Star Wars - Tales from the Outer Rim

"Family Business"
Iyika - Bounty Hunter, Assassin, Intelligence Spy
and A'Kin - Adopted Father [NPC+]

Location: New Plouton
Date: Eos 17 , 4ABY

***

She sat on the bridge enjoying a flapjack. She didn't know what fruit was in it and didn't much care; all she was interested in was the simple fact it was delicious. A cup of steaming tea stood on the small table attached to the side of the command chair she sat on. The bridge looked plain and uninteresting with only the one chair. What was surprising was the lack of consoles and computer terminals to run the ship, navigation, operations, tactical. They didn't exist on this bridge.

"Oz, what's our position?" she asked with partly eaten flapjack still in her mouth, trying to cover the fact with her hand.

I do wish you wouldn't speak with your mouth full. It's very bad manners. Sometimes I worry about you. Your father never gave you that habit among other things. It's a good job I don't take offence easily...

"Oz!" growled Iyika, not wanting another long speech from a computer chip.

Fine... I know when I'm not appreciated. The things I do... We're approaching the jump co-ordinates and will be arriving at our destination shortly.

"How shortly?"

Within 35 seconds-- Make that 33 seconds, replied the A.I. controlling the ship's systems, which was why there were no consoles on the bridge; the computer was able to run all the ship's systems and undoubtedly a lot more.

Iyika picked the cup up, taking a drink, and feeling the warm liquid travel down inside her, fully relaxed in the comfortable chair. She thought about her new home. Tae'Karada, she thought it was called but would no doubt remember the name given time. She'd picked the planet because it was booming. The main cities were ever expanding and the planet had the best of both worlds, New Plouton namely, an impressive commerce city with countless buildings reaching up into the sky. Then there was Thanatos. A small city with the usual low lives, crime lords, thieves and various other people with various professions.

Then there was the Jedi, who made sneaking up behind people and slitting their throats impossible, almost taking out the fun. There weren't many ways to fool a Jedi if any at all. The only way Iyika knew was to put as many other animals around you. It helped but didn't always work; it was more like a 50-50 chance. For the most part they could tell someone was there but couldn't localise it, but then it also depended on the power of the individual.

"Always too may variables..." she whispered, taking another sip of tea. Oz asked what she was talking about but the Acaran ignored him and the A.I. went off brooding in the corner of Iyika's mind.

In and around Tae'Karada was busy with ships coming and going; the ships moving through the system were almost in orderly queues. A new ship made the jump back into normal space, a sleek jet black vessel with no markings on the hull to give it a name; this was of course Iyika's ship the NightFire and Oz piloted her down towards the planet, swerving to the left to come up on an entry vector.

We've arrived at Tae'Karada, you holiest of captains. I have contacted the spaceport and are proceeding to the surface. Oh may the universe keep you forever... said Oz; the tone in his voice could have shattered reinforced glass.

"Quit whining, Oz. You can't brood, you're not human, you aren't capable of it!"

Try telling that to my circuits, all the tears are shorting them out!

The jet black vessel flew down, exploding out through a soft white cloud in the sky. As soon as the ship came into view of the city she pulled up, peeling off to the right, heading towards her designated landing platform. The landing struts folded out of the underside, locking into place before touching down on the landing pad, taking the weight of the ship.

"Keep all security systems running," whispered Iyika as she waited for the access ramp to lower. Once it was down she made her way down, looking around her.

Don't worry I don't want amateurs going through my insides hoping to stumble across something valuable. I'll vaporise anyone who tries to get inside.

Smiling Iyika lifted the hood of her coat up over her head, letting the extra material hang loose in front of her. As she walked towards the exit her whole body seemed to shimmer, fading like mist dissipating into nothing. Soon all there was on the platform was a black ship standing like a wraith waiting to strike.

***

It was late in the evening when Iyika finally found what she was looking for: The Midnight Hour, a club in the city of New Plouton owned surprisingly by her father. It was in the most unusual place, far closer to residential homes and apartments than most clubs. For that reason the residents around the club weren't happy about its opening. But what surprised the locals was that this club was far from normal. It played soft chill-out music where people could sit down and enjoy themselves either listening to the music or talking with friends.

Iyika, wearing her large thick coat, walked along the street, now completely visible, where she finally spotted the club. Smiling with relief after spending almost two hours trying to find the damn place she made her way to the entrance. What surprised her was the fact there were no bouncers or queues outside the building. She pushed the door open and stepped through the threshold.

The music struck her instantly, the soft soothing music collected from all over the galaxy, and since the whole club part of the building was soundproofed there was no noise going out into the streets much to the delight of the neighbours. The reason there wasn't a queue formed outside with people screaming to be let in wasn't because the club was crap - far from it; the club was packed but it was so big it didn't have any trouble coping.

She drew the hood back off her head and stared, not helping the smile that crept over her face. The club was amazing. The tables and chairs were luxurious and expensive, some even having retractable leg rests. Sofas dotted the fenced off sections where people wanted to talk in some kind of privacy. Then her eyes moved up to the ceiling. She didn't know how he'd done it but above her was an ocean of animals. There were sharks, whales of all sizes, and fish of every colour she could imagine and more she hadn't even dreamed of, all swimming around in the water almost totally oblivious to the other animals and the many people below them.

Her eyes caught a glimpse of a man approaching her and he answered her other question. The reason why no bouncers were at the door was that they were all inside; she looked around and saw several other men wearing the same black and white suits. Her eyes caught a couple who struck her as strangely odd. They had drinks in front of them and they seemed to be enjoying themselves, only their laughs seemed hollow.

"I see you've spotted our plants," said a male voice slightly higher in tone than normal. He was a plain human male with brown eyes, well built, but then he'd have to be in his profession.

"They do stand out," she replied, looking back at the couple.

"They're just here for a trial run; we've already got four other groups in the crowd looking for trouble makers. It's an interesting idea; your father's a brilliant businessman. He could put Hutts to shame."

"I wouldn't go that far... Mr?"

"Campbell, ma'am..." the bouncer replied, bowing his head. That was when Iyika knew the fact he wasn't just a bouncer in the club. "I'm the manager here; I help run the place from day to day while your father is off going about his busy life. He told me you'd be stopping by and told me to take you up immediately. If you'll follow me."

Iyika followed the human, walking through the club. She looked to the right at the long bar with what seemed like a dozen bartenders dealing admirably well with the horde of orders coming at them from every direction. Behind them on the wall swam a huge fish; it was obviously a hologram but its effect was mesmerising, swimming through the wall. The fish was Tarkalian, its huge teeth revealing the fact it was a meat eater and it was the largest fish on that planet. Even an adolescent could measure from 15 metres plus as they continually grew right up until the second they died.

Campbell led Iyika up to the far end of the club, opening a secret door in a corner shrouded in darkness. Behind the door held a lift which she entered. She turned, realising Campbell hadn't entered. "Your father will join you shortly; he's currently occupied with pressing business. Good evening." The door of the lift closed with Campbell bowing very formally at Iyika, reminding her of how servants bowed to their lords and kings. She shook her head, shaking the thoughts out of her head as the lift started to take her up.

Standing at the balcony, staring out at the forest in front of her, using her incredible vision, she could almost glimpse the Jedi Temple far off to the horizon. It was of course an illusion. The Temple was far off in the forest. But like most things secret, everyone had their price and secrets didn't often remain so for long, just like the case with the Jedi Temple.

She'd been waiting for her father for a good hour by this time, but his well stocked mini bar had passed the time while she waited. His huge apartment had all the luxuries, all apart from a droid which didn't really surprise her. Her father loved his secrets and he had enough to shake a very shakeable stick at.

"Nice view isn't it?" a voice spoke from behind her. Smiling she slowly turned her head while still leaning on the wooden railing around the edge of the balcony. She saw the source of the familiar voice standing not three metres behind her.

"Hello, father, nice of you to finally turn up. Late as usual!" she cursed.

