"Losing Grip, Part 1"
By: Master Liam Zaneth
Meer'esh
Dame Oot Kovan
High Princess Yelara Neerou
Leshie Zaneth

Location: Royal Palace of Arcadia
Date: Selene 15, 5 ABY

***

Liam Zaneth stood beside the door, watching the dignitaries gathered around the table before him. They were aware of his presence, but paid him no mind. Their own problems were of greater concern to them, not the Jedi. And, now their voices continued to gain in volume as each minute passed. He suspected they might even riot if kept waiting much longer. Though, that they were still waiting was a concern to him. It was uncharacteristic for Yelara to make them wait for this long.

"Master Jedi, when will the High Princess arrive?"

It was the representative from Varset, a man who always had somewhere more important to be.

"I am certain we will know soon," Liam answered. "It must be something very important to delay her from meeting today."

The man grumped, and then turned back to complain to his neighbour some more. Liam frowned once the attention was no longer on him.

As he felt a tickling inside his mind, he turned to find the door opening. One of the palace guards stood there. The young man bowed. "Master Zaneth, the meeting has been cancelled," he said. "The High Princess passes on her regrets." Then, with another bow, the guard withdrew.

"Wait," Liam said, but the man was already heading down the hall. With an internal sigh, Liam turned to the waiting delegates. "The meeting has been cancelled. The High Princess' office will notify you if tomorrow's meeting will resume as scheduled. We apologize for the inconvenience."

As the room behind him erupted in self-important chaos, Liam excused himself and was already striding toward the section of the palace where the High Princess kept her rooms. At his pace, it did not take him long to reach her door.

As if anticipating his arrival, Meer'esh slipped out of Yelara's chambers, sealing the door fast behind him. He remained there, barring entry once Liam reached him. His bow was stiff and curt, obviously executed only out of protocol. "You are receiving Yelara's message, then?"

"Yes," Liam answered. "And, now I would like to see Yelara."

"She is not taking visitors." Meer'esh gave the faintest of smiles, doing nothing to conceal his mild satisfaction in denying Liam's request. "I will gladly be notifying you when she wishes to be seeing you."

"She will see me," Liam said.

Meer'esh's smile grew, now infused with a touch of arrogance. "I'm afraid I am being the only one Yelara wishes to see. You would be bold enough, Jedi, to go against what she is wanting?"

"All I have is your word and your gloating smiles," Liam said. "I do not believe it is beyond you to hide the truth and lie, is it?" He gave the alien a knowing look. "Very well, I will go discuss the matter with Dame Kovan. I am quite certain she will be able to give me some news." This time, it was Liam's turn to give an enigmatic smile. With that, he turned and started down the hall the other direction.

Meer'esh frowned, his violet eyes darkening as they watched Liam's departure. He had been working to rid the Jedi from the palace, but the pieces were not yet in place to accomplish his goal. At least he could find some delight in knowing Yelara would be out of his reach for a while yet.

Confident Liam had no plans to return, Meer'esh slipped back into Yelara's chambers to tend to her, and ensure no one else disturbed their precious time together.

***

"I should just give up this position and return to the Temple," Liam Zaneth said. "I have been near useless for the last three months, doing nothing more than babysitting Va'Lesh every night and making sure the meetings stay on topic. I am wasting my time here."

Oot Kovan watched the lines of Liam Zaneth's back as he stood before the window overlooking the palace courtyard below. She could see the tension in them even through the Jedi robe he wore. She approached and took a seat in one of the chairs facing in his direction.

"Yes," Oot finally answered the question that had lingered in the air for several minutes. "Something did happen. Two evenings ago, I was summoned to Yelara's quarters. She'd collapsed, and I called for a doctor. I do knot know what she and Meer'esh were doing, but I am going to assume they were extremely close, and my assumptions of such things are only slightly less reliable than a Zeltron's."

Liam nodded, understanding her meaning.

She gave a quick summary of the doctor's findings, and Meer'esh's response. "Under the circumstances, there was nothing more that I could do. He essentially speaks for her when she is unable to speak for herself. He is becoming a very influential person around here, Liam and it concerns me greatly. I do not trust him."

"Neither do I," Liam said. "I haven't since I first met him. There is something about him, something elusive. I cannot pin it down, but I have felt it every time in his presence. I only tolerate him, against my better judgment, for Yelara. If he does anything to harm her, I don't think there's any power in the galaxy that will be able to stop me from going down that road I've walked before."

"Now I know why the Jedi frown on attachments," Oot said.

"Precisely the reason. I've lost her once, and I can't do it again. Leshie needs his mama, no matter how much she doesn't need his father."

"And Leshie in Meer'esh's presence?"

Liam sighed. "There's nothing I can do about that," he said. He turned back to face her. "I can't get into her room without a confrontation, and I do not know if I trust myself enough in a confrontation against him. I wanted to just pick him up and toss him down the hallway."

"I will talk to her," Oot said with a nod. "I do not know if she has given such orders that none are to see her but Meer'esh, but if he tries to bar me from seeing her, I have no compunctions against having Kambra shoot him."

Liam rolled his eyes. "I don't know if I'd go that far."

"Perhaps only a kneecap then," Oot said with a smile. "His species does appear to have kneecaps." She was silent for a moment, observing him as he observed her. "How do you feel about the two of them together? And, you do know they are together, don't you?"

"I don't like it because of what I've felt from Meer'esh," Liam said. "But, Yelara needs to learn to stand on her own and make her own mistakes. I'm only hoping that I can be close enough to make certain the mistake isn't a fatal one."

Oot nodded her understanding again. "And, are you seeing anyone?"

"I made that mistake after she died," Liam said. "It was a nice escape with Shaza, but that's all it was. She was a buffer to help me deal with the pain. For now, I am content as I am."

"Good," was Oot's reply. "I will go speak with her at once. If I must, I will bring the doctor along. And, of course, I will have Kambra by my side."

"As always," Liam said, "I am in your debt."

"And, as always, sleep with me just once, Liam Zaneth, and all your debts will be erased." Oot's eyes twinkled merrily as she watched him.

Liam bowed before her and started toward the door. "One day, you will fall out of your chair in surprise when I take you up on that offer," he said.

"I await the day," Oot said as she rose and followed him to the door. "So, you will not be relinquishing your post here and returning to the Temple?"

"Not yet," Liam said. "Though, if I have to endure Meer'esh's gloating smile too many more times, I will need to. I am not certain how long Yelara's hesitation would be if I were lop his head off with my lightsaber, but I have no doubts that at the end of that hesitation would be my arrest."

With that, he left Oot Kovan alone in her room and stalked off down the corridor. With a dramatic sigh, Oot sat down at her comm station to summon Kambra and to put the doctor on standby. It would probably be a long day.

***

Although she'd been awake for hours, Yelara kept her eyes closed and continued to feign sleep despite Meer'esh's gentle entreaties to return to him. As heartwrenching as it was to ignore his pleas, Yelara was not yet willing to face the reality of her condition, or her fate. The doctor hadn't gone into details the previous night, but his quiet demeanour indicated more than words could have. Something was wrong. Very wrong.

Too craven to attempt moving her legs, Yelara remained very still, and in complete denial. If she just tried hard enough, Yelara was certain they would move, as they had ceased to do the previous night. If only.... For herself, for her son who deserved to see his mother, Yelara overcame her cowardice and opened both eyes. The sunshine streaming through the grand windows was blinding. Yelara squeezed her eyes shut against the pain, then opened them a crack until she adjusted to the light's intensity.

A survey of the room indicated Meer'esh truly had left her side, perhaps to secure a meal, but it was a favourable circumstance for Yelara, for with Meer'esh's doting and overprotectiveness, she would likely remain bed-ridden. That was not Yelara's goal. She intended to walk again, even if she must force her legs into cooperation. So, she tossed back her bedsheets, gathering up the might to glance down at her legs. The sight of them seemed to assuage her anxieties, and as she pushed the hem of her nightgown down to cover her thighs, there was faint, but detectable sensation. Nothing could deter her now.

Wrapping her hands beneath her thighs, Yelara took two deep breaths and braced herself as she lifted her legs over the mattress' edge. She paused to catch her breath, and while doing so stared intently at her dangling limbs, willing them to work and hold her up. The last thing she wanted was to become an invalid, and for anyone to consider her helpless. With those thoughts providing further motivation, Yelara pushed herself upright...and instantly crashed face-first to the ground with a pained groan. And there she remained, pressing her forehead against the floor in rage and grief.

"What did I do?" she sobbed. "Was I so horrible a person that I deserve this?'

"Yelara!" Meer'esh's panicked shout failed to draw Yelara out of her self-pity. She barely noticed him dragging her from the ground, into his arms, and carrying her once again into bed. Only when Meer'esh began dabbing at her cut lip with a small cloth did she acknowledge his presence by pushing away his hand.

"I'm not completely helpless," she told him far more harshly than she'd intended and held out one hand. Meer'esh delivered the cloth to her waiting palm. Yelara pressed it to her wound.

"Are you being hungry?" Meer'esh asked gently, ignoring the incident. Judging from her foul mood, it was best not to lecture her just yet. "I have something that is waiting in the dining room, if you are being up for it."

Yelara shook her head. "I'm not hungry. I'm...angry, Meer'esh. I don't know what's happening to me and why."

He cradled her cheek and smiled warmly, hoping that, too, wouldn't illicit an angry response. "The doctor said that something can be done. Surgery, Yelara...if it is what you're wanting."

She looked up at Meer'esh, her eyes wide and expectant. "Is this true? Then what am I waiting for!"

"Yelara," he murmured soothingly, "you must be thinking about this. There...there are being risks, things worse than not walking."

"Like, what? Death?" She chuckled bitterly. "Meer'esh, I'd rather die than live like this. Truly."

His hands gripped Yelara's shoulders in his desperation. Her words frightened him inexplicably. "You cannot be saying that, Yelara. I may not be giving you much to live for, but at least be thinking of Va'Lesh. Do you not want to be there for him?"

"Yes!" she exclaimed, the frustration clear in her attempts to extricate herself from Meer'esh's hold. "I want to be his mother, but how can I? I can't stand, Meer'esh! How am I to take care of him?"

"I will help," he whispered. "Let me help you, Yelara, and you can be the mother he is deserving."

"I know," Yelara answered with a choked sob. "But I'm scared, Meer'esh. I don't know what's going to happen to me next."

He took Yelara into his comforting embrace and brushed his lips against her brow as he murmured, "Whatever will be happening, I am protecting you, Yelara. You will never be scared, hm?"

This coaxed the tiniest of smiles from Yelara. "I'll try. With your help..."

"Always with my help," he affirmed and was moving his lips towards hers when a susurrating chime indicated a visitor's arrival outside. Meer'esh frowned, suspecting Liam had returned for another attempt. But, he said not a word about their initial encounter to Yelara as he excused himself with a kiss to her brow.

Only when he was no longer in view did Meer'esh cease his easy, casual striding and stalked to the entryway. He flung open the door, and stopped short when Oot Kovan appeared in Liam's place. Meer'esh blinked slowly before gathering himself and bowing respectfully to Oot. "You have come to check Yelara's well-being?"

"Actually, I thought that her condition would be improved by my dancing the rysha'aki," Oot said. "Yes, I've come to check on her condition. If you will please step aside."

Meer'esh considered the Twi'lek for a time, making no signs of permitting her within Yelara's chambers, but one glance past the Twi'lek's shoulder, to the armed Gungan standing behind her and Meer'esh's hand was forced. The Gungan's single eye always seemed to gleam with murderous intent whenever in his presence. "Only you," Meer'esh finally said and did step aside for Oot. "Yelara is not being up for many guests."

Oot brushed past him without a second glance and entered Yelara's apartments. When she came into Yelara's view, she dropped into a curtsey. "Your Highness," she said. "I am glad to see you are awake. The doctor is still working diligently with the information gathered the other night. I expect results within the next day, at the most two. And, I am glad that you are able to receive me; I have heard that others of your top advisors have been turned away at the door."

Yelara frowned briefly, then sighed and admitted, "It's probably just as well. I'm in no position to see anyone right now, and I'd rather they didn't. If this isn't a sign of weakness, then I don't know what is."

"Up until a short while ago, Liam Zaneth was still unaware of your condition," Oot said. "He was informed that Meer'esh was the only one you were seeing, including your top advisors. He now knows what happened because I felt that, in his position here as your advisor and our liaison with the Jedi, he needed to know. I know you are going through a difficult and stressful time, Yelara, and I am here for you, whenever you need me: as a friend and an advisor. I told Liam I would speak with you and clear this matter up. I do not believe he is happy doing nothing but babysitting delegates and having his wisdom as an advisor ignored. I would like to speak with you more on this situation, but it would have to be privately."

Meer'esh arrived in time to catch Oot's final words, and now stared daggers at the Twi'lek. When he shifted his gaze to Yelara, it had softened completely. "Yelara is being very out of sorts today. Maybe this can be discussed tomorrow."

