Star Wars - Tales from the Outer Rim

"Twilight, Part 1"
by Quinlan Vos
and Chani, aka Daemor'rah

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Eos 19, 4 ABY

***

Quinlan entered the room which had been given to the new girl who went by the name of Chani. He knew that she was indeed Daemor'rah, but perhaps this was a new chance to turn things around and follow a better path in life.

The girl was sitting down on her bed and as he came in she looked up at him and bowed. "Jedi Master... Thank you so much for taking care of me," she smiled.

"No need to thank us," he replied with a nod. "Can you remember anything else from your past?" he asked her.

"Not really..." she sighed. "I do recall a few things although very slight. Something about me wearing some clothing like the ones you're wearing and seeing many people like you. It seems familiar..." she said. "And something about the desert... I can recall the sands but not much more."

"Humm... Not much at all," Quinlan told her as he sat at the edge of her bed. "Perhaps I can offer you some assistance in this task, although you may not like the things I have to say very much."

The girl frowned. "What do you mean? What is it you have to tell me?" she asked, curious of what she might learn from her past life, even though it seemed dark, by Vos' words.

"Does the name Daemor'rah mean anything to you?" he asked her simply.

She thought about it for some seconds and even mumbled the name. It meant nothing to her, and she recalled nothing from it. Finally she shook her head. "No, it doesn't bring any memories..."

"Well... That is your true name," he told her. "Or the one by which you are known, at least. The fact that you recall past things in your life, wearing vests and garments like mine, is because you used to be a Jedi Padawan, a very long time ago... Long before my time even."

"What is not to like then?" she smiled, as she could not think of anything better than being part of an Order that had helped her so much.

"You fell astray from the Order and its code..." Vos said. "I do not have all the facts, but you eventually became something in between the light and the dark side of the Force, and fulfilled your life by killing our kind. A Jedi huntress if you will..."

"No..." she whispered as she did not want to accept the fact that she had taken the lives of others, and especially such noble people.

Vos nodded briefly. "Yes... As frightening as it may seem, this is the truth. You were a Jedi huntress and you killed many. You have even battled some of us here from the Temple when you caught us in the city."

"But... Why would I do such a thing?" she asked.

"That, we cannot answer... But the Dark Side of the Force takes its strength from hatred and anger. They can drive one to make unbelievable tasks that no one with respect for life would," Quinlan said as he placed a hand on the girl's shoulder, so to comfort her. And even through doing so he could feel almost no hatred in her. And that told him she was not acting.

"Then my life is one of villainy and wretchedness..." she said in a small sob, as tears ran down her face. She looked into Quinlan's eyes. "I might as well not have found out!"

"Perhaps this is your chance to make things right?" he asked her. "A chance to train yourself and become one of us, thus fulfilling the path that was once set for you?" he told her, giving her the option.

The girl ran the back of her hand through her cheeks to wipe the tears. "But... I attacked you and you want to help me still?"

Upon seeing Quinlan nod at her with a slight smile she raised her eyebrows and smiled widely. "But, who would train me? Who would become my Jedi Master and take me as his Padawan?" she asked.

"I would..." Vos said. "If you want to take that path. No one will make you take any course of action that is against your will. You don't have to become a Jedi to stay with us for a while until you find what you want for your life."

"Nothing would make me happier than becoming a Jedi." She bowed. And the truth was that she could think of nothing better.

Vos got up. "Then we will commence at once! Now, will you take upon your former name, or do you want us to call you Chani?" he asked her.

"I would be fleeing from my responsibility if I chose another name. If I am called Daemor'rah, then that is the name through which I shall be called. But I will make it so that people no longer fear it, but rather connect it to the honourable Jedi!" she replied.

"Most wise words," Quinlan smiled, as he gestured for her to leave with him. "Come now... You have much to learn, my Padawan..."

"Twilight, Part 2"
by Quinlan Vos [NPC+]
and Daemor'rah

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Eos 19, 4 ABY

***

She stood in a small room with her new Jedi Master. She had learned that she too was Force sensitive and that she had even walked the path of becoming a Jedi Knight once... And now she would walk that same path once more and complete the training she never had.

Quinlan stood before her, his arms crossed underneath his cloak. He gave Daemor'rah an assuring nod and handed her a lightsaber. "That is a lightsaber. It is the weapon of a Jedi," he explained. "A more civilized weapon for a more civilized age, it can overcome most of the existent blasters when wielded well."

Daemor'rah ignited the weapon and stood marvelled at its green blade. She moved it about and heard the very characteristic sound it made. It was strange. As if she didn't know the weapon in her mind, but knew it by heart...

Vos grabbed a small circular object. "This is a seeker drone. It's a small droid we use for practicing with lightsabers. It will fire some lasers at you, but have no fear, for they are most harmless..." he explained to Daemor'rah. "Try to block them with your weapon."

The girl saw the sphere fly slightly above her and turn around itself as it moved. When it fired it was very strange. Her body had reacted even before she had thought about it... Again, it felt like she knew how to do this only too well, the memory of it deep within her muscles. The next round of bolts were stopped just as easily as the first one.

Quinlan was somewhat surprised and pushed the small seeker drone into his hand. "Most surprising... Seems like your body has not forgotten its skills," he smiled gently. He recalled when he had lost his memory and was in the exact same spot as she was now. "Let us try a different exercise," he said as he took his weapon back and safeguarded it.

Master Quinlan Vos then took what seemed like two sticks and tossed them on the ground. With the power of the Force he grabbed one of them, by making it fly into his hand. "Can you do the same?" he asked.

"I wouldn't think so..." Daemor'rah replied, surprised.

"Just reach out your hand and see it in your mind. You must focus and concentrate... Cleanse your mind of any questions and feel the life around you," he told her.

Daemor'rah did as he had said and thought to herself that she must not pick up the stick but rather make it come to her. She closed her eyes and imagined it, and it took her just one or two seconds to feel it in the palm of her hand. When she opened her eyes, there it was...

Vos nodded with a smile. "You are truly gifted, my Padawan. I am sure that with guidance you will find yourself and a righteous path soon enough," he told her. "No more physical training on this first day... Come, let us meditate..." he said as he sat on the ground.

The girl followed her new master's lead and sat next to him. As he reached out to grab her hands she did the same and grabbed his. With their eyes closed, she heard his soft words and concentrated on her breathing and on the life that spawned around them in everything and bound itself through the Force. It was like a soft endless stream that ran across it all and felt so pure and peaceful. She could understand now why the Jedi also led such a peaceful way of life.

When they were finished, Vos got up and bowed to his new Padawan. "Nothing more will I teach you today... Tomorrow we will take upon your practice again."

"Very well, Master." She bowed back. "I do have one question, however..."

"Yes?"

"Tell me the rules... The basic rules of Jedihood. I want to know them so to better understand what I have learned today," she asked.

Vos sighed and raised his eyebrows. "Very well then. The most basic ones you should know are that there is no emotion, there is peace. There is no ignorance, there is knowledge. There is no passion, there is serenity. And there is no death, there is the Force."

Daemor'rah smiled warmly and bowed once more to thank Master Vos, before she walked away. It felt like she had found a new purpose in life, a new meaning, a new home. She knew these things, but they all lingered in twilight...for now.

"It Starts, Part 1"
By: Jack Black
Robin Black [NPC+]

Location: New Plouton
Date: Eos 19, 4ABY

***

Jack awoke early in the morning to the beep beep beep of his alarm clock. Today was a big day, and already he had planned the heist of this planet's history. Sliding out of bed, Jack awoke his brother who sprang to action. Jack slipped into his desk behind his computer. The droids armed with explosives were all in position. Jack's face split into an evil grin and he monitored the troop transport on the station platform preparing to depart. Right on time, he smiled to himself.