"Nonsense!" he said almost shouting. "I am never late, nor am I ever early. I arrive exactly when I mean to." The seemingly ageless man stood holding a wooden staff made of thick reinforced oak wood; he wore a large thick coat much like hers with the huge thick hood resting over his head, partly hanging in front of his face, hiding it from view.

"I was wondering why you chose this place to live; now I know why: to keep an eye, or maybe two, on our Jedi neighbours."

She heard the low thud of the wooden staff hitting the wooden decking of the balcony; it was the only sound he made as he approached. He stopped beside his daughter, his left hand resting on top of the railing in front of him. "The Jedi will always be around, my daughter, in one form or another and they must be respected. They are called warriors, defenders of peace and justice... Ha!"

There was something in his voice that made Iyika look up at her father. He rarely showed any feeling behind anything and this slight outburst startled Iyika. She watched as his eyes looked down at her and he smiled at seeing the concern on her face.

"The Jedi aren't the same as they used to be, not since Yoda past on to the next life. With the Emperor dead and the Empire in disarray they can finally start to regain their numbers, but it still won't be the same. Admiral Christoffer Tarkin has been trying to give the Empire new life; it appears he's succeeding on some fronts at least."

"You knew Yoda? Did you ever meet him?" she asked listening to her father's words.

"Aye..." he replied looking up at the night sky. He paused, listening to the sounds around him as music was carried on the wind from below, the music of soothing sounds from the club. He had channels put in to carry the music up to his apartment so he could listen whenever he wanted to. "I met him three times in my lifetime, each time a new experience in itself," he said, smiling as he continued to listen to the music. "It was a sad day when he died. I was beginning to think he would live forever, but the universe gives and it takes away."

"I've been wondering... who trained Yoda? He must have had a master before becoming a Jedi Master." The same thought had come across A'Kin, though he never mentioned it to anyone with the simple fact no one asked his opinion on the subject. It was remarkable that few people actually thought about it.

"I've wondered that myself. There are rumours here and there. But of course nothing concrete. They range from a god trained him to Yoda was born out of the Force, emerging fully grown with three lifetimes of knowledge," he said, looking out in the direction of the Jed Temple. "No doubt it's a well kept secret the Jedi Order will never let go. Even if by chance it did leak out who would believe it? Who would care? Not many I'd hazard a guess."

"I still don't understand; why'd you come here of all places? For all intents and purposes you don't exist, you don't have any form of ID that can be traced, you're not even in the Coruscant mainframe. Being this close to the Jedi is dangerous!"

"You worry too much."

"That's because you don't worry at all. Why are you here? Why risk being detected by the Jedi?" she asked, looking at her father trying to search out any answer but she could find no clue in his expression.

"It wouldn't surprise me if they already know where I am and who I am. They have many sources dotted around the galaxy. Master Yoda was bound to have a file or two on me and no doubt it's locked away somewhere within the Jedi database, though the Jedi can be a problem. I'm sure they have bigger fish to fry. Rest assured I won't be staying long; I just turned up to see if you were settling in alright and if the intelligence network I set up was running smoothly. I still don't know why you insist on having your own home in Arcadia; it's so boring."

Smiling, Iyika shook her head. "It's not like it's on the other side of the galaxy, Dad. It's not even on the other side of the planet. I need my own space. Besides, my home will be closer to the spaceport. I made sure of it."

A'Kin just grumbled in reply knowing full well this was one of the few arguments he wasn't going to win. The two of them enjoyed each other's company, looking up at the stars above them, taking pleasure in the soft music in the background.

"Scouting The Wealth"
By: Jack Black

Location: New Plouton
Date: Eos 17, 4ABY

***

Jack walked through the streets of New Plouton head bowed. He didn't want to be seen. The deal with the droid trader had gone exceptionally well. He was so busy congratulating himself that he almost didn't notice the Imperial patrol walking down the street. Their shining white armor alerted him and he ducked into a small alley. While he had a fake ID he didn't want to test it if he didn't have to. Jack waited for a few moments. The patrol had passed.

Jack stepped out back on the street. It was a pleasant city, if you took away the Imperials. Jack often felt slightly guilty about fighting against the Imperials. They had, after all, given him his eyes and strength. He looked down at his frail-looking hands. "Strength," he spat with a bitter taste. His hands balled into fists; he felt a cough surge up through his body. He fought it. It would be the first attack since the serum he had gotten his brother to inject him with. It was too soon to be gripped by the coughing. Unless his body was deteriorating.

He paused for breath. He made a silent wish that his brother was here just in case something did happen, then he berated himself. He couldn't rely on Robin. Oh sure he would be there and quite happily help Jack, but he hated relying on his ever 'oh so helpful' brother. He pushed himself on, fighting down the tickling in the back of this throat.

He eventually got to the bank. He had planned to pay it a visit to view any further security threats that my occur, following standard Imperial procedure, bombs detonated around the city would take preference to any other occurrence. The lack of power would prevent a distress call. Jack had already observed the power connections; it would be possible to rig a small explosive to the main power transfer port.

He walked up to the main door. Three guards dressed in a strange black armor and looked at Jack as he walked through the doors. There was a human sitting at the main desk. He looked at Jack with clear hostility.

"We don't give loans," he snapped

"I wasn't asking for one," Jack calmly replied, "I have come to ask if I would be able to place a sizable collection of Deitririum crystals in the safety of your vault."

"Deitririum?" the man asked. "Valuable, aren't they?"

"Moderately so. These ones are my family's fortune, and I would like to see them safe in these uncertain times." Jack's eyes remained locked on the man, while he took in the detail of the room around him. His mind listed and categorized all the security defenses: two shield generators, three panic alarms, six gun ports probably automated and self-powered. I'll have to rig up some EMP weaponry to take them out quicker. Guards on door were equipped with Golam Rifles, office had a Bryiar pistol, seven droids around, two mouse, the rest were R-type astro droids except one Protocol droid. "I would like to see where, if I choose to bring my services here, my crystals would be stored." Jack smiled

"Certainly, sir, but you understand there would be a ten percent storage tax on any valuables stored in this facility."

"Both you an I know that the standard storage rate is only three percent," Jack replied

"That is for credits, crystals, and other valuables that may require further attention."

"Five percent, or I take my service to another place."

"Seven."

"No," Jack stated

"Six."

"Agreed." Jack let a smile cross his lips. "But you will have to show me the place where it's stored. I don't want your guards taking the odd crystal here and there."

"You'll have no problem with that. Our guards can't get into the vaults, the defenses in there are all independently automated. They are rigged to respond to my voice, and the voice of my superiors,"

"Ah," Jack mused. "That's comforting, so at least I know that if my crystals are stolen it won't be by any Stormtrooper, it will be by an officer."

"Unlike what you think you know, Imperial officers believe that honesty is a vital part of a well-run organization."

"I hope your superiors are as...trustworthy as you." Jack sneered, "If you will show me through to the vault?"

"Certainly. This way, sir."

Jack's voice recorder hummed inside his coat.

"The Science of Preparation"
Jack Black

Location: New Plouton
Date: Eos 17 , 4ABY

***

Jack let the time whistle by. He had just had a message from Jemol about the droids being ready soon. It had happened a lot faster than Jack had planned. He looked over at the ancient war droid. Its power cells and converters were removed. He knelt beside the beast and pulled out the destroyed unit. He looked at it, it was badly damaged.

He muttered and chucked the fused unit across the room to the bin. He got up and walked over to the unpacked boxes. He counted the numbers silently in his head and pulled out a large box of tools. He struggled to lift it out of the even bigger container.

Sweating with the effort he managed to get the large box over on to the table. He was forced to rest for a few moments, for the nth time that day. He cursed his frail health.

After a few minutes' rest he opened his eyes and focused on his task. The unit he held in his hand was powerful enough, just not large enough to fit in the droid. He pulled out a few bolt connections. Lifting the welder he began to weld and shape the bolts to fit and mimic the positions of the larger unit.