"No," Yelara interrupted. Her apologetic smile worried Meer'esh, and he was right to be. "Please...I need some time alone with Dame Kovan. Besides...I do think I'm hungry after all. Would you mind checking if the kitchen will bring me some beebleberry flatcakes. And please remind them not to forget the carbosyrup."

Meer'esh's stunned expression was hastily wiped from his face as he bowed curtly. "I will be returning shortly." Then, he strode briskly from her bedchamber. His displeasure was not easy for Yelara to miss.

She sighed ruefully, but mustered a smile for Oot and gestured her to a chair. "He wants so much to protect me, that sometimes he doesn't realize how he comes across to others. Please don't fault him for that, Oot."

"Before I say anything more, I want to assure you that I am and will always be yours and Liam's friend," Oot said. "The two of you helped me more than you could ever know. Even if you no longer remember it, I do. That said, whatever strain exists between yourself and Liam saddens me, but it is understandable. If you are happy with Meer'esh, then I am happy for you. While Liam still loves you, Va'Lesh having his mother back is more important to him than his own needs and desires. Again, with that said, I am placing no favour with one over the other or working as an agent to bring the two of you back together. If it happens, I will be overjoyed, but I have enough trouble with my own relationships that I don't need to stick my lekku in anyone else's. I say this because I want you to know that, without a doubt, my thoughts and feelings on matters are my own and are not those of Liam Zaneth. If Liam wishes to gain the courage to speak of them, then he is welcome to do so. I speak for myself, and no one else."

Oot smiled and sighed, and then continued. "I know you care for Meer'esh very much. I know you and he are growing ever closer, and the state in which I found the two of you when I arrived here the other night was clear enough indication. As your friend, as your advisor, and as someone who has fought for the future of this planet for the last year, I tell you that, whether you can see it or not, Meer'esh is treading into dangerous territory. Perhaps it is his overprotectiveness, perhaps it is something more sinister, but he is alienating your advisors. He is speaking with your voice. And, he is extremely jealous of Liam. I do not know how much of Liam's past he has revealed to you, but I do not believe you or Meer'esh want to see Liam pushed too far. Liam is maintaining his temper for now, but I imagine there is only so much of Meer'esh's goading he will be able to take before Meer'esh is handed his own head. I do not believe having the meeting today cancelled, and then being turned away by Meer'esh helped matters any. With others, perhaps Meer'esh is protecting you; with Liam, Meer'esh is protecting himself. He has laid his claim, I believe, and does not want to let anyone close who can threaten that claim."

"He's only doing what I've asked of him," Yelara explained, though made somewhat uneasy by Oot's words. "I asked him to keep Liam away. I don't want him seeing me like this. He's been through enough that he doesn't need to watch me--" Her voice caught in her throat and Yelara looked down at her legs, lifeless beneath her bedsheets. When she glanced up at Oot once again, she whispered, "I'm dying...aren't I? Meer'esh didn't say...but I feel something's very wrong with me, Oot. Am I right?"

"It's possible," Oot said, deciding not to keep anything from Yelara. "It sounds like your nervous system is destabilizing, from what the doctor has described. If you would like, I can have him come by to explain things more fully to you, to give you all of your options. Liam is the one who brought you back, Yelara; maybe there's something he can do, through the Force, that will help you."

"And if he can't?" She shook her head. "I won't put that guilt on him. I've ruined his life enough already; I can't do this to him, as much as he believes I feel nothing for him." There was a long pause while Yelara collected her thoughts, revisiting those that had been plaguing her mind for months, and had been ignored stubbornly. Now, Yelara desired for Oot to understand her position, and to believe it was not entirely selfish. "I don't want to hurt him anymore, and I have been because I'm afraid to admit what I know in my heart." She smiled wistfully. "I love Liam. I just don't know if it's a memory of an emotion, or how I truly feel. And that's why I can't act on it. It's why," she admitted softly, "I've turned to Meer'esh for affection. I don't know how else to react, in this situation."

"If that is the case, keeping Liam here at the Palace is unfair to him. You are a walking memory of what his life once was, but you keep him at a distance. If you love him as much as you believe, you may have to let him go. Or make it clear you are with Meer'esh, but rely on his counsel. Keeping him as you are is doing you both no good, and probably causing more harm than you realize."

"He'll hate me if I admit my relationship with Meer'esh," Yelara insisted. "I need him, Oot. And although I may disagree with his opinion at times, I really do appreciate him. Doesn't he feel that?"

"Lately, I do not believe so," Oot answered. "Also, the longer you delay admitting your relationship with Meer'esh while the clues and hints that such a relationship does exist become more and more apparent the worse it will be when the truth is finally revealed to him. He'll hate you less if he hears it from you, rather than from one of Arcadia's tabloids...or happening across the two of you at an inappropriate moment."

"We haven't done anything," Yelara admitted. "He...he hasn't wanted to. But I know you're right, and I had intended to tell Liam...but there just hasn't been a convenient time."

"In matters of the heart, there never is," Oot said. "I also think you need to decide if Meer'esh is the one you want to be with. It isn't fair to him or yourself if your heart is only half-committed, or that you have chosen him merely to keep yourself distant from Liam. If you do wish to be with Meer'esh, you will need to speak with him of his overpossessiveness. You are the High Princess of Tae'Karada and the leader in the Tae'Remok Alliance, and his behaviour is already causing friction that you don't need.

"I believe I understand your hesitation in not telling Liam," Oot continued. "I believe within you is a hope that perhaps you will realize your feelings for him are really your own, and that perhaps that will be a life you can pursue...but telling him effectively ends any chance of that, of Va'Lesh having both is mother and father. As it stands now, Liam and Meer'esh are like a pair of bantha bulls, and you're the mare. Liam is content to allow you your space, to live your life as you choose, however much it hurts him inside. Meer'esh sees Liam as a constant threat, and keeps butting his horns against Liam's. Until now, Liam has not fought back, and I believe that is giving Meer'esh a false sense of victory. I know Liam Zaneth does have a breaking point, and I do not know how close Meer'esh is to finding it. I don't think any of us, Meer'esh especially even if he doesn't not realize it, want that point to be breached."

"But I don't want to lose Liam," Yelara told her despondently. "I may be High Princess, Oot, but I have no idea what to do." She chuckled weakly, though it was more of a sob. "I know Meer'esh gets very outspoken at times...but he has very definite ideas of how things should be done, but never has he defied me. I'll...I'll have to talk to him about his behaviour, I know...but there's so much to do...I just can't keep up with everything. There just isn't time. There's never any time...."

"The best trick a leader can learn is to delegate to others," Oot said with a smile. "Make certain that the people closest are people you can trust, your aides and confidantes, and then delegate whatever you can to them. I am here to help however I can, Yelara. Use whatever knowledge and experience I have to help you do what you must." She reached out and covered Yel's hand with her own. "If you need more people to help, I am always happy to provide some of my staff, and we can interview others to assist as well."

Yelara smiled warmly at Oot. "Thanks. I may take you up on that...but not before I speak to Liam and clear things up." She watched Oot knowingly and said, "He knows about my condition, I gather?"

"I explained as much as I could without making it worse," Oot said. "I am not versed enough in the medical field to fully explain your condition. But he knows."

"Then Meer'esh has no reason to keep him from seeing me. Which means...." With a sigh Yelara nodded, finally relenting. "When you see Liam...will you ask him to visit me? I'd like it if he brought Va'Lesh with him... And don't worry, I'll make certain Meer'esh is doing something else when Liam arrives."

"I will be happy to," Oot said with a smile. "Did you want me to go search for him now? I think I know where he may be."

"As soon as possible." Squeezing Oot's hand gently, Yelara told her with great sincerity, "Thank you. I've been foolish, but I'll try harder. And if I can manage not to alienate Liam entirely, I think I'll be able to get a better handle on things around here." She smiled ruefully. "If he doesn't already hate me."

"I'm pretty sure he still loves you as much as he always has. He's just frustrated, that's all."

"If that's true," Yelara reasoned, "then he'll agree to meet me, won't he?"

"He will," Oot said. "I'm quite sure of it. He was very worried when the meeting was cancelled, and then when he found out about your condition."

"I understand--" Yelara went silent and listened to the telltale grind of her chamber doors opening, then closing. "Meer'esh is back," she surmised. "I'll take care of him. Please tell Liam to join me here in a half hour. I'll be ready to discuss everything with him by then."

"Of course," Oot said with an encouraging smile. "It was good to speak with you, Yelara. I hope we have more opportunities to talk. It is very nice to have a friend I can chat with."

"If I last long enough," she joked mildly, "then I'm sure we'll find more time to speak."

"I'll see you soon, Yelara," Oot said. "And, I'll have the doctor contact you later to give you an update on what's been found."

Before Yelara had an opportunity to reply and thank Oot, Meer'esh stepped into her bedroom without awaiting permission, carrying a covered tray of what was presumably Yelara's breakfast. He was undeniably agitated, and more so by Oot's presence. "They were having trouble with finding the carbosyrup," he announced, and carried the tray to her night table. Yelara, meanwhile, mouthed a thank-you to Oot.

Oot gave Yelara a warm smile, and then bowed with respect before taking her leave. She gave Kambra a nod once she was out of the room and he fell into step beside her as she started off in search of Liam Zaneth.

---

"Losing Grip, Part 2"
By: Master Liam Zaneth
High Princess Yelara Neerou
Leshie Zaneth

Location: Royal Palace of Arcadia
Date: Selene 15, 5 ABY

***

In a tantrum, or what was the closest approximation to one, is how Meer'esh left Yelara after being dismissed for the hour. Of course he had protested vehemently that she not be left alone in her present condition, but Yelara was unconvinced that Meer'esh had been ignorant of her reasons for requesting solitude, or that she would be alone, which had made his departure far more tempestuous. Even still Yelara had trouble forgetting the murderous expression he had fled with, and she knew precisely who he had been thinking of in that moment.

Before his flight, Yelara had asked Meer'esh to seat her in her favourite high-backed armchair next to the double-doors leading to her private balcony. A blanket covered her legs, hiding them from sight rather than to provide warmth. Yelara couldn't yet bear to look at them, knowing they were now as lifeless as she was beginning to feel.

Sunbeams slanted through the window panes, warming her face and reminding her that, despite her condition, she was not quite dead yet. The comforting heat made her drowsy to a point where she was nearly asleep when Liam had been admitted to her chambers by the door guards. She looked back at him, and at Va'Lesh bouncing eagerly in his arms. Yelara smiled at them both. "I've been waiting."

Liam gave her a smile as he shifted the squirming little one in his arms. "We would have been here sooner, but someone decided his chaba sauce would taste better after it had been rubbed into his hair." He brought Leshie closer, each step seeming to raise their child's excitement even more. "I think he's missed you."

"Me too," Yelara whispered thickly, and extended both arms towards her child. Once he was wrapped in her embrace, and snuggling into his mother's warmth, Yelara nodded her gratitude to Liam. "Have a seat. It would appear we have much to talk about."

"Of course," Liam said as he moved to take a seat. He settled his robes behind him as he seated himself on a chair near Yelara. He smiled as he watched the two of them together. "He's growing up fast. It won't be long, and he's going to be walking."

"I know," she whispered thickly as her throat began constricting with the knowledge that she might never see that day. "I just hope we're doing the best we can with him. He deserves it."

"I think we are," Liam said. "He gets a lot of attention and love, and we don't spoil him too much. I think, under the circumstances, we're doing the best we can, and he seems happy." He smiled at both Yelara and Leshie. "He seemed to know right where we were going after I got him bathed and into some clean clothes."

Yelara held Va'Lesh tighter, becoming quickly distressed at hearing of all the things she'd be missing out on. She didn't realize she was weeping until Leshie began whimpering and fidgeting against her. "You know what's wrong with me, Liam. Do you know how bad it truly is?"

"I know you are unable to walk," Liam said. "Oot is going to have her doctor stop by to explain the situation. I would like to have Kael also talk to the doctor. He's studying to be a Force Healer, and perhaps he will see something due to his studies. I do not know if you want me to try to do anything. I may be able to use the Force to help you...but I'm uncertain. When you came back, I think I had a hand in that...through the Force, but I do not know what it was I did." His voice wavered slightly with emotion. "I never wished for this to happen. I only wanted Leshie to have his mama again. Anything I can do to help, you just have to name it."

"I don't want to be examined and studied like a lab specimen," she answered with finality. "This is fate catching up with me, Liam. Don't you see? I shouldn't be alive now, and the universe knows it. Whatever forces are at work out there," she whispered, "they've come to take me back where I belong. That's why this is happening, and that's why we shouldn't do anything to fix it. Do you really want to defy the gods, Liam?"