Twelve Imperial Stormtroopers marched up the ramp onto the shuttle. The commander shifted his long weapon onto a more comfortable position. "Right, men we are going into a hostile situation. The area of Thanatos hasn't been cleansed yet, and that is our job to do it." His skull-like mask still locked in its vicious-looking sneer.

A little messenger droid bleeped orders and the troopers marched up onto the shuttle, following the small droid. Their white armoured footfalls fell in time to the droids bleeps. They all took their positions as the droids disappeared up the service hatch. The stormtroopers grumbled among themselves as they strapped into the seats.

"Heard these stupid rebels are nothing more than old gangers," smirked one of the guards.

"Don't underestimate them, a few months ago I was stationed in that city and those gangs are hard as nuts."

"Like to see how nuts hold up to a few rounds from my blaster," rattled one of the troopers.

"Yeah," said the first trooper still slightly unsure of himself.

Then the pilot's voice came over the headset. "We have permission to fly and have a scheduled flight plan, and are prepared to depart." There was a small pause. "Make sure your seats are in the upright and locked position and your harnesses are fastened tightly."

The cockpit was a tightly cramped room with barely enough room for the two pilots. The first flicked a few switches for the preparation prestart. The other pulled the controls towards him and the ship began to slowly rise from the platform. The sun had just begun to rise and filtered through the UV protected glass looked amazing. "Let's get this run over," moaned one of the pilots, "I've got to get back too."

The second pilot had noticed it too. The service messenger droid, it had just rolled through the service hatch.

"What the hell's that doing here?" ssked the main pilot.

"Not sure," responded his co-pilot. "Maybe it's got marching orders," he joked.

Then the small little droid exploded, destroying the cockpit.

The ship, only several hundred feet up, suddenly fell, a blazing inferno coming from the front. It smashed into the landing pad and exploded in a rage of fire and shrapnel. The explosion sent several of the ground crew reeling, shards of metal hitting them. Screaming in agony they scrambled away from the debris.

Through a computer screen impassionedly looking as though he was watching a recreation and not the actual events. Jack smiled. He turned off the screen and initiated the second droid. This droid was stationed inside the closest fire response team's sleeping quarters. The detonation destroyed the dormitory, leaving most of the fire crew either dead or maimed. Robin walked over and looked at Jack's screen.

"It's started?" he asked

Jack nodded. He then turned, picked up his staff and pulled himself to his feet, his long black leather jacket swept up around him. "Assemble the squad. We are going in."

***

A large man sat at the new desk. It had been a slow night and all of a sudden his control box was erupting with lights. His sleep deprived brain tried to deal with all of the controls. Then the main screen blanked out. His manager, a huge formidable man, whose hair had long since fallen out due to stress turned to him. "You get that screen on now boy!"

"I can't," responded the technician. "The signal is being jammed." His fingers tried to work the keys but they refused to respond.

"Make it happen."

"I'm not a magician, sir, I can't do magic."

"Well I am a magician and your job's just disappeared." He snapped, "Get me a man who can get this screen back."

That moment, the screen flickered to life. "You've just saved your job," the large media owner mumbled.

"It wasn't me, sir, the screen's getting information but not from me," the man stammered.

Then a figure wearing a mask took a seat. The mask was a breath regulator worn all throughout the galaxy however it hid the perpetrator's face perfectly.

A distorted voice droned, "We are the sons of Thanatos." It paused for breath. "We are seeking revenge for the acts against our people. If all Imperial forces aren't withdrawn from the region in a few hours, another bomb will detonate, twice the hell causing twice the number of casualties. Any attempt to evacuate sections of the city will result in detonation of all of the bombs simultaneously, which I don't need to tell anyone will result in a massive loss of life. I have no desire to see so much death and destruction, but my city must be allowed to be free!"

The message ended. There was silence in the new room for a few minutes. Then it was broken by the large media owner. "You got that?" he asked the technician.

The man nodded.

"Get a news reader we're shooting in five minutes."

"It Starts, Part 2"
By: Jack Black
Robin Black [NPC+]

Location: New Plouton
Date: Eos 19, 4ABY

***

The sun had just cleared the horizon. Jack observed the news channel. Sure enough everything was proceeding as he had wished. The Scalies had just arrived, their thick armoured hides filling the small apartment. He could hear on the news that many innocents had died in the blast. A smile spread across his face.

"Jack!" Robin rushed to talk to his brother. "Jack, the bomb, it didn't go off right!"

"Seems to have gone off perfectly, exactly as I expected." Jack let a sly smile cross his lips.

"But the civilians?" Robin asked, his face a picture of worry, his open honest eyes brimming. This was a man who in cold or hot blood had probably killed more men than most people meet in a life time.

"That's just the news hamming things up," Jack snapped. "Trust me, my brother, everything is going perfectly. Now the charges by the communications array and power couplings are in place, correct?"

"Y-Yes, Jack." Robin felt slightly uncertain, however his brother was always right.

Jack looked over the computer console. Many reports were coming in, several from the space dock he had bombed. Jack cursed himself for not doing the background reading. He had assumed that it was Imperial owned as well as controlled, but no, it was only Imperial controlled. Reports were now confirming one of Jack's worst fears: that the property was controlled by a criminal lord of extraordinary magnitude.

Jack looked at the damage estimate already coming in. It was large, only a fraction of what they would download from the Imperial vaults, however. Jack smiled. He would buy the businessman off. Hopefully.

The twelve burly Scalies, four combat droids, two Astromech's, Robin and Jack entered the shuttle to take them into position.

Jack looked at his watch. Roughly an hour had passed. He was pleased to see that no news of forces moving out of Thanatos had been transmitted. He activated the second set of bombs.

***

On the outskirts of the city, in a small policing district, everything was running smoothly. Two Imperial officers were running scans of their station. Warnings of bombs had been sent around the city and the staff administrator had been told to look out for all of the twelve-series messenger and courier droids. Even in this small security port they had four. Currently two were still unaccounted for. They had their officers searching the entire station.

"Sir! Sir!" warned one of the troopers. "We've located an unregistered twelve-series droid, sir."

"Ok, evacuate the building. We don't want it killing us all and get the bomb specialists in here."

The troopers began to file out of the building quickly. A slight air of panic washed over them as they exited the building. Three heavily armoured troopers stormed into the building. They wore specially designed blast proof armour.

"Sir, this droid has a tampering switch. We unclip the casing, the bomb goes off," warned the junior bomb disposal officer.

"I see that, Jeff. I'm going to make a micro incision in the side just here." A small hole the size of a pinprick was opened up.

"It's a limited yield explosive device. Could only damage this station," observed the third man, who held back.

"We'll have to place it in a blast container... Sir!" the young man warned. "It's been armed remotely."

"We've got four seconds! Run," he ordered.

The three heavily armoured troopers attempted to flee the scene but their heavy armour slowed their escape and the blast struck them down as they fumbled away. Outside, the windows around the building shattered, sending shards of glass out into the streets. Flames erupted from within the building. Three Imperial troopers rushed forward with fire extinguishers. Two figures emerged from the flames, carrying a third.

"One man down," reported the leader of the bomb team. "The terrorist is using a simple trip switch. Get a message to all stations. If one of these bombs are detected, you'll need to get the specialist squad in. These are just simple. Cut the red power cord explosives. These things have been made by a mad man."

***

A second bomb detonated on the side of a hotel, on the far side of town. The damage was minor, and casualties were limited to several droids who were cleaning the room at the time. Jack looked at these figures in the travelling aircar with vague passing interest; he was more interested in getting power and communications down.

The aircar pulled up beside the bank. Slowly, it floated down to the floor. Everyone waited the few minutes. They all looked at their watches. Jack pressed the button.

***

Very few humans ever went down to the lower sections and the messenger droid had managed to be unmolested in its journeys. It levelled its self next to the primary power coupling then, receiving its order, detonated.