Robin came in after a few hours. Jack, annoyed at the interruption, sent him on an errand to shops and got back to his work. His dark eyes noticed every detail, absorbed all, left nothing. He worked tirelessly, till his already pale pallor was deathly white. The sun had long since set but his work was done. He used his staff to make his way over to the machine.

He forced the power unit in. Dim lights appeared in the monstrosity's eyes. They gradually focused on Jack. Slowly the beast got to its feet.

In a loud voice the contraption boomed, "INSTIL POSITION!"

"Position? Body guard." Jack smiled

"MISSION," the beast boomed.

"Mission? We're going to war," Jack stated coldly.

"Hidden Doubts, Part 1"
By: Dargus Kandran
Yelara Kandran
Orinth Neerou [NPC+]
Leshie Kandran [NPC+]

with Raxis L'Ygr [NPC+]
and Liam Zaneth

Location: Corellia
Date: Eos 17, 4ABY

***

Dargus Kandran put away the comlink, frowning as he did so. He'd asked to not be disturbed while on his honeymoon, but of course his people never listened. At least everything was still in order and no one had launched any attacks against his holdings. It was distressing that Keeve was spending so much time away from the ship, and taking Kallia with him. The description Taroo had given of Kallia was delicious though, and he certainly wished he could have been there for that.

He smiled at Yelara, who looked up from the macrobinoculars she'd been looking through. Sightseeing on Corellia was fun for both of them, especially since they'd grown up here.

"Everything is fine," he said as he took her hand into his. "It appears that Keeve has developed a taste for the planet, as he's been spending a considerable amount of time there. It sounds like he's made up with Maeren Shivral, and they've been meeting at the dance hall and brothel where she works. So, have they moved off?" He indicated where the small herd of white deer had been grazing across the field.

Yelara chuckled and nodded, causing her loose curls to bounce upon her shoulders. "Leshie squealed and I think he frightened them off." She gazed down lovingly at her child, kicking his legs happily as he lay in his hovercarriage. "You're a naughty little boy, aren't you?" She tickled his plump belly and managed to trigger a fit of giggles from the boy. Yelara, in turn, laughed joyously. "I haven't seen him have so much fun before," she told Dargus. "Thank you for bringing us here."

Dargus looked around and then grinned. "It's a beautiful place," he said. "And, it's nice to be out here together, like a real family. I want to do this more often, Yelara. I want to get away, to be just us, rather than the future Emperor and Empress of the galaxy. To enjoy our time together without worrying about syndicates and profits and all that. I don't think I've felt this content in a long time."

Yelara slipped her arms around Dargus' waist and leaned against him as she continued to watch Leshie. "I like this too. Things were just getting...so complicated. It's good to have some time to just let go and realize how much I do love you."

A wide grin spread across Dargus' face. "I like hearing you say that," he said. "That you love me. After before, I never thought I would, but...but we're making it work. All it took was me realizing that the way to your heart wasn't through coercion."

"And for Liam to fuck up as he did." Yelara sighed softly and nestled her cheek to Dargus' chest. "But let's not ruin this. I don't want to think about any of that." She smiled up at him. "Can we visit Orinth? I know he'll like you, Dargus. He has to."

"I'd love to meet Orinth," Dargus said. "After everything you've said, I'm both terrified and curious, and curiousity is winning out. And, I do believe he should see his grandson again, something I denied him not that long ago."

Yelara remembered the abduction, which hadn't happened so long ago, but which wasn't affecting her as strongly as it should have. Now, she was glad Dargus had done what he did; she was glad for the opportunity to make Liam suffer.

"I hope he won't be angry," Yelara muttered as she detached from Dargus and took her place behind Leshie's carriage. She gripped the bar and began leisurely pushing the cart along. "I should've contacted him, I know. There was just too much going on."

"I'm sure he'll understand," Dargus said. "And, from what you've said about how he feels about Liam, perhaps he'll be happy about the news we bring. Come on, let's go visit him now."

Yelara and Dargus, with Leshie before them, walked the path towards Yelara's old village, looking the image of the perfect married couple. They were greeted with polite nods and congenial smiles from the pedestrians in the city square; she never remembered receiving such kind sentiments when it had been Liam by her side. Somehow, life seemed better without him...almost.

"We're just about there," she told Dargus. "See that cobbled path up ahead? That leads to the cottage I grew up in."

"It's very beautiful here," Dargus said. "If I didn't like my life so much, I think I'd like a little home out in the country with all the rustic touches. You know, it's almost tempting around all this to try to be a good person."

Yelara chuckled. "You mean, you're not trying?"

Dargus smiled. "I guess around you, it comes naturally. I know I'm not a good person though. I think I'd be entirely different, and probably unlikeable, if I were good. I'm good for you, though; and for Leshie."

"So...you have to be evil? If you weren't, I wouldn't love you?" Yelara gazed up at Dargus and gave him an admonishing smile. "That's not true and you know it. You can be evil to the rest of the world. Be Dargus with me and Leshie...the real Dargus."

"For you," Dargus said with a smile, "anything, my love." He glanced toward the house where he saw a man standing in the middle of the garden. "Is that him?"

Yelara looked out upon the approaching cottage and gasped slightly at the sight of the frail old man hacking away at the hardened soil. He appeared much changed since her last meeting with him; most likely, he had been physically sick with worry at her disappearance and it had reduced him to this fragile state. Tears sprang immediately to Yelara's eyes. "Oh gods," she sobbed. "Grandpa?" She surged forward, leaving Leshie and Dargus behind. "Grandpa!"

The old man started at the cry and turned his head towards the sound. His face displayed only confusion as he squinted at the figure blotted out by the sunlight, quickly approaching him. He raised his gnarled, trembling hand to his brow to shield his eyes from the glare. Then, there she appeared like an angel, an aura of soft sunlight surrounding her lithe body. "Yara?" The hoe in his hand toppled to the ground and Orinth trudged forward. "My Yara?"

"Grandpa!" She pumped her legs harder and faster until she was before her grandfather, where she flew into his arms and embraced him tightly. "Oh gods...Grandpa," she whispered.

Orinth chuckled gently, too tired from grief to even cry tears of joy. His unsteady hand stroked her black hair weakly, and Yelara could only weep more loudly. "I knew you'd come back," he told her. "My Yara could never stay away for too long."

"And I won't ever again, Grandpa. I-It wasn't my fault." She sighed. "It doesn't matter. I'm here and that's all that I care about."

The old man kissed Yelara's cheek warmly, then his mouth gaped slowly at the tall, shadowy form casually approaching them, pushing a cart in front of him. "Ah, so he found you after all," Orinth commented.

Yelara wiped at her nose with the back of her hand and looked up at Orinth. "What?"

"He found you. He--" Orinth's eyes narrowed as the man came into focus...the man who was definitely not Liam. "Who-- Who's that?"

Dargus stepped forward, pushing Leshie along with him. He gave Orinth a cordial smile. "My name is Dargus Kandran," he said with a smile. "I'm...here with Yelara."

Orinth regarded Dargus warily and slowly shifted his gaze back to Yelara. "My dear...where is your husband? And that young woman you were with last time?"

Yelara tensed slightly at the question, and gently pulled away from Orinth. "Grandfather..." She sighed and paused to collect her thoughts. "Liam and I are no longer together. I'm--" She looked back to Dargus and smiled tenderly. "I'm Dargus' wife now."

Orinth stepped back. "What? How--" The old man shook his head disapprovingly at Yelara. "I don't like this, Yara. Have I taught you nothing at all?"

"Grandfather...you don't understand. Liam...he was..." She let out a sharp breath and hung her head low. "I love Dargus now. That's all that matters."

"Is it now?" The old man harrumphed as his eyes took in Dargus. Already he didn't trust the man. "What do you do, young man? And what of the child? It isn't yours, never will be. What will you do about that? Hmm?"