"If it means not having to wake up in the middle of the night to have to soothe Leshie as he cries for his mama, yes," Liam said. "If there is some force in the galaxy that believes you should be dead, that Leshie should not have his mother, and that all those who love you and care for you should have you torn from their lives, then that force is an evil far worse than Palpatine ever was. I don't believe it's fate catching up with you, Yelara...it's something and we can find out what it is. I'll meditate on it and perhaps the Force will give me some guidance."

"Forget the Force, Liam!" Yelara exclaimed, startling Leshie who jerked abruptly and stared up at her with wide, fearful eyes. "The Force is what caused this entire mess," she continued with less intensity. "I told you, I don't want Leshie exposed to it, and I don't want it influencing me, either."

"And so you just want to die?" Liam asked softly. "Perhaps if you don't want the Force influencing you, I should go away. The Force is my guide, Yelara. It is a part of who I am and it's not something I can just shut out."

Yelara sighed and managed a warm smile for Liam. "I'm not trying to push you away. I just...I can't deal with everything and it's been easy to take out some of my frustrations on you. But...you do know I value your opinion and am grateful for your support, don't you?"

"I don't know if I can just turn away, Yel," Liam said. "Not knowing what you're going through. I have to help in some way, especially since I'm the reason it's happening."

"You certainly enjoy pinning the blame on yourself all the time, don't you?" Shaking her head, she chuckled. "I'm not asking you to go anywhere. If you want to give up your position as Jedi advisor, then you're free to. Just know that..." Yelara reached out her hand to Liam. "I want you here. I need you here with me."

"I won't go anywhere," Liam said as he took her hand. "But I still don't like just sitting by while you just let whatever's happening to you happen." He was silent for a moment, then continued as he met her gaze. "I know you're with Meer'esh now, and I won't stand in the way. I can't turn off how I feel about you, but I won't interfere in your relationship with him."

Yelara almost visibly winced at her own insensitivity. She raised Liam's hand to her lips, hoping a tender kiss would be apology enough. "I meant to tell you," she explained. "There's been so much happening...I failed to find the time and I'm sorry. I've already hurt you enough."

"There's no need to apologize," Liam said. "It's been apparent for some time, and I can understand your hesitation."

"No," Yelara assured him with an enigmatic, bitter chuckle. "You don't understand at all. Even I don't entirely comprehend everything that's happening. I'm attached to Meer'esh...but he's distant all the time. I can't get close to him and--" Smiling bashfully, Yelara again apologized. "You don't care about all that. Just know that you're still very important to me, Liam...and nothing will change that."

Liam smiled and nodded. "How does Leshie take to him?"

"He doesn't," Yelara admitted. "Meer'esh has tried...but Va'Lesh just won't warm up to him."

Liam nodded. Perhaps his fear that Meer'esh would replace him was even more distant now, with her admission that he was important to her still, and that Va'Lesh did not seem to be growing attached to Meer'esh either. "Well, I guess that definitely means I have to stick around. Leshie needs his daddy, doesn't he?" He reached out a finger to tickle his son's belly, earning himself some boisterous giggles in response.

"How could you think I'd replace you?" Yelara whispered. "Are you so threatened by Meer'esh?"

"I only know that you have been distant and seemed to not want me around, and you disapprove of the Jedi Order, of which I'm one of the leading members of the Council," Liam said. "I hope you can see that thinking it a possibility isn't too far of a stretch. It is not something I've desired to dwell upon, Yelara, but knowing that you and Meer'esh were getting closer, and that eventually you may wish to be a family together. I don't fit into that, and I think my presence would only cause trouble. Meer'esh is antagonistic enough toward me already, and it very well could get worse when he knows that I know that you and he are involved in a relationship now."

"Oot implied as much. But...you wouldn't really hurt him, would you?"

"I would do everything I could to prevent that," Liam said. "I would defend myself, however, if it ever became necessary."

Furrowing her brow in disbelief, Yelara exclaimed, "He would never turn violent towards you! He's gentle, Liam; I know his words sometimes sound harsh, but it's only miscommunication. I don't know much about him, but I do know that he's a kind, caring man."

"At the moment, he seems content with trying to incite me into something," Liam said. "But, since you know him far better than I, I will accept your word that he won't resort to violence. Perhaps his antagonism toward me is merely because you and I are still on friendly terms, and we have our little one keeping us closer than he would like."

Yelara fondly lay her cheek upon her son's crown while smiling at Liam. "I do still feel a connection with you - our son is not the only reason I maintain contact." Still holding Liam's hand, she rotated her wrist, bringing into view the kestrel dangling from the bracelet there. "I keep this near me because it just...it feels a part of me somehow." She glanced up at Liam from beneath her lashes and squeezed his hand. "Just like you do."

Liam smiled but there was pain in his eyes. "I'm glad to still be a part of your life," he said. "The kestrels. Whatever I can do to help you through this time, Yel, just let me know. I know there has to be a way to get you healthy and fit again."

"Meer'esh mentioned the doctor had suggested surgery, but that it would do little for me." Wallowing in self-pity despite her refusal to do so, Yelara sighed unsteadily and tried unsuccessfully to blink away tears. "I don't want to die, Liam. I can't leave Va'Lesh behind again. I can't leave you behind, or Meer'esh or this life... I won't be cheated out of all this again, Liam. I won't."

"Allow me to do whatever I can to help, and you won't be," Liam said. "Let me talk to Kael; he's been studying on how the Jedi of old used the Force to heal. I know you don't trust the Force, but it may be the help you need."

"I don't know," she replied in grief. "I'm so afraid. I-I don't know what's happening...."

"Ama," Va'Lesh uttered, patting Yelara's cheek soothingly, and smothering her tears. She laughed softly and kissed her child's brow. "I have to try," she decided. "I can't disappoint my son." Turning her smile onto Liam, Yelara added, "And I can't let you down. Tell him to stop by tomorrow. We can all meet."

"Sounds perfect," Liam said. "I'll have Oot make the arrangements. She's extremely good at that sort of thing, isn't she?"

Yelara chuckled dryly. "Yes...she is. Though, she isn't very good at keeping secrets, is she?"

"I think she's good at keeping the ones that should stay secret," Liam said with a smile.

"Then she's forgiven." Realizing her hand was still linked with Liam's, Yelara loosened her hold and allowed Liam to free his own if he so desired. "Just...drop in when this Kael man arrives. Meer'esh may be here...but I know he'd like to be present for whatever is going to happen."

Liam nodded. "That will be fine," he said, shifting the hand that had been in hers to tickle Leshie. "I'm sure everything will be fine."

"Does the Force tell you this?" she asked with mild cynicism, though her smile was teasing.

"I was only referring to the meeting," Liam said. "I'm relying on your trust in Meer'esh, and my confidence in Kael's growing abilities as a healer."

"And if he can't heal me?" she asked carefully. "I'll have to face the council members eventually, Liam, and they'll want to know the truth. But, I don't want to show vulnerability to them. They already have little faith in my abilities."

"Let's see what we can do to heal you first," Liam said. "If that fails, then we'll consider what our next step is."

"We can't hold them off forever. They'll know something's wrong."

"We don't have to hold them off forever," Liam said. "Just until after we talk with the doctor and see what Kael has to say."

"They're already restive," Yelara reminded him. "Maybe...maybe you could speak on my behalf to them? Tell them I've taken some time to be with my son?"

Liam nodded. "I'll talk to them," he said. "I don't think they'll like hearing it from me any more than you, but I will talk with them. If I need any extra diplomacy, I'll let Oot at them."

She laughed softly and absently brushed her fingers over the back of his hand as it rested upon Va'Lesh's back. "I was foolish to leave you out of this. You know just what to do, Liam."

"I do my best," Liam said with a smile, though a haunted look still lingered within his eyes. "The choices I've made and actions I've taken haven't always been well-received, but had I to do it over again, I wouldn't change a thing."

"I might," Yelara admitted. "But that's impossible now. I simply...have to focus on getting well for Va'Lesh." She smiled fondly at Liam. "Go get your Jedi friend and let's get started."

"Alright," Liam said. "I'll see you soon, Yelara. I'm sure Leshie will enjoy this time with mama. He's missed you very much."

"And I missed him," she returned. "I'm glad we had this time together. I'm sorry for all I've done."

"There's no need," Liam said with a warm and caring smile. "All is fine now, and we'll make everything else better as well. At least, that is my hope, and I'm sure Leshie agrees. Don't you, little one?"

As their son giggled at his father, Yelara grew more determined to seek the help of Liam's Jedi friends, even if she was wary of the entire Order and their powers. For Leshie, she would overcome her prejudices and accept whatever treatments they could offer. The only obstacle was convincing Meer'esh, who was proving more stubborn than she ever remembered being, to let her do so. She sighed, and gave Liam a brief wave. "I hope you come through for me," she told him earnestly.

"I will do everything I can," Liam said. "I promise I will never give up on you or our baby boy."

Yelara bowed her head in gratitude and watched Liam depart. His assurances left Yelara with a sense of optimism that slightly overshadowed her fear. Tomorrow, whatever happened, she would return to her active rule of the planet with or without the ability to walk. She would go on, for Liam would be at her side throughout her struggles, and if her condition truly was terminal at least she will have tried everything and anything to cure her ailment. Yelara could live with that.

---

"Aiding and Abetting, Part 2"
By Amii'a Val'or, Diplomatic Liaison to the New Republic (PC)
Laedra Vorrel, Jedi Master (PC)
Kael Selrid, Jedi Knight (PC)
Vaya Bek, Padawan (PC)
Constable Derix (NPC written by Amii'a)
Various NPC's

Location: Riga, Tae'Karadan Colony
Date: Selene 15th, 5ABY

***

Derix had made it to the warehouses. He had secured one for himself, the holo sign read IMPOUND: AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY. He entered his id and the security system allowed him in, and reengaged afterwards.

He was panting, sweating, his heart raced and he felt like he was going to hurl. He clenched and relaxed his fists repeatedly. He never killed anyone. He never thought he was capable. Deep down inside he was conflicted. He felt remorse, but he also needed to survive. Look out for number one.

"Stupid kid," he huffed under his breath. He knew it had been a bad idea to get him involved, but the pirates were constantly expecting more and he couldn't continue without help, or without exposing his scams.

He wondered about Pryce. He was smarter and more reliable, a little seedier with less convictions. Thought of him as the son he never had. Derix's comm bleeped, it was Pryce.

He was hesitant to answer at first, his first thoughts was that the red head bitch and the other Jedi had gotten to him. He needed to get his ship powered up and escape. He didn't want to spend the rest of his life in jail, to be accountable for what those wretched rogues pulled just that past day. However, guilt came across him. He really liked Pryce, hell he had liked Hael too. He chanced it.

"Pryce?" Derix answered, unaware that the red haired bitch and Jedi were at the young man's side. "What's a...what's going on?" he asked, worried that he was screwing himself over, especially if Pryce had learned of Hael's demise.

"I'm on the fucking run man!" Pryce said in a hushed and strained tone. "Hael bolted, the Jedi are looking for him. I ducked out, I'm on my way now, you're at the impound right? getting out of here? It's all fucked, we're fucked ain't we?"

"Calm down damnit," he said, trying to take it all in and think. He still wasn't sure, and the mention of Hale gave him the dry heaves. "What about Hael?"

"I don't know, he was acting weird," Pryce continued with his charade. "Ain't he with you? We gotta get off the fucking rock, wait for me, Derix! So help me, if you don't wait I will turn myself in and tell them everything!"

"Alright, alright," Derix hissed, feeling the pressure and uncertainty of the day's chaos. "You gotta hurry, kiddo, you're not followed are you? Where are you? You gotta come on, I'll leave ya, but I don't want to!" he said, ignoring the question about Hael.

"No! Don't leave me, damnit! I'm real close, just give me like 15 minutes to make sure it's all clear. I think they are all on the other side of the port."

"Alright, I'm getting the ship ready now, so hurry the frag up!" Derix hissed as he ended the conversation and continued to prepare for his escape.

Back at the security office, Pryce slumped in his seat. He broke down, was broken down. He couldn't take anymore. The object of his affections, if only in his dreams was taken by pirates, a friend was dead, others were dead, his hand was cut off... It throbbed and he cursed weakly. Just where the hell was Hael?

The comlink connection was made as soon as the communication with Derix had ended. "Master," Kael said. "Derix is preparing a ship. He is waiting for Pryce to arrive, but says he will not wait long. The freighter he will be using is stowed in a warehouse on the far side of the port. Sending the coordinates to you now."

"Got it," Laedra announced once the transmission was received. "Padawan Bek and I will proceed there. Will we have support?"

Kael glanced to Amii'a who shook her head. "Unless you wish for me to make my way there and meet you, it will only be the two of you," he said.

"Very well," Laedra replied. "We will contact you once we have news." Then she ended the connection.

