She was miserable, and I only made it worse. My pheromones. She was upset and I tried to calm her. It...it just made it worse though. Oh goddess, I'm so sorry..."

"Dani...it's okay." Yelara approached the bed slowly, watching Nieme stirring in ecstasy and moaning almost piteously. "Dani...you have to stop that. It isn't good for her, not in her condition. If she's in pain, you should call either Laedra or Jae Dyn to take care of it, but not this."

Dani nodded. "I know," she said. "It's just that...that I used my pheromones, and now she's aroused because of me. I made her that way, and I was just...relieving her of...what I caused."

"From what I hear, she's that way even without your pheromones, Dani." Yelara placed her hand on the girl's shoulder. "I know you care about her and seeing her in pain is torture, but she has to suffer before she can get better. She has to want to get well badly enough, Dani."

Dani sighed. "Right now, all she wants is for the pain to go away. And, it is torture." She sighed again, and buried her face in Yelara's shoulder. "I just want everything to be better again."

Yelara sighed and pulled Dani into her arms. She was reluctant to volunteer for the role of Temple matriarch, but it appeared to have been forced upon her nonetheless. "Everything will be better, Dani. We have to give it time. She'll be better, but we have to be strong for her." She kissed the top of Dani's head and rubbed her back soothingly. "You'll be strong for her, won't you, Dani?"

Dani nodded. "I'll be strong," she whispered. "It's just hard, especially since I can feel her pain. I'll be strong though. Kael's helping me be strong too. He's being a very good friend now. We walked down to the waterfall and back earlier...and it was very nice."

"See? If Kael can get all better, Nieme can too."

A tortured, grating cry from the bed startled Yelara. She slipped away from Dani and sat upon the edge of the mattress. Gently stroking Nieme's hair and murmuring comforting words into her ear, Yelara attempted to calm the frantic girl.

"No... No! Get away from me!"

"Nieme, it's alright. And no matter how much you tell us to get lost, we're not gonna. So frankly, tough luck," Yelara replied, less than gently.

Nieme cried out again and beat the back of her head against her pillow. "I don't want you here! Kael doesn't want you here! Just go!"

Yelara sighed and rose. "Dani, you stay here with her. I'm going to go call Liam so he can calm her." She moved to Dani's side and gave her a reassuring smile before hurrying from the room.

"Nieme," Dani said softly. "It's me. I'm...I want you to be happy again." Not sure what else to do, she started singing a song Nieme had liked before. She knew Nieme wouldn't understand it because it was in Zeltron, but it was still very pretty.

Nieme groaned miserably and continued struggling, but the song soon worked its magic and her will to fight seemed to diminish. She moaned quietly and all tension in her features disappeared as the song went on. "So pretty," she murmured softly. Nieme sighed as she settled her head upon the pillow and listened to the sonorous melody out-compete even the crashing waves of the waterfall. "Oh, so beautiful... Don't stop."

Dani moved closer to Nieme, still singing as she did. She closed her eyes and poured her heart into the song for Nieme. Anything for Nieme. She reached out and gently brushed her hand over Nieme's. Her heart delighted to see the calm falling over Nieme, and she surged with hope. It was truly a good sign.

"She just started freaking out. I don't--" Yelara stopped in the doorway and held Liam back. She smiled at the sight before her, then carefully and quietly backed out of the room with Liam. "Singing," she whispered. "I bet you never thought of that, Mr. Jedi Master."

Liam watched Nieme and Dani for a moment, then laughed softly. "No," he said. "No, I never did think of that. It's truly amazing. Did you see how content she looked? That's...that's pretty amazing."

Yelara grinned and pushed Liam fully into the hall before closing the door behind them. "Let's walk, Liam. We have some things about Nieme to discuss, like how we can't keep her here to suffer like that."

Liam slipped an arm through Yelara's and sighed. "I don't know what we can do for her," he said. "Do you think it would be better to take her to one of the treatment centers in the city?"

"Well, we're not having much success here, Liam. I don't think, however, Dani and Kael would so readily agree to that."

"But if we can get them to see that it's the best thing for Nieme," Liam said. "They have to realize we're not getting very far here. And, they've heard her screaming at night. We have to do something to help her, and we're not doing it here." He sighed again, and slipped his arm around her waist. "I hate feeling this helpless."

"You're not the only one, Liam. We're all out of our league here." Yelara nestled her cheek against his shoulder and slung her arm across his stomach. "What happened to that Force thingy you mentioned to me? Is that no longer a workable idea?"

"Force thingy? You mean...that Kallia was going to do?"

Yelara laughed. "Yes! It's not nice to make fun of your wife, Liam."

Liam laughed, and pulled Yelara into a tight embrace. "I wasn't making fun," he said. "It's just that there are so many Force thingies, I wanted to make sure we were talking about the same one." He sighed, the thought of Kallia entering Nieme's mind to try to bring her out of her current state sobering him. "We should talk to her and find out if she's ready for that."

"Is it very dangerous, Liam?" She looked up at him and her brow knitted with concern. "If it is...I know it isn't my choice, but we shouldn't encourage her to do it."

"I'm not entirely sure," Liam said. "It's very possible it could be, or it's very easy. I have little experience with the technique, but I'm fairly certain Kallia would have more knowledge of the risks. We'll give her the choice, and I'll make sure you get to lock her in a room and convince her to not do it if it's too dangerous." He smiled, and kissed her. "Though, I have a feeling she'll make it seem like it's nothing."

"But I'll know better," Yelara said stubbornly. "And I'll do everything I can to stop her." She nodded with self-satisfaction, then sighed as she glanced up at Liam. She'd been meaning to broach the subject the first day Kael began coming to her for comfort, but uncertainty and fear had dissuaded her. "You don't mind, do you? That I'm spending time with Kael, that is."

Liam shook his head. "If it helps him get through this time, no. And, I know nothing's going to happen that shouldn't, so I'm alright."

"Okay...because nothing has happened or is going to happen. I mean...I may hug him and...kiss him sometimes, but that's all, Liam. I swear."

Liam pulled Yelara into his arms and kissed her gently. "I trust you," he said. "What do you say you and I go visit our son? I think Leshie misses seeing us together."

"I think," Yelara said with a grin, "you've got yourself a date, Liam Zaneth."

Liam smiled. "I like the sound of that," he said. "Me, you, our little Jedi, and all the love we can make. Dani's doing fine with Nieme right now, so I think we deserve a little time to ourselves."

"Oh, so that's what you had in mind." Yelara grinned and slipped from Liam's grasp. She began backing away from him coyly while waggling her finger at him. "Using our son as an excuse to get me into bed. You're a wicked man, Mr. Zaneth."

"Well, I was just thinking of being together, holding each other, and showering our son with all our love," Liam said with a grin as he started moving slowly after Yelara. "However, I think I like your idea better."

Yelara almost squealed excitedly and clapped her hands together vigorously. "Me too! It's been a whole eight hours, Liam." She reached out and grabbed Liam's hand. With a giggle, she jerked him forward and began rushing down the corridor with him. "Keep up! And don't fall. If you get hurt, I'll have to be extra gentle and you know how I hate that when I'm excited."

Liam laughed, and rushed after Yelara as she dragged him along. "Don't worry, my love," he said as they dashed around a corner, "I'm really quite resilient, but I think you know that already."

"And surprisingly flexible," she added with a crooked smile.

Liam laughed as they turned another corner, and he could see their room just down at the end of the hall. "I think I want to show you just how flexible I can be."

Upon hearing that, Yelara's brisk jog down the corridor became a sprint. "Oh, I really would like that, my love. Really, really."

Liam's laughter rang through the hallway as they both ran full-tilt toward their bedroom. Yelara was through the door first with Liam directly behind her. As they rushed past the crib where Leshie was gurgling, the baby let out a happy squeal. "No time for that now, Leshie," Liam called.

"Later, son," Yelara said quickly. "It's daddy's turn." She laughed as she tripped up Liam and the moment his back hit the bed, she was on top of him, tugging at his robes. "Oh, Kallia's gonna be sorry she missed this."

"That's what she gets for not following us around," Liam said as he struggled to get his hands in to begin removing Yelara's clothing. "Oh gods, even five minutes away from you is too much." He pressed his lips to hers, savouring the beautiful taste that was his wife and the love of his life.

Leshie gurgled and squealed in the background while Yelara and Liam sighed happily, then moaned with delight as Liam managed to get her top free. "I hope we're not needed," Yelara said. She groaned and clutched at Liam's hair as his lips found her breast. "And if we are...who cares?"

"Who cares," Liam whispered, and then laughed as he wrapped his arms around his wife and suckled happily on her breast. It was moments like this when he doubted himself and his burgeoning relationship with Laedra. He quickly shoved the thoughts away, and urged himself to love his wife like he'd never done before. He slipped a hand down her stomach, and toward her mound, bringing a resounding cry from her lips. Another gurgling laugh from Leshie's crib filled the room, and Liam couldn't help laughing as well. "Can we just lock ourselves in here and never come out?"

"Leshie? What do you think?" Yelara asked. His shrill squeal was as emphatic an answer as she could expect from a baby, so Yelara nodded in agreement and aggressively spread open Liam's robes. "We have a brilliant child, Liam," she commented before pressing her lips to Liam's chest.

"Of course we do," Liam said with a smile. "He also knows he has everything he needs to survive in here. Fresh changes of diapers, and a fully stocked food-supply station, though I do hope he doesn't mind me snacking." He let out a moan as Yelara continued trailing kisses down his chest.

"Oh, he'll have his turn." Yelara slid down the length of Liam's body, and with a grin up at him, she pulled open his pants and added, "After I've had a little snack."

Liam grabbed fistfuls of the sheets and threw back his head as Yelara did just that. He let out a cry to match Leshie's. And, that was only the beginning.

***

Kallia took in a deep breath through her mouth and let it out. She could feel the effects of returning to full wakefulness after meditation, and forced her body to respond again. The tingling in her legs told her she'd need to move soon, or she'd be feeling the pins and needles.

She opened her eyes and smiled at Laedra. "That was very effective," she said. "I can't remember the last time I've had such a full meditation."

"With all that's happened recently, I figured we both could use something to relax us and refocus our minds." Laedra exhaled deeply as she rose from the ground and stretched her arms towards the ceiling of the meditation room. It was a much smaller, more intimate location than the large training area, and the view of the forest provided a tranquil setting perfect for centring one's thoughts. "Have you thought more about Liam's request, Jae Dyn?"

Kallia nodded her head. "I have," she said. "I spent part of the night in with Nieme last night, and...it's very difficult to endure. She's in so much pain, and the withdrawal is taking its toll." She sighed and shook some feeling back into her legs as she stood up. "And, I think her pain is causing Dani pain as well. You can see it around her eyes."

"They're friends. It is understandable that Nieme's suffering causes her own," Laedra replied. She strolled towards the large window overlooking the forest and paused before it. "Kael is in pain as well, but he is coping with it surprisingly well. I believe the rigorous training we have engaged him in is partially responsible for that."

Kallia nodded again and moved to stand next to Laedra. "It definitely helps keep his mind off the problems," she said. "Though, I think Dani is in a difficult position with Nieme because she's also empathic. In addition to the normal pain of seeing a close friend suffering, she is also feeling what Nieme feels...to an extent."

"We can teach her to control that. It will help her now and for the future. But, I'm afraid I agree with Liam, Jae Dyn. If we cannot help Nieme through her withdrawal, we must send her to a rehabilitation facility outside of the

Temple." Laedra shook her head slightly and sighed. "I would rather not do that, Jae Dyn. That's why I must know if you are willing to perform the journey into her mind. It can only be you."

Kallia was silent for several long moments before she finally nodded her assent. "I will do what I can to help Nieme," she said. "I can't go on watching her suffer like this, and I don't want to send her away to someone else. I'll do it."

"Are you prepared, though, Jae Dyn?" She turned from the window and faced Kallia. "I have some experience with this specific technique, but trying it on a mind as unstable as Nieme's makes the process even more dangerous."

Kallia took a deep breath. "I know the technique, and can perform it. There's only one way to tell what will happen when I come in contact with Nieme's mind. I am willing to take the risk to bring her out of this. I'm the only one that knows the procedure, and I know I can do it."

"Correction, Jae Dyn: the only other one. I would volunteer to do it, but she would feel more comfortable with you, which might reduce the risk to you both. I believe if you increase the frequency of your meditation sessions, it would help you when it comes time to perform the procedure."

"Which should probably be soon," Kallia said. "I don't want to leave her in this state for much longer. I'm going to need to do this within the next couple days."

Laedra nodded her head pensively, then moved silently to the centre of the room and settled to the ground. "That means you'll be spending your days in here deeply meditating. I can keep you company, Jae Dyn Brael...if you'll have me."

Jae Dyn moved to stand in front of Laedra, and then smoothly sat cross-legged in front of her. "Of course I will," she said. "I know we got off to a bad start, but I think things are much better now. As a matter of fact, I think I'm very close to being able to consider you my friend."

"Well...I'm honoured, then," Laedra replied. "It's important that our relationship is amicable, for the students' sake. I mean, it just wouldn't do for their teachers to be in contention. That could become very disruptive for them."

"I agree with that," Jae Dyn said. "Though, I would prefer to be your friend for friendship's sake; and then the peace we maintain is just an added benefit for our students. However, we will see what the future holds."

Laedra nodded her head slowly in agreement as she closed her eyes. She was attempting to meditate, but as before, her mind centred on only one thing. "Jae Dyn Brael? Liam Zaneth...is he in love with you?"

Jae Dyn opened the eyes she'd just shut and cocked her head to the side. After a moment, she smiled. "He loves me as one would love a close friend. If you're asking me if we are intimate...we have been. Not so much recently though. He and I have only ever been together when we're with Yelara. If she wasn't there, I don't think he and I would be as close."

"I see," Laedra said quietly. "And...has he had many lovers? I mean, was there many before you and Yelara?"

Jae Dyn shook her head. "The only other one was the mist-- was the time with his former student. Yelara was the first woman he'd ever been with." She watched Laedra for a moment and then smiled as a thought formed. "So, no, he hasn't had many lovers."

Laedra cleared her throat and shifted gently where she sat. "That's interesting... He's a very handsome and likable man. Somehow, that just seems...hard to believe."

Jae Dyn nodded. "True, though I imagine when he was caught in the dark side, he wasn't interested in relationships. And, then I think Yelara caught his attention as soon as he stopped to take a breath after escaping the darkness."

"So...you would say she is his one, true love then? And no one could ever come between them?" Laedra clenched her eyes tightly and impulsively chewed on her lower lip. "It's a strong love, they have. And you believe it's done Liam a lot of good?"

Jae Dyn's expression softened, and she smiled. "You love him." It wasn't a question. "I can't speak for Liam, so you'd have to pursue that on your own. However, I would say that their love is strong, but fragile. If that makes sense. They love each other very much, but slight things put strain on their relationship. I think if Yelara found out, she'd want to scratch your eyes out..." She sighed and reached out and placed her hand on Laedra's. "Do you truly love him?"

Laedra flinched at the sudden, unexpected physical contact, but she recovered quickly and opened her eyes to look at Jae Dyn earnestly. "I try not to," she said softly. "I know it's wrong and I know it will only cause pain and turmoil, but I can't suppress this, Jae Dyn. I've already done it once before, and to do it again..." Laedra turned away and gazed out sorrowfully through the window. "It would only destroy me."

"I understand," Jae Dyn said. "I feel like, in a way, I'm betraying Yelara, but I guess I'm in a unique situation since my girlfriend is married. If Liam feels for you as you do him, I know I could never ask him to choose just as I couldn't ask Yelara to choose. I'll assist you however I can if Liam returns your feelings."

Laedra quickly faced Jae Dyn again and was momentarily stricken by her offer. "I... No, Jae Dyn. I cannot ask you to betray Yelara like that. In fact, I should never have had this conversation with you to begin with. Liam will despise me if he discovers I admitted this to you." She shook her head emphatically and pushed herself abruptly to her feet. "Jae Dyn, I am certain what I feel for Liam is unreciprocated by him. He has treated me as nothing more than a friend, and I cannot ask you to convince him to let it blossom into more."

"I understand," Jae Dyn said. "I will say nothing more about it then. But, if you do need someone to talk to, I'm here."

"No," Laedra said curtly. "I don't need your help. I have been alone for a good long while, Jae Dyn, and in that time I've learned that I need no one." She briskly headed for the door, her robes flaring out behind her. "Good day, Jae Dyn." Desperately seeking escape from that suddenly oppressive room, Laedra swung open the door and fled.

Before Laedra could get out the door, Jae Dyn was following her. Nearly running, she managed to catch up with Laedra before she could get too far away. "Laedra," she rasped, her voice kept low to not rouse anyone else's attention. "You were just telling me to do nothing was going to destroy you, and now this? I want to be a friend, and I want to help you through this. You're running away."

"Yes!" she hissed. "I have to. It will hurt less if I'm the one to end it."

"Very well," Jae Dyn said, a hint of sadness playing around her eyes. "I will meditate with you on this if you would like. To help you find the strength to go through with this. Or, I will back off and leave you to handle it on your own. Whatever happens, I only wish to see you at peace with the Force again."

"I wish it too," Laedra said almost ruefully. "But I have not found it since I arrived here." Her steps slowed until she was finally at a halt and pressing her hand to the wall for support. "How do you do it?" she asked quietly. "How do you allow yourself to love another without fearing it will tear you apart? Is that even possible?"

"I surrendered myself to my love for Yelara. It was a risk, but I loved her too much to not take it. I don't know what I would have done if she hadn't returned my love, or if she hadn't taken me back. You just have to decide to do it, and then do so. I can't think of saying it any other way. Does that even make any sense?"

"Some," Laedra replied. "So...are you telling me to take a chance, Jae Dyn Brael? Even if, in the end, it will end up hurting Yelara?"

Jae Dyn took in a deep breath and let it out. "If you love Liam, and Liam loves you... It's not an easy situation, and I don't believe in stifling love. I know it could hurt Yelara, but I will do everything I can to help her through this, and to help her not hate the two of you."

Laedra leaned fully against the wall, her hand no longer doing the job of supporting her. "I still don't know," she said with a heavy sigh. "I will need to consider this further. I'm supposed to be a Jedi Knight, supposed to follow the rules of our Order, yet twice I've allowed myself to fall in love. Why can't I stop this?"

"Because you're in love," Jae Dyn said. "Once you allow yourself to feel so deeply for a person, it's hard -- even with our training -- to just shut that off. And, working with him every day is not going to make it easier."

"It isn't...especially when he keeps insisting upon doing lightsaber training topless." Laedra turned to Jae Dyn and laughed lightly. "I am glad I had you to talk about this with, Jae Dyn. I see now there are advantages to having you as a friend."

"I am glad to be a friend," Jae Dyn said. "It's a complicated situation, but you do need a friend here. Well, in addition to Aurra. If Kal'Aran isn't careful, she's going to be requesting to change masters."

"She's a wonderful girl," Laedra said fondly. "I enjoy spending time with her. I only wish my other relationships were as simple and uncomplicated."

Jae Dyn laughed. "Well, hopefully from now on yours and my friendship can also be uncomplicated," she said. "I do regret my behaviour when we first met, and hope that I have grown past that in the days since our initial troubles."

"Oh, you have, Jae Dyn. I realize as well that I had misjudged you that first day. You're a good woman, and Yelara and Liam are lucky to have you." Laedra straightened up and ran her hands along her robes. She was attempting to regain some of her poise, but with the internal battle for her emotions, she was feeling ravaged and weakened. "You should probably continue meditating in preparation for Nieme's treatment."

With a graceful bow to Laedra, Jae Dyn took a step away. "I will continue my meditations. If you need me for anything, I'll be back in the other room. And, if you wish some company while meditating, I'm sure we can assist each other in that area as well."

"Thank you for the offer, Jae Dyn. But for now, I believe I need time for some inner reflection. I do that best alone and...free of these societally imposed constrictions," she said as she gestured to her robes.

Jae Dyn smiled. "I'll have to try that some time," she said. "If it helps. Though, I'll have to make sure I'm alone when I do it. I have a feeling with others around it could prove to be distracting."

"Quite distracting," Laedra replied with a knowing smile. She slipped her hands into the sleeves of her robes, then bowed to Jae Dyn. "Thank you for your help, Jae Dyn. I believe it has helped alleviate some stress."

"You are welcome, Master Laedra," Jae Dyn said with another bow. "It pleases me that I have been able to help you in some way. Now, I will leave you to your meditations, and return to mine." She started backing down the corridor, a gentle smile playing across her lips. The situation was bad, but she was finding a friend in Laedra Vorrel. "May the Force be with you."

"And you, Jae Dyn Brael." Laedra rather anxiously turned and started away from Jae Dyn.

Liam would chastise her if he discovered what she'd admitted to Jae Dyn. It would risk his marriage and his right to be a father to his child. She had to warn him...but she knew she couldn't bring herself to do it. The disappointment and resentment she predicted she'd see in his eyes and on his face dissuaded her from doing so. She would not tell him and she trusted in Jae Dyn's sense of honour and loyalty to keep news of it from reaching Yelara. It was foolish of her, but she hoped Jae Dyn's friendship with her was in some way important to her. Otherwise, there would soon be dissension within their tranquil sanctuary of the Temple.

---

"Roving Spirits, Part 2"
By: Jae Dyn Brael
Koran Darr
Liam Zaneth
Yelara Zaneth
Leshie Zaneth [NPC]
Yara Brael [NPC]

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Niothe 14, 4 ABY

***

It was like seeing a ghost. Jae Dyn stood at the doorway of the training room, unable to move as she watched the lone figure inside. All the memories, all the pain came rushing back with the vision of the past standing before her.

The man in the center of the room turned to regard her. He had a more rugged look, especially with the sparse beard. But the eyes were the same, and the mouth.

But she'd seen him die. She'd felt her heart torn out of her chest with the anguish of watching him perish. But, now he stood there. It was too much.

"Coran," Jae Dyn said softly, and the man smiled slightly. It was the same smile, but different.

"I am Koran Darr," the man said and took a step closer.

"It can't be...I saw...it's not possible."

The man cocked his head to the side, curious at her reaction.

"I saw you die," she said. "On...it was...we..."

"I believe you have me mistaken for someone else," he said. He quickly went on to explain how he had come to be alive in the current year. As he spoke, he led Jae Dyn over to the windows overlooking the forest, and she sat on the seat built into the frame. He sat next to her.

"The man I knew, Coran, he looked exactly like you," she said. "He was sensitive to the Force and we were staying together. Strength in numbers we thought." She went on to explain that they had become close, and that Coran had been cut down by a mob. "He was a very good man."

Koran searched within himself, his thoughts drifting until finally he came upon the answer. "That was my nephew by my younger sister."

Jae Dyn nodded slowly. "When I saw you there," she said. "It was like walking straight into my past."

"You were coming here to meditate," Koran said.

Jae Dyn nodded once again. "I can go to one of the other rooms."

"That won't be necessary," he said. "I will go into the larger training room. It is more adequate for my needs. I shall see you later, Jae Dyn Brael."

Jae Dyn looked up and Koran smiled. She hadn't told him her name. The answer was that he'd already been told about her, or he was clearly showing the reason why he was a Jedi Master. "Thank you."

Once he was gone, Jae Dyn turned inward on herself and fell into a deep meditation. She would find the strength within herself to cure Nieme, of that she was certain.

***

Liam sighed happily as he lay back on the bed. The exhaustion he felt was beautiful. He heard a gurgle from across the room. "Yes, Leshie," he said. "We're finished making the noises now. And...I imagine you might be able to have a snack...soon."

"Not just yet," Yelara murmured. "Mommy's comfortable." She kissed Liam's damp chest listlessly before settling her head upon it. "That was nice... And your flexibility was truly astonishing, my love."

"Thank you," Liam said with a happy sigh. "If I hadn't become a Jedi, I think I would have joined one of those contortionist's circuses."

Yelara laughed wearily as she lightly stroked Liam's arm. "If that had been the case, we would never have met." She glanced up at Liam and smiled curiously. "What do you think your life would be like if we hadn't met? I know I'd still be on that station enduring Dargus' torment."

The name was like a stab through the heart, and he knew he didn't hide his reaction well. He turned away to face away from Yelara, unable to control his sudden anxiety. "There's something I should have told you, something I've been putting off. I didn't know how you would take it, and I can't keep holding it in any longer." He took in a deep breath, and let it out. "Kandran survived."

The drowsy intoxication leftover from their lovemaking dissipated instantly and Yelara was left with the clear, far too harsh reality of what Liam had just said. The calm and security she had attained in that time since Dargus' supposed death was engulfed by a sudden panic. Yelara shot up in bed and gripped Liam's arms, shaking him frantically as she cried out. "Liam! No... No! No, Liam! Please, no! Please don't say that. Please don't tell me this!"

Liam felt torn in two. He didn't know what to say, or how to say it. "I wish I could," he said. "But we're safe here. Dargus can't touch us here. I'm sorry, Yelara. I'm so sorry."

Yelara's spasming body stilled and she gazed at Liam with soft, ragged breaths and the glow in her violet eyes dimming in her disillusionment. A single, anguished choking sound rose from her throat as she collapsed upon Liam and wailed. Her tears added to the moisture on Liam's chest and her fisted hands ineffectually beat upon the bed. "Oh, Liam... We're dead... We're dead."

"We'll get through this together," Liam whispered softly into her ear. "We're strong, and we're much stronger than he is. We'll beat him for good this time. We'll make him wish he had died for real the first time. He's the dead one. He's the one who will die."

"But he didn't!" Yelara shrieked. She pushed herself up and stared down at Liam with fury in her eyes. "He lived... He lived and now it will be his life's purpose to find us, and kill us! What if...oh gods..." Yelara turned her head stiffly and trepidly towards Leshie's crib. She groaned and crumpled onto the bed again. Her body heaved and shook violently in response to the realization that her worst fear had suddenly found a way to manifest itself. "If he finds him...he'll kill him. He'll take our baby from us. Liam, no!" She clutched the sheets between her fists and buried her face in them. "He's going to destroy us, starting with our baby."

"He's not going to touch us," Liam said. "He's not getting near our son, and he's not getting near us. You have to trust me, Yelara. Please trust me to keep us safe. I won't let him near us."

"We have to leave," she said, her voice suddenly crisp through the thick tears. She sat up and quickly slipped off the bed. "I'll pack all of Leshie's things and...and we can leave." Yelara rushed to Leshie's changing table and began shoving diapers and bottles into his diaper bag. "We can go to Corellia. I've been meaning to show Grandpa Orinth the baby. That's what we'll do..."

Liam moved quickly after Yelara, and then kissed her neck. "That's a good idea," he said. "I think he'll be very happy to see you and the baby again. You'll be safer there, and Dargus won't find you."

"No." Yelara threw down the bag and turned to Liam. "You have to come. You and Kallia...you both have to come. I won't leave without you, Liam. You have to come with us!"

Liam nodded. "Very well," he said with a smile. "It'll give me a chance to try to find anyone Force sensitive. The three of us will go together, with Leshie. Do you want to go talk to Kallia?"

"You'll come?" Yelara sighed and sank into Liam's arms. "We'll be safe there. He'll never find us and we'll be so happy, Liam. We can...buy a little cottage and me, you, Kallia, and the babies can all live there together. It'll be so wonderful, Liam."

Liam realized immediately that it wasn't a quick vacation to Corellia that they were talking about. She was planning on moving there permanently. He looked into her eyes for a long moment, wanting to say something, and then nodded. "We'll get a cottage, and the three of us will be happy." He made his decision then, and perhaps he could set up a second academy on Corellia. "Let's go talk to Kallia."

"Oh, Liam... Oh gods, you make me so happy." She held him tightly and kissed his cheeks, then lips feverishly. "We'll talk to Kal, but I know she'll come." One last, long kiss, and Yelara hurried towards the bed to retrieve her clothing.

Liam followed Yelara's lead, and quickly threw on his own clothing. He finished dressing first, and then moved over to watch Leshie while Yelara pulled on her pants. He smiled, and then held a hand out to her once she was fully dressed.

"I didn't think I could be this optimistic, knowing that...he was still alive," Yelara said as she slipped her hand into Liam's. "But I know we're gonna be so much happier there."