"I am a little bit of an entrepreneur, sir," Dargus said. "I have operations in mining, textiles, shipping, and shipbuilding. And, I will try to be the father to Va'Lesh, because that is important. I love Yelara with everything I am, and I love this child. How could anyone not love him?"

"I do not know, sir," Orinth replied with a skeptical frown. His eyes, hard while they looked upon Dargus, were caring and filled with rue when he gazed at Yelara. "My dear...I don't know what's happened to you. First you run off without a word, then you come back with--" He gestured dismissively at Dargus "--this man. For your child's sake, you need some stability in your life."

"I have stability, Grandfather," she replied, pleading with him. "Dargus has enough money to make us comfortable for a very long time. He loves me, he loves Leshie... What more do I need?" She brought her hands to her grandfather's face and cradled his weathered cheeks in them. "Please," she whispered. "Be happy for me. That's all I want."

Orinth stared into his Yara's eyes, no longer seeing any trace of the youth and innocence she'd recaptured during her first visit. Now, all he saw was emptiness and darkness. All he could do was shake his head regrettably. "Yara...I love you dearly, but you're ruining your life. I can't be a part of that; it pains me to see you like this, knowing I can do nothing. This man is not Liam, Yara. I admit, I was wrong about Mr. Zaneth, but I am not wrong about this one. I can smell the stink of depravity and filth upon him, and I'm beginning to smell it on you as well."

Yelara's lips trembled and tears surged to her eyes. "Grandfather?" she sobbed. "What-- What are you saying?"

The old man took a step back on his rickety legs, turned his back on Yelara and shuffled back to his garden. Once there, he bent over carefully, placing one hand on his lower back for support, and retrieving his garden hoe. He stood in silence for a few tense moments, and finally shook his head. "You leave that man, or you leave my house, Yelara. That is your choice."

"No!" she groaned. "Grandfather, please! H-He's not evil. He loves me!" Yelara turned to Dargus and implored him silently for help.

"Please, sir," Dargus said, taking a step closer. "I love your granddaughter very much. She is my world, and without her, I don't know what I would do. If you don't wish for me to be around, then I can go back to the town. But, do not throw her out because of me."

In the distance, the sound of an approaching ship could be heard. Dargus glanced down at this comlink and noticed the flashing green light, then quickly hid the smile that would have spoiled his despondent facade. "Please, sir," he continued, "do not cast her out."

"Bah!" Orinth waved off Dargus' pathetic plea and stabbed at a large clump of soil. Yelara sobbed again and collapsed against Dargus.

"It appears he doesn't care anymore, my love," Dargus said, a note of sadness in his voice. "It would appear that your choice of taking me as your husband breaks all bonds of family. But, I'll still be here for you, Yelara. I will not abandon you."

As the ship roared over the house, and circled around to find a place to put down, Dargus reached out through the Force, an ebbing darkness that was invisible to the eye, and lightly touched the old man's heart. Perhaps a little tragedy would soften his opinion of Yelara's new husband.

A sharp, pain-tinged gasp diverted Yelara's attention back to the garden, back to where Orinth had fallen to his knees and was clutching at the left side of his chest. She watched in horror as thoughts of losing the last familial attachment to the Neerou name, to her beloved father, flashed through her mind. "Grandfather!" Yelara was at Orinth's side in an instant, kneeling and afraid to even touch him. "Dargus! Get help!"

"No," Orinth wheezed. "No...my medicine. I'll b-be fine."

Yelara nodded her head quickly and scrambled from the garden, tripping numerous times on the hem of her dress in her frantic attempt to get to the house, until she finally made it within. If she hadn't been so desperate to retrieve her grandfather's medication, Yelara would have been enraged at Dargus' languor and especially the subtle smile curling his lips.

Dargus glanced toward the house and then back to Orinth. The old fool was stubborn enough to press his hatred if Dargus warned him off. He turned away from the man to face the ship that had landed a short distance away. Three beings emerged and started toward the house. A fourth descended from a ramp, but stayed near one of the landing struts, holding a very big blaster rifle. Dargus recognized the man from the communication they'd had the other day. The woman, he didn't know, but the man stumbling along beneath the shroud that had been thrown over his head was very recognizable.

The door to the cottage flew open, banging against the outside wall as Yelara sprinted out holding a vial of medicine. She was still too preoccupied to notice Dargus, or the large, imposing ship in the field. Her knees slid upon the soil as she dropped down beside Orinth. His movements were uncoordinated, and his attempts to close his hand around the vial failed, until Yelara unscrewed the cap and poured the liquid into Orinth's mouth herself. The effect was almost instantaneous. Orinth's breathing cleared and began to slow, and the hand once crushing the fabric of his shirt eased up. Yelara sighed a breath of relief and finally her gaze strayed towards Dargus. Rage immediately took hold. "You bastard! What are you doing! Why aren't you helping!"

Dargus turned back to her, and then indicated the ship and three people approaching. "It appears, my love, that we have guests."

"I don't give a shit about guests!" she shrieked. "I don't--" Yelara's tirade was prematurely halted when her eyes travelled to the guests Dargus had indicated. All were in shadow and their features indiscernible, except for the one stumbling along the path, receiving a sharp kick to the rear or side whenever he fell; even with the sun blotting out everything beyond, the two orbs of brilliant blue still shone intensely and stole Yelara's breath. "Oh gods," she breathed. "No... Oh gods."

"Oh yes," Dargus whispered. "I know we shouldn't talk about this with Orinth around and feeling so poorly, but I was trying to figure out which room on the ship he would brighten up the most. I'm sure he'll be quite happy to see us, but you don't look happy to see him. I figure you'd be waiting for this moment, to have him in such a weak and vulnerable position. Now, my love, you can extract your revenge for his infidelity."

"I-I--" Yelara swallowed back the acidic taste in her throat and clenched her eyes shut before Liam's face could appear. That she wanted revenge was true, but her idea of vengeance was quite different from Dargus'. She wanted his heart destroyed, not to physically rip it from his chest.

She whispered into Orinth's ear, telling him it would be best if he got into bed, then struggled to help her grandfather to his feet. "Dargus," she said as Orinth tried to find his footing. "I-I can't do this right now. I... It's too hard. I-I can't." Her violet eyes flashed open again, and a gentle gasp escaped her lips. "Oh gods... Get Leshie away! I-I don't want him to see!"

"L--Leshie?"

"Shut up," snarled the man scratching at one tattoo and smoking a cigarra. The woman on the other side of Liam looked decidedly uncomfortable.

"My son...Leshie..."

The man rammed the butt of his blaster rifle into Liam's back, driving the Jedi to his knees. "I told you to shut up."

Liam's presence alone had Leshie kicking excitedly and squealing, but with each blow dealt Liam, Leshie's cries grew louder and he fussed more irritably as if he were aware of his father's pain.

Yelara felt her son's distress and left Orinth in the garden, barely able to stand, as she dashed towards her son. Her eyes drifted to Liam, battered and helpless upon the ground, and tears welled up. She forced her attention to return to her son, who she scooped up into her arms, kicking and screaming now. "Leshie...it's okay," she whispered, though she doubted he heard anything over his shrill cries. The child fought to escape her arms, seeking out his father, and he became more persistent as she began walking away, struggling to keep her child from falling out of her embrace.

Dargus nodded to the two mercenaries, and then stepped away toward Yelara. "Why don't you see to things here with your grandfather and Va'Lesh. I'll go deal with Liam and the mercenaries."

"Deal with him how?" she asked. She shifted Leshie in her arms to get a better hold, even raising her knee to prop him up. The attachment between Leshie and Liam was undeniably powerful; the one that existed between Liam and herself, however, was proving just as strong as evidenced by the tears that streamed down her cheeks at the sight of him.

"Don't worry, my love," Dargus said with a smile. "I won't do anything barbaric to him. I was just going to make sure he's nice and secure in our ship. We don't want him getting away. I'm sure if he does, he'll do one of two things: try to kill me, or run back to that bitch he's been fucking while your back's turned."