"Once we have custody of Derix, he will assist in communicating with these pirates, draw them out with the possibility of a ransom," Amii'a said to Kael as she sent a encrypted communication to a task force just outside the system. "Our first priority needs to be the safety of those taken, then the scum can be dealt with accordingly. A special security task force is waiting to deal with them, once we have made the rescue. I'll pose as an associate to offer the ransom," she explained. "I doubt they will risk coming planet side again, so we will need a ship other than my own. I think for the mean time our friend here should visit the holding cell," she said as she produced a medkit from the wall to tend well enough to the mans wounds.

"If we require a transport, I am sure we can find one," Kael said. "If it proves to be serviceable, perhaps we can even use the one Derix is attempting to make his escape in."

"That would be all the better," she said of the Jedi's idea. "It is very important that we gain the rescue of those abducted of course, but I would love to be able to corner these degenerates so that they can pay for their crimes. An example needs to be set, we will not tolerate such activities." she said with conviction as she turned to the young man Pryce. "Foreign or domestic," she emphasized.

Laedra and Vaya, meanwhile, navigated the base's ill-lit, narrow corridors towards the garage storing vehicles of all kinds - from speeders to hovercars to small ships - and where they hoped to find Derix and restrain him with little need for force. "Our objective is to capture him alive," Laedra reminded Vaya. "If you require the use of your weapon, please try not to wound him too fatally."

"Come now, Master, surely you have more confidence in me than that," she said with lopsided grin, knowing that Laedra really didn't think she would go in for a kill. She hoped as much anyway. "I do apologize for my earlier actions," she added as the two carefully traversed their way among the cargo containers that lined the outside of the enclosures. "I meant no disrespect. Master Darr said I should learn to be more decisive and..." she was saying before she stopped.

Both Jedi heard the high powered thrum of a crafts engines warming up from within the building across from their position.

Laedra narrowed her eyes, honing her ears and senses to the issuing noise. "I certainly hope that is not our friend trying to flee." Her hand came down on Vaya's shoulder, gripping it firmly as she instructed the young Padawan on their strategy. "We enter from the rear," she explained. "Perhaps we can catch him offguard."

"Yes master," Vaya replied.

"Of course," Laedra added, sighing, "we will need access to the warehouse for that." Retrieving her comm from beneath the folds of her cloak, Laedra activated it. "Kael, we believe we have discovered Derix' location. We simply need to gain access."

Kael glanced aside at Pryce and frowned. "Our captive is currently passed out and I don't know how coherent he'll be if I can get him to wake up," he said. "Is there another way in to get at Derix without having to rouse Pryce?"

"If we cut our way through we will surely trip the security systems and lose the element of surprise," Vaya said as an idea came to her. "If he was expecting Pryce, I ought to be able to mimic his voice, it really isn't that difficult. Over com and under duress, I am certain that it would pass well enough," she offered.

"Then that is what we must attempt," Laedra decided. "And quickly, before we lose the opportunity."

Vaya nodded her agreement as she visualized the sound of the man's voice. Just as the abilities through the Force came naturally, so did her Lorddian heritage. Her people were long known for their ability to read people; detecting shifts in emotions based on a persons stance and subtle facial expressions, detecting and learning various languages and their dialects, even being able to mimic the voice of another being.

Using the Force to focus her thoughts she could hear Pryce's voice, she visualized how it should sound, a young man's tone coming from a young woman's mouth. It was quite a talent.

Using the frequency provided from Pryce's earlier aid, Vaya clicked her comlink.

"Derix," she said with distress and heaviness of breath. "I'm outside! You have to let me in," she continued with the charade. "Hurry up before they miss me!"

Vaya looked to her master as they waited to see if Derix would fall for it. It sounded pretty good to Vaya, and all things considered she didn't think that Derix would be non-the-wiser.

A moment passed and it didn't seem as if Derix was going to reply.

Does he somehow know? Vaya wondered, looking about for any signs.

"Pryce?" Derix replied over the com.

Finally! Vaya thought. "Come on man, they're searching on the other side of the port but might be making their way here anytime now! Let me in so we can get the frack of this rock!"

"Alright...alright," Derix said. "You...you sure you weren't followed? What about...what about Hael?" he asked, concerned about his earlier crime in dispatching with the other young man.

"Hell if I know!" Vaya said, adding some genuine irritation to the voice. She was tired of the questions, but she could tell Derix was very nervous. He ought to be, she thought. "He took off earlier, haven't seen him. I don't much care at this point. He must have lost his nerve, he's on his own. Now quit fucking around and let me in!"

Derix finally relented with the interrogation and provided the access code, telling Pryce to hurry his ass.

Vaya punched in the code. The security pad offered the choice of "secure entry", or "security disable". She punched for the disabling of the system.

The bay doors were unlocked and Laedra gave a nod to her Padawan, standing on the opposite side of the large, durasteel doors. Vaya returned the nod and hit the door release. The heavy panels of metal boomed and groaned as they were retracted into the structure's walls. Master and Padawan stealthily rushed into the hangar, robes streaming out behind them.

Entering into the hangar with stealth, speed and Jedi senses the two Jedi split around on opposite sides, expecting an immediate confrontation with a surprised Derix. At first, Vaya did not see Derix. She stuck to the shadows and maneuvered inward among the crates, always aware of Laedra's position through the Force bond they shared.

Vaya held her lightsaber in her hand, though she did not ignite it. As she knew, and her Master expressed, this wasn't a case of going in with force, not entirely. It was paramount for them to take Derix alive and with the least amount of molestation. Vaya paid attention to Laedra's actions, sensing her plan of attack. Both knew with out a doubt as to the danger of the man. Vaya wasn't really concerned for herself, she knew she could take care of herself and had no doubts about Laedra's skill. Still, she knew she had to be careful.

As the two stealthy made their way closer, Vaya spotted Derix trotting down from the ramp of the freighter. He looked around nervously as he stepped down from the ramp and onto the floor of the hanger, apparently looking for Pryce. His hand was on the butt of a blaster, holstered to his thigh.

From her position she had clear view of Derix, and though she could not see Laedra, she felt that she also was of position to see Derix and Vaya as well. Using the Force, and her own natural abilities, she took the voice of Pryce again, mentally contacting Laedra as to her intentions.

She threw the voice of Pryce away from her position, closer to Laedra's.

"Derix!" she mimicked, watching as the man turned and headed at a diagonal angle closer to Laedra.

She then used a simple Force technique to nudge the freighters ramp control switch. The ramp engaged to close, preventing Derix access to his escape vessel.

Derix suddenly turned around at the sound of the ramp, his hand fumbling for the blaster as Master and Padawan moved in to subdue the man.

Assisting in getting his weapon unholstered, Laedra summoned it through the Force. She rose from behind the crate concealing her in time to catch the sailing blaster. Derix's hand came up empty from his holster and sneered at Laedra, if only to mask his panic. "You will not flee, Mr. Derix," Laedra called to him with unwavering command in her voice. "You've hurt many people and betrayed even more. It would be prudent of you to face your crimes."

Derix turned opposite the Jedi, only to find Vaya standing firmly behind. She ignited her lightsaber for effect, having no intention of needing to use it. Her blade hissed to life, its bright yellow energy gave Derix plenty reason to pause. He took a step back, hands up in the universal gesture of surrender.

Derix's composure quickly changed to show his defeat. Whatever illusions he had held of his great escape, he knew he was finished, faced with two Jedi there was no escape.

"I hope, Mr. Derix," Laedra admonished as she came forward to join her Padawan, "you were not well-paid for your betrayal, for you will have no opportunity to enjoy your new riches."

Derix didn't say a word, he already knew that none of it had been worth it. He was too ashamed to say anything.

---

"Aiding and Abetting, Part 3"
By: Amii'a Val'or, Diplomatic Liaison to the New Republic (PC)
Laedra Vorrel, Jedi Master (PC)
Kael Selrid, Jedi Knight (PC)
Vaya Bek, Padawan (PC)
Constable Derix (NPC written by Amii'a)
Various NPC's

Location: Riga, Tae'Karadan Colony
Date: Selene 15th, 5ABY

***

Most of the day had past as Derix spilled his sordid story of his involvement. For his own best interest, Derix agreed to contact the pirates under the pretense that a ransom was waiting for the abducted. Amii'a posed to give the ransom, while the Jedi had dressed for the parts of the freighters crew. If all went according to plan, they would have the hostages, subdue the pirates and board their ship for coordinates of their recent travels. Amii'a hoped that they could gain the location or locations that they operated from and have a task force root them out. For now though, she was concerned for the rescue of those that had been abducted.

Using the very freighter Derix had meant to make his escape in, Amii'a and Derix, under the watchful eyes of the Jedi, waited for contact.

From out in the black, a secure transmission made its way to the waiting freighter. "This is Shadow Seven," came Kael Selrid's voice, thin and distant with distortion, "I've got contact. Modified freighter, YT-1000 or close to. I make external pods for fighter deployment and the ugliest array of bolted on weaponry you've ever seen."

"Copy that Shadow Seven." Amii'a replied via the same transmission as their own freighter was being hailed. "We are being hailed, hold position until we have made hard seal," she instructed.

As they had earlier planned, she knew that the Jedi would wait for a signal from their freighter. Once they had the hostages on-board their freighter a simple signal by way of the freighters forward illumination control would flicker thrice. That would be the signal for Kael and his small squad to attack the bandits freighter, tacking out its shields, disabling its engines, and to engage enemy fighters.

"Derix," a gruff voice commed within the freighter. "Prepared to be boarded. This had better be worth it, or else your ass is ours," the pirate sneered as the comm clicked with the cutting of the transmission.

"Alright people," Amii'a said as she said mentally prepared herself. "Here we go." She was weary of meeting them in space, but the rogues would hear nothing of Derix's attempt to gain a meeting on the ground. It could get quite ugly in the confines of a freighter, however, she trusted in the abilities of the Jedi if nothing else.

The tell-tale sounds of a ship maneuvering to dock with their freighter could be heard through the bulkheads. A moment later the docking mechanism of both ships clanged loudly with metal upon metal as the bandits gangway extended and made a magnetic seal with the airlock of the small freighter.

Dressed in casual attire of cargo pants and white shirts stained with grease and machine lubricant, Vaya and Laedra stood side-by-side, awaiting the arrival of their ignoble guests. "No matter what happens," Laedra advised Vaya, her tone calm and reassuring, "do not take any premature action. Stand your ground, and this will go as planned, my Padawan."

"Yes Master," Vaya nodded. "I understand. We wouldn't want to endanger the hostages," she added, knowing the wisdom of her mentor's instructions.

The hiss of compressed air as the airlock released announced that the rogues were prepared to board.

Vaya used a simple calming technique to help her clear her mind and steady herself for whatever was to come. She wasn't afraid nor did she have any anxieties, she opened herself to the Force, only wanting the safe rescue of the hostages and to do her Master proud.

The airlock opened as two bandits entered with personal blasters in hand. Looking a bit worse for wear, one was a Devaronian with a needle sharp, toothy grin. He took up position to the left as his partner in crime, a jade skinned Rodian with faceted eyes took up position to the right as two more entered from right behind them with two hostages in-between them.

Amii'a noted that both hostages were blindfolded and bound with space-tape. One appeared male, the other a petite female, both brought aboard by a male and female pirate- armed with similar blasters as their accomplices before them.

"Aghh, Derix," the man said as he waved his blaster about the small group. "Company? Expecting...trouble?"

"None, but then neither was I expecting that stunt you pulled planet-side," Derix said a bit too nervously. "No trouble," he said as he pointed to Amii'a. "This is Ima, she has the creds." He then waved his hand about to the two Jedi. "Crew members, a little concerned about pirates coming aboard."

"Aww, how touching," the one apparently in charge replied sarcastically as he sized up the women. He motioned for the two thugs on either side to check for weapons, while the female cohort kicked the hostages to their knees and none-too-lightly jabbed the young girl in the head with the barrel of her blaster.

"Don't be stupid, or her brains will be sprayed all about the floor," she said with a distinct Hapan accent, as Vaya noted and watched carefully while the thugs searched them.

Of Amii'a they took the satchel with the ransom and body checked her, taking joy in being a little rough and uncouth. The Devaronian patted Vaya, while the Rodian checked Laedra. Neither had much qualms about where they put their hands.

"You're awfully pretty Missy," the Rodian leered in Huttese as he roughly pressed up against Laedra's back and molested her breasts to check for weaponry.

The Devaronian was equally brash, winking at Vaya and none-too-gently feeling up her thigh and between her legs. It disgusted her, a vision of pummeling his face inward flashed before her eyes, but she maintained her control.

He licked his lips and took a good sniff as his stinking face made its way up from her cleavage to behind her ear. "May-hap we get to know each other a little better after this shakedown, hmm pretty?" he leered with a devilish grin as he stepped back.

The two thugs eyed the utility belts the two Jedi wore, fingering the small collection of tools and obviously not recognizing a lightsaber from a hydro spanner. They were confident enough that the women posed no threat and were not armed, each paced back at arms length, blasters casually pointed at an angle to fire upon the Jedi or Amii'a and Derix if instructed.

