"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 somewhere.

"That might work.. at least get the most recent memories back," Kel said, shaking his head. "I'm glad you're along on this little adventure..." he added.

Selena merely gave a nod. She wasn't exactly in this whole ordeal to just help Kel Denab. She was more after those who were after his life and to find out why. On the other hand, she had high hopes of Kel being innocent of his own sister's death, or at least being guilty of it but with a just cause. She knew that if it turned out not to be so that she would be faced with the choice of having to take justice on him for what he had done.

"I'm thinking that the best option would be to ask the Jedi for help when searching their own grounds. You don't want to look too sneaky," she started. "Besides, if they talked to you and didn't turn you in, it's not likely that they will do so now. And from what I hear, the Jedi are not liable to having these things happen near them and not know something, so they should have answers."

"Most likely," Kel said with a nod. "Perhaps we should head towards the temple, then?" he suggested.

Selena shook her head. "I can't go with you... Let's just say that the Jedi and I don't have a mutual understanding as to how to do things. I'm not sure they would welcome my methods, even for the task at hand. But I still think it would be wise of you to go seek those answers. Besides, I can always catch up with you later, so we can check out that underwater base."

"Ah," he said to Selena. He had gotten used to her being around. She was about the only person whom Kel trusted at this juncture of his life, seeing as how the before picture was missing. "Well, in that case... how shall we meet up next?" he asked.

"Don't worry... I'll find you," she grinned. "I said I wouldn't go with you, not that I wouldn't keep an eye on you..." she told him. She then handed him a small communicator. "This is a special comm unit. It is virtually untraceable, but can only be used once. Should we not meet as soon as you come back to New Plouton, then you can call me. Shouldn't be necessary though, as I very rarely lose track of people."

"Ahha! That was a smile!" Kel said, grinning a bit. "And ok, I'll only use this in an emergency," he told her. "Thanks...I know you're not doing it for me, but...still, thanks."

"I honestly hope we never have to become enemies, Kel Denab," Selena told him. And she meant it too. "I'll see you later," she said as she turned around and started to walk away. Selena would be keeping track of Kel Denab. She only hoped that the Jedi would not be too proud or too secretive and share whatever they might know. And hopefully that would lead to more answers about Kel's past and more information on this Group collective.

Kel watched her go, and then turned around, heading for his ship. Now to get to the Jedi Temple without being spotted.. That would be a trip in and of itself.

---

"A New Padawan"
by: Lani Vissip
Koran Darr

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Selene 15, 5ABY

***

Koran Darr sat peacefully in meditation, his thoughts turned inward and outward, toward the Force. He was in the largest of the Jedi training rooms, situated just beneath the windows where the sun streamed in. He preferred to meditate here, where the sun brought in the warmth from the outside, and he could almost feel the life teeming within the rays.

His senses alerted him to the presence outside the door, and to the slight scraping as the door was pushed open. He could feel the woman approaching through the Force, and he smiled slightly to himself. He'd always enjoyed accepting new students. A new student was always a new opportunity for himself to learn as well.

"Welcome, Padawan," he said as the woman stepped over the threshold into the room.

Lani was surprised that Koran had noticed her enter the training room. Her steps had always been taken with the grace and lightness of a reisa cat. She had always thought her own attuned senses were a result of years of harsh training and mental discipline, not that she was naturally tuning herself with the Force. "I'm here for my first lesson, Master," the word came easily despite her years of independence. Warm sunshine bathed her limbs in the light cotton robe that she had chosen for the day.

In an easy, graceful motion, Koran Darr stood and turned to face her. "The first lesson will be to try to sense the Force," he said as he approached. "In the beginning, when you've quieted your mind and the outside distractions fade away, you'll have the greatest success in sensing the Force. Have you ever meditated before?" He indicated one of the meditation cushions for her to use.

She knelt on the soft cushion and folded her long legs beneath her. "Yes, Master, Many times before." She had not told the Jedi most of her past, yet, and she wondered if it was a good idea to. She had read that, as a race many hundreds of years ago, the Echani abhorred the Jedi and their teachings of the Force, feeling that one only need to train one's body to perfection, not one's mind. Would these modern day Jedi know this, and because of her extensive training in Echani martial arts would they, in turn, treat her differently? There were so many possibilities, but Lani chose the best one that fit her, she would be up front and tell the truth.

"I have long studied an practiced the Echani martial arts, specifically their small blades styles. The Echani teach that you must quiet the mind to perfect the body. So while I practiced, I often cleared my head of all thoughts."

"Good," Koran said as he returned to his cushion. "That will put you a couple steps ahead in your training. Before we begin with the first lesson, I want you to begin your meditation. Quiet your mind, and see if you can sense the Force around you. If you cannot, it's alright. In time, you will. But for now, we want to divest ourselves of everything outside of this room, from before you stepped in here and took your place there. Once your mind is quiet, we will begin with the first training exercise."

Lani nodded and closed her eyes. Picturing the flame of a small candle against a background of black, she began to put all of her emotions and thoughts into it. As she did so, the flame grew larger and larger, until all that was left was the flame, burning gloriously in her mind's eye. Soon, even the flame was gone. With her mind empty, Lani noticed something that she never had before.

It was like a flicker out of the corner of her eye. Something seen but not seen, a shadow crossing the distance. She was sure she had seen it before, but until now, she had never truly known what it was. Master Sharr had never put her through an exercise based only on her finding the Force. He had assumed that she already knew the basics. But this... this was something different. With equal parts discipline and curiousity, she tentatively tried to take hold of the light in her mind, but it alluded, and the more she tried, the more it seemed out of reach. But then she had it, suddenly, and a new awareness opened.

Before coming to the temple she had a skill that she used to "sense" other beings around her, but it was sporadic at best. This, however, was like opening her eyes to a different world. Not only could she feel the Force, but she could sense the very flow and current of the energies around her. The sheer amount of information the flooded her brain caused her to gasp and break the link. Cursing herself, she started over from the beginning.

Now that she knew the steps to take, it went much faster and soon she was again awash with the Force. Shuddering from delight, she willed herself to calm down and simply accept it. "I have it, Master," she said, "I can feel the ebb and flow of the Force. I can... almost see what is around me." Despite her iron hard grasp of her emotions, Lani simply could not keep the sense of awe she felt out of her voice.

"Good," Koran said. He moved silently to the side of the room and returned. He placed two objects on the floor before her, then stepped back. "Before you is a training lightsaber and a helmet. Put on the helmet, the blast shield will prevent you from seeing, but through the Force that will not be a concern. Once you are ready, I will release this remote, and you will use the lightsaber to protect yourself from the remote's blaster bolts."

Gingerly, Lani let go of the Force and took up the helmet. Koran was right, the blast shield prevented her from seeing anything other than a thin shaft of light near the bottom of the helmet. A hand felt around for a moment before finding the hilt of the training saber. SNAP-HISS. It was not the first time she had heard that sound, but she was surprised. Though the hum of the blade could be heard through the shielding, it had no weight to it. This was why it required such finesse to wield, one could cut their own arm off without even realizing it.

She practiced moving the lightsaber in a classic two handed stance but she found this to be extremely uncomfortable. One hand was much better, and she felt she had better control of the blade itself. "I believe I am ready, Master."

With a nod, Koran released the drone. It moved quickly through the air, zipping along a straight-line path, then suddenly altering course to head off in a different direction. It hovered around Lani, seconds ticking away before it began its programming.

The small remote caused ripples in the Force, and Lani could feel them. She focused her will until she could feel the drone itself. There... it was right there, right in front of her. She moved fluidly, bringing the pale yellow blade of the training saber in its path.

A tiny dart of green light dashed out and Lani swiftly moved the saber to intercept it. A flash of pain from both her shoulder and her thigh signaled her miss. If the saber had been real, she might have cut her own leg off. The is longer than you are used to, girl, she heard the voice of her old Master. Rethink the size and move accordingly. This is no harder than any training I put you through. It was true, she just had to visualize the length of the lightsaber. It was only a foot longer than the large knives she had trained with as a child.

The remote charged up another bolt and again shot at her. This time the blade was there to intercept it. The fizz-ping of the bolt being deflected brought a smile to Lani's lips. Now she knew what to do. Three more darts of energy and all three were intercepted by her strange one-handed style. Then the drone moved unexpectedly, and she caught herself across the thigh again. Blast! Concentrate!

"Calm your feelings," Koran said from the side. "At peace, you're much more focused. When your mind is calm, you will be able to see much more clearly. Let go."

With a massive display of willpower, and several deep breaths, Lani was able to calm herself down. Koran was right, of course, as soon as she calmed down she was able to sense the remote even better. Fifteen minutes later she began to break a sweat as the drone fired almost non-stop. Only about half of those painful little darts were incepted by the training saber. Finally, she raised her hand to call a halt and lifted the blast shield. "It's much more difficult than it appears," she said ruefully.

"It will get easier in time," Koran said with an approving nod. "It is always a good exercise, even for a Jedi Master. Tomorrow, we will begin with Form One combat. I'm fairly certain, given your past training, it will come easy to you. It is a good place to begin, however, and will lead in to the advanced forms." He opened his hand and the remote floated down into it. "One thing you may notice as you train amongst some of the others at the Temple, there will be some who are many years younger than you, but are far more advanced in their training. I will hope you will not be discouraged by that difference."

"Of course not, Master," she responded with an easy smile. "Far in my past I was training at the Imperial Academy. In an effort to prove myself, I decided to pick on a boy much younger than myself. Despite my early martial training, I allowed my overconfidence to get to me and I was the one who ended up eating dirt. Since that day, I have never underestimated anyone younger than myself, knowing that one day I may just be soundly thrashed by an infant." Her last remark was given with a grin as she pulled off the helmet.

"Currently, Padawans Bek and Sorenne are the ones you'll want to watch," Koran said. "I'd say that of our current Padawans, they're farthest along in their training. Once you've progressed further along in your training, they'll be the ones you want to spar against in training. They'll definitely push you to succeed, and I have a feeling you'll do the same for them."

"Thank you, Master," she responded automatically and gave Koran a small bow. "I look forward to our next lesson."

Koran returned the bow. "As do I, Padawan," he said. "If you find yourself with questions before the next lesson, feel free to seek me out within the Temple."

---

"Lost time"
By: Eiden
Cailin Fawkes

Location: Various
Date: Selene 15, 5 ABY

***

The ship was under attack...

Eiden had been roused from sleep by the deep rumbling that usually meant enemy fire. He jumped out of bed and threw on his shirt, trousers, and his black robe. And, as he walked out he grabbed his belt, clipping it around his waist.

He pulled his pistol as he reached the corridor. The power was spotty at the moment, creating a flickering as the lights down the long walkway flashed on and off.

He suddenly felt the need to move forward, to get to the bridge. He headed off, keeping his pistol out in front of him. He opened the first door he came to, encountering a small group of what appeared to be untrained men. A few shots took care of them. Eiden almost laughed at how slow they were to react.

He continued forward, and found the door to the bridge. He hit the key to open it, just as the ship rumbled again. The door slid open revealing the bridge in disarray. Sparks flying from every console, bodies, debris. He looked down and saw another black robed figure, sprawled out on the floor, a young woman. Grief flew through him. He knelt, taking the dead girl up in his arms.

"It's time..."

The voice was somehow familiar. Eiden had not noticed him until now, though it was difficult to miss him. The voice belonged to a man standing over another body clad in a black robe, a shining blue rod at his side.

Eiden stood, anger welling up within him. He put away his pistol...

He shot awake, dripping with sweat, again.

He craned his neck, turning to see what time it was on the wall console above his "bed".

"Damn!" he exclaimed out loud. He only had thirty minutes to get to work. But, at least he had slept in his coveralls, though it was more like passing out.

He quickly scrubbed his face and combed his hair, then took a heavy sigh as he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. Who are you, he thought.

***

Work was... work. Another power droid fried it's conductor relays from overuse. The power grid at the starport outstripped the city's allocation, and the shortfall was made up for with the constant use and maintenance of power droids. This one, like the last, took most of the day to fix. Now, at quitting time, there were still two astro droids, and load lifter. It was going to be another late night. At least he got paid "under the table", so when he was finally done with his work there was a handy sum of credits waiting for him.

He headed home, and paid for the day's rent for his "room" at the front desk before heading up to the cramped apartment. When he got in he removed the, now twice dirty, coveralls and bathed as well as he could in what space he'd had. Then he put on the only other outfit he'd had since arriving on Tae'Karada, a loose fitting, simple shirt and trousers, with soft shoes. He felt there was something missing, but like everything else, what it was eluded him.

The night wasn't too chilly, so the walk to the Ping Monga wasn't a bother. What money he had left after a day's work had been going to this place more and more since he arrived. Whether it was the dreams, or the simple stress of work that drove him there night after night, Eiden had been visiting more and more, and drinking more and more...

He walked up the lighted stairs and through the big door. Things were in full swing: the stage was lit, and a lovely Twi'lek girl was dancing to odd music. The bar, and dining room were both full of patrons busily eating, drinking, watching the show, or trying to talk to other people over the music. The initial wash of the din always unnerved him, made him feel "tight" inside, making him more aware of his surroundings. He walked through dining area quickly, headed for the lounge. When he arrived at the bar a customer simply got up and left, though in no hurry, as though they were done for the night. This would have been a fortunate coincidence, had it not happened every night he'd been there. He was coming to accept it now, though he was reluctant to chalk it up to local hospitality. He ordered a drink and turned around to watch the show.

After a few moments of a floor show, a figure emerged at the top of the stairs and approached the bar. Clearly female, human, and attractive, she was fortunate in that the seat beside Eiden had just vacated. The billowing cloak she wore hid her body enough but her face showed a vitality and youthful beauty that turned several heads before she'd seated herself by the bar. "Sunset," she called to the tender behind the bar. The name of the drink was a Thanatos Sunset, but local parlance had shortened it to merely Sunset some time ago. As the drink was finally set before her, she took a sip and then sighed heavily. "Long days, longer nights," she said.

Eiden couldn't tell if she was talking to anyone in particular, but what she said hit home. He couldn't help but respond.

"Only depends on what you're trying to avoid," he said, turning to her. Suddenly, he felt something come into focus, as though saying what he did actually stirred something in his mind. The memory of a woman, though it was still unclear, he knew at least that much...

"What are you avoiding?" he asked her.

"Sleeping at the moment," she answered as she turned to regard him. "I just got in off an out-system flight. I can never sleep after a trip like that, so I thought I'd come in for a drink. I figure about the time most people are waking up, my body and mind will be ready to shut down for some rest. First time back here in four months. The mess seems to be mostly gone."

"I'm avoiding the same thing," Eiden said with a resigned grin, "though for... different reasons." He took a sip of the liquor in his glass. "I've been here a little less than two months. Was the 'mess' worse before I got here? I work at the starport, and that place is messy to say the least."

"It was," the woman said. "There wasn't as much fighting as in Arcadia, but New Plouton saw a bit of it...mainly some of the opposing factions lashing out at those loyal to Nieme and Dani...and Nieme and Dani's factions going after their opposition operating openly in the city. I'm glad that's all over now. The starport tended to be a focal point at times."

"Open fighting in the city?" Eiden asked. "Who were Nieme and Dani?"

It struck him as odd that he had never heard anything of what the girl was talk was talking about. Could it flare up again, he thought.

"They claimed themselves Empresses of the planet, and there were a quite a few who disagreed," she said. "Eventually it took the combined forces of the New Republic military stationed here, some Tae'Karadan dissidents, and the Jedi to overthrow them. Things are a lot better now, especially with a council guiding the puppet they put up as a figurehead."