"Well, except for Orinth who probably won't like having me around," he said with a laugh. "Come on, Kallia's in one of the training rooms."

Yelara made a surprised gasp and rushed away from Liam to Leshie's crib. "Oh, how could we ever forget about you, my precious?" She scooped him up into her arms and kissed his brow before rejoining Liam. "And after we find Kal, we'll have everything we need."

Liam watched his wife and son for a moment, and then smiled. "Let's go find Kal." He started through the door, but before he'd even gone a step the comm system went off. He glanced back and frowned. "It's Oot," he said. "I'll see what she wants, you go find Kallia."

"Make sure she knows you can't stay, Liam," Yelara reminded anxiously. "We have to leave. We have to go. Remember."

Liam nodded, and gave her a kiss. "I'll let her know," he said. "And, then we're off. I'll see you soon, my love."

Yelara paused, staring at Liam silently and motionless as if her body had suddenly gone lifeless, and as quickly as her momentary catatonia began, her body reanimated and she nodded her head. Her eyes held confusion and helplessness, but Liam's reassurances that they would be leaving gave her comfort. She pulled Leshie close and left the room, muttering soothing words to the fussing child.

With a nod, Liam turned to the comm unit that still screamed for his attention. Now, what could Oot want?

***

When Yelara found Kallia, she was sitting cross-legged in the middle of a bright swath of sunshine streaming in from the outside. As she sensed Yelara's entrance, Kallia smiled. The smile withered slightly when she sensed the anxiety emanating from her lover and she slowly opened her eyes. "Hello, my love," she said with a smile as she looked up at Yel.

"Did you know?" Yelara asked quietly. She was looking out of the far window with her mouth taut from strain. "Did you know Kandran was still alive?"

"Nieme had a vision," Kallia said softly. "I didn't want to believe it." She looked down into her lap at her hands and sighed. "Liam also mentioned it to me, but he asked me to say nothing. We knew how it would affect you, and we didn't want to put you through that pain and the fear. And, we were trying to find a way to tell you that...that wouldn't hurt so bad."

"You of all people, Kal," Yelara said in a strained whisper. "You should've told me. You should've known I wanted to be told. Did you think I would be too fragile to withstand such news?"

"What are you feeling right now, Yelara?" Kallia asked. "What were your thoughts and feelings when you found out? And, what are they now as you're talking to me?"

She finally shifted her eyes to look upon Kallia, and as she did, her legs curled slowly beneath and she sank to the ground weeping. "Oh gods...I'm so scared, Kallia. He's going to come for us...for my baby." Yelara nestled her face to Leshie's small chest and emitted muffled sobs. "It's all going to end... I wanted more time, dammit. Just more time to be happy."

Kallia unfolded herself from her meditative position and moved swiftly to Yelara's side. "We'll make our happiness, Yelara," she said. "We'll keep him away. He can't touch us here. The Force will keep him out. We're safe in the Temple. I'll protect you, my love. If he comes within ten kilometers of us, I'll cut him down before he can move a step."

"I know you would," Yelara said thickly. "But you won't have to." She gazed up at Kallia through the bleariness of her tears and swallowed back a whimper. "You're leaving with us. You and Yara...you're coming to Corellia with me, Liam, and Leshie. It'll be safe and...we can live freely there. Please say you'll come, Kal. Please."

Kallia looked up at Yelara for several long minutes, and then she finally nodded. "I will come, but there's one thing I must do first. There's a procedure I must try with Nieme, to bring her out of her current condition. Once I help her, then I can leave."

"Oh, Kallia!" Yelara wanted to wrap her arms around her love, but with Leshie occupying them, she instead leaned forward and kissed her tenderly upon the lips. "I can introduce you to Orinth, my grandfather, and I can show you where I grew up... It's going to be exciting!"

Kallia looked at Yelara with a warm expression, and then gave her a kiss in return. "I'm looking forward to that. I've never been to Corellia before, so it will be wonderful to finally go there." She smiled again, and then laughed. "You have no idea how wonderful it feels when you're happy like this. I guess I should pack my things."

"I can help!" Yelara heaved herself to her feet with Kallia's help and excitedly kissed Leshie, then Kallia. "This is so wonderful. I'm somewhat glad Dargus isn't dead. I hated this place and I wasn't too thrilled about Leshie growing up in here."

Kallia laughed and then planted big kisses on both Leshie and Yelara. "Well, then I guess things are working out for the best. Come on, let's go visit my room and my little girl."

Yelara and Kallia stepped out into the hallway, laughing and smiling cheerfully. They were intercepted by Liam not two steps out of the meditation room. Yelara greeted him with an exuberant squeal and announced that Kallia would be joining them on Corellia. "This works out perfectly, doesn't it, my love?"

Liam nodded. "Yes, that is definitely perfect. Though, we'll have to delay our departure a little. Something has come up and needs the Jedi to step in. Kael, Laedra, and I are going to go. We shouldn't be long at all. And, then, once we get back, we can be off for Corellia."

Yelara's spirits weren't affected by news of the minor delay; she was still masking her fear with a large grin and a sing-song voice. "Well...be careful, my love. We can't have you getting injured and delaying our departure even longer."

"I promise to not get hurt," Liam said, and then gave each of them, Yelara, Kallia, and Leshie, a kiss before rushing down the hall.

Once he was gone, Kallia smiled. "He'll be fine," she said. "I can feel it. And, let's go get my things packed and visit with Yara. I imagine little Leshie's missed his girlfriend."

"And I've missed mine," Yelara added with a sly grin. "Perhaps while we wait for Liam, you and I can celebrate our upcoming relocation. I'm sure the babies won't mind the noise."

Kallia let out a boisterous laugh. "Oh I love it when you think naughty thoughts," she said. "And, I think the babies don't mind our noises at all. The way they start laughing, I think they kind of like them. You never know, we might actually be saying something in Baby."

"Perhaps something along the lines of 'I love you' or maybe our consent for them to marry. I imagine the moment they can walk, we'll have to start planning for the wedding."

"Which could be very soon for Yara," Kal said. "She's really got the crawling down now, and she's starting to get the hang of climbing...or at least with the help of a large, solid object." She laughed. "Oh, we're going to have such fun together watching our babies growing up."

"And that's what I want more than anything. That's why we have to go." Yelara's brow furrowed with concern. "If he finds out about Yara, he'll take her away. Doesn't that frighten you?"

"He has to get through me first," Kallia said. "I'm not giving up my daughter to anyone, especially not him. I'm not afraid, but he should be."

"Maybe one day, we can come back and kill him for good. I don't know how he survived the first time... Were the gods favouring him? That's nerf dung!"

"Something was favouring him," Kallia said. "Or he was extremely lucky. But, he's used up all his luck now. His luck has definitely run out."

"And we'll make sure of it," Yelara said fiercely. "But let's not let it shake us up. We're starting a new life, Kal. I know we're running away, but we're not needed here. The Temple still has Master Kal'Aran, that new fellow Koran Darr, and there's Laedra." She emitted a short laugh and added, "I bet that's one person who won't miss us."

Kallia laughed softly. "I don't know," she said. "I think she's getting used to us, and since we all haven't been fighting with each other lately..."

"Well, only because I know she's not after either of my loves." She playfully cocked an eyebrow at Kallia suspiciously and asked, "She's not, is she? Is that why you've been meditating with her so much lately?"

Kallia grinned, and then laughed. "You have to admit that she is fairly attractive, and then there's the way she meditates." She playfully took a deep breath and let it out. "But, she could never make up for you, my love. No one ever could."

"Flattery always helps to assuage my jealousy," Yelara said with grin. "And making passionate love to me couldn't hurt either."

"Oh, I definitely plan on doing that," Kallia said with a grin. "And, you have nothing to be jealous about, Yelara. Nothing in this universe could ever tear my heart from you. And, I'm going to show you just how true that is as soon as we get into that bedroom."

Yelara giggled, showing no signs of her previous breakdown. Dargus may have been alive, but Yelara felt as joyous as ever...or at least the semblance of joy. Kallia opened the door to her room for Yelara and before she even stepped through, Yara was cooing and gurgling contentedly. She set Leshie in the crib with Yara, and gave both the children a soft kiss. "They don't even know," Yelara said quietly. "They aren't affected by anything, because they're oblivious to everything other than crying when they want feeding, or wondering where mommy is. I guess they're lucky that way."

"They are," Kallia said. "Well, except when they need their diapers changed. And, we're lucky because of them. They're both so sweet and wonderful, Yelara. I know Yara was conceived with Dargus, but I see none of him in her. It's so easy to forget about that, and to just love her." She sighed happily and turned to Yel. "And, it's so easy to forget about everything else out there and to just love you." She slipped her arms around Yel and pulled her close. "It's so easy to lose myself to you."

"You and your sweet words, my love." Yelara laughed and pulled loose the tie on Kallia's robes. "For that, you deserve something extra special. Anything you wish," she said as she pushed the white fabric off Kallia's shoulders.

"Really," Kallia said with a wide grin. "Then, I think I'd like you." She leaned close and kissed from Yel's lips down to her throat. "Yes, I think I'd like you very, very much." She slipped her hands into Yelara's and started backing toward the bed on the other side of the room.

"Well...that's not such a good gift," Yelara said with a frown. She pushed Kallia down upon the bed and knelt down on it, straddling Kallia's legs. "You already have me, my love. It's not such a good gift if you already have it."

"Well," Kallia said with a pensive look, "I think you're going to have to surprise me then. I like surprise gifts, you know. Surprise me, my love."

Yelara glanced sidelong at Kallia with a lopsided smile. It wouldn't be much of a surprise since they'd been intimate many times before, but Yelara ran her hands down Kallia's chest and over her breasts until they stopped at the waist of her pants. "Close your eyes," she whispered. She positioned herself between Kallia's legs and eased down her pants. With a sultry smile, Yelara brushed her hand over Kallia's mound. "Surprise," she said before burying her head between her legs.

"Oh gods," Kallia cried out. "Oh, I really like that surprise."

From across the room, the sounds of burbling giggles mixed in with Yelara and Kallia's cries of passion. If there was a better way for them to wait for Liam to return, Kallia had no idea what it was. But, with packing, and leaving, and Dargus Kandran forgotten for the time being, Kal and Yel just pulled themselves into their own little world where nothing existed except for them and their love for each other.

---

"An Old Friend Found"
By: Kal'Aran - Jedi Master
Quinlan Vos [NPC] - Jedi Master
Koran Darr - Jedi Master
Laedra Vorrel - Jedi Knight
and Aurra Sgall - Jedi Padawan

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Niothe 14, 4 ABY

***

They had returned to Chimaeria safely. And even with the New Empire installed there at the merciless hand of Grand Admiral Tarkin, Kal'Aran's Corellian ship had managed to make it to the starport in New Plouton where he stored his ship.

While Kal'Aran reassured the deal with the local man on duty about payment for the docking bay, Quinlan Vos got them both a swoop, as Kal'Aran had explained that the Jedi Temple was still somewhat of a distance away.

Setting themselves on the bike, Kal'Aran drove them off into the woods area, and towards the Jedi Temple. Hopefully, soon enough things would turn out better than they seemed right now.

***

The young girl noticed that Laedra had entered the kitchen area. Already had she set the table and was placing food she had prepared on some bowls to serve.

Aurra smiled. "I made us some eggs with vegetables and there's also fresh fruit and juice..." Her words were then interrupted as she heard a swoop nearing and felt a presence. "Master Kal'Aran is back!" she said with a smile, looking to Laedra.

"So soon?" Laedra was in the process of seating herself, but upon hearing the news, she straightened up again. "Well...would you like to go out and meet him, Aurra?"

"Yes I would..." the young girl replied happily as she took Laedra's hand and pushed her along outside to meet her Master.

***

As they reached the Temple and stopped the swoop and got out, Quinlan looked around him, surprised. Indeed the Temple seemed to have a certain thing about it. He could now understand what Kal'Aran had meant when he had said so.

He then felt a presence. "Kal'Aran, I feel a presence that I have not felt since..."

"Yes..." Kal'Aran interrupted. "I feel it too."

By then Aurra was approaching with Laedra. Kal'Aran turned and smiled. When they were nearer he bowed and gestured towards Quinlan who also bowed. "I am very pleased to see you both... This is Master Quinlan Vos of whom I spoke. How are things around here?"

"Oh, wonderful Master!" Aurra said happily. "Master Laedra Vorrel taught me plenty. And I am pleased to meet you Master Vos."

"As am I," Laedra added. "We are very grateful that you are here, Master Vos. I hope Kal'Aran has informed you of our plans."

"Yes, he has," Vos replied. "And I have also heard much about you, young Aurra Sgall. I can foresee greatness in you," he told her as she reminded him of his former Padawan who was also a Twi'lek. Young Aurra smiled and bowed.

"Master Laedra," Kal'Aran said, "has someone else come to join us while I was absent? I can feel a presence, although it is one that would surely be impossible..."

"Yes, I have felt it too..." Quinlan Vos agreed.

Laedra was momentarily puzzled, but it didn't take long for her to remember the new arrival. "That must be Master Koran Darr. He arrived yesterday. It was actually a very odd encounter..." Laedra smiled. "At any rate, he has decided to stay on with us as well."

"Koran Darr?!" Kal'Aran exclaimed. "So he still lives to this day? I thought he had perished long ago..."

Quinlan frowned. "Koran... He was missing prior to the Emperor taking place and considered dead but no proof was ever found. We presumed him deceased..."

"Well... he certainly is not," Laedra replied. "Come. Let us go see if we can find him." With Aurra by her side, still fondly holding her hand, Laedra escorted the two men into the Temple. She was still deliberating whether to warn them beforehand of Koran's appearance. He should have been as old as Kal'Aran and Master Vos - maybe older - yet he was most likely as old as when they last saw him. Smiling, Laedra decided not to spoil the surprise.

Using the Force to seek him out, Laedra finally found him within one of the training rooms, surveying and handling the weapons. She halted Master Kal'Aran and Master Vos before they could catch a glimpse of Koran. "I shall bring him out here for you if you wish."

"That would be most fine..." Kal'Aran smiled gently.

"I would be surprised if Koran Darr did not feel our presence," Quinlan said. "It is of great nature that we find him here and well."

"I am sure he will be glad to see you as well." Laedra bowed to the Masters, then laughed gently and bowed to Aurra. "I'll be right back." She quietly slipped into the training room and soundlessly closed the door behind her. Koran didn't turn around or appear to be aware of her presence. Laedra paused and gazed upon him quizzically, then stepped forward again. "M--"

"Yes, Laedra," Koran Darr said from where he stood in the center of the room. His eyes were closed and his body still, but he was very aware of his surroundings. "You come bringing news, that two old friends have arrived."

Laedra grinned. "I have, but now I wonder if I should have insulted your talents by coming to inform you. I imagine you've known before they even reached the Temple."

"If I had to place a measurement on where I sensed them, I would say it was when they were about ten kilometers out. And, I am glad you came to get me. When I was in the city yesterday, I found a book that may aid us in our research of this location. Perhaps we can look through it later." Finally, he opened his eyes and turned around. He offered Laedra a warm smile, and then walked toward her. It felt good to be wearing Jedi robes again, and to have the familiar weight of a lightsaber at his belt again. "Please, lead the way."

"I did not tell them about you," Laedra said in low tones as they reached the door. "I..." She blushed and looked down. "I believe a little of my formerly mischievous nature returned and I wished to shock Masters Kal'Aran and Quinlan Vos with your unchanged appearance. Forgive me, Master Darr."

Koran laughed. "You are forgiven," he said. "And, I imagine it will be quite interesting to see the range of emotion displayed on the faces of two Jedi Masters when they see me completely unchanged. Try not to laugh too hard, Laedra." He gave her a playful grin and then put a hand on her shoulder. "You definitely have a mischievous nature. Shall we go visit them?"

Laedra nodded and led Koran out towards the two men. She smiled almost nervously at them, then stepped aside to bring Koran to their attention, although he most likely already had it. "Master Kal'Aran, Master Vos, I would like to present, Master Koran Darr."

As soon as Koran stepped out both Kal'Aran and Vos were surprised to say the least. The man was just as either of them would have recalled before his assumed death, as if time had not passed. Nonetheless, it was great to reunite with someone thought long gone.

Kal'Aran took his hands and smiled. "You are just as I remember you. We thought you long gone and yet I see you now. Alive and well and as if time has not passed. How can this be?"

Vos stepped up. "Friend. It is good to see you well. But please grant us some explanation to our amazement from your appearance," he said with a smile, glad to see him well, even in spite of the obvious mystery.

Koran smiled. "For the last thirty years, I have been a wall adornment for a crime boss." He quickly relayed the story of his encounter with the nikto, and subsequent ordeal of being frozen in carbonite. "I was on my way to Coruscant with the two men who freed me from my prison when I sensed this place through the Force during my meditation. And now, here I am, standing as I did thirty years ago."

"Frozen in carbonite... So that is why time for you is unchanged. You stayed preserved all these years," Kal'Aran said.

"And I can imagine how things seem to you now..." Vos intervened. "The Republic was lost and Chancellor Palpatine became Emperor of an enormous Empire based on the Dark Side. The Jedi were thought extinct and in truth only very few of us remain... But this Empire is now defeated and Palpatine dead. New better days are now the hope of many. Hopefully the Jedi can arise to preserve peace once more."

"I reckon he knows all this by now..." Kal'Aran smiled after Vos' words. "And oddly, you should be slightly older than I am now, and yet you seem more like Master Vos, whose race ages more slowly than myself."

"While encased in carbonite, all my biological processes were arrested, including aging. I am in the same condition I was in before all the past thirty years I've missed. Though, it is comforting to see faces I recognize once again."

Aurra turned to Laedra. "To be frozen in carbonite seems painful!" she whispered as she looked at Koran in amazement. So this man should be older than her master.

"Well, I believe it is a little like sleeping, Aurra," Laedra explained quietly while the men spoke. "So, no, no pain at all."

Kal'Aran laughed. "Well, one can hardly say that I can be recognised from the old days. Last time I saw you I had just became a Jedi Knight, after Master Mace Windu's tutelage on Coruscant. I believe it was shortly before you went missing..."

"Yes... Timewise that makes it about the same time I was recuperating from my loss of memory," Vos said. He then looked over at Laedra. "But let us focus on the present now. Perhaps Master Laedra or young Aurra would like to show me around..."

Laedra looked down at Aurra with a large smile. "You probably know the grounds better than I do, Aurra. Shall we escort him together?"

The young girl smiled and nodded. "Yes, I would be honoured to show you around Master Vos..." she said as she held Laedra's hand and looked at the woman with a smile. "Where should we begin?"

"Let us begin with the gardens," Laedra replied. She and Aurra bowed to both Masters Kal'Aran and Koran Darr, then with a smile towards Master Vos, Laedra began her tour.

"Come Kal'Aran," Koran said. "I've been away for thirty years, and you are one of the only ones here who lived through the whole thing. Tell me what I've missed." As he and Kal'Aran walked off in the opposite direction from the others, Koran settled his mind to hear the tale Kal'Aran would tell. As he felt the presence of old friends and new, Koran Darr was certain the Jedi Order would thrive again. The Force was certainly with them now.

---

"Last Minute"
By: Kaysa Zenarr-Tregat
Zale Tregat
Lerrah Breijal [NPC]

Location: Various Locations, New Plouton
Date: Niothe 14, 4ABY

***

"Alright, Mrs. Tregat, you can sit up now."

Kaysa smiled at the doctor as he finished inscribing the vile with the proper information and placed it in the cryogenic canister. She slowly sat upright and watched as the small tube descended into the sea of white mist that spilled over the edges of the canister, and finally disappeared. The seal clicked into place and four green lights flashed in unison to indicate the device was properly secured.

Her future, in a sense, depended on the safety of that small vile of unfertilized ova, which the doctor assured her could at anytime to be implanted into a host and injected with the sperm of her choosing. She wondered, then, how many eggs she should allot to both Merrick and Zale. The last thing she wanted was for them to quarrel over something as trivial as who got the most eggs, and hence, the best odds of producing an offspring. She thought it prudent that they each got the same number of ovaries, and hoped they certainly put them to good use if they saw fit.

One of the nurses helped Kaysa to her feet. "I'll leave you to change back into your clothing, Mrs. Tregat. Once you've done so, please come to the front desk to sign the proper documentation."

"Alright. And doctor...thank you."

The young, brown-haired man nodded, then carefully pushed the hovercart carrying her cryogenically frozen ova out of the room. She was left alone and slowly, distractedly redressed. The first task before she met with Dargus was complete. It seemed somehow odd and grotesque that she had a schedule to maintain in order to be on time for her own death. Everything was planned down to the minute, and so far, she was making good time.

She hurried over to the front desk, where she signed the proper legal documents and left explicit, recorded instructions on the fate of her eggs; namely, that they were now the property of Zale Tregat and Merrick Braston, who were entitled to do with them what they pleased. She only hoped they had brains enough to realize what exactly they were supposed to do with her unfertilized, preserved ova. She wondered, after how much she had hurt them, if they even wanted them. At least they would have the option open to them to keep her alive in a different form when she herself was gone.

"Well...that's it, Mrs. Tregat. If there is anything else you need, feel free to contact us."

Kaysa smiled absently at the nurse then stiffly turned and started for the door. She was leaving behind her legacy in the form of those microscopic, fragile specimens suspended in gelid preservatives, but she would truly make her mark in the galaxy by ridding it of the infamous Dargus Kandran and his vile ways. In that, perhaps Merrick, Zale, and Shiv would find some solace. Seeing the good that came from her death, perhaps they would even forgive her.

Kaysa stepped onto the street and flagged down a hovercab. A quick stop to Zenarr Inc. to take care of some business, then her final preparations would be made. If only everything else in life were so simple, she thought. And if only the dead would stay dead...

***

Kaysa had been occupied making a holorecording of her will when a courier arrived through the door. The package he carried was small, but once she signed for it and he set it down in front of her, she saw the name of the sender...or his organization, rather. She knew what was within without having to unwrap the small box, and wondered why - if he truly did know what she was setting out to do - he would give her the tools necessary to accomplish her task.

Perhaps he had truly believed the shielding devices were for her smugglers' cargo. Or had she managed to elude the clever, shrewd Zale Tregat completely? If he found out, after all was done, what purpose his procurement had served in her scheme, she knew he would bear partial guilt for her death. She would make certain, in her recording, that she reassured him of his innocence in the matter and that he would only resent her, and not himself.

The door of her office slid open once again, and for a moment, she thought it was the courier come back for the tip she'd neglected to give him. She glanced up from the package in her hand to dissuade the man from even daring to ask her, but instead of the courier, she was faced with an attractive, young brunette who looked as far out of place on Tae'Karada as most foreigners got. She studied the woman with mild fascination for a moment before prompting her. "Yes? Are you lost?"

The young woman was momentarily startled by the sound of the voice. "Oh," she said. "I'm sorry. I...I'm looking for Kaysa Zenarr. I'm supposed to interview for a position. My name is Lerrah."

Kaysa pinched the bridge of her nose as she shuffled through her thoughts to figure out why the name sounded familiar. She mouthed it over and over until she remembered Zale had arranged the meeting with the woman.

"Lerrah," Kaysa said with a smile. "Yes, now I remember. Please." She gestured to the chair before her desk. "Did you have trouble finding the place?"

"Not at all," Lerrah said, brightening as she took the offered seat. "It was actually very easy to find. I used one of the kiosks in the starport, and it led me right here. When I was hanging out at one of the bars last night, they were saying some very good things about Zenarr Inc. It made me really look forward to the prospect of working for you."

Kaysa smiled tightly. "Tell me, Lerrah, have you done some smuggling before? Mr. Tregat highly recommended you, but I never can trust his word when it comes to beautiful, young women."

Lerrah smiled and felt herself blushing. "I have done some smuggling. I've actually spent the last couple years transporting goods, legal and illegal around the Outer Rim." She looked away for a moment as she gathered her courage. "I won't transport slaves though. I-- I can't do that. Everything else is fine...but not slaves."

"Well then, you're in luck. I've never been requested such a thing. Normally, we only get orders for weapons, drugs, illegal technology... Human cargo is far too difficult to transport, especially if the customer expects them to be kept alive." Kaysa sat back in her chair and rested her hands behind her head. "So...tell me, Lerrah, how old are you?"

"I'm twenty-two," Lerrah said. "But, I've been doing this for four years, so I know my way around."

"It would seem I get a lot of young people nowadays. Is there some unspoken, collective death wish you all have?" Kaysa smiled wistfully. "I started smuggling when I was young as well. And truth was, I didn't care if I lived or died. That happens when there's nothing much to live for."

Lerrah frowned. "There are lots of things to live for if you make room for them in your life," she said. "I started smuggling because it made money for me...and my partner. But, now...it's fun if you know what you're doing. I was eighteen when I started, and I'm damn good. Don't let my age fool you. I can smuggle anything under the nose of an Imperial customs agent."

Kaysa recognized certain parallels between the young woman before her and Shiv. They both had fire and confidence. Both were somewhat timid, but the spark and vitality of youth was there. She recalled her first meeting with her love and smiled. It was easy to realize now why Shiv had been blushing so much, then.

"Well...since you do come recommended, I suppose I can let you prove your worth. Now...I may not be here tomorrow--" Kaysa's voice cut out, but she maintained her composure and continued. "But someone will be here to make sure you get your assignment and to show you how things work around here."

Lerrah nodded. "Okay," she said. "I look forward to it, Mrs. Zenarr. I won't let you down. I'll show up first thing, and then I'll show you I'm the perfect person for this job."

"I can already tell you are," Kaysa said with a gentle smile. "It was the same way with my girlfriend. The moment she walked through those doors, I just knew she'd be one of the best smugglers I've ever had. I think I'll soon be able to say the same thing about you."

Lerrah smiled. "Thank you," she said with a big smile. "Your girlfriend?" She felt herself blushing again. "Sorry, I shouldn't pry, but..." She could feel herself almost giggling. "I guess we have at least one thing in common."

"Yeah...she's a wonderful girl. I think you'd like her." Kaysa paused for a moment's reflection, but quickly tore her thoughts away from Shiv before she broke down into tears in front of a prospective employee. "At any rate...if you'd like to begin familiarizing yourself with the workings of Zenarr Inc., you can head down to the spaceport and ask for Yeru. Tell him I sent you and he'll show you around."

Lerrah nodded vigorously and then stood up. She stepped closer to Kaysa and held out a hand. "Thank you very much for this chance," she said. "It means very much to me that you're allowing me this chance. I'll head straight over to the spaceport to get started."

Kaysa shook the girl's hand, then pulled back and nodded her dismissal. "Oh, before you go..." Kaysa said quickly. "Do you have a ship, Lerrah? If not, I think we can arrange to provide you with one."

Lerrah nodded quickly. "I do," she said. "It's a few years old, but it's fast and can carry a lot. She's a good ship."

"Well then...looks like you're all set. And if you're eager to work, I'm sure we can set something up for you very soon." Kaysa extended her hand to the girl again. "Welcome to Tae'Karada, Lerrah."

Lerrah happily shook Kaysa's hand and grinned. "Thank you so very much," she said. "I'll be down at the spaceport if you need me for anything. I'll see you tomorrow, Mrs. Zenarr. Unless you need to see me before that. But, thank you!"

Kaysa laughed at Lerrah's excitement and exuberance. She was reminding her more and more of Shiv. "See you later, Lerrah. And...it's Mrs. Tregat, but Kaysa's just fine."

Lerrah grinned. "I'll see you later then, Mrs... Kaysa," she said. "Tomorrow." She started away, a giggle building inside her as she did.

Kaysa watched Lerrah go and once again couldn't help thinking how well she and Shiv would get along. It was too bad she wouldn't be around to introduce them. "Good luck, Lerrah," she called back. "I know you'll fit in just fine."

"Thanks, Kaysa," Lerrah said, and gave her a quick wave before disappearing out the door, and then off down the street.

That would be Kaysa's last business affair ever.