***

"Sir, we've got power down in four sectors. We've got bombs going off every where!" reported Jaed Salum. He had only been with the Imperials for six months and he was already considering a change of career.

"Each time there has been a message transmitted to a droid of the twelve-series messenger/courier design. I want everyone you know who can supply that make of droid. Secondly, I want to trace that message."

"We have, sir, it's apparently being transmitted from the stratosphere."

"Then we have our man." The man smiled.

"Who?" asked Jaed,

"Jack Black. He used the same tactic a few months ago. Confused our men when he was betraying the legions of Thanatos. Then why is he helping them now?" the commander asked. "I want to see a layout of all bombs detonated around the city."

***

"Go go go!" ordered Robin, and the Scalies and droids rushed out of the aircar.

Their blasts had struck the armoured guards before they even had time to draw their arms. The large war droid trundled forward, ignoring the blasts from the remote security cannons. He casually aimed up its huge ham metal fists and launched a small missile that struck the turret, annihilating it. The two security bots hovered forward and deactivated the door lock.

Robin was first in, both blasters blazing. Red energy blasts all met their marks, sending the security guard reeling to the ground with burn marks scorched on their chests. The scalies, droids, and Robin soon made short work of the rest of the defences then finally Jack stepped forward. He was wearing an oxygen mask to filter out the smoke of the burned bodies. He looked around through the visor with no passion. Behind the front desk quivered the man Jack had talked to not so long ago.

"My good sir," Jack smiled under the mask. "Open up the vault or I will kill you!"

"Er--" The man stuttered. Jack drew his blaster and levelled it at the man's head.

"I'm not a patient man," Jack added.

"Never." The man jumped for the alarm button. He slammed his hand down on it but the alarm failed to go off.

"Did I forget to tell you, your emergency power and primary power have all been disconnected. Did you forget to pay your electricity bill?"

"You--"

Jack didn't let him finish the sentence. He fired his gun, blowing the man's head apart.

"You don't waste my time," he snapped to the dead body. "Robin, can you blow the vault open?"

"No, but the war droid can."

"Sirius 5 break down that door."

The huge lumbering mechanical hulk pounced forward, its huge metal feet clanking on the durasteel floor board. It rammed into the triple strength metal doors and there was a sound of metal smashing against metal as the doors and the droid were both mashed into one. As the droid realised it was doomed it initiated its detonation and exploded.

Jack and Robin dived for cover. Flames dogged their heels as they cowered behind the desk.

"Well done, Robin," Jack sarcastically muttered. "Get into the vault!" he ordered.

Robin ordered the Scalies up forward. They cautiously approached; thick smoke of the exploded war droid clouded their vision. Then a red dot appeared, and a blast shortly followed, striking one of the Scalies, blowing half of its body away. A second series of blasts shortly followed, killing two more of the Scalies.

"It's a remote powered blaster," Robin informed Jack.

"I can see that, you fool" Jack scowled. "Get a bomb in there and put it out of commission."

"Sure thing, Jack." Robin stood up and charged down the smoking corridor, his personal shield absorbing blast after blast of the energy cannon. Robin disappeared into the smoke. Jack held his breath. He felt for the first time in his life fearful for his brother's life.

Seconds passed into minutes. Jack held his breath, then, emerging from the smoke, Robin carried several wires.

"The cannon is out of commission." He smirked.

"Well-done," Jack congratulated. "Now get the R2 units in there and download our money."

"Only You Can Prevent Firefights"
By: Symm Ruus Dunn

Location: Scrub Forest, one day out of New Plouton
Date: Eos 19, 4 ABY

***

Symm finished weaving the edge seam on his new camouflage cover suit, otherwise known as a "Guilly Suit." He lifted the finished suit, which looked more like a six foot square carpet covered in plants and dirt than a suit, to inspect it. He nodded his approval and began the process of strapping it onto his body, over his pack and his head. Once it was fully strapped, he felt the extra twelve or so pounds pressing his shoulders down. I need to find one that is lighter, Symm thought as he shrugged a couple of times to "set" the suit.

Other than the weight though, the suit fit well and if a trooper looked at him from a distance of a couple of meters or more, the trooper would notice a knob of earth topped with a couple of ferns. The covering was nearly complete except for a face mask in front of the hood. Symm would have to find a creek bed from which to smear mud onto his face.

His egress from New Plouton was assisted dramatically by the gear he had acquired from the scout speeder. With the nav aids he got, he determined that the only way to be ready for operation on the outskirts of Thanatos, he would have to hijack or find vehicular transport. Otherwise Symm would have to trek for a week or two to get there. By that time, the insurrection would either be successful or defeated.

Symm had heard speeders, bikes, and swoop noises from the north several hours ago, and if these noises were Imperial bikes, or scouts Symm had to investigate. He stood, turned north and hefted the carbine and began a slow jog in that direction; stopping ever so often to check his surroundings.

***

An hour or so later, Symm found himself hugging the ground on a small rise on the edge of a copse of trees. In the clearing below, two Imperial Bike Scouts were eating rations, leaning against their stationary bikes. Symm noted also that there had been signs that a much larger repulsorlift craft had landed and then left to the west earlier. The ground on the other side of the bikes was flattened and Symm could see the impressions of three skids. Probably an APC of some sort. This must be one of the Imperial Scout camps. Probably another pair somewhere round here, Symm surmised, wishing he was wrong.

Unfortunately, he was right. First the whine of repulsors broke through the evening, and then the appearance of the other pair confirmed it. The other two scouts dismounted and approached the pair sitting next to their bikes. Helmets were taken off as greetings were given and the pair who had been eating passed the other two rations packets. Symm nestled into the soft ground and slowly crept to a better firing position.

At his new position, Symm could see the group setting up one man survival tents. A curl of Lessian tobacco smoke curled from the front of one of their faces and a red glow appeared and quickly faded as the trooper took a drag. Symm brought his carbine up to his shoulder and checked the energy cell. After noticing that the cell was full, he switched the safety off and began laying aim on his first target. After setting up a shoot order by shifting from target to target in order to get the quickest and best shot sequence, Symm brought his carbine's front sight post into alignment and squeezed the firing stud. Before the first bolt hit the first scout, Symm lined the second target in his sights and squeezed the stud.

The sound of a carbine firing was very loud if there was relative silence prior. The scouts all froze for a split second when the first shot rang out. Then, they began to react. One leapt for the cover of his bike. Another began to drop to the ground but was hit along the right side of his face as he went down and he was dead before he hit the ground. The second target was caught much as the first except he had drawn and raised his blaster pistol to fire. He was hit in the hollow in the base of his neck; right above his collarbone. The sound he gave when he fell was more of a gurgle than any human voice.

The fourth scout was the one who was least ready but because of Symm's firing order was also the last to be targeted. The third shot rang against the bike where one of the two surviving scouts dove behind and the fourth scout dropped into a prone position and squeezed off two shots in the direction of the hidden sniper.

Symm had realized that he had not taken the carbine's differences with his old rifle into consideration on the second shot. It's reaction time to the firing stud was very slow and the noise and light the bolts gave off showed the scouts exactly where he was. Shit! Symm hadn't a chance at the third scout so he had squeezed off a warning before moving. He was grateful too because the firing position he had been in had been laced with two blaster bolts from he fourth scout. He belly crawled parallel to the scouts camp and saw the third and fourth scouts fire into the place where he had been. He stopped in his new position and brought the carbine up to his shoulder.

He saw the third scout poke his head and shoulders above the cover of his bike and move as if he was visually scanning the area where Symm had been. Symm fired the carbine twice and hit the third scout in the head and shoulder. Symm had already begun moving right after firing twice and was rewarded for his success by a barrage of blaster bolts from the remaining scout.