This is it, Amii'a thought as she placed her hands upon her hips, her finger tapping three times upon one of the studs on her belt. Outside, the freighters forward lights blinked thrice, giving the signal for Kael and his squad to take action.

Knowing that a sudden barrage upon the larger freighter would shake their own quite violently, Amii'a and the Jedi hoped it enough of a distraction to knock the thugs to their feet. She was relying on the Jedi's reflexes and preternatural abilities to gain the advantage.

In the blackness of space, what had appeared to be no more than space debris suddenly came to life as an aethersprite fighter. The small craft bolted forward, sending out streamers of green fire to rake across the hull of the enemy freighter. Small explosions boiled away from the craft as a shudder rolled from bow to stern. As his fighter passed the freighter, Kael Selrid through the ship into a high-g turn that spun him back around so that he was facing the ship once more. His thumb clamped down on the firing stud of the control yoke, and more green fire strafed across the engines of the fire, turning them to slag. As the ship and its captive rocked with the attacks, it wouldn't be going anywhere for some time.

Vaya winked at her molester. The horned creep cocked his head, and then a violent shudder shook the freighter, knocking nearly everyone off their feet as the sounds of impacts reverberated through the bulkheads.

The two hostages were least affected by the keeling vessel, managing to hug the deck-plating to avoid tumbling away; Amii'a gripped a magnetically secured cargo container for support. Laedra, on the other hand, did nothing to defy the momentum threatening to toss her into the nearest bulkhead. Using the abrupt jolt of the ship, Laedra launched herself towards the wall and sprang from it with her powerful, sinewy legs, and a trajectory that would carry her to their intruders. As the Rodian struggled to regain his balance, Laedra sabotaged his efforts by slamming into him with a well-placed kick to his lower back. A reverberant scream that shook the deck-plating nearly as much as Kael's 'nudge' ripped from the creature's throat, but the painful grating on her ears was ignored by Laedra, who focused her senses more closely on her Padawan now springing into action alongside her.

Vaya sensed what was to happen just before the freighter was rocked. Dropping low as if being knocked off her feet with the others, she swept-kicked the Devaronian as he attempted to get back on his feet. His blaster fell from his grasp, Vaya Force pulled it away, flinging it across the far side of the cargo area and away from anyone who would use it to do harm. She ignited her lightsaber and gave the Devaronian a warning glare, as she stood guard over the prone bodies of the hostages, accompanied by a simple yet emphasized twirl of her yellow blade. For his part, he appeared to get the hint.

Using the crate for balance and steadfast, Amii'a kicked out at the female who had stumbled closer. She delivered a forceful kick to the abdomen that knocked the wind out of the pirate wench. As she turned his focus upon the man-in-charge, his blaster was already leveled for a killing shot. Before Amii'a could react, another blast rocked the freighter.

The pirates blaster went off wide as his body went skidding towards Laedra. Amii'a lost her balance and fell unceremoniously to the deck. With a huff and brief stars about her eyes, she blinked back into focus to meet Derix's wide and lifeless eyes starring at her upon the floor.

"Vaya," Laedra called to draw her attention, and with a sweep of her arm, a thincord leaped from atop one of the cargo containers - conveniently placed there by Laedra in anticipation of requiring something to bind their intruders. Her Padawan caught it with great precision and proceeded to fetter her large foe. Laedra, too, summoned her own length of thincord and knelt beside the prostrate Rodian to lash his wrists. "You, sir," she advised him nonchalantly, "would do well to keep your hands to yourself." With a sharp tug, she tightened her knot, earning a pain-tinged curse from the pirate.

Having caught the thincord while keeping her senses about her prisoner, Vaya proceeded to secure the Devaronian. Securing his bonds Vaya said, "This may be more than you deserve," as she used the Force to aid her in turning him over with a rough thump to the bulkhead. "However, it is not for me to decide. If you learn anything of this day, remember that you were shown more respect for life and mercy than you have probably ever shown anyone your entire existence."

Amii'a had already picked herself up and had secured the last prisoner after having locked and disengaged the airlock. Her com bleeped.

"Consular, we are preparing to bring the pirate vessel aboard, we will inform you of any information we may acquire."

"Very good captain, Val'or out," she said as she turned to the two hostages that were still laying on the deck. Their heads covered but they were clearly listening and still unsure of what was going on, no doubt they were scared for their lives.

Making sure her captive wasn't going to breach his bonds, Vaya moved to help Amii'a with the pirates former hostages. She knelt down to the form of the female, offering a friendly and non threatening greeting.

"You are safe now," Vaya said. "You are free and among friends," she assured as she removed the hood and cut loose her bonds with a small utility knife from her waist belt.

Amii'a had freed the man, and both hostages freely expressed their joy and emotions with the knowing that their ordeal was finally over.

Vaya helped the girl to her feet and looked to Laedra.

***

The consular's shuttle broke atmosphere into space from Riga with Kael's Aethersprite flying escort, only a short jump back to home.

Amii'a set the coordinates as the shuttle continued to make its way past the gravitational field so that they could make the jump to hyperspace.

"A tragedy that people had to die for greed," Amii'a commented. "I am pleased the hostages were rescued safe and sound, and the culprits will be able to stand trial for their crimes. Again, my thanks for your help in this matter Master Vorrel. As it all turned, well...I cannot help but to think maybe the end result would have been uglier."

Laedra sat in one of the flight chairs, watching the stars streak by with hands neatly folded in her lap. "I only hope we were able to achieve what you set out to do, Consular. But with Derix gone, who will replace him to ensure the same does not occur again?"

"Your help achieved the main goal, the scheme was uncovered and the parties captured, life was saved," Amii'a replied. "The people of Riga are safer today than they were yesterday. As for tomorrow," she continued thoughtfully. "I have assured the provincial council that all of my resources will be at their disposal to ensure that they will not be preyed upon again. In my investigation I learned that the corporation that has taken management of the starport is a sister company jointly owned by a Tae'Karadan corporation and some New Republic investment groups."

"A large part of my work as liaison to the New Republic is helping to facilitate diplomatic and economic ventures and interests between our homeworld and the New Republic. I am going to personally see to it that greater opportunity goes to our fellow citizens on Riga. I've already sent a proposal for the starport to be made open to public investment. One of the main reasons this whole situation came about was because those workers lost a lot of important benefits. Not to say that is ever an excuse for the illegal, but in business and politics it is all relative. For the time being Riga will manage the starport, I will help ensure that thorough and strict security measures are taken in the placement of an honest administration for the starport. We may be leaving for home Master Vorrel," she explained. "Your part has concluded, but as a diplomat I my work there continues forward for the rest of my life, as is true with every dealing I dedicate myself to."

"If you ever find yourself in need of assistance from the Jedi," Kael Selrid said, "please do not hesitate to contact us. Missions like this one, help to keep our skills honed, both diplomatic and otherwise."

Their hyperdrives kicked in, the stars streaked and stretched into starlines as their ships made the jump to lightspeed and home.

---

"The Death of Girra: Part 2"
By Jarrord Zahn (Written by Girra)
various NPCs

Location: Onboard the Helix, enroute to Drogen
Date: Selene 15th, 5ABY

***

"We're about two days from the Tae'Remok system," Leeza informed.

"Good, it's a nice ship, but damned if I'm not tired of being on her. It will be nice to set foot on Drogen, have a proper meal, some good brew. Get some business started," Jarrord replied as fiddled with a tool box behind the Arkanian woman.

"What are you doing? What's not broke that you think you have to meddle with now?" she asked. "Chakka will have your ass if you mess with anything again."

"I wouldn't worry about him," he said as he stood up and turned with a blaster in his hands.

"What the..." she started with a questioningly look. Her words were silenced by the laser blast that blew a hole in her chest. Her body slumped over the secondary controlboard as Jarrord walked away.

***

Girra laid naked on the bed in her private quarters. Jarrord's muscular frame worked his way down from her neck, his bristly goatee and warm lips and tongue explored her cornflower blue skin. He stopped at her breasts, nuzzling her hardened nipples, groping them with greed. She moaned out in pleasure as the stench of Corellian whiskey and the aromatic fragrances of Rylothian candle wax mixed with the muskiness of sex in the cabin air.

Jarrord's engorged member found its way as he groaned with delight. He pushed in deeper, closer, as Girra shifted with the pleasure of his being inside.

***

"Hey, everything alright?" the Cathar asked as his nose twitched the air. "I thought I heard a blaster," he said questioningly as he sniffed the air, smelling the ozone from a laser blast.

"Yeah, things couldn't be better," Jarrord said with a grin as he pressed the muzzle to the man's stomach and pulled the trigger. Twice.

The feline alien's eyes grew wide with awareness as the first shot hit him point blank. Before he even had the chance to double over, the second shot fired in rapid succession, burning his fur and flesh, sizzling his innards. The light of life faded from his eyes as his body slumped down to the decking.

Jarrord stepped over his carcass and continued through the ship. He still had one more problem to take care of.

"This doesn't mean anything, you know," Girra said as she dressed, looking at Jarrord from over her shoulder.

"Aww, how come?" he asked playfully as he laid naked on top of her sheets. "We're pretty good together dontcha think?"

"When you're not acting like a scoundrel, and when it is all business, yes," she replied seriously to his playfulness.

"So...THIS was just all business, hmm?" he asked. "Seemed like pleasure to me, I didn't hear any complaints."

"I was drunk, like you."

"That's a piss-poor excuse and you know it. You wanted it."

"Never denied it, it just doesn't mean what you think it does. What you want it to. Look, we did what we did, these past months as a means to an end. It was a good job, it was interesting. I have no regrets. And I do appreciate the help, the heads up back on Tatooine."

"BUT...I know there is a but."

"BUTT," she mused. "I never wanted a crew, you know that. I operate alone, you knew the terms when we started out. Your gonna have your own ship, hire them, go do what you do best."

"That is the biggest pile of nerf-shit, and you know it Girra!" he retorted. "What are you so afraid of? You've been looking for your brother for ever, one dead end to another. One possible lead to another. I told you I would even help you, I'd devote time to it, lets stick together, see how it turns out."

She just stared at him for a moment, one part wanting to, and still wanting him. Yet, another part of her could not let go the rogue he was, the wild card he probably would always be. So much had changed and been turned upside down, and true, she was never any closer to finding Orthan than the day she started. But Jarrord was consistently pushing himself on her, and though she had some affection for the man, she just didn't know if she could give him what he wanted, and if she even really wanted to. She had become such the loner over the years. It had been hard enough to accept the crew members into her ship, for the reasons that she and Jarrord had planned months before. It was never suppose to stay. Everyone was supposed to get paid and go their own ways again.

She noticed his missing finger, and it reminded her again of Orthan and the finger she was given. His finger. The same finger Jarrord was missing.

***

Chakka growled and roared, slammed his furry paws against the bulkhead in frustration.

"What's the matter big guy?" Jarrord asked as he stood with his hands behind his back. "I didn't screw something up again did I?"

Chakka cocked his head and continued to growl, more violently and of direction to the man instead of the ships inner workings.

"Oh, I see. Well, I can't say that I am really that sorry," Jarrord replied as he whipped the blaster out from behind.

Chakka snarled and leapt forward, but he had been rather wedged into the maintenance hatchway. The laser blast caught him in the left chest. Jarrod moved forward a step and fired again...

---

"Relics"
By: Eiden

Location: Yelldon Starport, Eiden's quarters
Date: Selene 15, 5 ABY

***

Eiden sat on his cot trying to contemplate the odd little object in his hand through the haze of alcohol. A strange curved cylinder, ridged on one side apparently for fingers, making it fit comfortably yet snugly in his hand. Parts of its surface were covered in a thin coating of sticky soot, and when he held it the way it was obviously designed to fit in the hand a small button lie just above his thumb.

He was suddenly overcome by his mind's eye...

"Remember the code," a familiar voice said. Eiden had been hunched over a small collection of wires...

As he broke out of the reverie Eiden furrowed his brow at the object noticing a small crease in the metal lining its side. He picked at it with his forefinger causing soot to collect under his fingernail, and also causing the small panel to pop loose. Inside was revealed a collection of scorched wiring and circuitry. Eiden began to poke through the blackened mass creating small puffs as more soot lifted into the air.

Suddenly a small, black object popped out, jumping up from the small casing. Though he was surprised, Eiden caught the thing with his left hand. It was cold and jagged. He took it between his thumb and forefinger, and brought it up to eye level. His fumbling with it had rubbed off some of the black that covered it, revealing a shiny glass-like surface beneath. Eiden got up and crossed to his small sink at the other side of the room. He turned on the water and held the small object under the flow. More of the black that covered it started falling away, turning the water grey as it fell through the small drain at the bottom of the sink. Eiden started rubbing the surface of the thing to speed the process of cleaning, and a few seconds later was rewarded.