Yelara's eyes closed against the pain of the wound Dargus had aggravated. She nodded slowly, numbly and started forward again towards the cottage. She remembered now why she hated Liam; Dargus had made certain of that.

Dargus cast a glance at Orinth, the hint of a smile playing across his cruel lips. He turned to Yelara, and smiled for her. "I love you, my dear," he said. "I'll see you soon."

He turned and started to where Liam was still being forced prone by Raxis L'Ygr.

"Yelara," Liam's cracked voice moaned. "Oh gods...Yelara...never thought...see...again...love...you..." A harsh kick to his side stopped the rambling flow of words coming from Liam Zaneth. Almost imperceptible with the shadow formed by his body, but beneath Liam, in the harsh Corellian daylight, a damp puddle could be seen in the dirt beneath where Liam's face rested.

As Yelara climbed the steps of the porch, with Orinth limping beside her, an especially piercing scream came from Leshie, a prolonged, resonant one that turned his tiny, pudgy face red from exertion and frightened Yelara to near death. She pressed her lips to Leshie's brow to soothe her child, but she knew nothing would calm him, nothing except his father's loving embrace. Yelara wept bitterly as they disappeared into the cottage, and held her child tighter to her chest. Orinth, in turn, shook his head gravely at the spectacle. He was determined to end this, but knew he was too frail and old to do it. Maybe in time, he could bring Yelara to her senses.

***

It was an hour later when Dargus Kandran returned to Orinth Neerou's home. He strode up the walk still wiping the specks of blood from his hand on a scrap of cloth. The thought of giving Liam a proper welcome was too much temptation for him. He was just glad that Liam hadn't bled on his suit. A smile crept along his lips as he wondered if Liam were now wishing L'Ygr and his crew had turned him over to Tarkin instead.

He tossed the scrap of cloth aside and stepped up to the door. He knocked on the door, careful to not be too forceful. It wouldn't be good to tip his hand just yet.

Yelara came to let him in, for Orinth would have nothing to do with the man. If he weren't sleeping soundly in his bed, Yelara doubted Dargus would have been allowed to enter his home. She smiled weakly as she gazed up at him with eyes swollen from crying. "Come in. I finally got Leshie to calm down. I-I think he's sleeping, but not sure if he'll--" Yelara sobbed quietly. "Dargus? What is he doing here?"

"According to Colonel L'Ygr, he and a couple other Jedi tried to break into a supply depot in Arcadia. Tarkin has some new secret Force of Sith-capable warriors, and L'Ygr helped devise a trap, knowing that the Jedi was the wrong side to be on in the coming war. I think he also realized that he didn't want to be on the Empire's side either. Plus, he liked the reward I posted for Liam. So, they caught him, but the other two escaped. When Tarkin wouldn't match the reward I was offering, he brought Liam to me."

"But here?" Yelara sighed. "You couldn't have had him delivered to the cruiser? Gods... Dargus, I can't stay here, not anymore, not now. I'm too restive...anxious. We have to leave."

"I thought you would have liked to see him broken and beaten," Dargus said with a shrug. "And, I trust him with me here. Besides, I don't like dealing in goods I can't see, and they wanted their money immediately. I can have them take Liam back to Tae'Karada and the cruiser." He brought a hand to her cheek. "Is everything alright, Yelara? You seem tense."

Yelara swatted away Dargus' hand and stepped back. "What the fuck do you think, Dargus! First my grandfather disowns me, then Liam shows up, and Leshie's freaking out, and then I'm...I'm so confused." She whimpered and covered her face with her hands.

"I'm the one trying to help you, Yelara," Dargus said softly. "I love you, and I'm trying to do what I can to make things better. Please, don't be upset with me."

"I'm not," she said, choking on a sob. "I'm just.... I don't know what to do. Everything's happening so quickly."

"I'm so sorry, my love," Dargus whispered, and held his arms open to her.

Yelara hesitated not a moment and sank into Dargus' embrace. She wept miserably against his chest and clung tightly to the back of his jacket. Yelara had no idea vindication would be so emotionally difficult; she wasn't even certain, now, if she wanted it anymore. "Please, can't we just go?" she whispered. "Oh Dargus...please..."

"Do you want to stay here with your grandfather for awhile? I can return to the ship if you want time with him. It'll give you a chance to mend some of the wounds caused today. I think he needs you, Yelara. And, then, we can go."

Yelara nodded slowly, then smiled up at Dargus. "I love you. You always take care of me, Dargus." She pushed up onto the balls of her feet and kissed Dargus lovingly. "I'll comm you when I'm ready to leave."

"Very well," he said and took her hands into his. "Make sure that he knows, whatever else you have going on in your life, that you love him. Right now, I think he needs that more than anything."

"Alright," she said quietly. Yelara kissed Dargus again, then turned and began heading back into the cottage. Before she got too far, she paused to look over her shoulder at Dargus. "You're not going to kill him...are you?"

"Good lord no," Dargus said with a smile. "Why would I ever wish to kill Orinth? Just because he doesn't like me isn't good enough a reason. I can't even think of any reasons why I would ever want to kill a man like your grandfather, Yelara."

She narrowed her eyes at Dargus and slowly turned to face him again. "Who said I was talking about Orinth?" she asked coolly.

"I was talking about Orinth," Dargus said blandly, "and you asked if I was going to kill him. And, Liam won't be killed yet. I am certain there is still quite a bit of amusement left in him."

Yelara pursed her lips and turned on her heel. "Fine," she spat as she strode away from Dargus.

Dargus watched after Yelara. "What is the problem? You wanted this? You wanted him to suffer. And, now that we have him here, where we can make him suffer, you're backing off. If I didn't know better, I'd say that you still love him."

"Shut up!" she hissed, rounding on Dargus again. "If I do, it makes no difference. I still want him to hurt." She chuckled throatily and slinked towards Dargus. "You're jealous... Is that it? You're jealous and afraid I'll run back to him."

Dargus shrugged. "I'm not jealous, and I know he's hurt you too deeply to run back to him. I just don't understand why you're seeming so soft toward him. You're my wife now, Yelara."

"That doesn't mean I can just forget what I had with him," she rasped. "But you wouldn't understand that. If I ever turned my back on you, you'd forget me in an instant."

"I would not," Dargus said, keeping the seething rage bottled up inside him. "You are my life, Yelara. You are the first woman I've ever loved, the only woman I could ever love. How could you say such a thing about me? What have I done since we got back together that would suggest such a thing for you? I have forgiven you everything, but you still hold my past crimes against me."

Yelara's anger subsided and once again, she was in tears. "No... That's not true, Dargus. I-I don't know what's wrong with me. I didn't mean it." She reached out to touch Dargus' chest, then withdrew her hand. "I'm sorry," she whispered, slowly backing away. "I-I have to check on Leshie. I'm sorry."

"I love you, Yelara," Dargus said softly. "I'll come back later to check in on you. Comm me if you need anything. I won't be far."

Yelara smiled wanly, then turned and departed finally for Orinth's room.

"Hidden Doubts, Part 2"
By: Dargus Kandran
Yelara Kandran
Liam Zaneth
Orinth Neerou [NPC+]
Leshie Kandran [NPC+]

Location: Corellia
Date: Eos 17, 4ABY

***

When Dargus Kandran returned to the ship at the spaceport, he immediately went to the cargo hold where Liam Zaneth waited for him. He smiled to his Jedi antagonist as he approached.

"Comfortable?" Dargus asked.

Liam raised his battered head, his eyes calm. "How do you live with yourself?" he asked. "How do you look in the mirror knowing how many lives you've destroyed? How many you will destroy?"

"It's actually quite easy," Dargus answered, as if Liam had asked him how to brew a cup of kaffe. "Really, it all comes down to philosophy and self-determination. You see, I believe that all the people I destroy, as you say, are deserving of that. After everything you've put me through, you deserve this and worse."