Now, she had to prepare the message for Zale, Merrick, Shiv, and her Keeve... Kaysa buried her face into her hands and began breathing heavily. It wasn't as if he would miss her, but she was doing it to him again. She'd left him once, and now she was repeating her past mistake. He would definitely grow up resenting her now, but at least she wouldn't be around to face his bitter hatred.

His happiness wouldn't be affected by her death, so she needn't worry about him. It was the others she feared would suffer because of her passing. She hoped the message she was sending them would assuage all pain and sadness, and if not, they could feel free to hate her too.

There was still some time before the big showdown, as she liked to call it, so she could afford to make her message longwinded. She reached over and activated her holorecorder. The message would be the same for each of them, and it would be automatically sent at a pre-specified time. By the time they received it, there would be no chance to even attempt a rescue. There wouldn't be much of her left to do so anyway.

Kaysa took a deep breath and stared into the screen, using her mouth as a conduit for what she was feeling in her heart. If she could leave them a piece of herself, she was going to make sure they got the best part.

***

It surprised even her how small the shielding device truly was. Zale's estimates had been grossly exaggerated in comparison. She had trouble finding a spot on her body where she would be able to hide the detonator, but at the last minute, she decided to cleverly bury it beneath a pile of her brown curls. This way she had but to scratch her head to activate the shielding device and wouldn't raise any suspicions.

She moved into the main office area to check the chrono on the wall. She was on schedule still and surprisingly, nothing had gone wrong today. It was looking more and more as if someone up in the heavens truly wanted her dead and was making sure nothing held her up for the fated event. It all seemed perfectly logical, until he stepped through the door. "Gods... What do you want?"

"It's good to see you too, Kaysa," Zale said as he glanced around the office. "If you're finished driving away all your loved ones, we need to talk. You do realize that Merrick didn't come home last night, don't you? And, before he left the restaurant yesterday, he flipped me over his shoulder and onto the table, then stormed out of there like a-- well, like you, actually."

Despite her annoyance with Zale's unexpected visit, she found that actually amusing. "Merrick did that to you? What the hell'd you do to him, Zale?"

"I tried to stop him from walking out, but he didn't seem to like that," Zale said. "Shiv spent most of the night crying with Keeve trying to console her. He nearly bit her when she suggested calling Moril. He suggested we throw a party since Merrick wasn't there." He shrugged. "So, life is a mess right now." He suddenly snapped his fingers as he remembered something else. "Oh yes, I was forced to give Keeve another spanking when he threw a tantrum because Shiv wouldn't take a bath with him."

"Well...it seems you have everything under control." Kaysa shrugged and dawdled towards her desk. "Is that what you came here for? You know, you could've just commed me."

"I could have," Zale said. "And, I was going to. But, then I realized that it was my wife I was about to comm. My wife who stormed out of lunch yesterday, and didn't come home last night. So, then I thought, I better go check and see what insane plan she's come up with and has been lying to me about." He took a step forward, and his features hardened. "What the hell is going on, Kaysa," he rasped.

She stopped behind her desk and gazed steadily at Zale. "Just because you're my husband, Zale, it doesn't mean I have to let you in on everything that is going on in my life. And who said I had anything planned anyway? Maybe the old Kaysa's come back and realized it's time to wreak havoc again, because she's good at that, after all. I never did go for all this happiness crap anyway."

"Bullshit," Zale snapped. "Why are you doing this? Why are you trying to destroy me, Shiv, and Merrick?" He took another step forward. "Tell me what I want to know, or you're not getting out of this office. I've got men stationed all around this block, and I will tell them to use whatever means necessary to keep you from leaving this building."

"You can't do this to me, Zale!" she shouted back. Deftly and subtly, Kaysa placed her hands on her hips and began reaching for the concealed weapon she had strapped to her back. "You can try to control me, but in the end, I'll always do just what I want. Besides, I am not destroying anyone! It's you and Merrick who are causing all this strife. If you'd just leave me alone to do what I want, there would be nothing to fight about."

"But what do you want, Kaysa," Zale snapped. "What is it that you want to do so desperately that you're driving us away? Making Shiv cry? Making Merrick run out on all of us? What's so important that you're breaking us apart?"

"Why is it that I'm always responsible when things go bad?! Why can't it be that Shiv's just a sensitive, needy child who demands far too much attention? Or...why don't you blame Merrick for being insecure or temperamental? Why must I always be the one who destroys everything?"

"So that's how it is," Zale said with a nod. "Then I guess you don't care about any of us? You could care less about us? Then you won't mind me divorcing you and not leaving you a single credit."

"Take them," she said quietly, grimly. "I won't be needing them anymore." Kaysa pulled the weapon clear and gripped it with both hands in front of her, aiming at Zale. "I have to do this. Why can't you understand?"

"Of course you do," Zale said. He took a step closer and made sure she saw that he was giving her a very clear shot of his chest. "And, you do realize that Merrick is gone, and that leaves Keeve all alone with Shiv...the sensitive, needy child who demands far too much attention. Do you think Shiv is responsible enough to be a mother for your child?" He shook his head. "Is destroying the lives of all those who love you, and that you've claimed to love part of your plan? Is your plan really to split us all up? Break us down until there's nothing left?"

"Zale...you still have each other. You don't need me, especially like this!" The electrical discharge pistol in her hand wavered as her body trembled. "I'm only doing this for you - for all of you. Why can't you just let me give you this one, last gift?"

"Because if this one, last gift involves not having you anymore, none of us want it," he said. "We all love you, Kaysa. And, we can work through this together. Don't do this. There has to be another way."

"No!" she shrieked. "You've tried and it didn't work. Others have tried, but they've failed. My way will work, then you'll all truly be free. Zale...I love you so much." She tightened her grip on the weapon and pointed it squarely at Zale's chest. "Let me do this for you," she whispered. "For all of you."

"If this is what you want to do, Kaysa," Zale said, "then just shoot me now. There's no point in going on with this game if you're not going to be here with me."

"You're wrong," Kaysa said with a rueful smile, "I'll always be with you, Zale, my love."

As her finger depressed the triggering mechanism, Kaysa closed her eyes. She felt the pistol recoil in her hand and catapult a ball of blue, crackling electricity towards Zale. It dispersed upon impact with his chest and sent forks of electricity crawling over every inch of his body, encasing it in a bright, blue shroud of glowing light.

Zale's cry was cut off as he was thrown back off his feet. He hit the ground hard, and as the arcs of energy from the weapon ceased, a loud popping sound came from his artificial hand. Otherwise, Zale Tregat was out cold.

Kaysa finally released the breath she'd been holding and opened her eyes. There wasn't much time before one of Zale's men stormed the place and apprehended her. She replaced the pistol into its holster on her back and rushed to Zale's side. Gentle tremors still shook his body, but otherwise, he was unconscious.

"My love...you don't ever have to forgive me for this. In fact, it'll be easier to move on if you don't." She dropped to her knees and cradled his face in her hands. "I love you, Zale Tregat." The kiss she gave him seemed lacking, in that he could not return it, but it was easier to let him go if she didn't feel the love he felt for her flowing through the warmth of his lips against hers, and the tenderness of his embrace. Kaysa didn't even realize she was crying until a lone tear fell upon Zale's cheek and glistened in the light of the room. But, there was no time to weep for what she would be abandoning.

Without another anguished gaze at Zale, Kaysa staggered to her feet and rushed towards the back room. She ran to the far wall and tapped in the unlocking sequence to the ventilation shaft upon the wallpanel. The lock clicked as it disengaged and the grate slowly swung open. Kaysa crawled inside the cramped space, never looking back. She'd gone too far for that and the only place left to go was forward.

Zale's men would never find her. She'd sneak past their patrols unseen and undetected, which of course meant Zale would blame himself for not hiring more men to surveil the area. One day, though, they'd understand why she did what she did. Then, perhaps, they would be able to forget her and move on. For a woman who, all her life, strived to be prominent in a society run by men and to seek control at every opportunity, the one thing she wanted more than anything now, was to simply be forgotten.

---

"Overwhelming Power"
By: Jason Tallen - Rear Admiral, Rebellion
Various NPCs

Location: Offworld, edge of the Tae'Remok System
Date: Niothe 14, 4 ABY

***

He had overwhelming power at his command. It was his to do with as he pleased. Whatever he willed, could be done.

He kept on thinking to himself: over a thousand weapons, pointed at whatever or whomever I choose. Over sixty thousand people under my command. Over three hundred fighters I could unleash upon any foe.

"Approaching Tae'Remok System, sir," a lieutenant said, walking up to and stopping in front of Tallen's command chair.

"Very good. Go to Alert Condition Yellow. Prep to raise shields and arm weapons. Prep to load missile tubes," the Rear Admiral stated calmly.

The massive ship jumped out of hyperspace on the edge of the Chimaeria System, its seventeen point six kilometer knife-like form cutting through space like a dagger floating on a wave in an ocean.

"Where is the convoy?"

"Just jumped out of hyperspace, bearing seventeen mark three-ten degrees, distance: about a million kilometers."

"Right on time. Alright people, let's get going. Launch Y-Wing, X-Wing, A-Wing, and B-Wing fighters. Prep the E-Wings for launch if they are needed. Go to Alert Condition Red. Arm all weapons, raise shields. What is the composition and status of the convoy, Mr. Greenfield?"

The lieutenant on the lower deck of the bridge yelled, "Status is...they are starting to retreat, sir. Composition is two Victory star destroyers, a Lancer frigate, a Dreadnaught Heavy Cruiser, two Carrack light cruisers, five Skiprays, and a dozen Scimitar Bombers. There are eight freighters, three YV-666s, two YT-1300s, two YT-2400s, and a single Action IV."

Jason's executive officer, standing to the right and slightly behind the chair, whistled softly. The Action IV transports were only 125 meters long, but they could carry 90,000 metric tons of cargo. The YV-666s could only carry a hundred metric tons, and the YT-2400s and YT-1300s even less.

"Open a hailing channel to the convoy," Tallen commanded. A moment and a few finger strokes later, a lieutenant off to his left gave him a thumbs up.

"Imperial supply convoy 4125," he began. He used their official designation to throw them off, make them uneasy as to how much the rebels knew about their convoy. "this is the Commander of the Rebel Super Star Destroyer Lusankya. You are to surrender your vessels and cargo unconditionally to us, or we will take your ships by force."

There was a long pause.

"Rebel Commander," the response came back, "this is Imperial Fleet Captain Platech, denying you your surrender. All ships, attack posture." Then the channel was cut.

"He's mad! Only a handful of meager warships, and he's attacking us?" Chris Michaels, the executive officer, said, bewildered.

"Correction, sir," the lieutenant at sensor control stated from the lower deck. "One Victory-Class star destroyer has surrendered unconditionally. Both Carracks have also done so. The Lancer is retreating, and quickly. The freighters have all surrendered except the Action IV, it's trying to stay with the Lancer. Captain Platech's flagship and the Dreadnaught are on an intercept course. The Schimatars and Skiprays are attempting to flee now as well."

"Tell all fighters to target engines," Jason ordered. "We need ships for our new Outer Rim Fleet."

The battle was rather uneventful. The Victory and the Dreadnaught were disabled before they even came close to the Lusankya, and were left to be picked up later. The Lancer was destroyed right before it could jump into hyperspace and the Action IV surrendered after the first proton torpedoes from the leading squadron of X-Wings impacted against its shields. The Skiprays and Schimitars engaged the Rebel fighters and destroyed two A-Wings before being forced to jump into hyperspace.

In the end, the Rebellion Outer Rim Fleet had a beginning. Two Victory-Class star destroyers, one of them undamaged; a Dreadnaught heavy cruiser; two Carrack light cruisers, both undamaged; and several freighters with full cargo holds.

They quickly transfered the more than 90,000 tons of cargo onto the Lusankya to be gone through with a fine tooth comb later. Afterwards, they crammed the ten thousand and some odd prisoners aboard the freighters and destroyed their nav computers, flight controls, and weapon systems. All that was left was their life support equipment.

They were cast adrift, and the new Rebel fleet moved out. The damaged Victory and Dreadnaught were put into the aft docking bay of the Lusankya for repairs, and then the fleet jumped into hyperspace, ready for their next move against the Empire. And now, they had more ships to do it with, much more supplies to help them, and new crews on their way from the distant rebel sympathetic worlds to provide more accurate manning of the newly captured ships.

These crews would arrive onboard a pair of Mon Calamari 40 cruisers and a single medium transport. Within a week, this new fleet would be ready to wage limited warfare on Imperial assets in the Tae'Remok System.

---

"Into Oblivion, Part 1"
By: Zale Tregat
Kaysa Zenarr-Tregat
Maeren "Shiv" Shivral

Location: New Plouton, Tae'Karada
Date: Niothe 14, 4 ABY

***

Zale Tregat staggered through the doorway to the apartment Shiv shared with Kaysa and Merrick. The concern on Shiv's face was painful to see, especially as her eyes fell to the arm hanging useless at his side. He quickly began to explain what had happened, but before he could finish there was a knock at the door.

Shiv slipped around Zale and opened the door to find a courier waiting for her. He held out a holoplayer, and a datapad in the other. Shiv took the device and signed her name to the pad. She thanked the man and dropped a couple credits into his hand. Once he was gone, she turned back to Zale and Keeve who were both watching her expectantly. With slight hesitation, she touched a finger to the activation switch on the side of the player.

My loves...

You're probably watching this with much surprise and intrigue, but perhaps some of you are angry or feel betrayed. I could never blame you - any of you - if you did hate me. In the end, though, whatever I may have done or am about to do, I did for you. "What is she talking about?" you might ask. Well...you'll find out soon enough and when you do, perhaps your opinion of me will change.

I'm leaving this message because I wanted to make sure a few things were taken care of when I'm gone, and by leaving explicit instructions, I can rest easy knowing they'll be attended to.

***

She knew the alleys inside and out, which gave her an advantage over Zale's men. They never even noticed as she slipped out from behind a far away building and sped off down the busy street, blending into the crowd. There was no part of her that wanted to turn back. Her entire being wanted to accelerate the process of travelling to Dargus' office complex, but she knew she'd have to settle for a slow journey in a hovercab.

She hopped into the halted vehicle and specified her destination, ultimately sealing her fate as it started forward to carry out her request. Looking back through the rear viewport, she tried to catch one last glimpse of Zale, even though it was futile. He was far away at Zenarr Inc., too far to even attempt to stop her now. She wouldn't be stopped, though, not by anyone or any cracks in her resolve. This was her decision, and it was her final one...literally.

***

Shiv, my dear, sweet nymph. The gods were so very kind to me when they had you walk into Zenarr Inc. I think my life's been completely changed since that day. I know you're not a little child anymore, but you're still young and you have a long way to go before you're the poised, sophisticated woman I know you're going to become. Your ability to love most everyone is what makes you truly unique in my eyes, and I want you to teach Keeve to do the same. Take care of him, my love, and show him how fulfilling and wonderful it is to cherish and love people, rather than hating them. If anyone can accomplish that, I know it's you, my precious.

Shiv shook her head slowly from side to side. Tears sprung instantly to her eyes, and fell unchecked down her cheeks. She had no words as she tried to piece together what Kaysa had just told her. If it weren't for Zale's arm suddenly wrapping itself around her waist, she would have collapsed to the floor. She buried a face in his shoulder, and let the tears fall.

Zale... It's been quite the adventure with you. That night you walked into my life, I knew I couldn't let you go...and I haven't. I know we've been through a lot of tears, and pain, and hurtful words, but we came through them all. I guess that says something about us and our love. Or perhaps it speaks more of our character and how stubbornly tenacious we both are. You'll probably resent me for a long while after this, or perhaps you'll blame yourself. Don't. This was my doing and if you could've stopped me, you would have. It was out of your hands, Zale. Kaysa Zenarr was, in the end, far too clever for you. I'd like to think my cunning and skill has left its mark on you. If so, you're gonna be unstoppable, my love.

For you and Merrick both, I've left a little gift of sorts at the Yesdol Fertility Clinic. I'm not sure if either of you will want them, but at least they're there for you if you have some weird whim to procreate. Also...I know you'll probably be sending the kid on the first transport to Bespin, but if you do choose to keep him around, help Shiv take care of Keeve. He needs a strong, male presence in his life.

Oh, and Zale, I remember the name of Dargus' informant. It came to me before I started recording this. It's Oot Kovan, the woman from the party. Don't fall for her charms, my love. She's a spy. A little final piece of wisdom from your wife.

Zale frowned at Kaysa's words. It didn't add up. A spy for Dargus Kandran? But the woman's companion saved him from being cut down from Dargus. How could the woman also be...? It made no sense, and as much as he loved and trusted Kaysa, he strongly suspected that her information was spiked. How could I ever fall for any other woman's charms when I have you, Zale thought to himself. But, then it felt like he'd been slammed in the chest with the realization that he no longer had Kaysa...no one did, not after this.

My sweet, sexy musician. Merrick, I know I've put you through so much over the past year...but through it all, I hope you didn't lose sight of the fact that I love you. You have Shiv now and I know you two will be happier together. You won't have to share her with me, and you won't have to divide your time among two women. I think it'll be better for you two, and maybe this way, Merrick, you won't feel as useless or extraneous as I made you feel. You never were, though. There just wasn't enough time to make you feel needed or important. There was just...no time. But now, there will be time with Shiv. If anyone can make you feel wanted, it's her. It's what you deserve, Merrick. You don't realize what a wonderful man you are, and you deserve a woman who can make you see that, whereas I never did.

It was at that moment that Merrick's absence became that much more prominent. Shiv looked up to Zale, the immense sadness in her eyes nearly breaking his heart. Zale squeezed her tighter, and glanced down at Keeve who almost seemed happy.

I know you probably resent me or hate me, Keeve, but I've always loved you. Even when you tried to kill me, I never stopped. Mother's could never stop loving their children. I know I abandoned you, and right now, there's no way you can forgive me for that or even accept me as your mother. But someday, when you're older and you understand why I did what I did, maybe you can find a way to love me. That's all I ask of you. That and to be a good boy for Auntie Shiv. She adores you, my sweet, and would do anything for you. Don't take advantage of her kindness and break her heart, because she's too good a person to be hurt like that.

You're a special boy, Keeve, and I know one day you're going to be a handsome, wonderful man, just like Merrick and Zale. Use them as an example, Keeve, because nowhere in the universe will you find more amazing men. And nowhere in the universe will anyone find a boy who's more loved than you are.

***

Dargus' office complex loomed over her as the cab slowed and finally stopped. Kaysa pulled out whatever credits she had in her pocket and gave it all to the driver. He thanked her profusely, which indicated the sum was quite a bit larger than the fare, but they were of no use to her anymore. The vehicle sped away and left her standing beneath the towering structure that housed her fate. She was ready for it and determined to succeed.

Kaysa Zenarr moved with confident, firm steps towards the complex, prepared to deal out Dargus' punishment, and to finally meet upon the instant before her death, the true substance of her being. Today, she was to become introduced with the Kaysa Zenarr she'd always strived to be.

***

I love you...all of you. I know Zale will make sure you're taken care of when I'm gone, and you'll have to take care of him too. It may not seem like it now, but this is my gift to you. By the time you read this, you'll be free of Dargus Kandran. I know the cost might seem a little hefty right now, but in the end, you'll realize it was worth it for the peaceful lives you'll gain by it.

I did it all for you, my loves, not for the fame and recognition, not for my name to be broadcasted on TNN. I know the rest of the world will be grateful he's gone, but your happiness is all I care about, and that was my main concern when I decided to do this. So, don't cry for me, my loves. I was content and at peace when I faced my death, especially knowing I'd for once done the right thing in my life. Now...move on as quickly as you can.

Shiv, take Merrick on a vacation. And Zale, don't spank my kid too hard. And all of you...love each other like you all deserve, and every day I want you to look around and realize what you have and cherish it. I know I didn't...but I do now.

Love always, and with all of my heart,

Kaysa Zenarr-Tregat-Tarell

Zale turned over everything he'd heard in his mind, and knew he couldn't just sit idly while Kaysa went off and got herself killed. They had to do something. They had to stop her, or stop Kandran. He sighed knowing that he couldn't do it. He would have flexed his prosthetic hand if it'd still been operational. They needed someone who could stop Dargus Kandran...and Zale knew of only one person who could do that.

---

"Into Oblivion, Part 2"
By: Dargus Kandran
Kaysa Zenarr-Tregat
Wedren [NPC]

Location: Dethradri Plaza - Yelldon, New Plouton
Date: Niothe 14, 4 ABY

***

There was the odd guard or two patrolling the main floor, but aside from that, security seemed very lax. Kaysa had no delusions that once she reached the floors belonging to Kandran, there would be at least one checkpoint to pass through.

Using the reflective metal of the lift's interior as a mirror, Kaysa studied her hair to ensure it was completely concealing the detonator enshrouded within. The discharge pistol strapped to her back had a shielding device secured upon it as well. That one would require her to casually adjust her bra in order to activate it, but she figured she'd distract the guards with idle banter and perhaps some sexual innuendo. That always worked on Zale's guards.

Kaysa closed her eyes firmly and pushed those thoughts aside. She couldn't afford to become preoccupied with nostalgic moments from the past, when things were good, but weren't perfect. They would be now, and that's what she planned to make them.

The lift chimed its signal that it had reached the requested level, and once its doors opened, she was faced with a handful of guards lining the first few meters of the corridor, all wearing sleek, black uniforms, with blaster rifles slung over their shoulders and resting dexterously in their trained hands. At the end of the two rows of men on either side of the corridor stood two more guards with weapons resting in holsters strapped to their waists. They eyed Kaysa from a distance, warily and with keen awareness as they observed her.

Even now, they were searching for weapons - suspicious bulges in her clothing or even slight irregularities in her gait that might indicate something concealed in an awkward spot was hindering her ability to walk naturally.

She realized she was moving forward as if her fate was summoning her. The guards lining the walls remained still and statuesque, but their eyes shifted to follow her movement. It was eerie and unnerving, but Kaysa remained composed. She foresaw a problem, however, and that was the fact that there would now be extra eyes upon her to watch her every move and detect the surreptitious scratching of her head when she activated the shielding device there, or the one upon her pistol. They had been trained to see through such subterfuge, and with so many eyes watching, it was highly probable that at least one of the guards would become suspicious and demand a full body search. If that happened, Kaysa would most likely be meeting her death much sooner.

One of the two guards with sidearms stepped forward. "Halt," he ordered just before Kaysa reached the checkpoint. "State your name and business with Lord Kandran. He is a busy man, and has no wish to be disturbed for petty matters."

The irony of her death being referred to as a petty matter made Kaysa grin. "Just inform...Lord Kandran that an old friend wishes to see him. Tell him it's Kaysa Zenarr."

"Wait there," the guard said. Then he turned, gave a nod to his partner, and approached a terminal set into the back wall. He was there for a moment, and then he returned to where Kaysa was waiting. "We've been instructed to bring you up. Please step through here."

Kaysa scratched her head - really activating the shielding device upon the detonator - and asked inquisitively, "What for?"

"Anyone that sees Lord Kandran is searched for weapons," the guard said. "Walk straight through. Easy, measured pace, and don't move too quick. We'll spend all day here if we have to."

"With you?" Kaysa asked, smiling luringly at the man. "I'd be glad to." She reached her hand around and scratched her back. In the process, she activated the shielding device upon her pistol. The one on her detonator had already been active for ten seconds or so, which meant there was little time left. She could walk and flirt at the same time, so she started forward at a leisurely stroll.

"So, does Kandran have a lot of ladies coming to visit him? And how much competition do they present for me?" she asked with a wink.

"Just step through and cut the chatter," the guard said and adjusted the controls on the monitor.

"I am," Kaysa assured him. "I was just trying to make the experience a pleasant one for us all." She stopped talking, as the guard requested, but mainly did so because her throat had tightened up and deprived her of the ability to speak. That would have instantly given away her anxiety and possibly alerted the guards that something was amiss.

As she passed through the scanner, beads of sweat built up upon her brow. She hoped the guards didn't see that either, for it would only allude to her guilt and inspire even greater suspicion.

"Anything yet?" Kaysa asked surprisingly calmly. She smiled at the guard. "Kidding."

"Another word and I'm gonna have to shoot you," the guard said with a frown. He adjusted his readings, and then frowned again. He looked up at Kaysa, his hard eyes boring into hers. Time seemed to stretch out into infinity, and then he finally nodded. "She's clean, take her up."

The other guard stepped forward and motioned for Kaysa to follow him.

Kaysa released a slow, quiet sigh and followed the man. She could no longer sense her legs beneath her, and she had a feeling her face was completely blanched. Still, she smiled at the guard and gestured for him to lead on. It was too bad she wouldn't be able to thank Zale for the shielding devices. They worked impeccably well, although he probably wouldn't feel too inspired by that considering the specific use she put them to.

The guard stopped before a metal door sealed shut and pressed his hand to what appeared to be a DNA scanner on a panel beside it. "This isn't Kandran's office," Kaysa noted somewhat tensely. "Where are we going?"

"These stairs will take us to Kandran's office," the guard said. "You are fit enough to go up four flights of stairs, are you not?"

Kaysa lazily ran her a finger along the valley of her breasts, exposed through the partially buttoned shirt. "I feel fit enough. Do I look it?"

The guard looked over Kaysa's body, and then nodded. "I guess so," he said, and then opened the door for her. "Up the stairs. I'll be following you, so don't try anything funny."

Kaysa let her hand fall to her side and sighed wearily. "Fine. I'll remain quiet and refrain from any attempts at humour." She moved past the guard sullenly and muttered, "No fun," as she began mounting the staircase.

The guard said nothing more, and continued to follow just behind Kaysa as they went up the four flights of stairs until they reached another large door like the one they'd used to get into the stairway. He stepped past Kaysa and pressed his hand to the plate next to the door. After a moment, there was a whirring click, and the door slid open. With a sharp gesture, he motioned Kaysa through the door. "Down this hallway to the end, and stop."

Kaysa's eyes covered the daunting distance to her fated end. She felt no hesitation or doubts, only a strange excitement and anticipation mounting. And unconsciously, she started forward. She had to keep reminding herself not to rush into it, to remain calm and wait until the perfect moment before striking.

The malicious, serpentine grin upon his face would be melted away, then all would see him for what he truly was: but a man, not some omnipotent, invincible demon. Once all his flesh had burned and slipped off his bones, they would all realize there had been nothing supreme or divine about him; then, not even the memory of him would evoke fear. Never again.

She arrived at the end of the hall and stood before the familiar doors of his office. And she waited. Would she let him come to her to fittingly welcome his death, or would she allow herself entry and thrust his fate upon him? Kaysa grinned. She'd wait, all day if she had to, and would let the prey come to her.

The sound of the guard's heavy footsteps beat out a staccato rhythm as he crossed the distance between the two doors. He took a moment to look over Kaysa and wonder how much fun his boss would be having that day, and then slipped back into the emotional void he'd been trained to hold. He stepped around her again, and placed a hand once more on a panel to the side of the door. The large double-doors slid wide open to reveal an opulently decorated office, easily the size of all of the Zenarr Inc. office.

Inside, Dargus Kandran stood facing a large transparisteel window overlooking the city. He did not turn at the opening of the door. "Leave us, Wedren."

The guard waited for Kaysa to step forward before shutting the doors, sealing her inside with Dargus Kandran.

Kaysa said nothing and stared with mild amusement at Dargus. He had intimidated so many and hurt even more. Today, he would pay for that, and payment was certainly long overdue.

Kaysa moved closer with her hands clasped behind her back and a gentle smile upon her face. She stopped again and stared at Dargus' reflection in the window. His eyes, even then, were cold, but she'd heat him up soon enough.

"Kaysa Tregat," Dargus said. "I certainly hope you've come to me today to hand over my portion of the spaceport." He turned to face her, his mouth twisted into a humourless smile. "I grow weary of toying with you and that dysfunctional little family of yours. Don't you realize you're only making it more difficult on them?"

"You're not getting the spaceport, Kandran." Kaysa slinked closer to Dargus, giving him a smile to match his own. "You know, you really shouldn't have stabbed me, Dargus. The only thing you accomplished was to make me even more stubborn. But you never were very smart, so..."

"You clumsy bitch," Dargus snapped. "I didn't stab you; you fell on my knife. And, you're only making it that much harder on your loved ones. Though, I heard that Shiv was really enjoying herself with Staz."