"The Jedi?" Eiden asked as though he'd never heard the word before. As he asked it, he himself felt the strangeness of the question, almost as though he were angry at himself for not knowing.

She rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Yeah. I still can't believe they're back and public, after everything. And, the public was just so forgiving and welcoming. You have to wonder if everything's just going to fall apart again. I mean, the public turned on them once. I don't think it would take much for them to turn again." She sighed. "I'm Cailin, by the way. Cailin Fawkes."

"My name's Eiden," he said. "I'm sorry," he went on, "did you say they were back? Where were they before?" He mentally kicked himself again. He knew he should know these answers, he could literally feel it, but nothing came to him.

"My employer's base of operations is out-of-system," Cailin answered. "So, I've been there for the last few months. Had some time to myself, so I decided to take a trip back here and see how things had cleaned up. Still seems about the same, though I guess there are improvements."

The sudden change of subject jarred Eiden, but he went along, not wanting to disturb the first friendly conversation he's had in a long time.

"What do you notice as different?" it was a silly question, but Eiden really wanted to know. Hearing about the past in any form was something that he thought might help.

"People are less anxious now," she said. "They seem less afraid. There are also fewer piles of rubble, and things seem cleaner."

"Interesting," Eiden said. Now came an attempt to steer the conversation back to what he'd really wanted to know. "You said something about... what was it? Jedi... that was it. You said they had disappeared or something, but came back. What was that about?"

"If you read the history of it, they turned on the Chancellor before the Empire was declared," Cailin said. "They were branded as criminals and hunted down. Some escaped and hid, and they're all starting to re-emerge. It all happened about twenty-some years ago."

Eiden was even more confused. "Turned on the chancellor? Had they been working for him before that?" He could literally feel the fog around his mind, preventing any memory before the time of his rescue from surfacing.

"They were," Cailin said. "The information is very muddled still, and no one really knows the truth. The Emperor -- the Republic was re-formed into an Empire after the events -- pretty much outlawed the Jedi, and most of the information was buried. So, no one really knows what happened. Still, the Jedi have been criminals, extinct criminals, for the last twenty years. It's surprising that the public is so welcoming of them, but they are coming back...those that survived."

"Sounds like they had it rough," Eiden said fumblingly. "How do you know so much about them?"

Cailin laughed and nodded. "Maybe I do, but really most of it is guesses," she said. "I was barely even walking when it happened."

"Still," Eiden replied, "how did you come to know so much?"

"I was living on Coruscant when it all happened," Cailin said. "We fled to the Outer Rim when all of the trouble reached the breaking point. It just seemed...safer. But, I grew up hearing the stories...unfortunately, we didn't have all of the information, so I only know parts of the stories. It was safer to hide...and I'm still alive because of it."

Suddenly Eiden felt embarrassed. He guessed that he was about the same age as her, yet he had no memory of this empire she spoke of.

"I'm sorry," he said, "I don't mean to pry." He finished his drink with one gulp and flagged the bartender for another. "I just want to know more about things that happened before... well, before two months ago." His new drink was placed in front of him, and he thumbed some credits out of his pocket for it. "The fact is that I don't remember anything before that," he went on after a heavy sigh, "I was found on a derelict ship outside the system, by the crew of a salvage ship." He turned and saw his distorted reflection in the mirror behind the various bottles of spirits on the other side of the bar. "All I had was the clothes I'm wearing now, and a couple of what I can only guess were personal items. I was brought here, to a local hospital, lapsing in and out of a coma. When I finally came to, I found out that I had been left there. So, now I'm trying to 'catch up' so to speak."

He realized what a burden his statements had been only after speaking them, but by then it was too late. Though it did feel good to tell someone about it, he knew that it was less than tactful to spill it all to someone he'd just met.

Cailin was chewing her lip as her eyebrows finally settled back from the climb they'd taken as he related his story. She knew that her face had revealed her surprise, and she couldn't help feeling something for him. "I couldn't imagine going through something like that," she said. "To wake up and...and not remember. I don't know what help I'd be, but if you need any help putting the pieces together, I'll help. At least that way, you'll have a familiar face. Work keeps me offworld a lot of the time. Other than that, though, I'll be around whenever you need a friend."

"Thanks," Eiden said just as a loud beeping started to sound from a communicator on Cailin's belt.

"Cailin, where are you?" a voice broke in after the beeping, "we need you back at the ship right away."

She reached down and plucked the communicator from her belt, and Eiden noticed something else when she did. A shiny metallic cylinder with various knobs and buttons on it.

"Hey," he spoke up just before she replied to the voice from the communicator, "I've got something like that in my quarters, though the one I have looks a little different. What is that?"

Cailin flashed him a grin. "A relic from a time long past," she said. "Hope to see you again, Eiden. It was nice talking to you. If you ever want someone to talk to, that's a message drop I have here on Tae'Karada." She slid a flimsiplast card onto the bar in front of him. "See you around." With that, she turned and was off toward the door.

As she left, Eiden noted a comfortable feeling. He bought one more drink and downed it in one gulp. then, with a warmth of liquor in his belly, he went home.

---

"The New Master"
by Cole Slaton
and The Master

Location: Unknown
Date: Selene 15, 5 ABY

***

Darkness...

Shadows...

Yet one image remained. One face that boiled his blood. A man he wanted to tear apart, from the inside out. Eyes snapping open Cole lay on the soft bed staring up at the dark ceiling. It didn't even occur to him that he'd been lying in a forest only moments ago. When it did come back to him, as did his attempt at killing Ferrig, fighting with Talara and smashing his way through the tree he leaned forward. His ribs ached and head throbbed, though no where near to how they felt before.

Propping himself up on his elbows he glanced around the small room. Though dark Cole could still make out the small bedside table, nothing was on its stained surface. The room was otherwise empty. The room, was for a lack of a better word, boring.

The air around him had the familiar scent of bacta. Someone had healed him, and knowing bacta wasn't the cheapest of substances it must have cost them. But why?

From a shadowy corner of the room, a hooded figure emerged. Nothing about the figure's identity could be determined as he approached Cole.

"Your injuries have been tended to the best of my care." The voice was decidedly male, and had a gravelly tone. "It appears that you have fallen from favour with the Jedi."

Cole eyed the stranger, he hadn't noticed him or felt him in the Force, something that deeply disturbed him, and yet he found himself intrigued by the man who had helped him. "Appearances can often be misleading," Cole said before adding, "Yet in this case it's true." He didn't know why he found himself trusting this man, he was a stranger, yet he had helped him. Healed his wounds. Why should he not?

"I feel as if the Jedi had lost their way, or are on the path to losing themselves. They speak of justice, yet they do nothing if it has no benefit to them."

"You speak of the Jedi amnesty granted to the Fallen Empresses."

For a brief moment Cole's eyes squinted at the stranger, old and new suspicions growing, yet who didn't know the two ex-empresses? Anyone who watched the news on holo-vid knew of them. He shifted on the bed, holding back winces from his aching ribs, though no matter where he positioned himself no more of the man's identify became clear. Almost as if he controlled the shadows. Finally he nodded. "They're being watched at this very moment at the Temple, free to move about. Its disgusting. They're responsible for dozens, if not hundreds, of deaths. If they weren't Jedi they'd have been tried and imprisoned, or hung." Cole spoke the last with a added satisfaction, though he was partially visualising Ferrig at the end of the noose.

"But, those two, they're not the source of your anger, are they? Your anger is because the Jedi did not protect your girlfriend, the one you love. Your anger is at the one who preyed upon her. The Jedi are not what they once were, but they cannot be entirely blamed. They are few, and they could not see what was happening. They are misguided, though not nearly so much as the Jedi of the past. They allow more of their emotions, more of their passions, into their lives. But still, they are still blind because of their limitations."

The shadowy figure continued. "The Jedi are wise not to kill those two," he said. "Only a fool destroys a tool that will be useful in the future. Strong in the Force the Fallen Two are, and powerful tools they still remain. You are not a fool, are you, Cole Slaton?"

"Foolish sometimes, but not a fool..." Cole countered eyes staring at the figure. How could he know so much? "What did you mean, limitations?"

"Emotions are a powerful tool," the shadow said. "Emotions are a part of us, and to deny such an integral part of our being is foolish. Our emotions give us focus. The Jedi ignore emotions, and that is their limitation. They do not allow themselves to feel, and such will be their downfall. If they close themselves off, then they can never be Whole in the Force."

"Emotions..." Cole whispered to himself. "Can you teach me, to be Whole in the Force?"

"I can teach you what I know. But, you must know that to do so will run against the Jedi as much as the Fallen Two. Do you believe they will wish to leave you be? You may need to face your friends, including the one whom you love. Are you prepared for that?"

"When I have the power...and show it her, she may see it as the true path and come willingly, if not I am prepared to do what is necessary." Cole took a deep breath holding back a wince cast he legs over the side of the bed.

"You may be called upon to do things some consider unconscionable," the shadow said from the darkness. "When a corrupt society is cleansed, there are many things that must be done in the name of peace and justice. Do you have the heart to carry through with this, to accept the full path of the Force and put to right all the wrongs of this world and the rest of the galaxy?"

Looking up at the shadow Cole nodded. "I do, and I will."

"Good," the shadow in the darkness said. "Good, good. For now, you should rest. Tomorrow, we shall begin your training in earnest, my apprentice."

"As you wish," Cole answered with a bow of the head before adding. "Master."

"I shall see you in the morning, my apprentice. See that you are ready when the sun rises."

"I will be ready." Cole was surprised at the confidence in his voice. Still feeling batted and bruised he didn't feel confident, but he didn't want to show his master. First impressions. He had a learned much from the Jedi, but he sensed he would learn more here under his new master. Perhaps enough to keep Zari safe. Perhaps.

---

"Sleep Finally"
By: Brenna Hennely - Smuggler
Marsar Tilmit (NPC)
Peace Officers/Doctors (Random NPCs)

Location: New Plouton, Yesopol District Medical Center
Date: Selene 15, 5 ABY

***

Brenna sat outside the door where the Medical Center Staff were treating Marsar. It was beginning to be a hell of a night. She was tired and not from lack of sleep, she slept on the flight to the medical center. It was all the stress from the running and the worry that Marsar wasn't going to make it. She checked the time again and let out a massive yawn. As she looked behind her a doctor stepped out of the room shaking his head. She shot to her feet alarmed. "No...no she can't be, she's strong...she's..." He put a finger to his lips and smiled.

"She's going to be just fine. You're some medic, Miss Hennely, she didn't even need time in a bacta tank she was so well off." He smiled at her. "If you hadn't applied the bacta patch when you did she would have bled to death." Brenna remembered her passenger and smiled.

"Would I be able to see her?" she asked. The doctor nodded and Brenna pushed past the doctor and walked over to the bed where Marsar was laying on her side. Brenna moved to the nearest seat and looked at her Copilot.

Mar was still pretty pale but was able to smile. "Look once again you were right and I was wrong." Mar nodded. "But I bet a simple sorry isn't going to cover it this time."

"No way," she insisted. "You owe me big time, and offering a fancy meal isn't going to satisfy this little girl this time." Brenna nodded and looked at her.

"Ok so what do you want, I mean I'm paying your hospital bill out of my own pocket but what do you want."

Marsar just grinned and she shook her head. "Oh we are not going to go into this pet business again are we?" she asked.

Marsar just nodded in response. "Look, Mar didn't we already decide on this one before?" Marsar shook her head

"No you backed out because we were being shot at remember?" she replied. Brenna though for a few moment and nodded.

"Right." All at once two men walked in and approached her. She looked to Marsar and then to the men. Both wore clothes similar to that of the New Plouton air patrol.

"Miss Hennely we would like to have a word with you," one of the men asked. Brenna looked back again then moved forward and kissed Marsar on her forehead.

"I'll see you in awhile," she said, patting her on the cheek. With that she walked outside of the room. She looked at the two men and smiled. "So what do you want to know?" she asked. The men pulled a chair up to her and sat down, looking at her. She sat down too and smiled.

"About you passenger, do you know who she was?"

Brenna shook her head. "Part of my policy which I should change is to not ask questions about passengers," she lied. "I needed the 5,000 credits to repair my ship's hyperdrive and well" --she looked back into the room-- "now it looks like those credits are going towards the Medical center's bill rather than my ship."

The men looked at her and let out a sigh. "Our agents are currently guarding your ship until you and your copilot return." He looked at his partner and spoke again. "They also moved a second bed into your Copilot's room. I suggest you get some sleep, you look like you've been on an all nighter."

Brenna laughed. "You guys have no idea," she replied. She turned and was about to go inside when something hit her. "You two wouldn't happen to know a good pet shop would you?"

---

"Terror Tactics"
By: Egeeto - Demolitions Expert/Terrorist

Location: Calid II, Yani System
Date: Selene 15, 5ABY

***

They had warned him... "Stay way from New Dawn operations." But the idiot didn't listen. They had told him... "If you value your family, look the other way." But the fool didn't turn his head. Now he had to pay the price, had to become an example so all the other idiots and fools did what they were told.

"Red wire connects to the, blue wire. Blue wire connects to the, green wire. Green wire connects to the.... err... this thing. And that's the way it goes." The worst part about the song was not that it was badly sung, but that it was badly sung in Rodian. A short green skinned alien stood in the middle of the warehouse covered in oil. His one good eye sparkled brightly as he connected wires to what appeared to be a mad amalgamations of an octopus and a truck. His other was a milky white color and stared off in an entirely different direction. Madness was evident in his voice.

He had built bombs before. Many bombs. Bombs that did different things! Bombs that had gas, or poison, or just plain went boom. He had done them all. But this was his masterpiece, his angel made whole! Not only would it be his largest, but what it would do would alter the direction of an entire system. And that, baby, was why he was going to be doing it himself.

"Whiz-bang connects to the... ahhh... widget. The widget connects to the, PU-39 Explosive Space Modulator. The PU-39 Explosive Space Modulator connects to the... errr.. nothing! I'm done! My baby, my sweetness, my angel, you are finally finished! Yes, excellent, wonderful! Now those fools over at the Ministry will have to listen to me!"

Insane laughter continue for several minutes before the Rodian collapsed, exhausted from the extended period of no sleep.

*** Later that day ***

System Governor Liet Calliendo and his family were enjoying the warm sunshine of the summer afternoon on their compound. Surrounding him were his many ministers and aides, along with most of his advisors. They were, of course, celebrating the Governor's re-election that had happened just a couple days prior and congratulating him on such a landslide victory. The Governor's stance on Organized Crime had won him many of the hearts of the people while his rapid anti-smoking campaign won him the rest.

One of the Governor's children, a boy no more than three years old, pointed to the front gate. The finger drew the Governor's attention and what he saw made him scream for his guards. An old wheeled truck shattered the compounds main gate with its horn blowing. At the wheel was a mad Rodian in a blood spattered jumpsuit and a blaster pistol in one hand. Guests began to scatter as the truck slid to a stop and the Rodian jumped out laughing wildly.

Several small octopus-like drones popped out of the top of the truck and flew high up. They spread themselves out and then began to spin at a high rate of speed. From the tips of their tentacle-like appendages a fine green mist was sprayed. It fell in a cloud, covering much more area than the compound and a good hundred feet into the sky. A bit landed in the Governor's mouth and he involuntarily tasted it. Fuel?

"Yes! Yes!" The Rodian was screaming and laughing. A single sparkling flare suddenly shot out from the top of the truck, halting the chaos below as every eye followed it. "YES! My baby, my sweet! My angel... my salvation!"

Realization washed over the Governor as he realized what it was, just as the flare popped and started the chain reaction.

