"Fugitives Found"
By: Zale Tregat
Shaza Nightshade
Moril Astren
Keeve Shivral
Saris

Location: Antorial Industries
Date: Selene 17, 5 ABY

***

"What do you mean disappeared," Zale Tregat snarled into the comm. "Send out a team and see if they can pick up the trail. This is going from bad to worse. Are you sure it looks like the work of pirates and not a rival organization?"

"Quite certain," was the reply. "All the signs point to it, and I can't imagine a rival sabotaging us and making it seem like pirates. They all want the credit for themselves. I'll investigate thoroughly, however."

"Good," Zale said with a sigh. "I'll contact the Governing Council and see if that fancy new fleet of theirs can do anything about the pirates. At least it's around Riga, and not here."

"I'm also sending out our couriers and transports with escorts. It's putting a strain on our resources, but better than losing more ships."

"I agree," Zale said. "We'll be ramping up our courier fleet to cover for ourselves and Zenarr. I'll make sure to have Moril recruit some escorts as well." At the other side of the desk, Moril nodded and noted the addition. "Keep us posted."

"Of course, Zale."

As the connection ended, Zale leaned back in his chair and shook his head. "I don't know what draws trouble to this place, but we sure get plenty of it. Do we have any other information about them?"

Moril called the data up. "Sprung up around Riga three months ago and have been raiding supply lines and shipping lanes. They tend to avoid more than three ships, provided they're armed. No one knows where they're operating from, but it has to be close by. We're not sure yet if their ships are hyperdrive equipped, and when they've been destroyed there hasn't been much left to analyze. All of our rivals, as well as other corporate fleets and couriers, have been losing ships as well. As soon as an official ship shows, they vanish. Of course, the military isn't equipped to patrol their normal routes and keep the shipping lanes secure."

Zale rubbed his hand over his eyes as the door opened admitting Keeve followed by Saris. Zale gave the young man a smile. "You're right on time. She should be connecting through the HoloNet in just a minute."

Shaza Nightshade was the 'she' to which he referred, and for the last two months she'd contact them once a week for a meeting over a holographic interface. Each of the chairs in the room was equipped with a holo-transceiver. For the last several weeks, Keeve had been attending the meetings as well. There had been no news yet, but the meetings kept them all informed.

Saris set a tray of caffe and pastries on the edge of the desk, as she normally did. Then, she settled herself into the seat between Moril's and the one Keeve would be using.

"You seem stressed," Keeve commented to Zale, though with an amused smile. "Anything you can't handle?"

"Just things not being resolved as quickly as I'd like," Zale said. "Pirates along the Riga route are acting up again, and we lost a shipment yesterday. Nothing we can't sort out, however."

Keeve halted before he could seat himself fully, and frowned. "That's the route Kim's on right now. Is she at risk?"

"She's got a good ship, and she knows her stuff, even if she doesn't remember it," Zale said. "I'm sure she'll be fine. If anything, I'd be worried about the pirates."

Keeve chuckled weakly and relaxed slightly. "Do you mind if I blame you if anything happens to her?"

"I don't see how that would be different from anything else," Zale said with a grin. "If you'd like we can monitor her progress in the situation room for her entire trip."

Keeve nodded his thanks, quickly regretting his decision to give Kim the assignment. Yet, it did leave him time to become more involved in the search for Shiv and Kaysa. "Any news?" he asked. "It seems like there hasn't been any for a long while."

Zale checked the time. "She should be ca--"

"Incoming transmission," Moril announced. "Looks like Coruscant this week. Next week, she'll probably be in the deep core."

"Alright, let's get this underway."

Moril activated the holosystems and the shimmering blue form of Shaza Nightshade resolved itself seated upon the empty chair at the end of the desk.

Before any pleasantries could be exchanged, she leaned forward in her chair. "I have news," she said. "They're on Coruscant. And, they're still alive and as healthy as can be under the circumstances."

"Thank the gods," Saris whispered. In her relief, the excitement at the news was clear to see as she squeezed both Keeve and Moril's hands tightly.

In the center of the table, Zale was stunned, staring almost dumbfounded at Shaza. "Coruscant," he whispered.

Keeve, on the other hand, was made far more vocal in his surprise. "What the hells are they doing there?!"

"That's where Vrax Draydge took them," Shaza said. "I haven't been able to get too close, but I have been able to observe some of what's going on. I have only been able to glimpse Kaysa through windows. The one called Tav disappeared a couple days ago and hasn't returned. Vrax comes and goes at all hours of the day, doing what I haven't been able to determine, but I plan to. Maeren..." She glanced at Keeve with a pained expression. "Maeren has been forced into the life of a joygirl. She works and they get all the money."

This, for once, silenced Keeve, who stared numbly past the flickering image of Shaza. She'd given up, that much was obvious, but had his cruelty driven her to it? Keeve shook his head dejectedly and whispered, "We have to get them out of there...now."

"I agree," Zale said with a firm nod. "Shaza, we're going to begin preparations for a trip to Coruscant. I expect us to be out of here within the next few days. We'll update you on our plans as we know them. If there's anything you can do beforehand without jeopardizing their lives--"

"I'll do it," Shaza said. "They keep a close watch. I had thought to procure Maeren's services for an hour or two, but decided against a liaison. If she knew I was here and what we were planning, it might jeopardize hers and Kaysa's life. I will remain vigilant, and if something does happen that threatens their lives, I will act to get them free immediately. Until then, I will wait for you. I'm sending an encoded packet with the data I've gathered so far."

As she initiated the transfer, Keeve leaned in towards Zale, his eyes deadly serious. "I'm going there. Whatever team you send...I need to be on it. Maeren...she'll need a familiar face when we rescue them."

"You were already on," Zale said. "Whether or not you wanted to go, you were on the team. Me, you, Moril, and Saris are the core at the moment. We'll be having a planning meeting tomorrow morning; make sure you're here. You'll also want to talk to Kim before we head out. We set the plan in the morning, we're out of here before sunfall tomorrow night. I still need to choose the rest of the team from people I can trust from my security force."

"You think we'll face that much opposition?" Keeve asked with a smirk. "This Vrax Draydge is nothing more than a sick psychopath. What sort of connections could he possibly have?"

"Do you want the short list or the long one," Zale asked. "He managed to get people inside Antorial, he managed to kidnap two women who hate him fanatically, and he managed to get them off the planet despite a very thorough search. From what we've seen so far, his people are very loyal to him and are willing to endure torture or worse to keep his secrets. He may just be a sick psychopath, Keeve, but I'm not taking any chances. Do you really want to bank all your credits on this being easy and risk Maeren's life? I'm not willing to do that for either of them."

"We can't just march onto the planet with a shipful of soldiers," Keeve pointed out. "If this Draydge man is as careful as you suggest, then he'll have people watching out for anything suspicious. He could have them off the planet before we even get a chance to search for Kaysa and Maeren."

"That's why we won't be taking a shipful of soldiers," Zale said. "And, we've got our own person watching him, so if they try to bolt, we'll get a warning. If you think I'm going to just charge in with guns blazing, you're wrong. All I can ask, Keeve, is that you trust me. I do know what I'm doing, and seeing my wife killed is the last thing I want. I intend to rescue them, get them free of Vrax, and then teach him a lesson he can carry with him into the next life."

As eagerly as Keeve wished to do the same, one question he dreaded asking but knew required voicing was, "And what if they don't want to be rescued? They ran off on us, Zale. If they still have reason to hate us for whatever the hells it is we did, we can't just drag them back here against their will."

"As much as it would tear my heart out to hear it, I would rather know that was the case...rather than never knowing," Zale said. "Even so, I can't imagine Kaysa or Maeren ever wanting to willingly stay with someone like Vrax. But, we will know the truth of it soon enough."

"I guess this means Aria needs another babysitter," Keeve quipped, but with very little mirth in his smile. "She'll be almost as bad off as I was in my youth if we don't stop juggling her. She deserves at least a little stability."

"I'll ask Kim if she's willing to watch her while we're away," Zale said. "Hopefully things will settle down once we return, and I can be the father she deserves."

Keeve's expression soured when he stated, "And she won't grow up thinking Merrick's mistress is her true mother. She's spent a lot of time with Aria these past few months. I'd feel threatened if I were you."

"What would you have me do, Keeve," Zale snapped. "Kaysa just left, and I can't just stop everything in my life to devote myself to caring for Aria. You're lucky, Kallia just takes care of her children, and you can play daddy when it's convenient for you. I work during the day, and try to spend some time, any time, with my daughter at night. I get help where I can and when I can to keep my life held together no matter how much it's fraying at the edges."

"I know," Keeve assured Zale, sighing contritely. "I just don't want her to suffer like I did...and I don't want you to become angry and bitter for missing out on your time with her like Kaysa did." He grinned at his almost-father. "You're bad enough as it is without all the angst."

"I do spend as much time as I can with her," Zale said. "I think she's about ready to start crawling."

"We'll be home before then...and if not, we'll make sure Kim records Aria's every waking moment so you don't miss a thing."

"I still haven't made it through the last batch of recordings of Hope she sent me," Zale said as he rolled his eyes. "It's hard to believe that she works full time and has enough time to record practically everything your reisakitten does."

With a smile of endearment, Keeve rose while saying, "At least she hasn't sent you those hours of holofilm she took capturing every snowfall last winter. She wanted to see, despite all the naysayers, if she could find two identical snowflakes." He chuckled. "I think she's still reviewing the footage."

Zale reached up and rested his hand on Keeve's shoulder. "We will get through this, Keeve," he said. "And, we'll get them away from Vrax. We need to be a family again."

"Does that mean we should tell Merrick about all of this? Does he even care anymore?"

"He does still care," Zale said. "And we should tell him. Some bad things happened between him and Kaysa, such that Merrick can't go back to that. But, he still loves her and is still very concerned about her safety."

One corner of Keeve's mouth curled into a challenging smile as he asked, "Are we going to fight for who gets the honour of disturbing Merrick and Ms. D'vrishay's roll through the sheets to tell him?"

Zale barked a laugh. "When you decide you don't want to like someone, you really pull out all the stops, don't you? There are some days when I can't see that little ten-year old boy in you at all, and then there are days like today."

"And those are the good days, aren't they, Zaletregat?"

"I think they may be, Keeve," he said. "I think they may be."

He mimed a troubled frown and told Zale, "Does this mean I have to inform Merrick?"

"Do you promise to be good," Zale asked.

Keeve cocked an eyebrow. "Do I have to?"

"Do you really want to be the subject of Merrick's next revenge song?"

Rolling his eyes, Keeve relented. "I'll do it, though...if I walk in on either of them naked, you'll be paying my psychiatrist bills." Setting all jokes aside, Keeve extended a hand to Zale and said solemnly, "We'll get them back...or die trying."

Zale accepted Keeve's handshake with a grin. "Get yourself packed up and talk to Kim as soon as you can," he said. "I can have Moril set up a HyperNet link if you need to. Voice only, but should be able to connect with her quickly. This time of day, Merrick should be at The Noise, so you have a good chance, about half, of not finding them naked."

"I don't think I like those odds," Keeve warned, but departed for the door with a grin. "I'll contact you with the details. Hopefully he won't be a stubborn jerk and I won't have to pummel him."

"And he won't be forced to defend himself," Zale said as he pressed a hand into the small of his back with a wince at the remembered pain.

Keeve smirked confidently. "I can handle a pansy musician...unless his girlfriend's a pitfighter, then I'm in trouble." With the atmosphere in Zale's office lighter than it had been following Shaza's report, Keeve decided it was best to take his leave, hoping that he had left Zale in good cheer, as much as he could be in the situation.

For a brief moment, Zale considered chasing after Keeve to let him know that Merrick's ability to defend himself shouldn't be underestimated. But then he decided it would be better for Keeve if he didn't; after all, experience was the best teacher.

He turned back to Moril and Saris, who were still conferring with each other to finalize some of the details from the information they'd received from Shaza.

"Well," Zale asked.

"We've got our work cut out for us," Moril said with a nod. "But, odds of success are really good."

Zale nodded his approval. "Good, let's get working on it. Meet back here in the morning to finalize the details, and then we're out of here as soon as all arrangements are settled."

With that, the three dispersed to put the plan into motion according to the datapads Moril handed each.

---

"Just So You Know..."
By: Merrick Braston
Analesse D'vrishay
Zale Tregat

Location: Merrick's Apartment, New Plouton
Date: Selene 17, 5 ABY

***

"I think her diaper needs changing again...or maybe she's hungry." Analesse D'vrishay mumbled pensively to herself as the fussing child in her arms sobbed miserably. As much time as she'd spent with Aria Tregat over the past months, Analesse found herself still artless in matters of childcare. She attempted helplessly to soothe the young girl, glancing towards the doorway in the hopes that Merrick would have answered her calls for assistance.

"Aria," Analesse pleaded, "I'm sorry, I don't know what you want. I'm just a businesswoman - go easy on me." The baby screeched and squirmed with increased effort.

From the other end of the room, Merrick Braston appeared looking concerned. If it was possible to look even more concerned, his face reflected it when he noticed the troubles Analesse was having with Aria. "Hey, she sounds very unhappy," he said. "That was Zale. Aria will be happy to know that he'll be stopping by soon to visit. He and some others are going to be heading out of system tomorrow. They've found them. They've found Kaysa and Maeren."

Aria went unnoticed in that instance while Analesse stared at Merrick in bewilderment. It was another moment before she found her voice. "Wha-- Are they alright? Where are they?"

"Coruscant," Merrick answered. "Probably the hardest place to find them, but Zale's people managed it. They're leaving as soon as they can tomorrow, and Zale wanted us to know about it."

"You're not going?" The surprise in her voice was unmistakable. "He didn't ask you to join him?"

Merrick shook his head. "I'd be useless there," he said. "In any case, my place is here. I'm sure they'll do what they need to do, and they'll come back with Kaysa and Maeren."

Analesse smiled, hoping she didn't appear too pleased. "Then would you like to come here and help me calm Aria?"

"Happy to," Merrick said as he approached, holding his arms open for the little one. "We don't want her to be fussing up a storm when Zale gets here."

"I shouldn't be here when he does," Analesse suggested. "I don't want him believing your decision to remain was upon my insistence."

"He already knew I'd be staying here," Merrick said. "I don't want you hiding from them, Lessa. It's not fair to you."

She smirked. "I'll decide that. It's fair if I'm the one making the suggestion. Besides, there's some paperwork at the office I need to review before meeting with the lawyers tomorrow morning."

"I'd prefer to have you here with me," Merrick said. "We can go into the office together."

Stroking Aria's cheek delicately, Analesse answered, "Okay. But are you really fine with all this?"

"I'm perfectly fine with it," Merrick said. "This is my choice and one I make because I want to. I want Kaysa to be brought back safely, but my place in the rescue...it's not necessary. I can make my peace with Kaysa, and deal with the fallout once she's back here. But, I don't want you worrying that I'm going back to her. I'm with you, and that's that."

"I'm not worried," she told him with an openly searching gaze. "I just hope you're sure this is what you want. But we'll only know for certain when you face your wife once again."

"We will," Merrick said as Aria tried to grab his nose. "Come on, let's see if she needs a new diaper."

Chuckling softly, she slid her hand over Merrick's back and began, together, towards Aria's nursery. "Are we attending the ball this weekend?" she asked as they set about checking Aria's diaper. "We don't have to, but it might be a good idea to make an appearance. If we don't, Reinrich will think he's managed to scare us into hiding."

"I think we should go," Merrick said. "It'll be a nice change from the renovations. And, anything to stick it to Reinrich."

"There is that," she allowed, an impish smile curling her lips, "and it'll save me from having to return that skimpy dress I bought for the occasion."

"Oh, yes that is a very good reason," Merrick said with a wide grin. "And, while we are having our night out on the town, if Zale isn't back yet, Kim'll get a chance to look after Aria. I think she's been hoping for a chance for a bit now."

"Then tell her she's hired for this weekend." Analesse nuzzled her lips to Merrick's throat as he changed Aria's diaper. "The entire weekend...if you're free."

"I am now," Merrick said as he grinned. "Not that I wasn't before, but I'm most definitely now. And, I think we need to start having more entire weekend weekends. And with the White Noise getting closer to finished, I think we'll be finding ourselves with much more time on our hands."

"Does that mean I'll have more time for my other suitors?" She chuckled lowly.

"Well, we will have more time to spend together, so you will have to schedule your time with your other suitors more carefully, I believe," Merrick said with a teasing grin. "And, do know that I will not be making it easy upon them to find the time."

"I guess I won't be dancing with anyone other than you, hm?" Draping her arms over his shoulders from behind and smoothing her hands across Merrick's chest, Analesse whispered into his ear, "Once Aria's asleep, you think we could...."

"I know we can," Merrick said with a roguish grin. "I don't think it should be long before she is asleep. Though, she's all clean now." With a flourish, he finished closing up her diaper.

"And if Zale arrives in the middle?"

"We can leave a note for him," Merrick said. "You don't suppose he'd be upset over that, do you?"

"In that case...." A sultry, sideways look was cast Merrick's way as Analesse moved off. "I'll meet you in the bedroom." And making alluring use of her swaying hips, Analesse sauntered from the room, calling back, "Don't keep me waiting too long."

"Why look at that," Merrick said while he looked down at Aria as she yawned, "falling asleep already. Come along little one. Time for a nap while you wait for papa."

He waited with Aria for several minutes as she closed her eyes and finally drifted off into sleep. Once he was certain she was sleeping, he slipped off to spend some much needed time with Analesse.

***

"Come on," Analesse wheedled Merrick once again. "Just one. Please?" Laying her long, bare leg across Merrick's waist and pressing her warm bosom against his chest, Analesse kissed Merrick's shoulder sensuously, hoping to fuel her appeals with enough enticement to finally break Merrick's resolve. She smiled up at him, green eyes still half-lidded and drowsy from the bliss they'd shared. Still, Analesse wanted more. "Why can't I have it? Did all your other women get one?"

"You can," Merrick said. "Just give me a moment to catch my breath. Sometimes, such spontaneity can be very tricky with these sorts of matters. Hard and fast or slow and rough?"

She tittered with laughter and pinched Merrick's arm. "I'm talking about a song, Merrick! Will you or won't you give it to me?"