"Yes," Kaysa said with a slow nod, "maybe she did. But I bet that just irks you to no end, the fact that she enjoyed her time with him more than she did with you. You're not the ladies man you used to be, Dargie. In fact, you're not the man you used to be. I know your death wasn't good for business, but it's been even worse for your self-image, hasn't it?"

"What I was before is nothing," Dargus said with a feral smile. "And, if you want to see just how much Shiv enjoyed her time with me, why don't we have her brought down here and I can show you just how much she loves the attention I give her? I'm sure you know that she's a screamer, and can she ever scream. Maybe both of you would like to stay with me, and you can both be my pleasure girls."

"I don't know, Dargus," Kaysa said with an airy sigh. She ran her finger along the edge of his desk as she paced lazily towards him. "I don't know if that can be arranged. You're an old man. You might not have a lot of time left."

"I've cheated death once," Dargus said, "so I think I've still got time left. Though, if you'd like a demonstration of my virility, I'm sure one can be arranged. Either you or Maeren, I'm sure. Though, I'm sure Maeren may prefer that charming son of yours."

"You can't touch him, Kandran. You'll never be able to hurt anyone again." Dargus was watching her intently, and she knew she'd never get the detonator free while he was this focused and calm. Kaysa began tugging at the sleeves of her jacket and slowly pulled it off. She could better retrieve her pistol if her jacket wasn't in the way. "Besides, he's but a boy. You, you're a man." She leaned against the desk, gazing up at Dargus from beneath her dark lashes. "I'm a good screamer. Wanna hear?"

"How could I refuse an offer like that?" Dargus asked and moved around to the other side of his desk.

"You can't," she replied confidently. "No one has ever refused Kaysa Zenarr." She watched as Dargus approached and began unbuttoning her shirt, but not so far that he could see the strap for the holster of her discharge pistol. "You know that I hate you, don't you? But I've hated most of the men I've been with. It's not about that though, is it? It's about pure, raw sexual energy."

"I'm sure that you and I could generate quite a bit of energy together," he said, his eyes roaming over her body with obvious interest. He took a couple steps closer. "And, I've found that most people hate me anyway, so it's not all that much of a detractor."

Kaysa laughed dryly and reached back in a show of unfastening her bra. Instead, it was the cold metal handle of the electrical discharge pistol she was looking for. "I think you like alienating people, Dargus. It's much easier to weed out your true enemies if they absolutely despise you. Hate is one emotion no one is very good at concealing."

Dargus smiled. "It's alright though," Dargus said. "Because I hate most people anyway. And, I really see no point in concealing it. If you hate a person, why would you wish it to remain a secret? It isn't as if you should be worrying about their feelings. Though far too few people know how to really act out on their hatred. It's a shame really."

"I knew it," Kaysa said with a grin. "You do talk too much." With one hand gripping the pistol, she reached out with her other and clasped the back of Dargus' neck. "Didn't you wanna make me scream?"

"That's why you're here, isn't it?" Dargus asked and then closed the distance between them. "Would you prefer the desk, the couch, or the bed in the other room?"

Her only response was to pull Dargus towards her and kiss him fiercely. They wouldn't actually get far enough into the act to require a bed or a couch, and she had him where she wanted him, so she didn't want to risk it by relocating to a new room.

Subtly, Kaysa removed her other hand from beneath her shirt and with it came the pistol. Her hand trembled with the tightness of the grip she had on the pistol, but she had no doubt her aim wouldn't suffer because of it. She carefully brought the weapon up and incrementally closer to Dargus' neck. It was difficult to see where exactly the weapon was, considering her lips were pressed tightly to Dargus', but once the pistol came to a stop upon the yielding flesh of his neck, she knew pure instinct and drive had brought the weapon to its mark.

---

"Into Oblivion, Part 3"
By: Dargus Kandran
Kaysa Zenarr-Tregat
Zale Tregat
Oot Kovan
Moril Astren [NPC]

Location: Dethradri Plaza - Yelldon, New Plouton; Estri-Casren Tower - Yesdol, New Plouton
Date: Niothe 14, 4 ABY

***

As soon as the message had finished playing, Zale had left Shiv and Keeve alone in the apartment. Shiv hadn't liked it, but Zale quickly settled the matter by telling her that Keeve was too young to stay alone and too young to get involved. Which meant that she would have to stay with him. He quickly filled Moril in on the situation, and sent him to try to find contact information for Tarabassic.

It was only a few moments before Moril returned with the information.

"Do you really think she's gonna do it?" Moril asked.

"The woman's running on an empty power cell," Zale snapped. "Of course she's going to do it. She's gone crazy."

Moril handed Zale the datapad with Oot's comm frequency on it, and then removed himself from Zale's office.

Zale quickly dialed in the number and waited for the response on the other end.

"Tarabassic, how my I direct you?" came the response from the protocol droid on the other side.

"I need to speak with Dame Oot Kovan immediately. Tell her this is Zale Tregat."

"One moment please."

One moment turned into three, and finally Oot's face appeared in the middle of the holotank.

"Zale Tregat," she said with a charming smile. "I wasn't sure if you were ever going to return my calls."

"I don't have time for flirting now," Zale said. "I've come across a very serious situation, and I need your help."

"Help costs," Oot said with a smile. "And, my help costs extra."

"Whatever you want, just name it. But, I need that Jedi person you were at the party with. Kaysa's done something very stupid, and she'd going off to make Dargus Kandran pay for what he did. She's in way over her head, and not planning on returning."

Oot thought about it for a moment, and then nodded. "Very well," she said. "My price is non-negotiable."

"Name it," Zale said. "I just need to get Kaysa from that man before he..."

"I understand, Zale," she said. "You and I will spend a weekend together. Just you, me, an exotic beachfront location...and I guess we'll see what happens from there." She gave him a smile that made Zale feel very much like the proverbial smaller fish.

"Very well," he said. "Deal. Now, time is of the essence."

Oot nodded, but was already busy dialling in another comm frequency. After a moment, another holographic figure appeared in the tank. Zale recognized him as the man from the night of the party.

"Liam," Oot said, giving him a look that Zale immediately recognized.

What is she doing, he thought, trying to seduce every man she meets?

"Oot," Liam said. "I hadn't expected to hear from you. Is everything alright?"

"Everything is fine, however a friend is in a situation that he feels only you can help him with. It seems as if Dargus Kandran is on the prowl again. It's the man you saved at the party, and the woman in trouble is the one the paramedics hovered out of there that night."

"I remember," Liam said. "What is his location?"

Zale quickly gave them the address. "She'll kill me if she found out, but I've got a micro-locater on her. According to that, she's inside his building. I'd guess somewhere between the fiftieth and sixtieth floors. She just got there."

"We'll get her back for you," Liam said. "And, we'll do everything we can to stop Dargus Kandran for good."

"Thank you," Zale said with a sigh.

With that, Liam signed off, and then Oot turned her attention back to Zale. "I'll be contacting you soon about our weekend."

"Alright," he said. "Though, after that, she'll probably want to kill me instead of Kandran."

Oot gave him a mischievous smile. "You are the one who agreed to my terms," she said. "And, fidelity is highly overrated."

Zale nodded. "I'll be waiting for you to contact me."

They disconnected and Zale went for a kaffe.

Now, what seemed like forever later, he still waited to hear any news. He figured she'd be in his office by now, or very close. Just stay alive, he urged her. Just come back to me in one piece, my love. Please come back to me.

***

Dargus pulled away from the kiss and laughed. "Very clever," he said. "Now, you think you can rid the galaxy of Dargus Kandran. However, that stairway you climbed through had weapons detectors all along the walls and ceiling. Also, a nice little device that conveniently drained the power cell in your weapon."

"No matter." Kaysa struck Dargus across the cheek with the butt of the pistol, then pushed him back. She scrambled away from the desk and put the entire room between them. "I figured this wouldn't get the job done." Kaysa tossed the pistol aside and deftly pulled free the clips holding her hair in place. The detonator shed its shell of brown curls and Kaysa quickly cradled it in her hand with her thumb hovering precariously over the activator. "So...did your weapons detectors manage to drain this?"

Dargus laughed. "No, it's not possible to drain off the charge of a thermal detonator. So, that made it through fine." He held out his hand and the discarded pistol leapt through the air and into his palm. "Nice weapon." He pointed it toward one of the large windows overlooking the city, and fired. An electrical pulse leapt out and licked across the pane of transparisteel, and then the whole surface shattered outward. Dargus laughed again and tossed the obviously still functioning weapon out the now-open window. "I lied about the power drain."

Kaysa consciously forced her gaping mouth to close. Of course the lie didn't shock her in the least; it was how the pistol came to him on command that stunned her most. She realized then what she was truly up against. He really was no ordinary man and he obviously had it within his power to stop her then and there. But, she'd no doubt he intended to toy with her first. It was cruel and to be expected of a man such as Dargus Kandran.

Still, though, she had the thermal detonator in her grasp and would use it...if she could only get her thumb to move. "What's happening?" She grunted softly and gnawed at her lip as she tried to free her thumb from whatever had immobilized it. Her other arm was trapped at her side by whatever unseen force had seized her thumb and could provide no aid. "Coward," she hissed. "You're afraid to die, even though it's just what you deserve."

"So many people think that," Dargus said. "But, I'm just a man like any other man. Why should I be the one to die when there are so many others out there willing to take my place? I see that you're not afraid to die. To leave this life and abandon all those who love you. I imagine you think you're quite brave for doing that. But, when it comes down to it, who's more cruel? Me for doing the things I've done? Or you for leaving people who love you more than anything? Oh the heartbreak. It's really quite tragic, especially since you couldn't get it right."

Kaysa fought back the rage at having her control usurped, but she was fighting with every iota of strength she had to regain it. "I'm doing this because I love them and because I despise you, Kandran. You're evil and heartless. You've destroyed so many, and in return, you deserve to suffer the same. Face your death like a man, Kandran. Unless during that first attempt on your life, you didn't come back completely whole." She motioned her eyes towards his groin, then laughed mockingly.

Dargus pushed his long black coat open to reveal the ebony hilt of his lightsaber hanging there. He pulled it free and ignited it in one smooth motion. "You probably don't recognize this, but it's the same weapon I used to chop your husband's arm off. I figure it would be fitting if you and he had a matching set." With each movement, the blade hummed louder. "Or, I could just end it all for you the way you wanted it when you came here. Did you really think you were smart enough to get in here and kill me? You really are pathetic, and I just can't see what they see in you."

"I'm the complete opposite of you, Dargus. That's enough for them." The blinding light of Dargus' lightsaber was an eerie reminder that she truly was out of her element. If he had managed to defeat Zale while he was at his best, she certainly would be no challenge, especially in her present condition.

"Oh, I think you and I have more in common than you think, Kaysa," he said. "Which is probably why Maeren screams so loud for us." He laughed. "Do you think they'll hate you for this? For going off and getting yourself killed? Especially when you don't end up killing your target." He smiled. "Though, I think I may not kill you. I think you'd do well with an obedience collar and some pleasure training."

"Training? I think you'd be impressed with what I already know." Kaysa stepped back and literally hit a wall. It was over. She knew it, but she refused to allow Dargus the pleasure of knowing he'd won. "And to answer your question: yes, they'll hate me, but it's what I'm hoping for. They'll be able to move on and search for someone better to love."

"Oh, I don't know about that," Dargus said. "I still don't have my spaceport. I may have to go take Zale's other arm. Oh, and Shiv. I think when I'm finished with you here, I'll go get her. And, that cute little boy of yours. I hear he's quite unruly. I imagine he would make a perfect protégé."

"You bastard...leave them alone!" Kaysa cried out in frustration and anguish. "Zale will come after you with an entire fleet of ships and raze you into oblivion. No matter what, after this day, you're dead, Kandran."

"We'll see about that," Dargus said. "Though, if I do keep you as my little slave, you'll get to see your Shiv again. Won't that be nice?"

Kaysa's breathing grew ragged and heavy as she glared at Dargus, and weighed her options. She couldn't activate the detonator, but she still had the use of her legs. She refused to go quietly and certainly wouldn't play the submissive, frightened female that had, all her life, been the ideal she was expected to emulate. Today, she would prove how truly strong she was.

Kaysa hollered as she pushed herself off the wall and charged towards Dargus. She hoped in the collision, the detonator would become activated and do away with them both.

Dargus quickly spun away from Kaysa's charge, and got himself out danger's way. As he did, he used some of his power to slow her passage. "Not going to work," he said. "Why don't you just give up like a good, little girl?"

Kaysa whipped around and shrieked as she started forward for another pass. Once again, Dargus sidestepped her and Kaysa came face to face with the wall. She pressed her forehead to it, weeping from frustration and cursing silently. She gazed down almost longingly at the detonator cradled in her hand. Her arm was frozen in a bent position and her thumb refused to carry out her desire. But the rest of her body worked fine.

The tears quickly ceased and a smile drew up Kaysa's lips. Slowly, she turned around to face Dargus. From the changing expression on his face, it was apparent he became quickly aware she had finally figured out a way to fulfill her urge to kill him. Kaysa laughed shrilly and triumphantly as she swung her entire body back around and watched her fist punch the wall. She felt her thumb give way, then she heard the click of the detonator's activator as her finger depressed it.

In but moments, they would both be no more. It was too bad Dargus couldn't see the smile on her face now.

Dargus cursed, and then released the hold he had on Kaysa's hand. Once his concentration was freed of holding her thumb in place, he seized the thermal detonator with his mind and tugged it free. He then redirected it toward the gaping hole he'd put in the window, and tossed it outside. He turned back to Kaysa, and smiled.

---

"Into Oblivion, Part 4"
By: Dargus Kandran
Kaysa Zenarr-Tregat
Kael Selrid
Laedra Vorrel
Liam Zaneth

Location: Dethradri Plaza - Yelldon, New Plouton
Date: Niothe 14, 4 ABY

***

Liam swerved the speeder to avoid falling debris raining down from the destination building. The thermal detonator had taken out two floors with an explosion so fierce that even still the ground trembled. Laedra looked to Liam worriedly, but refrained from voicing her concerns. They knew it was dangerous, especially when Liam had informed them who they'd be trying to rescue the woman from. She was beginning to reconsider their decision to bring Kael along with them, but it was too late for that now.

They stopped outside of the building from which was spilling hordes of evacuees. Debris was still making its way to the ground, but the ominous rumbling of the explosion had finally ceased.

"Liam..." Laedra glanced at him, but she knew better than to raise her doubts to him about the state of the woman they had come to rescue.

"I can sense him," Liam said as he flung open the canopy on their speeder. "We have to hurry, because I don't know how long he'll keep toying with her." He hopped out of the speeder, and gathered in his robes as he started toward the front of the speeder to await Kael and Laedra. Laedra was the first to arrive, and he quickly lowered his voice for her ears only. "I'm fine," he assured her. "I have no intention of reverting to the dark side over this man. He's not worth it. I'll be fine, and the three of us will take care of his threat."

"I'm not worried about that, Liam...not entirely. I'm worried that I--" She heard Kael approaching and quickly finished her thought before she lost her opportunity. "I love you, Liam. Be careful."

"I will," Liam said, though his eyes clearly expressed the love he felt for her. "Come on, let's get inside before it's too late." With that, he strode forward toward the building. He had no idea what to expect when they reached Dargus, but he wasn't leaving without rescuing Kaysa Zenarr. And, hopefully they'd be able to end Dargus' threat...but that almost seemed to be too much to hope for.

***

"No!" Kaysa clambered for the door frantically, but didn't get very far before her leg was jerked and she was pulled back. She screamed and tried to free her leg, but no matter how valiant her effort, she knew she wasn't going anywhere.

"I like a woman with a little fight in her," Dargus rasped as he pulled her back toward him with a heaving tug. "Did you know that little bitch of yours likes to be tied up? Do you like that too, Kaysa? Do you like being tied up? Maybe we should find out."

Kaysa rolled over onto her back and thrust her foot out towards Dargus' groin, but he caught her ankle in his other hand and smothered her attempt. "Let go," she commanded in a threatening whisper.

"Oh, I don't think so," Dargus snapped. "I'm going to enjoy breaking you, taming you. Maeren adapted to being a slave too easily. She was a good slave, but there wasn't the challenge of wearing her down. I love a good challenge, don't you? Maybe I'll even spring Vrax and give him a few rounds with you."

Kaysa's cry was enough to convey her opinion of that idea and how she vehemently disapproved. She twisted and kicked her legs violently to dislodge them from Dargus' grip. "You'll get nothing from me, you bastard," she spat. "Nothing!"

Dargus let Kaysa's leg go, but he didn't let her get far as invisible fingers clamped around her throat. "You will learn not to disobey me," he said as he got to his feet. "I don't mind a little spirit, but outright fighting against me will not be tolerated."

Not another word came from Kaysa's throat, only gags and wheezing gasps. Her feet kicked at the ground in a futile reflex that gave no aid to her situation. She brought her own hands to her neck to pry free the fingers constricting her throat, but she clawed only at her own flesh.

Stinging tears burned her eyes and her back arched off the ground as panic struck her. She was going to die, but not the way she'd intended. Somehow, planning her death had taken all the fear away from the experience, but now, not being able to prepare for this new method of death, Kaysa became horror-stricken.

Dargus smiled as he moved next to Kaysa. "Now, you can die like this," he said in a calm, soothing voice. "Or, you can become one of my pleasure girls. You'll be alive, you'll be well-treated and cared for. And, you'll never have to fear for your safety. So, Kaysa, do you wish to die?"

Preceding her incarceration with Zale, she'd passed up an offer of freedom by giving an Imp a rather debilitating injury to his virility, and there was no way her pride and self-respect would allow her to accept a similar offer from Dargus Kandran. Frankly, she really would rather die than become his sex slave. Kaysa gestured her reply in the form of her fingernails being dragged across Dargus' cheek. She hoped that elucidated her decision.

"So be it," Dargus snarled, and passed a hand over his cheek and the injury vanished. "I'm going to enjoy fucking Shiv every night, and raising Keeve like he's my very own son." He clenched his fist, and the grip on Kaysa's throat tightened.

Before he could carry through with her execution, the door burst open and Kace Mordin, or whatever the hell he was calling himself these days, was standing there with lightsaber in hand.

"Kace, you're just in time," Dargus said, and quickly moved away from Kaysa.

"She's leaving, Dargus," Liam said in an even, measured tone. "And, then we will settle the matter of your training."

"She's not going anywhere," Dargus said with a laugh. "I want her to at least see me take that lovely little bitch of hers into my bed. Now leave before this turns into a very bad day for you."

Liam looked down at Kaysa. "Leave now," he said. "You're free to go. We'll handle this."

Kaysa nodded quickly and staggered to her feet. With one hand on her throat, she coughed and tried to swallow back the taste of blood in her mouth, while moving unsteadily for the door. She was disoriented and confused. She'd yet to even realize she'd been rescued and was at even more of loss trying to decide what to do next. What she did do was leave Dargus with the blue-eyed man and his friends, and disappeared into the corridor.

Liam ignited his lightsaber as Dargus pulled his from his belt. "It ends now, Dargus," he said.

"Yes," Dargus said, "it does. But, I don't like the odds right now." He flung out a hand, and used the Force to push Liam's companions back through the doorway. Once they were gone, he pulled the doors shut with his mind, and then flung a chair at the control mechanism. The controls erupted in a shower of sparks. "Just you and me."

Liam glanced back, but kept his focus. He couldn't worry about Laedra right now, not with Dargus right in front of him. Without a sound, he rushed at Dargus, bringing his lightsaber down to meet the crimson blade of his adversary.

***

"Liam!" Laedra picked herself up from the ground and bounded to the door of Dargus' office. She banged on it frantically and called out for Liam again. "Oh gods...he's in there alone." She spun around to face Kael. "Help that woman down to the ground floor," she ordered, motioning her head towards Kaysa. "And stay there, Kael."

"What if you need my help in there?" Kael asked. But then at the look Laedra gave him, he nodded. "Yes, Master Laedra." With that, he rushed down the hall toward the woman.

Laedra had no time to admire Kael's obedience, although his quick acquiescence was almost surprising. She turned again towards the door and ignited her lightsaber. With the blade pointed to the surface of the metal door, Laedra raised the lightsaber over her head then stabbed it downwards towards the door. Whatever the door was composed of, the blade of her lightsaber was deflected by it. She would need to find another way into the room, immediately before anything could happen to Liam.

Laedra retracted the blade of her lightsaber and clipped the hilt onto her belt. She quickly devised a plan in her mind and sprinted down the corridor to carry it out. She would find a way in, a way to her love, even at immense risk to herself.

***

"You know," Dargus was saying as he batted away another attack from Liam, "before I started working with the lightsaber, I figured you must be quite amazing. You know I saw you a few times, and it was...well, astounding." He parried another attack, and then spun away with a feint to Liam's side. "But, now that I know how to use one of these things, I actually know what kind of amateur you are."

"Will you shut up," Liam said. "If you don't, I'll make sure your lips are the first things I cut off."

"Oh, temper, temper," Dargus said with a tssking sound. "You know what they say about the dark side."

Liam drove hard at Dargus again, but Dargus was still managing to parry each thrust. Liam altered his attacks, and tried moving into Dargus' weak spot. Unfortunately, Dargus knew about that weak spot as well, and managed to riposte, driving Liam back as he did.

"You bore me, Kace," he said. "I thought fighting you would be exciting, but this is really not all that much fun. I think it's time we ended this. You know, that lady friend of yours was pretty hot. Does Yelara know about her? I always knew you couldn't stick to just one woman."

As Liam started to protest again, Dargus raised a hand and from his fingertips, violet bolts of pure Force electricity arced between their bodies. The move completely caught Liam off guard and he was tossed back across the room, crashing over Dargus' desk. His body convulsed with the force of the attack. He let out a grunt of pain, and sought his lightsaber once more. He could feel Dargus moving closer.

Drawing upon the Force, Liam blocked out his opponent's rambling. He reached out and pulled his lightsaber into his hand. With great effort, he pushed himself to his feet. Dargus muttered something, and Force lightning leapt out once more. This time, Liam was ready for it, and used his lightsaber to block the attack.

Then Dargus launched into an offensive that Liam wasn't ready for. The man's skill was amazing, and he was using moves that Liam wouldn't have expected in someone like Kandran. A holocron, he told himself. Somehow Dargus had managed to access a holocron. Stuck on the defensive, he could do nothing but parry. Dargus feinted toward Liam's left, but quickly reversed the attack. If Liam hadn't been wary of such an attack, it would have taken his hand off.

He cried out when the attack sheared the end of his lightsaber off, making the weapon useless. Unarmed for the moment, Liam spun around and sent a kick into Dargus' chest, and then leapt back over the desk. What the hell is happening here, he thought to himself.

"Nice trick," Dargus called out. "But, it won't save you. You might as well face that you're beaten, Kace. I win this time. And, I'm going to-- Well, well, well, what do we have here? A little friend dropping in to say hello? I certainly hope she's better than you, Kace."

Laedra dove through the blasted out window of Dargus' office and rolled into the fall. She came up with her lightsaber already in her hand and ignited the pink blade. "Liam...are you alright?" she asked with her eyes fixed on Dargus and her body in a readied stance.

"A little toasty, but otherwise fine," Liam called back as he shrugged out of his robe. Once free of the garment, he pulled his second lightsaber from his belt and leapt over the desk.

"Oh, how very cute," Dargus said with a smile. "Two of you; you're breeding. Now we're back to that problem of odds again." He pulled a second lightsaber from his belt and ignited it. "A little more fair now."

"Watch out," Liam said to Laedra, "he'll talk you senseless if you give him a chance. He's full of surprises, and much stronger than I would have expected. But, we can take him."

"Yes," Laedra said with an almost facetious smile aimed at Dargus, "I believe we can." She crouched low and sprang up into the air. Using the Force to aid her, as in all endeavours of strength and agility, she vaulted over Dargus and landed directly behind him. With Liam on one side and she on the other, they could divide Dargus' attention, and perhaps overwhelm him.

Once Laedra touched down, Liam surged forward, his lightsaber flashing toward Dargus. With renewed vigour, he sought to crumble Dargus' defenses, to breach them and rid the universe of him once and for all.

Dargus backed away to remove himself from the Jedis' flanking positions, and kept working at each of them with his lightsabers. It was obvious the woman wasn't as strong in her combative arts as Liam, but what surprised him was how good Liam suddenly was. It quickly became clear that against both Jedi, he was fighting a losing battle.

"You cannot win," Dargus said with a laugh. "I can feel the hatred building inside you, Liam. Sweet, pure hatred. Let it out. Show this bitch what you really are!"

The insult angered even Laedra, but she kept those dark emotions from seeping into the calm she was maintaining, and certainly kept them from driving her actions. She hoped Liam was succeeding in doing the same.

"Surrender, Kandran," Laedra ordered. She was forced into a crouch to avoid a high sweep of Dargus' lightsaber, aimed to slice her head clean from her shoulders. Her skills with the lightsaber seemed lacking compared to Dargus', even Liam's, but she was still agile and spry. She rolled away from a downward stab of Dargus' lightsaber and came up again only to block another series of rapid assaults.

Dargus laughed again as Laedra fought so hard to avoid his flurry of attacks. He quickly parried away another series of blows from Liam, and tried to make his parrying of Laedra's seem effortless. He wasn't going to last long like this, and Liam's blade was getting exceedingly close.

"Give it up, Dargus," Liam said calmly. "You can't win this fight. We're wearing you down. You can't survive this."

"Oh, I've survived far worse than this," Dargus snapped. "Maybe I'll cut down your pretty new girlfriend, and let you live with the pain of causing her death. Just like you killed Evie."

This announcement startled Laedra for but a moment before she reminded herself this was Dargus' attempt at dividing she and Liam, to beat down their concentration and focus until he had gained advantage enough to kill them both. "Listen to him, Kandran. Surrender or we will be forced to end your life."

"I really don't think I can allow that to happen," Dargus said. "And, two against one really isn't fair. Also, there is this only two rule that we're following, and if you kill me...well, I imagine the two of you are bright enough to do the math."

With that, Dargus vaulted away from the fight, twisting away as Liam's blade sought to finish him off. He sprinted to the open window, and with a final maniacal laugh, leapt out of the building.

"No!" Liam cried and rushed after Dargus.

"Liam! Don't!" Laedra caught up to Liam and pulled him back before he had a chance to attempt a pursuit.

Liam watched across the street as Dargus landed easily on the roof of a shorter building, and sprinted toward the access door that would lead down into the rest of the building. As Dargus used his lightsaber to open the door, Liam turned away. "We still have a chance to catch him," he said.

"Liam...no. We've accomplished what we came here to do. Let him go," she said softly. "There will be other chances. Just let him go this time."

Liam was about to protest, but then nodded. "Let's go make sure Kael and Kaysa are still alright."

Laedra sighed heavily and clipped her de-ignited lightsaber to her belt. "A good idea." She ran her hand along Liam's cheek and studied his tense features. "You fought impressively, Liam, and you maintained your composure. I knew you would, but I'm still proud of you."

"Thank you," Liam said with a smile. "I have no idea what's happened to him, but he's damn good with that lightsaber. And, he's using Force lightning. Something has definitely happened to him. I think he's found a holocron, and he's being trained in the Sith arts."

"Whatever change has occurred in him, we now know what to expect next time we face him. We will be prepared, Liam." She took his hand and gently coaxed him along. "Our first official task as Jedi, Liam. I think there is a place for our Order after all."

Liam smiled. "If the Sith are rising again, then we will be there to stop them. We're going to make this work, Lae," he said. "Me, you...all of us. We're going to make the Jedi Order thrive again."

"I know, and I think Dargus Kandran knows as well."

They left behind Dargus' office and moved down the corridor with no signs of strain or exertion caused by their battle. There would be many more to come the stronger and more ambitious Dargus became, and if they were to survive them, they would have to ready themselves physically and mentally.

Laedra knew mentally she was prepared and Liam, physically. She smiled at that thought, for they complimented each other perfectly, which made her more confident that as long as they were together, Dargus Kandran and the Sith would eventually fall.