Later it had been called a grievous accident, the various news organizations paid off to report only what they were told. Amidst the chaos and in-fighting the explosion had caused, one organization rose to power. They had let every one of their rivals know they it was they who had really killed the Governor and his ministers, and that it was they who would be seizing power. Nobody else needed an example, they simply agreed.

---

"New Duties"
by Vincenzo Lapenta - Neurosurgeon
and Jacob Baram - Head of the Neurosurgery Department, New Plouton Neuroscience Institute (NPC)

Date: Selene 15, 5 ABY
Location: New Plouton Neuroscience Institute, Yesopol District

***

Vincenzo was sitting in a waiting room, waiting to see the head of the department. He had applied for a position with the institute while in Commenor, and now they would see if they liked him enough. He knew he was qualified enough for the position, but it wasn't about qualifications alone. He had to fit into the team, but he still wasn't sure how they figured that out without trying. "Director Baram will see you now, Dr. Lapenta," the secretary said as she entered the waiting room. Vincenzo got up and followed her. He was brought into a large office, where behind a desk sat an older man in his early fifties. He was already going bald, and what hair he still had was grey.

"Come in, Dr. Lapenta," Baram said, "welcome. Please have a seat. You want something to drink?"

"No, thank you," Vincenzo said as he sat down. Baram took a datapad.

"According to this file you send to us," he said, "you have an excellent record. Which brings me to the obvious question: if you had stayed, you would have become department head very quickly, so why move?"

"It's rather personal, sir," Vincenzo said, deciding to tell the truth, or at least some sort of it, "I'm not sure if you're familiar with Russ VII?"

"Not really," Baram said.

"The planet is heavily polluted," Vincenzo continued, "similar to Kuat actually. I was member of a group of people who wanted to government to clean up. They didn't really like that we said that, and so I'm a sort of outcast, for nothing more then expressing my opinion on how we should clean up our planet. I've seen people on my operating table with severe nerve damage due to all the toxic stuff we pumped in our atmosphere, and it's just so stupid. There is no reason for those people to be there if we didn't pollute all that much."

"I can understand that," Baram said, "but then why here? It's not that I don't want you here, don't get me wrong, but your career opportunities would be less then... let's say, on Commenor, where you studied."

"I don't really mind, sir," Vincenzo said, "I want to treat patients and do research, not do budgeting. As long as I can do research and treatment, I'm happy. Also while studying on Commenor I met a woman, Sarah Lapage, who came from Chimaeria. That's probably why I thought of this place when searching for a new job."

Baram thought a bit about it. "I'm going to give you trial period of 6 months," he said, "after that we'll see. I think you will fit nicely in our department, specially since we have no neurotoxicologist. I want you to try and start up a lab that can handle those kinds of analysis."

This was more than Vincenzo had hoped for. Clearly Sarah didn't work here, but it would give him an income for the next 6 months, and he was sure that he could prove he had a place here. He could also start searching for her once he was settled in. "Thank you, sir," he said.

Baram called his secretary in and had her get all the administration in order for him, like an access code, salary arrangements and also a tour around the building so he could see all his new colleagues.

"What do you think," Baram asked when they came back to the office to sign the contract.

"It looks very nice," Vincenzo said, "I think I can find a place for myself in here."

"Good," Baram said, "let's sign the contract and then you can go."

"Maybe you can help me, sir," Vincenzo said, "but do you know a place I can stay. I don't have anyplace yet."

"There are a bunch of apartment blocks near the institute," Baram said, "a lot of our people live there, so I think it's best if you start there."

"I'll try that then," Vincenzo said. Ten minutes later the contract was signed. Vincenzo was now an official member of the New Plouton Institute of Neuroscience, also known as enpin (from NPIN).

Three hours later he had also had a small apartment in one of the large blocks about 10 minutes walk from the institute.

---

"My Dark Life"
By: Mielikki Aune (PC)
J2O RA-7 (NPC+)
Drer Rda (NPC+)
Random NPCs

Location: The Wabretonc, Boeus system, Outer Rim
Date: Selene 15, 5 ABY

***

Loud music blared on the inside of the Wabretonc, as a slender spotted brunette danced as though she were a fairy wild and free. The heavy metallic collar around her neck brought her back to reality however as she reached the chain's length, nearly choking herself before dancing again in the opposite direction. From afar laying atop a luxuriously, gaudy fainting couch, a dark skinned male Twi'lek laid, his deep sunken eyes watched the brunette intently, thin lips pursed together tightly as his tongue darted out.

A smile came to Mielikki's lips as she touched backs briefly with a young lavender skinned female Twi'lek, her face painted thickly with makeup. Asal smiled lecherously at Mielikki before turning again to dance away from her, and towards three Bith, who were playing vigorously away at string instruments. A hairy male Bothan beat at a set of drums nearby, sweat perspiring on his face.

All of this, her dancing, her smiles, her laughter, to Mielikki Aune it was all but an act, a mask hiding the true feelings that lurked inside the girl's heart, the desire to truly be free. She felt herself being jerked on the chain and immediately found herself at the male Twi'lek's side. He dragged a long finger down her cheek as he whispered something into her ear, "You've been a good girl tonight my child, I think I might just have to spoil you later," Drer remarked.

Mielikki managed a smile as she danced away from Drer, a knotting feeling drew itself into her stomach as the dance came to a close. I will be free of this place, I will be free of this place.

Whooping and cheering met her ears as the music ended, along with the clattering of weapons as the patrons of the Wabretonc voiced their approval and for some their disapproval. The Bothan drummer was flirting adamantly with the lavender skinned Twi'lek, his eyes running up and down her body as she leaned playfully against his drum kit and blew him a kiss. Licking his lips he grabbed her arm as she turned away causing her to yell when his grip turned tighter. Drer was on his feet instantaneously as a large Gamorrean fought with the Bothan roughly. The Gamorrean held the Bothan back as the tall, Twi'lek stalked over to him.

"What makes you think you can touch my girls?" Drer asked calmly, the Bothan uttered something in his native tongue before shaking his head off to the side.

"I said what makes you think you can touch my girls Bothan?" Drer asked, the last word spoken venomously.

The Bothan sneered. "Perhaps she doesn't get the privilege of being touched enough?"

Drer laughed before looking to the Bith nearby. "He's right! They don't get enough attention as it is!" The Bith bubbled into laughter as did the others around him, the Bothan before him having a bewildered look painted on his features, fear leaving he soon too erupted into laughter with Rda. Drer laughed again before he spoke again.

"Agork, see to it this Bothan doesn't get the privilege of enjoying touching another woman again."

An eerie grin came to the Twi'lek's face as the Bothan screamed in protest as the Gamorrean held him down and a massive Weequay came over to him a large knife in hand. His screams filled the ship as both of his hands were lopped off. Mielikki swallowed hard as she quickly turned away. Drer walked over to her patting her shoulder.

"There there, don't worry, I can find another drummer. It's a pity though he just won't be able to replace his equipment."

Forcing a smile, Mielikki watched as Drer walked away and quickly turned away as she spotted the Gamorrean and Weequay finishing with their grisly work.

Sitting down next to the fainting couch, Mielikki folded her hands in her lap and looked up upon hearing the sound of approaching mechanical noises; the source came from a RA-7 droid its rusted metallic frame in dire need of a good oil bath.

"Jaytwo, I can only chat for a moment, Drer will be back shortly."

The droid designated J20 RA-7 bowed its head quickly and gestured with its hands as it spoke. "I don't mind, as long as I get away from that circuit wrenching display of troglodytic behavior," J20 replied; the voice though mechanical obviously intended it was that of a male.

Mielikki glanced over the droid's shoulder spotting the wounded Bothan male being dragged away by his arms by a pair of guards; his injuries had now been cauterized, he would live through the night but it was highly unlikely he would ever play the same again. The Veaseph knew he could become fitted with artificial robotic hands, but she also knew it would take him a long time to adjust to the feel of completely alien limbs.

"I know the feeling.any idea where we are?" She asked keeping a watchful eye out for Drer to return. J20 shrugged.

"I'm not certain exactly I'm afraid, we're a few days travel from a planet called Tae'Karada located in the Tae'Remok system."

"Tae'Karada?" She asked brow furrowing in confusion. "Doesn't ring any bells."

"Bells?" J20 queried as he cocked his head to the side.

"An old expression, find out more if you can.Drer's coming now, you better make yourself scarce or I'll have to piece you together next."

J20 buzzed in reply before quickly shambling off. The dark Twi'lek watched the young girl before looking off to where the RA-7 unit had disappeared to.

"What was that about?" Drer asked glancing back at her as he dipped a finger under her chin absently tracing her jaw line as he studied her eyes intently.

"Nothing, I was just wondering where we are." Mielikki replied quickly.

Drer laid down on the fainting couch and began stroking his fingers through Mielikki's dark hair as though he was petting a cat. "Why would that be of any importance to you?"

Detaching herself from the feel of Drer's hand in his hair, she turned so that she was facing her slave master. "I just like to have a sense of direction is all.really." She remarked plainly.

Rda studied her features carefully, an eerie calm about him, before asking, "Really?" Mielikki dared not break eye contact before she carefully voiced her answer to Drer's question. "Really."

Rda smiled, "If you must know then we are far, far away from your home my dear.far away." Her heart sunk at his reply, she knew that Drer would not have given her a direct answer to her question to begin with; he always seemed to speak to her in riddles. At his reply she hung her head low, and stared into the floor before Drer raised her chin forcing her to see eye level with him again.

"Do not be sad my dear, you lead a treasured life here, go now to my chambers, I will see you later."

The Veaseph girl forced a smile. "Yes my master." She bowed her head as Rda stood up and left before a guard came over to her and unchained her leading her to Drer's private chambers.

As she walked away she locked eyes with Asal, the lavender skinned female Twi'lek she danced with earlier, icy cold daggers stared back at her as she took her place at Rda's throne. Mielikki knew Asal was jealous of her, that much was certain, she wished to be the favorite of Drer, to have him to herself. What the female Twi'lek saw in the gaunt male Twi'lek slave master, Mielikki did not know. All she did know was that tonight she would detach herself as Drer would force her to make love to him, just like she did every other night in an attempt escape this cold, dark reality she had grown all too accustomed to living.

---

"A New Face and An Old Friend, Part 1"
By: Gideon Kherris, Jedi Master (PC)
Laedra Vorrel, Jedi Master (PC)

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Selene 15th, 5ABY

***

Gideon had decided to walk to the Jedi Temple, rather than to arrive by speeder or ship. He knew the way as he had visited before a time or two. At least the outlying grounds, having not entered the Temple or announcing himself to its occupants. He wanted the time alone to reflect on his arrival, of meeting these Outer Rim Jedi. He was both looking forward to meeting new Jedi, they were so sparse in these times, but they were growing across the galaxy.

He knew of other Force attuned factions, had even met Skywalker once during the liberation of an Imperial held world of which he had been a captive. Master Skywalker was in the process of forging a new Jedi Order, of which Gideon was offered a place. He had declined, feeling that his destiny laid elsewhere and thus he had come to Tae'Karada.

In past months he had spent time getting to know the culture and history, investigating the roles and actions of the worlds resident Jedi. He was intrigued that a group of Jedi had spawned here, and pleasantly surprised to learn that his wayward Padawan, Vaya Bek, had found her way here to the Jedi.

As he approached the Temple, he thought of her, Vaya. He had been some what remorseful that they had been separated, but at the time, under attack by Imperials, her safety was his concern. He thought he was going to die that day, and came quite close as a prisoner to an Imperial warlord. It was all in the past, and now there he was. However, he had some reservations. He didn't intend on reclaiming his former student, though if allowed he would gladly take her back. He felt that she had found a new place here, perhaps a step on the road to her destiny that had forked away from their past relationship. As a Jedi he knew well the pull of the Force, it took one down many paths and often it meant different paths for those who had served side by side.

For sometime now he had an elusive sense of foreboding, something he could not quite put together. All he felt was that he was where the Force wanted him, his destiny seemed to lie here on this far out world at the edge of the known galaxy. As to whether it meant he was to be reunited with Vaya as Master and Padawan again, he did not know. Personal feelings aside, he had a duty to the Force, and to the people of the galaxy.

Approaching the Temple, a young student minding the grounds looked up to see the Jedi approaching. The girl stood and bowed. Dressed casually in attire that seemed to be fitting and common for the people of this world, his dark sienna hued robe was all that marked him in appearance as a Jedi. Gideon stood, nodded to the youngling and pushed back the hood.

Smiling to the girl he said, "Greetings young one. I am Master Kherris and request an audience with this Temple's Masters."

The girl nodded and left her duties to do as requested. Gideon stood outside the Temple, taking in the view of the woods, the architecture of the ancient temple, all as he stretched out calmly with the Force to gain a sense of the place. Indeed strong with the Force the place was, he thought as he reached out with his feelings. He released emotions of peace, calmness and friendship. Though he and the residents were Jedi, he was still a stranger and wanted its occupants to know he was a friend, and that he didn't pose any danger.

He soon a felt a presence radiate. The essence of a Jedi burned in his mind's eye. He opened his eyes and looked upon a Jedi woman who had come to meet him.

She stood above average in height, her impeccable posture giving the illusion of even greater length. Chestnut brown hair in varying shades glistened in the sunlight poking through the dense tree foliage arrayed above them. As opposed to himself, the woman was attired in traditional Jedi garb, though she preferred a closely-fitted tunic of slate and a wide floor-length brown skirt to the usual white tunic-pants combination.

Having opted not to wear her cloak in the summer's sweltering heat, her lightsaber was plainly visible to the newcomer, though her hand remained loosely by her side and hovered nowhere near her weapon. The welcoming smile she offered him, too, assured the visitor there was no ill-will towards him. She even bowed in greeting. "I am Master Laedra Vorrel. Have you traveled far?"

"One might say as much," he answered with a smile as he bowed in greeting. "I am Master Gideon Kherris, an honor to meet you. A welcoming knowledge, to find Jedi so far in the Outer Rim. A testament to the will of the Force, that its light yet burns after so many years of darkness."

"And, don't forget the perseverance of many Jedi who found the courage to expose themselves to danger and resurrect the Order," Laedra reminded him congenially. "Are you here to commend us, Master Kherris, or is there another purpose for your journey?"

Gideon laughed at the woman's demeanor. He liked her character. "I have not forgotten," he replied. "I have another purpose yes. I find myself drawn to this world for more reasons than words can explain. I have also been searching for someone. I was pleasantly surprised to have discovered that she found her way here among fellow Jedi."

Laedra did nothing to conceal her interest as she asked, "Who might that be?"

"My Padawan, Vaya Bek," he replied, not knowing that Laedra in fact assumed the role of mentor for Vaya. He knew she was there though, he had seen her once, from a distance.

"Vaya Bek?" she echoed without the slightest change in her tranquil expression. "She resides and trains here, this is true. And I imagine we have you to congratulate for her excellent progress?"

Gideon bowed, "You honor me. I have done what I could under the circumstances. She is gifted and dedicated, though training has been rather...unorthodox. I'm sure you can understand and relate," he said. "Those of us who survived the Purge...it has been perilous. I am grateful that she has been taken in. I have looked for her for sometime, we parted amidst grave danger, I myself having had been captured on a mission. I thanked the Force to find she was well, and in the company of Jedi."

"She came to us some time ago," Laedra explained, "but was doing well on her own at any rate." Broaching the topic she was more interested in than Gideon's qualifications as a Jedi Master, Laedra asked, "Have you come to take her from us, then?"

"I have meditated much on this," he said thoughtfully. "In truth, from what I have sensed here...I was prepared to leave it at that and continue on my journeys. However, I do wish to be reunited with her, I believe she ought to know that I am alive and well. What more though," he continued, "I feel a powerful pull from the Force. I know that I was led here for a greater purpose than finding Vaya. I would be honored if I might stay here for a time."