He held the small object up to the light and squinted at it. It was a lozenge shaped crystal, indigo in color, and despite the light behind it, it seemed to glow with its own inner luminance...

"The time is three-thirty A.M." the soothing voice of his wall panel interjected, reminding him of the time. Eiden took a furtive sigh, then set the crystal down on his table, next to the charred casing it came from, then fell back into bed.

"Work, work, work," he muttered as he drifted off to sleep...

---

"Pet Shopping"
By: Brenna Hennely - Smuggler
Shop Owner (NPC)

Location: New Plouton, Yellvin District
Date: Selene 15, 5 ABY

***

Brenna paid the shuttle pilot as she departed from the ship then looked around the massive Yellvin District. "This place is huge," she groaned. "Why am I even thinking this," she started.

She had left Marsar alone in the Medical center her copilot could get some rest and heal. Brenna knew a simple I'm sorry wasn't going to please Marsar and had known that Mar had wanted a pet for a very long time. The only reason she hadn't purchased one in the past was Brenna. Her beast rider skills weren't that easy to control and whenever Brenna came around animals she always wanted to test them out. Most of the time her toying around usually lead to mishaps.

"Animals, why would she want an animal?" she kept asking herself. As she walked up and down the store fronts she spotted a near by shop that read.

'Zunka's Domesticated Animal Emporium, you want it, We got it'

Brenna laughed a little then entered the establishment. The sign was right the walls were covered with cages, each one had a different creature in it. Some looked friendly, others looked like they were very vicious. "This is quite a collection," she said to herself as she entered the establishment. She glanced up at the counter at the owner. To her surprise it was a Gand. It was dead silent as it just glared at her. In all of her experience and all the races she had meet the Gand always seemed to be plotting something. It wasn't that they couldn't be trusted it was just that they never really spoke, that and there gas masks always scared her.

"How may I help you?" a mechanical voice asked. Brenna turned to see a computer screen producing the words on the crystal clear screen. She starred in awe at it for a few seconds as the words appeared across the screen again followed by the voice asking "How may I help you?" She smiled slightly as she approached.

"I'm looking for a very special pet for a very special friend," she explained. The Grand starred at her blankly then typed a little message on a key board on his wrist.

"Human," the Computer blurted out. She nodded her response. "Male or Female." Brenna smiled.

"Female," she replied. The Gand starred at her again and began to type onto the key board again. After a few seconds a certain creature name came up on the screen. "Grizka," she read. Brenna thought for a moment then shook her head. She had horror stories about them getting loose then reproducing exponentially until they over ran the entire ship. "No," she insisted, "too much trouble." The Gand went back to tapping away at his keyboard and then glanced back to the screen.

"Reisakitten?" it asked. Brenna shook her head

"She doesn't like cat like creatures," she responded as she backed up against the row of cages. All at once she felt something cold and wet nuzzle her in the back. Startled Brenna hoped forwards and whirled around, facing the creature that had nudged her. She couldn't get a real good look at it, all she could tell was that it was furry and had four legs. "Hello what are you?" she said aloud kneeling down to put herself on the same level as the creature. Now that she got a better look at the creature she could tell it was similar to that of hound origin, had black and white fur and two big black eyes. "Hello there," she said aloud. The animal backed into the rear of the cage whimpering slightly. The Gand approached her and looked at the creature then her before typing in a message.

"Are you interested," the computer chimed. Brenna nodded and then spoke to the animal again.

"Are you friendly," she asked pressing her hand up against the cage door. The creature approached her cautiously, sniffing her hand at first then licking it with it's tongue. Brenna smiled at glanced back at the Gand. "How much," she asked

---

"Orders, Part 2"
By Commander Titus Moss, New Republic Military

Location: Hyperspace, RSS Naboo
Date: Selene 15, 5 ABY

***

Commander Moss stood in the Fighter Operations Center, he was not one to like to wait, it was how he earned the nickname "Hulk". As Titus was helping the Wing Commander, Colonel Wulu, an Twi'lek he began to wonder what his new assignment would be like. Titus was a fighter one that didn't believe in giving up. He looked at the Colonel, "...meaning, if we allow them to retreat they will grow stronger."

The two were now debating the Empire remains, "That would be correct Colonel, if they had not taken a beating at Endor, I believe they will be a shell of what they were."

Suddenly the ship shook, the ship Captains voice came on the intercom, "All Pilot to you fighters."

Titus looked around as everyone began to run, Colonel Wulu looked at him, "Commander, be the Wing Commander for this one for me."

"Yes, sir."

Titus began to run to the bridge...

---

"Butterfly Chase, Part I"
By: Brenna Hennely - Smuggler
and Selena Rellik - Death Dealer
plus Pirates (random NPCs)

Location: Starport in Arcadia
Date: Selene 15, 4 ABY

***

Brenna peeked around the corner for a second, checking if the coast was clear. She held the Imperial Issue Blaster pistol tightly in her hand, gripping it so tightly that her hand was shaking. How could she have been so stupid! A large amount of credits up from the perspective job, an unfamiliar location, and what was more, the fact that she was isolated from Marsar again. "I sure hope she is ok," she said to herself. She heard the echoing of footsteps behind her and closed her eyes. She had to get moving again. As she rounded the corner she stopped, starring at the blaster barrel pointed right at her forehead.

"Got you, Butterfly," the Trandosian hissed. "Any last words?"

"Goodbye will suffice..." she said as she stood behind the Trandosian. She knew that the conversation was not with her, but that didn't matter. Selena pulled the vibroblade dagger from behind the neck, trespassing the main air channels and piercing the throat. It was a clean death, and one that almost didn't produce sound. Very good when wanting to kill without stirring too much attention from around.

Selena then gave a nod to Brenna. The girl was somewhat sweet looking, with her auburn hair and freckled skin. Surely enough there had been no mistake. Not after the name Butterfly having been called up to her. "You Brenna?" Selena asked.

Brenna starred in a somewhat stunned horror at the dead Trandosian that now lay on the ground. "Yeah, yeah that's me." She was almost shocked. "You saved my life... I don't know if I should be thanking you, or be worried out of my mind," she swallowed hard. "You're not a bounty hunter, are you?" she said, remembering the last time someone aside from Marsar pulled her out of the fire. She was almost put up for bounty by that person. She looked over the raven haired knife wielding saviour and gave a slight smile. "You're not working with the Empire, are you? If so, please don't arrest me."

"I don't think an Imperial Officer would hear you plea, but the last time I checked, this was not a planet they control..." Selena stated simply. "I'm no law enforcement or governmental employee, if that's what's on your mind. Nor am I up for bounties, though I would guess you have one on your head. We need to get out of here, fast."

Brenna recovered the dead Trando's blaster pistol, then walked to a nearby storm drain and tossed it down, making it so no one was able to use it. "Ok, I think we'll be safe if we get to the central square. At least, I hope so." She flipped the blaster back to stun setting and looked at her. "Umm, what do you think?"

"I think that the people who are after you will not give up that easily. Though staying in a pubic place will give you a better chance to get out safe, it will also expose you because you'll be out in the open for anyone to see... If they have a sniper, it will be too easy for them to hit you," Selena said as she started walking away. "I hope you're better at piloting than at fighting and trying to conceal yourself, young one."

Brenna gave her a somewhat insulted look. "Ok, I'm sorry if I'm not perfect here, but this is only the second time I've gotten into this kind of a situation. And just for the record, whoever you are, this is only the second time I've ever been set up...third actually..." She sighed. "Ok, so it's not odd for these kinds of things to happen." She gave a half smile then heard the sound of several people approaching. "Well, if we're about to get killed, may I ask you a question? Who are you and why are you helping me?" Brenna shoved the blaster into the waistband of her pants and withdrew her spray stick, and slowly she started to back around the corner, headed towards the woman.

"Who I am is not important, and I helped you because I hate it when the odds are not fair. You may have your own faults and done wrong things, but surely enough that doesn't deserve death at the hands of a simple minded thug. I just happened to be passing and overheard a conversation where a small lynch mob, if you will, were looking for you. Didn't seem fair..." she told Brenna. Not adding anymore to the conversation, she stopped somewhat abruptly, just as she was getting near a corner. The shoved her hand backward, as if to tell Brenna to keep quiet and not move further. "There's two more thugs over there...we're not over this yet," she whispered.

Brenna nodded in agreement. "I got them," Brenna said as she leaned around the corner and glanced at the two. They were just blocking the pathway. She could make out that one was a Trandosian while the other was a human. Both were toting heavy blaster pistols. "You're right, there are two," she replied. "I don't want anyone else killed, pirate or otherwise," she said. "Any ideas on how to get there?"

"Sure... Stay here," Selena said. She then stepped out and walked towards the duo that stood not too far ahead. She wasn't the person they were looking for, and it was viable that someone else would walk along those streets, though not too likely. Still, she acted out as if she was meant to be there. The human was the first one to get in her path, stopping her. Behind him, the Trandosian overlooked her also.

"Who are you and what are you doing here?" the human demanded.

"Just passing through boys," Selena said as she brushed her hand across, as if to shove them aside. The Trandosian, however, made sure he'd stand in her way, trapping her between the two men. Looking back at the human and again at the Trandosian, Selena lifted her hands. "Now, boys...play nice."

"I think not..." the Trandosian answered. But before he could do anything, Selena spun and kicked the human in the knee, making him spin midway. She then choked him with her left arm and took him as shield, placing him between herself and the Trandosian. With her right arm she took hold of the heavy blaster the human held and shot the Trandosian dead. It was all in only a few split seconds, so there wasn't much the alien could do before he was shot dead. Selena then ripped the blaster off the human's hands and let him go, only to smack him across the face with the butt of the blaster, knocking him out cold.

"You can come out now..." she told Brenna.

Brenna inched around the corner slightly and held her spray stick fast ready to fire. She approached the human first and checked his pulse. He was out cold, but alive. She looked at the Trendo and knew right away he was dead. "I though I said I didn't want anyone else hurt," she started, but then stopped. "Sorry," she admitted. "I'm not a very big fan of violence," she admitted. "I shouldn't yell at you. You did save my life and all."

"Quite honestly, I don't care whether you like violence or not..." Selena replied dryly. "Nature teaches us that when it's a life or death situation, most species tend to fight to live. That much being said, these two deserved what they got. If one of them died, then the way I see it, is that he's not going to hurt anyone else...ever," she added. "Now, where's your ship?"

"Not in this city. At least not yet. My co-pilot told me to meet her on the outskirts of the city in about twenty, maybe thirty minutes," she replied. "Why? You need a lift as well?" she offered. "It's the least I can..." All at once, Brenna spotted someone within shooting distance of the two of them, a blaster rifle levelled at them. In a single motion, Brenna pushed the woman aside and withdrew her blaster pistol with her left hand, firing from the hip catching the last pirate in the stomach. She waited for a few seconds before she spoke again. "Ok, it should be this way," she insisted.

"Funny that you would insist on me not to kill, and then do so yourself... Perhaps my advice was not at a total loss. I guess I should be thanking you," Selena commented as she followed Brenna. In her mind, Selena also made a note to keep herself on her best guard and alert. It seemed there were more after this young girl than she had foreseen at first, and this was turning out to be more trouble than she had realized. Staying completely alert to her surroundings while following Brenna, Selena decided to see what this was all about. "So, why are these men after you in the first place?"

"Well, let me explain something first," she insisted. "First of all, he's not dead. I always have my weapons set on stun," she started. "I have had bad experiences with blasters," she smiled. "Well, it's hard to explain. I got a legit job," she said as she checked the man's pulse. He was alive. She picked up his rifle and checked it. "I was asked to pick up and deliver some medical cargo to a small clinic in New Plouton. The only catch was I had to pick it up. Their last three legal transport pilots were all killed in route to pick up the Bacta. I was suggested by an old friend and took the contract at half price," she nodded. "These pirates wanted the cargo and they attacked me. I fought back, with my co-pilot's help." She picked up the man's blaster rifle and yanked the energy cell out of it, tossing it down a storm drain and tossing the rifle in a dumpster. "Their ship was so badly damaged I think that they need a new one... Mine," she ended.

"I see..." Selena nodded. "Revenge by taking a bigger prize. Well, I'm sorry to say that there are only two outcomes I see in this," she told Brenna, simply. "Either they get what's coming to them and learn the lesson, thus leaving you be... Or they will only be more annoyed at you and crank the violence up one notch and really hunt you down. Of course, with little equipment and no ship, you should be fine once you leave this place," she commented. She then moved aside and looked at her surroundings. "We're still far from the outskirts. And the streets here aren't too safe. Come this way. We should take a rooftop for a more clear visibility and staying out of sight," she said as she pointed to a large building.

"Fine," she replied. "Let's go." She followed the woman up to the roof and let out a long sigh. As she followed the mysterious woman she checked the setting on her pistol. She knew the lethal setting was tempting but she couldn't. What was she going to do.