"I will," Merrick said. "But, what kind of song do you want? Here, how about--" Before he could say more, the front ringer sounded. "Oh, I don't know. I don't really like that song."

Analesse grimaced. "Neither do I. Do you want me to get it?" Her captivating smile returned to entice Merrick, while her hand slipped down between the sheets. "In case you needed time to recover," she breathed, "of course."

"Yes, you go ahead," Merrick said with a chuckle. "If it's something important, like Zale getting to spend time with his daughter, it'll take a couple minutes for me to get presentable, especially after you ripped my pants getting them off."

"It's your own fault," she accused, though her mischievous grin revealed no hint of remorse. "Next time, get a pair with far less secure fastenings." And placing Merrick further into a compromising position with a deep, engrossing kiss, Analesse pulled her hand free of the sheets and slid out of bed. Tossing Merrick coy, inviting looks as she retrieved a silky robe from the closet, Analesse told him, "I'll get my song later, one way or the other." The thin material clung to and accentuated all of Analesse's sumptuous curves as the robe was tied into place. "Unless you don't want me to finish what I've started."

"Oh, you'll get your song," Merrick said with a laugh. "You'll get a whole album worth. Now go on before I can't make myself presentable for guests."

Analesse shrugged innocently and left Merrick alone on the bed to tend to his arousal. Striding across the living area, Analesse combed her fingers through her sweat-dampened and disheveled curls, and was nearly presentable when she opened the door for Zale. She smiled in greeting. "Merrick's indisposed right now...but come in and have a drink while we wait for him."

"Thank you," Zale said. "A drink would be great. Was Aria alright for you? She's been fussier than usual lately. I took her in to see the doctor to make sure everything's alright, but the tests aren't back yet. Did I mention I was having a nursery constructed adjoining my office? That way I can bring her with me."

Analesse halted during his rambling discourse and turned again to face Zale when they had neared the living area. She smiled at him faintly. "Are you alright? Merrick's told me everything, but not how you were holding up."

"I'm holding," Zale said. "It'll all be over in a few days. I still have a little more to work out, then I need to sleep before we meet in the morning." He sighed and shook his head. "It's not easy...going through this. I don't know who I'll find when I finally find Kaysa, whether she'll even want to see me, or if she'll...if that's where she wants to be."

"You don't really believe that. How could anyone be happy away from their family and loved ones?" Analesse gave his shoulder a comforting squeeze before moving off to the drink cabinet while Zale found himself a seat in the living area. "You can't assume anything, Zale," she continued. "That'll only dishearten you and jeopardize what you're trying to do."

"I know," Zale said. "And you're very right. That seems to be Keeve's favourite thing to point out, it's hard to ignore when he's around. Kaysa couldn't choose that. I know she wasn't happy, but she'd never willingly choose that. Maybe some wild parties, but...to permanently leave with Vrax? Never."

"Then there's nothing to worry about." Raising two glasses, Analesse smiled and carried Zale's drink to him. "You've got the element of surprise on your side. This should go well, shouldn't it?"

"It should," Zale said. "All I can do is stick to the plan and hope that as little as could go wrong does. We'll get them back, though. One way or another."

"And while you're doing that" --she seated herself beside Zale and gently knocked her glass against his-- "Aria will be well taken care of, so don't worry about her. Just focus on the mission."

"Thank you," Zale said as he took a sip. "And, once she's safely back here, I'll do my best to help Kaysa forget about Merrick, so that you and Merrick can have your life together. I know we got off to a bad start those many months ago, but I want you to know that I am very happy to have your friendship now. And for that, I am once again indebted to Merrick for intervening."

"I'm not so bad," Analesse insisted playfully. "I just like to have my way in business...and with Merrick." She chuckled.

"I'm guessing that's what I interrupted with my arrival," Zale said with a grin.

"And, I'll never forgive you for it," came Merrick Braston's voice as he entered the room. "You'll be happy to know your daughter is sleeping peacefully in her new diaper."

"So, you got it on the right way this time?"

"I'm a singer, not a nanny, Zale," Merrick said with a chuckle. "And, yes the right way. Analesse helped."

"Which is why you won't have to worry about her while you're away," she reiterated. "What Merrick doesn't know, I do and vice versa. So, we'll manage."

"I'm glad to hear that," Zale said with a relieved nod. "Though, I get to spend tonight with her. If you don't mind."

"Well, I think she wants to spend her night with you," Merrick said. "Whenever you need to, in the morning, you can stop by to drop her off."

"I'll go pack up her things now while you two speak." Analesse rose, smiled at both men - Merrick receiving a long, significant look - then moved off towards Aria's room.

As she started off into the other room, the hushed tones of Zale and Merrick talking could be heard. The conversation sounded easy and unforced, two friends talking and confiding. The end of the long road to find Kaysa and Maeren was finally in sight, and there was a hope for both that all would finally set to right. Zale would find his wife again, Aria would have her mother, and Merrick would finally find closure to his failed relationship with Kaysa. Though, Merrick's greatest fear in the whole matter was that when rescued, Kaysa would be hurt worse than she'd already hurt him.

***

"There she is," was the deep baritone of Zale Tregat as they entered Aria's room. The little one was in Analesse's arms with a bag of her things over the other shoulder. Aria squeaked happily at seeing her father stepping close to her with a loving, proud smile on his face. "When I get back, I'm taking the two of you out to dinner."

"Is Merrick invited?" she quipped, then handed Zale his baby girl. "She misses you. I think it's why she's often grumpy."

"I think she's just afraid that Merrick will put her diaper on backwards again when she knows it has to be changed," Zale said. "And, of course he's invited."

"Then I can't wait." Watching father and daughter cuddling, Analesse noted fondly, "She looks like you. I've only met Kaysa once or twice...but is Aria anything like her?"

"She is," Zale said as he gazed down into his daughter's eyes. "Aria has her eyes, and her smile."

"Then I'm certain Kaysa didn't willingly leave Aria behind," Analesse whispered. "Which means I'll have to make sure to buy Aria the prettiest dress that exists on Tae'Karada for her mother's homecoming." She squinted and crinkled her nose at Aria's short, tightly curled hair and added, "I'll see about a 'do. Your daughter has the most unruly hair I've ever seen. Must be something to do with her father's excitable personality." She smiled teasingly.

"Who's excitable?" Zale chuckled. He ran a hand through his braids. "She's got my hair...we just haven't been able to braid it yet."

"I'm sure I can think of something," Analesse mused, brushing her fingers through the girl's dark curls. "Everything's packed and ready for her. She might need another feeding in an hour - that'll help her sleep through the night. And don't forget to change her one last time before you put her down."

"I'll remember," Zale said with a grin. "And, I've got a few discs of Merrick Braston songs to help her sleep. She loves music, you know. Merrick should do some songs for children and babies. It'd be perfect."

"But not before I get my song." Slipping the pack off her shoulders, Analesse approached Zale and hitched the strap over his. "Good luck tomorrow," she told him sincerely. "If you need me to take care of anything at Antorial..."

"I'd appreciate that," Zale said as he adjusted the pack. "With both Moril and I going, I've got Tel keeping tabs on things and his focus is centered on security. I'll try to handle as much as I can in transit over the HoloNet, but if you want to check in.... I'll prep some notes for you and drop them off with Aria in the morning."

Analesse nodded duteously then grinned. "Relax...I'll manage. I do run an entire corporation, Zale. I think I'll surprise you."

"While that is true," Zale said with a grin, "there are some particulars regarding Antorial that you might want some information for. People, places, and what's supposed to be happening with each. But, I have complete faith that you'll manage things perfectly in my absence."

"You'll soon find that Zale is mostly full of hot air," Merrick said with a mirthful chuckle, "and it's Moril who actually runs the show. Why, I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't contact Moril as soon as he leaves to have him prepare the information for you."

"Whoever's running the place," Analesse told them both, "I'll still do my best."

"And I have every confidence in you," Zale said. "And, as much as I would like to stay here and continue chatting, and I really would like to, I think I should get my beautiful daughter home for some father-daughter bonding, and then some sleep." He kissed Aria's cheek as she reached in and grabbed hold of several of his braids.

"If I don't see you before you leave, good luck." Analesse smiled warmly, then kissed Aria's cheek before departing to find more appropriate clothing, as well as give the two men a moment to themselves.

Zale turned to face Merrick and sighed.

"You'll bring them home," Merrick said. "When Kaysa gets here, telling her is going to be the hardest thing I've ever done in my life, but I want her to come safely home. Maeren too. And you'll bring them."

"Thank you for your confidence," Zale said.

"Thank you for understanding," Merrick added.

"I know you have to move on. I know that if you were to go, it'd be going backwards. We'll get this done, and if you need any help once we're back, you're on your own."

Merrick chuckled. "Stay safe and I know you'll get the job done. I'll see you in the morning."

"Thanks again, Merrick. I couldn't ask for a better friend."

"Remember that always," Merrick said. "No matter what happens, I'll always be your friend." He let Aria grasp his finger as he kissed the top of her head. "See you in the morning too, little one."

He walked Zale to the door and saw him off before returning to Analesse. "He's off home for some sleep."

"He needs it." Analesse proffered Merrick a mug of steaming caffe she'd brewed. "He'll be fine. He's got Aria to take care of him." She smiled.

"She is the cutest little thing, isn't she?"

Analesse nodded emphatically, a wistful look softening her features. "I know I'm not ready for one yet, but I think I would be happy with a little girl, myself."

Merrick chuckled. "I was just wondering what ours would look like," he said. "I think quite adorable. For now, we can get our practice with Aria so we're ready."

"You're already thinking that far ahead?" she asked in mild surprise. "We haven't even fully moved in together. I still own my apartment."

"I don't know if I'd say that I'm thinking that far ahead," Merrick said with a laugh. "Are you telling me you haven't wondered?"

She shrugged and murmured, "Not really," while averting her eyes to her own mug of caffe.

"Oh really," Merrick said with a bemused grin. "Not really implies that there may be a little bit of really in there."

"I don't quite have that maternal instinct yet," she dismissed. She concealed a smile by sipping her caffe.

"Well," Merrick said, "I still need to work at making certain I get the diaper on the right way."

"Then we have a lot to figure out before then." Her keen, verdant eyes watched Merrick from beneath curled lashes. "If you're not too dispirited after Zale's visit...did you want to finish up what was interrupted?" She smiled facetiously and added, "You know...practice...."

Merrick cast her a teasing grin as he took one of her hands into his. "I guess you don't really need to go to the office, do you?"

"Not in this robe I don't," she replied silkily.

"Oh, well, go ahead and step on back into the bedroom, and let's get you out of that robe," Merrick said with a slight quirk of his eyebrows.

"My," she commented sarcastically, "aren't you a take-charge man today." Coyly, Analesse sauntered off, tossing a single inviting smile Merrick's way. "Let's see that enthusiasm in action, hm?"

"You're on," Merrick said. With a roguish smile, he closed the door behind him as he entered the bedroom behind her. "Just make sure you hold onto something because the ride's going to get very exciting from here."

Analesse chuckled and taunted, "You're all talk, Mr. Braston. Though" --her robe pooled around her feet as Analesse pulled Merrick closer-- "I'd rather hear you sing," she whispered.

"My dear," he crooned as they sank onto the bed together, "this is going to be a duet."

---

"Submerging Into The Underworld - Part I"
by Kel Denab
and Selena Rellik

Location: New Plouton Starport
Date: Selene 17, 4 ABY

***

Kel sat the speeder down at a set of coordinates that he and Selena had worked out prior to her departure those few days ago. They had agreed to at least meet here, if nothing else, than to see how Kel was doing in his search. The pieces of the puzzle were still falling into place, and he still did not know who he really was... it was getting unnerving, to say the least. He hopped out, and leaned up against it, waiting for her to show.

"You're late," she called out from behind him. She saw him turn to meet her eyes and gave him a nod. "So, what have you found out?" she decided to ask.

"A little more of my memory returned, but not much else that I could think of," Kel said, shaking his head a bit. "I now have the full sequence of breaking into the room, her saying 'it wasn't what I thought' and then me shooting her. There was a definite feeling of anguish there," he said, shrugging. "There's a lot more to this than just cold blooded murder.. there's more, I can tell. I can tell I loved my sister, but what I did, it felt like I had to..for whatever reason..."

"What about any new leads?" Selena asked. After all, if there was nothing else, then it seemed like they only had the secret underwater base that belonged to the collective known as 'The Group' to go on. And if the late Keltus Morgan was right, then one of the Administrators for 'The Group' should be present. All in all, they would at least try to figure out what Kel did to them to have such a large bounty on his head.

"No new leads, looks like we have to head to that base," Kel said to her. "Seems that people don't seem to know who this secretive group is. Or, if they do, they're not saying anything," he told her, shrugging.

"Well, the information cost Keltus Morgan his life... And he was willing to lose half a million credits so that he wouldn't sell them out. Let us hope that this information is correct," she answered. "Plus, we have yet another problem to solve, which is how to get there unseen and unnoticed. I believe if we're spotted the one in charge will probably flee the place before we reach him. Any ideas?"

Kel thought for a moment. "There are most likely cargo runs to that place. The best thing to do might be to figure out what transports are heading there, and either stow away or capture one of them," he said. "Our ace in the hole is they don't know who you are, so if any communication is needed, you could do the talking."

"True... But we don't want to get caught snooping around. One thing I've learned is to keep a low profile when searching for information... Anything that is supposed to be a secret always seems to get to the ears of the unwanted faster than expected," she replied. "Perhaps we should check the shipping manifest on the mainframe. I'll distract whatever guards there are, giving you time to access the computer. Check which ships stop here to pick up cargo that might suit what we're looking for. They should carry out mainly supplies and possibly drop something else off when they land. Probably something uncharted," she stated. "Any questions?"

Kel nodded, listening to her. "Sounds good to me," he said. He looked around, and spotted the main docking computer area. "Looks like over there," he added.

Selena nodded and made a sign as if to tell Kel to wait. She took a quick glance around and noticed that there was only one port attendant nearby. A medium sized man who seemed to be in his late forties. Greasy looking fellow with short clipped greyish hair and an even greasier monkey suit. She made her way over to him, smiling in a friendly fashion. She knew that her looks appealed to most men, and this one was no exception. He smiled right back at her.

"Hi there," she greeted. "You the port authority?" she asked.

"Yeah, I work here. What can I do for you?" the man asked back.

"Well, I seem to have a problem with my vessel," she said, in a rather shy manner. "But I'm really bad with engines, and wouldn't know how to fix one if my life depended on it. I guess that's not what someone with a vessel should say, but..."

"No worries... We can take a look at it," the man smiled. "For a modest price, for such a pretty lady."

"Oh, thank you..." she said as she placed her arm around the man. "You know, I always find men who know their way around engines so...smart and masculine."

The port mechanic grinned. It must be his lucky day. "Well, why don't you show me this ship of yours then? And maybe I can buy you a drink afterwards, eh?" he tried.

"Possibly..." she smiled as she led him out of the area. And without turning back she motioned for Kel to make his move. He wouldn't have much time, but hopefully it would be more than enough to find out what they needed to learn.

Kel waited until they moved, and quickly but silently made his way to the computer system. Sitting down, he noticed that the mechanic had stayed logged in. Idiot, he thought to himself. He began typing quickly, and started scanning through the documents. Ah ha, he thought to himself. There was an unmarked ship that made regular dockings,dropping off such things as foodstuffs, and aquatic vehicle parts.

Not much use for aquatic parts during regular shipments. Kel made a quick download onto his datapad, and hurried out of the area, taking up residence sitting on a bench.

Not too far after that, Selena walked back out, alone. She made her way over to Kel Denab. "Did you find what we were looking for?"

He held up the datapad, and smiled. "Most likely," Kel said to her. "Check this out, submersible parts regularly delivered, and not on the official manifest that is transmitted to the local authorities," he told Selena.

"Let me see that," she asked. Taking the datapad into her hands she viewed it's information for a while. "Yes... Indeed there are key elements here. This would seem to be exactly what we're looking for. Now, for the time schedules..." she commented as she scrolled the information they now had.

"Ok, a ship is currently docked and should leave in about ten minutes or so. That means that we have to find a way to get inside, unseen, and stow into their underwater base."

"What I'd give for a personal stealth field," Kel commented. "But, since we don't have those, we'll have to sneak our way onboard, which might not be easy, especially if they have any sort of onboard sensors. Any ideas about that?" he asked, motioning her to follow as they headed towards the docking areas.

"Yes," Selena nodded as she started to walk. "Sensors can be reconfigured to ignore certain signals. And for each sensor frequency there is an opposite signal to nullify the first. That is why cargo ships can sometimes surpass sensor sweeps and store illegal cargo. Alas, this is a measure that only works when you know the original scanning frequency, which means that we will have to tap into the ship's computer sensors or mainframe to find that out," she explained. "But first we must get inside their ship. Come, the best way would be to get into one of the containers that they are transporting. Once inside we can deal with the rest."

"Good idea. A sensor blip will just appear to be an anomaly, nothing more," Kel said to her. "Ok, these are tagged for that vessel, let's have a look." Kel started looking around, along with Selena. A few minutes later, he called her over to him. "This looks like the only one big enough to carry us," he said, pointing to a box that was about 3 meters by 3 meters by 2 meters. "It'll be a tight fit," he said to her.

"Better a tight fit than no fit," she commented. "Come on, let's get inside quick before we're noticed," she added as she climbed in. Once inside along with Kel, she closed the top lid so that the crate would seem undisturbed. "Now, no funny business, Mr. Denab. Just because we're tight here, doesn't give you an excuse to try and take advantage. I can recall more than five different ways in which to kill you at a such short distance," she warned him.

Kel laughed a little. "I wasn't even thinking it...err, well, I mean you're beautiful, but I wasn't thinking of doing anything like that. That would be highly improper," he said, trying to backtrack a little as they were seated beside each other, in complete darkness. At least there was constant airflow through the container, so they would not start roasting in the confines of the packing crate. At least it was 3 meters in height, so there was plenty of space to sit up.

The crate was well secured in the cargo area of the transport, but it was still possible to feel the ship moving about, as it took off from the starport, and from there into the water and down. It was impossible to see exactly were they were going, but not impossible to hear what was going on in the cargo area. Once it was clear of noises, Selena got up slowly and nudged the top lid just to peek around.