Symm crept forward very slowly and kept his eyes constantly moving for the fourth scout. He was less than four meters away when he heard the fourth scout quietly communicating on his helmet comset. The slightly electronic voice was too muffled to hear exactly what was being said, but Symm knew it was most likely the grid coordinates and situation report that the fourth scout was communicating back to a relay or command net. Symm knew that he needed to silence this scout before he brought the entire occupation force down on his head. He pulled one of the concussion grenades from his belt and charged it. Symm covered his head with his hands after he threw the live grenade in the direction of the muffled voice. The muffled voice got very loud and monosyllabic and Symm could almost hear what the scout said before the grenade shook the ground.

Symm got up into a crouching position and spotted all four bodies. There were a few small fires from the blaster fire and grenade so Symm could see pretty well. He checked to make sure each scout was dead and they were; the fourth and first both suffering gruesome facial wounds.

Symm moved the bodies into one of the tents before going through the cargo compartments of all four bikes, in which he found another set of enhanced vision optics, three sets of comm gear, enough rations for Symm to eat for several weeks, and a portable energy cell recharger. All four bikes were operational, so Symm moved three of them onto the tent where the bodies were placed. Once there, Symm relieved the other tents of their possessions. Here he found survival gear, one of the tents wasn't holed by blaster bolts, more rations, a few cred chits, and a minicomp with navigational coordinates of the scout bike patrol routes for every scout from New Plouton to Arcadia. Whomever was leading the rebellious civilians needed this. Symm was going to deliver it.

Symm pulled one of the bodies out of the tent far enough to get at the small device on the back of the scout armor's waist. Not many people knew this out of the Imperial Army, but every trooper had a thermal detonator wired into the armor; it had to be activated but was the perfect fuck you statement. Symm thought it was ridiculous to give a soldier the means to kill him or herself, but hey, these were the methods of the enemy. Praise providence for small favors.

Symm engaged the thermal's timer and mounted the last scout bike. Speeding away, Symm could hear the sound of a large explosion rock the ground beneath the bike. For several seconds the air around him became unbearably hot as the first wave of superheated air passed him. Then the bike began to buck as the actual shockwave passed him at well over the speed of sound.

Turning slightly to the west, Symm was able to see the firestorm the thermal had created. He sped along for anther couple of hours before stopping the bike and dismounting. He began unstrapping his home-made Guilly suit and noticed that the wind had ruined a couple of the seams and now he would be a little tattered. But it still worked, so Symm rolled it neatly into a tight bundle and used the arm straps to secure it into its shape for storage in the bike. He pulled out one the survival ponchos he had gotten and put it on. Then he mounted the bike, checked his maps on his minicomps, and looked once more at the black smoke rising into the noonday sky. It will take them days to figure out what happened, maybe never. On to Thanatos.

"A Working Relationship"
By: Adam Edwards - Smuggler
Jadda the Hutt - Crimelord

Location: Jadda's Palace
Date: Eos 19, 4ABY

***

Here Adam was again, knocking on Jadda's palace door. As before, the doors opened and guards came to escort him in. The throne room was filled with many different species, some of which Adam didn't recognize. With so many species running around the galaxy it was impossible to know all of them.

Jadda sat on his throne, his laughter filling the room. Guards led Adam once more to the middle of the room.

"Your Highness Jadda, the package arrived on time. However there were some...complications.... I respectfully request 1000 more credits."

Jadda laughed. "Noosa ob dengaa bontoo nor shadoo," he said. "Extras were never part of our bargain or deal," the droid translated.

Adam stood his ground. "You also didn't warn me there were pirates that wanted this cargo. Maybe if you'd been more open with me, the cargo might not have almost been hijacked."

"Boosa ob naar donta bantoo! Tchunga ib dengaa tchoo be oota smuggler?" Jadda replied. Again the droid translated. "Master Jadda says that, luckily for your sake the goods weren't hijacked. He also thinks that those things are part of smuggling and asks what kind of smuggler you call yourself."

Adam considered what the Hutt said. "A damn good one, or your goods wouldn't have gotten through. But as a sign of good faith, I am willing to concede, and I will accept the original sum."

Jadda nodded. He wasn't too happy having smugglers trying to re-bargain the deal. In fact it made him want to feed the man to his pet rancor. But he didn't do so. Instead he waved his hand and had a guard go get the credits. "Bachoo od nooba dangoo," Jadda said. The droid translated: "Master Jadda says that he will call upon you if needed."

The guard returned with the credits. Adam grabbed them, counted the chips and nodded. They were all there. He turned back to Jadda. "Thank you, your highness. Until we meet again," he said, turning to the door.

Jadda nodded with a small laugh and puffed on his long pipe, letting out yellow smoke. The guards saw to it that Adam was escorted all the way outside. Once there they closed the large blast doors behind.

"New Job, New Risks, Part 3"
Iyika - Bounty Hunter, Assassin, Intelligence Spy
Jolan Colring - Rebel Commander [NPC]

Location: Outer Rim
Date: Eos 19, 4ABY

***

He looked up at the dark night sky and sighed to himself watching the soft whispers of clouds floating through the almost completely clear night sky. The stars were out in full force glittering like pinpricks in a black curtain. The heat was terrible and the soft breeze that moved through the jungle was just a taunt adding to the restlessness and the hatred to this unbearable jungle.

The jungle covered this small forest planet almost from pole to pole; the only places not covered in jungle were the two ice caps at the poles and a single desert only a few hundred square miles but compared to the size of the planet it was a small drop in an ocean.

The jungle was riddled with a vast network of lakes and rivers of various sizes twisting and turning coming down from the mountains, going out into the only two oceans. What was surprising was the lack of insects. It was a welcome to the Commander, his eyes reluctantly moving away from the night sky. Most jungles would be swarming with insects almost making it feel like you were being eaten alive, but not here. Thank the lord for small miracles.

"Commander..." whispered a soft voice behind him. Jolan turned and looked at the very young soldier; he remembered seeing the young soldier fresh out of boot camp arriving here on the last transport. But the look of innocence of a green soldier quickly faded in war and it was no different here. Jolan stared at the young lieutenant and saw the scar that ran partly over his forehead.

The young man also had the look of a veteran soldier in his eyes. He'd seen men and women die all around him, some of which no doubt were close friends. Jolan had always given the advice not to make friends. But of course that advice was never taken seriously and when it came true some couldn't take it. People called it survivor's guilt but the effect was still the same.

"What is it...?" whispered Jolan, looking back out from the front line of the Rebel Forces based on the planet.

There was a long pause before the young soldier replied. It was like he didn't want to admit it was true and telling the commander was exactly what he didn't want to do, but like most things you don't like you still have to do it. "Telson has gone, sir... He left some time in the night..."

"Which way did he go?"

"His tracks lead towards the Imps, sir..." replied the human. It was a common nickname troops used to describe Imperial Soldiers once under the rule of the Emperor but now were all commanded by an Admiral on some unknown planet that Jolan couldn't pronounce.

"Very well... Get back to your tent. Get some rest. This lull won't last long." The commander couldn't have been more right. Only twenty minutes passed before the bombardment happened. Dozens of mortars fired their rockets, sending them soaring into the sky; some were like red beacons in the night sky used as signal flares while the rest were black so they couldn't be seen.

They all impacted, exploding with devastating force and effectiveness; people were caught in the explosions, sent flying in all directions while others were blown apart. Fire raged through the jungle, moving like it had a will of its own which was bent on killing everything; men and women screamed alike as they were engulfed in the fires that surged around them.

Jolan's eyes looked up at hearing the whistling of an incoming mortar rocket. He saw the place it exploded with a woman running close by. She was picked up and thrown like a rag doll, slamming into a nearby tree falling to the ground motionless. The fire expanded along the ground, engulfing the dead woman lying at the base of the tree. Two men vanished in the raging flames but their screams remained imbedded in Jolan's memory forever.