From atop they could see most of the quarter they stood in. Arcadia was not the largest city in Tae'Karada, but it was still big. Getting to the outskirts of the city would still take some time, which meant they had little time to lose. As of the moment, they only had one thing on their side... Arcadia was the political center of the planet, and as thus, there was bound to be safe areas with governmental security forces. Surely enough, the pirates would not dare to attack them in certain areas.

All they had to do was get there...

---

"Butterfly Chase, Part 2"
By: Brenna Hennely - Smuggler
and Selena Rellik - Death Dealer

Location: Outskirts of Arcadia
Date: Selene 15, 4 ABY

***

They had managed to leave the starport area and were now closer to the outskirts of the city. The buildings that surrounded the streets were tall and mostly painted in white or metallic silver and many people walked the streets, as speeders passed by in a never ending frenzy. In fact, this part of Arcadia resembled the busy streets of Coruscant in more than one way, except maybe for the aesthetic sense, which was better here in Tae'Karada.

Selena and Brenna had gone back to the street level, and were now mingling amidst the crowd. There was not many reasons to worry, but still, Selena kept her focus on their surroundings, should the pirates locate them by some chance. "We should arrive at the outskirts soon..." Selena said. "Are you sure your co-pilot will be there?"

"She'll be there," she insisted, watching the crowd, her hand still cautiously gripping the spray stick. "Marsar has never let me down in all the years I've known her," she insisted. Brenna remembered several operations where Marsar's fast shooting and quick thinking saved her several times. "She will be there..." All at once her comlink buzzed. She looked down at her wrist and smiled. "I got it." She brought it up as though she was checking the time and spoke. "Mar is that you?" she asked. After a few seconds her co-pilot's face appeared in the small view screen. "Good to see you. What's your status?" she asked. Marsar ran her had through her hair and then rubbed her neck.

"Brenna, I'm en route to the pickup point," she replied. The image of Marsar glanced over at the woman who had saved Brenna then back to Brenna "I'm guessing it didn't go so well. You better hurry up. If I read this right, the pirates two cloakshape fighters may be in your general area," Brenna looked at the woman and nodded.

"Take care, Mar. If you get me out of this mess, I'm going to have to buy you something real nice." With that the other end disconnected. Brenna looked at the woman before speaking. "I think we're in trouble. She's not alone on my ship."

"In that case, aside from the cloakshape fighters, what are we looking at?" Selena asked, trying to access the situation. If Brenna's co-pilot was not on the ship, then the pickup could be a botch and not worthy of going to in the first place. And cloakshape fighters were virtually invisible, unless when they opened fire. Of course, even with high precision scanners, they would take a while to find them amidst such a large crowd. On the other hand, it could be just a matter of time. Selena needed to know what she could count on if she was to save Brenna and get her to safety.

Brenna was thinking quickly as they approached the outskirts. She knew the type of fighters the pirates were using weren't a real threat. The Kuat Drive Yards Cloakshape fighters were renowned for the fact that they were highly maneuverable and easy to upgrade, but they lacked one thing the Jade Butterfly didn't. Power. A Cloakshape fighter's power supply was small, and, due to the fact it was small, it would not be able to continue a chase if it went on long enough. However, that was if they didn't upgrade the ships. "Two, but that's not the problem. They're not installed with cloaking devices. Too much power drain. So, they will steer clear of the city," she insisted. "What we need to look out for is whoever has my co-pilot hostage on my ship. I don't want to lose Marsar is that understood," she replied.

"For the same reasons I saved you, I would save her also..." Selena said simply. And she believed it also, which made sense considering she didn't really know Brenna or Marsar. They were simply two girls who were in need of help and who were worthy of getting it, even if unasked for. Selena didn't do it out of gaining something in return. She did it because it was the right thing to do. It was what she had been taught and trained for. "If she is being held captive, then we must plan out strategy well. They don't know that we know your co-pilot is being held captive, so they will expect us to move naturally. This will be our strategy. Get ready for them and let them believe that we know nothing. When they are feeling safe enough and victorious, we shall strike. It will require some preparations, so we must make haste."

"Right. Let's go," she said, following her. As the two got closer to the pickup site she stopped the woman and moved the two of them into cover. "Hey, I have an idea. Just tell me one thing. How good of a shot are you?" she asked. Her mind was racing and she knew that Mar would land anytime now and she would have to greet her. That moment could get two, if not all three of them, killed.

"I'm above average... I rarely miss and I don't waste shots," Selena replied. She could almost guess what Brenna was thinking, as there weren't too many options... At least not viable ones. "I was thinking that they know and are expecting you. If you can convince them that you are alone, they'll feel in control. I can take up a sniper position and clean them out. It won't be easy and it won't be safe. But it should be our best chance. However, you have to make them come out to you instead of you going into the ship," she said. "Unless you have a better idea."

She looked up at the sky and spotted the glow that was currently growing brighter. "That's my baby now," she said. "The only place they can land is right there. There's plenty of cover. See if you can find some. I have to get to the landing area and fast," she said. "Do what you can, please. I'll see you after this is all over," she said, heading down towards the landing zone. She had to appear as though she was alone and not expecting to be shot at....fat chance.

Selena chose herself a nice perch, located one floor above the ground level, where there were plenty of metal crates with a structure holding some drapes in front of them. It was the perfect spot to lie down in and prepare herself. She could see most of the landing padd and was virtually invisible. Perfect for snipping. She then took out her blaster and reached for her utility belt, taking out a scope to mount on her blaster, making it into a sniper blaster. With the high precision modification, it was just as good as a sniper blaster rifle, only with a little less range. But enough to hit any target within the compound, so that was just fine.

Now, all she had to do was wait...

---

"Butterfly Chase, Part 3"
By: Brenna Hennely - Smuggler
and Selena Rellik - Death Dealer
and Marsar (NPC) - Brenna's Co-Pilot

Location: Outskirts of Arcadia
Date: Selene 15, 4 ABY

***

Marsar glanced back at the Blaster barrel that was currently pointed in her face. "Keep flying," the Trandosian hissed. "Or else you die." She glanced back at it and scowled at him.

"If you shoot me, the ship will crash and you won't get either me, Brenna or the ship," she hissed, looking down at the ground below. She was twenty, maybe thirty seconds from the landing site, but saw no sign of Brenna. "At least she got the warning," she said under her breath. All at once, a lone figure stepped into the line of site. It could only be one person...Brenna. "By the Force, no," she uttered. She felt a hand patting her on her shoulder.

"I knew she would come," the Trandosian hissed. "You two will fetch a fine price to the slavers."

***

Brenna checked the surrounding area for any sign of trouble. She spied two shadows moving into position. She knew they weren't friendly. A few seconds later, she watched as both shadows fell to the ground, either dead or knocked out she didn't care. "Ok Brenna," she said, slipping the blaster behind her back. As the ship slowly descended to the ground. "If they harmed Marsar, they're in big trouble."

From atop her perch, Selena waited patiently. She had already caught up on the two who had moved from the ground. She had expected that there would have been a couple of them at least to get into the landing site from the ground level, to cover up the exit points. To their own loss, they had just got too close and were put away almost instantly. Taking out her electrobinoculars, Selena switched them to infra-red vision and checked out around the area. No more sign of people lurking by, which meant that they were either no more or that they were simply staying further away. Either case worked fine for now.

Brenna shielded her eyes with her left hand as she watched her baby land with both spot lights aimed at her face. As the ship's landing struts opened, the ship's loading ramp lowered as well. She lowered her hand to her side, letting the spray stick slid into her fingers. All at once a lone figure dressed in coveralls was shoved down the ramp. Fear and panic filled her eyes as she rushed forward. She knelt down and looked at her co-pilot. It was clear that the Pirates had taken their anger out on Marsar. Her coveralls were ripped and torn in a few spots and she had a small cut in her cheek as well as some bruising on her face. She looked up at Brenna and coughed.

"Brenna, get back! Run, it's a trap," she insisted. Brenna looked up in time to see the but of a blaster rifle come in contact with her face, knocking her to the ground. The spraystick tumbled out her grasp, leaving her defenceless.

Selena watched from behind her scope the pirates coming down and hurting Brenna. And it was clear that Brenna's co-pilot, Marsar, had been hurt too. She aimed for the pirate's head as he struck Brenna and fiddled her finger ever so lightly across the trigger. She could take him out clean, as well as the other one who had Marsar, long before they knew what came to them. Still, she knew that there was a chance that not all the pirates were out of the ship. She would have to wait, for now.

Brenna wiped the blood from her mouth and looked up at the five pirates that were now descending the ramp to meet her. Marsar attempted to crawl toward her, but one of the pirates grabbed her and put his arm around her neck. Brenna rolled over, grasping her spray stick. As her hand gripped the weapon she felt massive amounts of pain surge through it. She glanced up into the barrel of a blaster pistol. "Let go," he hissed. Slowly she released her grip. "On your feet!" Slowly she stood up and looked at Mar.

"Ok, you have us. Now let us go," she said. "You got what you want. You have our ship. Just take it." All at once she felt herself being shoved forward.

"You two have caused us enough trouble, as has your mysterious friend, so we feel that we need to get some credits for our troubles. You and the Alderaanian will fetch fine prices on the slave market." All at once, Marsar brought her arm back into the stomach of her captor. He let out a short gasp that ended in a scream as he dropped to the ground, clenching a Vibroblade wound. Marsar turned and charged for the ramp. The man who was behind Brenna knocked her to the ground, and in a single fluid motion took aim and fired, striking Marsar in the back. Brenna watched in horror as her best friend dropped in slow motion towards the ground and laid still. Brenna let out a scream of terror as she looked on. Brenna looked up at the man, and anger throttled her.

"Enough is enough..." Selena whispered to herself. She had seen and heard enough. One of the pirates was down from Marsar's hit, but three others remained. And now Marsar herself had been shot in the back. To what extent the wounds were, was something Selena could not ascertain, but hopefully she wasn't dead. Without more time to lose, she took aim upon the closest man to Marsar and squeezed the trigger. The man fell, a hole wide open in his skull and smoking of the immediate laceration of the wound that killed him.

"Shit... A sniper!" one of the other two pirates screamed as he saw his comrade die. Alas, he too didn't have much time to do anything, as a shot hit his leg, sending him down. He was still screaming in pain and trying to get up and get cover when two more shot came through, trespassing his chest and killing him also. Selena then looked out for the third and last man, but he was out of her scope sight.

"Crap..." Selena cursed. The last pirate was beyond her reach with her blaster from there. She would have to go down to get him. Trouble was that he was close to Brenna, which meant that either the girl would get him first, or he would have the chance to get her. Hopefully, Brenna would be able to fend him off at least until Selena would make it down to help her. Without time to lose, Selena got up from her position to go down to ground floor.

Before the last pirate could react, Brenna spun herself around and let loose with a back kick that connected with the pirate's stomach, knocking the wind out of him. She followed her attack up with a roundhouse right that caught the pirate across the face with her boot. She had decided to follow up with a front kick, when the man caught her foot before it made contact with his chest. In a single quick motion, she was tossed to the ground and connected hard. She slowly tried to push herself up, but stumbled and fell. She was hurting all over and could hardly move. She looked back at the man, who was now limping towards her. Slowly she reached behind her back and got a firm grip on the blaster shoved into the waistband of her pants. She dropped to her back and took aim at the man as he leveled his blaster at her. "Drop it," she said. He laughed and Brenna tightened her grip on the weapon. "I'm warning you, I will fire," she called out. The man laughed again and looked at her weapon.

"Good luck. The energy cell for that weapon is right here," he said, pulling one out from behind his back. Brenna quickly pulled the trigger and nothing happened. The Pirate leveled his blaster at her head and looked back at the person who was just approaching. "Make a move and the girl dies," he called out. Brenna looked around and spotted the woman who had helped her. She nodded.

"Do it, please." All at once she heard what sounded like a blaster rifle echoing across the air as three bolts of energy struck the pirate across the chest. He fell backwards to the ground and lay still. Brenna looked up to see Marsar leaning up against one of the side railings of the ramp, breathing hard. Brenna rushed over to her and caught her as she started to fall. "Mar, you ok?" she asked. She looked over at the woman and beamed at her. "Help me get her inside, please," she called out.

Selena safeguarded her blaster in its holster, that laid in her back, and rushed to help Brenna with Marsar. Selena had seen plenty of wounds in her time to recognize how cad they were. In fact, she had been taught anatomy, and was a knowledgeable person of it, because it made her a better killer. She took a quick look behind Marsar's back, where she had been shot. "The shot missed her vital organs, but there are some internal damage. A bacta patch will help to stop the bleeding, but she needs a bacta tank to get out of this alive," she said. She knew that this meant getting Marsar to a medical facility.