Alone inside the cargo area, she signalled for Kel Denab to stay quiet and remain still. They still had to avoid the sensors, which meant not moving about too much on top of other things. Luckily enough, ship computer scanning systems always ran on a fiberwire that surrounded the ship's structure. One didn't exactly have to get into the mainframe area to tap into it. But she still needed to be careful.

Selena took a small vibroblade and stripped one of the wires free of its rubber bands. She then attached a small padd to the main wire and started to check. It only took a few moments to get into the mainframe. She couldn't alter anything, but she had access to seeing what was inside. And that much included the frequency that she needed to know. She disconnected from the mainframe and sat back down, closing the lid behind her. She then set the padd to transmit the opposite signal, which would render the scanners blind to their position.

"Now, all we have to do is wait to get there..." she commented in a whisper.

"Fantastic, and how long can that be?" he said softly, more of a comment than a question. All this just to figure out what the hell was going on...

---

"She Needs a Major Overhaul"

By: Brenna Hennely - Smuggler
Marsar Tilmit - Copilot and Partner NPC+

Location: New Plouton, Yelldon District Starport
Date: Selene 17, 5 ABY

***

Brenna sat in the cockpit of her ship and looked over the controls. A day had passed since her father's warning and she was still on edge. Bounty hunters had been a small problem in the past for her but with Marsar's jackass of a brother waving a massive bounty in there faces, it wasn't looking too good. Brenna remembered what Marsar had told her about her older brother, how he had tried to kill her but instead stabbed her and left her for dead on the Plains of Dantooine. She shook her head to clear her mind and looked over the control console again. "Mar, do you have the weapons system fixed yet?" she asked There was a brief silence before she responded.

"Give me a few seconds, those pirates did a number on the wiring back here, it's going to take ma awhile before I figure out what they severed back here." The comm responded followed by the bark of Carbuncle. Brenna shook her head, still regretting caving in to Marsar and her pet pleading. Brenna leaned back in the pilot's seat and tapped the console impatiently. After a few minutes her radio crackled. "Try power up now.....make sure it's slow though, don't want to get blown to pieces here." Brenna slowly eased out of her seat and walked over to Mar's console and began typing away at the controls. After a few seconds she smiled then clicked on her comlink.

"Weapons are back online Mar, great job," she said removing a datapad from her pocket and placing a checkmark next to it. "That's one less problem to worry about, we still have the shields and engines to worry about." She looked at the system readout then looked to the weapon status board. "I'm reading 50% less power to the Ion cannon, can you explain that," she asked. She waited for a response.

"I had to bypass a few things down here to check something. if you want it completely fixed then we need some new cables and such, they sliced them to pieces down here, I can't do a patch job no matter how hard I try," she explained. Brenna shook her head then looked at the other systems. Shields and Hyperdrive were priority to her but so were the weapons and she couldn't risk taking off without them.

"Ok Mar let's call it a day, just come up so I can know what I need to find out there on the market."

---

"Shattered Reality"
By Omri Kedemoth

Location: Drogen Shipyards
Date: Selene 17, 5 ABY

***

The hoverlift door hissed open and Omri stepped onto level #236. Omri inhaled, trying to identify the mix of strong odors. Mechanical lubricants, spicy food, and the body odor of a dozen different species assaulted his nostrils.

Omri reached under his cloak and adjusted the heavy projectile pistol in its shoulder holster. At his side, he instinctively gripped his sword hilt and pulled it out slightly, making sure it was free and ready to be drawn. Not that he was expecting to use it, he just wanted something to eat.

Walking out onto the promenade, Omri moved through the shifting crowd and entered the first establishment he saw, a seedy lounge called Dirg's Descent. The room buzzed with the early evening crowd, mostly ignoring the twi'lek playing a baitar on a raised platform. After a quick scan of the room, Omri slid into a two-chair table near the entrance.

He relaxed a little, waiting for the server droid to get to him. Omri amused himself by watching the variety of patrons in the bar. A number men wooing (or hiring) females of various species, weary looking pilots and grease-covered starship mechanics. A few more menacing figures brooded in the dark corners. When his gaze fell on a table across the room, he stopped cold. Suddenly he felt as if a yuzzem was squeezing the air out of his lungs. Through the dim light, Omri stared at a woman sitting at a table, talking with a balosar.

He slowly rose, eyes riveted on the woman. Ignoring the server droid who just arrived to get his order, he walked toward the table. The woman at the table looked up. When she saw Omri walking her way, her dark eyes grew large and she darted up from the table.

"Wait, stop!" Omri yelled as the black-haired woman ran towards the rear exit, He began to run after her, knocking over chairs and eliciting angry yells from the customers he bumped or knocked over.

The woman bolted out the back entrance. Moments later, Omri propelled himself through the door and into the hallway. Desperately he searched in every direction, but the woman had vanished.

"Blast!", he cursed under his breath. Omri leaned against the bulkhead a moment. The sight of the woman had shaken him to his core, as if he had seen a ghost.

"Impossible" he thought.

Gathering himself, Omri returned to the lounge, receiving a number of complaints and threats from the disturbed clientele. Ignoring them all, Omri walked to the table where the woman was sitting. He must have knocked the balosar on the floor, as he now looked up, frightened at the man looming over him. Omri grabbed him by the collar and hoisted him up to eye level.

"Who was that woman?" Omri's tone was decidedly threatening and the balosar knew it.

"Just a woman I met, I don't even know her name", the balosar squealed, his antennae retracting in fear under his greasy hair.

"Who is she?" Omri seethed, voice louder.

"A newcomer, only been around a couple days, I don't know where she came from."

Omri continued, "What were you doing with her?"

"Just talking!" Omri noted the balosar glanced briefly at something on the floor by his feet. Looking down, Omri saw several small broken vials of a crystalline substance.

Omri recognized the drug. glitterstim. With a frustrated growl, Omri dropped the slythmonger on the ground. He staggered out of the lounge and headed towards his ship.

His heart pounded, and he felt a clammy sweat break out on his forehead. All he could think of were those eyes. They were wearied and surprised, but they were the same beautiful dark eyes.

The hanger blast door didn't open fast enough, and Omri banged his shoulder as he hurried through it. Accessing the hatch to the scout ship, Omri clattered through the ship to his tiny quarters. He pulled a wooden box out from under the bunk and released the magnalock. Sitting down on his bunk, he opened it, carefully pulled out the lock of long black hair, bound with a leather thong. Laying it aside, he pulled out a small holoprojector unit. Holding it in one palm, he activated the device.

A holographic image of a young woman appeared, standing as if posing for an artist. She wore clothing very similar to Omri, long black tunic and pants tucked into high boots and a long black cloak. Like Omri, a sword hung at her side. She had long black hair and dark brown eyes. And she had symbols tattooed on her face, just like Omri.exactly like the woman in the bar.

Omri muttered, "Kai, how?" After a moment, he shut off the holo image of his late wife and placed the holoprojector back in the box. He covered his face with his hands. It was as if his world had been shaken by a thermal blast, and his reality was shattered.

"They told me she was dead." He kept repeating to himself. "Was it really her?" "Why did she run?" "Why is she here?" His brain swam with questions and confused emotions.

He wasn't sure how long he sat there, but he eventually roused himself. He had to find her. There would be no peace until he found her.

---

"Ebb and Flow"
Nyah Darasar

Location: Forest
Date: Selene 17, 5ABY

***

It was like the ebb and flow of tides, constantly in motion. The force had become her companion and guide. She'd come a long way but still had a long way to go. Like many padawans before her Nyah's trip into the forest served a purpose.

This was to be the next step in her training...a test. Over the next couple of days Nyah would used everything she'd learned so far. Everything from her skills with a light saber to the simple powers of observation would be needed. In essence that seems simple but it wouldn't be that easy or straight forward.

Once again it was time for the padawan to stretch herself beyond known limits. Nyah would emerge from this experience more than just physically and mentally exhausted. Expecting not only to learn something more about herself but her heritage as well.

From her guardian, she'd learned this particular test had become a tradition among the Mirlians. The point was not really to pass or fail, or to define a beginning from an end. Starring off into the distance for a moment Nyah reminded herself of those words. At one time they'd been spoken from generation to generation, passed down in her family line.

Now it was Nyah's turn. Just as her others before her had done. Only this rite of passage for her meant far more in her family line because she happened to be female.

---

"Coming Into Her Own"
By Vaya Bek, Padawan
and Gideon Kherris, Master Jedi

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Selene 17th, 5ABY

***

Vaya awoke and blinked the sleepiness from her eyes. She threw back the covers of her bed and let her legs dangle over the side as she stretched. The cool air against her naked skin was a welcome contrast, she felt well rested and clear of mind as she recalled the events of the past day and her long meditation of such matters most the previous night.

Her bare feet touched the floor as she gracefully padded along the stone floor of her modest room to the refresher. After having done her morning routine, she dressed, clipping her lightsaber to her waist before leaving her room to seek Master Kherris.

She found him in one of the training rooms, sparring with a remote droid. She stopped and watched him for a moment, recalling the many playful and intense sessions they had shared. She didn't notice right away, but her eyes were soon drawn to his muscular chest and arms, and his chiseled back with broad shoulders. A warm flush came over her as she realized her appreciation. Slightly embarrassed over her sudden notions, she quickly collected herself and strode into the room, igniting her yellow blade to announce her presence.

Gideon had already sensed her approach and arrival, he needn't had to have seen her in the doorway, nor the tell-tale snap-hiss of an ignited lightsaber. She was once his student, and though some time had passed and the two had traveled along different paths, there was still a strong bond between he and her. He had also meditated the prior evening on his arrival and impending place within the Temple and in the life of his former Padawan.

"So Padawan," he said with one of his signature grins. "Is that blade for show? Or do you intend on using it?"

"A Jedi does not ignite their blade unless they intend on using it," she replied as she twirled the blade with her wrist playfully.

Taking a defensive stance with his blue blade held in the high-guard position, Gideon waved her on with his free hand. "Come then Vaya."

The two circled one another with their lightsabers humming through the air, like a ballet with props, one dancer enticing the other to strike first.

Vaya took the initiative, striking wide to first test his defensive arc, then several times more as she pushed the attack. She hadn't forgotten his level of skill, or his trickiness. Much like Laedra's sessions, the obvious was not always what was to come.

Gideon studied her moves, how graceful she moved with deadly precision as she made him move around the room and keep the defensive. Her lithe body was not lost upon him either, as she was barely clad in a sleeveless leather vest that showed her cleavage and most of her back and her toned arms. His noticing nearly could have cost him his arm from the elbow, however he sensed the attack in time to recover. Spinning around he recollected his own thoughts and drew to him the Force. A slight tunnel vision came over him as he expertly went into battle mode.

For sometime the two danced about the training room as their blades clashed and whipped through the air. While Vaya had long adopted to make use of space, spinning and pivoting with aerobatics, Gideon had always favored a tighter combat arena, being able to pivot, sway and dodge in an area no greater than the length of his arm and lightsaber with every step. It was a mastery of where you were, and what was going on around you.

"Your energy has always been boundless Padawan," he commented of her greatly practiced use of all her environment had to offer. He knew it to be a strength of hers, one that could quickly tire an opponent into fatal mistakes. Even strengths could be made into a weakness though as he cornered her into a position that demanded she fight for her life rather than to gracefully roam about the room. He soon found his own comment to be more than true, as the young woman displayed her increased mastery of the lightsaber even in a more confined stance.

The spar went on and on as the two engaged in a battle within a tight circle of side steps an pivots. Eventually it ended with both having worked up a great sweat, their chests heaving from the work out, and their two blades locked before them as their eyes bore down upon one another.

Her nose just a fraction of a micro-meter from Gideon's, she stared into his eyes for what seemed forever as the two held their ground with locked blades.

Using the Force, Gideon deactivated blades. Vaya, not sensing as such, fell forward and to his left from the force of her stance as the blades humming and crackling energy suddenly disappeared. He caught her in his arm, having barely needed to help her straighten. The two stood there for a moment, in silence, eyes locked as hard and searching as their two blades had been a moment before.

She looked away and stepped back. Gideon stood his ground for a moment until she was the first to speak.

"I..." she said as she let loose a slight huff of a laugh that was a mix of anxiety and emotional confusion. "I wanted to speak with you this morning Master."

Gideon clipped his lightsaber to his belt, took a deep breath as he allowed the Force to regenerate through him and cool him down from the exertion. His face betrayed nothing of his own sudden emotional spin even as he looked upon the woman that had come into her own from the girl he had once helped foster into Jedihood.

"I am listening," he said softly as he motioned for her to sit next to him on the floor.

The two sat across from one another, legs crossed and their backs straight as they had always done during conversation of professional or personal nature. For a Jedi, for a Master and Padawan, the two were often intermingled. The life of a Jedi was one that was lived and breathed every moment of their life, not just a job. The relationship between student and teacher too was not so easily divided between the professional and personal as they developed a bond of comradery and love.

"I spoke with Master Vorrel this past evening," she began. "I have meditated much since you have arrived, and since we last spoke."

"As have I," he replied. "What wisdom has your meditations led you to?"

"You and Laedra both have said that it would be up to me, as to who I would continue training under. It was all so sudden, your arrival, and...well...I had much to think about."

"Of course," he said with a smile, his intuition already telling him what she had concluded. And he was proud of her. "A Jedi is not just about action, a Jedi's true power is in wisdom, in seeking knowledge from the Force. Your skills, what I have seen and experienced so far, have greatly surpassed those that I remember. More importantly is the Jedi I see you becoming, because of state of mind and how you have grown here," he said as he pointed to his temple. "I can sense it about you, as I am sure that Master Vorrel does. I think your time here has contributed to your growth, sooner than it would have had you remained roaming the stars with me," he said with a warm smile.

"I am grateful for you commendations, and more grateful to the Force that you are in my life again. I do think it has been good, my having come here. I have never regretted my experiences and lessons with you, I would not be the Jedi I am today if not for your teachings and friendship. It is a lot different here, but in a good way, well...mostly, when someone isn't trying to kill us or take over the world. I do feel I belong here, I was meant to be here...for some reason."

"I understand," Gideon said. "I was drawn here for more than just to find you. I don't know what it is, but I feel I have a purpose here, and I too thank the Force that you have been brought back into my life. Some things in life change, that is inevitable. How we adapt to that change for betterment is the control we have over what is not always in our power to command. I knew a day would come, as it does for all Jedi, that I would no longer be your Master. But that doesn't mean I cannot be your friend, we share much and that will not change. In my eyes and heart Vaya, you are already a Jedi."

---

"Tortured Soul, Part 1"
By Omri Kedemoth
Kai Kedemoth- former imperial assassin (NPC)

Location: Drogen Shipyards
Date: Selene 17, 5 ABY

***

It hadn't taken long to locate the berth of the Stellarkart. The freighter had a permanent dock on level 301 of the station.

Omri walked off the hoverlift with barely controlled anticipation. The mystery of his wife's sudden appearance on the station had consumed his every moment. The thought of having her back after believing she was dead, his constant companion, lover and friend, gave him more purpose and hope than he'd had in months.

Omri followed a maze of dimly lit hallways, turning a corner to an open area outside the Stellarkart's berth. As he walked, he dared to imagine holding her again. . .

Suddenly, a leather-gloved fist shot out from behind the corner. Omri, instinctively side-stepped the fist and spun away. The only sound he made was the metallic ring of his sword leaving its sheath. From the shadows, the same metallic sound sang out, and a figure walked carefully out into the light.

The woman was tall, sinewy and lean, with straight black hair that hung just past her shoulders. She wore a leather jacket over a black midriff shirt, black pants and high boots. Her face was cold but beautiful. As she held the sword, shoulder level out in front of her, the light caught the peculiar tattoos on her cheeks and forehead, identical to Omri's.

"Hello, Omri." She spoke in a calm, cold voice. She circled Omri slowly, her sword point inches from his neck.

"Kai," Omri whispered in disbelief. "They said you were dead." He stood, sword in hand relaxed at his side. He couldn't understand her actions, but his eyes did not leave hers. They were dark, cold and hate-filled.

Kai let out a short scoffing laugh. "Well, obviously I'm not dead, dear husband." She spat out the last words like poison...

---

"Tortured Soul, Part 2"
By Omri Kedemoth
Kai Kedemoth- former imperial assassin (NPC)

Location: Drogen Shipyards
Date: Selene 17, 5 ABY

***

Omri tried to relax; he didn't want this woman. . . . his wife, to sense his shock. He tried to explain, "The bothan informant said the bounty hunter killed you and took your body."

"Oh, no, he's a liar. The rodian took me alive, Omri." She continued to pace around him, sword point at Omri's throat. "But he didn't turn me over to Governor Talm. No, he found that imperial intelligence paid much higher for rebel operatives."

"They imprisoned me." For a split second, she squeezed her eyes shut and winced, as if remembering some horror. Although he still held his sword at his side, Omri chose not to take advantage her brief pause. "They did unimaginable things to me Omri, for days. They stripped me of my clothes, my dignity, my name and my humanity." Her words grew fiercer, spoken through gritted teeth, as if it pained her to speak. Omri stood quiet as the words beat against him like a charging bantha.

"They pumped me with drugs and their droids probed my brain. They pulled rebel secrets from my screaming lips, Omri." She paused, breathing heavily. "They drove me to hate our nexi tradition and to hate the rebels."

Her angry face softened a bit. "But the thought of you kept me sane and alive, my love. I knew that you would look for me, that you would rescue me, even if you had to take on a whole death star." She was shaking, tears welled in her eyes, then her face screwed into a hate-filled scowl. "BUT YOU NEVER CAME!" she screamed at him. The words ripped at his heart, horrified at what she had become, how she blamed him.

The sword shook with anger in her hand, "They broke me Omri, they broke my body and my spirit and I gave up." Her voice lowered again. "Then I learned to hate you."

A wicked smirk crossed her face. "They made me kill for them. I hunted down rebels for them, I murdered our friends for them. Finally the Alliance assaulted the compound. When the rebel soldiers came to free me from my cell, I killed them too."

She let out a seething growl and with lighting reflexes thrust the tip of the sword towards Omri's throat. Instantly, Omri's sword clanged against hers, turning away the blade, as the tip of her sword scratched his neck. They circled each other, swords clanging loudly as the blades swirled in swift arcs and fierce thrusts.