---

"Parallel Development, Part 1"
By: Liam Zaneth
Kaysa Zenarr-Tregat
Laedra Vorrel
Kael Selrid

Location: Yesdol, New Plouton
Date: Niothe 14, 4 ABY

***

"I said, let go of me." Kaysa clawed at the hand relentlessly gripping her arm and sneered at the young, blond-haired man. "I'm not your fucking prisoner, boy. Now let me go!" She raised her foot and brought it down to mash her heel into his booted foot, but he was nimble and pulled it away in plenty of time to avoid her heel.

"You have been through quite an ordeal," Kael said to Kaysa. "You may not be my prisoner, but I'm not letting you just rush off. Kandran's men are still out here, and I'm sure they won't waste time getting to you. I am here to keep you safe."

"Why do you men always think women need you to save them? I can take care of myself!" Kaysa shrieked and tried to wrench her arm from Kael's grasp. "I almost blew up Kandran, didn't I? Besides, I know my way around this city. I can go where no one will find me."

"You may have almost blown him up," Kael said humourlessly, "but I believe when we got to you, he was choking you while you were lying helpless on the floor. But, it's not just women who need saving. Not that long ago my Masters were required to rescue me as well. But, my Master told me to watch you, and I'm going to do just that."

Kaysa grunted as she began attempting to pry his fingers from her arm. Struggling was accomplishing nothing aside from frustrating her. But she knew other ways to affect men enough to drop their guard. She laughed softly and pressed her body to Kael's. Her lips found his and she kissed the boy roughly, hoping this would trigger him to release his hand.

Kael quickly pulled away, but kept his hand firmly in place at her arm. "Hey!" He scowled at her, and then laughed. "It won't work. Now, you really need to get used to the fact that I'm not leaving until my Masters tell me that the danger has passed."

"And it won't if you don't let me go!" Kaysa let loose with a string of curses that made heads upon the street turn away from the bombed building and watch Kaysa in shock and appall. "What are you doing here anyway? Did Zale send you?" A sharp, derisive laugh was aimed at Kael. "A boy. He sends a boy. Are you even old enough to drive a speeder?"

"Perhaps you were too busy having the life choked out of you," Kael said, "but I did not come alone. Masters Liam and Laedra stayed behind to stop Kandran. However, we were sent by Zale Tregat to stop you from doing...now how did he put it?...'something incredibly stupid,' I think."

"Screw you," Kaysa muttered. She folded her arms over her chest and pressed her back to the speeder, finally abandoning her struggle. "He's bitter because I actually eluded him. I managed to outsmart Zale Tregat. And if it was so incredibly stupid, why was he the one who charged Dargus at that party?" she asked, but it was quite clear the conversation was one with herself and not Kael.

"Based on what I've heard," Kael said, "it would be reasonable to assume that when he charged Dargus at the party, he didn't realize Dargus was trained in the Sith arts. Though, based on the situation, I do not believe you are in a position of superiority in this case. You were nearly killed, and we would likely not be having this conversation had we not arrived when we did."

"Did you not think I went into that office with the intention of dying? Why the fuck do you think I brought that thermal detonator with me?!"

"Your thermal detonator exploded ten floors down from its intended target," Kael said. "After that, did you still wish to die?"

Kaysa looked away from Kael with a stubborn pout that could have challenged Keeve's. "What does it matter?" she said quietly. "At that point, I didn't have a choice. I was going to die no matter what, so I accepted it."

"But you're not dead," Kael said. "You're still alive, and you can return to your family. You have a second chance."

Kaysa snorted and shook her head. "I've already had plenty of second chances. I don't think they're gonna forgive me for this one. It's over..."

"Are you so certain of that?" Kael asked softly. "You should let them make the decision for themselves, and not force the decision on them. They will forgive you if you let them."

"Yeah, well I can't wait to prove you wrong, Jedi." Kaysa coughed gently apparently to clear her parched, sore throat, but it was really an attempt to force back a sob. She wasn't expecting to have a chance at forgiveness, and her actions made that almost impossible to achieve. Dargus didn't kill her, but she knew Zale would. And Merrick... He was most likely lost to her forever. She coughed again, but a choked sob escaped and Kaysa turned her face away to hide her teary eyes.

Kael reached out and placed a hand on Kaysa's back. "If they love you, they will forgive you," he said, though in his mind he could only see Dani's forgiving eyes. "Would you like to go across the street to get something to drink? It'll help ease the choking that Dargus was doing."

Kaysa shook her head and shrank away from Kael's hand. "I want to keep it as a reminder that I lost everything for nothing. It'll keep me from being so impulsive and stupid next time."

"So you still believe you've lost everything," Kael said. "So, you're not willing to even try. You've just lost everything, and now you'll spend the rest of your life feeling sorry for yourself. You're not willing to even open your eyes and realize that you've really lost nothing."

"Oh, shut up!" Kaysa hollered at him. Her hoarse throat ached and she coughed fitfully. "Just shut up," she croaked. She leaned forward with her hands propped on her legs as she regained her breath. "Don't patronize me, boy. It's not a matter of me wanting forgiveness, it's of me facing up to the fact that even if I try, they'd only reject me."

"And, you're so certain they'll reject you?" Kael studied her for a moment and shook his head. "Perhaps it would have been better if Dargus had killed you, and then they wouldn't have had to deal with your groundless fear of their rejection keeping you from them any longer. Do you really think Zale would have contacted us if he wanted you dead? Or if he didn't care?"

"Possessiveness," Kaysa stated simply. "I'm his wife and his possession. He has to protect his investment. And what the hell did he think he was doing trying to stop me?" She sighed gravely and straightened up against the speeder. "When do we leave? I want to get this over with quickly."

"That all depends on how long it takes to stop Kandran," Kael said. "Though, I do not anticipate it taking much longer. I can sense Masters Liam and Laedra coming this way."

"He's dangerous. Zale shouldn't have sent them to risk their lives, not for me."

"They're Jedi Knights," Kael said. "They can handle Dargus Kandran. There's no need to be worried about that."

"Arrogant bastards," she muttered. "I see where you get it from."

"Not arrogance," Kael corrected. "It's confidence in our abilities. The Force is a powerful ally, and a Jedi at peace is a formidable foe. Even against one trained as Kandran is, two Jedi should be more than a match for him."

"Powerful?" Kaysa laughed. "And I suppose that's why you were all but wiped out. Look, I don't know what they've been feeding you, but you can't rely on some invisible, intangible concept to help you in times of struggle. In life, you've gotta be your own ally and take control of your own life...like I did."

"The Jedi were betrayed, and that is what led to their fall," Kael said. "And, you are incorrect. The Force is very real, and it guides my actions. I can feel it binding me to you, and this speeder, and that couple over there, and Liam and Laedra as they exit the building." Sure enough, even though Kael wasn't looking, he was right about Liam and Laedra. "It is a powerful ally." Kael stretched out, and lifted one of the practice globes from where it rested between the two front seats. He let it hover in place, and then turned to Kaysa. "It's more than a concept, Kaysa Zenarr-Tregat."

"How--" Kaysa watched the globe in amazement as it sailed and settled gently where it had initially rested. She looked back to Kael and managed to keep her mouth from gaping. "Dargus...he did the same thing with my pistol. You're very dangerous people, you Jedi, especially if you give a monster like Dargus Kandran such power."

"We did not give him his power," Kael said. "He got that from another source, a source we're very interested in locating. We wish to stop Dargus before he goes any farther. We are guardians, protectors. We don't wish to hurt people."

"You wish to stop Dargus, I wished to stop Dargus today..." Kaysa shrugged and propped herself against the speeder. "Hopefully your friends had better luck."

Kael shook his head. "They didn't," he said solemnly. "But he will think twice before doing anything now. He knows there are more Jedi than there are of him."

"And that Kaysa Zenarr is still around to give him trouble," she added under her breath. "Can we go now?"

"I really don't think you concern him all that much," Kael said. "And, we'll leave in a moment or two."

He looked up as Liam and Laedra approached. "He jumped out through the window and onto the roof the building across the street," Liam said. He glanced to Laedra and indicated Kaysa. "Make sure she's alright."

Laedra moved forward and placed a hand upon Kaysa's shoulder, which she shoved away. "I'm fine. Now, please don't touch me."

Laedra cocked an eyebrow at Liam, then nodded her head. "As you wish, however I should advise you to have those scratches upon your neck looked at--"

"I said I was fine! I survived a damn vibrodagger to the gut and I'm pretty sure I can survive a few scratches."

"Very well." Laedra moved back to Liam's side and muttered an irritated comment to him.

Liam turned his attention to Kaysa. "Dargus Kandran escaped us today, but he won't for long. I strongly advise that you do not go after him again. He is trained in ways that you can never be, and he'll use them on you to the fullest extent of his abilities. You were lucky today, and you will live to see tomorrow and many more tomorrows if you do as I suggest. Your family is worried for your safety. We can take you there."

"As I've already explained to the boy over here, I can manage on my own," Kaysa said firmly.

"You haven't explained it to me yet," Liam said. "So, get in the speeder and you can explain on the way."

Kaysa glowered, then scoffed at him and threw open the hatch. "You may be handsome, blue eyes, but you're a jerk." She slipped heavily into the speeder and forcefully pulled the hatch closed.

"Delightful woman," Laedra commented dryly.

"I refuse to believe Dargus was doing us a favour," Liam said as he opened the hatch again. "Are you going to tell me where you live, or will I have to use other senses to find that?"

Kael glanced at Laedra, smiled, and then moved over to the other side of the speeder and climbed inside.

"Just drop me off at Zenarr Inc.," she replied sullenly. "And don't sit too close, boy," she snapped at Kael.

Once everyone was inside and settled, Liam nodded, and whipped the speeder out into traffic. Next to Kaysa, Kael closed his eyes and began meditating, focusing on the events of the last hour.

It was five minutes later when the speeder came to a stop, but it wasn't in front of Zenarr Inc. as Kaysa had requested. Instead, the Estri-Casren Tower stretched up into the sky above them. Liam popped open the hatch and climbed out.

"What the hell is this?!" Kaysa punched at the locking mechanism and kicked open the hatch before jumping out. "You bastard!" she shouted at Liam over the top of the speeder. "I don't wanna be here! You had no right!"

"I didn't just save your life to have you go throw it away again," Liam said calmly. "You would not return to your family if I took you to Zenarr Inc. You would sit there in the dark, stewing about the fact that you failed to kill Dargus Kandran. And, then you would hatch another insane plan that would fail again. I am bringing you to the people who love you and want you in their lives. Leave this fight to those of us who are equipped to handle it."

"Like I said," she hollered at him. "Arrogant bastard!" She pushed away from the speeder and stormed down the street, in the opposite direction of Zale's office complex.

Liam moved quickly after her. He grabbed her arm and pulled her around to face him. "Don't make me throw you over my shoulder and carry you up to Zale Tregat's office. Whether you come along nicely or not makes no difference to me, but I will be taking you up in that building."

Kaysa smirked at Liam. "You wouldn't dare, Jedi," she said smugly.

"Very well," Liam said, and then in a lightning-fast move, had Kaysa hoisted up over his shoulder. He settled her into place, and then started back toward the building.

"Wha-- What are you doing?" Kaysa looked around helplessly, then began squirming and pushing at the arm slung around her waist to squeeze herself out of his hold. "Let me down! You are not really gonna carry me all that way, are you? Come on!"

"Are you going to go up there if I put you down?" Liam asked.

Kaysa laughed shrewdly. "No. I thought I made that quite clear before."

Liam nodded. "Then, yes, I am going to carry you all that way," he said.

"Fine," she said stubbornly. "But don't expect this to be pleasant for you." She folded her arms over Liam's back, and with a quiet giggle, she kneed him in the chest.

Liam ignored Kaysa's knees as Laedra and Kael caught up with him on the steps up to the tall building. He made sure to lurch up the steps so each one sent Kaysa bouncing uncomfortably on his shoulder.

"Should we just put her on a lift and wait to make certain she doesn't come back down?" Laedra asked.

"No," Liam said. "She'll hide in a maintenance closet or something else. We'll deliver her straight into Zale Tregat's office. Then we can return home."

Laedra sighed and moved past Liam to hold the doors open for him. As they passed, Kaysa planted a perfectly aimed kick to Laedra's shoulder. She glared at Kaysa and although she attempted to remain composed, doing so was proving daunting.

"You were the one at the party," Kaysa said to Liam as they neared the lifts. "You saved Zale's life, didn't you?"

"I did," Liam said. "I only wish I'd gotten to him sooner, to stop him before he got too close to Kandran. But, yes, I'm the one who was there to save him."

"Well...thanks for that," Kaysa said uncomfortably. Her knees finally stopped jabbing into Liam's chest and she dangled motionlessly over his arm. "I do love him, you know. It was a good thing you were there that night."

"I know," Liam said. "And, a good thing we were today." As she stopped fighting, Liam gently eased Kaysa back down to the floor.

Kaysa smiled curiously at Liam and watched him sidelong as they walked abreast towards the lift. "You trust me not to run away?"

"If you run, I can catch you," Liam said. "And, I do think, despite your fears, you want to see Zale."

"Of course I do," she asserted quietly. "I miss him...all of them. But...I electrocuted him and broke his...hand." She threw up her hands and sighed sharply. "The problem is, I don't think he wants to see me again."

"He wouldn't have asked us to save you if he never wanted to see you again," Liam said. "Are you a betting woman?"

Kaysa chuckled softly and shrugged. "Sometimes. Why do you ask, blue eyes?"

"Would you be willing to wager against Zale Tregat rushing forward and putting you into a very big hug? One-armed of course, but big nevertheless."

"One-armed?" Kaysa looked in consternation at the ground as they stopped at the doors of the lift. "First he'd chew me out. But I don't see a hug." She turned to face Liam then thrust her hand out towards him. "Will fifty creds do?"

Liam placed his hand into Kaysa's and nodded. "Fifty credits," he said, and then gestured toward the elevator with his other hand.

She smiled sweetly at him and stepped into the lift. Laedra had been giving Liam privacy with Kaysa, but now she caught up to him. "Do you wish us to accompany you, Liam? Kael and I can remain here if you wish."

Liam glanced at Kaysa, then back to Laedra. "Why don't the two of you wait here," he said. "I won't be long."

"Alright...we will." Laedra smiled tightly and bowed to Liam, then quickly straightened up and moved back to Kael's side.

"110th floor, blue eyes," Kaysa called out to Liam. "And be prepared to pay up."

"We'll see," Laim said with a smile, and pressed the button for the correct floor. "See you soon," he mouthed to Laedra before the doors closed and they rocketed upwards. "You do have fifty credits on you, don't you? Just in case."

"Oh yeah," Kaysa lied. She patted her left breast and added, "Right in here. Bras are handy articles of clothing. You can stick all sorts of things in 'em...like creds, or breasts...hands, even." Kaysa grinned at Liam.

Liam returned the smile. "My wife tells me the same thing," he said. "Though, these days I have to fight with my infant son over the land rights for mommy's breasts."

Kaysa feigned a look of disappointment at the fact that he was married, but she was soon laughing at his comment. "You have a child? Congratulations. I...I have one too," she said, her expression becoming solemn. "He hates me...just like everyone else nowadays. But I don't blame him or any of them. I just...can't seem to keep things together."

"Perhaps it's because you're trying too hard to keep things together," Liam said. "Life does not like to be micromanaged. And Va'Lesh is just under a month old now. And, I'm sure that I could become quite rich off of you if I wanted. I seriously doubt you're as hated as you believe you are."

"Well...just because you're a Jedi doesn't mean you're right about everything," Kaysa said cryptically. "Like that woman you were at the party with. Do you trust her?"

"I do," Liam said. "She helped out Yelara and I when we were in a tight spot, and we helped her out by giving her the means to destroy Kandran. Unfortunately, he managed to escape the inferno her pilots made of his pleasure ship."

"Interesting," Kaysa drawled. "I mean, you guys had him and somehow he escapes death? Perhaps you don't know her very well, blue eyes."

"So, you think Oot Kovan is working for Dargus Kandran," Liam said, figuring where she was leading. "And, where did your lead come from on this?"

Kaysa thought about it for a time, then laughed and rolled her eyes. "Okay...so my source wasn't exactly very reliable... But she is a crimelord. Those types can't be trusted."

"A crimelord," Liam said. "Like Zale Tregat. She has played straight with me since I met her. She was hurt by a man similar to Kandran a number of years ago, and has been holding a grudge against his kind since then. I have never sensed any deceit from her."

"Well... Just be careful, blue eyes. You're now the offical Tregat family protector. Can't have anything happening to you." Kaysa smiled at Liam, but it melted quickly at the sound of the chime that signalled the designated floor had been reached. "Oh gods..." she whispered. "What do I say? What do I...do?"

Liam put a hand on Kaysa's shoulder. "It will be alright," he said. "Just do whatever feels right when you get in there. Your heart will lead you down the right path."

"If only my feet would follow."

---

"Parallel Development, Part 2"
By: Zale Tregat
Kaysa Zenarr-Tregat
Liam Zaneth
Laedra Vorrel
Kael Selrid
Maeren "Shiv" Shivral
Keeve Zenarr [NPC]
Deez and Aron [NPCs]

Location: Yesdol, New Plouton
Date: Niothe 14, 4 ABY

***

The lift halted and soon the doors parted for them. She glanced nervously at Liam and reached up to squeezed the hand upon her shoulder. "I hope you win your fifty creds, blue eyes," she said softly.

"That makes two of us," Liam said softly. "Now let's go visit Zale and see how much he loves you." With his hand still on her shoulder, he took a step out of the elevator, urging her as he did.

That part wasn't difficult, but as they neared the door to his office, she felt her gait faltering and her fear rising in her throat and choking her much as Dargus had. She saw Deez and Aron watching her, but she couldn't gauge through their fixed smiles what the emotions were inside the room they were guarding. "Hi...boys," she managed shakily.

"Hi, Kaysa," Deez said, and glanced to his partner. "Uh, Zale's inside." He swallowed hard, looked at Aron again, and then nodded. "You can, uh, go on inside."

Aron's brow furrowed as he glanced at Deez, and then nodded. "Yeah."

Kaysa was hit with a wall of tension emanating from them and was not sure she wanted to enter that room and see what they were so nervous about. But she continued forward and stopped before Zale's door. "You go first," she said to Liam as she scurried behind him. "Just in case he's got a blaster aimed and ready to shoot at the first person who comes through that door."

Liam gestured toward the closed doors and they swung open at his silent command. Inside, Zale Tregat sat at his desk with the chair turned to face out through one of the windows overlooking the city. He didn't turn at the sound, just continued to stare.

Kaysa poked her head past Liam's arm and watched Zale in silence. She wondered if he'd even heard them come in, or if he was too disgusted to turn around and look at her. She looked up at Liam with a imploring gaze. "Please say something," she whispered to him.

Liam took a couple steps forward. "Zale Tregat," he said. "I'm glad to see that you are well, all things considered. I have found someone whom I think you would like to see."

Zale started as if out of a dream, and turned to look at Liam in the doorway. "Kaysa?" he asked. "You...you found Kaysa?" He started up, and walked on unsteady legs to the end of his desk. "Please tell me you found her in time."

Liam nodded once, and then stepped aside, giving Zale a clear view of Kaysa standing behind him.

Zale's eyes widened, and then he rushed forward. "Oh gods, you're alive," he cried out as he pulled her into an embrace with his one good arm. "Oh gods, you're safe."

Kaysa's breath left her in a gush from the strength of Zale's embrace. The sudden release expelled her fear and anxieties, for instead of the angry lecture she expected from him, he was holding her in his arms with her feet clear off the ground, and almost weeping upon her shoulder. She took in shuddering gasps as the tears began for her, and brought her arms up around him to grip the back of his shirt with trembling hands. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I couldn't kill him. I'm sorry."

"I don't care," Zale said softly. "I don't care, as long as you're back to me safe. As long as you're in my arms again, that's all I care about Kaysa. That's all that matters."

"Arm," she corrected with a gentle, tearful laugh.

Zale laughed and glanced down at the other arm hanging useless at his side. "Well, I expect you to pay fully for that," he said, and then glanced at Liam, and added: "But, we can talk about that later."

She looked up at Zale and saw the strain around his eyes in the form of dark bags and streaks of red crawling along the whites. Seeing the physical signs of his distress and concern, she realized she had much to make up for. "My love, do me a favour?"

"Anything," Zale said as he gazed down into her eyes.

Kaysa smiled as she looked back at Liam. "Give blue eyes over here fifty creds for me, will ya?"

"Fifty--?"

Liam smiled. "Kaysa and I made a bet. She thought you were going to rip off her head and throw her out the window. I thought you would pull her into your arms...arm, and let her know that everything's alright."

Zale laughed, and pulled out fifty credits and handed them to Liam. "That's coming out of your allowance, young lady," he said to Kaysa.

"Sexist jerk," she teased. Kaysa smiled back at Liam and nodded her gratitude to him. "Tell Kael and your lady friend that I'm grateful for their help. And you. Thanks, blue eyes."

"You are both very welcome," Liam said with a bow. "I am Liam Zaneth, and if you ever need me again, you can contact me through Oot." He glanced between them. "May the Force be with you both." And, then he turned and started toward the turbolift.

"Nice fellow," Kaysa said to Zale. "And just as stubborn as you are."

"I knew there was a reason I liked him," Zale said with a smile. "So, you're alright? I'm so relieved they found you in time. Oh gods, Kaysa. Don't ever do anything like that to me again, to any of us."

Kaysa slipped down from Zale's hold and planted her feet upon the ground. "I won't," she said softly as she lay her head upon his chest. "I don't know what got into me, Zale. I was just so...mad with hatred towards him that I wanted him dead. I know I wasn't thinking too clearly in that time...but it all seemed logical and right."

"Anything which has you dead as the end result is definitely not right," Zale said softly. "I don't know if Shiv's stopped crying since she got your message. We'll see him dead, but getting killed in the process shouldn't be part of the plan."

Kaysa pulled away and sighed sharply. "I didn't know what else to do, Zale! He was going to take everything away from us and I had to stop him. But he's got these powers..." She closed her eyes and absently rubbed her throat. "He can kill with a thought... How can we fight something like that?"

"We don't," Zale said. "The Jedi do. And, from now on, when you come up with a plan, run it by me first. We work better together than alone and in secret. Deal?"

She smiled wanly and grudgingly nodded her head. "I only went behind your back because I knew you'd try and stop me, just as you did." His limp arm resting helplessly at his side made her wince. She took his hand and raised it to her lips to kiss it, then nestled her cheek against his palm. "Sorry I shot you and broke your hand. But if it makes you feel any better, I think I broke Merrick too."

"We'll have to put him back together again," Zale said with a smile. "And, next time you think about going behind my back, remember that I can come up with plans too. I don't know if there's anything we can do against Dargus with his powers, but let's work together next time. If we divide our strengths, then that makes beating us that much easier."

"But I beat you." Kaysa grinned and gently placed his useless arm back at his side. She sighed softly, then slipped her arms around his waist. "Though, I do like working with you better. I felt so alone, Zale, although I made myself that way by distancing you all. But things haven't felt right since I woke up in that hospital bed. I was just trying to make them right."

"I still stopped you before you could go through with that insane plan you had," Zale said. "So I think I beat you. Now, no more distancing, no more feeling not right. We're going to fix everything now, and damn Dargus Kandran to all the hells."

Kaysa laughed and gazed at Zale as she reached up and kissed him lightly. "I have a lot to make up for. I have to see Shiv and tell her to stop crying, and I have to get Merrick back so he can apologize for throwing you onto a table." She brought her hand to his chest and moved her lips to his throat. "And I have to make it up to you for lying and scaring you. I think I'll enjoy doing that."

"Oh if it's anything like what you're doing right now," Zale said with a contented sigh, "I think I will too. So, Shiv first? Or me?"

She glanced up at Zale leeringly and with a subtle smile. Her eyes then looked past him to his desk across the room, and back again. "I'm here now. Husband, dear, show me how much you missed me."

Zale took Kaysa's hand with his good hand and pulled her toward the desk. "I think you remember my desk," he said. "I think we should get reacquainted on my desk, don't you?" He let go of her hand, and then swept everything that was atop his desk down onto the floor. "Much better," he said. "Now...I think you should be on top."

Kaysa raised her eyebrows at Zale and rested her hands upon her hips. "Miss me much?" She laughed and jumped into his arms, tackling him onto the desk. "Is this okay, my love?"

"It's pretty close," Zale said with a laugh. "Though, I think it'd be better if you were to sensuously remove our clothing, and then have your wicked way with me while I make you scream."

"You know...I think that can be arranged, although I doubt Deez and Aron would appreciate the primal cries of passion."

"I pay Deez and Aron to stand outside that door and guard this place whether there are primal cries or not," Zale said. "So, they'll just have to deal with it."

"Though with how nervous they were before, I imagine hearing that will certainly break the tension," Kaysa replied as she sat up and began pushing away Zale's shirt. "They worry about you," she said softly. "So when they hear you start crying out ecstatically, they'll know not to be so concerned anymore."

"Good thinking," Zale said with a smile. "Now, it's time for you to say you're sorry about what you did to my hand."

It wasn't long before out in the other room, both Deez and Aron were sharing smirks while at his desk Moril was nearly falling off his chair trying to contain his laughter.

"Welcome back, boss," Deez said with a grin.

***

"Let's go ahead and go home," Liam said as he reached where Laedra and Kael waited for him at the speeder. "I think they're going to be fine."

Laedra sighed and pulled open the passenger's side hatch. "That's a relief. I certainly do not want to be forced to rescue her again from the clutches of Dargus Kandran."

Liam sighed as well and shook his head as he let Kael climb into the back of the speeder. "I know what you mean," he said. "I just hope she's smart enough to realize that she's way out of her league with him. Hopefully she learned something today, and Zale Tregat will keep her from doing anything monumentally stupid."

"He didn't the first time," she reminded him. "But perhaps he'll keep her on a tighter leash this time. She is quite a handful, isn't she?"

"And, then some," Liam said as he climbed into the speeder. "She will definitely need to be watched. I really hope she leaves this fight to us. We can't afford to be rushing in to save the day whenever she starts thinking she's either invincible or willing to die to take out Kandran. Both aren't going to happen."

"I'm surprised she survived at all. I only wonder why Dargus kept her alive so long."

"He was probably playing with her," Liam said. "I think before he killed her, he wanted her to know exactly what sort of mistake she'd made."

Laedra was suddenly chilled and pulled her robes tighter around herself. "Barbarian," she whispered. "I believe one of our main duties from now on should be trying to keep track of him and his activities. We might even consider using our friend Raxis and his colleagues to aid us since we cannot be in the city as frequently as we'd like."

"I agree," Liam said. "With his organization's help, I'm certain our chances of tracking down and stopping Raxis go up considerably. Perhaps we should contact him and get his Red Dragons involved right away."

"I agree. We shall contact him when we return to the Temple, and perhaps tomorrow, you and I, and our young Padawan," she said as she glanced back at Kael, "can come back to the city for a meeting with them."

"And, he'll be able to start looking for Dargus immediately," Liam said. "That's good. With the power he has, we can't afford to let him run loose for too long. He has to be stopped and quickly." He pulled off the main road, and started down the road that would lead them out of the city and into the forest.

"He's stronger than I ever imagined, Liam. I think another of our goals should be to uncover who's been training him. And judging from how powerful Dargus is, his Master must be even stronger."

Liam nodded. "We'll need to have a meeting to tell the others," he said. "With the Sith returned again, we'll need every Jedi we can to combat and stop them. We can't let them finish whatever plans they have concocted. There aren't enough of us to face the Sith yet."

Once again, Laedra looked upon Kael sitting in the rear of the speeder with his eyes closed while in deep meditation. Seeing such dedication and poise in a mere Padawan inspired hope and confidence in her. If there weren't enough Jedi now, with Padawans like Kael and Aurra Sgall, she knew there soon would be. "We can do it," she said quietly as the speeder broke into the forest. "Liam Zaneth, I know we can do it."

"So do I," Liam said with a slight smile. "The Force is definitely with us..."