After a slight pause he added, "As for taking Vaya from you, I cannot say that I wouldn't be pleased to restore or relationship. With all do respect, I think that would have to be Vaya's choice. If it is the will of the Force that our time as master and student has passed, then so be it. It may very well be that she has much more here than I could have ever offered."

Laedra smiled kindly at Gideon. "That will be her decision, then. Shall we go see her? I'm sure she'll be surprised, at the least, to see you again."

Gideon felt his heart jump at the idea of finally seeing Vaya again. He had been overjoyed to find her well, and among Jedi and that was almost good enough for him. The two had grown very close as master and student, as trusted friends, and been through so much since the time he met on her Bespin.

"I'm sure," he said thoughtfully. "I would like that very much, as well as to meet everyone else here if I may. I truly believe the Force has led me here...for something. Master Vorrel, I have to ask," he said with a look of utmost seriousness. "In meditation, especially after having arrived and spent some time on your world...I have sensed something. Something aloof and elusive in the distance. It is quite disturbing, and so vague. Have you or the other Masters here sensed any such thing?"

Laedra reflected silently on her recent meditations and discussions with Koran. They had, indeed, detected some tension and foreboding through the Force, but with no clear source. Although they had not dismissed it, both had thought best to keep it in the back of their minds in favor of focusing on the Temple and their Padawans. Now, Laedra answered her guest evasively, "What do you believe this disturbance is? Could it have been your anxiety about finally reuniting with your Padawan coloring your thoughts?"

"No Master Vorrel, I would know the difference," Gideon said. "I do not have any thoughts as to what it may be, other than the sensation of...something upon the horizon. There hasn't been anything specific, nothing I could pinpoint to description in words. The sensation has only grown stronger since arriving in this system," he explained intensely as he walked with Laedra. Then he added, "I understand that I am stranger here, but I assure you, that in such things of the Force I am well experienced and focused upon. Perhaps you and the other Masters might offer sometime to meditate upon this with me, your wisdom and insight on these sensations would be welcoming and an honor."

Laedra smiled as she answered noncommittally, "Perhaps..." They reached the palace and entered, the pleasant cacophony of birds and other creatures of the forest calling shut out once the heavy doors had closed. A tranquil silence embraced them. "This is our modest home," Laedra explained, gesturing to the smooth stone walls of the corridor. "I believe Vaya may be in one of the training rooms. She is dedicated, no one doubts that."

"She always has been. I don't know what she may have shared of her past life, before I had found her," Gideon commented. "It wasn't pleasant to say the least. Her new life, dedicated to the Force...it was all she ever dreamed of and lived for. Her training, well you would have to understand that out there, with the rebellion waging and the Empire trying to control every facet of daily life...it was hard for those of us. We all did as we could of course," he said as he studied the Temple, closer than he had ever been before.

He sensed something in her words, a slight emotion. He could tell she was guarded, minding her thoughts and feelings as they spoke. He didn't blame her, he was after all a stranger. He knew well in his time across the stars that to be a Jedi, to be found out as a Jedi, was akin to signing your own death warrant. Many things had changed in recent years, the Jedi were growing and the Empire was being fought back. However, it was still a perilous universe. Gideon didn't want to push or pry, perhaps he would have if he was not in the company of a fellow Jedi, but he held respect for Laedra as such. He had the feeling that perhaps there was some sort of relationship between her and Vaya, greater than the obvious of their sharing a life in service to the Force within the Temple walls. In time he knew the Jedi would come to know and trust him, perhaps he would find a new life here among them in the near future.

"It is an amazing place, just from what I can see and feel," he praised with respect. "Strong in the Force, your very fortunate to have such a sanctuary to live and train. It reminds me of the ancient Wardens I was taught about in ancient Jedi and Republic history. How many Jedi do you have here Master Vorrel?"

"Including myself and excluding Master Brael who is currently on leave, there are eleven of us. With more and more Padawans coming to us, it was fortunate Master Skywalker introduced us to some great teachers."

"Master Skywalker?" Gideon asked. "Really. I look forward to meeting everyone, if I may offer my services in anyway, I would be honored to lend a hand."

"You wish to teach here?" Laedra inquired. "Have you trained anyone since Vaya?"

"If in fact I were allowed to stay I would be more than happy to help train and work alongside the Jedi here," Gideon replied. "I have traveled a lot of late, it would be a nice respite to call a place home. I have not taken a Padawan since Vaya, I wanted to find her first, no matter how long it may have taken."

Both Jedi walked in thoughtful silence through the halls of the temple.

Gideon was greatly intrigued with the architecture; it was simple but elegant, a vast contrast to durasteel and permacrete of galactic civilization. Nothing of the grand scale he remembered of the ancient Jedi Temple of Coruscant, but so much more in character and spirit.

Since walking up to the temple Gideon could sense his estranged Padawan. The sensation grew ever more intense as they moved further into the innards of the sanctuary. A skilled and experience Jedi, perhaps only a Master by such experience and by circumstance- Gideon controlled his emotions, but deep down he was over joyed to finally lay eyes upon Vaya. He could sense the change in her, a young woman when they parted she seemed to be ever more in what he could sense. No doubt she had blossomed greatly under the guidance of these Jedi, and had grown to a new level since last he saw her.

Laedra led the way into one of the temple's training rooms...

---

"A New Face and An Old Friend, Part 2"
By: Laedra Vorrel
Gideon Kherris
Vaya Bek

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Selene 15th, 5ABY

***

Sitting on the floor with a several others of varying ages, Vaya was in meditation. She had awoke with an odd sensation after a night of dreamy slumber and sought to spend the day in meditation and reflections. The temple had been busy, one of the newer Masters was called away and had asked Vaya to help instruct some of the younger students with meditations.

Caught up in her new life, she had given up holding on to her to feelings for her former Master during the mission to Hjarr. She knew she had to move on, and the Force willed what it willed.

She felt the familiar presence of Gideon, but did not realize she was actually feeling his presence in the hear-and-now. That is until he entered the training room. She opened her eyes and blinked dreamily. For a long moment she just met his eyes, and then Laedra's, and back again. She felt as if she was having a Force vision, it was just too real...to be real.

"Master?" she asked as both Gideon and Laedra turned their heads to one another.

Laedra bowed her head at Gideon, offering to respond to Vaya first, in which she answered, "I believe, Vaya, that is now up to you to decide."

Vaya stood up with the realization that it was not a dream or Force induced vision. Turning her attention to the younger she said, "Very good, all of you. You may attend to your other lessons now," with a fond smile she shooed them off.

The room emptied leaving only Vaya, Gideon and Laedra. A huge smile broke across her fair face as she approached Gideon. She bowed to both Masters, looking to Laedra first and then her attention was to Gideon.

"I...don't know what to say," Vaya said with great emotion as she tried to clear her voice and quell her feelings. "It was like a dream seeing you here Master Kherris!"

She looked to Laedra with an expression of bewilderment, a thousand questions wanting to race from her lips. "I don't understand, how is this? I..." she expressed before Gideon took her in his arms.

"Calm yourself, Vaya," he said as he gave her a heartfelt hug and laughed heartily. "I cannot tell you how good it is to see you like this, to know you have been well," he said as he gently pushed her away to arms length to take a good look at her. "You have grown and I have the impression from Master Vorrel that you have done well here on your new path. I am very happy for you."

"Thank you," she said. "I am nearly beside myself to see you as well, I can hardly believe my eyes."

"Vaya," Laedra interjected with eyes shining admiringly at her padawan, "has recently made the journey to Ilium and has crafted her own lightsaber."

"Indeed," Gideon commented as Vaya produced her lightsaber. He turned it over in his hands, noting its construction and design. "What are these?" he asked in reference to the glyphs that were carved around the shaft.

"They are ancient glyphs from the writings and teachings of who we call the Ancients," Vaya said. "I had asked Master Darr about the meaning of some of them, these mean, peace, justice and enlightenment. They were the builders of this temple, Force users."

"Interesting," he replied as he ignited the blade and tested the balance and handling of the weapon. "Impressive Vaya, I am very proud of your accomplishment. It is a fine lightsaber, a true testament to your path to becoming a Jedi. Perhaps later we may spar, as we once did. I am intrigued to see how those skills have evolved now that you have earned the creation of your own lightsaber."

He handed her the weapon back, its golden blade having been extinguished.

"It would be a pleasure, Master Kherris," she replied, still with a big smile.

"If we may," Gideon turned to Laedra. "I would like a few moments with Padawan Bek. Perhaps she can show me more of your temple, and we can do a little catching up. Providing of course she doesn't have any pressing responsibilities. Then of course I would be honored and delighted to meet everyone else."

Laedra tipped her head at him. "Of course. Vaya, you are exempt from your duties and training today, if you so desire to be, in place of catching up with your master."

Vaya bowed, a look of ecstatic joy and appreciate shown in her brown eyes. "Thank you, Master."

"It is settled then," Gideon said with short bow to Laedra. "My sincerest gratitude for your understanding and hospitality Master Vorrel. I shall not take up too much of Padawan Bek's time today."

"Take all the time you need," Laedra assured him. "You have much to catch up on." Bowing, Laedra turned out of the training room to give Vaya and her master the privacy they deserved.

***

"How did you find me?" Vaya asked with wonder as she sat across from Gideon on the training room floor.

Gideon looked about the room with a casual wave of his hand. "The Force," he replied as he had also poked her in the forehead with his finger, right between her eyes. "Have you learned nothing from Master Vorrel? Or do these Jedi not know what it is they are doing?"

His question was rhetorical and he gave his former Padawan a wide smile to end his jest.

"You know what I meant," Vaya said with a matching smile, so jubilant at what the day had offered. "Of all the worlds in the Outer Rim, let alone the galaxy...I never thought I would see you again," she said, her words trailing and growing softer. "I never gave up hope, of course. But...I had to move on. I was so surprised to see you standing there next to Master Vorrel. I truly thought I was having a vision and not seeing with my own eyes!"

Gideon laughed as he took her hands in his own. "I know much the same Vaya. I didn't know if I would ever find, but I never gave up hope either. I could always tell you were alright, I know I would have felt your death through the Force. If I had met my destiny, not even the Force itself would have kept me from you."

A tear had forced itself from her watery eyes. As hard as she tried to fight it back, it was of no use. Throwing herself upon his shoulder she sucked it in with a laugh of joy and relief.

"Well thank the Force!" she said as she regained her composure. "I have so many questions, I just don't know where to begin," she laughed.

"As do I," Gideon replied as he stood up. "Growing up in the Jedi Temple, we heard stories of Jedi who could sense their Padawans across the stars, their bond having grown so great. We were together for some good years, and I know I could sense you. I wish it were that I could have sensed you as the old Jedi were believed to be able to do. But it doesn't matter, the Force has its way of bringing things about in its own time."

"Thank you Master," she said. "For finding me. I had no idea where to look for you. I could not sense anything of you, one way or another. I...just trusted in the Force to lead me to where I must go, and here I am."

"Qel spoke to you," he said.

Vaya turned an eyebrow up at him, "I thought you didn't believe in such things as Force spirits Master Kherris?"

"The jury is still out," he answered, not sharing his own encounter for he still had yet to believe it was not just his own imagination. "But I know that you believe, and I also know that you are not schizophrenic. It is good enough for me."

"Would you like to go outside?" Vaya asked. "It is quite beautiful around here, serene and open, far from the bustle of the city," she expressed with a look of fondness in her eyes as well as in the tone of her voice.

"You seem to have drawn the long straw here, I am happy that you found this place and have been in the company of Jedi. I did worry about your well being. As you said, it is a big galaxy, and still dangerous for Jedi," he said. "So, please, lead the way and I shall interrogate you about your time here. I shall be rather displeased to find that you have been vacationing here. Being without one's Master is no excuse to not keep up with your training."

Vaya laughed as she led the way out from the training room to the nearest hall that would out to the temple grounds.

"Believe me, it has been no picnic," she said. "I have been welcomed well, feeling at home with each day," she explained. "There seems to always be something going on around this world."

---

"A New Face and An Old Friend, Part 3"
By: Gideon Kherris, Master Jedi
and Vaya Bek, Padawan

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Selene 15th, 5ABY

***

Gideon and Vaya sat upon a large out-cropping of rock along the lake. They had talked for hours and enjoyed a comfortable silence of meditation upon the backdrop of the setting sun. The golden rays illuminated the horizon and turned the waters of the lake and the gushing falls into sparklings of amber gold.

Vaya was eager to divulge all that had happened to her since that fateful day she awoke apart from her former mentor. Gideon gladly and with great interest listened and took in her adventures and perspectives of all that had transpired. He was, however, less offering as to his own time apart. He felt she needn't know his turmoil and struggles.

"Listening to you speak of all that has been laid upon your path," Gideon commented. "I am very proud of your accomplishments, you have grown so much and will make an exemplary Jedi very soon. I am honored that Master Vorrel thinks you had been trained well, I will have to commend her for all she has taught you so far. Your skills and knowledge have exceeded the Padawan I once knew and loved."

Vaya looked to him with warm and fond eyes, a part of her still could not believe the day had come and that she was sitting there with him.

"I am so thankful you are here, Master Kherris," she said with a sigh of relief. "I wondered for so long, I could just never sense anything. I didn't want to give up hope, but there came the moment not long ago where I had to just put it to rest and focus on my future. I had no idea this day would come."

"Do not trouble yourself with such thoughts," he replied warmly. "I am pleased that you put such notions aside, it shows the level of your wisdom you have grown into. We can never go backwards in time, though through the Force we can experience and gain great insight of the past to help us stand firm and confident for the future. Nor should we dwell upon the past. You will come to find, Vaya, that all things are relative. From the most unassuming of daily life to the greatest changes that have lasting effects across the galaxy. Sometimes we are placed upon different paths on the same journey, and sometimes upon the same path we find ourselves at crossroads to separate destinies. Never be afraid to take the new road, eventually all comes full circle."

"How was it that you came to find me here?" she asked after a moment of taking in his words.

Gideon smacked her upside the side of her head playfully and said, "Have you learned nothing here Padawan? Or do these Jedi not know what they are doing?" he asked with a smile of his jest.

"You know what I mean!"

Gideon waved his hand about the scenery, "The Force, of course. I could always sense that you were alive, though I couldn't sense where and how you faired. There was a time when Masters could sense their Padawans anywhere in the world, and their bond could become so great that they could even sense and communicate across the stars. I didn't expect to find you here, but I was delighted that it was so. So much is going on in the galaxy...it is still a dangerous place for Jedi but the Force perseveres. It is quite an accomplishment these Jedi have here, though from what you have told me, it has not been without their fair share of tribulations."

"True enough," Vaya commented. "They really are good people, and I have felt very welcomed and more and more at home with each passing day. But...well, I...I don't know. Sometimes I wonder, but I try to just focus on my studies...Master Vorrel is really a great teacher, I think we have grown closer. But I think she has a lot of other things going on. We have talked about it to some length. It must be hard to have students who have failed, especially when that failure results in the likes of all that Dani and Nieme have wrought."

"As I said, all things are relative. We cannot always foresee the future, for it is always in motion. All things considered, I believe you have been in good hands. I am sure that whatever trials Master Vorrel has experienced in her time training these Padawans that she sees in you a great accomplishment, even if you weren't first trained with her."

"I know, its just that sometimes I wonder if she doesn't me in the same light as she sees the others. I mean, I am nothing like Dani and Nieme. And what had happened with Talara...and Zari and Cole's relationship. She really thinks that their fraternizing was the root of their troubles. And yet she and Master Darr..."