"I didn't know you were alive!" Omri yelled through clenched teeth, fending off Kai's raging attacks. With a loud scream, Kai doubled her effort to drive her sword through him.

Locking blades, they found themselves face to face, inches from each other, each straining, each struggling to disarm the other. Omri could smell the narcotics on her heaving breath. He studied the pale, snarling face and the narrowed, piercing eyes.

There was nothing of his wife in those dark eyes. They were filled with hate, pain and confusion.

Omri made a last plea, "Kai, don't make me."

"What," she seethed at him. "Kill me? You couldn't, not your wife." She laughed, mocking him.

Suddenly she roared and he felt a sharp pain as her knee drove into his groin. He staggered back. "I thought you were dead!" He yelled again as he lunged forward, striking her face with his sword fist. Kai's head snapped back and she fell back against the bulkhead, sliding to the floor.

"We can get you help, Kai. One of our old commanders can help us."

"You pathetic fool!" she spat back at him, mouth bloodied. "I don't want your help!"

Omri pulled the heavy slug pistol out from under his cloak. The safety clicked off audibly as he leveled it at Kai. He held it at her, his hand shaking, the tears filling his eyes. He felt the trickle of blood down his neck where she had nicked him.

Kai stood up slowly. "I am dead, Omri. They killed me, they took my life. They only left pain, addiction and the desire to kill." She sounded strangely rational.

"Tell me you don't love me, Kai," Omri muttered angrily, pistol still sighted on her. "I want to hear it."

"What we were can never be again, Omri. Turn and leave. If we meet again, I will kill you."

Again Omri demanded, "Tell me you don't love me, and I will walk away."

Sheathing her sword, Kai walked over to him, past the large pistol still pointed at her. She leaned toward him, brushing her lips against his cheek. She whispered into his ear, "I hate you, Omri Kedemoth." Giggling, she bit his ear lobe. Omri winced as she drew blood, but he did not move. She turned her back to him, accessed the blast door to the Stellarkart's berth and walked through. Without looking back, she spoke. "Goodbye Omri." The door slid shut with a loud clang.

---

"Ambush in Force"
by: Rylaa Lyssander

Location: Tae'Remok System
Date: Selene 17, 5ABY

***

The Arc Royal glided easily through hyperspace on it's way back to the Tae'Remok system. Somewhere a short distance behind, the modified freighter's three escorts cruised. Rylaa Lyssander snoozed lightly in the cockpit's seat, his legs kicked up on the console. On the navigator's table behind him, two of his men played a game of Sabaac. The meeting on the Tigris system had gone exactly as planned, and he hoped that soon he would have the smuggler in a hands.

The klaxon that suddenly went off woke the crimeboss up with a start, right about the time the ship got jerked out of hyperspace. "What the f..." Rylaa began, but his breath caught as he saw two ominous shapes in the blackness of space ahead. First was the white arrowhead of an Imperial-class Star Destroyer, and the other was the Interdictor cruiser that ran behind it. "...Fuck," he finished. A hand automatically slapped the ECM but he was sure the Imperials knew exactly where he would be.

"Arc Royal to Viper, hold off anything that comes in our path until we can all get the hell out of here," he shouted into the com.

"Roger that, Viper Leader copies," the pilot in the first of the X-wings responded. "Viper, lock S-foils into attack position." A chorus of replies came and the three X-wings broke off in formation. "Emperor's balls, they've already got squints out!"

Several squadrons of TIE Interceptors swooped out from behind the four ships and opened fire. A scream came from over the flight channels as an escort was flamed in the barrage. Rylaa grabbed the control stick and transferred half power to shields, they were going to have to slug their way past the TIEs until the could get out of the Interdictor's gravity well. "Get those quads in gear!"

The quads got in gear. The new supercooled capacitors on the weapons allowed them the spit out a literal stream of green death. Four of the closing TIE-I's flashed into smoke while another went spinning into the distance before exploding.

"Viper two, watch your six."

"Roger that Lead, I've got him."

"Two, watch the Royal, it's got two on it's tail.

"Lead, Royal, we've got it covered."

Rylaa juked sharply to the left and the spray from the quads cut apart another squadron of squints. Obviously the money he paid for the new quads paying was credits well spent. I've got to get out of the gravity well. Another sharp s-turn lined the modified freighter up away from the Star Destroyers and the crimelord kicked all power to the engines. "Yeeeeee haaaaaaaawwww!!" he shouted. He just couldn't hold it in, it felt so right. A barrel turn with a quick up juke broke the Arc Royal out of the TIE swarm and they made a break for freedom.

"This is Lead, I've got... fuuuuuuccck!"

"Royal this is Two, several squints are still inbound. Get the hell out of here, I'll hold them off."

"Roger that Two, I'll make sure your family is rewarded." Rylaa grimaced with the last words. It was true though, those men had died to save his life, and let no one say he wasn't an honorable crimelord. A little green light lit up on the console, it signaled that the hyperdrive was operational. The chubby crimelord whooped and yanked down the switch for hyperspace, astrogation for a quick jump to Tae'Remok already programmed in. Stars stretched and the ship shot into freedom.

*** Onboard the Indefinable ***

The body hit the deck with a satisfying thud and several servants scrambled to clean up the blood and brain matter. Self-proclaimed Imperial Warlord Kurt von Shultz blew smoke from his revolver as his men dragged away the body of his latest fleet admiral. The man had failed him, miserably, as he did not have nearly the forces deployed the catch the slippery crimelord.

It didn't matter, soon his men would be turning out copies of the interesting battle armor found onboard the Ares freighter, and he would have some equal ground on which to stand when it came to his eventual invasion of Tae'karada.

---

"Visitation, Part 1"
By: Yara Brael Sr.
Yara Brael Jr.
Jae Dyn Brael
Mari and Sari

Location: Kallia's Apartment, New Plouton
Date: Selene 17, 5 ABY

***

"Mother?"

Yara Zaneth, Jedi Padawan and daughter to Master Jae Dyn Brael, stepped into her mother's apartment and briefly scanned the empty living area before a familiar giggle drew her attention. Into the space toddled the source for Yara's genetic material, her younger twin. Chocolate-coloured eyes lit with delight as Yelara saw her older sister, to whom she called out a nearly coherent greeting.

Yara entered the apartment and swept Yelara into her arms, embracing the young girl with more emotion than she ever displayed normally. Her sister's arms wrapped around her neck. "Yaya!" little Yara exclaimed.

Yara smiled and kissed her sister's plump cheek. "Hello, Yelara. It is good to see you. I am sorry I have not visited for a few days."

As little Yara babbled away, a figure appeared in the far doorway. As she stepped fully into the room, she smiled at the pair. "Yara," said Jae Dyn Brael, known more familiarly to those closer to her as Kallia. "It's wonderful to see you. And, I think the little one is happy to see you too. Would you care for something to drink? I was going to grab a glass of freshberry tea if you'd like some."

"Yes, Mother," Yara replied and followed behind Kallia to the sofa as her mother strode for the kitchen. "Are my other sisters sleeping?"

"I just put them down for a nap," Kallia answered. "If you'll be staying for awhile, they'll probably be up in an hour."

Settling Yelara onto her lap as she sat, Yara answered, "I may only stay for an hour, Mother, then I must return to my training." Cocking her head to one side, she watched her mother curiously and asked, "Have you missed me? I did not know whether my absence would trouble you at all, but I hoped it would not."

"I have missed you," Kallia said. "Of course, Yara and the twins keep me busy a lot of the time, but I do find myself frequently wondering how you're doing, what you're doing. I'm hoping I'll be able to stop by and visit with you soon, see how things are going in the Palace. How is everything there?"

"Things have changed, but I have adjusted well, Mother, as has Va'Lesh. Our past training as soldiers has helped us in that."

"That's very good," Kallia said as she brought in a tray with two cups of freshberry tea. "I will definitely need to stop by to see you both. So...how is Yelara?"

Yara shrugged. "I have not seen much of her. She is very busy. Master Zaneth is very preoccupied as well, but he is keeping up with our training sessions admirably."

"That's good," Kallia said. "I know this is a difficult time for him because of the situation with Yelara, but it's very good he's still able to maintain his commitment to you and Va'Lesh. Kael's away at meetings now and Kimara's busy on a run. I wish you were here when the twins were awake, I'll have to bring them by the Palace sometime after they've napped so you can see them wide awake...before their next nap."

Selecting a cup of tea from the table, Yara admitted, "I do wish I could be here with you, Mother. It would be...a desirable change."

Kallia thought for a moment. "You are always free to come by here," she said. "And, if you would like, I could take on some of your training. When you come here, we could visit with each other as well as continue some of your training."

Yara smiled agreeably. "Would Master Zaneth approve?"

"I believe as long as I'm not trying to steal you permanently, he'll be fine with the arrangement. If you ever want to bring Va'Lesh with you as well, I'm sure that will be alright. If you'd like I can talk to him about the arrangement beforehand as well. And, if you do ever wish to make it a permanent arrangement, I still believe that Master Zaneth would approve."

"You do not think Master Zaneth would think himself a failure if I enter fully into your training?" she asked.

"That all depends," Kallia said. "Do you believe he has failed in his training of you?"

"No," she responded forthrightly. "But I would like to progress further, Mother, and he has seemed distracted lately. I believe it is his relationship with High Princess Neerou that is the source of his distraction."

"I can see where that may be happening," Kallia said. "Then, I don't believe he will see this as his failure. I believe we should discuss the matter with him, and I believe you should honestly and openly tell him that you do wish to continue your training."

Yara tipped her head at her mother. "I will consider your advice, Mother, but it may be difficult to leave Va'Lesh. I do not believe he wishes to be away from his mother."

"That is understandable as well," Kallia said. "Perhaps I can come to the Palace some of the time, that way he doesn't have to be far from her. And, remember, you are always welcome here."

"I understand, Mother." Then, Yara sipped her tea, while little Yelara attempted to seize the cup. Yara smiled. "Yelara, that is not appropriate," she chided. "Do you wish to burn yourself?"

"She's been drinking some of the iced freshberry tea in her bottle," Kallia said. "I think she likes the smell. She's insatiably curious, that's for sure."

"Is she much like me, then?" Yara asked. "We are the same person, but perhaps she is a far better version than I, for she may explore before deciding on a path for herself. I did not have such an opportunity."

"I think that's it exactly," Kallia said with a smile. "She doesn't know how to work things through the way you do. You're curious, but you temper your curiousity."

"With indifference?" Yara supplied.

"Is that what it is," Kallia asked. "I'm not so sure it is indifference. Would you have come here today, looking for me, if it were? Would you be seeking to learn more as a Jedi if it were?"

Yara raised an eyebrow at Kallia as she stated matter-of-factly, "It is my duty, Mother. Curiousity has little to do with it."

"Search your feelings, Yara," Kallia said softly. "You'll realize that you do have them, and there are times when you act upon them. It is nice to be able to explain that it is duty when it coincides with what you do want, isn't it?"

"Mother," Yara reminded her, "being a Jedi requires one to set aside one's feelings when acting. Is indifference not sometimes a requirement?"

"Being a Jedi requires that you not act through the Force on those darker emotions, such as anger and hate. You can still feel them, try to understand them, but just not act on them. We must remain compassionate toward the people we help. Does that make sense?"

"I am compassionate," she informed Kallia. "I wish to help others. I also feel for you, and for my sisters, but I do not let it interfere with my duties. Is that not enough?"

"That is something that only you can answer for yourself," Kallia said softly. "If you are content now, then you have nothing to worry about. If you feel you are missing something, that you want more but are uncertain what that is, perhaps then it is because of what you are and aren't allowing yourself to feel."

She frowned quizzically. "But...I love you, Mother. And I love Yara, Mari, and Sari, as well as Va'Lesh. I am satisfied with that."

"Then that's perfect," Kallia said. "As long as you love them and allow yourself to feel that love inside of you, then that is what matters. And so, it cannot be indifference, because that would mean that you did not care."

Yara studied Kallia intently for a time before commenting, "You are not a normal Jedi, Mother. Not at all."

"I believe you're right," Kallia said with a smile. "Though, what makes you say that, my dear?"

"But...Mother," Yara explained with a look of incredulity, "do you not know? You're a Jedi, yet you've left the Order and chosen to have children instead of devote yourself to our ways. That is not a true Jedi at all."

Kallia sighed. "It was a very difficult choice, but in the end I chose having the babies. Once they're old enough, I'd like to return to the Order and be a Jedi again. But, since I did go through with the birth, I really must put aside the Jedi to care for them. To give them life and then abandon them wouldn't be very Jedi of me, I don't think. And, perhaps in the not so distant future ahead of us, Yara, Mari, and Sari will be able to learn to be Jedi from you."

"It may take some time for me to achieve knighthood," Yara informed Kallia. "But when that day comes, I will consider taking on your children as my Padawans, Mother."

"That would make me very happy," Kallia said. "And, I look forward to whatever time you wish to spend here, learning from me. As much as I do love my little girls, and as much as I do want to devote myself to being the best mother they could ever want, I do miss the Jedi. I...I don't know if I would be welcome at the Temple with my little brood, and I couldn't leave them behind."

"If lovers are permitted," Yara reasoned, "you would be too, I imagine. Do not worry, Mother."

"Then I won't worry," Kallia said with a smile. "Hopefully I will be welcome at the Palace. I will have to visit you there soon, I think. I am so very glad you came by today, Yara. And, I think little Yara is too." She indicated where the little one was playing with Yara's hair. "She's very happy to see you."

"And I, you," Yara returned, brushing a finger against her sister's cheek. The child gazed up fondly at her sister and grinned. "Does she look like me yet, Mother?" Yara wondered.

"I can certainly see a resemblance," Kallia said. "Especially in the eyes. In a few years, I think it will be more prominent."

"Just as Leshie is beginning to resemble Va'Lesh." Satisfied that her progenitor was truly her twin, and that her genetic source material was indeed pure, Yara kissed her sister's brow. "I am glad we are sisters, Yara. It is an honour."

"Yaya!" was the gleeful reply as Yara bounced in her sister's lap.

"Did you want to come in and see if the twins are awake," Kallia said as she set her now empty teacup on the table as she brushed her fingers down Yara's tiny back.

Yara nodded curtly. "That would be ideal, Mother." And setting down her own cup, Yara rose, bearing her sister in her arms as she did. The young Yara continued playing with her older sister's loose brown hair. "Mother, have they grown much in my absence?" Yara asked. "I hope I have not missed anything."

"They've grown a little," Kallia said. "But you haven't missed much other than that. I hope they'll be awake for you."

To their fortune, the young girls were no longer asleep and burbling to one another as if in communication. Yara looked to her mother and observed, "I believe they have awakened."

"Yes they have," Kallia said as she came around the side of the matching cribs to see her little ones. "Why hello there. Look who's awake for mama. Your big sister's here to say hi, too." She beamed as she smiled over at Yelara. "Aren't they adorable?"

"Of course," she responded woodenly and leaned over the girls' crib rails to greet her sisters. "Have you slept well, Sari? And you, Mari?" The two babies squealed with laughter at Yara, who took their reaction as an affirmative. "They are very happy, Mother."

"They are as far as I can tell," Kallia said. "They sleep a lot, eat a lot, but genuinely seem to be happy babies. And, they both seem to recognize you. I think they know their big sister."

"Sari is much like Yara and I," she noted. "Are you certain she is not a clone as well?"

"The time when they were conceived as a very confusing time, and when they were born, I didn't know who the father really was. There were a few men it could have been, that I was with at that time. I think Dargus was actually their father, just like yours and Yara."

"Then they are not true twins," Yara decided as she laid her hand upon Mari's cheek, "for she is nothing like Sari. I believe her eyes will be green, Mother."

Kallia raised an eyebrow as she peered down into Mari's eyes. "You're right," she said. "I wasn't sure if I was seeing things before, but...but I don't know how... I guess I'll need to talk to my doctor and see what she says. I wonder who your father is, little one. Though, only one of the men I was with had any green in their eyes..."

"If I recall, Mr. Kandran's eyes are dark brown." Yara watched her mother sidelong. "Is neither Mari nor Sari my sister, then?"

"Sari's eyes are just like Yara's and yours," Kallia said. "I think she is from Dargus. I think...I think Mari is...is Keeve's."

"Mother," Yara told her with a blatantly critical frown, "that does not seem possible. Perhaps they are simply both Mr. Shivral's and Sari simply inherited your eyes. I do not believe Mr. Shivral would make an appropriate father, so it is best that he is not."

"It's extremely rare," Kallia said. "But it is possible, and...and I think I know when it happened. It is possible if I was with both men within a particular span of time that it could happen, and I know when I was imprisoned on Dargus' ship, that did happen. I was with them both at the same time."

"This is all very peculiar," Yara commented. "I do not think you should be so promiscuous in the future, Mother. It does create much confusion."

Kallia smiled. "I definitely agree," she said. "And, I have no intention of living that life again, even though at the time it happened, I had no choice in the matter."

"But you consort with Mr. Shivral now," Yara pointed out. "Now you have a choice, yet still you choose to associate with the man."

"He's good to me and the girls," Kallia said. "While it isn't an ideal relationship, I do care for him very much. He loves me and shows that love more than any of the other companions I've been with. I can't raise my babies on my own, Yara, and he's a good friend to me, and a wonderful father for them."

Yara shrugged and turned back to her sisters. "If that is what you believe, then I trust you, Mother. You are wise enough to know what is best for my sisters."

"He's definitely a better father than Dargus has been," Kallia said as she fondly brushed her hand over Yelara's shoulder. "and, thank you for your confidence in me, my dear. I'm so glad you came by. I really do hope we can spend more time together as mother and daughter."

Yara smiled to express contentment, the only way she knew how. "I wish that as well. I will attempt to make another visit next week, if time permits. Is that satisfactory?"

"That will be perfect," Kallia said. "And, I'll see if I can stop by the Palace to visit you, if you'd like."

Nodding, she turned back to her sisters and promised, "I will return, Mari, Sari. Do not miss me." Then, to Yara, she said, "You have been a very good girl today. You will indeed make a fine Jedi." And to her, she bestowed a kiss upon the cheek, then handed her to Kallia. "Mother?" she inquired uncertainly. "May I embrace you before I depart?"