"And, Yelara, does she deserve this too?"

"She was your accomplice when you tried to kill me," Dargus said. "She deserves some suffering too. Though, it is a difficult situation since I do love her."

"I can't imagine you love yourself, let alone anyone else."

"Oh, but there you're wrong. I love Yelara for who she is, for the depravity she enjoys, and for the pain bearing my child will cause you."

"You bastard!"

"Oh, is that anger I feel from you, Jedi?"

Liam only seethed.

"Oh, that's right, I can feel nothing from you as long as you have the beautiful necklace around your throat."

Liam glanced down at the lizard-like creature suspended from the chain around his neck. During his earliest sparring with Dargus, he'd become quite familiar with the ysalamiri.

"Eventually, this little pet of yours will die, and then you will."

"Big words for a man strapped to a chair and all his powers gone. I have some entertainment for you tonight, Liam." Dargus turned to glance at a large monitor on the far wall. He touched a control on his belt, and it activated. On it was displayed the bed in a rather luxurious hotel suite. "Our room, if you haven't guessed."

Liam closed his eyes and focused his will on keeping his anger away. He couldn't let Dargus beat him like this. With a lightsaber, maybe; but not mental games. Not like this.

"You'll beg me to kill you by the time this is over," Dargus said softly. "You'll realize that death is your only release."

"Never," Liam rasped.

Dargus laughed, long and loud so that it echoed around the hold. "We'll see about that," he said, then turned to stroll casually back the way he'd come. "Enjoy your night, Liam Zaneth-Kace Mordin. I certainly know I will."

***

Yelara sat, as she had been for the last hour, watching Orinth's chest rising and falling, making certain his heart hadn't seized while he slept and giving death the opportunity to spirit him away. He was the last connection to her father, the last connection to who she had been. The longer she remained with the Dargus, the more rapidly Yelara Neerou faded. She knew that girl was dying again, and she could feel the numbing darkness rushing in to fill the void that had somehow formed after she left Liam behind on Tae'Karada. Now, it only expanded the longer they remained apart, and not even the love Dargus offered her could stop it.

Whimpering quietly, Yelara rested her forehead upon her grandfather's hand, held in her own. Her hatred for Liam was still strong, yet she didn't want him dead. She didn't know what she wanted, but by the time she decided, it might be too late to salvage anything with Liam, if she so chose to.

"Ah...Yara."

Yelara raised her head at the weak, rough voice of her grandfather, and was at least glad that he wasn't banishing her from his house again. "Grandpa? Oh...you should rest."

"No," he said. "I'm alright. But you?" Orinth sighed and stared up at the ceiling. "You've made a mess, Yara."

She emitted a strangled whimper. "I know, Grandpa. B-But Liam.... He-- He hurt me."

Orinth chuckled weakly. "From what I've seen, he's hurting far more."

"Grandpa--"

The old man raised his hand to cut off Yelara's reply. She hung her head low and wept silently. "Do you really love that...man? There was no joy in his eyes, his smile hollow and concealing something vile. He will drag you into despair, my dear. Can't you see that?"

"But he loves me," she whispered thickly. "And I love him..."

"Do you, now?" Orinth snorted and shook his head. "You don't. Not my Yara."

"Well, maybe I'm not your Yara," she snapped. Yelara pulled her hand free of Orinth's and rose from her seat. "I'm not Yara. I'm Yelara Kandran--"

"And is that something to be proud of?"

Yelara glared down at Orinth, her lips trembling with suppressed rage. "It's better than being the oblivious wife of a cheating bastard," she spat. "Liam chose this! He forced this upon himself!"

"Oh...Yara." Orinth frowned gravely at his granddaughter. "This would've killed your grandmother. It's killing me."

"No," she breathed. "Oh gods...no." She rushed back to Orinth's side and knelt by the bed. Her hand clasped his again and she kissed it desperately. "No, Grandpa... No. I-I promise, everything will be okay. Dargus is not a bad man. He loves me. He loves Leshie. Yes, he does evil things, but not to me!"

"Not that you know of," he muttered. "But...I do still love you, my child. You do what you must, make your own mistakes... I will be here, if I'm able, to help you pick up the pieces."

Yelara stared with tear-filled, violet eyes at her grandfather, and finally wept loudly. She'd been so certain about everything before, and now she doubted it all. Despite Orinth's sage advice, Yelara still had no idea what to do.

Leshie's cries erupted again, and Yelara sprang to her feet. If it was his connection to Liam being triggered again, from the intensity of his screams, she could only imagine what torture was being inflicted upon him. Yelara bent over and placed a kiss upon Orinth's cheek. "I-I have to go check on him."

"Yes...yes, you go on." Orinth smiled for his granddaughter, even with as disheartened as he felt. "Go my dear. I'll rest."

"Alright." She pressed a hand to Orinth's cheek, and a rueful smile touched her lips. "I love you, Grandpa and I appreciate everything you're telling me. I hope you're not right, but if you are..." She sighed. "Thanks." With Leshie's puling becoming more urgent, Yelara turned and hurried from the room.

Orinth watched his granddaughter's departure and once again shook his head. He hoped it wasn't too late for her to realize her mistakes, and as he stared up at the ceiling again, he prayed to the gods that her parents weren't watching her. They would die all over again if they could see what their beautiful little girl had regressed to. If she was going to continue on that path, he hoped he died before he could witness her complete, heartbreaking transformation.

***

The knock at the door signalled Dargus Kandran's return. When the door finally opened he offered a bright smile and held up a bunch of colourful flowers.

"Where'd you steal those from?" Yelara quipped. She laughed softly and came before Dargus. "Thanks," she whispered, then buried her nose into one of the pink frillas.

"You're welcome," Dargus said with a smile. "And, there was a patch of them down the road a ways. I didn't think the guy who tended the garden would mind too much. They look much nicer in your hands than in his garden anyway."

Yelara chewed her trembling bottom lip, then sucked in a staggered breath. "I'm sorry about earlier," she whispered. Her eyes shifted towards his. "I'm falling apart, Dargus. I'm sorry."

"It's understandable," Dargus said, bringing his free hand up to cradle her cheek. "A lot has happened today, and some things that you just weren't ready for. How's your grandfather doing?"

She sighed. "Fine...for now. I don't know... I don't want to leave him like this, Dargus."

Dargus nodded. "Then stay here with him tonight," he said. "It's more important that you help him get his health back. We have our whole lives together, but I fear that if we were to leave, his health would deteriorate more. I think you should be with him tonight."

"But what about you? Where will you be?"

"I'll be back at the hotel," he said. "I can comm you later and we can talk to each other if you want. I can do some work, or contact some people here on Corellia. I'll make myself busy while you're caring for Orinth. Don't worry about me, Yel; I'll be fine."

She frowned and stepped back to regard Dargus. "Oh...but you won't. You're going to be miserable all night! So, how about this? I'll stay with Orinth for now, and if he's doing fine, I'll come to the hotel and spend the night with you, then just return in the morning. This is still our honeymoon, Dargus, no matter what's happened so far." She raised both hands to his face and smiled tenderly. "You're my husband. You have to come first. I want to be with you tonight."

"That sounds like a good compromise," Dargus said. "So, I'll be there, but you make sure he is doing fine. I'll be at the hotel waiting for you. And, if you need a doctor sent out or anything like that, let me know."

Yelara laughed softly and embraced Dargus, careful not to crush the flowers in his hand. "They're all wrong about you," she murmured. "You do love me, and you're not completely evil. I know that, and that's all that matters to me."

"Good," Dargus said. "I'm glad I can still fool them all. Sometimes it's a good idea to keep those who could be your enemy guessing. If you'd like, I can have a late meal ready for us when you come. Something romantic for two?"

"Definitely, my dear husband." She reached up and kissed his lips slowly. Her one hand came up and closed around the bouquet, then she stepped back and pulled them away with her. "Thank you for my flowers. Now...go say goodbye to your son."