To his right two men were cut down by a bombardment of laser pulses ripping through flesh, bone, and armour not noticing the difference between them. Jolan watched a woman as a laser pulse slammed into the ground at her feet, exploding, tripping her up. She fell crashing to the ground bouncing up slightly. She placed her hands on the ground in front of her to pick herself up, ready to get back to the fighting. But something was wrong. She turned and looked back and saw with horror her right leg was missing. From just above the knee her leg was gone with the wound partially cauterised, only a small trickle of blood running out onto the ground.

Two medics came up to the woman injecting her with drugs to keep her calm and take the pain that was about to hit her, but they could do nothing more. They were all engulfed in blasts from the Imperials cutting them down; one medic was thrown back after being hit in the chest and shoulder, spinning him around before hitting the ground. The other medic was hit in the chest, sent flying back, hitting the tree behind him. He didn't even have time to register he'd been hit as another laser pulse came hurtling towards him.

It struck him in the face, exploding out through the back of his head. The faceless body slid to the side of the tree, crashing into the leaves covering the ground. The woman was hit several times along her side, killing her instantly.

"Return fire!" screamed Jolan, looking away from the woman, her screams fading to the back of his hearing as everyone able around him fired on the enemy. It was like a fireworks show - laser pulses from assault rifles, pulse machine guns, huge powerful cannons and their own mortars launching their rockets.

Any onlooker watching would have seen a war zone, with green energy shooting off away from the Rebel forces, vanishing into the jungle in front of them, almost looking like they were being swallowed up by the trees themselves. They could hear the explosions far off in the distance as the mortar rockets exploded on hitting the ground. Jolan could have seen the flashes of light from the explosions if he was paying attention but all his thoughts were concentrated on firing his rifle at the enemy.

***

Jolan was in the command tent looking at the maps laid out on the table in front of him; it showed the area for a fifty mile radius, showing Imperial Forces spread out at the far end of the valley Jolan found himself in.

There was a slight noise of the flap at the front of the tent being lifted up allowing someone entrance. "I'm busy!" shouted Jolan, not in the best of moods this morning. There was no response so he looked up, prepared to throw the soldier out, but to his surprise there was no one there. He walked up to the tent flap and saw it had been tied from the inside.

Jolan grabbed the blaster at his side and spun around ready to fire, but he felt a hand grab his arm and before he could do anything his blaster was knocked from his hands, falling to the floor of the tent, sliding under a cupboard out of sight. A cry escaped Jolan's mouth as his arm and wrist were both twisted, sending him slamming down on one knee. His other hand grabbed his elbow, trying to give it support by sheer reflex.

"So this is how you welcome old friends..." said a female voice. Jolan's head and eyes shot up, looking straight ahead of him as a tall woman shimmered into sight. She released her grip of his arm and she backed away.

"Iyika?" he asked finally after a long pause, shocked beyond belief, rubbing his elbow and wrist.

"Been a long time..." she replied, nodding her head.

He took another minute to recover his senses before asking, "What brings you to this little corner of the galaxy?"

"Just wanted to see how the old horse was doing."

"Bullshit!" shouted Jolan. pouring two glasses of whisky. handing one glass to his old friend before throwing the whiskey down his throat, the alcohol warming his stomach as it struck home. "What's the real reason you're here?"

"I'm looking for someone, an intelligence agent who's remarkably efficient at covering his tracks," she answered, looking around the tent. "Walking through your camp it appears you've had some excitement."

"You could say that, though little over fifteen minutes ago everything went quiet. There's been no sign of any Imperials and all the scouts I've sent have yet to report back. I don't suppose you could...you know...while you're in the neighbourhood..."

"Go and have a look?" she asked, finishing the commander's thoughts and his slight nod showed she'd hit the mark. "I suppose I can take a look see. How many troops are we talking about?"

"Legion sized, two Imperial Walkers, several speeders and other vehicles. Nothing you can't handle." The groan from the Acaran brought a smile to his face. "I owe you one..." he added.

The jungle was silent, no birds were singing, no animal was making any noise; it was the silence of death and it seemed as if the jungle knew of a danger. But Iyika could see nothing and could hear nothing. She moved from tree to tree using the branches so as not to leave tracks behind her and it was a lot quicker than running along the ground. She dropped onto a large branch of a tree, landing safely, grabbing the branch with her right hand, easily steadying herself.

Her eyes scanned the area looking for the Imps. The only sign of the Imperial force that once stood here was a wrecked Walker and a single stormtrooper. The ground had been overturned and it covered a vast area. Her eyes caught the sight of a tree resting up against two others. The tree had been cut at its base and it had been a single motion.

"What could have done this...?" she whispered, looking around her. The Walker had been totally trashed; the side visible from her position had been sliced open. It was like seeing the side of an animal that had been attacked by a predator. Iyika dropped down from the tree and once on the ground she saw scorch marks left behind by blasters and rifles all around her. Even the tree next to her wasn't spared; the bark had been ripped off with the tree partially turned to charcoal. Her hand reached forward and the charcoal crumbled in her fingers.

"How in god's creation did this happen?"

Iyika had heard the commander coming out of the jungle; her eyes were focused on the stormtrooper lying at the edge of the circular area of soil that had been overturned. "I don't know..." Her words were soft as if her thoughts were far off. She continued to stare at the Imperial soldier his abdomen split open with his intestines spilled out onto his legs and ground around him.

"What happened?" Jolan asked.

"I'm not entirely sure. There are scorch marks all around like they were firing in all directions. The marks in the Walker has slight traces of acid helping slice through metal." Her fingers traced the line of the largest gash in the armour of the Imperial Walker while she continued. "The armour was cut seemingly as easy as a lightsaber if not more. Looks like there's another player and he's making his mark."

Both Jolan and Iyika looked up at the damaged Imperial Walker while the commander's troops came out of the jungle behind them. One of the men stepped up to the corpse lying in front of both Jolan and Iyika.

"My god...it's come...its true..." the man started babbling at the sight of the corpse, his eyes wide with fear and shock looking down at the corpse.

"Martain Seriksho," said Iyika almost matter of factly, looking at the intelligence agent but he acted like she wasn't even there, like he was alone in the forest just him and the corpse lying at his feet.

"They're coming!" he shouted, pulling his blaster out from his holster. "You can't stop them! They're monsters...its true...its all true!"

Everyone looked out over the area in the jungle they would see no evidence anything had happened.

The danger had passed...but for how long?

Oz... Heat up the engines, we're leaving...

"Secret Rendezvous, Part 1"
By: Kaysa Zenarr-Tregat-Braston
Moril Astren [NPC+]

Location: Yelldon, New Plouton
Date: Eos 19, 4ABY

***

As exhausted as she was, all Kaysa could do was lie awake while trapped in Zale's embrace and stare at the domed ceiling above. She never had noticed that particular chandelier before, which was understandable since she'd barely spent an entire hour in their new home until now. After finding Shiv with her son, Kaysa found that it severely altered her impression of the beautiful, extravagant home; she discovered that she utterly despised it.

Merrick hadn't returned, nor had he commed, though over the cries Zale had induced in her for the three hours in which they sated their carnal desires, she doubted the unimposing chirp of a comm device would have been heard. She had to make it up to him, she knew, or eventually it would lead to resentment and they would no doubt crumble. It had become all about her suffering, her pain and no one else's, not even Merrick's, who had been betrayed by Shiv just as she had. But when Kaysa was hurting as badly as she was, nothing and no one else seemed to matter.