***

Shiv lay sprawled out on her bed, an arm thrown over her eyes as she tried to avoid everything. How could Kaysa do this to them? Why would she even consider such a thing? She felt another sob building deep in her chest, but she tried to fight it down. With a heavy sigh, she sat up and looked out the open door to her room. Merrick was gone; Zale was off somewhere else probably planning revenge. How was she even going to make it now by herself? How could she take care of Keeve with everyone gone?

"Auntie Shiv?" Keeve called gently from the doorway. "Auntie...I'm hungry and...well...I tried to make myself something and... I think the kitchen's on fire."

It took a moment to register, but then Shiv sprang off the bed. "Oh gods," she said as she rushed out and toward the kitchen. In her mind, she saw fire boiling out of the kitchen, preceded by thick clouds of smoke. And, then they'd have nowhere to live. Maybe she and Keeve could go live on the street, begging for credits. She got into the living room and sprinted toward the kitchen door.

"It wasn't my fault!" Keeve shouted as he scampered behind Shiv. "I turned on the range and I was waiting for it to get all hot so I started swinging the cloth around for fun and... It slipped out of my hand!"

Shiv pushed through the door and stopped suddenly. "Oh gods," she muttered again when she saw the flames licking up from the range. She quickly grabbed the fire suppressant from next to the door, and rushed forward. She pointed the nozzle at the ball of flaming and opened the spout. A thick cloud of white vapour whooshed out and smothered the flames, covering half the kitchen in the white substance. Another flame licked up, and Shiv hit it again. She looked around for more flames and found none. She dropped the cannister to the ground, and turned back toward the door. "It's okay now," she said to Keeve who was peeking through the door. "But, we won't want to make food in here until we clean it up."

"I'm sorry, Auntie," he said, looking down sadly. "I saw that you were all unhappy and crying... I didn't want to bother you, so I did it myself."

"It's alright, sweetie," Shiv said with a gentle smile. "It looks like everything is mostly okay. That just means we'll have to go out for dinner tonight. How does that sound?"

"You mean it?" Keeve's face lit up and he immediately rushed into Shiv's arms. "I'll make it all better, Auntie. I'll make you laugh and we'll have so much fun, you won't miss Kaysa anymore."

"Thank you, sweetie," Shiv said knowing that nothing that anyone could do would ever make her not miss Kaysa. "I think we're going to have to move to a smaller apartment though, Keeve. I can't afford this place, and I don't know if Zale and Merrick are going to be around much anymore. I make some money with my art, so we'll have to live off of that."

"I don't mind, Auntie. I don't care where we live, as long as I'm with you." He looked up at Shiv and being as perceptive as he was, it was obvious she was exhausted and haggard from crying. "Come on, Auntie," he said as he took her hand. "Back to bed for you."

Shiv let Keeve lead her out of the kitchen and toward her room. When they were halfway across the room, the sound of the door opening stopped them both. The door slid open, and they both saw Zale standing there. His eyes twinkled with delight, and then he stepped out of the way revealing Kaysa standing there.

Shiv let out a squeal of delight and rushed forward. "Kaysa," she screamed. "Oh gods, Kaysa. You're alright!"

Kaysa grunted and stumbled backwards as Shiv slammed into her with an overzealous embrace. "Actually, I think I may have a few broken bones." She laughed softly and held Shiv tightly despite the pain. "I'm alright, Shiv. I'm here and I'm alive. It's okay now."

"It's alright," Shiv cooed. "Everything's alright now. And, we don't have to move. And, I won't have to beg on the street with Keeve. And, everything's alright now." Shiv took a step back, looked Kaysa over, and then hugged her once more. "Oh gods, Kaysa, I love you so much."

"Still?" Kaysa stroked her hair soothingly and laughed softly. "Even after every stupid thing I've done and will do? But you have to know, Shiv, that I thought I was doing what was best for you all. You have to know that. You have to know that I would've died for you, to make you happy."

"You dying would never make me happy," Shiv said with a frown. "How could you even think that by dying I could be happy? If you were to die, I'd die too."

"No," Kaysa said sharply. She pulled back and stared Shiv firmly in the eye. "You still had Zale, and Keeve, and Merrick. Even without me, you would have eventually realized that with Dargus gone, you could have been happier."

Shiv shook her head. "Then by that same logic, I should have turned myself over to Dargus as his sex slave, and then he would have left the rest of you alone. You would all be free to be happy together, and my sacrifice would be worth it for you."

"What are you talking about?" Kaysa shouted. "How would that have made any of us happy? Dargus would still be alive and even worse, you'd be with him! That was what I was trying to protect you all from. That was what my sacrifice was going to be for."

"And, if Dargus had me with him, he wouldn't be after you for the spaceport or anything," Shiv said. "You'd be able to live peacefully without worrying about him hurting you. And, if I sacrificed myself like that, and you were safe from him...would you have been happy?"

"No!" Kaysa gripped Shiv's arms. "How could you even think that? How could you be so stupid!?" It suddenly dawned on her what Shiv was getting at, and it also made her realize how clever her little nymph truly was. "I wasn't thinking too clearly...was I?" she asked softly.

Shiv giggled and sank into Kaysa's arms. "No you weren't," she said. "But, I think I'll have to help you think more clearly now." She gave a big kiss to Kaysa and then sighed happily. Then, she glanced back at Keeve, and sighed at him. "Come say hi to your mommy."

Keeve smiled sourly and took one step forward. "Hello, Kaysa. We thought you were dead."

Kaysa laughed. "Well...I almost was. But Zale sent some people to save me from the bad man."

Keeve looked at Zale almost resentfully, then smirked. "That's nice. So, you're gonna be living here again?"

"That's up to Auntie Shiv. I mean...I think I've done something inexcusable, something for which she has the right to throw me out and never see me again." Kaysa winked at Shiv and kissed her. "So...do I still get to share your bed?"

"You know I've never been able to refuse you," Shiv said with a sly smile. "Of course you do. But, we're going to have to get the kitchen cleaned...not that that has anything to do with sleeping in my bed. But, we had a little problem in there. But, it's all okay. I think."

Kaysa peeked into the kitchen, and saw the range partially submerged in white foam. "We'll...eat out or order in."

---

"Parallel Development, Part 3"
By: Kaysa Zenarr-Tregat
Zale Tregat
Maeren "Shiv" Shivral
Keeve Zenarr [NPC]

Location: Yesdol, New Plouton
Date: Niothe 14, 4 ABY

***

Kaysa slipped her arm around Shiv's waist and led her into the living area. Keeve was following close behind, grinning up at Zale impishly. "Shiv," Kaysa began quietly, "have you spoken to Merrick?"

Shiv shook her head sadly. "He didn't come home last night, and I haven't heard anything from him. I think he's probably at the club though. What happened?"

Kaysa chewed her lip and shook her head gravely. "Shiv...I think I pushed him away for good. I didn't know... I didn't think he'd react the way he did."

"He's not gone for good," Shiv said. "You have to go talk to him, Kaysa. You have to. You have to tell him everything, and get him back. Oh, please go talk to him."

"Shiv...I don't think he wants to come back." Kaysa settled onto the sofa with Shiv. "He thinks he's superfluous and it seems the only way to make him think otherwise is if I take both him and Zale to bed. I don't understand that!"

"You have to go to him," Shiv said, more forcefully this time. "If you love him, if you want him in your life, you have to go and make him understand. Please, Kaysa. Please?"

"Shiv..." Kaysa sighed and stroked Shiv's hand lightly. "I'm afraid. If I go there and he doesn't come back...I'm afraid of how much it'll hurt."

"I'll come with you," Shiv said. "We'll go together, and we'll make sure he doesn't reject us. We can't just let him go. We can't do that to him. He's part of our family, and we can't just let him walk away without a fight."

"I won't," Kaysa said after a long pause. "For your sake alone, my love, I won't let him walk out on us. But I think I should go alone. I know I could use your support, but I need to make him believe that I still want him around, that I need him. I have to make him see that."

"Okay," Shiv said with a smile. "You'll make him see, Kaysa. And, I'll watch out for Keeve and Zale for you while you're gone. You never know what kind of trouble they can get into."

"While you're at it, try and get him to have his hand looked at," Kaysa said with an exasperated sigh. "I've been begging him the entire way over here to stop by a hospital, but the stubborn fool keeps refusing."

"I just want to make sure you get everything taken care of first," Zale said. "I'll have it fixed. I'll head in there as soon as--"

"Oh shut up, you braidy-haired oaf," Shiv said with a grin. "Me, you, and Keeve are gonna go to the hospital, and we're gonna get you all better."

Zale rolled his eyes. "Oh, alright."

Kaysa was stunned and quite impressed, but even more so, she was irritated. "Why don't you submit that easily to me, Zale?"

"Because you never give me that look she gives me," he said. "And, you know you can't resist that look either."

Kaysa pouted and stubbornly sank back against the sofa. "It's true. And besides, I have other ways of convincing you if it comes to that," she said with a slow grin.

Zale couldn't help grinning. "Oh, I like those ways," he said. "Those are very...nice ways. Maybe you can find something you want to convince me of tonight."

"If I have any luck with Merrick, it'll be convincing you to let him join us in...the convincing."

Zale grinned. "Well, you can try convincing me when you have your luck with him," he said. "Just wait. It'll happen."

Shiv giggled. "Oh, Keeve, I really should cover your ears for this part."

"It's okay, Auntie Shiv. I'm a grown up," Keeve said proudly. "I know all about convincing. I'm very good at it."

Shiv looked down at Keeve and then grinned when she realized that the boy had no idea what Kaysa and Zale were really talking about. "Okay, sweetie," she said. "Then everything's fine."

"Not yet," Kaysa said softly. "After I get Merrick back, it will be. Although, when I do, I think you and he need to have a chat of your own, Zale."

"I know," Zale said with a laugh. "I need to find out where he learned that move. You always told me he was a wuss in a fight."

"He is!" Kaysa exclaimed. "I had no idea he could do something like that." She laughed almost nervously as she rose from the couch. "I only hope he doesn't hate me enough to throw me through a glass table."

Zale struck a pensive pose, and then frowned. "Well, maybe the owner, that Chrik guy, will protect you from him. If you need protection, of course."

"Chrik?" Kaysa laughed abruptly and shook her head. "He'd be more worried about Merrick ruining his precious instrument playing hands than me. But I should be fine, Zale. Merrick's--" A sudden recollection of Merrick's rocky past and the girlfriend he murdered shook Kaysa momentarily, but it wasn't something she could bring up to Zale or Shiv, so she crammed it into the back of her mind and resumed smiling. "I'll bring him back to us. I promise."

Shiv threw her arms around Kaysa and let out a laugh. "I know you will," she said. "You'll bring him back, and everything will be perfect again. And, we'll make it even better. All of us together. We'll make it perfect."

Kaysa returned Shiv's embrace and kissed her tenderly. "And if I ever get any crazy urges again, you have permission to tie me up or lock me in a room somewhere...although I think I like the tying up idea best."

"You do," Shiv said with a salacious smile. She leaned close and pressed her lips to Kaysa's ear. "I think I can help you with that. And, if you ever wanna...." She grinned again, and then returned her lips to Kaysa's.

Keeve was perplexed and confused by the scene before him. He couldn't bring himself to understand why Shiv kissed Kaysa the way she kissed Merrick. It was strange to him, but the more he witnessed such acts of intimacy, the more jealous of Kaysa he became. "Auntie Shiv, I'm hungry," he whined. Anything to draw her attention away from Kaysa. "Can we go eat now?"

Shiv gave Kaysa an apologetic look. "We should go grab a bite to eat," she said. "He hasn't eaten anything in awhile, which is why the kitchen almost burned down. We'll have to spend some time together later, Kaysa." She slipped her hand across Kaysa's belly and suddenly had the desire to do so much more, but she restrained herself.

"Oh, my girl," Kaysa purred. She covered Shiv's hand with her own and reassured her with a smile. "We will have plenty of time later. I have all those tears to make up for."

"Now they'll be happy tears," Shiv said with a grin, and then kissed Kaysa once more. "I better take Keeve before he decides to make someone's leg his dinner. I'll see you later, Kaysa."

Grudgingly, Kaysa pulled away from Shiv. She touched her hand to Shiv's cheek, and with her eyes, silently reassured her that Merrick would be coming home with her. Kaysa kissed her forehead, then moved towards Zale with her hand held out towards him, palm-upturned. "I need a little advance in my allowance, Zale. Hovercabs don't come cheap nowadays."

Zale laughed, and then reached into a pocket and pulled out more than Kaysa would need for a hovercab. "Here you go," he said. "Now, bring him back. And, don't hesitate to use every trick you know to get him here."

Kaysa deposited the credits within her bra and grinned. "Oh, I will, dear husband." She kissed Zale slowly then pulled away and backed towards the door. "Be good, kids. Mama will be home soon."

Shiv nudged Keeve. "Say bye, and be nice."

Keeve grumbled quietly, but finally assented and waved to Kaysa. "Bye, Kaysa. Have a nice time with Mor-- Merrick."

Kaysa grinned at Keeve and blew him a kiss, which he sneered at. His reaction made Kaysa laugh and with a wave to them all, she slipped out of the apartment.

"She's crazy," Keeve commented.

"And you're a mean little brat," Shiv said with a frown. "Let's go get some food, and then take Zale to the hospital."

"Ok!" Keeve said brightly. He took Shiv's hand and pulled her along beside him. "Zaletregat," he said as he passed him. "You're paying."

Shiv pulled her hand from Keeve's grip and then folded her arms across her chest. "I'm paying," she said. "I have some money, so I'll get dinner."

Keeve frowned unhappily and seeing as Shiv's hands were out of reach, he wrapped one arm around her thigh. "Then Zaletregat can buy us all frazzies."

Shiv reached down and pulled Keeve's arm off her leg. "We're not having frazzies until you learn to be a good boy," she said. "We've talked about this so many times Keeve, but you're always mean to the people I love."

"I wasn't mean!" he hollered at her. "I just didn't like that kissy thing she did." He stomped his feet and shrieked petulantly. "Fine! I don't want any frazzies anyway, and you know what? I tried to burn down the kitchen on purpose!"

Shiv grabbed Keeve by the arm, and spun him around to fire six hard spanks into his bottom. She ignored his yelping cries, and then marched him toward his room. "You're staying in your room for the rest of the night!"

"Then I'll burn that down too!" He dragged his feet along the ground to make it more laborious for Shiv to pull him along, then to make things even harder, he went limp and lay upon the ground.

With a groan, Shiv reached down and hauled Keeve up, holding him upside down. She stormed the rest of the way into his room, then dropped him inside the door, and pushed the button to close and seal the door.

An intermittent, rhythmic thumping sound on the door came from within the room, then plaintive cries of "I'm hungry" and "Auntie Shiv's trying to kill me." Then silence.

"Psychotic little brat," Shiv said, and then turned back toward the main room. "That child will be lucky if he ever sees his next birthday. He's a terror, and if he doesn't get his own way, he throws a tantrum."

Zale shrugged. "Kaysa's parents don't know how to raise a child. Just look at some of Kaysa's more endearing traits." He shook his head. "I think once he's been spanked enough, some sense will be knocked into him. Just give it time."

"Time? A large, durasteel paddle is what I'm thinking I should give him."

Zale laughed. "That could work too."

"I'll go get us something to eat since we can't go out now," she said. After a few moments of figuring out what they wanted to eat, she headed out of the apartment to find a restaurant that would sell them the food they were hungry for.

"Auntie Shiv!" The familiar, puerile voice echoed through the streets, and again, it called out to Shiv. "Auntie! Look at me!"

Shiv turned and looked around. After the third call, she finally decided to look up, and gasped. "Keeve Zenarr," she shouted, "get back inside! Get off that ledge, and get inside right now!"

"No! I'm hungry and since my door's locked, I decided to find another way to get food." He giggled as he slid further out along the ledge, gripping the tiny grooves in the bricks for support. "I think I'll fly to the store and get us some frazzies, Auntie!"

"Gods, no! Keeve get back inside!! Please, Keeve, just get inside, and....just go!"

Keeve released one hand and waved at Shiv. "I can fly, Auntie! I'm a superhero, remember?" He shuffled along the ledge, still waving at Shiv as the wind howled past him. He would have been afraid if he weren't so preoccupied with impressing Shiv with his feat. Dust and rubble began drifting down from the ledge and scattered in the strong breeze as Keeve moved.

"No!! Oh gods, Keeve! Don't! Get back inside. Please, sweetie, just go back inside. Don't move out anymore! Just go inside!"

"Auntie, stop worrying!" he shouted down at her. "I'm doing good. Aren't you--" Keeve's voice reverberated off the surrounding buildings as a portion of the ledge crumbled beneath his right foot and he cried out. His leg slipped through the small opening and his fingers clawed at the bricks to regain his hold and pull himself back up. "Auntie!" He screamed as he slipped off the ledge and began plummeting.

Before he could get far, a strong hand flashed out of the window and latched onto Keeve's wrist. Zale Tregat surged forward, making sure to brace himself against the window sill. Keeve's weight tugged at him, but his strength was more than enough to handle the boy's weight. "Gotcha," he said, and then started hoisting Keeve back upward. "Just a bit of advice...not all superheroes can fly."

Keeve closed his eyes tightly and clawed at Zale's arm to pull himself up. He finally felt the shift in temperature as he was pulled into his bedroom, then encircled Zale's neck with his arms and squeezed.

"You're safe now, kid," Zale said. "You're not falling anymore. You alright? Did you get hurt out there?" He looked Keeve over as much as he could with Keeve clinging to him. "You're safe, Keeve."

He whimpered and buried his face into Zale's chest. "I--" Keeve's voice got lost in a sob as the situation hit him fully. He didn't think he'd ever try to fly again.

"It's alright now," Zale said, rocking the boy gently. "It's all okay now. You're safe, Keeve. You're safe inside now, and you don't have to worry about anything anymore." He rocked Keeve a little more, hoping the motion would calm him.

Keeve brought his legs around Zale's waist, and the added sense of support it provided him finally quelled his fears. "Zaletregat?" he asked with a whimper.

"Yes, Keeve," Zale asked.

"Am I dead?" he sobbed.

"You're not dead," Zale said with a smile. "You almost fell, but I caught you. You're safe inside the apartment now."

"Oh, good," he said as he looked up at Zale. "Because I didn't want to die on an empty stomach."

"That's good," Zale said with a laugh. "I can't think of anything worse in life."

"Keeve? Keeve!?" came Shiv's voice from out in the other room.

"Auntie!" Keeve unwrapped his legs from Zale's waist with the intention of running to Shiv, but the moment he did, he was hit with a wave of insecurity and clung to Zale even tighter. "I-I'm here, Auntie, with my hero, Zaletregat."

The sound of Shiv's bare feet rushing toward the room filled the apartment as Zale squatted down to let Keeve rush to Shiv if he wanted.

Keeve trembled and hesitantly unravelled his legs from Zale. Once his feet touched the ground and he felt certain it wouldn't crumble away beneath him, he wailed and ran for Shiv. He met her at the doorway to his room and threw himself into her arms.

"Oh gods, Keeve," Shiv cried, as she pulled him in as close as she could get him. "Oh, you had me so scared, sweetie. I thought that I'd lost you there. Oh gods, I'm so glad you're alright. I don't know what I would have done if-- Oh gods, sweetie...oh, my sweet little boy."

"So, you still love me, Auntie Shiv?" he asked almost trepidly. "I thought you were mad at me before."

"I was mad at you, sweetie," Shiv said. "But, I never stopped loving you. Oh gods, Keeve. I'm so glad you're alright. You had me so scared! Don't ever scare me like that again."

"I didn't mean to, Auntie. I only wanted to fly." He made a small squeaking sound as he tightened his hold on Shiv and buried his face into her hair. "I'm sorry, Auntie. I didn't even know I was doing it until I was up there."

"No more trying to fly," Shiv said softly. "Not without a starship or a hoverboard. Oh gods, sweetie. I almost died when I saw you falling. But, I'm so glad you're safe. I think we should all go get some food now, and then go get Zale's arm fixed. And, Keeve is going to be a very good boy from now on. Right?"

For the first time, even counting all those moments he promised Shiv he'd try and behave, Keeve looked up at her and gave a determined nod. "Auntie Shiv, I will be the best boy on this planet," he said with genuine resolve. "I'm going to obey you and Zale and Kaysa, and I'm going to be nice to Merrick. Don't get mad at me if I'm still bad sometimes, because I just can't help it. But I know I want to try because I don't want to die, Auntie." His lips trembled and his tiny face scrunched up as he sobbed again. "I want to have my birthday so I can marry you," he wailed. "I want to be a good boy!"

Shiv kissed the top of Keeve's head, then his forehead, and then his lips, all while giving him a very big hug. "It makes me so happy to hear you say that," she said. "If you're really, really good, it'll make me love you that much more, and make me want to marry you that much more." She looked into his eyes and smiled. "It's all gonna be okay now."

Keeve's lips trembled as he tried to smile for Shiv, but he broke into fresh tears and lay his head upon her shoulder. "I'm confused, Auntie," he said amidst a choked sob. "I'm crying...but I don't feel sad. I don't miss my mommy and daddy so much anymore...and I'm starting to like it here. Am I crying because I'm happy?"

"That happens, Keeve," she said. "Sometimes you're just so happy, that you start crying. It's okay though. Crying like that is a good thing. And, when you're sad, crying isn't a bad thing either. It's just a way of expressing your emotions. And, I think you're so happy, because you know we love you more than anything and will do everything to take care of you. My sweet little boy. Kaysa's sweet little boy."

"That must be it, Auntie," he replied with a sniffle. "Because I don't know how else to explain it." He gazed up at Shiv with the last of his tears rolling down his cheeks. "Can I have a frazzie, Auntie? And maybe... Maybe tomorrow, Kaysa can have a frazzie with us too. Would she like that, do you think?"

Shiv's smile nearly consumed her face. "I think she would like that very much," she said as she wiped away a few of the tears that snuck out. "I think she'd be very, very happy to have a frazzie with us. After we have some food, we can go and get a frazzie too." She gave him another kiss and then hugged him once more for good measure.

Keeve smiled to himself and cooed softly as the warmth of Shiv's love and tenderness began seeping into his body and filling the void created by years of loneliness and love he never received. At first, he was wary of it and almost afraid, but now, he was beginning to like being loved and wanted to love back. What he wanted most of all now, though, was a frazzie. "Let's go now, Auntie," Keeve said with a large smile. "We have to get Zaletregat all fixed up and fill our bellies with food."

Shiv stood up and took Keeve's hand. As she did, she glanced back at Zale who was silently watching them with a large smile on his face. He gave her a wink, and then started ahead of them.

"I figure we can go to that place down on the corner," he said. "They have some good food, and they're pretty quick. And, then the frazzies are right next door. How's that sound?" He was already heading toward the door and expecting them to catch up.

Keeve took Shiv's hand and scampered down the hallway with her in tow. He caught up to Zale and with a toothy grin, he slipped his free hand into Zale's. "Sounds good to me, daddy. Oh, Shiv, you're the luckiest girl in the world. You've got me to protect you, and now you've got Zaletregat. He's strong and fast and...oh, I wanna be just like you one day, daddy!"

Shiv smiled as they left the apartment and started downstairs. The sudden and abrupt change in Keeve was wonderful to see. She gave his hand a squeeze as they all climbed into the lift, and gave him a smile to tell him how proud of him she was. Things were going to be perfect, just like she'd said. Everything was going to be perfect, just like it was supposed to be.

---

"Desperate Choices"
By: Liam Zaneth
Laedra Vorrel
Jae Dyn Brael
Kael Selrid

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Niothe 14, 4 ABY

***

The speeder came to a stop outside the Jedi Temple, and Liam shut down the engines. He popped both the hatches with a switch on the control surface, and then slipped out his side of the speeder. Once Laedra and Kael were out, he started toward the front door. "Kael, go let the other masters know that we'll be having a meeting in an hour."

"Yes, Master," Kael said and hurried forward.

Once the youth was gone, Liam glanced at Laedra. "Now, let's you and I go contact Raxis about keeping his eyes open for Dargus Kandran."

"Alright," Laedra replied. "I agree that we should inform the Masters immediately about what has happened. Perhaps they can advise us on a course of action."

Liam nodded. "Their guidance will be needed in this situation. I know it's been said many times before, but the dark side does cloud everything, and we'll need all the help we can get here." They started inside, and Liam led the way toward the bedroom he and Yelara shared, which was also the location of the Temple's communications system.

"You are right. They are our elders, Liam. Now, I know we are quite competent, but they can provide an insight into the situation that we might not have thought of."

Liam nodded. "I still find it fascinating that a little meditation can open up so much for a Jedi," he said. They reached the room, and he led the way inside. They were the only ones in there, and he wondered for a moment where Yelara was. He glanced over to the comm system, and then glanced at Laedra. "Before we make this call," he said, "there's something we need to talk about."

Laedra swallowed hard and nodded her head slowly. So Jae Dyn had told him after all. "I should have said something to you, I know. But I was afraid you would be angry with me for confiding in her."

"Confiding in--?" Liam looked around, and then turned his thoughts inward. After a moment, unable to find the answer through the Force, he shook his head. "I don't understand."

"But..." Laedra frowned. "Jae Dyn. She told you about our conversation in the meditation room. That's what you wanted to discuss...correct?"

Liam shook his head. "No," he said, "not at all. Though, that does sound interesting. I...I need to talk to you about something important. You know about Yelara's past with Dargus Kandran, don't you?"

Laedra was momentarily disoriented by the sudden shift in topics, but she nodded her head at any rate. "She was his lover at one time and you rescued her from that."

"His return has her out of sorts," Liam said. "We're going to have to go away for a time...at least until the danger has passed. But...but I can't just leave. It's not too far from Corellia to Tae'Karada, and I'll be back frequently. And, I don't want to just leave you, can't leave. We'll be here until Kallia helps Nieme."

Laedra shook her head slowly to clear her head of the sudden confusion plaguing it. "Wait... Liam...I don't understand. I-I... You're leaving me? The Temple? How?" Laedra backed away unsteadily until she was seated upon Liam's bed. "You're leaving me," she whispered.

Liam quickly moved to sit next to Laedra. "It won't be for long, and I'll be back. Yelara doesn't feel safe here. She feels that Dargus will come after her and Leshie. She won't believe otherwise. She knows this place is safe, but she won't believe it. I don't want to leave you, and I'll be back soon. I'm going to work out an arrangement where I'll spend a week with her, and a week here. That way I won't have to give up on the Temple. I have to make sure my wife and son are safe. Please understand that I don't want to do this, not like this." He took her hand. "But, when I come back...it will give us time alone."

Laedra pulled her hand away and turned her back to Liam. "You won't be back. You say you will be, but I know this is goodbye, Liam. I may be unfamiliar and inexperienced in the physical aspect of love, but I know plenty about the pain and disappointment of it. You're leaving and you won't be back."

Liam closed his eyes and centred himself. "I will be back," he said. "I just told you I would. Why would I raise your hopes that way? Why would I do that? I love you, Laedra. I may be a married man, but I love you. I couldn't hurt you like that; I couldn't do something so deceitful and wrong to you. I love you."

"Then why are you leaving?!" She sprang to her feet and stared down at him with glistening eyes. "You say you'll be back, but do you really believe Yelara will let you at the risk of Dargus somehow tracking you to your new home?"

"Dargus won't track me," Liam said. "If I wish to come back here, nothing will stop me from doing so." He met her eyes. "And, I do wish to come back here."

Laedra's gaze hardened as she replied wistfully, "What you wish for and what you get don't always coincide, Liam. I've learned that far too many times in my life."

Liam stood up and faced her. "Why are you fighting so hard against believing me?" Liam asked. "Please believe me, Laedra." Unsure of what else to do, Liam pulled her into his arms and kissed her with all the love and passion he felt for her.

She struggled feebly to push Liam away, but the kiss enraptured her and began repelling all her doubts and fears. A muffled protest came from her, but she hoped Liam would ignore it and continue trying to convince her. He had already succeeded, but as long as he was kissing her, she knew he could not leave her.

It seemed like the kiss went on forever, but finally Liam pulled back. As he did, he fixed his gaze into Laedra's eyes. "I promise you," he said softly, "I will return to you as often as I can. But, I promise it with everything I am, and everything I feel for you."