"Always," Kallia answered and opened the arm that didn't have little Yara cradled in it. "I do love you, Yelara, very much so. Be well, and I'll see you soon. Give my love to Va'Lesh as well."

Yara nodded against her mother's bosom and sighed softly. "I will. I love you as well, Mother. Goodbye." And pulling back, Yara offered her mother another smile then departed, with little Yara calling after her.

"It's okay, Yara," Kallia whispered as she kissed her daughter's cheek. "We'll see her again very soon. You'll see." She followed along behind Yelara with herself and Yara waving goodbye. She waved back as she stepped up to the door, and disappeared as it closed behind her.

---

"Visitation, Part 2"
By: Yara Brael Jr.
Jae Dyn Brael
Keeve Shivral
Mari and Sari
Talara Sorenne

Location: Kallia's Apartment, New Plouton; Jedi Temple
Date: Selene 17, 5 ABY

***

Moments later, a familiar, welcome figure entered, jerking a thumb back Yelara's way. "What's with her?" he asked. "I say 'hi', and she tells me my eyes aren't fully green so I can't be the one." He gave a low whistle and a shake of his head. "I hope Yara won't develop her personality."

Kallia laughed. "Welcome home," she said. "And, she was just visiting. And, I think...I think you'll have to see for yourself. Come see Mari and Sari. They just woke up, and I need to get them fed, but you have to see this first."

Keeve Shivral reached Kallia, and following a brief kiss of greeting, he gave a wink and peck on one round cheek to his daughter. She smiled in awe at him, but was soon giggling as he tickled her belly. "So, what's the surprise?"

"Come into the other room," Kallia said as she led the way where the continuing burbling of Mari and Sari could be heard. "I want you to look at Yara's eyes, then Sari's eyes, then Mari's eyes."

He watched her skeptically, muttering, "What's with you and your daughter and eyes?" But, he did as she told him and peered down at the two girls. After a time of glancing between the two, Keeve said, "Yeah...I see it. Sari's eyes are dark. Mari's look to be blue or green..." Straightening, he grinned at Kal. "Let me guess - your mother had green eyes."

"Mother and father had brown eyes," Kallia said. She looked at him and smiled. "I don't think there were any lighter coloured eyes in Dargus' family."

"Well, there must've been," Keeve insisted. "Sari's got brown. She had to have gotten the green from somewhere."

"There are some rare occasions," Kallia said, "where a woman may be impregnated by multiple men at the same time. Kind of like that one time on Dargus' ship, when it was you and Dargus...and me."

Keeve was silenced, understanding dawning far too quickly for his mind to keep up. He gaped at Kallia. "I...you and I...baby?"

"I...I think so, Keeve," Kallia said softly. "It feels right, but...but I would need to have the doctor make sense. It's been on my mind lately, and Yara mentioned it when she was here, how Mari and Sari don't look like twins...and...and it makes so much sense..."

Keeve gibbered for a long, incoherent time, before deciding on an emotion, and on a thought he wished to express. The one he chose was hysteria in the form of uncontrollable laughter. "I have a daughter - a true daughter!" Then, he gasped for air and swooned before gripping the crib's rails for support. "Kim's gonna kill me...."

"Or, she's going to make you have one with her," Kallia said with a laugh. "It's alright, Keeve. And, besides, this happened during a very turbulent time, and your relationship with her at the time wasn't entirely solid. I'm sure she'll understand."

"Yeah...only if I get her pregnant right now," he replied stubbornly. "Do you know what kind of pressure that puts on a man? How can I be expected to perform!"

"I've always thought you performed best under pressure, my dear," Kallia said with a sly grin. "And, even if it's not right away, I'm sure you'll manage. Remember, this is Kim we're talking about."

"No," he corrected, all sign of panic vanishing as he pulled Kallia close. Smiling charmingly now, Keeve told her, "This is about us, and our daughter. Of course this changes nothing...I was always willing to raise your girls. But somehow...this makes her that much more special."

"That makes me very happy," Kallia said as she kissed Keeve's cheek. "I think it makes all of us happy."

"I guess this means I'd better start coming around more often," he whispered, brushing his lips against hers. Then, Keeve sighed and his demeanour grew solemn. "But...that'll have to wait. I have to go away for a while."

"What's happened, Keeve," Kallia said softly. "Is it--? Is it them?"

His jaw clenched, Keeve nodded. "Zale's contact knows where they are. We're going there, and we're bringing them home."

"That's great news," Kallia whispered. "Oh, Keeve, that's wonderful. When do you leave?"

"Tomorrow morning. I needed to visit before I left. I'm not sure how long I'll be gone...or what might happen while I'm there," he told her softly.

"I hope Kim gets home tonight so you can see her before going," Kallia said. "I'm sure she will be, but otherwise you can contact her in her ship, right?"

"I can't leave without seeing her," Keeve complained miserably. "I can't just run off to rescue Maeren without at least touching the woman I love one more time."

"She's supposed to be home tonight, isn't she?" Kallia asked.

"There was some trouble near Riga," he explained. "It's delayed her. I just hope she gets home in time."

"I can stay with you while you wait if you want," Kallia said. "I'd be happy for the company, and to keep you company. And, I'm sure Yara will love to be around you until she can't keep her eyes open any longer."

"Any chance I have to spend with my daughter is one I'll take advantage of." Holding out his arms for Yara, Keeve laughed as she leaned into them and nearly plunged out of Kallia's embrace to seek his. He caught her easily and kissed his boisterous daughter's forehead. "She's got your spirit, that's for certain."

"That's for certain," Kallia said. "She emptied my underwear drawer earlier. I'd left it open while I was putting away all of my laundered clothing. Turned my back for a minute, and turned around and she was giggling like mad with everything on the floor around her feet. Now that she's walking, she's going to be a real terror, I can tell."

Keeve chuckled approvingly. "Just how I like her. My girls have got to be feisty to fight off all those boys that'll be chasing them in a few years."

"Oh, and I bet you can't wait to scare off all those boys, can you?"

His smile was enigmatic with a healthy dose of mischief. "We've got some years yet to worry about that...." In an instant, his mood sombered and he held his daughter closer. "It might get dangerous," he told Kallia. "If that happens...you'll be taken care of. I've made arrangements already. You and the girls won't want for anything."

"I'm sure everything will go fine," Kallia said. "Though...though have you thought what you'll say when you see Maeren again?"

"I haven't," he admitted. "I figure it'll just...come to me when I encounter her. I mean, what can I say? She ran off on me and I'm not even sure how I drove her away. How do I apologize for something I don't remember doing?"

"Things were difficult at the time," Kallia said. "I don't think anyone is to blame for it, or both of you are equally. But, the important thing is to get past blame and begin whatever process of healing the two of you need."

"And to find a way of telling her I plan on marrying Kim," Keeve revealed.

"Will you divorce Maeren then," Kallia asked softly.

He sighed. "I don't know.... It all depends on how badly off she is. I can't just abandon her in that state. That would truly make me a jerk." His smirk was only halfhearted.

"I guess you'll be playing it by ear then," Kallia said with a grin. "There's nothing wrong with that. Sometimes, going on instinct and feeling is better than planning things out in advance."

"The problem is I don't want to feel, Kal, not for Maeren. That'll just confuse things."

"I don't believe there's any way to avoid it, Keeve," Kallia said. "If you harden your heart to her when you talk to her, you will still have to feel afterwards. The best thing will be to decide as you go, and act accordingly. You're in a difficult position, and I'm sure you'll do the best you can in it. I know you will do fine, my dear. You always have."

Smiling dubiously, Keeve asked, "Even with you? Have I always done the right thing?"

"Sometimes we need to let go of what happened in the past to move on with the present," Kallia said.

"But you admit I was a cruel bastard?"

"Perhaps," Kallia said with a tight smile. "But, look at the circumstances, and look at you now. You had Dargus Kandran manipulating you then, and that's what he seems to excel at. You're yourself now, and I can't think of anyone who would describe you as a cruel bastard, except for maybe Talara for not returning her affections."

Slightly distressed, Keeve asked quickly, "Did she tell you that? Did she say something? I only promised her one kiss! I didn't think she'd get all hung up about it."

"It's very obvious she cares for you, Keeve," Kallia said. "She didn't need to say anything...I just needed to see her look at you a few times, and getting a sense of her feelings through the Force wasn't difficult. I haven't seen or spoken to her for a few weeks, but I do know she does care for you. She didn't seem quite so wrapped up last time I saw her."

"Well...good." He hmphed with satisfaction, though some disappointment managed to leak out. Being the object of Talara's adoration had been a pleasant stroke to his ego, but his conscience couldn't allow her to be led on any longer. Though, it had been fun while it lasted. "I'd better go talk to her, too, before I leave," Keeve sighed. "I don't want her thinking I'm ignoring her if she tries to comm me."

Kallia nodded. "I'm sure she'll be glad to see you," she said. "And to know that everything is alright."

"Which means I'd better get going if I'm to finish all my rounds tonight." Reluctantly, Keeve passed Yara back to her mother and smiled to calm the girl's fussing. "Daddy will be back, don't worry. I'll even bring you a present if you're a good girl."

"Beev," the little one said as Kallia got her settled into her arms. "Baba."

Kallia grinned at both Yara and Keeve. "She definitely knows you."

"I'm glad," Keeve replied in a voice suddenly grown hoarse. He cleared his throat and moved on to the crib, where he leaned over the rail to kiss the two babies nestled within each. "I'll see you soon, my girls," he whispered. Mari and Sari gazed up at him with their eyes full of wonder, and Keeve felt his will to leave significantly diminished. He'd only just learned that he truly was a father, and now he was forced to leave with no opportunity to reflect on Kallia's admission. Shutting his eyes, unable to watch his girls and know he might not return, Keeve turned away. "I have to go," he told Kallia softly.

"Yes, and I'm sure you'll return soon enough," Kal said. "I'll see you soon, my dear. We'll be waiting here when you get back."

"Then I'd better come back," he answered smoothly. Passing Kallia on his way out, he paused long enough to kiss her tenderly then whisper, "You and the girls...remember that I love you. Don't forget me." Unable to bear Yara's sulking entreaties, Keeve rushed away, knowing it was easier not to look back if he was already out the door.

As Keeve pushed through the door and out into the city, he wasn't able to hear Kallia's whispered, "We never will."

***

Things had calmed considerably at the Temple by the time Keeve's speeder pulled up and stopped just outside the doors. Fortunate for him, Talara Sorenne was already outside meditating under one of the trees in the garden as the sun beamed down through the branches. Her hair was pulled back into plaits that allowed her upturned face to catch some of the sun that made it to her. Her cloak was draped over a nearby bench which allowed some of the sun to touch the flesh left exposed by her unorthodox Jedi robes.

She was dedicated to the Order now, which provided Keeve with some consolation after having let her down the previous night. As a Jedi, love was not a priority, and for Talara it obviously wasn't, not any longer. Though, it was still flattering for Keeve to have proved such a temptation to the girl. Grinning at the memory as he cleared the edge of the forest, Keeve found himself before Talara before he realized it. She only stirred when he tweaked the end of one braid with his fingers. "You still conscious?"

A smile crept over her lips and one eye peeped open. "Mostly," she said. The other eye opened and a more fully formed grin appeared. "So, what brings you all the way out here."

Shrugging, Keeve crouched before Talara. "Just wanted to see you before I left. Going on a little...trip, and I'm not sure when I'll be back."

Talara nodded as she uncoiled herself from her meditative posture, yet still remained seated on the ground in front of Keeve. "You're hesitant," she said. "It will be dangerous, won't it?"

He didn't hesitate in answering, "Yes. It could get bad, but you always have to expect the worst when stepping into the unknown, right?"

With a smile, Talara took his hand. "Yes, you do," she said. "Did you want to talk about it?"

"Not really," Keeve admitted. "There's nothing much to discuss. I just thought that...you know...you deserved to know where the hells I've disappeared to if you happen to come looking for me in a day or two."

"I'm glad you came by to tell me," Tala said. She thought briefly about telling him about Zari, but quickly decided that he had too much to worry about now. She'd tell him after, once the crisis was over. "It's nice to see you, even if I just saw you yesterday."

"Yeah, well...I'm a real charmer," he quipped, though his smile lacked in mirth. "When I get back, I'll comm you. In the meantime, stay out of trouble, okay?"

Tala nodded. "I'll do my best," she said as she gave his hand a squeeze for emphasis. "I love you, Keeve, and if you get yourself hurt or worse out there, I will hunt you down."

Chuckling, Keeve raised her hand to his lips and kissed her smooth knuckles charmingly. "Just focus on your training. I'll manage on my own."

A slight blush crept over Talara's cheeks. "I will. I promise. And, you be careful." There was a slight pause as she watched his eyes. "They've found them, haven't they?"

He confirmed with a nod. "We have to move and fast. The team leaves tomorrow morning, but I have some things to clear up before then, so I don't have much time."

"Then, you should get going," Tala said as she stood up. "I'll see you soon, Keeve."

"Soon enough," he agreed, and rose to tower over Talara. His smile displayed its usual charisma and with a last squeeze of Talara's hand, he was on his way, though not without a final glance Talara's way and a wink.

Talara watched him walking back toward his speeder with a smile. At his glanced back, she raised a hand to wave. "May the Force be with you," she whispered, then returned to the Temple as Keeve sped away.

---

"A Hundred Thousand, Part 1"
Korva Valkier
Kierfan Rosha
Captain Nathan Birdger (npc)

Location: Deep Space
Date: Selene 17, 5 ABY

***

The door to the cantina swung open on old fashioned hinges. A great cloud of cigar smoke leaked out the open doors and into the streets beyond. Standing outlined by the smoke and the bright lights of ground cars rushing by was a Zabrak.

His intricate facial tattoos told the story of one who has had a hard life but who has found comfort. Not just the tattoos, but the scars, two broken horns, and nice clothing as well. He scanned the seedy looking patrons briefly before sitting down at the bar.

"Ale... Corellian," he said in a voice like gravel. There was a thick line of scar tissue around his neck. Either he had once been hung, or someone had done a damn fancy job of trying to cut his head off.

The Wraith was parked not far from the cantina, of course it wasn't in a well protected area of the spaceport, at this particular period in time his funds were drastically reducing. There were many reasons for this, the main one was Bounty Hunters still after his hide thanks to that fat slug of a crimelord.

There were only two options he could see that could get him out of his present ill-luck, hire someone to kill the Hutt, or save enough creds to pay him back for what he lost him, plus a little extra of course, and appeal to his wallet. This had led the Corellian here to this very cantina where he was hoping to find work.

He paused outside the entrance to relight his thin cigar, taking a small drag allowing the cancerous smoke to fill his lungs before breathing out pushing the door with his left hand. This kept his right free to draw on the blaster holstered at his hip, a weapon which had saved him on numerous occasions.

Scanning the bar, seeing most of the tables empty, which wasn't particularly unusual for the shithole at this time of day, Korva stepped forward. "The usual Jack..." Korva couldn't remember the barman's name, he couldn't remember if he'd asked, but he'd been calling him 'Jack' for the past two years so 'Jack' it remained.

Korva took the ale, and not even glancing in the lonely Zabrak's direction, he took a seat at one of the tables towards the back.

The zabrak, however, had been watching him since the door had swung open again. His hand slipped out of his pocket with small holo that showed the man's face.

"Korva..." he growled. This was man he had been looking for, his target.

He stood up slowly and turned to face the mercenary. He grinned in the merc's direction to let him know that he was wanted, then began to saunter over, leaving his ale at the bar.

Korva saw the approaching Zabrak. As he passed under the lights the tattoos he wore proudly seemed to light up only to grow dark as he past into shadows. Finally he arrived at the back table. While he'd been drinking the concoction in front of him the Corellian's eyes never strayed far from the approaching Zabrak.

"I in your seat?" Korva asked his right hand slowly lowering down to hover close to his blaster. This had happened before, not in this cantina but in another bar, on Tatooine. One of the locals had disliked the look of Korva from the moment he'd stepped through the swinging doors.

The Barkynian, a species with two strangely small eyes compared to the size of their head, had said he'd been sitting on the seat Korva had chosen and wanted it back. Korva would normally had avoided the trouble, it cost more than it solved, but that particular day on that particular evening Korva wouldn't have left that seat even if a Sith had wanted it. Of course the Barkynian had gone for the small blaster at his left side.

Korva had been faster.

So much so that the Barkyian's blaster hadn't left the holster when Korva's went off. There was no aiming involved, still the laser blast struck the alien in the face exploding out through the back of his skull. Korva could still remember the smell of burnt flesh that had hung in the air hours after the body had been disposed of.

"That depends on whether or not you want to move over so I can sit down," the Zabrak said as he closed the table. "I doubt it though, since you don't know who I am."

He placed his hands on the table, carefully and without any sudden movements. "First let me make you a deal. I'll buy you a drink, and you listen to what I have to say. If you like it, we might continue with names."

Thinking about it, long and hard, Korva finally nodded towards to chair opposite him. His hand didn't move far from his blaster, he didn't know this character and nine-times-out-of-ten things turn violent in a heartbeat. "Ok, spill it..."

The Zabrak said nothing further but instead sat down and ordered two shots of Corellian Whiskey, the good stuff. He met the heated gaze given to him by the mercenary until the drinks arrived.

"My name is Kierfan Rosha," he said, picking up the glass in front of him. "I've heard that you have a fast ship. Well, I have a cargo that needs to make it some place quickly. I know you aren't normally a smuggler, but where you are landing could get pretty ugly pretty quickly. We are, of course, willing to pay you well for your time."

Korva took the offered whiskey thinking about what Rosha was asking him. "What's the cargo? I don't need specifics, dimensions, weight, will it suddenly explode if knocked about." He was seriously considering taking the job, if it paid as well as his new friend was boasting. "And more importantly, who's we and how much are you willing to pay?"

Kierfan took a drink from the whiskey. Its smooth fire burned down his throat and instantly made him feel warm. "I can't tell you what the cargo is, but I can tell you that it is delicate and probably should not be bounced around too much. As for payment, we will be offering you 100,000 credits, half now, half when you return."