Zale shifted again in his heavy sleep, but as rough and forceful as he had been during her "therapy session," afterwards and even now as her turned onto his side upon the small couch, threatening to crush her under his weight yet seemingly conscious in avoiding her, he was the most gentle man she'd ever known. She knew forgiving him his infidelity was the right thing, especially now, for she would not have lasted long without him. That left her to wonder why she wasn't yet ready to forgive Shiv.

That thought alone gave her a throbbing headache, a pain not as delicious as the one still spreading up from between her legs, where Zale had pounded aggressively into her, or her breasts, which he'd clawed and pulled at indelicately; the discomfort arising from her rear, which had not been spared from Zale's ravaging, added to the delectable pain. Even so, the wrenching in her heart remained and Kaysa wanted it gone. The therapeutic route hadn't been enough to cure her, and a medicinal treatment seemed to be her only other option for release.

She had sworn it off before, but now it seemed to appeal to her; as she lay awake, watching the moonlight reflect through the crystal adornments of the chandelier, Kaysa decided she really needed a spice hit. Of course getting it would be half the battle, especially with the secure hold Zale had her in.

As gracefully as she could, Kaysa wriggled to loosen Zale's embrace and at the same time began sliding down along his body. He took in a deep breath, frightening Kaysa into thinking he was prepared to awaken. She froze and watched his eyes. They, luckily, remained closed and soon he slowly exhaled, continuing his deep slumber. Kaysa resumed her escape attempt and this time managed to slip out of his hold.

Soundlessly and with little disturbance to the couch, she rose and padded lightly towards her strewn clothing. She found her shirt next to the armchair, missing all its buttons and slightly tattered, but there was no time to go about the house and search for a new one; she draped it over her shoulder and went for her pants next, then her shoes.

As she crept about the living area, she kept her gaze on Zale. The moment he found out she was gone, he would scour the city searching for her, then have an army do the same. While Merrick showed his love through sweet sentiments and romantic songs, Zale's overprotectiveness was just as effective in proving his feelings for her. He achieved the same effect by spoiling her, just as he was now, though he didn't know it. Her hand dipped into the pocket of his pants, and a moment later pulled out his credit slip. She turned it over in her fingers and hoped there was enough to buy her a large bag of spice.

Zale shifted again on the couch, which Kaysa took as her time to flee. He would sense soon that she was not lying beside him, then he'd ruin all her fun. Opting for pulling on her clothes once she managed to slip out of the house, Kaysa tip-toed across the living area and made her way to the kitchen. From there, she stepped out of the back door and was on her way, putting on her clothing bit by bit as she went.

She managed to get a block from the mansion before feeling satisfied that she'd eluded Zale and his men, though they had probably already commed to inform him that a naked woman had snuck out of the house, and a retrieval squad was most likely on their way. Ducking into an alleyway - not the safest, but certainly the surest route - Kaysa sought to elude them. After twenty minutes, she figured she had.

All was quiet in New Plouton, which was understandable considering the curfew. She hadn't seen an Imp about yet, but weaving through the darkened allies, she didn't think she would, though she hoped there were dealers aplenty tonight.

She glanced down at her blouse, the tails knotted together to keep it closed - since all the buttons were missing - and her bare breasts hanging loosely beneath, though a good portion of them was visible through the large opening. There hadn't been time to retrieve her bra, but she doubted that would have made her appearance any less respectable than it was now. At least her pants hadn't been damaged in Zale's primal, fierce advance upon her. Overall, though, she still looked the part of a hooker looking for her next customer. And as a shadow crossed her path, and the figure attached to it soon following, Kaysa thought she'd found one.

She kept her head down and tried to step past the man, muttering a "Not interested" as she went, but he stepped aside to block her passage again. Kaysa looked up this time, her eyes narrowed and her face scowling at the pervert, but before she could spew a scathing comment, his features came into focus and she knew her night-time promenade had ended. She sighed heavily. "Oh...come on, Moril. Just tell him you didn't find me. Please?"

"Very well," Moril said. "I'll not tell him I found you, but I hope you don't mind company. Where were you headed, Kaysa; I'll walk with you. I could use the fresh air as well, or the foul depending on where you're off to."

Kaysa smiled uncertainly. "Um...I was looking for...something that...I needed." She fidgeted slightly while her fingers tugged at the loose ends of her shirt-tails. "I...uh..." She sighed. "I was looking for spice."

Moril looked around where they were at and frowned. "This isn't a good place to get any," he said. "You'll probably want to head a few blocks over. The better stuff will be around the nightclubs. It's up this way."

"Oh?" She raised an eyebrow at Moril and smiled slowly. "And how would you know that, Mr. Astren?"

Moril grinned. "I work for a crime syndicate, Mrs. Tregat," he said. "Actually, I'm fairly highly placed within a crime syndicate. While we don't deal in drugs ourselves, it pays to know who does and where they deal. Besides, a little recreation now and then is a nice diversion, especially when the love of your life loves another."

Kaysa's smile faded quickly enough and sullenly, she started forward, Moril falling into step beside her. "You too, huh? I...uh...found out about Shiv and Keeve today myself." She chuckled dryly. "Walked in on them, actually."

Moril winced. "I knew she could never be mine, but...but I had hope. I know she loves me. I can see it in her eyes when she looks at me, and it's different from other people too. There is more than friendship. It's not the way she loves you or Merrick. But...but it hurts."

"I know," Kaysa said quietly. "I'm afraid it's the same way with she and Keeve. I worry that I'll look into her eyes, and see that she shares something with him that we could never have. I think that's why I threw her out. I didn't want to have to face that realization."

Moril raised both eyebrows, and if he had more he would have raised them too. "You kicked her out? We noticed her leaving with Keeve earlier, but we didn't know... Oh, Kaysa, I'm so sorry... They're safe in a hotel right now, and I have people watching them." He chuckled softly, but there was no humour behind it. "I even put a team down the hall from them."

Kaysa shook her head slowly as her arms came up around herself to fight off the night-time chill. "I don't know why she didn't just tell me. But still...I think I may have over-reacted." As she and Moril stepped out of the alley and onto the street, she looked sidelong at him. "Moril? Do you... Have you ever met a woman named Elle?"

Moril sighed slowly and then glanced at Kaysa. "I have," he said. "She's a Rebel agent who comes into Antorial from time to time to talk to Zale. I think the woman belongs walking the streets, not in the cockpit of a snub-nosed fighter. Thankfully she hasn't been coming around to give Zale reports on the Rebellion. She has that...look about her. Very similar to that woman Shiv dances with...Arrista Faeg. It's almost predatory."

"Yeah...well next time she comes in, tell her Zale's out on business." She smiled tightly at Moril. "She's not been very good for our marriage...if you get my meaning. And she's part of the reason I was so hard on Shiv. The wound was too fresh, and I couldn't handle seeing it happen a second time."

Moril nodded slowly, understanding dawning. "I know where she's staying," he said. "If you're interested."

Kaysa's smile returned, with a hint of malice tingeing it. "Oh, how I'd love to rip every last hair from that bitch's vacuous head." She sighed then, ruefully, and linked her arm with Moril's. "But...I think I'm in the mood tonight to sulk and pout.... Wanna join me?"

Moril smiled. "Of course," he said. "And, I meant I know where Maeren is staying...in addition to that other woman. So, my dear, where do you think the best sulking spots are at this hour?"

She sobbed playfully. "Only places that will just remind me of Shiv. Do you know of anywhere she and I haven't been to?"

"Both of you together? What about that old park on the other side of Yesrin?"

Kaysa patted Moril's hand lightly and smiled serenely as she rested her head upon his shoulder. "Sounds perfect, Moril. Take us there."

Moril slipped one arm around Kaysa's waist, and then started toward the park. "There's a few spice dealers on the way. Did you want to stop? Shouldn't take too long to get enough for both of us to forget our troubles for awhile."