"But I don't want you to go," she whispered. She thrust herself back into his embrace and clutched at his robes desperately. "I need you here, Liam. You're my source of confidence and strength... How am I going to train Kael without you? How am I going to run this Temple without you? Liam...how will I survive without you?"

"We'll find a way to make it work," Liam said. "We're both strong people, and together we'll make this work. Through the Force we'll be able to sense each other, and then I'll be back before you know it. And, we'll have our time together. And, even though I go, I'll be back. I can't stay away from you long, I know that."

Hours of meditation hadn't bolstered Laedra's resolve enough to keep her from suddenly crying upon Liam's shoulder. "Oh gods... I don't know how I can wake up knowing I won't see your face, Liam. I don't think I can do it."

Liam slipped his arms tighter around Laedra. "We'll find a way," he said. "We'll find a way to make it work. And, if we can quickly stop Dargus, I'll be able to return that much faster. We'll make it work, my love."

"If that's all it takes, then I shall finish him off myself," Laedra said fervently.

"Wait," Liam said. "You saw what happened today. It took both of us against him. You can't go at him alone, Lae. That's...that's suicide."

Laedra pulled back and gazed up at Liam sullenly. "I-I know. Even in that - in killing Dargus - I need you, Liam." She brushed her lips against his and pushed her hand through his hair. "Your touch... Above all else, I shall miss that most. How I'll yearn for that, ache for it. The pain will be almost unbearable."

Liam pulled her close and kissed her again. "I'll miss your touch too," he whispered. "When I'm back...we'll spend lots of time together. You and me...and...and I can stay with you in your room if you want...so we have more time together...and I don't think I could stand being away from you being that close."

Laedra's breathing accelerated and her body burned for Liam as it always did, and in his absence, she knew it would burn so fiercely that she would easily be consumed by it. "Kiss me again, Liam," she pleaded gently. A quiet whimper escaped her lips as her hips pressed against Liam's and caused the familiar stirring between her legs.

Liam did just that, holding nothing back in the expression of his love for Laedra. He could feel his own body reacting to hers, burning up in anticipation of her touch. How could he just leave her like this? But, he would make it up to her. He had to make it up to her.

The intense heat flaring within her body made Laedra feverish. She kissed Liam more fiercely than she ever had before and with such intensity that she felt sweat forming on her brow. Her fingers tangled in his hair as she tried to pull him even closer, despite there being no more distance between them. The hardness at Liam's groin made her moan softly, and although if it had been another time she would have recoiled, she instead pushed her hips forward against it.

Without consciously thinking about it, Liam slipped his hands inside of Laedra's robes and started caressing her through the shirt she wore. He heard himself moan as he continued kissing her greedily. He started edging them toward the bed.

The gentle stirring between Laedra's legs became an intense throbbing that almost pained her. She guided her hands blindly to Liam's chest and frantically began pulling open his tunic. She was ignorant about the act itself, but she was observant enough to realize that the actions they were performing would certainly only lead them to make love to each other. If they did, a part of her truly believed he wouldn't have the heart to leave her. She hoped that was true.

"Liam," came a voice from out in the hall. "Liam are you down here? Kael said you were back."

Liam was broken out of his reverie by the voice, and he quickly pulled partially away from Laedra and smoothed his clothing back into place. "Damn," he whispered.

Laedra took in rapid lungfuls of air and stood dazed and motionless before Liam. It no longer mattered to her who caught them or how suspicious people became, she needed Liam far greater than she'd needed anyone, even Master Ina. "Please," she whimpered as she brought her arms up around him again and began kissing his face. "Please, Liam."

"But we--"

"Liam," said Jae Dyn Brael from the doorway. "Laedra." She glanced between them, and then stepped into the room and closed the door. "I wouldn't have expected to find the two of you so comfortable here in this room." She smiled and stepped forward. "You know Yelara would really not approve of this."

Laedra relinquished her hold on Liam and faced Jae Dyn solemnly. "I came to him, Jae Dyn. I came to him and threw myself at him. He...he tried to push me away, to tell me to go, but I persisted. Please don't tell Yelara. It wasn't his fault."

"Oh, don't worry," Jae Dyn said with a dismissive wave. "I won't be saying anything to Yelara, though I can tell he is not as innocent as you make him out to be." She glanced between them. "I want time alone with Yelara, just the two of us and the babies. So, you need to find a way to stay here, Liam. It will be sad, but I'm sure I can help Yelara through it. My recommendation would be to use the current crisis with Dargus as a reason to stay here since you cannot leave unfinished business behind. The Temple needs you now more than ever."

"What is this?" Laedra asked in disbelief. "Are you trying to blackmail Liam, Jae Dyn? A Jedi performing an act of such deviousness... I would not have expected that from you."

"Well, I could say nothing, and then he'll come to Corellia with us, and Yelara will never let him leave." Jae Dyn glanced between them. "Would you prefer that, Laedra?"

Laedra pushed away her anger and her frustration at being manipulated in such a manner, especially through exploitation of her one greatest weakness. "You tread dangerously close to the dark side, Jae Dyn Brael," Laedra said quietly. "If you truly love Yelara, and your child, I advise you to watch your step."

Jae Dyn nodded and stepped closer to Laedra. "I know you love him, and I know he loves you. This will give the two of you time together, and it will give Yelara and me time together. I will be careful, but I only want to make the most of us happy."

Laedra studied Jae Dyn's eyes, and even in the sincerity she found within, she could find nothing to convince her Jae Dyn was deserving of forgiveness for her previous impertinence. "If Liam wishes to be with his wife, it is his choice. I will not beg him to stay, nor will you provoke him to do so through malicious threats."

Jae Dyn sighed. "You do realize he can't choose to stay with you, don't you? If he does, Yelara will never let him see Leshie again. While she may find nothing wrong with having two lovers for herself, she does have a problem with Liam doing the same. If you expect Liam to stay here with you, then you also expect him to destroy his marriage. I am offering you a way to have Liam to yourself, at least for a time."

"Oh, how kind of you to make me sound so selfish, Jae Dyn," Laedra said snidely. "I have not begged Liam to stay, if that's what you are thinking. If he truly had wished to stay to begin with, I believe he could have arranged a way to do so on his own. I accept that Yelara is his wife and he will always choose her over me, and I think it's time you realize the same truth: Yelara is his wife, and you are merely a lover, yet I challenge you to find one instance when he has attempted to drive a wedge between the two of you."

Laedra sighed and looked away for a moment, before regarding Jae Dyn again with a softened expression. "I appreciate that you are giving us a way to be together, but it is not your right or your place. If you wish to use this opportunity to win Yelara for yourself, it is your call, Jae Dyn, but it would pain me to see you do so."

Jae Dyn nodded. "Very well," she said. "Then I'm going to say nothing, and after I've completed Nieme's procedure, you will never see him again. Good day to you both." She turned and started toward the door.

Laedra shook her head slowly and clenched her fists at her sides. She looked back at Liam for a moment, infuriated at him for saying nothing in his defense and letting Jae Dyn threaten his very marriage. "Jae Dyn Brael!" she called out abruptly. She moved towards her and placed her hand on the door latch before Jae Dyn had a chance to. "I thank you for your offer," she said quietly, "but my conscience would suffer if I even thought Liam was separated from his wife and child because of me. I will leave this room now, and you and Liam can decide what the arrangement will be. I want no part of it, as much as I do love him."

Jae Dyn turned and smiled. "Well, then you'll be happy to know that Liam will be living happily on Corellia with his wife and child. You are already asking him to choose between them and you, and he loves both of you. He can't make that kind of decision, not and expect to keep both of you. If you wish no part in this, then I suggest you prepare yourself for the goodbye that will be happening the day after tomorrow, within an hour after I complete the procedure on Nieme." Without another word, she turned, opened the door with a thought, and strode out into the hall.

Laedra pressed her hand to the door and closed it silently. "Say something, Liam," she said sharply. "For the sake of the gods, say something!"

Liam turned away, fighting down the anger inside of himself. "What do you want me to say?" he said in a carefully controlled voice. "What am I supposed to do? It's come down to the point where I have to choose between either you or my wife and son. What do you want me to do?"

"You don't have to choose," she replied defeatedly. "There is no choice in the matter. She's your wife and you swore an oath to her. It should be obvious what you have to do, Liam."

"But I love you as well," Liam said. "Though, I'm sure you'll tell me that means nothing, and that my first obligation is toward the marriage vows I took before I ever fell in love with you. I should disregard whatever feelings I have for you, no matter how strong they are, for the woman I fell in love with before I ever knew you existed."

"It's not fair, I know, but that is how it is, Liam. You will lose your child, as Jae Dyn said. Will you even be the same person I fell in love with if that happens? What is the point of having you to myself if you're not even the person I love anymore?"

Liam sighed. "I don't know," he said. "It all comes down to Yelara's hypocrisy. She can have two lovers, but we're not allowed that. She refuses to choose between us, but we are only allowed to choose her." He shook his head and let out an exasperated sigh. "How do I do this? I can't give you up, Laedra. I can't do that."

"I understand," she said with a quaver in her voice. She looked back at Liam with an apologetic, anguished gaze. "Then I must. Goodbye, Liam. Perhaps someday, we will have a chance to meet again, but if not, I have enjoyed our time together."

It was difficult to turn away from him, but she knew there was no other option. Her hand gripped the door latch firmly as she pulled the door open. She wondered if it would hurt less this time around, but with how painful it was to take even a step forward, she knew it would only hurt more.

Liam watched Laedra go as the anger within him boiled hotter than it had for years. He turned away from the door and stalked toward one of the windows, blue eyes blazing as he stared out into the forest. He realized his hand was gripping the hilt of his remaining lightsaber, and his entire body was trembling. He closed his eyes to find his balance, and the peace that had come so easily to him in the past. Today, it was elusive.

Laedra only let the sob sticking in her throat escape once she was far enough out of hearing distance. It echoed in the corridor and sent Laedra rushing away to find the closest room she could to hide in and shed the bitter tears. She had no idea whose room she barged into and whose bed upon which she had curled up, but she remained there and wept.

Her fingers clawed at the sheets and she cried out at the stabbing pain in her chest and stomach. It was as it had been when Master Ina pushed her away, but this time, there would be deeper wounds she feared would never heal, not as long as she remembered those blue eyes and the love for her she had seen in them; not as long as she still breathed.

---

"Tenuous Hold"
By: Merrick Braston
Kaysa Zenarr-Tregat
Chrik Grolog [NPC]

Location: The White Noise - Yelldon, New Plouton
Date: Niothe 14, 4 ABY

***

"Yeah, yeah," Merrick Braston called back as he stumbled through the door that led back toward the dressing rooms.

"Next time you want to get your ass on stage," Chrik was shouting, "make sure you've sobered up first! You sound like an out of tune Wookiee accompanying himself on an astromech droid!"

Merrick stuck a hand back toward where Chrik sat smoking a cigarra, and extended the middle digit. It would have been more impressive if the door hadn't banged closed into his hand, eliciting a string of curses from the singer. He stumbled most of the way back to his dressing room, and then fell through the door. It only took a few minutes before he found a bottle of Talairan Whiskey, and was pouring it away like it was water.

With a large belch, he sank into the large sofa and tossed the oversized shot glass away to take pulls straight from the bottle. Who does she think she is? Was. Whatever, Merrick told himself. How dare she tell him he wasn't up to a threesome with her and the infamous Zale Tregat, Shac'tae master and penile expert. Merrick made a rude noise to indicate to his Wintrella just what he thought of that idea. And, then she sends him a suicide note in the form of going after Dargus Kandran. What did she think she was doing? She was more insane...more insane than that toothy brat of hers. He made another rude noise and flexed the hand that Keeve had bitten on his first day on the planet.

Maybe he was better off without her. The tears that slid down his cheeks at that thought were clear indication to Merrick that he was very wrong about that. He needed her. She was the woman he loved more than anything, and he needed her. And, now... He hugged his bottle to himself and wept some more. Why did everything have to go so wrong? Why did everything have to fuck itself up right when good things were about to happen? Merrick Braston raised the half drunk bottle as a toast, and then made a rude noise for the universe at large.

Kaysa grimaced as yet another guttaral belch left Merrick's dressing room. She couldn't quite make out what Chrik was saying through his angry cursing and shouting, but once she found her way to Merrick's dressing room and stood outside the door, listening to his drunken behaviour, she clued into what Chrik was particularly upset about today.

She'd never really seen Merrick drunk before, so she had no idea what to expect. One thought gave her comfort and that was that he couldn't possibly be as bad as she was when she'd had too much to drink. As the sound of another glass object crashing came from the room, she began thinking perhaps she was wrong about that.

She finally gathered enough courage to move in front of the doorway and risk being hit by a flying glass to watch him guzzling down liquor straight from the bottle. The red liquid spilled down the sides of his face and stained his white shirt. She opened her mouth to speak to him, but he let loose with a belch that cut her off. To avoid further interruptions, she opted for knocking loudly upon the frame of his doorway.

Merrick turned to look at the door. He saw Kaysa standing there, and stared for a long moment. He blinked once, twice. He sat up on the couch and turned to face her. He belched once, loud enough to echo down the hall. He stared at her for another moment, and then lurched to his feet. He made a great effort at appearing to be steady on his feet. "I thought you were off killing your-- yourself," he said. "Are you a-- a ghost now? Come to haunt me? To tell me I'm unworthy? To say that my pecker isn't up to the level of peckering that Zale Shac'Tae Tregat's is? Hah!" He belched again and stepped forward on unsteady feet. "You can't fool me, Phantom! I've got a perfectly peckerable penis. Bah! Hah!" He belched again and nearly sat down. "So, you cannot torment me now since I am-- Something." He looked around for his bottle, and then found it in his hand. "Wanna drink, Phantom?"

Kaysa sighed impatiently and stepped into the room, past Merrick, and sat upon a free chair by his dressing table. "Merrick...stop being an idiot and put that damn bottle down. You keep drinking like that and your pecker won't be doing much of anything except dangling limply between your legs."

Merrick blinked, and then looked down between his legs. After a moment, he looked back up. "Heh. Didn't do much before, so I guess that ain't really anything new." He made a show of taking another long swig. "So, did you kill him, and that's why you're haunting me here now?"

Kaysa reached over and swiped the bottle from Merrick's hand. She threw it across the room, where it shattered against the wall and drizzled red liquid down onto the carpet. "I'm not dead, you drunken fool. Here...feel that?" she asked as she stuck her arm out towards him. "I'm real."

Merrick gave her a lecherous smile and giggled. "Are your boobs real too? Bah!" He nearly fell over with the force of his laughter, but recovered quickly enough. He raised his hand to his mouth for a drink but quickly found that his hand was empty. After a quick look around, he frowned at the wet, reddish stain on the far wall. "I wasn't done with that yet," he said. He sighed. "So, you're not dead. I'm glad to hear that. I think if you were dead, I'd feel very, very bad after my hangover wears off."

"You think?" Kaysa shook her head and laughed dryly. "You know...I don't know why I'm here with you like this." She stood from her chair and looked Merrick over. "When you've sobered up, comm me...jerk." Kaysa shook her head again and turned for the door.

Merrick took a couple steps after her. "Give me one reason why I should comm you," he called out.

Kaysa stopped before the door and slowly turned back towards Merrick. "Well...do you want to? Do you even care about anything anymore, Merrick? I mean, it's obvious you don't care about yourself if you're sitting in your dressing room getting piss drunk."

"It helps ease the pain that my girlfriend, or the woman I thought was my girlfriend, just up and went off to get herself killed. And, the only thing I got from her was ridicule and then a message delivered by a courier. And, you're asking me if I care?"

"I explained it in the message, Merrick," she said calmly. "I went to kill Kandran...except Zale stepped in and had me stopped. And I've never ridiculed you, Merrick! You're just feeling sorry for yourself and misinterpreting everything I say to give you even more reason to feel self-pity. Why is it that you're so content with making yourself feel worthless?"

"Maybe it's because Zale and Keeve get far more attention than I ever get," he said. "When was the last time you had sex with me, Kaysa? And, when was the last time you had sex with Zale?"

"That's what this is all about, Merrick?" She stepped closer to him and winced at the strong smell of liquor that hit her face. She sighed sharply and continued. "I thought our relationship was about more than sex, Merrick. If sex is all you want, go screw one of your groupies! I'm sure they'd be happy to have Merrick Braston's dick inside them."

"The sex is only one small part of the problem," Merrick said. "You know it as well as I do. You told me that you didn't want me joining you and Zale because I couldn't handle it. You always put him first. And, you only pay attention to your sensitive musician when it's convenient for you to do so. Now get the fuck out of my dressing room!"

"No!" she hollered back. "You're behaving like a brat, Merrick, which makes me believe Chrik has been groaning and griping about you celebrity types with good reason!" She took another step towards him and roughly grabbed his crotch. "Is that what you want? Do you want to show me that you can fuck me, make me scream like Zale can - even better? Is that all you want?!" She stepped back and began spreading apart her shirt, the buttons popping off and shooting in different directions. "What are you waiting for?" she asked as she stood with her arms spread wide and her shirt hanging open. "Prove to me how superior you are to Zale. Prove to me that you're deserving of my attentions. Go on, you bastard!"

Merrick looked Kaysa over and then frowned. "Get out of here," he said. "If this is how you're going to treat me, then just get the fuck out."

Kaysa slowly lowered her hands to her sides and spoke again with a softened voice. "No. I promised Shiv I'd bring you back. And I promised myself I'd try. What can I do to make you see that you mean everything to me, Merrick? What will it take? Do you want me to divorce Zale? If that's what you want...I'll do it."

Merrick sighed and looked down at his hands. "I want you to be my wife, Kaysa," he said. "But, I couldn't ask you to do that. I just don't want to feel left out and abandoned anymore. I want to spend a night with you in my arms, just you and me. I love Shiv, but you're the first woman I've loved...in a long time. I didn't know if I could love again after...but with you. And, I don't want to feel like I'm...just a hanger-on. I want you to love me like before. I want all of us to be happy together, and I never want to feel left out again."

"But you have to understand, this is all new to me, Merrick. I'm trying to juggle three lovers and a kid now, and I don't know how." She stepped closer and wrapped her arms around her waist to keep her shirt closed. "I love you, and it's never changed, Merrick. There just hasn't been time to prove that to you. I know that's my fault, somewhat...but I am trying. That's why I'm here now. I don't wanna give you up, Merrick. I don't want you to feel like an outsider. Just tell me what I can do to make you come back to me and I'll do it. Merrick...don't make me leave you like this. Please, my love. Tell me what to do."

Merrick sank to the floor as the strength to remain standing gave out. He looked up at Kaysa, and let out a half-sigh, half-sob. "Just love me," he whispered. "Just don't let me be ignored, forgotten, and chased away. Just love me, Kaysa."

"Merrick, I do. I always have," she said as she dropped to her knees. She took his hands into hers and kissed each of them. "I know I pushed you away and said some hurtful things, but it was all part of my stupid plan, Merrick. It's not how I really feel. If you want to share me with Zale, fine. But that's not the problem. It's that I want you all to myself. I want it to be just you and me, Merrick. It just...it isn't the same when there's someone else in the bed with us. Maybe that's part of the problem. Maybe we need time alone, Merrick. Would that help? Would that bring you back to me?"

"A vacation," Merrick said with a smile. "Just you and me on a little vacation off to somewhere else. I'd like that very much, and I think it would be very good for us. We could find each other again. I want to do that, Kaysa."

"Then we will," she replied. "We'll go to the Northern continent - to Vendra. They've got beaches there and...and we can just go there and be together, Merrick. We'll pack our bags tomorrow, and just go, Merrick." She gasped as if it suddenly registered with her that she had almost lost Merrick and that this vacation was their last chance. "Oh gods..." she whispered as she fell forward into his arms and embraced him. "Please let's do this, Merrick. Please."

Most of his drunken stupour had vanished in their heated argument, but the lack of coordination was exhibited in his embrace. It took three tries, but he finally managed it with a laugh. "Remind me never to drink that stuff again," he said. "I'm going to have a huge headache when this wears off." He looked at her and gave her a large smile. "Tomorrow to Vendra. I can't imagine a more beautiful place with a more beautiful woman."

"And if my dear musician boyfriend isn't sobered up by then, I might have to find a nice poolboy to keep me company until you recover." She grinned up at him and playfully poked him in the chest. "And I hope you get that headache as punishment for trying to kick me out of your dressing room, Braston."

"And, I hope your son bites you as punishment for trying to walk out of my dressing room," Merrick said with a tired smile. He held up his hand. "If it weren't for the synthetic skin, you'd still see teeth marks."

"Well, at least you'll have some time away from that and as his mother, I'll make up for it ten times over during our vacation." She gathered her feet beneath her and with her arms tightly around his waist, she began pulling him to his feet. "Come on. You're going on that couch and you're going to sleep off some of this alcohol."

"And, will you lie with me while I sleep it off?" Merrick asked as he allowed her to help him up. "I think I need a little company right now."

"Very smooth, Merrick," she said with a laugh. She guided him to the couch, both stumbling along the way as Merrick staggered and lurched. He dropped down onto the plush couch and Kaysa bent over to pull off his shoes. "I'm sorry I almost got myself killed." She threw one shoe over her shoulder and started in on the other one. "It was stupid."

"Damn right it was," Merrick said with a laugh, though the look in his eyes said he didn't find the idea funny. "I'm just glad you came back to me. I don't think I could have gone on without you."

Kaysa knew the truth of that statement, which she saw evidence of the moment she walked into the dressing room. He would have wasted away and drowned in liquor if she or Dargus had succeeded. The reality of that frightened her now.

She popped off the second shoe, setting it aside, then placed Merrick's legs onto the sofa. Kaysa stepped out of her own shoes next and gazed down at Merrick with a smile. "Is there room for me on that couch?"

"Wherever I am," Merrick said, "there's always room for you."

Kaysa laughed softly and shook her head. "You stole that from one of your songs, didn't you?"

As Merrick shifted over, Kaysa sat upon the edge of the couch and stared down into his eyes. She pressed her hand to his unshaven cheek, then leaned forward and kissed him softly. "You do things to me, Braston, things that frustrate and confuse me, things that drive me insane, but in the end, I always feel more alive than I've ever been. How do you do that?"

Merrick smiled at her and then with a flourish of a hand, whispered, "Magic. Now, get in here, and let me hold you close, while I sleep this off. And, when I wake up, I'll sing a song for you that will make you fall in love with me all over again."

"Too late," she said quietly. She stretched out upon the couch with her arms wrapped around Merrick's waist and her body pressed close to his. Her head was nestled into the curve of his neck, where she pressed her lips to his throat. "We're gonna be better now, Merrick. Things can only get better after this."

"Things will be right again," Merrick said. "You and I will have a vacation. We'll buy your son a muzzle so he can't bite everyone. And, everything will be the way it should be. All of us will be happy. I can feel it. Nothing can stop us now, Kaysa. Nothing can get in the way of our happiness now."

Kaysa nodded her head slowly, and although she cringed at even mention of his name, she asked, "Not even Dargus Kandran?"

"He only gets in the way of our happiness if we let him," Merrick said. "And, I don't plan on letting him affect my happiness anymore." He kissed her forehead and then sighed. "So, what happened?"

Kaysa found herself pulling closer to Merrick and trembling gently. "I...I went to his office complex with a thermal detonator. I imagine you already know what I planned to do with it. But...things didn't go completely orderly. He's got these powers, Merrick. I didn't know he was no ordinary man." She swallowed back a whimper as she thought about her throat being constricted by invisible hands and her life ready to be extinguished. "That blue-eyed fellow from the party came with some friends. They saved me. If they hadn't come..." She looked up at Merrick and said softly, "You have Zale to thank for that. I want you two to be on good terms again. Can you do that, Merrick? Do you want to?"

"Of course I want to," Merrick said softly. "And, I think we can manage it. I was just upset the other day, and lashed out. He's not holding a grudge is he?"

"I think his male pride is a little damaged. He was shocked that you managed to throw him onto that table." Kaysa craned her neck and eyed Merrick inquisitively. "Where did you learn a move like that anyway? I hate to admit it, but I didn't expect something like that from you."

Merrick laughed softly. "Daeren, my percussionist, is really good in three different martial arts, and he's been giving me some lessons." He gave her a sheepish smile. "I was planning for it to be a surprise."

Kaysa laughed abruptly. "A surprise for what?! Did you plan on taking me out to a bar and deliberately picking a fight to demonstrate your newly acquired fighting skills?"

"Well, not exactly," Merrick said with a grin. "I didn't know how to demonstrate, or if it was really going to be a demonstration. But, next time we ran into any trouble, I'd be prepared. But, I didn't like getting my ass handed to me in a pile of broken glass from our first night together, so I decided it wasn't going to happen anymore."

"I imagine it won't," Kaysa said. "Zale will never live it down! That...and the fact that I pulled a discharger on him and shorted out his hand. I think, my love, we're going to be a pair no one will wanna mess with."

Merrick laughed again, and hugged Kaysa even tighter. "They'll give us distance when we walk down the street from now on," he said. "You can shoot them, and then I'll throw them onto tables. Or maybe we could do that the other way around." He closed his eyes and sighed gently. "I like it when we're like this. I think I could really get used to it."

"We've always been like this, Merrick. We simply haven't had time to be. But it'll all be made up for when we leave for our vacation tomorrow." She lightly traced the outline of his lips, then kissed them. "I warn you now, my sexy musician, that we'll be having lots and lots of sex during that time, so be prepared. And maybe I'll even show you some of that Shac'Tae stuff Zale's been teaching me. Consider it another skill to add to your already numerous ones."

"Really? Shac'Tae skills? I imagine with those I could become pretty dangerous. Just think about it? My singing, my bedroom talents. I don't think you or Shiv will be able to resist me...not that I'd ever want you to resist me. And, have I mentioned that I can't wait to get away with you?"

Kaysa nodded and laughed. "Merrick...did you want to kiss me now? I mean we could wait until the vacation..."

"No, we can't," he murmured before pressing his lips to hers in a deep, passionate kiss. It seemed to go on forever, and in the process Merrick felt his head clear a little more. Finally he pulled his lips away and sighed. "Very nice. I think I love kissing you more than I love music."

"Don't lie," she chided playfully before sealing her lips around his again and reacquainting herself with how intoxicating one kiss from Merrick could be. Her relief in succeeding to reclaim him was expressed through the passion of the kiss and the tightening of the hold she had on him. Pushing Merrick away to the brink of loss had unfortunately become habitual to her, but one advantage it lavished was some intense kissing and even better lovemaking when he came back to her.

Merrick heard a moan and knew it for his own. He felt Kaysa's hands touching him in ways that were familiar, but held a new fire. How could he have even thought of trying to throw her out? That was the whiskey talking, he told himself. No man in his right mind would ever wish to get rid of Kaysa...Braston. He nearly smiled at the thought, though couldn't with his lips so busily feasting from Kaysa's. How could he have nearly thrown everything away? Never again, he told himself. Never ever again.

---

"Mending Wounds"
by Rilanna Kir
Shrezade Anoran
and Chamlembac [NPC]

Location: Drogen Shipyards
Date: Niothe 14, 4ABY

***

Rilanna Kir strode through the corridors of the Drogen Shipyards, returning nods and greetings from those she passed. She was heading up to Shrezade Anoran's office to deliver her readiness report in regards to the cleaning out of the station. She knew that the woman would not be happy with the report concerning Major Weyland. Rilanna couldn't hide the smile at how well things were going with the major. She knew she was in no risk of falling in love with the man yet, but she couldn't deny that she enjoyed her time with him very much.

A woofing growl next to her brought Rilanna out of her thoughts and she looked up at the large hairy figure walking at her side. Chamlembac, her new Wookiee tag-along, looked down at her and growled again. He shook his shaggy head and howled.

"I'm certain I'll be safe in Mrs. Anoran's office," Rilanna said. "I'll go in, and you wait out here for me. I'll be fine. Don't worry. You don't have to protect me in there."

The Wookiee howled once more, and finally nodded. He crossed his arms over his chest and waved Rilanna off towards the office.