"A hundred thousand..." he couldn't help repeating the amount. He'd never heard anyone offer that amount for anything. For smuggling he would be pushing fifteen or possibly twenty thousand if Korva saw they were desperate enough, but a hundred? "What's the pick up point and destination of the cargo?" Korva was already imagining the amount and how it would save his skin, paying off that miserable excuse for a Hutt and still have creds left to fix up his baby.

"The cargo will be waiting for you when you return to your ship. As for the destination..." Kierfan brought out a data pad from underneath the table and slid it across to Korva. "Everything you need to know is there. I suggest you memorize it quickly though, for as soon as you activate it, you will only have two hours before all the data will be erased."

Korva glanced up from the datapad frowning in suspicion. "Awfully cloak and dagger aren't you? Expecting trouble?" Korva knew they wouldn't be paying the amount they were if it were a walk across the park.

"Unfortunately it's necessary," the zabrak replied. "And yes, we are expecting trouble. You see, the planet you will delivering this cargo is about to revolt against the Imperial Remnant. The Empire, however, has already gotten air of this and has begun to blockade the planet. You will have to run the blockade in order to make this delivery." Kierfan took another slug of his whiskey. "Once on planet, you will be met by a human associate of mine who will take the cargo off your hands and hand you a datapad. Please do not read what is on it, its personal. Hand that datapad over to me when you return, and you will get the other half of your money."

Sighing Korva looked down at the datapad. It would take two days of hyperspace to reach the planet, he was sure he'd come up with some plan to get through an Imperial blockade. He hoped. "That's the reason for the payment..." he half grinned glancing up from the pad. But the money would help him out. The words save his neck came to mind.

"Ok..." he nodded. "I'll take the job. A hundred thousand, plus expenses for fuel and any damages to my ship."

"It is done then," Kierfan held out his hand. Once they shook on the deal, the money would be wired into Korva's account and the tracking device on the crates of weapons would be activated. There was a lot of money involved in this smuggling operation and the zabrak's boss wanted to ensure that there were no screw ups. There had already been several hard lessons as to what happened when someone tried to go back on a deal with Ares.

Korva remained seated even after Kierfan had left, the Corellian noticed a shape moving in the shadows at the far end of the cantina. Smiling Korva nodded at the large furball when he growled at him. "I know... but no risk, no reward..." he said patting his partner on the shoulder as they both stepped out. Chowe rested his rifle on his other shoulder as they made their way to their ship. As Kierfan had said the shipment was there waiting for them, along with three very unfriendly looking men. Once the shipment was onboard and securely fastened Korva went through the launch procedures. "Ok, we're clear for take off..."

"Gggrrrrewww!" Chowe growled hitting his fist against the dashboard, in front of him, when all the lights and instruments went dead. Slowly the Wookiee glanced in Korva's direction.

"I know...!" Korva said looking again at the Wookiee after doing a double-take. "I know... once we've done this run we'll be able to get her in ship-shape!" The Wookiee didn't seem at all impressed knowing full well something usual came up to prevent the work and they ended up in even more trouble. But he had little choice, wherever the Corellian pirate flew he would follow in his wake.

The Wraith lifted up on its vertical engines and as the landing struts were retracted, one becoming jammed half way up for a few moments before retracting fully, she peeled off flying up into the upper atmosphere. "Take over while I make the call to Nathan, and make the calculations for hyperspace..." The moment the smuggler's ship entered the cold darkness of space she jumped into hyperspace vanishing in a blink of an eye.

"Korva?!" The pirate grinned at seeing his old friend. Nathan was a captain in the newly formed Republic fleet after the fall of the Empire, he said new but then most things felt new after the Empire's fall.

"Nathan, or should I say, captain?"

"You start that shit again and I'll kick your ass!" Nathan laughed. "Not heard from you in a while, not since that little incident."

"Little doesn't come close..." Korva replied running his hand through his graying hair. "How's the old warhorse? She still hate my guts?"

Nathan nodded and for a moment the picture was invaded by static only to reassert itself. "The last phrase she used when the topic of you came up was, and I quote, 'I hope that smuggling pig dies and burns in the fires of hell'."

"What no swearing?"

"The kids were there." Korva nodded with a smile. He remembered the first time their eldest, who was seven at the time, had caught one of Korva's choice words, Nathan's wife wasn't best pleased. "So, what is an old pirate like you calling me at this hour? What's on your mind."

"A small favour..."

"What's new..." Nathan sighed leaning back into his chair waving his hand for Korva to continue.

"I need some torpedoes..."

"Only some? And here I thought you wanted my ship, or those reactive control nodes you stole from me!"

"Hey! I won them fair and square, it's not my fault your crap at cards."

Nathan shook his head. "Bria said cards and you would get me into trouble, but I didn't think she meant at the same time. How many do you need?"

"Only a few..."

"You in trouble?" Nathan frowned with worry.

Bless you, Korva thought knowing if there was anything Nathan could do to help he'd do it in a heartbeat, and to hell with the consequences, which if you ever saw his wife was a big gesture in friendship. "Nothing but the usual, you know me..." Nathan grunted at that with a nod. "I'll be able to test those control nodes you keep going on about."

"Just don't die Korva, the data isn't much use if the ship they're on is blown up." Korva couldn't agree more.

---

"A Hundred Thousand, Part Two"
Korva Valkier
Chowe (NPC)

Location: Deep Space
Date: Selene 17, 5 ABY

***

In the vacuum of space nothing can hear you scream.

It was an old saying. Pilots in the Empire used to tease recruits, and it was the same in the new Republic. Not many liked to admit the similarities between the Imperial Remnants and the New Republic, of course Korva couldn't care less unless credits were involved.

They had made a short stop at Olg'Tray Space Station, orbiting around O'Tray II. A harsh world with an equally harsh people having to endure the searing heat of summer and the freezing cold of winter. Most consider the population as slaves, but of course with the high grade minerals the processing plants spew out many governing bodies turn a blind eye to the suffering of its people. The minerals, mainly precious metals which are already in short supply, are used in ship and starbase construction.

Just like his Republic friend had said, the crates were waiting for him in the station's cargo hold and after a signature and paying a small fee for storage, something that hadn't been mentioned - much to Korva's annoyance, though the fact he'd be reimbursed didn't matter, it was the principle of the thing.

It all seemed rather quick and easy for Korva. The norm or any wayward station was to get every last credit out of any passer by, like a soilian leech sucking the last drop of blood from a victim. So when they didn't even bargain or flinch about the storage costs bad vibes and suspicions started rising.

The hanger doors opened allowing the Wraith to lift up out into the freedom of space. Bringing her around Korva set a fake destination in the nav-computer. He still couldn't get the bad feeling from the pit of his stomach, and his Wookiee partner didn't help matters.

"I know I haven't spoken to Amii!" he shouted once the ship had jumped into hyperspace. The bright flash had faded replaced with the constantly spiralling tunnel of blue light, the Wookiee hadn't given him a moment's peace since boarding his baby. "What--?" he was about to ask 'what had brought this up' but the Wookiee didn't give him a chance. "I know she's beautiful... yes I think she's intelligent, and I know we share some of the same interests!" Chowe growled beside him as they continued their hyperspace jump. "Thank for your insight but I was already aware of that too!"

The Wookiee stood up from his chair pausing for a moment at the door moaning. Eyes growing wide Korva's head turned to regard his friend. "What the hell are you talking about!? Just because I let you tag along, doesn't give you the right to interfere in my personal life! Or my sex life for that matter!" Laughing, in a way only a Wookiee could, which echoed behind him, Chowe vanished into the back of the ship leaving a fuming Corellian. Hitting the control panel in front of him, not overly wise considering the fragile state of his ship, Korva sat grumbling to himself.

"Bloody Wookiees... sticking noses where don't belong..." he whispered.

Chowe stood in the rear cargo hold looking at the crates of torpedoes, he knew the torpedoes were inside the containers, he knew the destructive power they now held, but force didn't win a battle. He'd been with Korva far too long to think otherwise. Cunning, cheating, and worse won more battles than courage and heroism, much as it pained him to admit.

In more ways Korva was every bit a hero, every fibre of him as courageous as any legend. He would have no other beside him in the heat of a battle. Yet there were times the human infuriated him.

Like now.

He knew Korva liked Amii, more than liked. The way his scent changes, the way his eyes dilate whenever staring in her direction. A blind Sugarian Monk could see what the Corellian himself constantly fails to notice, or if he does chooses to ignore what is painfully obvious.

His moan and light chuckle echoed around him. Making the decision seemed to lift a weight from his chest. Turning he left the torpedoes in their crates. He'd load them up later.

He had a call to make.

---

"A Hundred Thousand, Part Three"
Korva Valkier
Chowe (NPC)
Commodore Harlin (NPC)

Location: Deep Space
Date: Selene 17, 5 ABY

***

The bridge of the Tiroga was a sea of activity. On either side of the main walkway officers both young and old worked at their stations, each knew their job and did it with a professionalism that came from the impeccable training. Many had thought Commodore Harlin's return to active service was a mistake, and giving him this command was unbelievable. Of course they didn't know Harlin. A career minded man and after having a long career in the military he had chosen to teach, instead of retirement, until that unholy day when they had forcibly retired him. ~Damned fools!~

The Empire was his life. When the Death Star exploded killing the glorious Emperor, and the New Republic surfacing from his demise, Harlin felt compelled to seek out the Remnants and once found offer his services.

There was no surprise in his instant reintegration into service. This was his second assignment, the blockade could have been completed by a Bothan, the retched race that they were, yet like all the ones before he prided himself of completing any assignment with nothing but a hundred percent dedication.

"Sir, we have incoming."

Harlin replied with only a single nod. Just as he was told. There had been other attempts to run the blockade, all met with the merciless excellence that Harlin demanded from those under his command. The last ship to attempt it had almost succeeded, those responsible for this had been severely punished, though not nearly as severely enough in Harlin's view, but there were laws about such things.

A pity.

"Launch fighters, I want this nuisance dealt with quickly." The officer saluted before running to carry out the orders. From the bridge he watched as tie-fighters being laughed from the neighbouring ship heading out to meet the insect who believed he could run his blockade. "Fool..." he muttered to himself glancing off to the lonely planet, and it was alone. Truly alone. "All fools."

***

The new torpedoes were ready. There had been some interesting moments, knowing they'd have to switch between their newly acquired hardware and the older more reliant torps with as little delay as possible, so they'd rigged up an automated loading system. One Korva hoped worked, but like most of this job it was up to lady luck.

"Hope you're on my side, this time..." he grinned looking upwards. Shaking his head he returned to the controls. "Next I'll be talking to myself..." he stopped himself blinking at what he'd just said. Chowe was just in time to hear Korva's laughter, the Wookiee didn't know if that was a good or bad sign, and not wanting to change his mood, knowing how touchy humans were in regard to mating - not that he knew why - Chowe backed away making his way up to the laser control.

"You strapped in buddy?" Korva asked picking up the headset sliding it around his right ear. Getting the confirmed moan from Chowe through the earpiece Korva took the ship towards their ultimate destination. "This is going to be.... interesting..."

There was a long pause when he finally saw the Imperial forces of the blockade. Chowe caught it with ease sensing his old friend's hesitation, something he hadn't before sensed. "Ok champ, we're going in...!" As he spoke he opened the throttle to full and felt the sudden acceleration forcing him into his seat, he knew the plasma erupting from the ship's engines was a sight to behold, but compared to what was about to come, it was nothing.

The squadron of tie-fighters came at him using the standard academy procedure, drilled in to pilots from day one. That if you're coming at your enemy head on fire like you've never fire before, all guns blazing. This is what they were doing. Green lasers flashed past the as the deflector pushed them aside eating away at its energy. Of course the Wookiee wasn't trained by the Empire, not like Korva, he wouldn't have been allowed in not being a human, but where he lacked in that part he made up for in other areas. Experience was one. That insufferable Wookiee temper that boiled up without warning that seemed to give him that extra edge in battle, he also possessed an almost cold understanding when it came to space battle.

It was this coldness that Korva was praying for, if indeed he believed in all that horse crap, either way Chowe gave him his answer. Waiting for the right moment Korva brought the ship up and around in a tight corkscrew, her laser cannons fired twice. First hitting the middle-right fighter, which exploded in a ball of fiery light. The second laser took the lead fighter, indicated by a red strip along the fighter's hull.

Korva never understood this. Why give yourself away? Why become a bigger target than you already were, and once dead that disorganised the rest of the squadron, if they weren't well trained. Luckily for them, and unluckily for Korva, these were well trained and instantly pulled away. One didn't react quickly enough and the Wraith spewed bright red energy taking it in its right exhaust, the reaction was immediate as its core went critical.

"Dropping torpedoes!" Korva shouted before lifting the latch depressing the trigger. Five black objects escaped from the rear of the sleek black ship as she spun around evading yet more green weapons fire from pursuing tie-fighters. They were programmed to become active when sent a specific signal, but at the moment they were going unnoticed. They were made undetectable by their unique materials and the fact they were yet to become active, no power signatures, made it hard for conventional sensors to detect them.

While Korva brought his ship into another maneuver, allowing Chowe to kill off another tie-fighter, the five torpedoes were slowing making their way towards their ultimate targets.

The ship rocked as a tie-fighter managed a lucky shot. They were getting more and more lucky shots in of late, despite Korva's best efforts. "Come on... Come on!" he shouted trying to encourage the five slithering torpedoes to move faster. He launched a torpedo, one from his own stash, which exploded on impacting with the tie-fighter on his left, allowing Chowe to concentrate on its twin coming from the right.

This time the Wookiee missed.

Finally the time arrived, or as close as Korva could determine. Close enough for him. "Activating now!" There should have been a slight pause, the slightest of seconds for the signal to be caught by the torpedoes bringing them online. Right now they should have been hurtling towards their targets taking the ships by surprise and rendering them useless.

Yet, there was nothing.

***

Three hours ago
Kovash system, Republican battlecruiser Oragan
Captain's Ready Room

***

Nathan sat at his desk spinning a ten-credit coin slowly with the tips of his fingers. A slow burning cigar lay in the ash tray on the other side of the desk, the whispers of smoke mixed with the already hazy office. "Captain, there's a Mr. Wersal asking for you on an open channel."

"Thank you lieutenant, I've been expecting the call." Pausing for a moment to slide the coin away he picked up the cigar taking a long deep intake of smoke before nodding at the young officer. "Patch him through."

"Aye sir."

The young snot nosed kid was replaced with the repulsive contractor managing the Olg'Tray Space Station. Was it his imagination or did a vial stench just invade the room? The human was everything he hated. Scruffy dirty clothing, two buttons were left undone, another missing completely. With his hair a greasy mess it didn't look like he even knew the meaning of washing let alone having soap.

"Captain," when he bowed his head it wasn't out of respect or because of his military standing, calling it a bow was an insult in itself. He disgusted Nathan. "I'm sure you've been expecting my call, I'm glad to say the soon to be dead smuggler arrived and has taken the shipment."

"Watch your tongue," Nathan growled. He could feel his top lip quivering with contempt, and this time he didn't rein in control. "Valkier was, is, a good friend, you speak ill of him again and I'll strangle you with your own intestines. Do I make myself perfectly clear?!" Wersal nodded profusely. "You have your money, which before those two brain cells you call intelligence begin to question the details of our arrangement, let me tell you this, it is not open to any form of renegotiation."

Just as Wersal was about to speak, mouth opening to form the words, Nathan slammed his fist against the terminal cutting the channel. Lifting the cigar to his mouth, an expensive brand, he allowed himself to relax leaning back against the leather chair allowing the smoke to drift up from his nose and mouth. Even the smell of the smoke was infectious.

"I'm sorry Korva..."

***
Present
Dolvan System

***

"Son of a bitch!" Korva shouted again and again wanting the pleasure of hitting something, wanting to shoot someone, but instead pulled hard on the stick bringing the Wraith up and around giving the roaring Wookiee a chance to fire. Red lasers lashed out hitting one of the tie-fighters. Exploding in a sea of fire the blast showered a second with debris, a fragment of wing hitting a vital system sending the second fighter into an uncontrollable spin.

"That fat-assed son of a---" Chowe's angered growl interrupted the Corellian. Korva nodded in agreement. "Yes that too! And no nothing's changed! We have a job to do, and by hell's breath for the pay we're getting we'll complete it! Besides I had a back up plan."

Chowe asked what that was. Looking around Korva shrugged. "I'll know it when I see it."

---

"A Hundred Thousand, Part Four"
Korva Valkier
Chowe (npc)
Commodore Harlin (npc)

Location: Deep Space
Date: Selene 17, 5 ABY

***

It was the incompetence of his pilots that forced his hand. "Tell the Nelisstro to hold her ground," he was talking about the smaller sister ship off the port bow. "Helm take us out." There was an 'Aye sir' that came from the officer at the helm. Before too long the battlecruiser's engines flared, superheated gases were expelled from the monstrous exhausts, and the ship began to move.

"Sir, we have the ship targeted. Torpedoes are standing by."

"Then by all means commander, fire!" The battlecruiser launched two torpedoes that instantly spiralled up and away from the vessel leaving two thin trails of particles in their wake. Rushing towards the black freighter they would have struck dead centre if not for some brilliant, by the pants, flying.

"What the hell is he doing?!" Harlin demanded stepping forward to the bridge window in front of him. Hands gripping the railing tightly he watched on the holographic screen, seemingly imbedded in the window. The freighter, while firing on the tie-fighters still buzzing around like tiny insects annoying some larger prey, had suddenly and insanely done a half loop heading right for the two torpedoes. Head on.

No one answered his question. The torpedoes continued their unrelenting search for their target, which was suddenly made much easier with the black freighter now heading straight down their throats. "Suicidal fool!" Harlin almost laughed, but that sweet tasting laughter quickly turned to bile.

Watching intensely all he could do was stand perfectly still like a statue, for several long moment. How? HOW!? The freighter had ploughed into the two torpedoes, which hadn't detonated like they were supposed to, breaking up like tissue paper. It struck him like a blaster to the chest. "I want all safeties pulled from the torpedoes before launch!"

"Sir, are you sure---?" the raised hand stopped him from finishing his question. "Right away sir."

That was the answer he was waiting for. It was a risk, and looking at the faces around him they knew it was so. The safeties were there for a good reason, but here and now they were a hindrance. "Fire the moment the torpedoes are ready!"