"Padawans were greatly chosen when they were still infants for good reason, though there was always concerned debate about Jedi doctrine. It is harder to unlearn at an older age. The old Jedi believed in detachment from such emotions and materialistic concerns. It wasn't always so, there had been older initiates, and this day and age is certainly no exception. Though such relationships were not encouraged, it wasn't always uncommon. True such emotions can lead to problems and even the dark side, but love is as natural as the Force itself. We each have in our power to make our decisions. It is only when we become blinded and allow our emotions rather than our wisdom and focus to control us, do we fail."

"I understand," she said thoughtfully. "Master, have you come...to take me away?"

After a moment he replied, "Are you happy here Vaya?"

"I guess, I mean...I have felt at home and with a purpose. Master Vorrel has been good to me. I just...well I never expected to see you again. I thought this is where I was meant to be."

"My arrival has changed all that?" he asked. "Do you not feel that you are where the Force intended?"

"I do believe I was meant to be here, and I am thankful. I guess your arrival does not change that. I would hope it makes it even the more better. Are you going to stay here?"

"Well, that remains to be seen. I do feel the Force led me here for a purpose, greater than just our reunion. That would be up to your new friends to decided I believe. I cannot impose myself here. I would like to stay, of course."

"I would like that too," Vaya said with a hopeful smile. "I'm sure they would allow it. You are great Master, and they could use the help. And I...I would be happy to have you here."

"You wonder about Master Vorrel and I, don't you. You want to know if I will continue your training?"

"I assumed, if you were allowed to stay," Vaya said, wondering where he was going with it.

"That isn't my decision Vaya, and it isn't theirs."

"What do you mean?"

"You will know in time. Now come, I think I have taken up far too much of your day and I would still like to meet the others."

Master and Padawan walked back to the temple in thoughtful silence...

---

"Tangled Web, Part 1"
By Theen Fida, New Republic Ambassador to Tae'Karada (NPC+)
Oneron Jel'vre (NPC+ written by Amii'a Val'or)
Ro'namon (NPC+ written by Amii'a Val'or)

Location: Coruscant/New Plouton
Date: Selene 15th, 5ABY

***(Coruscant)***

Although security in and out of Coruscant was of a high level, especially for diplomatic travel too and from the galactic capital, Marshall Useera seemed to have all the right clearance and pull required to allow Theen a speedy arrival. He knew well that all her clearances were provided by Chairman Jel'vre, and he had a cramping instinct in his gut that the human female was much more than just an average agent within the New Republic Diplomatic Corps. Just as he knew the Bothan minister Oneron Jel'vre was not just the ordinary diplomat.

So much more was going on than what rippled upon the surface and Theen meant to get to the bottom of it. Starting with his old friend, Senator Gooreil.

Useera escorted Theen to and through 500 Senate Plaza where the Senator was under house arrest pending investigation and trial of corruption. A preposterous notion if Theen had ever heard one. And he had heard plenty in his long years.

"Wait..." Useera cautioned as the turbo lift door had just swooshed open. "There are always two guards on station," she informed out loud more to herself than for Theen's favor.

Her left hand tapped to ear, activating a comlink, "This is Special Agent Useera, security detail 0392 report!" she commanded as she cocked her head waiting for a reply. "All security details, we have a code 1 on level 2-oh-5! Repeat code 1 on level 2-oh-5!" she alerted as she drew her weapon and cautioned Theen with an outstretched arm to stay behind her and where he stood.

With a hushed tone she said, "Senator Gooreil's quarters are not manned, I'm going n to investigate, I need immediate back up, protocol triple zero!" she informed as she stealthily traversed the hall the short distance to the Senator's personal quarters within the Senate building.

Each Senator had their own professional quarters within the vast labyrinth, spacious, luxuriously exorbitant. Senator Gooreil from the Anx homeworld was reprimanded under guard to his quarters, a common practice for such incidents of criminal investigation that- for public servants of such high stature and responsibility, was suppose to uncommon. In the idealistic galaxy of democracy everyone from the lowly moisture farmer to the influential elite were to have the same rights and considerations, however, were the Senator not what he was, he would be sitting in a common holding cell like any other criminal. Unlike the average criminal, of course, the Senator was a representation of the people. Though under clear investigation for crimes, he was afforded greater treatment for his infractions than the average citizen.

Theen watched with great interest and concern as the marshal gained access to the Senator's quarters and disappeared from the hall.

Looking about, Theen exited the turbo lift and made his way down the hall with less caution than his escort. His height and nearly triple mass to that of a Human did nothing to fill the hall, for like most things in relation to the galaxy's political elite, it too was vast and opulent, a small parade could march down the hall with comfort.

Something just didn't sit right to Theen. He felt something amidst, he didn't believe in coincidence, he believed that everything was relative. For him, it was no mistake that the current situation transpired for his own experience, and he feared for his friends safety.

Not a squeamish politician, Theen had no qualms about putting himself in harms way or getting his own hands dirty. He made quick time as his long legs took powerful and purposeful strides to the Senators quarters. The door was shut and always locked. There was only ever three security codes to gain entrance into such quarters, the resident's personal code, his aide's personal code, and the over ride security code. Theen of course knew not what Gooreil's code was, or the code provided for his diplomatic aides. However, he did happen to know the security over ride code.

That knowledge was a story all unto itself.

Theen tapped the small and nondescript security panel with the claw of his long finger. The panel flashed green as the power door whipped open into the Senator's quarters.

***(New Plouton)***

"Everything is set then?" Ro'namon sneered with her customary lack of respect and etiquette. "I am tired of excuses and pointless delays. My patience is nearly non-existent. I warn you one last time Bothan...before you could ever breath a word into your comlink, your precious loved ones will have found oblivion."

Oneron, the Bothan minister who had taken over the New Republic Embassy in Theen's absence stood behind his desk. It was a cheap trick, a game of power. Though he was in position behind the desk, his guest was always of mind and word that she was the one in charge and directing the show. By standing tall behind the desk, his posture one of importance, he made it so that she had to look up to him when she spoke. To his irritation and wounding of his exuberant ego, Ro'namon refused to even look him in the face.

Her words were a vibroblade to his heart. He knew he was a lot of things, he could live with it and even relished in it. His family though, he truly loved and cared for them. He couldn't count how many times his dealings and schemes put them in harms way, or how precariously he stood upon the edge of achieving great honor for his family name, or finding himself disgraced and shunned.

"It is as you desire," he sneered in return. "As we speak now, Ambassador Theen should be gasping his last breath of life."

Ro'namon said nothing. She didn't want words of assurance from the likes of a Bothan. She wanted Theen's head for proof.

---

"Tangled Web: Conclusion"
By Theen Fida
and Jorro Marael

Location: Coruscant
Date: Selene 15th, 5ABY

***

Theen entered into Senator Gooreil's apartment. Light from the hallway flooded into the darkened room. It took the Anx's eyes a moment to adjust as the door swooshed closed behind him and darkness enveloped. Ambient light from the shades cast an eerie glow about the room, hinting at the dishevelment of the main room.

Theen's first impression was that the room had been ransacked by investigators for proof of the Senator's guilt, as he was apparently under arrest and investigation on charges of corruption and gross misconduct of office. Charges Theen knew had to be absurd.

Among the debris Theen at once spotted a prone form upon the floor. Cautiously he moved closer and soon identified the body as that of his escort, the female Zabrak Useera whom had escorted him from Tae'Karada. Her body lie prone, the neck twisted rather unnaturally. Blood had trickled from the side of her head, nose and the corner of her mouth. Her face had been maliciously beaten to a bloody pulp. It took Theen a moment to realize that the blood was dried, coagulated.

Impossible! he thought as he took a quick look around, for it had just been mere moments since he watched the young woman enter into the room from the turbolift where she had left Theen. Then he saw the other slumped form in a darkened corner to the far side of the main room. As Theen stepped closer, he immediately recognized the face of his old friend, Senator Gooreil. Theen's eyes widened, his crest flared in hues of anger and anxiety. Something terrible was amidst. Then all the color was drained from his face as he saw the figure standing behind him- reflected in the mirror above the Senators lifeless body.

"What's the matter Ambassador? You look as if you have seen a ghost," a familiar voice said in a hushed toned.

Theen turned around to meet the face of Useera, his escort. He eyed the body on the floor, Useera again, only dead as dead. Looking to the living Useera, she grinned at the Anx as her shape melted into the appearance of a male Arkanian, one Theen knew all too well.

"Jorro!" Theen growled as he leapt for the troublemaking shapeshifter.

Jorro pulled the trigger of his blaster, pupilless eyes unblinking. A shot of blue energy flared out, catching Theen full on. The Anx dropped to the floor, but was not entirely incapacitated.

Theen had fallen to the floor, his body jerked in spasms until he lay crumpled on his side, his eyes staring into the lifeless orbs of the real Useera.

Jorro took several quick steps towards the Anx and kicked him repeatedly, letting loose a series of maniacal giggles as he did so.

"Oh my, Ambassador!" Jorro squealed with devilish delight as he knelt down on all fours. He turned his head to Useera, then back to Theen with a psychotic grin. "It would seem Ambassador I have caught you red handed," he explained as he lifted the Anx's arm and smeared Zabrak blood upon his clawed hand. "Yes, Indeed! Caught having killed an officer of the law, and a New Republic Senator! Oh?! How can this possibly beeee?!"

Theen tried to move, but the paralysing effects of the stun blast had left him temporarily without motor functions. All he could was lie there and boil in his own angry thoughts.

Jorro stood and straightened his uniform, "You see Ambassador, you were to testify against the good Senator there, who has elected to remain silent mind you. However, Senator Gooreil was also going to testify against you, oh yes. The good Senator had some pretty damning proof about your affairs on Tae'Karada, laundering, pay offs, gross misuse of your office. Yes, it would seem that you and your cohorts have raped the poor people of Tae'Karada for all it was worth. So you killed him. Yes, yes you did. And poor young Useera here...well, she caught you in the act, actually, and you beat her to death you see. See? Blood everywhere, on your hands...Good for her, however, she got a shot in. Yes she did," he said with a giggle as he placed a blaster in her hand and positioned the lifeless limb towards Theen's direction.

"Not a very good shot of course. Best she could do after such a horrific mauling. I'm sure she will be heralded for her efforts. Now, before you wake, you know what has transpired. Unfortunately you aren't going to die today. Nope. I know, not much huh? So, here is a little something to make it all much more fun," he said as he produced a syringe.

Theen tried to muster everything of him he could, but he just was unable to move. A wash of despair and defeat fell over him as he heard the shapeshifters words and the glistening of the needle.

"A little something from my employers," Jorro explained admiringly. "I'd rather just kill you with my bare hands, but they are quite explicit in their demands. And their retribution for failure is so not fun. Not so much, no," he said as he bent down to inject the substance into the back of Theen's skull. "A little bio-engineered amnesia, you won't remember a thing...not a thing. Just looking guilty as all hell. Yes, you will be charged with the murder of these two and corruption charges for all your misdeeds back on Tae'Karada. I know you won't remember this conversation, but I will check in on you from time to time, hahaha! Of course! Maybe I'll be a guard, your lawyer...hell if they happen to give you the death penalty maybe I can be the one to pull the switch hmm?! That would be something don't you think? I wouldn't hold my breath on that one, just wishful thinking. I guess it will be kinda funny to think of you from time to time, knowing your locked up somewhere like Kessel for the rest of your life for things you really didn't do, but cannot prove. I might just have to come back and see the look on your face when you wake up in custody with these two corpses laying around you. Ha! That might be a treat, indeed hmmm?"

Theen's heart raced with anger and fear as the crazed Jorro ranted on and on. Though he couldn't feel it, he knew that he must have been injected. He could tell that its effects must have started, his vision was getting cloudy, his hearing came and went. Within moments his thoughts were incoherent.

Jorro stepped aside to Theen's face. He grabbed the Anx's face and studied his eyes. They were dilated and cloudy, just as his employers said they would become. Giving the Anx a final good kick to the head for good measure, Jorro bowed and exited the room, leaving Theen to his final maelstrom of thoughts and emotions...

---

"Racing the Storm"
By: Vrax Draydge
Maeren Shivral
Kaysa Zenarr
Tav [NPC]

Location: Somewhere on Coruscant
Date: Selene 15, 5 ABY

***

Vrax Draydge growled at the stinging pain as he laid a bacta patch over the three deep nail marks scoring his cheek. Kaysa had been fighting him, pushing him to the brink. He couldn't be certain, but suspicions were mounting that her recent change in behaviour was an attempt to incite his rage to a point where he would lose all restraint. The last thing he wished to do was harm Kaysa, but it was becoming clear she desired just that.

Vrax, however, had more self-control than she believed; he wouldn't play her game. Now, though, there were more immediate concerns than Kaysa's sudden behavioural-shift, such as the nagging feeling of being watched Vrax had developed a few short days ago. They'd remained on Coruscant far too long - giving Zale Tregat enough time to track them down, if he hadn't already given up the search. But even if his paranoia was getting the better of him, Vrax was experienced enough to realize they couldn't stay in one place too long. That was simply asking to get captured, which would put an end to his time with Kaysa. He couldn't lose her again.

Vrax's head jerked up and he nearly sprang from his chair when the front door opened. Tav entered and Vrax relaxed, but his anxious reaction only reaffirmed his instinct to flee. He waved Tav over. "Were you followed?" Vrax rasped.

"Of course not," Tav said. "I'm very careful when I go out. The only people who see me are those I want to see me. We're going to need more bacta soon?"

Vrax swept his medkit violently aside and hissed, "We're going to need a new place to live. We've been here too long. Things are gonna start getting hot."

"You got a new place in mind?" Tav said as he dropped into a vacant chair. Shiv wasn't due for another little bit yet, so other than himself and Vrax, Kaysa was the only other person in their suite, and she was probably sobbing herself sick in the bedroom. "Change of scenery would be good, and avoiding any unwanted attention or inspection will be better."

Vrax nodded distractedly. "We need to throw anyone who might be following us off our scent. It's too bad, though...that blonde bitch was sure bringing in the credits."

"She was definitely made for whoring," Tav said with a laugh. "Does that mean we're leaving her behind? If we take her with us, I'm sure she'll bring in money wherever we're going."

"If she can keep Kaysa docile, then we need her. I don't know where this fire's come from," Vrax lamented fiercely, "but it needs to be stamped out. A trip across the galaxy might just do it. So...make the arrangements. I don't care where - the farther, the better. I want to be out of here before the end of the week."

"Consider us gone," Tav said with a wicked grin. "When the blonde bitch gets home, you might want to see if you can take a little of Kaysa's fire away using her."

Vrax gave a short, bitter laugh. "Only killing the whore will do that. Just get this done, Tav." His features darkened and Vrax absently squeezed his maimed hand into a tight fist. "I have a bad feeling...and they're hardly ever wrong."

"It'll be done," Tav said. "I think today's going to be a big haul from our whore. She had quite a crowd gathered around her. As a 'thank you for having us' we should give our good customers a freebie night, as many as she can handle before passing out."

"She's your toy, you decide. But don't get distracted," Vrax warned, "because if we're caught, you go down with me."

"It'll just be like any other freebie night," Tav said. "I figure the night before we're set to leave. Unless you'd rather I not."

"Like I said," Vrax repeated, rising from his seat, "do what you want, as long as we're out of here before the week's up. Now" --he sighed and scrubbed at his beard with the back of his knuckles-- "I need to get Kaysa to see things my way...before I'm forced to hurt her."

"Good luck, Boss," Tav said. "Need anything from me, just ask. I expect Blondie will be back soon. You want me to send her in to help you with Kaysa?"