With a shake of her head and a smile, Rilanna turned and headed on to Shrezade Anoran's office. She didn't bother with Hajne, instead choosing to move straight to the door into Shrezade's office, and knocking twice.

Shrezade glanced up abruptly and with annoyance at the jarring sound. She knew only one person with the audacity to interrupt her in such a manner, so as she slapped down the datapad she had been poring over she called out to her visitor. "Enter, Ms. Kir."

Rilanna tapped the release on the door and it slid open. She stepped through and moved to stand in front of Shrezade's desk. "Mrs. Anoran," she said. "I've brought my latest security report for you."

Reza nodded slowly, her mouth tight-lipped and her eyes reflecting coldly upon Rilanna. "Is there anything in that report I should focus particular attention upon?"

"I have outlined a plan for the wholesale removal of all the scum from the station," Rilanna said. "However, I do not know if it would be wise to try to keep the Imperial force from returning."

"Becoming intimidated by them, Ms. Kir?" Reza smirked at Rilanna and leaned forward in her seat. "Or would this have anything to do with the time you spent in Major Weyland's quarters yesterday afternoon?"

Rilanna narrowed her eyes and leaned forward. "It would have to do with my job keeping this station safe and in one piece," she said. "How much punishment do you think Drogen could take from the Star Destroyers the Imperials have at their disposal? How many people, good people, do you think would die against Major Weyland trying to retake this station by force? He says that this place is crucial in their plans, and I strongly believe if he had to, he'd ensure the success of his project."

"With you by his side, no doubt," Reza sneered. "And what of that creature you've been towing along behind you?" She sighed sharply and rose from her seat. "Ms. Kir," she said as she moved to her small liquor cabinet, "I am seriously beginning to reconsider where your loyalties lie. Your actions recently are not doing much for your character, Ms. Kir."

"My loyalties are to this station and the people aboard it," Rilanna said, trying to keep herself calm. "But, if you feel that my performance is inadequate, then you are welcome to request my resignation."

Reza snorted and poured herself a small glass of orange liquor. "Your performance has been exceptional, Ms. Kir," she replied dryly. She turned with her glass in hand and swirled the liquid within. "Ms. Kir...I think I now know why your sudden confusion has arisen. You see...you have sworn your loyalty to the wrong people. The citizens of this station?" Reza emitted an abrupt, shrewd laugh. "They are undeserving of it, Ms. Kir."

"So, I should be unconcerned with protecting the people inhabiting this station? Just the hardware is important? Is that the case?"

"What's important is that you remain loyal to me and only me, Ms. Kir." Reza sighed and soothed her edgy nerves with a long drink from her glass. She closed her eyes and spoke again quietly and calmly. "You're still having trouble distinguishing between those who deserve protecting and those who do not. That would explain why you have begun associating with that mangy beast."

Rilanna took a dangerous step forward. "Then perhaps you would enlighten me by telling me why you should be possibly more deserving of protection and loyalty than anyone else on this station."

Reza's eyes snapped open and a crude smile twisted her lips. "Because I am morally pure, Ms. Kir. I do not participate in vile deeds that have forced me to require aid from an outside source. That loyalty and protection should be saved for me because I have lived my life by the set moral standards and laws governing this galaxy. That alone makes me deserving of both."

Rilanna could only shake her head. "However, your attitude of superiority over everyone you see disqualifies you from both as well. I have a feeling you aren't quite as morally pure as you believe you are, Mrs. Anoran."

"I'm not the one shirking my duties for a mid-day romp, Ms. Kir. I hardly think you're in any position to judge my purity."

"One of my duties is to find out more information on Major Weyland and the Imperial operation on this station, and I was doing just that. I was acting under orders by you to use my body to get what I needed from the major, and I was doing just that. If you have a problem with my methods, let me know now. Just remember, you are the morally pure one who ordered me to fuck Weyland for answers."

"Oh, and I imagine during this pleasant afternoon encounter with Major Weyland, you learned much about his operations." Reza raised an eyebrow at Ril as she ventured, "Between gasps and moans, perhaps?" She slammed down her glass upon her desk, spilling liquor over the brim. "Don't for one instance try to fool me, Ms. Kir. You've been complaining about your lack of sexual gratification for some time and you agreed readily enough to my proposal of seducing the Major, so don't tell me you're doing this all for me. As far as I'm concerned, Ms. Kir, you are nothing but a self-serving slut."

Rilanna's eyes narrowed to slits. "Then I will no longer impinge on your morally pure sanctuary here above Tae'Karada," she said, her voice low and menacing. "You can find yourself another chief of security, Mrs. Anoran."

"I think not, Ms. Kir. I have not dismissed you from that position." Reza stepped forward with her hands clasped behind her back and a smug grin upon her face. "You will perform your duty to me and this station. As much as I worry about your moral state, you are still the best person for the job. I will say when I require a new security chief and at the moment, I don't believe I do."

Rilanna laughed. "Maybe you didn't hear me right," she said. "I just quit. That means I'm not working for you, whether you like it or not. If all I'm getting from you is scorn and disgust, I'm not working for you. You can find some other nerf to jack around."

"Don't pretend you didn't enjoy feasting on expensive Mon Calamari shrimp and aged wine, Ms. Kir. You enjoyed the luxuries, the power..." Reza cast shrewd eyes upon Rilanna and laughed dryly. "You're a sell-out, Ms. Kir. This is where you belong now. With me and the other socialites who would incinerate their clothing if they suspected a commoner even breathed upon them. You're like me, no matter how fiercely you try to deny it. And I think you're ashamed of it. That's why you're running, that's why you're at odds with me. It's because you are me, Ms. Kir, and that frightens you."

The incredulous look Rilanna gave Shrezade Anoran was priceless. "I'm what? I think someone spiked your shrimp if that's what you think. I'm getting out of here because your morality and world view disgusts me. Your blatant disregard for any life that isn't your own repulses me. And, frankly, I'm sickened to know that you would even think that I'm at all like you."

"Oh, but you are, Rilanna Kir," Reza said with a feral smile. "You are ambitious and sharp witted. You crave power and glory, and you would kill to get it. In fact...you would do away with your entire family of Black Sun operatives to gain that, wouldn't you? What a spectacular feat that would be, wouldn't it? And not to mention the irony of shedding the very blood that gave you life to win your acclaim." Reza laughed haughtily and shook her head slowly at Rilanna. "Rilanna Kir, I think you are not like me at all. You are far more cunning and ruthless. I respect that."

"It keeps me alive," Rilanna said with a frown. "I'll have my office and quarters cleared within the hour, and I'll be off the station an hour after that. I would like to say it's been nice knowing you, Mrs. Anoran, but after the other day, I really can't say that anymore."

"I'm afraid I can't let you do that, Ms. Kir," Reza called back as Rilanna started for the door. "As my security officer, you were entrusted with certain knowledge I do not wish to fall into the hands of certain...Imperial officers," she said with a knowing smile. "You must make a choice, Ms. Kir. Either you stay on as my security chief, or - and it would pain me to do so - you will be spending an undisclosed amount of time within a brig cell until I am confident you will not present a security risk." She sighed and shrugged her shoulders. "It is up to you, Ms. Kir."

"How many of your security officers are you willing to let die to keep me from getting away?" Rilanna asked. "Because I assure you I won't go without a fight. With your attitude, I assure you I won't be working for you. So, are you willing to turn this into a blood bath to lock me in a cell?"

"You won't be harmed, Ril--" Reza cursed herself for the unintentional slip, but her mouth didn't even twitch or her eyes narrow in expression of her annoyance. "Ms. Kir, you will be held until I am certain you will not spread word of my operations to outside sources. In fact, if Major Weyland knows of your desertion, I am certain he would require the same thing of you about his operations."

"I won't betray you," Rilanna said softly. "You can count on that. I am a professional, and won't desert the ethics that keep me above the mercenaries and thugs. The operations of this station are safe."

Reza nodded slowly, knowing that with Rilanna gone, there would be no one to keep her station safe anymore. But her bitter pride held true, and she could not allow herself to voice her sentiments to Rilanna, no matter how truly she would miss her security chief and one time friend. "At least stay until I've found another security chief," Reza said. "If you at all care about the safety of the people dwelling on this station, you will not turn your back on them without ensuring they have someone to oversee their welfare."

"You've already said they're not worth it," Rilanna said. "And, besides, I really wouldn't want to disgust you anymore by hanging around with that hairy creature, or getting sentimental over supposed scum without shooting them dead in a corridor." Rilanna looked up at Shrezade and quickly looked away. The other woman wanted nothing to do with her, save manipulating her toward some end. Rilanna Kir didn't like being used by anyone. "I'm sure you'll find someone soon enough."

Reza turned back towards her bar and retrieved another glass. She poured the orange liquid into it and drank it back in one shot, a quick and effective expedient for the sudden nausea that was building within. Guilt always felt that way to her. "And you will be leaving immediately?" Reza asked, trying to sound anxious to have her gone, but knowing she was not.

"Within two hours," Rilanna said. She took a couple steps back toward the door, but continued facing Mrs. Anoran. "I'll see if I can get my things loaded onto my ship sooner though."

"No rush, Ms. Kir," Reza said tightly. "As long as you don't intend to plan my immediate assassination."

"No assassination is planned or intended," Rilanna said. "However, considering your dislike for me, I think it's best that I leave as soon as possible. Besides, is there any reason for me to stay around here for longer?"

Shrezade looked into her empty glass, seeing in the hollowness the very state of her heart. Solitude was what came naturally to Shrezade Anoran, or perhaps it is what she brought upon herself. Either way, she would not beg Rilanna to stay, no matter how fond she had become of the woman even despite their differences. She begged no one, and if in the end it cost her a friend...

Her hand tightened around the thin walled glass and she felt it buckling in her firm grip. If she'd begged her husband to stay away from the fight, to quit the Imperial Navy and be with her, he would live now, but even then, she was far too proud to beg.

Reza cried out as the glass cracked and shattered in her hand. Shards dug into the soft flesh of her palm and thick globules of blood welled from the open wounds. She staggered back into her desk and clasped her bloodstained hand around the wrist with her uninjured hand.

Rilanna was moving forward even before the glass broke, anticipating the injury that was about to happen. As she quickly examined the wound, looking for shards of glass still stuck in Shrezade's hand, she called out: "Hajne, get a medical kit in here immediately!" She slipped one hand up Shrezade's arm to find one of the pressure points there as she elevated the wound above the heart. Out farther on the command deck, she could hear the woofing howl of Chamlembac as he rushed toward the office.

Hajne's shrill cry stabbed at Reza's ears just as the glass had her hand. The clatter of what was presumably the medical kit she was retrieving for Rilanna soon followed. "What in all hells is going on out there?" Reza snapped. She winced as the throbbing in her hand intensified and fresh blood surged from her wounds.

"Keep still," Rilanna said and tightened her grip on Shrezade's arm. "You're losing blood, and if you keep thrashing around like that, there's going to be more outside than in."

A moment later a large form, just over two meters tall, appeared in the doorway. He let out a barking growl and held up a medical kit.

"Bring that over here," Rilanna said.

Cham did just that, and set it out on top of the desk. He let out a questioning series of grunts.

"It doesn't look deep," Rilanna responded. "But, she's going to need bacta. Get me something to clean this wound with, Cham."

The Wookiee opened the kit, and rifled through the contents. A moment later, he pulled out some strips of a gauzy material. Ril took it and quickly set to cleaning Shrezade's wound.

Reza stopped moving as Rilanna ordered, but only to stare agape at the tall, hirsute creature in her office bleating and bellowing, and most shockingly of all, handling medical supplies that would soon be upon her flesh. Reza gasped as her sense returned, and her eyes flitted between Rilanna and the Wookiee. "What is this beast doing in my office, Rilanna Kir?" she hollered. "A better question would be what is it doing on my station?"

"His name is Chamlembac," Rilanna said as she called for a synthskin applicator. "He's a Wookiee, and he was injured in that incident the other night. He's a tech in hangar deck twelve who'd come down for a drink and a game of cards when things got hot. And, since I saved his life, he now owes me a life debt. So, he's now my companion until he pays that off. Say hi, Cham."

Cham tilted his head to the side, and made another series of soft growling woofs that almost sounded like conversation. To those who spoke his native language, it was.

Reza shrank back and frowned as she surveyed the creature from head to...foot. She nodded slowly in acknowledgement and quickly whipped her head back around towards Rilanna. "It isn't diseased or dangerous...is it?"

"He can understand you," Rilanna said. "And, no, he's neither as long as you treat him nice. Still, I think he's a very gentle guy unless you get him mad."

Reza looked to the Wookiee again and studied him with an arched eyebrow. A rude comment was cut off as Reza sucked in a sharp breath to mitigate another twinge of pain. "They're not deep, are they? I'm only glad it wasn't one of my Denaran crystal glasses. It would have cost a good sum to replace."

"Probably not as much as a new hand," Rilanna offered. "And, I don't think they're too deep. We'll probably need to get you to the infirmary though. Do you feel like you're able to walk?"

"Of course I can walk," Reza said with her head held aloft. She straightened herself up and took a step forward, only to find her body drifting slowly to one side until she had fallen against Rilanna.

"You've lost a lot of blood," Ril said. "Your body's going into shock." She put an arm around Shrezade's waist to support her, and then started forward. "I'm taking you to the infirmary. Is there an alternate route? So we don't have to go through the middle of the station to get you there?"

"I am not going into shock," Reza stated drowsily. She glanced down at the trail of blood upon the sleeve of her jacket leading to her hand and swayed against Rilanna. It wouldn't do for the entire station to know Shrezade Anoran was squeamish at the sight of blood, especially since she seemed to hunger for that of the villains occupying her station.

"Cham, run blocking on the way to the infirmary," Rilanna said. "Anyone that gets in our way, convince them to be somewhere else." The Wookiee let out a little howling reply. She then turned toward Shrezade. Reaching up, she removed the tie holding the woman's hair in place. Then she moved behind Reza, and pushed her head down and swept her hair forward to cover her face. She pulled Reza's hands behind her back next, and snapped a pair of binders around her wrists. She ignored Shrezade's protests as she pulled off her long coat and flung it over Shrezade's shoulders. "We're going straight to the infirmary. No one will recognize you if you keep your head down and your mouth shut. Now move."

Reza stumbled forward, too astonished and outraged to speak. Cham grunted and emitted reverberant, guttural vocalizations that quickly cleared a path down the corridor for herself and Rilanna. One asset a Wookiee had was its imposing size that intimidated most, and she was glad this one was on her side...for the time being. "Rilanna Kir," Reza called out. "I believe I am...feeling unwell." Her feet became entangled as the sudden spinning of the corridor threw her off balance and Reza fell onto her knees.

"You forgot about that keeping your mouth shut part," Rilanna said as she helped Shrezade to her feet. "If you keep crying out like that, every bit of scum on this station is going to see how vulnerable you are. And, once I leave, there will be no one here to keep them back."

"And you would leave me here in the clutches of these savages?" Reza chuckled low in her throat. "You're as merciless as I am, Rilanna Kir."

"You would really want such a moral heathen such as myself around here?" Rilanna said. "Me and my 'creature' to help bring about the moral decay of this station by showing mercy to those who have done nothing to warrant death?"

"I am far too dizzy to debate this issue with you, Ms. Kir. If you don't wish to be here, I won't beg you to stay." Reza sighed and shook her head wildly to clear the hair away from her face. "Rilanna, are you sure you won't reconsider? I mean...where will you go? Where will you find a job as fulfilling and prestigious as this?"

"Oh yes," Rilanna said as they entered the turbolift, "having my ethics torn apart by a woman I thought was my friend and being compared to the scum I have dedicated my life to bringing to justice is quite fulfilling. You despise me; why would I want to stay where I have to endure that daily?"

Reza closed her eyes and staggered back as another wave of vertigo came over her. She propped herself against the wall of the lift to keep her from encountering the deck again. "I do not despise you, Rilanna," she said quietly. "You are the one person I tolerate, in fact. I merely...feel threatened. The arrival of the Major and then Dargus Kandran..." She glanced sidelong at Rilanna and sighed sharply. "I could lose everything, Rilanna. Two powerful men whose true intentions I know not... I am not prepared and it could cause me to lose everything I've worked so hard for."

"And yet my personal beliefs disgust you," Rilanna said. "You were upset that I wasn't gunning down every bit of scum Downbelow. You ridiculed me for saving Cham's life and having him taken to the infirmary. Yes, you could lose everything from those two, but it's really stupid to alienate your head of security and someone who considered you a friend."

"Who else was I to take my frustrations out on? I have no one else, Rilanna!" She looked away and gathered her calm before adding, "I'm afraid you were just...convenient."

"Well, now you'll have to find yourself a new convenience," Ril said. "I am not here for you to take your frustrations out on, and I'm not going to sit back and take it. I get more respect from the scum Downbelow than I get from you."

"Fine," she said coolly. "Remove these shackles and stop this lift. I don't care to be the recipient of your false sympathies. The bleeding will stop and the nausea will abate. Besides, I wouldn't want you to be late for your transport."

"I have my own ship," Rilanna said. "There's no worry about being late. But, if you want to walk your way to the infirmary without our help, then that's fine too." She reached down, and unfastened the restraints.

"I won't be going to the infirmary." Reza rubbed her wrists once they were freed. "I don't require it. I need to return to work or at least settle in my quarters for another drink."

"If you let that hand go untreated," Rilanna said, glancing down at the injury, "it will most likely be unusable within two weeks. You really should have it looked at. But, I guess it's your hand, your choice."

Reza nodded slowly, then regarded Rilanna with a softened expression. "Reconsider, Rilanna. Stay on the station and think this through for a time."

Rilanna looked over at her one-time friend and sighed. "Very well," she said with a nod. "I'll give it a little time. And, I guess we'll see what happens from there."

"And...you will continue working?" Reza hid her satisfaction well, especially since it was concealed by a wince. Even though her hand was somewhat numbed, the pain was still prominent.

Rilanna shook her head. "If I'm going to work for you again, then this situation needs to be straightened out first."

"And how do you propose we do that, Ms. Kir? I can't alter my way of thinking, and I believe you are just as stubborn as I am in that respect."

"Then I'll stay here for a few more days and decide where to head to next, and I'll be off. If we can no longer get along, then I don't believe my staying here will be a good thing."

Reza sighed wearily and turned to face Rilanna directly. "Come to my quarters for dinner tomorrow evening, Rilanna. We can perhaps come to an understanding."

A soft howling question came from above both their heads. Rilanna smiled and ran a hand through the fur on one of Cham's arms. "No, I don't think you're invited, Cham. But, it'll give you a chance to go over my ship like you've been asking for." The Wookiee let out another woofing sound and nodded. Rilanna turned back to Shrezade and gave her an accepting nod. "I'll be there," she said.

"Good. But...no Mon Cal shrimp. I do believe it has certain unpleasant attachments associated with it after our...little meeting." Reza turned to the doors of the lift and cleared her throat softly. "I was harsh, Rilanna. I shouldn't have been. I will try to avoid that in the future."

Rilanna smiled. "I don't know, I think I'm going to miss the shrimp," she said. "You were more than harsh. Though, I don't know if I can blame you for that given your disposition. You are very confident of your own beliefs and have little use for those who don't believe as you do." She laughed softly. "Though, I don't think anyone else would have had the courage to stand so firmly by those beliefs. I may not agree with you, but I can't help admiring your resolve."

"That is one thing I've learned in my life, Rilanna. If you remain silent, no matter what the issue, you often regret it." Reza looked down at her injured hand and returned briefly to the thoughts that had triggered the violent grip that shattered her glass. "Regret can make a person cold and hard, Rilanna. It never wanes, nor can you ever dispel it. It stays for always, and that is why you must be confident and determined, and have no qualms about offending others by stating your beliefs. You may lose a friend along the way, but at least loneliness is a thing one can learn to live with."

"Then you'll be fine once I've left," Rilanna said. "You don't seem to have anyone else around here you like, so I was a little concerned."

"Does this mean your mind cannot be changed on that subject? You are still leaving me, Rilanna?"

Rilanna shrugged. "I don't know yet," she said. "I'd like to be your friend still, but I don't know if that's possible anymore. If it's possible, I'd like that."

"Why could it not be possible?" Reza asked, truly perplexed. "I mean...all friends have minor differences of opinion. Why must that mean immediately negate all the things they do have in common?"

"This is a very big difference of opinion," Rilanna said. "If the lower half of the station was blown to bits, you wouldn't bat an eye at the people lost down there. You would automatically assume that anyone from down there was just scum, and they deserved what they got. There's a lot of scum down there, but that's not all of them."

"And how would you propose I weed out the scum from the honest citizens only seeking shelter on my station?" Reza asked with mild curiousity and somewhat less mild cynicism. "Rilanna, downbelow, everyone is forced to engage in some form of criminal activity to stay alive. Whether it be stealing to feed themselves or running a black market weapon ring, they are all guilty of something."

"If they are forced into those conditions, then the management of this station is at fault. If innocent lives are falling through the cracks, it's the fault of those running the place, not those falling."

Reza cocked an eyebrow at Rilanna and laughed softly. "In other words...me?"

"You're blaming them for the conditions you've forced upon them," Rilanna said. She looked around, and then finally back to Shrezade. "So why do you hate them so much?"

"I do not hate them," she replied promptly. "It is creatures such as those Rebels whom I truly hate. Now, they should be shot on sight. The scum downbelow... Well, I merely resent them for taking up space on my station, believing it is some haven for the poor and destitute. I am trying to run a business enterprise here. Can they not see that? Can they not see that this is not a safe house for the criminally inclined? I am merely trying to protect the interests of my operation. That is all."

"They are probably more concerned about their own survival than your business interests," Rilanna said. "Some of them deserve to be hauled in, or spaced, or whatever outcome they receive. Others, like Cham, are just caught in the wave rushing through."

Reza sighed deeply and threw her hands up in frustration. "Well, what would you have me do, Rilanna? My security officers are instructed to apprehend any they believe guilty of a crime. It would require far too much time and too many resources to investigate and discover if a suspected criminal truly is one. How am I to keep my sanity if I worry that perhaps that man who was thrown into the brig two nights ago isn't guilty at all? Should I let him go? Should I have him proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt? If I let him go, the crime will continue. If I keep him locked away, people such as yourself and others like you complain to me about injustice. Rilanna...what can I do?"

"Let me and my people do our jobs as peacekeepers," Rilanna said. "Let us investigate the crimes. Let us apprehend the criminals as they commit their crimes. Let us put into place laws that will discourage the kinds of activities that lead to these sorts of things. Checkpoints can be established, and to pass through the checkpoints, an identity card is required. We make sure everyone has identity cards, and we make sure all criminal records of everyone on the station are accessible to the security staff. It won't stop the crime, but it will cut it down."

"But eventually, they will find a way around all that, Rilanna. If they are desperate enough, they will find a way." Reza pinched the bridge of her nose and leaned back against the wall of the lift - which had halted long ago - to avoid falling over from a new bout of vertigo. "And then to have to deal with Major Weyland and his men... Oh, Rilanna, I must admit that for once, I am overwhelmed."

"They may find ways around the checks," Rilanna said, "but we'll find those ways too. And, we'll plug them up. And, I don't think you need to worry too much about the major. He may like things rough, but I can still handle him."

"Rough?" Reza asked with a questioning smile. "In what way, Rilanna Kir?"

"He's not exactly gentle during sex," Rilanna said. "But if that's what he likes, and that's what plays him into the palm of my hand quicker...that's fine by me."

Reza smiled wanly and avoided Rilanna's gaze as she said, "You are not a slut, Rilanna. I should not have said that. I...am sorry."

"Thank you," Rilanna said softly. "I know I'm using my body with him, but it's for a good cause. And, it is kinda nice."

"I would imagine so," Reza replied with a suppressed grin. Their moment of levity didn't last long as Reza's face became pallid and her body began to wilt. Bleeding from an open wound, combined with too much alcohol on an empty stomach wasn't boding well for her. "I believe...I am unwell, Rilanna." Reza stumbled forward and would have fallen flat against the floor of the lift if Rilanna's lumbering furball hadn't been there to intercept her swooning form. "Get this...creature away from me," she muttered weakly.

With a soft howl followed by several barks, Cham cocked his head to the side as he looked down at Shrezade.

"He wants to know if he should just let you fall to the floor," Rilanna asked.

Reza muttered an incomprehensible response as her head lolled against Cham's furred abdomen. Her legs were sprawled out before her and her arms hung limply by her sides, with only Cham's hands grasped under her arms keeping her semi-upright.

"Go ahead and pick her up, Cham," Rilanna said as she moved to the turbolift controls. The car suddenly lurched into motion while Cham hefted Shrezade up into his arms.

It wasn't long before the doors opened and they stepped out into the corridor heading toward the infirmary. They stepped through the door to the infirmary, and Cham let out a roar and placed Shrezade on one of the open tables.

Rilanna moved to Reza's side, and took her good hand. "You're going to be alright now, Shrezade. Everything's okay now."

"Never...okay," Reza murmured. Her eyes fluttered open and closed as she moaned softly, and sweat had begun collecting on her brow. "Never...Vraner. Never again..."

"Vraner?" Rilanna looked up at Cham who only shrugged. She'd have to check on that one. Vraner...Anoran? Could be, she told herself. Only one way to find out. She put the thought of finding out who Vraner was for the moment, and motioned over one of the doctors who immediately got to work. Rilanna stepped back next to Cham and allowed her mind to puzzle once more over who Vraner might be.

It didn't take long for the doctor to recognize who his patient was. He gave a silent prayer to the gods that she was unconscious, and intending her to stay that way for a good while longer, he instructed his nurse to administer a sedative. Satisfied and confident that once he moved in to examine her his face wouldn't be clawed off, the doctor sighed and began working at Shrezade Anoran's lacerated hand. Oh, would he have a story to tell at the sabacc game next week.

---

"Collecting A Prize"
by Daemor'rah - Jedi/Bounty Huntress
and Grand Admiral Tarkin - New Empire Grand Admiral

Location: New Empire Mainbase, Arcadia
Date: Niothe 14, 4 ABY

***

She stopped her speeder at the main gates of what was the former palace and now served as the New Empire's Mainbase. Two stormtroopers aimed at her while a third one came over to know her purpose there. Beyond the gates and over the forcefield defensive system, an AT-ST could be seen. It became immediately clear that Tarkin was a man of caution, meaning she should have caution too.

"What is your purpose here?" the stormtrooper asked as he approached her.

"I am here to collect the prize set by Grand Admiral Tarkin himself on the former High Princess' head," she explained simply, as she pointed to what looked like a covered body on the back of her swoop.

"I'll take it. Leave it here!" the guard said fiercely.

"And let you collect the prize? I think not! Unless you are willing to give me the prize designated by Grand Admiral..." she frowned.

The Stormtrooper pointed his weapon at her. "Your identification? We'll see if you are let in..."

"Just tell your superior that Daemor'rah the bounty huntress is here and that I have the High Princess' dead corpse!" she shot angrily.

Turning his back on her, the stormtrooper went to confirm whether this woman was known and whether she would be let in. A couple of minutes later two Red Guards showed up at the gates to escort her and the corpse she had with her to Tarkin. They led her inside and into a room overlooking the gardens.

"Ahh... I see you have come to collect the prize. But you still have to prove it is the correct person!" Tarkin said as he entered the room.

Turning around to face him, Daemor'rah cut the ropes from the covers and unwrapped Kalaira's dead body. With a grin she got back up. "The High Princess. As you requested: dead!" she said.

Without a word Tarkin snapped his fingers and in came a medic. Approaching the body he shot a small syringe gun into the corpse and scanned the DNA to see whether this was the real thing or a fake. "It's her..." the medic concluded.

"So, you have killed the former High Princess... My most sincere congratulations Bounty Huntress." Tarkin grinned. "I expect you to want your prize?"

"That is what I came for..." Daemor'rah nodded. "You think I kill for sport?"

Tarkin laughed. "Actually I do... But that does not bother me one bit. Your prize will be waiting for you outside," he told her. "Guard, get this body carbonized at once!" he said with a wicked grin.

Leaving the room with no further discussion meant, Daemor'rah took her prize money and headed out to the gates, once more escorted, where her swoop was waiting for her.

---