Seconds later four more torpedoes were launched. Thrown out to destroy and kill.

***

Korva shook his head. Four more! Four blasted torpedoes and he knew they wouldn't make the same mistake twice, the safeties would have been taken out before they were launched. "Damn it," Korva said pulling the Wraith hard to the right keeping as much distance between them and the torpedoes.

"The safeties..." he whispered for the third time. "... the safeties..." It kept nagging at him like an old wound, an itch that you couldn't reach, until finally it all came together.

A plan. A fucking plan!

The roar from Chowe reached a feverish pitch echoing throughout the ship as soon as the ship turned in the direction Korva had in mind. "I have a goddamn plan!" Sat at the controls of the laser cannons Chowe shook his head grumbling. Knowing Korva like he did, plans weren't generally his strongest attribute, instinct was another matter entirely. Seeing as there was little choice, apart from holding on for dear life and praying that this, unlike the dozens of previous plans and schemes that had ended in disaster, was more successful.

The Wraith spun and dodged weaving expertly keeping the torpedoes at an arms distance, in relative terms, while staying one step head of the remaining tie-fighters who continually battled trying to turn the freighter into the path of the torpedoes.

***

The old man was stood at the far end of the bridge hands clasped at the small of his back. Uniform clean and pressed, immaculate as all officers should be. He watched as the ship weaved between two tie-fighters managing to shoot at one, though only just missing, due to some skilful or lucky flying. Whoever was firing its cannons had skill, and where at the start he believed his own pilots to be incompetent morons it was clear now they were dealing with a skilled pilot.

Possibly even Imperial trained. It wasn't unheard of. Traitorous scum.

The black freighter, hard to make out against the blackness of space, suddenly changed course. It was difficult at first to tell where she was heading, only the brief green and red laser pulses showed its position, and the four torpedoes trailing it, but it had changed course. "She's heading..."

".... Right for us!" someone shouted finishing his train of thought.

It only took a moment for the realisation to hit. If the freighter was coming right for them, and with the safeties off...

"You arrogant fool!" the commander whispered fiercely stepping up to the Commodore. "You've killed us all!"

***

The Wraith flew straight for the battlecruiser, much to Chowe's dismay. The freighter was too fast and maneuverable for the cruiser's turbo-lasers, and too close for the other cruisers and support craft to fire without risk of hitting friend instead of foe.

The fighters peeled off, as if sensing what was to come. The freighter, at the last possible moment - even a Jedi would have been hard pressed to match the feat - ducked down flying beneath the battlecruiser.

If their safeties had been installed and active the four torpedoes would have followed the black freighter's path beneath the battlecruiser and continue their deadly pursuit. However, this was not the case. The torpedoes, one after another, lost the freighter and in the space of a nano-second acquired a new and much larger target.

The battlecruiser.

They punctured through its hull one after another exploding within after the time delayed fuse had run its course. When the first blew the starboard side bulged outward like a balloon expanding, the second and third went soon after adding their power to the first. A large section of the ship went up in flames and smoke. The fourth exploded taking yet more of the ship with it.

The crippled ship started to lean to the left. Plumes of smoke poured from the opposed side like a plasma leak, secondary explodes, throwing debris of burning metal, and bodies, littered the whole right side.

The freighter didn't look back heading for the planet's atmosphere like a bullet from a gun. Within the chaos and confusion that swallowed the system Korva made his run entering the atmosphere, making the drop-off and escaping. As the nav-computer took over, projecting the ship into hyperspace, the support craft were still tending the burning wreckage of the Tiroga.

---

"Order of Business: Part 1"
By Amii'a Val'or
Ro'namon
Cho'lub Ueb
Oneron Jel'vre

Location: New Plouton
Date: Selene 17th, 5ABY

***

"You've gotten sloppy and greedy you glutton," Ro'namon hissed as she sat across the Twi'lek's desk. "My source tells me that you have been named in conspiracy and collusion of corruption you fool!"

Cho'lub sat quietly at his desk, his fat lekku twitched and his eyes rolled, the only parts of his body that could move freely. A spilled cup of some sort of brew dripped over the ledge of the table.

"I cannot very well allow for your arrest and trial of course," she said. "So don't worry, you won't be apprehended to stand trial. Of course, I cannot trust that you will keep your fat mouth shut neither. Your a liability," she said as she produced a thermal detonator and set the charge. The bronze globe was laid upon the desk as its blinking lights warned of impending explosion.

The Twi'lek's eyes grew wide and his lekku twitched even more violently with his anxiety as his eyes darted from the thermal detonator to the old woman and back repeatedly. Ro'namon waved a data disk in front of him, catching his attention.

"This is your confession, for the people of Tae'Karada to witness," she said with a growl. "Your suicide note I'm afraid. A confession of your crimes, most of which you did commit, others you probably would have, had you had more time in your pathetic existence."

With those last words she walked out of the office of his private residence.

***

Amii'a had left the Palace with three armed security officers. She and her armed escorts had arrived at the condo building that housed the likes of New Plouton's social elite. Minister Ueb's private apartment was on the top floor. It was the entire top floor.

She and her escort rode the turbolift. She stared out the window as the cityscape flew past vertically. she figured that they would arrive at the top floor at any moment.

A violent shuddering jerked her and her companions to their knees as the turbolift was brought to an emergency halt.

"What the frag?!" one of the men said as he got back to his feet, offering Amii'a a helping hand.

Amii'a regained her footing as debris rained down outside the turbolift windows. All three looked up, and saw the smoke and debris wafting several levels up.

Amii'a didn't curse out loud, but her face frowned deeply as it took to several shades of angry red. She knew it was the Ministers floor.

The turbolift came to life again, and it whisked Amii'a and her escorts back down- an emergency program designed to place people out of harms way. She slammed her fists against the transparisteel as the cityscape zoomed past her.

"Fuuck!"

---

"The Devil's Temptation"
By: Brenna Hennely - Smuggler (PC)
Magnus Kresk - Interrogator (NPC +)
Marsar Tilmit - Smuggler (NPC +)

Location: New Plouton, Yelldon District , Near Starport
Date: Selene 17, 5 ABY

***

Magnus was walking along New Plouton. He was bored, it had been some time since he last inflicted any sort of pain on anyone. Like some were addicted to spice or alcohol, he was addicted to inflicting pain. Finally he noticed a lovely young woman speaking on a com. He eyed her carefully. No, he didn't want to damage any of her pretty features, he had a better idea for her. The former Imperial walked up behind her and cleared his throat

Brenna shook her head at the last estimate then spoke into the com. "So you're telling me that's the best offer you can give me on a repair is that it" she frowned as the person on the other end attempted to sweet talk his way out of the truth. "You know what, not interested, have a nice day you bantha," she clicked off her com unit then turn around ready to head back to the starport. She froze in her tracks and looked at the man standing in front of her. Thou his attire would usually scream bounty hunter in her mind she knew he wasn't. "Oh I'm sorry," she started. "Can I help you?"

"I'm new here," he replied casually, "and I was wondering if a lovely young lady such as yourself would like to show me the sights." He reached over with a slender hand and took her own in it. He leaned forwards and gave it a small kiss.

Brenna pulled her hand away quickly shaking it and smiled. "I'm afraid I can't help you there you see, I'm just passing through here," she lied. "You see I'm just here because of a simple problem with my ship, but there are droids around that could probably give you a tour of the sites." Brenna said trying to step around him to head back to her ship, however he stepped in front of her, blocking her path again.

He smiled and shook his head. Magnus stared into her eyes and said in a low voice, "You're not listening to me. I don't trust droids. Perhaps if you show me a good time you may get rewarded." That being said he ran his hand up her stomach and then grabbed at her breast.

Disgusted Brenna brought her hand up smacking him hard across his face. This guy was a freak. "Hold it right there pal," she hissed. "I'm willing to forget that you just did that but if you try something like that again, I swear that you may not walk away from that one." She reached around her black for her holdout blaster but noticed it was gone. "Where the…." She looked back at the man and swallowed hard.

"Looking for this?" he asked, holding up the blaster. He touched his lip and he noticed that she had drawn a little blood. He leaked the fluid off of his fingers and then swung his own hand at her, striking her across the face. "We can keep this up all day. What's it going to be?"

Brenna pushed herself up then looked back at the man. "You must be an imperial," she said spitting the blood out of her mouth. "There the only people I know who enjoy beating up girls." She stumbled to her feet then brought both her hands up in a Echani fighting stance. "You do not want to get on my bad side freak," she hissed as she waited for him to make the next move.

"I was an Inquisitor for the Empire." He bowed to her. "My name is Magnus Kresk. Maybe you have heard of me?" He placed his hands behind his back and he watched her carefully.

"Sith Spit," Brenna replied swallowing hard again. She had defiantly heard about him, a lot of stories and a good deal of them extremely bad. "Well this is unexpected. You should probably know who I am," she said trying to keep him occupied.

"No I don't. Should I know you?" Magnus asked. "Now, why don't you agree to show me around? It has been a while since I have last been with a woman. Either come with me or be tortured. Your pick."

"Ever heard of the Jade Butterfly," she said looking nervously behind him. Brenna took two steps back and felt around behind her for something, some kind of a weapon, but couldn't find anything. "Listen pal I have friends in the Republic, you do not want to incur there Wraith, Just walk away like we never met."

"Do you think I care? According to my homeworld I don't exist," he replied. "It is so easy for someone who doesn't exist to disappear. But maybe you're right." He turned around, but just as he turned he lashed out at her with a snap kick aimed for her stomach

Brenna blocked the man's kick then lashed out with a backhand. Unfortunately she missed leaving herself wide open for a counter.

Magnus stumbled when she knocked away his kick however he recovered quickly. He aimed a brutal knee right for her stomach, his teeth were bared in a feral smile. Well it looked like he was going to get to inflict some pain on someone.

Brenna let out a gasp of then quickly executed a foot sweep knocking him to the ground. She came to her feet then aimed a kick at the man's throat hoping to disable him for a few seconds so she could get away. Those thoughts faded as he caught her foot before it could make contact.

Magnus was still on the ground as he held onto her foot. He then pushed her foot back and climbed back to his feet. He shook his head sadly. "I think it is time that I depart. But I will come back, I will find you, and I will get what I want from you."

"If you live long enough," a second voice called out from behind a nearby structure. Brenna smiled as her copilot walked out from behind the structure hands clamped around a sporting blaster. "Sorry I'm late Bren…. couldn't find you," she replied. Brenna walked back towards her friend and smiled at her.

"Perfect timing." She smiled then looked at the man. "You see I may not kill you, that blaster wasn't even loaded, Mar on the other hand, she doesn't have the whole no killing belief system that I have so make note you come near me again…..you may die, how do you feel about that," she asked leaning against her friend.

Magnus snorted. "Well it is a bit of a disappointment I must admit. However sooner or later she will not always be around to protect you and this is when I'll make my next move." That being said he bowed once again and stalked off.

Brenna watched him go then looked at Marsar who was still aiming "Can I just shoot him in the back" Brenna put her on top the gun then pushed it down

"Let him go, he's scum, don't waste the power on him." She put an arm around over her shoulder then gestured with her head towards the ship. "Come on, I need somewhere safe to rest."

---

"New Life, New Friends"
by Jeron Kes-Allia - Jedi Padawan
and Lani Vissip - Jedi Padawan

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Selene 17th, 5 ABY

***

During the night Jeron had finally managed to sleep well for the first time ever since he left Tatooine. The first night was spent in the coldness of space, aboard the freighter that took him to Tae'Karada. Jeron had not expected space to be so cold, and was not accustomed to the feel of steel beds with mattresses on top. Besides, he didn't trust the crew members of the freighter enough to sleep, lest they try to rob him.

And once he had arrived in Thanatos, he hadn't had the chance to sleep either. Not after the conflict with the man who wanted to steal from him. However, that was part of the reason why Kael Selrid had found him, perhaps, and took him over to the Jedi Temple. And despite being amidst a forest, inside an old stone temple, Jeron had managed to relax enough to be able to rest and catch a good night sleep, even if he had slept on the floor rather than on the bed.

He now felt rejuvenated enough, and stepped outside, breathing in deep the moist morning air. Nothing like Tatooine at all, Jeron thought to himself. And warm, even if not by desert standards. Looking at himself Jeron had felt like covering all of himself in his Tusken garments. But he knew that there was no true reason to do so, unless honouring his tribal family. He had decided to only wear the clothes, without covering his hands or face.

He then noticed a young woman who was sitting down nearby. Jeron didn't have to look carefully to understand what she was doing. She was meditating, much like Master Gideon Kherris had shown him to do. He did not want to interrupt her, but thought that perhaps this was a good time to talk.

"Good morning..." he nodded as he got close.

Using the techniques Master Darr has shown her, Lani was able to sense a presence in the Force. Her grasp was still rudimentary at best and she only hold it for short periods, but those brief moments brought peace into an otherwise turbulent life. Her thick mane of flame red hair cascaded unhindered down her back, almost covering the padawan robes that she wore. Resting crossed in her lap were a pair of vibrant steel daggers. The steel had been folded hundreds of times during the forging, creating a wave look that caught the light with a spectacular hue. The hilts of both daggers had obviously been custom made for a feminine hand.

At the sound of Jeron's voice, she broke her meditation, looked up, and smiled. "Good morning, yourself."

Jeron was caught by the woman's beauty and booming smile. He hadn't expected the woman to be so stunning while looking from behind, but then again, he had no comparison to a Tusken, since he had never seen one without the rags that covered them. He also wasn't sure whether this was a Padawan or Jedi Master, though she appeared too young to be the latter.

"My name is Jeron Kes-Allia. I've just come here yesterday..."

"Jeron Kes-Allia? I believe I've heard about you. Raised by Tuskens on Tatooine right?" Lani slipped the daggers into a pair of carefully hidden sheaths in her boots and stood up. "Lani Vissip, also new to the Temple. I've only been here a couple of days myself."

"Word travels fast in a small encampment..." Jeron commented as he was caught by surprise when the girl knew who he was. And even more so when she seemed to know about his being raised by Tuskens. He wondered how many people already knew. "So, how are you finding all this learning how to be a Jedi stuff?"

Lani stood and fluffed her wealth of hair in a stretch. "So far it's more mental than anything else. Master Darr has been showing me meditation techniques so that I can sense the Force, once I can do that all that time, we'll move on to more control. When I was a little girl I was trained to be an Echani duelist by one of that last Masters of the art." She settled into an exaggerated fighting stance, stretching leg muscles cramped from staying folded during her meditation. "Has a Master chosen you yet to be his student?"

"Master Gideon Kherris, I believe..." Jeron answered. "He too has been teaching me on how to calm my feelings and thoughts and meditate, though I find it frustrating and hard at times," he admitted as he watched her stretch. "So, what is this Echani art thing?"

Lani stood up straight and smiled. "Echani is an ancient form of martial training passed down for many thousands of years. The original Echani were a galactic Empire that rose against, and fell to, the Old Republic. Their training emphasized speed, agility, and dexterity as well as using your opponents strengths as their weakness'. Most Echani is done in what is called Open Palm, or Water Way; because it flows around your opponent. Striking Talons is a more advanced form, using two daggers as your primary weapon instead of your hands. It was rumoured that a third and final form existed, Ah-ko, or Empty Hand. Master of Echani could strike their foes down at great distance with only a thought and a movement."

She grinned at the young man as a mischievous twinkle entered her eye. "If you like, I can show you a bit."

Jeron chuckled. He had never considered a woman to be a fierce warrior and skilled combatant, since Tusken women were not allowed in hunting parties. On the other hand, he could not see a reason why this woman would not be apt for such a task. After all, her muscles were lean and she seemed fit enough for it. This could prove for a nice way to see just how good a fighter a human woman could be.

"Well... I have fought and killed krayt dragons in my time, so I see no reason to fear someone as yourself," he winked. "But I believe we should do this barehanded, as to minimalize any true possible injuries," he added as he brought his hands up, palms open, and took a balanced fighting stance.

Lani's smile broadened, if that was possible, just before her face took on an emotionless calm. She lowered her head to her chest, her eyes resting on Jeron's lean form and her hands at her side. She looked open, inviting, as if she dared him to make the first move. "Let's see just how aggressive you Tusken boys really are," she breathed.

Jeron studied Lani as he moved about her. His experience as a Tusken raider had shown him that half the attack was the element of surprise. But since there was none in this case, he had to rely on catching Lani distracted, or better yet, distract her somehow. He simulated a quick move to the right, only trying to check her reaction, but moved back. She had taken the reaction he had expected, so he moved in closer. Dodging to the right he threw a strong punch her way.

But she was no longer where he was aiming. Obviously anticipating the punch, the red-headed padawan had moved off to the side in a surprisingly fluid motion, and now had Jeron's hand and arm fully in her grasp. Lani's grip was much stronger than it seemed as she helped the young man on his way to the packed earth by way of an outstretched leg.

Jeron got up and shook his head. Lani had been faster, more agile than he had expected. It almost seemed as if he was fighting a desert raid. He ran back at her, jumping with his legs up, and threw a quick kick at her. He missed the kick, but was able to push her to the side. Jeron then grabbed onto her robes with one hand and threw another punch with the other.

Again the punch missed as Lani fluidly moved around it. At the same time her hand snapped up to latch onto Jeron's. "Again you've given a piece of yourself to me," she said coyly as she bent the wrist into a S-lock, bowing the new padawan down and taking him to the dirt again. Her elbow was resting on one of his kidneys and his arm was being forced into a lock.

Jeron ground his teeth and fought off the pain that surged. He then pulled himself up with the other arm and twisted his hip, kicking Lani in the chin and forcing her back. Before the woman would be capable of doing anything, Jeron clenched his fist and grabbed dirt from the ground. Jeron got up and threw the dirt into her eyes, creating a distraction, much like Master Gideon Kherris had done when he broke Jeron's concentration with a Force punch.

Seeing that Lani was caught off guard, he decided to make his move. He moved onto her right side and threw a punch to her gut. This time the punch landed, and threw her off. He grabbed her arm and pulled her back onto him, taking hold of her robes and throwing her off into the dirt. "Not smiling now, are you?" Jeron asked as he moved closer. He took hold of her arm and twisted it so that he would grab her from behind by the neck. He applied a chokehold on her, cutting off most of her oxygen, and got close to her ear. "Do you give up."