Marsar looked up at the woman who was speaking and then to Brenna. "Bren, who is this? Did you hire a new hand or something?" she asked. Brenna and the woman helped Marsar to the ship's only bed and gently laid her down. Marsar squirmed slightly from the pain and looked at her.

"Sorry," Brenna said as she loosed Marsar's coveralls and checked her back. "You're right. Look I've asked a lot of you already, but can you watch her until we get out of here? After that you can go your own course, but I still need your help," she begged. She felt Marsar's grip her on the shoulder pulling her close.

"You owe me," she whispered, before she laid down on her stomach. Brenna looked at her and then to the woman again.

"If you can help me out, I'll drop you anywhere you need to go. How does that sound for a deal?" she asked.

Selena looked at Marsar and back at Brenna. "Very well then. I believe the medical facility in New Plouton would be best equipped for what she needs," she said. "While you fly, I'll apply some bacta patches to clean the wound. After we get there, I can stay there in New Plouton," she told Brenna. She then turned to Marsar. "In the meantime, try not to move too much. You don't want to force the wound open, or cause any internal damage or hemorrhage."

Brenna jumped to the controls of the Butterfly and looked around. "There should be two first aid kits under the bed. Make sure it's the one marked 'bomb' or else you might get hurt," she joked. She heard Marsar laugh a little and smiled. Even after being shot she had a better sense of humor than Brenna could ever have. She keyed in a few switches and slowly the Jade Butterfly lifted off the ground. "Ok. It should take us two, maybe three hours tops, to get to the city. Maybe a few more." She slowly guided the ship around and out of the meeting point and in the direction of New Plouton. "Ok, I'll just set the nav on autopilot and we should be fine." She flipped two switches and walked over to Marsar and the Woman. "How you doing?" she asked the woman.

Selena had already placed the patches and tended to Marsar. "I think she'll make it. Most of the bleeding has stopped and she's stable. She still needs a bacta tank to make it totally, but it's not critical internal damage, which is good," she told Brenna. "Besides, the bacta also serves as to keep her muscles dormant, so she shouldn't feel as much from the wound area. Still, she was mighty lucky. That's maybe one in a hundred."

"This isn't the first time I've been shot," Marsar coughed. "I'll be ok." All at once, Brenna heard a beeping noise from the console. "Oh great! I bet I know who that is." Brenna shot to her feet and checked the scanners on her ship.

"We have two unknown crafts coming in. Looks like a pair of fast attack fighters. My guess is those cloakshape fighters. Let's get the heck out of here!" she insisted as she turned the autopilot off and rammed the throttle forward. "Hang on back there. It's going to be rough!" she yelled.

Selena strapped Marsar while Brenna took the controls, so that she wouldn't rock around too much. In her condition, staying still and stable was a priority. "Try not to move too much," she reminded Marsar. Selena then turned to Brenna. "I can take controls of the cannons. I'm not too much of a pilot, but I can handle weapons pretty well," she said as she made her way to take control of the cannon turrets. "Give me manual control," she told Brenna as she placed the headset that would allow her to speak to Brenna directly.

"Right." She pressed the switch that would unlock the controls when all at once it shorted out and burst into a shower of sparks. "Damn, Marsar, the turret controls are out. Any ideas?" she asked. She got no response. She looked back to see Marsar laying on the bed out cold. "Oh no." She looked out at the woman. "The turrets are dead. I have an idea, ok?" she asked.

"Whatever it is, go for it... Anything's better that staying here at this point!" Selena nodded.

"Ok. Just hang on for one more." Suddenly the ship rocked as the two fighters flew past, executing a strafing run. She increased the ship's speed to max and pulled up hard, then pushed forward on the control stick, leveling them out. "You see the green button labeled don't press?" she asked looking straight ahead.

"What about it?" Selena asked, while looking at the button Brenna had just mentioned.

"Just press it. It sends off a distress beacon. If there are any good guys in the general area we should be alright...I hope." She stopped in mid sentence as she pulled the controls to the left hard as both fighters shot past. "Press it now!"

Selena didn't wait a split second more. She pressed the button, sending out the distress signal. Shortly after she was getting some info on the console in front of her. "I'm reading two more incoming ships this way..." she told Brenna. This could be either very good or very bad. And since the console couldn't read out whether they were friend or foe, they would have to wait. Luckily enough, that only took a few seconds more, as the comm channels were open.

"This is the Tae'Morad... You are all to stop your ships and surrender. We will not warn you again. If you do not comply, we shall open fire!" came the call. Alas, as was to be expected, the pirates started to leave the area. And being cloakshape fighters, they should be able to get away with their cloaking devices, lest the Tae'Morad get them before they could turn it on.

"I have confirmation, both fighters are down. Thank you, Tae'Morad." Brenna could hear the voice of the Tae'Morad's again, speaking to her.

"Unknown cargo freighter, please state your emergency or be forced to land."

She looked over at the woman and swallowed hard. "You want me to leave your presence secret?" she asked.

"That may be unwise if they board or scan..." Selena answered promptly. She knew that Brenna would probably have secret compartments where she could hide, but there was always a slight chance that they had already scanned. "I cannot say that I am not unwanted by governmental security agencies, but none have a clear description on record of how I look, so as long as I do not reveal my true identity I should be fine," she answered.

"Ok." All at once the voice rang out again.

"State your intentions, or we will fire upon you and force you to land."

Brenna brought the com online and spoke. "This is freelance cargo vessel, Jade Butterfly. We encountered some bandits who attempted to steal our vessel. Myself and another passenger are fine. However, my co-pilot was shot." She looked over at Marsar who was still out cold. "She's unconscious and in critical condition. Please, we need to get her to a hospital." There was a long silence, then she noticed the two ships that were coming at her move into escort position.

"If you will please follow us to the Yelldon District's starport, a medical shuttle will be waiting there. Your passenger may leave, but you must answer a few questions for us. Do you understand, captain?"

She nodded. "Yes, sir," she looked at the woman. "Thank you."

Selena merely nodded towards Brenna. That would do fine, and she could go on without too many question asked, which was also good. There was only one more thing she needed to clear, just in case. "Do not go into too much detail about what happened. You have the upper hand, so if you tell the truth it may bring you some form of trouble. After all, what you and I did is not exactly legal. But since the pirates fled, that placed them as guilty. Whatever you tell the authorities will stand at a greater truth level. I am confident that you know this, but even so, do not mention my name or what I did. That is all I ask," she told Brenna.

"It would be hard to mention your name, Selena, since you never told me. You just hired me for a transport job for 5,000 credits, and no names were asked," she said. "But thank you. Can you just check on Marsar for me until we land, please?" she asked.

"Of course," Selena nodded as she got up to check on Marsar. She was out cold, but still alive and stable. She would most likely make it to New Plouton in time to be transferred safely to a hospital. Selena was content on being able to help Brenna, even if she didn't expect to see the girl ever again. She wondered how desperate those pirates were that they would go back to get even at Brenna. After all some were still alive. On the other hand, maybe they had lost too much to keep pursuing her. Hopefully, the latter would be the one that was right.

---

"Arriving"
by Vincenzo Lapenta - Neurosurgeon
and Reorga Da Silva - Spaceport Custom's Official (NPC)

Location: New Plouton spaceport
Date: Selene 15, 5 ABY

***

Vincenzo walked out of the transport, looking around. The spaceport looked the same as on Commenor, but that was to be expected. He first had to get through customs, the first test. He wondered how far the police of Russ went to catch what they thought were terrorists. On Commenor he hadn't gone through customs as he had no intention of going outside the spaceport. He had just booked himself passage on a regular liner to Chimaeria.

"ID card please," the custom's official said. Vincenzo gave him the card, which was inserted in the ID machine the official had with him. He tried to stay as cool as possible, something he was used to as a doctor.

"Can you please come with me, mister Lapenta," the official said.

"What for," Vincenzo asked, "and it's Dr. Lapenta."

"Just a routine check, Dr. Lapenta," the official said, while two security officers came closer.

"Lead the way, please," Vincenzo said, knowing he couldn't win this anyway. He only had a small blaster in his luggage and no other weapons. Besides, he wasn't stupid to fight it out with a couple of security guards. Even if he did win by some miraculous chance, there would be reinforcements before he could get away. No, his best chance was to follow and hope for the best. They went into a small office.

"Can you please open your luggage, Dr. Lapenta," the official asked.

Vincenzo shrugged and did as he was asked, knowing there was nothing special in it anyway. The official looked through his luggage, while the two guards were waiting near the door.

"What is this," he asked as he took out a bottle.

"Medication," Vincenzo said, "a sleeping aide I use from time to time."

"And how do we know it's not something else," he asked next.

"You can show the label to any doctor and he'll confirm," Vincenzo said, starting to lose his temper with this guy, "and those bottles are sold sealed, as you can see the seal isn't broken, so it still has the original contents."

"We'll have to scan it anyway," the official said, starting to unscrew the bottle.

"No," Vincenzo said.

"What," the official asked, "we will scan this or you can go check the inside of our cells, 'Doctor'."

"I meant not that you couldn't scan it," Vincenzo said, ignoring the way the official used his title, "it's just that you have to do it through the bottle. If the seals are opened, the medication starts to decay."

The official didn't listen and unscrewed the top of the bottle and took one tablet out to scan. Vincenzo stayed silent. The custom's official checked the rest of the luggage and the results of the scan.

"It's indeed a sleeping aide," the official said, "well, you're free to go. See, that wasn't so hard, now was it?"

"Thank you," Vincenzo said as he put everything back into his bag, not able to keep some of the sarcasm out of his voice, "can you please tell me your name and direct me to the nearest security office."

"Da Silva," the official said, pointing at his name tag, "but why?"

"To file an official complaint," Vincenzo said, "you ruined costly possessions without first seeking advice from specialists who could have told you what it was without have to ruin the contents. Have a nice day."

He left the security people and walked out of the office, waiting for a shout telling him to come back, but that didn't happen. While he was looking for a security station, he saw that one of the security guards that had escorted him earlier was walking by with a smile on his face, making him wonder if he was being followed. The guard had every right to be there, so there was little he could do about it at the moment.

He presented his case to the officer at the security station he found, and the officer promised he would look into it. Vincenzo couldn't offer him an address, as he didn't have any yet, but he said he would be back tomorrow or the day after, depending on how quickly he could get settled in. With that out of the way, he followed the signs 'Exit' and quickly found himself near a taxi stop. He got into one of the speeders and asked the driver to bring him to the New Plouton Neuroscience Institute.

---

"Unexpected Help, Part 4"
By: Kel Denab
Selena Rellik

Selene 15, 5 ABY
Location: Someplace near the Ocean

***

Kel looked around the town on the edge of the ocean. He furrowed his brow, and looked at the signs, trying to figure out where they could find a transport that would ferry them undersea...or at least let one of them fly it. "So...any ideas where to next?" he asked Selena.

"Well, we have to find a means of transportation that would render us capable of going underwater... Being that this so called Group has a way to go underwater, surely enough they had to purchase their vehicles somewhere. Perhaps someplace near the sea would have such vehicles," she suggested. After all, they didn't need much. A simple bongo would do.

"Let's keep looking," Kel suggested. He spotted a holovid newscast going on, and decided to stop and watch it for a moment. "Wonder if there's anything interesting..." he commented.

"...and today, the body of Jordan Denab was found just a short distance away from the Jedi Temple. Her brother, Kel Denab, is still on the loose and wanted by planetary law enforcement," the reporter said. On the vidfeed, a body was seen being loaded onto a hover vehicle, and a picture of Jordan was splashed on the screen.

Kel stopped, listening. Suddenly, a flash...he saw a room, and he was in his armoured suit...his sister...flash...there she was, dead, his blaster smoking slightly... Kel held his head, and staggered backwards a little.

"What's wrong?" Selena asked. She had heard the news and by the look of Kel's face he knew something, possibly remembered. Still, she couldn't help but realize that Kel's sister had been found near the Jedi Temple. What had they do to with this mess, if anything? Selena didn't trust the Jedi too much. They always seemed to have their own agenda, despite their so called code stating that they worked for the greater good. Sure...greater for whom? Turning her attention back to Kel, she looked at him. "What happened?"

"I..I saw me...well, I knew it was me...I was in my Mandalorian Armour suit, and I had entered..somewhere, and there was Jordan. There was someone else in the room, I don't know who...he is fuzzy. She was naked...then there she was on the floor, my blaster smoking, the smoke wafting slowly upward in the room..her body was lifeless.. I don't remember anything else, though," Kel said softly, clearly the trauma setting in on his face. What the hell had made him do that? What lead to that point?!

"You could have killed your sister...but that doesn't lead to much. At least not much beyond what we already knew," she told Kel. "On the other hand, if your memories are coming back from seeing such events and images, then maybe the best way would be to seek them out so we can find answers. Maybe go back to where her body was found? The news said that it was near a Jedi Temple. Maybe you should go there and see for yourself," she suggested. Besides, their trip to the underwater base could wait. It wasn't as if it was going