"I don't need that bitch's help," Vrax thundered, his eyes blazing with fury. "Kaysa will listen to me. We have a bond, she and I," he raved. "She loves me, and she'll realize that if I have to convince her of it!" His body shook with the intensity of his rage and madness. He pointed a trembling finger Tav's way and whispered hoarsely, "She'll prove it soon enough. She just needs...time. You'll see."

"Sure thing, Boss," Tav said holding his hands up defensively and taking a step back. "We'll just give her time then."

Across their suite, the door opened and a scantily dressed Maeren Shivral stepped through the door. She looked at Tav and Vrax and paused. She pulled the credits from the small pouch riding low on her hips from where it connected to the belt that seemed to serve no purpose other than to hold the pouch. She set all of the credits on the table near the door and quickly hurried off to the door of the room that was hers, even though she had no privacy within it.

Narrowing his eyes at Tav, who was salivating over Shiv's hip-swinging gait, Vrax seized his associate's arm and pulled him close enough to level his lips over the man's ear. "Don't spill it to the slut, Tav," he advised with an undertone of warning. "If she finds out we're about to make a break for it, things could get tricky. She's got a talent - in bed, she can get just about anything out of your lips. That's very dangerous, Tav."

"She won't hear a thing from me," Tav said. "I don't need her, so I'll just let her sit in her room all night. Need a break after last night anyway. She really knows how to work it."

"Just don't get attached," he advised. "If she becomes too much trouble, we'll have to get rid of her." He smiled viciously. "Though, I'll let you have that honour."

"We have to kill her, at least there are others back on Tae'Karada. The one that's with Kaysa's brat son, there's something about her. Wouldn't mind getting her and turning her into a little whore just like the one we've got."

Vrax bared his teeth and reminded Tav, "Not until we get clear of here. Then...." Backing away, Vrax shrugged. "She's all yours, my friend. She's getting a little worn around the edges. I wouldn't want used goods if I were you...."

"I don't know," Tav said with a grin, "Blondie gets better with each new guy she has. Besides, Kaysa's brat doesn't appear to be paying her the sort of attention she deserves. He may be hung like a bantha, but that doesn't mean anything if he doesn't use it."

"You seem to know a lot about this girl. I think someone's got a crush...." His smile vanished as quickly as it had formed. "Just don't let it get to your head. Get us off the planet, then you can concentrate on a second whore."

"I already told you I would," Tav said. "I always keep my word. I'll get us out of here, you'll see."

"I hope so," Vrax muttered, and with a final measuring gaze back at Tav, he slipped into his bedroom. It was only the sharpness of his reflexes that spared Vrax from a blow to the head by a heavy lamp. He stopped Kaysa's swing by encircling both thin wrists with his large hands and twisting until she let out a shout of pain. The lamp hurtled to the ground, but neither was there to see the crash, as Vrax had already tossed Kaysa onto the bed, where he followed. Her frail arms gave little force to her pummeling fists, the strikes landing on Vrax's chest nothing more than light taps. Vrax laughed deeply in frustration, again seizing her wrists as she shrieked feebly. "You're pushing me," he sang accusingly. "Or are you just being coy? Or" --she screamed gutturally as his hand disappeared beneath her robe and grasped roughly-- "do you want me to be cruel?"

"I want you to die," she answered, her voice thin and reedy, only emphasizing the progressive deterioration of her physical health. She was now too weak to even strain against Vrax's vise-like grip about her wrists. "I won't love you," she murmured, already growing fatigued. "You won't change - ever. You bore and disgust me. If you can't have me," she whispered breathlessly, "why not keep anyone else from possessing me?"

Vrax watched her closely, warily, not certain he favoured what she was alluding to. "I am doing just that," he reminded her. "No one knows you're here." Nuzzling his lips to her cheek, Vrax murmured tenderly, "It's only you and me, Kaysa. Why worry about anyone else?"

"Because I love them," she wheezed, unable now to shout at Vrax as her anger inspired her to - though her face reddened with the intensity of the rage seeking release. "Even if there were room for you in my heart, there would be no place. I have all I need on Tae'Karada" --she choked on her words as the realization of how much she'd given up plagued her once again-- "and I'll return there someday, one way or another." Narrowing her blood-shot, swollen eyes at Vrax, she spat, "Dead or alive, so don't think you scare me, Vrax. You won't intimidate me any longer - if you don't kill me, I'll do it myself."

"Shut up!" he hollered, eyes wide and alarmed. "Don't be stupid. If you die...your blonde bitch will follow, so you'd better watch what you say!"

"I know she'd prefer death over what you're making her do," Kaysa rasped. Hoarse laughter bubbled in her throat and spilled from her parched lips, shattering Vrax's hold on his sanity. Grabbing her shoulders, Vrax shook her wildly, but Kaysa's unsettling laughter continued, even when her teeth bit into her bottom lip. A dribble of blood rolled down her chin. Vrax watched in horror as her tongue licked at the wound, causing Kaysa greater amusement. Her delicate frame quaked with snickers and giggles, and it was then Vrax knew for certain she held no fear of death. Releasing her, he flew from the bed before Kaysa could land upon the mattress, then fled the bedroom.

Her laughter followed him, grating on his nerves and driving him from the apartment, but even outside the doors he could hear her still in his mind. She was ready and willing to die rather than relent and embrace his love. Everything was falling apart, this incident with Kaysa culminating the nagging anxiety that had struck him recently. It was most definitely time to move on, but what remained to be seen was whether Kaysa would accompany them, or whether Vrax would be forced to silence the laughter ringing in his head, and Kaysa along with it.

---

“Daybreak”
by: Syan Daywalker - Bounty Hunter
and: Karia - Hunter’s Assistant (NPC)

Location: Theed, Naboo
Date: Selene 15, 5ABY

***

Sunlight broke through the early morning fog and filled the room through an ornate, arched window. The chill white light of the very earliest hours eased to a soft yellow and added warmth to the room.

The room’s occupants, for their part, were plenty warm already.

Low, animal sounds of passion resonated in morning stillness. Breathless, strained voices murmured incoherencies with heads thrown back, lips against skin and mouth to mouth. The darker, larger body on top belonged to Syan Daywalker; bounty hunter, assassin, unpleasant company. Underneath, Karia’s naked body laid in a jumble of disheveled sheets, her gold skin glimmering in the brightness streaming through the window.

With Syan’s hands pressed in to the mimetic mattress material, she slid her hands up his arms and around his shoulders, hauling herself up. Her fingers dug in to the flesh as she wrapped her legs around him, pressing against his body and in to meet his hips.

They had been going at it for a while and both bodies wore a sheen of perspiration. When Syan attacked his Hunter’s Assistant’s neck, she didn’t taste like human women. Below his lips and tongue, her pulse raced, throbbing in his mouth; his prosthetic fangs left scratches in the skin.

Groaning needfully, Karia nestled in to his shoulder and neck as their bodies rocked the bed. She bit him back and craned her neck to pull on his ear with her teeth.

The waves of passion were beginning to crest when a beeping sound came from the nightstand beside the bed.

A growl of frustration escaped the lovers in unison. The smooth rocking action slowed and the moment slipped between their fingers and out of their grasp as their attentions was pulled away.

Syan slipped one arm around Karia, holding her up and against him as he started to lean over and reach for the comlink that sat on the nightstand among the cast-offs from their hurried undressing.

Karia put her hand on his arm to stop him. “Don’t,” she pleaded; her voice thick with need and frustration from the interruption when she was so close.

Syan met her silver-eyed gaze with hazel eyes so pale they nearly matched her own. He said nothing and continued his reach, plucking the large, encrypted comlink from the table.

He brought the comlink to his lips, easing back on the heels of his splayed legs. Karia let his shoulders go and fell back in to the sheets, staring angrily out the window. “Daywalker,” he said, thumbing the comlink on.

The voice on the other end of the line was reedy and distorted, by some form of stealthing or retransmission from Syan’s ship, Aesir. “Mister Daywalker, I represent a party interested in acquiring your services.”

“What kind of services?”

“Pick up,” the voice replied. It could’ve been the transmission, but it sounded clipped and agitated in its pitch.

Syan let the answer hang in the air as he mulled it over. Underneath him, Karia watched with eyes that had been filled with passion that was quickly being replaced by simmering anger.

“I need details,” he answered finally.

“Get off me,” Karia said angrily, pushing him up and breaking the coitus union. She pulled away and crawled out of the bed.

Syan watched her go and slid out of bed himself, standing up.

“Is everything all right?” the voice asked.

“Everything’s fine,” Syan replied and pressed, “The details.”

The conversation continued for a few more minutes, passing details back and forth, agreeing on a meeting location and the retainer for the meeting, and arranging for a package to be sent to the usual location for his pickup.

After the talk was done, Syan returned his attention to Karia. He had watched her pace angrily while he’d talked and she stood in front of the window now, looking out on Theed waking up below their hotel room.

The hotel room and the building that surrounded it were elegant. Theed was the capital city of a world that had once been a gem in the crown jewels of the Galactic Republic. After the rise of the Empire, Naboo became a trophy world, a throwback to the past that could be paraded before the Imperial citizenry to symbolize civilization they had traded for order. Theed, the royal palace, the hotel and the hotel room, the civilians in gay apparel below were all impressive, but in the shadowed corners, it all showed its tarnished grandeur. Syan ordinarily would never have come to the planet hunting and been convinced to stay by the woman at the window.

As Syan approached Karia from behind, he admired her naked silhouette carved in dark gold against the bright gold of the advancing morning light. Once a stripper, Karia was not overly sensitive about her body and likely wouldn’t care whether Theed’s denizens below could see her standing in the window or not.

A very private person, Syan was turned on both by her physical attributes and her boldness with them.

Coming up behind her, he rested his hands on her slim waist. She pulled away, glaring at him.

Syan stared back silently, watching his lover stew for a while before he spoke.

“How long are you going to keep this up?” he asked.

“Forever,” she snapped back. “Why do you care?”

“I just want to know,” Syan replied evenly. As naked as her, standing in front of the window gave him the same feeling of freedom he expected she felt. A patient man by nature, he knew it was only a matter of time before she wouldn’t be able to hold her tongue any longer.

It wasn’t long at all when she squared off to face him again. “How could you do that to me?”

“Do what?”

“We were in the middle of sex and you stopped to answer the comm; and you ask me ‘do what?' ”

“When this beeps, I have to answer it,” Syan said, pointing with the comlink. “It’s what I do.”

“You should know when not to do it,” Karia glared. She plucked the comlink from his hand and tossed it away. The small device bounced off the walls and clattered away under a bit of furniture.

Syan frowned, the first genuine emotion to show on his face since the sex had been interrupted. The whole situation was complicated, and he didn’t like complicated. The night he’d met her, he was just looking for an exotic fuck. Things had gotten very complicated since then.

Syan didn’t cross his arms to match hers, but he met her squared shoulder to squared shoulder. “Karia, you knew the score when you decided to travel with me. I go where I’m sent. I get paid well to do what I do. That means I answer that com when it beeps. That isn’t going to change.”

"It should. If it's important, they'll call back."

"Or they won’t,” he countered, “They’ll find another hunter and I’ll lose the bounty.”

He reached out again and rested his hands on her waist to draw her closer. “It’s just business. And it’s over with. Let’s get back to what we were doing.”

Karia hit her hands on his forearms. “Stop. I’m still mad at you.”

“How mad?” Syan asked, his fingers gliding over her perspiration-oiled skin, sliding down her back to cup her ass.

“Very mad,” she protested, applying very little force to his arms as they wrapped about her, drawing her naked body closer to his.

The thing about women, Syan had long ago learned, was although it took a while to get the engine started, once it was, it ran for a good long time. A judicious use of stimulation helped displace the anger. Roaming hands sought out erogenous zones to fuel the fire hotter.

Soon the sexual athletics that had been prompted by leftover endorphins from an early morning work out began again.

Karia slipped her hand between them and gripped the resurrecting member, walking Syan back toward the bed. As she lowered herself back to the bed and guided the hunter between her legs, she groaned in to his ear, “You owe me.”

---

"Ponderings of a Padawan"
By Vaya Bek, Padawan (NPC+)
Gideon Kherris, Jedi Master (NPC+)
and Laedra Vorrel, Jedi Master (PC)

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Selene 15th, 5ABY

***

Vaya led Gideon through the halls of the Jedi Temple and to one of the meditation rooms.

"I will find Master Vorrel and ask if the Council might meet with you now," she said as Gideon sat down on the floor. He didn't reply with words, just a simple nod of his head.

Vaya left the room. Gideon closed his eyes and relaxed, cleared his thoughts and began to meditate while he waited to meet with the Jedi.

***

"It will happen, Vaya," Laedra assured her. She was arranging shock absorption mats around the training room, preparing for a tumbling exercise scheduled for later in the day. "I've informed the other Masters of his arrival." She glanced back at Vaya, the barest of smiles on her lips. "And his intentions. He does still wish to train you here at the temple, does he not?"

Vaya hesitated before answering, remembering both Laedra's and Gideon's words on the matter.

"I know that he does want to have a place here with us," she replied. "He was of course my teacher before I came here. And...well, you probably want to focus on Zari, since she was already your Padawan."

Vaya felt awkward with the situation and she didn't know what to expect. Both mentors had said it would be for her to decide. It was conflicting, she had really started to bond with Laedra as her teacher and friend. Now, Gideon comes back, out of near no-where, and her feelings for all they had shared clouded her thoughts.

"You don't feel I'm giving you the attention you need." Laedra's comment interrupted Vaya's introspection. "I've neglected you, haven't I?"

"I...wouldn't think to say as such Master. I only mean that I don't want to be a burden, as you have other responsibilities, like with Zari. You have made me feel very welcome, and I value the lessons and time we have spent so far together. I have no complaints in that regard Master. It would not be my place, not after all you have done for me," Vaya replied. "I want to make the right choice, for the right reasons. I'm over joyed that Master Kherris is here, and would hope that he would be allowed to stay. He...means a lot to me, as do you. You have become my mentor, my friend. I don't want that to change, this is my home now."

"And it will remain that," Laedra assured her, "no matter what you decide...and whatever that may be, do not for a moment feel guilt, Vaya. I will care for you as much as I do now if you choose to return to Master Kherris' tutelage."

Vaya felt the anxiety release with the words from Laedra's mouth and heart. She had really become fond of her as their bond of student and teacher had grown.

With a heartfelt smile she said, "I believe I already know the answer to this, but I will meditate on today's events. My feelings should be clear on the matter without emotions clouding my judgement. I am very thankful for all you have offered me Master, I've only ever had two Masters but I think that I could never have asked for better."

"Then you cannot go wrong, no matter what you decide," Laedra concluded. With a permissive smile, Laedra gave Vaya leave to depart, knowing her young padawan had much to ponder. As Vaya left her to arranging the training mats, Laedra felt she, too, needed time to meditate on how things would change if Vaya were no longer under her tutelage, and how strongly the loss would affect her. But it was Vaya's path, and her decisions should not be influenced by a Master's affection for her. Laedra would not stand in her way, though a part of her wished she could.

---

"Pirates!?"
by: Rylaa Lyssander - Crimelord
Helga Ilyovicha - Secretary

Date: Selene 15, 5ABY
Location: Ares Macrotechnology

***

Rylaa had finally found the secret to not only good leadership, but an easier workload; delegation. Not only did it give his subordinates a chance to do things on their own, but it let them feel more important. Both were important in their own right to inspire greater loyalty to himself and to the company. Because he had nothing better to do at the moment, he currently had his feet kicked up on his desk, was smoking a fine cigar, and watching the news holo about the possible failing health of the current High Princess.