"I never give up," she grunted. Lani bucked her back hard, throwing Jeron forward slightly, just enough to loosing his grip so that she could bring her other arm around. Two of her fingers shot into a nerve just inside the joint of the elbow. The young man's arm quickly went numb. Lani spun her body and bucked again with her hips, this time throwing Jeron. A quick kip-up and she was back on her feet.

She smiled and licked the blood from her lips as the former Tusken got back to his feet. She had been surprised by the old street fighter's trick and impressed by the young man's strength and resilience. But it would not do for her to be beaten. Not by anyone... ever. "I guess I get to repay you in kind," she quipped as she smiled at him again. The smile worked, it always worked. Often it would throw opponents off, as they concentrated on trying to figure out why she was smiling. Some were un-nerved by it. Others just got really angry.

Jeron twitched his arm, ever so slightly, and like a flash Lani had crossed the brief distance and thrown a hard elbow into the bundle of nerves known as the Solar-plexus. Hitting those abs was much akin to hitting a permacrete wall, but it still knocked the air out of his lungs and left him slightly disoriented enough that Lani's follow-up open palm took him squarely in the chest. There a brief sensation of flying, and then the cruel hard ground greeted him, several yards away from where the fiery redhead now stood in a lowered, battle ready stance.

Getting back up, Jeron rubbed his chest and chuckled. He wasn't exactly hurt enough not to carry on, but he knew that even if he persisted he wouldn't be apt to fight someone like Lani. And unless he would strike her strong, there wasn't much of a chance of winning. Still, the fight had been good for him to practice. "You're good. Better than I expected, for a woman," Jeron nodded. "Maybe you can show me how to do those things..."

She cocked her head and gave him a wry look. "For a woman, eh? Perhaps in time I can 'show you' how to do those things, but first comes the mental training. It took me years to achieve the right to do the purely physical forms of Echani, though my master then was being rather harsh on me." She stood up and brushed the dust off her padawan robes.

"It was a good practice, one that we could probably do elsewhere in a cleaner environment," she chuckled as she said. "But for now, I should return my meditations or Master Darr will have wondered what I was doing to cause me to muss my hair."

Jeron smiled. "Yes, I believe I ought to do so as well. I will see you around, Lani Vissip."

"I certainly hope so Jeron Kes-Allia," Lani replied. As she settled back into a meditative pose, she stayed focused on the young man walking away. He was certainly good looking, and his fighting skills had earned her respect, but why was she feeling flushed? It just wouldn't do to start lusting after someone just days after separating from Rylaa. Not even one that was only a couple of years her junior. But then again, her and Rylaa were never technically together, despite him having professed the fact that he still loved her. Did she love him back, just as strongly as years back when they had first met and both had been young and stupid?

She shook her head to clear out the unwanted thoughts and focused on clearing her mind. It was difficult, emotions and unbidden thoughts kept boiling to the surface against her willpower. Finally deciding that meditation was going to escape her for the next few moments, Lani figured it would be best to just take a brief nap then head over to one of the physical training grounds to practice her lightsaber work.

---

"Submerging Into The Underworld - Part 2"
by Kel Denab
and Selena Rellik

Location: New Plouton Starport
Date: Selene 17, 5 ABY

***

While sitting in the dark, they could still manage to get a glimpse of what was happening. As soon as the ship docked in the hangar of the underwater base that was under The Group's influence, Selena motioned for Kel to be still and quiet. Being inside a crate that had already been scanned gave them the advantage that there were no suspicions of their presence. They had managed to fool the scanners, and so, theoretically speaking, they simply should not be there at all.

The crate they were in was unloaded as were the rest. There was a small grating in which it was possible to see what was going outside. Having been placed in a container storage room, they were lucky that there were no guards. However, there would certainly be cameras or perhaps droids to attend to the storage of the goods. And as soon as they would open the very same crate in which Selena and Kel Denab had been brought in, they would find out that something was wrong. And that, if nothing else, would trigger the chance they had to get to one of the Administrators of the organization known as 'The Group'.

Selena turned to Kel and nodded. "Ok, this is it. We're here and he can't afford to screw this one up. If we are seen or heard, someone or something might trigger an alarm. And if that is the case, then we may lose the chance we have. So, silent and invisible is what we have to be. No heroic stuff, no shooting around. Watch for cameras and droids so we don't get caught by them. Also, keep an eye out for a computer mainframe, so we can download the schematics of this place," she whispered.

Kel nodded. They were getting closer as to who had put the hit out on him..and perhaps who had put the memory block in place. Maybe...just maybe, this trip would solve all the problems he was facing. "And, with access to the mainframe, I might be able to pull up information on the bounty on my head, or at least see if they were responsible for giving me this amnesia," he told her. Checking out of the grating, he slowly opened the lid, barely lifting it to do a quick check of what was going on. It appeared there were a few droids checking out containers versus the list that they had stored in their memory. Glancing, he did not notice any cameras. "Ok, looks clear," he said softly, and with gentle ease, slid out of the box, then helped Selena out.

"Looks like a maintenance conduit over there..if we can get there, we should be able to move with a little more ease," he told her, pointing to a panel in the wall. This trip needed to work out..for him and Selena. He'd hate to have it on his conscience if she was caught along side him.

Selena surveyed the area for a few seconds and paid attention to what they were up against. It would certainly be dangerous and difficult, but nothing short of what she had done in the past. She turned to look at Kel Denab and nodded. "It's better if we split up. You take the maintenance conduit while I move through the docking area. I'll place some charges around, so we have a diversion for when we get out of here. I'll meet you up in level one, near the armoury," she told him. "And remember, no heroic stuff."

"That's no fun," he joked. "Ok, but don't take more than 15 minutes to get up there," Kel said to her. He moved off, and managed to get into the access with ease. Looking around, he slowly began to make his way upward.

Selena closed the panel after Kel, so nobody would notice that someone had gone through there, and made her way. There weren't many people around, but there were droids, which could pose a problem if they were interfaced to suspect any unknown personnel. She made her way through the crates and finally got to the doorway that led to the main hangar. There were a few ships and people, as well as some repair droids and smaller crates.

There was also a railing that went above the docking area, probably to help unload heavier cargo, and a few consoles and a turbolift. She could also see a patrolling guard in level one, though at the far end. She waited for a few seconds and positioned herself in a low stance. As soon as nobody was facing her way, she moved silently across to a pack of crates. There was a small gap between them, just perfect for placing a detonator. Selena took the chance before she moved on.

Taking yet another small and silent run, she placed herself under one of the transports' rear wings, and placed a detonator under the chassis, in the landing gear. She peeked and saw the patrol guard above going slowly into a far corridor. She took the chance and moved across towards the turbolift. She took it upwards without anyone seeing and got out fast, hiding herself in the shadows, near a console.

So far, so good... she thought to herself. She then took the time to open the rear panel and placed an encrypted bypassing slicing device in the access terminal, then closing it back up. Taking out of her satchel a small arm-datapad, she strapped it onto her left arm and checked it. She now had inside access to the computer systems. She peeked through the corner and saw the guard coming her way, though he was ignorant as to her presence.

She watched as he strolled by her, and followed him silently. Grabbing him from behind in a strong chokehold, she dragged him into the shadows, away from sight. She kept the pressure on, enough to make sure that he couldn't call for help, and took his other hand, twisting it and making sure that he couldn't move anywhere.

"Shhh..." Selena whispered. "Stay quiet and you live. Try something stupid and I promise you will die painfully," she told him. "Where is the main office?"

"Urgh... The main...office...up ahead... North corridor, second floor," the guard replied in pain.

"How many guards guarding the administrator?" she pressed on.

"I...don't know..." he answered. But as soon as he said so, Selena applied more pressure, cutting off his oxygen completely. "Please...I don't...have clearance to go up there...I don't know how many guards..." he told her. He was beginning to shake, having made an effort to just speak. He had little time before he died out of air.

Selena let some of the pressure go, just enough for the man to breathe, though barely. She then pressed him on the neck, applying pressure to the vein that supplied blood to the brain. It was fast and would only cut off the circulation for a second or two, though it was enough to knock the guard off cold for more than a few hours. She slowly placed his body down and tied him up and gagged him, so that he couldn't escape or call for help even if he did wake up.

Making her way over to the armoury she saw that Kel was already there. "I have bad news... I haven't discovered how many guards there are guarding the second floor, where the administrator has his office. How did you fare?"

Kel gave her a slight wink. "Pretty well, just a lot of crawling and climbing. I did manage to find an access terminal, which I tapped into," he said, pulling out his datapad. "Got a map of the whole complex from the deal," Kel added, looking at it as he scrolled through the information now contained on the pad. "You?"

Selena smiled. "Well done. I didn't manage to find out how many guards there were, but I do know that the Administrator's office is on the second floor. And I've also managed to get uplink control on a console, so we can control doors and elevators and lock places. Should provide with good escape help, should we need it."

"Sounds like it. I think as soon as we figure out how many guards are around, we need to pay the administrator a visit," Kel said with a grin on his face. "What say you?"

"Yes, that does seem to be the plan of action. Perhaps we can create a distraction that would call for the guards' attention, though it would have to be one small enough for them not to sound any type of alarm," Selena replied. "I would expect the administrator to be quite well guarded, so we must be cautious. And we must still find out how many guards were talking about... Perhaps there is a camera or scanner system that we could use."

"Probably. We might be able to just hack into a console and just access the

camera logs," Kel suggested to her.

"I'm afraid that won't do. Their system is a closed circuit, and cameras aren't controllable from the consoles," Selena sighted. "I already checked that when I tapped into the console that gave me access to the elevators and doors. In order to tap into the cameras we'd need to do so physically into the actual camera line, or find the camera room where the controls should be at. Maybe that map of yours can give us an idea of where to look..." she suggested.

"It could, take a look," Kel said, handing the datapad to her. He thought it was going along rather too smoothly..had to be a bump coming along somewhere.

Selena took a quick glance at the datapad but found nothing. "Sith spit... Nothing..." she commented. "It would seem that the camera room or computer mainframe that controls it is either uncharted in the maps, or simply nonexistant. Either way, there's no way of telling just how many guards there are. And from what this map shows, there's only one way into the office, though there seems to be two ways out of it. Certainly an escape path for the Administrator," she added. Selena then sighted. "We may have to adapt...improvise."

Kel thought a moment, then nodded. "I think we can handle that. You have any of that explosive handy? If we knock out a power relay towards that section, that'll get the guards to scatter a bit."

Selena shook her head. "If we knock a power relay out, that will warn the administrator that something is wrong. We can't afford to let him escape," she said. "Maybe something more simple and that they wouldn't suspect... Maybe calling out from another patrol, or maybe a droid malfunction that would call their attention. Something that could happen but would take their concentration off, enough for us to make our move."

"I got it..If we could cause a droid to malfunction and start breaking containers, that would do the trick... It'd look like a programming screw up," Kel said, thinking.

"Exactly..." she nodded. "Only problem is that one of us would have to move back to the storage area while the other one keeps an eye on the guards near the entrance to the second level. How's your skill in dealing with droids and programming?"

Kel shrugged. "I don't know, remember? I still don't know what I can or can't do. It appears I'm good with doing computer things," he told her.

"Not good enough... We can't risk you going back and finding out you don't know what to do, so let's stick to what we do know," Selena commented. "I'll go and trigger a droid so that it malfunctions. In the meantime, you stay low and out of sight and see if you can figure out how many guards there are," she told him. Selena then took a vibrodagger and handed it to Kel. "Here, if you need to take someone out, do it quickly and silently. I'm sure it's safe to assume you know how to use one, since you seem to be proficient with weapons."

Kel took the dagger, and nodded. "I'm sure it'll come back to me, as the shooting of the blasters seemed to be second nature," he told her. "Good luck, and don't get into any trouble... I'd hate to have to bail you out," he said, kidding with Selena.

Selena found Kel's sense of humour somewhat dark, and chuckled. "Not likely..." she told him as she made her way over to the conduit Kel had used previously to get there. It was not the fastest way back, but it was the most safe one. There she would not be seen and could make it back to the storage where there were only mechanized droid units. And once there, all she had to do was to get one to malfunction. Preferably on a time delay of some kind, so she could get out of there before the guards went over to see what had happened.

Kel watched as Selena headed off, and kept his eyes out for any guards that might start coming, once she got the droid re-programmed. A short time later, he heard some guards come running along, reacting to a rather ominous blast that came from the storage area. He watched, and waited. A guard stopped near his position, as if to hold the hallway. Smiling, he saw his slight opportunity, and with precision and silence, eliminated one threat to their overall plan...

Selena reached Kel's position. She noticed the dead guard and gave him a nod. "Well done. I've checked the area and the path is almost clear, except for two guards securing the door that leads to the main office... We're almost there," she said as she started to trail off towards the corridor that lead there. Soon they would finally face one of the bosses that were behind all this, and possibly of whatever was done to Kel Denab.

---

"Submerging Into The Underworld - Part 3"
by Kel Denab
and Selena Rellik

Location: New Plouton
Date: Selene 17, 5 ABY

***

Kel rolled his shoulders a bit, and looked at a monitor. "Ok, let's see what we can do," he told her. "The administrator still has a few guards around him, but I think if we do a straight up attack, we should be able to over power them..." he said to his companion. "What do you think?"

"Should work," Selena nodded. "But we must make haste in our attack. Don't forget that he has another escape route through a back door, so we have to get in before he manages to get out, which means that we have to be swift and deadly and get to him before he can react properly to our attack. And let's not forget the other guards who could return any minute now. We'll also have to seal the door once we're inside," she commented, as if thinking aloud. Selena then sighted. "Ok, what weapons have you got on you?"

"Blaster, blaster...and, a knife." he said, taking inventory. "Oh, I grabbed these things too, wasn't sure exactly what they were good for. Part of that whole not remembering thing," Kel told her. In his hand, he was actually holding 4 concussive grenades, which would be perfect for knocking back and stunning any guards that they encountered.

Selena looked at the grenades with a raised eyebrow. "Those, my friend, are grenades. Not as powerful in the explosion as a thermal detonator, but it will still knock back a human," she told Kel. "Still, if we can avoid them it would be better. After all, the explosion is bound to call in reinforcements. Remember, as quick as possible, but without attracting too much attention," she reminded him. "Ok...ready?"

"I'm ready," he said to her, and pulled out both blasters. "Here goes nothing," Kel said, and started jogging towards his destiny. Hopefully, some answers would be had, and soon...

Selena held a tight grip on her blaster and moved out, running fast but silently. Stealth was their first major weapon to get close enough. Catching the guards by surprise would surely prove to be more than half the reason for victory. Luckily enough, most guards had gone on to check out the explosions and malfunctions of the droids down in the storage areas, and few were left to actually guard the main office entrance.

Taking a vibrodagger off her belt, Selena swung her arm and tossed it. It made a swift sound, as if cutting the air itself, and penetrated one of the guards in the neck area, cutting off his air circulation and preventing him from crying out loud for help. Only his gargling sound was enough to call the attention on the other guards who were nearby enough to hear their comrade in arms as he choked to death.

Selena opened fire on another guard, killing him before he could even aim at them. There were only two more guards left, but they had placed themselves behind nearby crates and were barricaded. As they opened fire, Selena knew that there was little time left, if any at all. "Quick, throw one of those grenades..." she told Kel Denab.

Kel grabbed one of the grenades, and pushed the button on top. He heard the beeping start up faster, and threw it at their assailants. A moment later, a concussive force was felt, sending the guards flying into a nearby wall, knocking them completely unconscious. "Ok, let's go," he said, hearing the alarm going off. "We don't' have much time!"

They started running down the hallway, and Kel saw a doorway starting to close. He slid his hands in between it, and started to pry it open. After getting it open part way, he slid in, and used his strength to completely push the doors open. They were now in the office.....Except the administrator was already dying!!

"WHAT?!" he said, running to the side of the dying man. "No. No, no, no, this cannot be! How?" he said. The administrator looked at him, and smiled, as if knowing that Kel's secrets would most likely go with him. "DAMN IT! HOW WAS HE KILLED?!" Kel said, yelling at no one in particular.

"Maybe he killed himself. Or even a security system to prevent them from being caught." Selena commented, as she pulled Kel by the arm, and out of the office, through the back door. "Somehow we failed. But there is no point in staying here and try to figure out why. And if we do stay we'll most likely be caught or killed."

"Look," he said, noting the blood on the floor as they were leaving. "That's not self inflicted. Looks like someone was here before us..." Kel added as he was drug out the door. "Damn it!" he exclaimed, kicking a wall in the hallway. "And I doubt he was stupid enough to leave anything on the computer systems, it was probably discussions, and nothing else." He gritted his teeth. "Fine, let's get off this rock. I feel like blowing the whole place up."

"Alright then." Selena nodded. The back door led to a small corridor that went straight towards another small hangar. A private one, that was surely for the use of one of the administrators while there. There was also a small private shuttle that was capable of taking them both back to the surface. The only thing that bugged Selena was that if the man they were looking for was dead, and if the guards weren't on alert before, then the killer would have had to have gone in and back out without anyone noticing. But that was the least of their problems now.

As they were getting into the shuttle, Selena could hear the guards break down into the office. Surely enough they would see one of their employers dead, and hold Selena and Kel responsible for it. Before they could get into the private hangar, Selena took hold of the shuttle's defensive systems and fired at the corridor and its doorway. And the very least it would buy them enough time to get out.

"Get us out of here." Selena told Kel.

Kel nodded, and pushed a few buttons, seeing the massive doors open. A force field prevented the water from rushing in and filling the bay. "Heh," he snorted. "Fire on those generators, lets flood this place," Kel told her. He heard a few shots ring out, and the field flickered, then dropped, allowing the water to rush into the bay. Kel activated the underwater engine systems, and they were off. "Well, that was exciting, even though it didn't turn up anything," he told her, letting out a long sigh.

Well, at least we're still alive." she commented. "Besides, the way I see it you have two options. Option number one, you go after the remaining two administrators, though you'd first have to find out where they can be found. And option number two, you start all over. A fresh start, where you forget all about the search for your past, and start anew," she told him. But in her mind she could also think of why Kel should look for his past. After all, any secret that was important enough to kill one of the organization leaders just for him to not find out was certainly worth quite a lot.

---