"Gladly, my love," he said with a smile. With that, he moved toward where Leshie lay in his hovercarriage. "Hello, my beautiful boy."

The child's once intensely blue eyes, now dimmed, shifted their listless gaze up towards Dargus. He had cried himself to exhaustion and could barely keep his lids open. Leshie whimpered quietly once, then closed his eyes again.

Dargus frowned and then glanced up at Yelara. "Looks like he's tired," he said. "Poor little guy." He leaned down and placed a kiss on the boy's forehead. "Sleep well, Va'Lesh." He straightened and then gave Yelara a tight smile.

"His connection to Liam is so strong. Gods, Dargus...if you kill Liam..." She sobbed and looked away. "I don't know what it'll do to him."

"Don't worry," Dargus said with a smile that held no humour, at least no good humour, "I don't plan on killing Liam for a very long time. I'm going to break him first, tear his mind apart, and let him suffer. Death is too quick. He doesn't deserve death."

"Then we have to keep Leshie as far away from Liam as we can. He suffers as Liam suffers." She covered her mouth with her hand and forced back another sob. "My boy... This is tearing him apart."

Dargus looked down into the carriage and then up to Yelara. "I'll have him sent away tonight," he said. "Liam will be sent back to the cruiser to put distance between him and Va'Lesh."

Yelara sighed, a large weight lifting from her chest. "Thank you, my love. After that, I think we'll all be able to get some rest."

Dargus smiled. "Indeed we will," he said. "Now, should I get back to the hotel to give you some time here? Maybe you can cheer up Va'Lesh some."

"No... I think I'll go check in on Grandpa Orinth." She covered her mouth as a yawn spread her lips. She laughed softly when it ended. "And maybe I could do with a short nap, then comm Kallia..."

"I don't actually know if she's on the cruiser right now," Dargus said. "She's been going down to the planet with Keeve. I believe they're going to see Maeren dance at this dancehall and brothel run by Weibran the Hutt."

Yelara appeared disappointed. "Oh. Well...I'll just try tomorrow then." Her smile returned and she held out a hand to Dargus. "Come on. It's time to go, my love."

Dargus slipped a hand into Yelara's and smiled. "Yes," he whispered. "I'll see you soon. If you need anything at all before you return to the hotel, just comm me."

"I will." She kissed Dargus again, then led him out of the room. As he made his way down the hallway, she waved at him, and called out softly, "I love you, Dargus."

"I love you too, my Empress," Dargus said with a sweeping bow. "I'll have everything ready when you arrive. Take as long as you need here."

Yelara curtsied playfully, then waved Dargus away. She was laughing gently as she stepped back into the room and closed the door behind her, but once it clicked shut, her laughter regressed to convulsive sobs. Everything was wrong, and she knew it. Whenever she looked at Dargus, professed her love for him, a sickening taste rose in her throat.

With her back to the door, Yelara slid to the ground and curled her knees in towards herself tightly while the tears that felt so cold and heavy tumbled down her cheeks. She didn't know what it was, but she felt like running and never turning back. And most frightening of all, she wanted to run to Liam. "Oh gods..." she gasped. "What have I done?" Her head fell forward onto her knees, and she whispered, "And what else am I about to do?"

***

Dargus and Yelara entered the hotel room together, having just returned from Yelara's grandfather's. He could see that Yelara was still bothered, so Dargus put his hands on her shoulders, massaging them gently. Leshie was sound asleep in his hovercarriage, but every once in awhile he would fuss or shift in his sleep. "It's going to be alright," Dargus whispered to her. "Everything will be alright."

Yelara nodded despondently and sank forward into his embrace. "I just...feel so wasted," she muttered. "So tired."

"It's been a long day," Dargus answered. "Here, come to the bed, and I'll help soothe your muscles with a massage. And, then we can curl up together and sleep the rest of the night away."

"Okay... Just let me put Leshie down." She rubbed her cheek against Dargus', then pulled away and returned to Leshie's hovercarriage. As she began pushing it towards his room, she was overcome with a feeling of utter exhaustion, and felt so very old.

In Leshie's room, she decided not to wake the child and left him to sleep through the night in his hovercarriage instead of the crib. She was even hesitant about kissing his brow, afraid she would disturb his rest. Still, she pressed a feather-light kiss to his cheek, then crept silently out of the room. When she entered the room she shared with Dargus, he was already waiting for her within. "Hopefully Leshie sleeps through the entire night," she commented to him.

Oh, I'll make him sleep through the night, Dargus thought. "I'm sure he will," he said. "He's had a busy day. All the sightseeing, and seeing his great-grandfather. And, then that unfortunate incident with...Liam."

Yelara's brow reflexively knitted in distress at the pain those memories triggered. "I-I don't want to talk about all that, Dargus. I can't."

"I understand, my love," Dargus said softly. "Come on, let's get over to the bed. I'll have you feeling better in just a few minutes."

Yelara hid her reluctance with a smile, but as she turned away to begin removing her clothing, she frowned and suppressed a shudder. Why was she so repulsed by the idea of making love to her own husband? She loved him and being with him should have been a release, but now even the thought of doing so made her bristle.

The dress she wore slid easily down her body as she unbuttoned the front. When she reached down to slip off her undergarment, she gasped slightly and all but flinched at the contact Dargus' hands made with her back. She straightened up stiffly and took in a deep breath to drive off her quivering. "It's cold in here," she lied.

"I can turn up the room's heat if you want," Dargus said softly. "Or we can use our bodies to keep each other warm."

Yelara smiled wanly. "I think our bodies should do well enough." She turned around in her husband's embrace and kissed him tenderly, but it felt automatic and devoid of any emotion. She did it simply because it was what a wife did.

"Come on, my Empress," Dargus whispered, "let's get you onto the bed, and I'll get you feeling nice and warm. It won't be long and everything that happened today will just be a distant memory." He helped her onto the bed so that she was lying down, and then straddled her waist so that he could work along the muscles of her back and shoulders. "Isn't this much better?"

Yelara's breath came and went shakily, but still she smiled at Dargus. "It's better, my love. Much better." Her fingers lightly gripped the sheets of the bed, fighting back the urge to throw him off of her. She tried to force away the anxiety and disgust she felt by reminding herself she loved Dargus, but even that wasn't enough comfort.

Dargus continued the massage, increasing the sensuality of it with each passing moment. He wished he had some oils to use, or maybe some exotic scent that would induce arousal. Something to help rid Yelara of her anxiety...well, something other than threatening it out of her. Perhaps he should have the doctor perform the same procedure Keeve had done on Kallia to Yelara. That would certainly end these bouts of stress she went through. "Would you like some music, my love? There's a wonderful channel that plays nothing but Jizz music."

"No," she said. "It's alright. I think maybe we should forget the foreplay. I'm a little tired tonight."

"The foreplay's the best part," Dargus whispered. "But, I guess if you don't want to... You do still want to make love though, right? We do still have a baby to make after all."

Yelara forced back a groan and instead nodded her head. "Of course, my love. I would never refuse you that."

Dargus slipped off the bed and quickly disrobed. He stood for a moment to admire Yelara lying on the bed and then slid down beside her. "I'd like you to be on top tonight, my love. I think it's much better when you're there. Is that alright?"

Yelara rolled over onto her back and regarded Dargus. "Certainly. Whatever you wish, my dear husband." Dispassionately, Yelara pulled herself onto Dargus' waist and gazed down at him, her limp, black curls falling over her face; she was glad for the cover they provided, especially when she slid Dargus inside of her and the silent tears began to fall.

***

Liam Zaneth had tried closing his eyes to the images on the large screen in front of him, but he could hear every word spoken, even whispered. His estimation of Dargus Kandran's cruelty had sunk even lower. Kandran had to be one of the most vile men in the galaxy, a parasite who lived off of the pain and suffering of others.

Certainly. Whatever you wish, my dear husband.