"Oh, and I think I can afford just the quantity we need." She slid her hand into the pocket of her pants then back out again, producing Zale's credit slip. Holding it up before her, she said, "Zale has been very generous lately..."

Moril laughed and shook his head. "Under the circumstances, I don't think he'll mind at all. Come on, there's one right at the other end of this alley."

Kaysa stuffed the credit slip back into her pocket and strolled along with Moril as if there was no danger of being hauled away by the Imps for passing curfew. But, they seemed to have steered clear of this part of the city, for there wasn't a one in sight. They probably figured this part of the city was unworthy of their attentions, but Kaysa had no problem with that; it meant she and Moril could score some spice without any trouble at all.

"Hey," Kaysa whispered after a time. "I know him!" She pointed to a fellow leaning against a building across the road. He looked casual enough with his hands in his pockets, watching the passers-by, but beneath his long coat, Kaysa knew there was some sweet spice concealed. "He's the one me and Shiv bought a large bag off of one time. For a discount price, of course, after Shiv let him feel her up."

Moril laughed. "Shiv let him--? For a bag of--? I know I shouldn't be surprised at all. I guess that's our Shiv. Well, are you looking for a discount tonight Kaysa? Or should we just pay the going rate?"

She chuckled. "Are you suggesting I should let that man handle my breasts? Oh, Moril, I really don't think my husbands would like that. Zale's a rich man. I'm sure he can afford to pay full price for a bag of spice to help cheer up his associate and his dear wife."

With a grin, she led Moril across the deserted street towards the dealer, who saw them approaching and immediately assumed a straighter stance that conveyed his interest. The smile on his lips indicated his was hungry for a buy, and Kaysa swore she caught the moonlight glinting off the dribble rolling down his lips. As she and Moril stopped before him, she cut him off before the man could begin his sales pitch. "One large bag of the best spice you have. And don't try and sell me that cheap shit. Trust me, I'll know."

"Tiesta again?" the man asked as he reached inside his voluminous coat. "I think I have some of the very best available." He looked Kaysa over and smiled. "Are you looking for a discount? No, no, I sense that you wish to pay full price. Six hundred."

She laughed softly and raised an eyebrow disdainfully at the man. "Maybe for three bags, but I only want one. Two hundred."

"Three," the dealer said, "and that's less than their worth. Come to me again, and you will have a frequent buyer discount. You'll get it for two hundred. This time, three."

"Already rolled?" she asked.

"They're not rolled," he answered. "But, I can throw in a roller at no extra charge. Just slip in a paper, add some spice, and press a button."

"Then that'll cost you," Kaysa told him. "Two-fifty. Take it or me and my stud over here will find another dealer." She leaned in close to the man and grinned. "We've got all night."

"Good luck finding dealers willing to sell to you for so low, especially in an Imperial controlled city. Two seventy five with the roller."

"Two sixty with a grope...through the shirt," she countered.

"Two fifty...and a grope beneath the shirt."

Kaysa glanced down at the man's hands, one of them slightly rubbing his crotch while the other played across his chest. She grimaced and took a step back. "Two seventy five it is," she said as she handed the credit slip to the man.

The dealer smiled, and reached inside his coat for a small bag. He placed it in Kaysa's hand, and then handed a small box to Moril. "The roller," he added, in answer to Moril's questioning look. "Very good business, and next time...two hundred."

Kaysa winked at the man as he slid the cred slip into the reader and withdrew the appropriate amount. After the transaction was complete, he returned the slip to her, but not without making certain his fingers brushed against her hand. She shot the man a sultry smile, put the credit slip into her pocket again, then was off with Moril towards the park.

"That went well," she commented to him. "At least Zale won't be mad that I spent too much on spice."

Moril laughed. "No," he said, "he'll just be mad that you didn't share your purchase with him. Come on, should just be a few blocks this way."

"Secret Rendezvous, Part 2"
By: Kaysa Zenarr-Tregat-Braston
Moril Astren [NPC+]

Location: Yelldon, New Plouton
Date: Eos 19, 4ABY

***

As they strolled along lazily under the moonlight, Kaysa sighed and glanced up at Moril. "You've met Keeve, haven't you? I mean...other than on the ship. What's-- What's he like?"

Moril sighed and glanced at her. "He's...he's very afraid and uncertain. That comes out in him lashing out at those he perceives as threats. He's jealous and spiteful, and...and I think very angry. But, when it comes to Maeren, his heart is huge. He'd do anything for her. Have you heard how geth'hounds react when cornered, snarling and growling at everything...he's like that. But, I think if anyone can tame him, it's her. I think he's a good person deep inside, but he needs her influence to bring that out...because the rest is being fostered by Kandran."

Kaysa let out a shaky breath and closed her eyes. She'd had far too many unpleasant experiences with Dargus Kandran to do anything but shudder at the sound of his name. "I've lost him, though...haven't I? He hates me and he'll hate me even more now, after throwing Shiv out."

"Not if Shiv has anything to say about it," Moril said softly. "I don't think she can thrive with that much hate, and he'll soon realize he needs to stop hating or he may lose her. I can't imagine him hating someone that Shiv loves as passionately as she loves you, and her being just fine with that."

Kaysa nodded slowly, uncertainly, then let out a heavy sigh and leaned against Moril as they walked. "I know I have to talk to them, both of them, but I don't know if I can, Moril. I don't think I'm ready enough for that. I don't even know if I'm ready to forgive her and take her back. I'm just...afraid, and I don't even know of what."

Moril sighed and wrapped an arm around Kaysa to comfort her. "I know it's difficult, Kaysa. But, I think you have time. Maeren won't stop loving you or wanting you. If you take a week or month or year, if you decide to speak to her then, she'll still be as loving and devoted to you as she's always been."

"I-I know," she said, nestling her cheek against Moril's chest. "I think I'm more afraid that I'll be unable to accept her relationship with Keeve."

The two of them found a bench to sit upon in the park, and once they were settled, Kaysa regarded Moril again and asked, "So...how do you do it?" At his quizzical look, she added, "How do you deal with her loving Keeve, yet still reassure yourself that she loves you too?"

Moril smiled. "Look into her eyes," he said. "Hold her in your arms and tell her how much you love her. I'd be willing to bet you another bag of that spice, ten bags even, that you'll get her holding you back like she never wants to let go. I just have to trust her and my own heart, but I can't do it on my own. I need Maeren to reassure me too. And, she hasn't let me down yet."

Kaysa searched the eyes of Zale's normally humble, soft-spoken associate and found in them a quiet passion and wisdom she'd never given him credit for previously. It brought tears to her eyes feeling how truly he loved Shiv, and knowing he might just get pushed aside while the rest of them tried to shoulder their way into the forefront, and secure Shiv's attentions all to themselves. He was too gentle for that, and had far too much faith in Shiv's love to worry that he would become forgotten or neglected. Kaysa had the same fears for herself, but only because she saw herself as too weak to do anything about it. With a sob, she collapsed against Moril and wept against his chest. She didn't know who she was pitying more in that moment: herself, or Moril.

Moril held Kaysa as she cried, closing his eyes and trying to decide if he should hold back his own tears. "It's alright," he said in a shaky voice. "You'll get her back, Kaysa. I know it and it'll be better than it ever has been."

"I know," she said thickly, tearfully. "But...it just doesn't seem right somehow. I feel like...I'm smothering her. I saw the heartbreak in her eyes when I turned my back on her today. I don't want to do that, I don't want to have the power to do that to her. She's wild and carefree...and I don't want to be the one to take all that away from her. She shouldn't have to worry about hurting me everytime she falls in love with someone new. Oh...Moril," she groaned, "what do I do?"

"Don't do anything without talking to her first," Moril said. "She loves you, Kaysa. The two of you need time to talk, time to be together. I think it's the only way you can get through this together, and it's not fair to her to decide yours and her fate without at least talking to her first. And, it's not fair to your heart either."