I wonder if this will mean another handover of power, he thought absently to himself. This world is much like a game of Sabacc played with Coruscanti Random rules. It changes hands faster than the eye can follow, but whoever gets to take home the pot is set for life.

The chubby crimelord smiled at his own wit and took a long drag from the Ithorian tabacc and let his gaze wander to the faintly luminescent crystal statue resting at the corner of his desk. Apparently one of the padawans at the Jedi Temple was a rather accomplished artist and the small statue of a robed Jedi Master was their way of saying thank you for the holocron. Along with the statue came a thin cookbook written by Orn Gham, Rylaa had it sent to his kitchens so that his own chefs may learn the recipes. He had genuinely liked the man, and his food, so Rylaa had a crate of rare spices sent back to the Temple, he was sure a man like Orn would appreciate the gesture, even if the Jedi found it cryptic.

Thoughts of the temple brought him around to the temple's latest student, his former bodyguard and lover, Lani. A smile lit his face as he thought of her. His bed the previous night seemed cold and his penthouse lonely without her love and passion there to warm it. There was even a small piece of inside that seemed empty. He really did love her, he had realized last night while laying and staring at his ceiling, and he really did miss her. But he had already written her out of his plans though, knowing that her new training would take longer than he had time to wait.

But as usual, his personal musings were cut short by his new secretary. The door to his office opened and in marched the form of Helga Ilyovicha, her iron grey hair done up in a severe bun and her bespectacled face with its hawkish look and frozen frown. Her stern appearance was only enhanced by a large beak of a nose and a firm standing of all things, in her opinion, "Not Right." After only three days of employment, Rylaa was ready to fire her for the sake of his own sanity. But he couldn't, wouldn't. She was just so damn good at her job, and they had finally reached an understanding with each other.

"Sir," she said sternly. She was always professional, sometimes borderline formal. As she approached his desk, her glare took in he feet on he desk and the cigar he was puffing away on. A few months ago, when Rylaa first arrived on the planet, he might have put the cigar out of respect. But these days, nobody was telling him when he could smoke. He did take his feet off the desk, though, without thinking about it.

"What is it, Helga?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.

"We have an emergency, and it requires your immediate attention." Rylaa rolled his eyes. In the past couple days, everything was an 'emergency' and required his 'immediate attention'. He quite expected to hear that research team bravo had run out of pens, or something along those lines.

"One of our ships headed out of the system was attacked by pirates, they stole the sensitive cargo onboard."

Rylaa almost swallowed his cigar. After a bit of coughing he managed to get out, "Wha... what did we have on board?" Gods above and below I hope it wasn't one of the medical shipments, that's all I need is another incident like the last one. The thought of the Coruscant shipment brought about a dull rage, but he already had plans in the works for the pilot who had tried to backstab them.

"A..." she checked the datapad in her hand, "PAX-25 Firefox armor, one of the units we were sending to be tested by the New Republic."

Rylaa stood and turned to looked out the massive transparisteel windows that made up the back wall of his office. The heady cigar smoke wound about his head as he contemplated the situation. A slight cherry scent tainted the thick tabacc smoke, a tribute to Ithorian genetic research. No pirates under his control were to attack any of Ares' shipping, and they all knew breaking the law of the New Dawn carried heavy penalties. Freelancers? No, that seemed just as unlikely. Most knew to ask permission of the system's leading crime syndicate before trying to obtain work. Even the bounty hunters working in-system had begun to announce themselves to the known New Dawn operatives stationed all over.

"Send a few security ships out to investigate. I won't tolerate any attacks on Ares ships. We also need to get that power armor back, it hasn't been released to the public yet and I don't want word of it getting out." Then a thought stopped him. He was going to the New Dawn base in the Tigris system later that day anyway, why not investigate the attack on his way back? It was perfect, an it got him off-planet for at least a couple more days. "Scratch that, have the Arc Royal readied and tell security I want a full platoon of our men onboard. Then have three of our X-wings prepared for escort duties, use pilots off the special roster, they know what to do." The special roster held those pilots who also worked for the New Dawn syndicate.

The matron-like woman raised an eyebrow but said nothing about what she obviously thought was a foolish idea. She knew about New Dawn and that Rylaa ran it, but she didn't actually have an opinion about it. "Yes sir, and there's one more thing."

"What this time?" Here comes the pens.

"The authorization from the government came through, you can begin construction on the skyhook right away."

Rylaa took a long drag, pleased out this turn of events. Many palms had been greased in order for the red tape to be parted, and now it was paying off. The skyhook would be his personal fortress in the, under the guise of a need for an orbital research station. "Excellent," was the only reply he gave before turning to stare out over the city he practically owned.

---

"A New Home"
by Jeron Kes-Allia - Former Tusken Raider
and Kael Selrid - Jedi Knight
and Raeila Selrid - Jedi Representative

Location: Thanatos
Date: Selene 15, 5 ABY

***

Jeron stepped out from the ship that had taken him off Tatooine. He had never known life outside the desert planet. In fact, he had scarcely known life inside any settlement or city, since he lived in the Tusken camps rather than on human settlements. He knew about them only through the occasional raids that Tuskens made, or from when he had left his tribe to seek out life as a normal human would. He was not Tusken, not entirely, though he knew they had accepted him as such. And that was the life he had grown to know...but not the one he wanted to be part of anymore.

He had enjoyed space and its quietness. It was so very different from anything else he had ever seen. It was cold, but not too cold... Since the freighter that took him was mostly for cargo, Jeron decided it best to stay in his quarters. It had been a rather short trip, so there was no need to wander the corridors while travelling. Besides, he preferred to keep to himself for the most part, since he couldn't relate too much to the men on board, except perhaps for the looks.

Now, as Jeron looked around he saw only a few buildings, much like Mos Espa Spaceport. It was also a sandy looking place, which made Jeron wonder if he had traded Tatooine for another desert planet. He had heard otherwise, and men on board had talked about how Tae'Karada was a place of many varieties and lush green forests and huge cities. But Jeron had never trusted men that much, and these smugglers seemed like the worse kind of liars. Anything to get their money.

He drew his sack around his shoulder and grabbed his gaderffi, wrapped in a cloth to conceal what it was. Better to keep it somewhat hidden, since it was a known Tusken weapon. He decided he had no more to do in the ship or near it, so he started to walk away and into the city. People roamed about the streets and there seemed to be many fruit stalls. A rough place with rough people was what Jeron saw, but it was still nothing compared to the roughness of the desert. He was looking into buying some fruit when he felt something. In an instant, Jeron turned around to catch a young boy's arm. The young boy was trying to steal from him, that much was sure.

"Let me go!" the boy screamed out.

"You had better choose who you steal from..." he warned the boy as he shoved him aside. The boy ran and Jeron looked after him. If he were a Tusken he would have been given punishment for stealing. But the boy had been scared enough perhaps, and Jeron didn't want to track down attention to himself. He purchased the fruit and felt like being alone. He chose a small alley in which to sit.

Alas, it was not over for Jeron. He had barely sat himself before a man came walking up to him. Jeron instinctively drew his gaderffi closer to him, unwrapping it a bit so he could draw it if he required to. "You there..." the man called out in a whisper. "Give me your money!"

Typical human action, always wanting to steal and harm each other. They could not seem to live out in a community without killing each other. "Why?" he asked simply.

The man grinned and pulled out a blaster. "You want to keep living, don't you?"

Jeron sighted. Then, faster than the man could react, he drew his gaderffi and struck the man's wrist, cutting his hand. The man screamed in pain and dropped his blaster, but Jeron spun the gaderffi and struck the man across the face, knocking him out cold. "You deserve to die..." Jeron spat at the unconscious body. "But you are not worthy of dying at a Tusken's hands or staining my weapon." And with that said, Jeron started to gather his things. Perhaps the nearby desert he had seen as they landed was a better option.

"You'll need to watch who you end up fighting around here," came a voice from near one of the stalls. A young man stepped clear of the shadows, and nodded to the newcomer. "There are gangs that run in this area, united now under a single leadership. New faces make them nervous, and they tend to stand up for one another. Harm one, and you're likely to see the whole nest of sand wasps angered." He wore a dark cloak and carried several baskets filled with fruit and smaller parcels. "Best to make friends before enemies."

"Whoever has two hands can hold a gaderffi. Pick the wrong opponent, and the hunter becomes the hunted," Jeron answered as he reminded himself of the Tusken saying. He was cautious of this man, though he didn't sense a threat from him. But he knew little of human behaviour, so he kept his guard up nonetheless. "You will find that this man attacked me. And even if that does not matter, you will find that I am more than capable of handling myself. I do not seek friends, I seek a place to rest," he added.

"If you step on a sand beetle, there isn't much to fear," the man said. "Step on that beetle atop the lair, however, and the scent is likely to draw the others to a fight. Even I would not wish to have to face the whole of the Thanatos gangs even though I can defeat every one of them in a fight. If you wish to rest here, I advise resting with one eye open. Better still, if you can tolerate the city, rest in New Plouton. You're more likely to find a friendly welcome there than here once this one's tale spreads." He paused for a moment. "I could show you a few places if you'd like."

Jeron was about to reply when he stopped himself from speaking. Perhaps he was being too hasty in things, and perhaps this man could help. After all, he hadn't come with harsh words even though he seemed local enough. And as much as Jeron knew that humans mistook Tusken intentions, he would try not to make the same mistake on judging humans. "Perhaps I ought to apologise. I didn't mean to sound so harsh... But where I come from, people must stand on their own. I mean no harm, and it seems to me that you are the only one who saw what happened, so unless you run off to tell, I should have enough time to leave," he pointed out. "I thank you for your advice on the city, but I am more accustomed to the desert."

"I'm Kael Selrid, by the way," the man said. "You should be safe, but be careful. The gangs stand up for each other. Where are you from, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Tatooine," Jeron answered simply. He couldn't see why he should lie or how this could be a tricky question. "I have heard, when I was travelling, that it is seen as a desolate sand planet with little interest and few things to offer. But I guess that can only come from someone who fails to understand the ways of the desert and who has never learned to appreciate it fully..." he added. "I am Jeron Kes-Allia. I have only recently arrived here."

"I know what you mean about people from the outside not understanding," Kael said. "I live now in a forested area outside of the city, but I try to return here as often as I can. I have a house not too far from here. You'll find that this is a tricky place to live: once you're in, you're in, but getting to the point where you're in can be quite a task. I would think coming from a desert planet already, you'd have a leg up over most coming from wetter areas."

"I have never seen these so-called wetter areas," Jeron admitted. He knew all about the beauty of the desert and he was sure that he understood it better than most, but he found himself somewhat curious as to what these areas could be like. "To be perfectly honest, I have never been out of Tatooine, so all I know is desert life. I would sooner believe that I am perhaps more a child of the desert than anyone living here," he stated with a chuckle. He then realized that this conversation of his was going nowhere. "I'm sorry, you have nothing to do with all this. I must be... What is the word?... Boring you. I will go now."

"Not boring at all," Kael said. "And, that sentiment would best be kept to yourself. Tell a Kir'Thana that, and I guarantee you'll be fighting for your life. And, consider yourself lucky that you said it in front of me; I may spend a considerable amount of time away from here, but I am and will always be a Child of Thana. The deepest insult you can give to a Kir'Thana is to say they're less children of this place than you. If you feel the urge to voice that sentiment again, do it when no one else is near, including myself."

"You mistake my words... I didn't say that I was more a child of this place. I don't even know what a Kir'Thana is... I said a was a child of the desert," Jeron argued. "You say you are one of these people and consider yourself a desert person, and yet you live in houses, small as they may be. You have regular markets, you seem to have supplies come from outside this area. Have you ever tried to live in the dunes and provide for yourself and for others only through what the desert brings?" Jeron asked. He then smiled with a soft wave. "Let me tell you... When you learn the life of a Tusken, perhaps then you can comprehend my point of view. But I mean no offence. After all, I am the one who left my home."

Jeron then started to gather his things, preparing himself to leave. He began to wrap his gaderffi once more, as he felt he would not need it anymore, at least for the time being. "I take it that your desert has its perils, as I would expect any desert to have... Anything as menacing as a Krayt Dragon?"

"There are dangers deeper into the desert," Kael answered. "Though, the desert itself is the greatest danger to those who venture out with no respect. For as dangerous as the desert and the beasts that inhabit it, I still name the city far more dangerous because natural spaces and the creatures that inhabit them can never match the evils that humans can inflict upon one another. If you'd like, I can show you where you can obtain a map of the desert settlements."

"Thank you, but I intend to spend the night in the desert dunes, away from settlements. I find there is more peace that way," he answered. He then picked up his things and started to walk. Alas, it only took him a couple of paces to make him stop. Something had caught his eye. Something that Kael Selrid had. And yet, Jeron himself had never seen one before in real life, and knew only of it through the tales of his tribe's storyteller and from old Tusken drawings. "That thing..." he said pointing at Kael's lightsaber. "It is a weapon, is it not?" he asked. He had to make sure.

"It is," Kael answered. "It's a lightsaber, the weapon of a Jedi Knight."

Jeron had to wonder... There was little room for doubt. Not after having received confirmation that it was indeed a weapon. And Jeron had heard the tales and knew the tribe's storytellers not to speak in exaggeration. In fact, they were quite precise and quite realistic in the information passed throughout the generations. And even the drawings were similar to what he now saw in front of him. Lightsaber, it was apparently called. Not too far off from the Tusken word for it, that would be roughly translated into stick of light.

"I have heard of such a weapon..." Jeron told Kael. "In fact, I grew up listening to stories about it. Stories of my tribe, of my people, in which there was a slaughter made by someone who possessed such a weapon. He killed everyone. Men, women, even children," he said as he looked directly at Kael. "Are you part of this form of action?"

"Before I carried this weapon, my past was filled with violence," Kael answered. "Since I began training as a Jedi, I only kill when necessary, and only those who cannot be reasoned with or defeated with less lethal measures. I could never condone such slaughter, and neither would any other Jedi on this planet, or even beyond. No real Jedi could ever do such a thing."

"Perhaps it was not one of these so-called Jedi you speak of... But I have heard the tales and know that they would not be filled with lies nor folklore. If you could never condone such slaughter, then I have nothing to fear from you, and you have nothing to fear from me," Jeron said. He wasn't sure if he believed this man's words or not. He seemed sincere, but then again most people on Tatooine were liars and villains. Why should another world be any different? "But if that is true, then how would you prove it? How do I know that you speak the truth and not some lie...some answer that I would like to hear?"

"Because," a gentle voice interjected from beside them. Raeila Selrid watched the stranger openly and continued, "He's a healer and a man who cares about saving lives, not taking them. And, he's my husband, which means I know him better than you ever could, sir."

Jeron looked over towards the woman. He glanced at Kael Selrid before turning to the woman. "Well, that offers little or nothing as proof... I would have to take your word for it. And since I don't know you, it is worth as much as his word. Two people stating the same can hardly make something be proved real," he argued. On the other hand, he had had enough fights and would be better off not raising problems. "But I guess it doesn't matter much. I was leaving anyway."

Kael bowed to the man. "May the Force be with you, Jeron Kes-Allia," he said. "There is something, however, before you go. The same power that was in the one from your story, that is in me and the rest of the Jedi Knights here on this planet, it is in you as well."

Jeron stopped on his tracks. This man surely knew more than he was letting on. For what reasons he chose to speak in riddles, Jeron did not know. Maybe this was the way of people here in this planet. Maybe this was some sort of test for something. Either way, Jeron was not too accustomed to words and arguments, though he was quite capable of having one. But there was little that words could do where action could take place instead...at least, in the desert.

"What do you mean?" Jeron asked, somewhat curious. "What is this Force you speak of? And who are these Knights?"