Her voice still affected him, and pain within him blossomed once more. How could he have hurt her so completely? How could he have allowed himself to do such a thing? Yelara saved him from the darkness, and as a result... He cried out, his anguish startling the ysalamiri draped around his neck.

He couldn't help looking at the screen, seeing Yelara moving listlessly, lifelessly atop Dargus. Seeing her with him was one of the most painful experiences Liam had ever experienced, but in their actions there was a glimmer of hope.

The tears falling from her eyes, the way she held her head, it all pointed to something. Liam leaned forward. She...she didn't want to be there. She was hesitant, repulsed. He could see the revulsion in her eyes, could feel it rolling off her like heat on the sands of the desert.

For the first time in a very long time, hope bloomed within Liam Zaneth. As he watched his wife -- yes, she was still his wife! -- riding Dargus Kandran, each thrust an act of defiance, a painful step one must endure to get through such a harsh, terrible circumstance, Liam felt hope again. Hope that they could be together again, that Dargus Kandran hadn't stolen her completely, that perhaps, just perhaps, her love for him hadn't completely died.

Startling the ysalamiri again, Liam laughed. It was a laugh filled with joy, the promise of release and renewal. It was the laughter of hope.

"Organizing the Resistance, Part 1"
By: Kelvin Rixx
Tallan and Velry - ganger NPCs

Location: Thanatos, market square
Date: Eos 17, 4ABY

***

Kelvin and Tee Cee were up with the dawn. Rixx allowed a day to pass since his last run-in with Imperial troops, to allow things to calm somewhat. Now he wanted to get back to the market square again and stake out a better location to run his operation from.

The 'early bird' merchants and salesmen were just starting to set up their places of business, but overall the square was quiet and serene as low sun cast tall shadows. Almost immediately Kelvin saw an empty storefront that seemed relatively intact from the outside. Not an all too uncommon sight considering the fear the New Empire instilled in most people here.

Kelvin walked over to the unoccupied space and peered through the dirty window. Inside he saw that the place had probably been hastily abandoned. There were still chairs set around the border of the main area, and a dusty old wooden desk in the far corner. A hallway led to more rooms in the back. Then he stepped over and tested the door, it was unlocked. Probably broken, he thought. Inside the place smelled musty, old, like it had been unused for at least a few years.

Tee Cee had immediately went into the back to see the rest of the space. He came back after a short time with things to report. "There's four small storage rooms, two to either side of the hall, and a two vehicle bay with rolling doors and a repair pit back there," he said enthusiastically. "What do you think?"

"We've had worse," Kelvin said. He turned in place as he looked around again, then nodded. "Go get the stuff, we're moving in."

Tee Cee smiled and clapped his hands once. "On my way, boss."

After Tee Cee left to retrieve the equipment, Kelvin went back out the front door and cleaned off a large spot on the large front window with a torn rag he'd found inside. Then he pulled out the can of gold quickpaint he'd brought with him, and sprayed a big gold star on the window. When he was finished he walked back inside and began his own tour of the premises.

***

"So, then I pull it out and she goes: 'Is that all you got?'"

Tallan laughed at Velry's falsetto impersonation of the woman he bought the other night. Velry laughed breathlessly and finally managed to continue. "So, I go: 'Is that all? That's nothing!' Then I grab her and spin her around, then I jam it into her and--"

"Hey..." Tallan backhanded Velry's chest, then pointed to the old speeder repair shop, one abandoned after the Imps had seized the owner's possessions and murdered the man for... Well, the Imps didn't need a reason to kill Kir'Thana, they just did.

Velry squinted at the hovel, and noticed the gold star painted onto the window. A figure passed by the opening, and Velry instinctively pulled out his blaster. "Impie?"

"I dunno," Tallan replied. He too armed himself. "Wanna go look see? If we catch one, we can...you know, hold him hostage or something."

Velry shrugged and nodded his head ambiguously.

Tallan sighed and started forward. "Coward..."

"Am not!" Velry shot back.

"Oh shut up! You want him to hear?" Tallan shook his head incredulously as he crept closer to the building. He signalled for Velry to take one side of the door, while he took the other.

Once both reached the building, they pressed their backs to the wall on either side of the cracked, wooden door and Tallan peered inside the window. The figure wasn't in view, but it was still in there. He just knew it. He mouthed a countdown to Velry, and once he hit '1,' Tallan jumped in front of the door and kicked it in...after the fourth try. As it clattered to the ground, Velry charged into the shop, but he barely got two feet inside before his foot caught on the edge of the fallen door and sent him sliding the rest of the way. Tallan could only roll his eyes and groan at their botched attempt at an ambush. Whoever was within the shop no doubt heard their indelicate approach.

"Come on, you idiot," Tallan hissed. "Let's go. We'll get nothing done with your bumbling about everywhere."

Reaching for Tallan's offered hand, Velry struggled to his feet, dusted off his pants, then threw himself flat to the ground again as their intended victim decided to show himself...brandishing a blaster pointed in their direction. Tallan, showing far more resolve than Velry, faced the man, with his blaster aimed squarely at his chest. "You're not an Imp. Good...for you, at least. We might not have to kill you after all."

Kelvin snorted and shook his head slightly. "Very perceptive," he said, "now why don't you explain to me why I shouldn't dust the both of you right here." His voice carried a tone of contempt. "You're obviously not Imperial, or you would've brought more guys." Then he narrowed his eyes at the one pointing the baster at him. "Is this some kind of 'gang turf' thing?" he asked sarcastically.

Tallan shrugged. "Could be. What are you doing in old man Derbo's place?"

I wonder if these guys are with the gangs fighting the Imperials in the streets, Kelvin thought. "Old man Derbo hasn't been here for a while, so this is now my new office." Then he cracked a half smile. "You can call me 'Sheriff Rixx.'"

Tallan broke into a fit of bleating, annoying laughter, Velry readily joining in. "Sheriff? You?" Tallan leaned against Velry as the two continued to share in their jeering laughter. Tallan took in a deep breath to settle himself, then said in between spurts of snickers, "This is Thanatos, Sheriff. No one likes authority here. You'll be dead in an hour if you go around telling people that!"

Velry and Tallan guffawed and wheezed as they carried on displaying their ridicule of the self-proclaimed 'Sheriff.' In another moment, though, Velry's laughter ended abruptly and his jaw opened agape. "Rixx?" he repeated.

Tallan's sniggers grew less and less enthusiastic until they ended completely. He too watched the man before them with a gaping mouth and wide eyes. "Wait...you're...you're the Kelvin Rixx?"

"Unless there's another guy out there running around with my name, yeah."

Tallan's eyes became alight with wonder as if seeing the man in the flesh was a blessed event. He carefully holstered his weapon, much to Velry's confusion, and raised his hands in the air in a show of goodwill. "Oh...wow. We've been looking all over for you!"

"N-Not to kill you, or anything," Velry put in.

"Thank you," Kelvin said sarcastically, "that is very reassuring."

"You know what's going on in Thanatos," Tallan said. "You know we're all doomed if we don't fight back. Me and my gangers have tried, and we're dying out there!"

"Yeah!" Velry interjected. "We've been fighting for our freedom, here. We need your help...Sheriff." He snickered slightly, then cleared his throat and resumed his sober demeanour. "So...will ya?"

Tallan sighed. "We can't pay you anything, but you've gotta see how you're our last chance. The Kir'Thana are gonna be wiped out if we don't do something."

"Little children too!" Velry exclaimed to add an injection of drama into their case. "You've gotta, Sheriff."

Kelvin gave a low chuckle. "I've already been paid or I wouldn't be here." Then he holstered his blaster. "Are you here to volunteer as my first deputies?"

Tallan and Velry exchanged excited glances and beaming smiles, then shoved their blasters back into their holsters. After rushing forward to properly introduce themselves to the Kelvin Rixx, Tallan and Velry further related to him their people's plight, hoping he would be the means of their victory and surivival.