"The Jedi Knights are an ancient order, they are guardians of peace," Kael answered. "The Force is an energy field that binds all things together. It is, essentially, life. There are some who are able to touch the Force, and even control it's flow. You have the gift within you to sense and control the Force. Have you ever reacted to something before it had happened, but you saw it clearly happening in your mind?"

Jeron frowned and wondered about the words he now heard. He had never heard of such things as Jedi Knights or the Force, and wasn't sure he believed it entirely... After all, where were these guardians of peace when the humans that took over settlements in Tatooine desecrated the sacred Tusken grounds? But then again, would it not have been for such humans to occupy the territory and he himself would never have grown as a Tusken. And then he recalled his past childhood, learning the ways of the desert. Many times he had sensed danger, whether with a blood hound or a Krayt Dragon or even a human raid on Tuskens.

"Yes..." he finally decided to answer. "I have sensed such things before, when close to danger. It was as if I could see them just moments before they actually took place. I thought it to be no more than a hunter's intuition. Makings of a hard training and an even harder life," Jeron explained.

"Perhaps it was partially your training," Kael said. "How many others in your clan were able to do the same, however?"

"Many were skilled hunters. Anyone who cannot stand on his own would not become a part of the tribe," Jeron explained. "It is a hard life in a hard environment. We simply couldn't allow the greater number of us suffer for the mishaps of one. It is a question of honour and sense of duty towards the tribe. But yes, I was made leader of my tribe's hunting party for having achieved greater skills than most..." he continued. He then frowned a bit, as if studying Kael. "You mean to tell me that this was due to this Force thing you speak of?"

"It's possible," Kael answered. "It is difficult to look back in time and say for certain, especially for someone like me who was not there. I believe my potential with the Force helped me in leading the gangs here in Thanatos. Many Jedi who have lived their lives outside of the Order have found themselves faster, stronger, more perceptive, what-have-you, than their peers. I would not doubt it was the same for you."

"And so you compare us both... That I am somehow blessed with a greater inner strength that renders me capable of extraordinary things...such as you have seem to have done," Jeron concluded. He sensed that there was more than what he was being told. "Tell me, is there a purpose for these things you speak of? A reason why you're telling me about this Force thing and about my presumed potential?"

"Only that I sense the ability in you, and I thought you might wish to be aware of it," Kael answered. "And, if you ever wished to receive training, the Temple in the forest beyond New Plouton is capable of teaching you. The Jedi are few now, and we are looking to build our numbers. I only mention your gift and present the option if you wish to pursue it."

"O c'rell 'akt koraght gaghgt takt..." Jeron told himself out loud. It was his native language, the first one he had ever learned... Tusken language. "Blessed be your going out from us," he then translated into basic, not wanting to keep his meaning off Kael's perception. "This was the last thing I was told by my tribe's leader before I decided to leave. Perhaps this is what he meant for me to find. My inner strength, my new life. To learn the truth behind the stories, to understand where I came from," he nodded. Jeron then sighed. "Can you show me the way to this Temple? Perhaps I will find what I'm looking for... Or maybe it will find me."

"We have a few more things to buy here," Kael said as he put an arm around Raeila. "After that, we can show you the Temple. Without transport, it'd take awhile to get there on your own. Afterwards, if you'd like a ride back here, we can do that as well."

"That would be very kind of you. Thank you," Jeron nodded. He was more than surprised by this awkward couple. They were nothing like the other humans he had seen and didn't seem the least bit interested in any form of conning him into something. Nothing like the barters in Tatooine or the smugglers and thieves that roamed the settlements. And certainly not like the murderous one who had just attacked him in the alley before Kael Selrid appeared. This showed him just how much he had yet to learn about humans, and perhaps even about himself.

---

"Finding New Paths"
by Jeron Kes-Allia - Former Tusken Raider
and Kael Selrid - Jedi Knight
and Laedra Vorrel - Jedi Master

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Selene 15, 5 ABY

***

Already during his trip, had Jeron been amazed. Once outside the city known as Thanatos - which resembled Tatooine's small cities like Anchorhead or Mos Espa - he had seen lush dense forests and trees that went high above the ground, almost covering the entire sky with their leaves and branches. It was quite unique and something that Jeron knew only from hearing tales. All forms of colours and shapes seemed to prosper in such a place, which was beyond his expectations.

And then, they were finally there. In the middle of the forest, as if hidden, stood what seemed like ancient ruins that had surely been renovated. So, this was the Jedi Temple, where people like Kael Selrid had come from. People who carried the bladed weapon that was also a reality in such stories as those of the Tusken massacre. But if Kael's words were true, then none of the people who lived here could have done such a massacre. And even more, Jeron himself could possibly become a Jedi... whatever that truly meant.

Jeron had seen ruins of temples before, in Tatooine. Hidden temples that had been consumed by the sands a long time ago, and that were forgotten by humans. But none were as this one. None as grand or spectacular. And certainly not so well restored and preserved. He swallowed dryly and looked over at Kael Selrid.

"Is this the place you were talking about?" he asked simply.

"It is," Kael answered. "We're not quite sure how long it's been here. Masters Liam Zaneth and Jae Dyn Brael happened upon it when they were ranging through the forest. The power of the place is unmistakable. I'm not sure if you will be able to feel it yet, but in time you definitely will. Only a few of the Masters are currently here. If you'd like though, we can give you a tour and you can meet those who are here."

"And it would be that simple... To welcome someone unknown to this place..." Jeron commented, though it was more to himself rather than for Kael. Nothing like the Tusken raiders back in Tatooine. Almost anyone who wasn't Tusken and who would trespass would be met with fire. But then again, most who did trespass would only do so to try to kill Tuskens or steal something from them. Few were those who ventured into their grounds by chance. "I would very much like to meet the people of this place," he finally added.

"We've had to close the Temple off more than we'd like to protect the Padawans," Kael explained, "but to those with the gift we try to remain as open as we're able. The Order can't grow if we don't bring in new students and teachers."

"And so this life would be only for chosen ones..." Jeron concluded simply. He had never expected that he was different in a special kind of way. He felt a cunning and fierce warrior when he was back in Tatooine, but hadn't foreseen that this was what expected him. "And what exactly do you teach here? I'm not sure I understand what this Jedi thing is..." he admitted.

"The Jedi Knights are an ancient order," Kael said. "We are guardians of the peace. We dedicate our lives to learning more about the Force and ourselves, but mostly we help where we are needed. Currently the Order is tied to the throne of Tae'Karada and the alliance with the other Outer Rim worlds. We teach our Padawans how to use the Force responsibly, how to be a Jedi Knight. They must be able to protect themselves as well as others. I'm not sure if that answers your questions."

"I see..." Jeron answered, though he wasn't sure what being a guardian of peace truly meant or what the Force was all about. So far he only had the previous explanations given to him by Kael. But he had been patient and helpful and this incited a certain curiosity into Jeron about what path may lie ahead for him, should he choose it and be accepted to live here and learn about the Force and the Jedi. "I would very much like to meet the others," he said simply.

"We can see if any of the Masters are around," Kael answered. "I believe Master Laedra Vorrel or Master Koran Darr may be available. Let's continue our tour, and we can go by the Council chambers to see if they are there."

Jeron kept mostly to himself. He wanted to appreciate the place, appreciate the building's structure and the nature that surrounded him. This was nothing like he had ever seen before, and he was somewhat astonished by it, despite him not wanting to reveal his total amazement. This was nothing like Tatooine, and oddly enough he didn't feel apprehensive. In fact, the whole place and even Kael Selrid, whom he barely knew, seemed trustworthy. He followed Kael around, wondering where the Counsel chambers were and what they looked like, and how would the others be.

As Kael led the way through the Temple, explaining what each of the rooms were used for, how the Jedi trained, lived, and went about their lives, he glanced occasionally at Jeron to try to gauge what he was thinking. "So," Kael said, as they walked down the corridor leading to the Council chambers, "had we not met, were you planning to just disappear into the desert for a time? Or was there a plan in the works for what you would do here on Tae'Karada?"

Jeron thought about the question. He had never considered it himself. He chuckled as he considered it now. "I guess the desert is more a part of me than I would have thought. There was no reason to wander off into the desert, except that it may very well be the place I know best and in which I know what to expect. I've lived my entire life as a Tusken and had never gone out of my home planet before. Since I didn't know any better, I guess I was prepared to spend the night there," he answered.

He then looked straight at Kael. Somehow he could tell that Kael understood, even if just a little bit. "You must understand, I had never seen myself as a human. I knew that I was just like them, physically speaking, but I thought that I was entirely Tusken. Humans in Tatooine have little respect for Tuskens, and have measured strength with us for a longer time that anyone can recall. They call us beasts and savages, and yet they desecrate Tusken sacred land without respect. I will not hide that Tuskens do rely on strength and will attack when provoked, and after all this time they do not trust humans at all," he explained. "After finding out that I was not entirely Tusken I set upon myself the task to understand who I was. But I didn't want to do this on Tatooine, so I left... I'm not sure what I was looking for. Maybe it was this," he said, waving at the Temple walls.

"The people of Thanatos are regarded similarly," Kael said. "Had the Jedi not found me, I cannot say that I would not be dead right now. I learned to trust the Force, and myself with the Force." Kael pushed his way through the door into the Council chambers.

Standing in the center of the room, looking over a holographic map stood one of the Jedi Masters. She looked up as they entered, and Kael bowed.

"Master Vorrel," he said. "I was in the desert, Raeila and I needed to do some shopping, and we met Jeron Kes-Allia." He indicated the young man at his side. "I can sense the Force within him. He is curious to learn more about us."

"Then we should be curious to learn more about him," Laedra replied, stepping through the hologram to greet them. Her green eyes studied him, but her assessment didn't take long. "You're not interested in joining the Order, are you? It's your Force sensitivity that intrigues you most."

"I'm not sure..." Jeron admitted. Someone who had done such a fast predicament wasn't worth lying to. Not that he had anything to lie about. "The truth is that I was not aware of the Force until Kael Selrid explained it to me. And I had never heard of the Jedi until now as well, unless you count the fact that someone with similar skills and weapon butchered many in my Tusken tribe, though this was long before my time," he explained. "But Kael explained that no Jedi would do such a thing."

"No true Jedi would," Kael said. "And, despite the use of a Jedi weapon, the one you describe does not sound like a Jedi. Most likely he was someone in the process of falling to the Dark Side, where the Force is turned into a weapon and its wielder falls into a blackness so deep they may never return."

"Kael, of course, is correct," Laedra confirmed, smiling Kael's way. "It does not happen often, but it does and has happened, though we do make our Padawans very aware of the dangers. Sometimes, however, we cannot always prevent it."

"I see..." Jeron said with a raised eyebrow. So there was a chance that this butcher had come from the Jedi. Or some form of enemy that shared their knowledge. "One cannot steal eggs from a nest without facing the dangers of a mother, even if later she is attacked by its offspring..." he said aloud. It was his best conclusion. "A Tusken saying... A krayt dragon always protects its eggs as the most precious thing it has. And yet, its offspring may turn against her later on," he explained. "I guess it is no different with people."

"And that is the key," Laedra stressed. "Jedi are still human and prone to human faults. Although we train to control our emotions, they are still there, and as long as they are, so is the possibility that one of our own will be unable to contain theirs and falter off the path." She shrugged and added, "It is something we struggle with, but only through the Force do we find a purpose and acceptance of such trials."

"I'm not sure I understand or comprehend the Force. But I have felt such things that had no explanation, like seeing something just prior to it happening... I understand that this is part of the Force, though not all that it stands for. But I'm not sure that I grasp its meaning, and never will, unless I learn more about it," Jeron admitted. "But somehow, my coming here also seems too easy. And I would not expect you to teach me without me proving that I am worthy of learning, so please let me know what I must do," he asked. Jeron then stopped for a few seconds and sighed. "I must apologise if I seem brute in my words. I am not accustomed to speaking in basic all the time. I don't mean to sound disrespectful."

"I perceived no disrespect," Laedra assured him. "Though, it does seem you're a touch frustrated. You're seeking a new path for yourself, but are having trouble finding it. Do not be so premature in your decision to offer yourself to the Order, Jeron, simply because you crave some direction in your life, no matter if it may be the incorrect one." Her eyes again studied his as she asked softly, "What is it you are trying so hard to leave behind? What life are you trying to escape from?"

"I'm not trying to escape from any life," Jeron answered. "But perhaps you are right when you say that I may be frustrated. You see, my whole life, as far as can recall, I have lived on the deserts of Tatooine, amidst a Tusken tribe. I had become a hunting party leader and a fierce warrior by their standards. But I had also learned to hate the humans that would go into the desert and rise against the Tuskens. And I had hated them for the wrong reasons..." he admitted. "A Tusken never shows his or her body. They cover up in rags and are never seen without them. After finding out that I too was human, I had no more reasons to hate. But I was left with a wish to find where I had come from. So far I have found little except people who either want to kill me or steal from me... Until I found Kael. I don't know what it means to behave and act as anything but a Tusken, but I know that the only person who has impressed me with their behaviour was Kael... and perhaps his woman."

Laedra chuckled politely and mentioned, "You should spend less time in Thanatos and more in New Plouton. The desert is a harsh place; the city is much more hospitable. But no matter where you go, it will take a period of adjustment before you can feel comfortable in Tae'Karada's society. It is all very different from living in a tribe. Kael can relate, I presume."

"Most definitely," Kael answered. "Though, the people much more than the environment. Now, dealing with some of the people from Thanatos when I'm there is more than a shock than with those in the city. I guess really it all depends on where you're standing. Meeting more and varied people definitely creates a tolerance for all peoples."

"It would seem that I have much to learn..." Jeron nodded. "What is your suggestion for me then, Master Jedi?"

"If you believe the Order is where your journey has taken you, then the Council will consider your admission into training," Laedra replied. "Is this something you truly wish to pursue? And are you aware of the sacrifices you must make?"

Jeron looked at Kael briefly and back at Laedra. His whole life had been a series of tests of sorts... Testing his skills as a Tusken, testing his abilities to hunt, testing his skills as a warrior. And all of those had come at some level of sacrifice, whether it was the sacrifice to live without a Tusken mate, or to sacrifice doing some task for the greater good. He was even taught that a warrior who had no chance of survival by himself would be honourable to kill himself for the greater good of not slowing down his tribe, something that Jeron had never agreed with on a personal level. And now, it seemed that the Jedi were also about sacrifices and tests. Ultimately he decided that this was just the way things were.

"No, I am not aware of the sacrifices I must make, but perhaps you could explain," Jeron answered. "I would like to stay here and learn," he added.

"You will be given a more thorough test," Kael said. "It is partially to make certain you have the gift to be able to sense the Force, and partially to gauge your strength. Once accepted, you start on the path to become a Jedi. You must not waver, and your dedication should be to the Jedi Order. As a Padawan, you will be paired with a master who will train you to become a Jedi."

Jeron nodded simply, a gesture that he understood. He felt no need to speak out his mind that he was ready to undertake whatever task was asked of him, so long as he could see that there was no danger implied to himself of anyone innocent. But even so, he knew that whatever they should ask of him, it would never be without consideration upon the task itself. And this gave him a reason to grin on the inside. He was eager to learn what he had ahead of him.

"Well, if you're decided...." Laedra bowed faintly to Jeron and Kael. "I will speak with the other masters. They will recommend you perform a rigorous series of tests and exercises both physical, and mental. From your performance we will make our decision. Kael can show you the course."

"It's this way," Kael said. As he began to lead Jeron off toward where he would be tested to determine if he could stay and begin training as a Jedi, Kael tossed a look over his shoulder and a smile to Master Vorrel. It was good to see so much activity in the Temple. Very good.

---