Kaysa's tear-soaked eyes gazed up at Moril and her trembling lips managed to pull into a tender smile. "You're a good man, Moril. And wise. I...I sometimes wonder about you, and it pains me to think you're alone. You don't deserve to be."

Moril smiled and then nodded. "Well, right now, my heart is still set on Maeren, but...but I did meet someone not long ago who...who was rather nice and...well, she was a very nice woman, and I wouldn't mind talking to her again."

Kaysa's smile brightened, as did her mood, and she sat up straight again. "Really?" She gestured for Moril to begin rolling the spice. "Do you...wanna tell me about her? I-I want to be someone you can confide in, Moril. I think I could use a friend right now who isn't one of my husbands."

His hands were deft as they quickly rolled up a spice cigarra. "She's the owner of the Pink Monga. I was feeling down one day and went in there...and we talked. I told her about Zale and Antorial, and all sorts of things. She wants to meet Zale...and I think she wants to help out with clearing the Empire from the planet. But...she's a beautiful woman, with intelligent eyes. She's also really good with the advice."

"She sounds perfect for you," Kaysa said, plucking the cigarra from his hand and laughing gently. "You and I should visit sometime. Maybe I can help you gather the courage to ask her out."

Moril laughed. "I think I'll need the help," he said. "I don't think Maeren would be upset, do you? If I...you know...if Janae and I were to...not that I'm saying it would, but if..."

Kaysa covered Moril's hand with her own. "It'll be fine. And Maeren won't mind a bit. As long as you're happy."

Moril smiled and then handed Kaysa one of the flare strips he carried. "Good," he said. "It sounds as if Lerrah's found someone as well, at least that's what it seemed like when I talked to her earlier today. She just headed off to Riga on super important business."

"Riga?" Kaysa asked with surprise. "We were just there!" She took the flare strip, struck it against the surface of the bench and brought the flame to the tip of the cigarra, held between her lips. After sucking in the sweet spice, and sighing out a large cloud of smoke, she smiled lazily and leaned back against the bench. "I think you need a vacation too, Moril, dear," she continued, her tone already much more relaxed. "Would you like one?"

"If you can arrange it with that slave-driver of a husband of yours," he said, "I'd like one."

She nodded curtly. "Done." With a gentle laugh, she laid her head upon his shoulder and gazed out upon the stars speckling the darkened sky. "Who knows? Maybe you can even bring that woman along."

"That'd be nice," he said. "Maybe tomorrow night you and I can go to the Pink Monga and I can introduce you. Her name's Janae, and...and I think you'll like her. Lerrah's already been teasing me, but after I found out about her new potential fling, I've got something to toss back to her."

"Well, it seems everyone's found someone new." Kaysa frowned and took another puff from the cigarra to fend off anymore depressing thoughts of Shiv. "Now, come on, Moril," she said, handing him her spice. "Smoke up. I've gotta get back soon or Zale will have the brigade searching for me."

Moril accepted the cigarra. "Don't worry," he said. "I'll deal with the brigade. And, you're not looking for another, are you? You, Zale, Merrick, and Shiv. I mean, if you are, I would offer my services...but that may put a strange twist on our new relationship as confidantes."

Kaysa snickered. "Oh, Moril.... You're too sweet. Although I don't think we can be lovers, you can have a kiss if you want."

"I'm getting stoned, so I don't think anyone would complain if my boss' wife kissed me," he said with a grin. "Especially not me. Though, it might make Aron and Deez jealous."

"Only if you kiss better than they do," Kaysa replied. "You're right, though. We're both getting stoned, so we can wash our hands of it if anyone finds out. That said..." Kaysa shifted around to face Moril and brought her hand to his scarred cheek. She dragged her finger up along the deep groove, then pushed all her fingers through his long hair. "Practice for when you make your move on Janae," she explained with a silky smile. "So, show me how it's done, Moril Astren."

Moril smiled and then leaned close to Kaysa. "It's done...like this." And, with that, he kissed her. As soon as his lips touched hers, it was obvious he did know what he was doing, and as Shiv had mentioned before, he was quite good.

Kaysa moaned approvingly and held nothing back in the kiss. She knew Moril was talented, but she had no idea what the extent of those talents were. With the cigarra still held in one hand, Kaysa brought the other to Moril's chest and smoothed it over the firm muscles hidden beneath his shirt. He was definitely much better than Deez or Aron.

Moril slid a hand down to Kaysa's waist as he edged even closer to her. He let his hand slide slowly up along her side, and then back down. He didn't know if it was the drugs or the fact that there seemed to be something very electric and intoxicating in the kiss, but he could not deny that he was thoroughly enjoying kissing Kaysa...or that he had secretly wondered what this would be like. He never expected to find out, but now that he was here...he definitely didn't want to stop.

Kaysa giggled throatily while their lips fed ravenously from each other. She hadn't known Zale's associate to be this daring or forward, but she didn't mind, especially since he was far better than she imagined. The sweet smoke from the burning cigarra drifted about, snaking its way into their noses and certainly giving Kaysa a heady rush.

She noted Moril's hand kept sliding closer and closer to her breasts, but never making it there, although she knew that was its intended destination; to help him along, Kaysa gripped his hand with hers and moved it to her breast, holding it there firmly. To free up her other hand, she tossed the cigarra aside, then brought her hand down to cup Moril's groin. Zale would definitely not be pleased....

Moril let out a soft gasp as their hands groped and massaged each other. A moan escaped his lips as her hand slipped inside the waistband of his pants. So enraptured were they with each other, Moril and Kaysa failed to notice the dark shape watching them back near one of the other benches in the park.

They weren't too enraptured, however, to miss the sudden clomping strides of an Imperial patrol. "--report of two in the park," one of them was saying, his voice distant and mechanical through the mic in his helmet. "You head that way, we'll search ahead here."

Kaysa pulled back slightly, but not too noticeably to tip off the Imps that they'd heard their approach. She couldn't, however, help giggling as she looked down at her arm halfway down Moril's pants and his hand inside her blouse, covering her bare breast. It certainly wouldn't be the most dignified way to get dragged off to an Imperial detention facility. "What do we do?" she whispered, trying to stifle a laugh.

"Let's get up and head over toward that stand of trees over there," Moril answered in a whisper. "If we don't look like we're fleeing, they may not be as alert. If we can surprise them, we can get away. My place is only a few blocks from here. If you'd like we can head back there. Once it's safe, we can finish more of the spice...if you'd like."

Kaysa grinned at Moril and brushed her fingers over his lips. "Just the spice, though. I doubt Zale would appreciate the rest."

"Probably not," Moril said as he checked the Imps back behind them. "Though, the rest was nice."

"Very nice," she purred, pushing her chest into his hands for emphasis. "But...we'll discuss it after we keep ourselves from getting arrested." She reached around Moril and clutched the bag of spice, then gave him a wink. "Come on. Let's shuffle over to the trees." Then, she pressed her lips to his again while awkwardly trying to rise from the bench.

Moril slipped an arm around her again as they stumbled out of the light from the overhead arclight bathing them. They'd managed to get halfway to the trees when a voice shouted behind them. It was followed a moment later, by shouts from the stormtroopers.

"--two of them, there. Go!"

"--there's another--"

"Halt, by order of Grand Admiral Tarkin, sovereign leader of the New Empire--"

"--set for stun--"

"--get them and detain--"

Moril sped his pace, pushing Kaysa along with him. "Now is the part," he whispered, "where we run!"

Kaysa squealed then burst into a fit of laughter as the two sprinted through the trees, heading for the road. She kept the bag of spice hugged securely to her chest; there was no way she was parting with it now after the haggling that went on to procure it for that price. Behind them, blaster fire sounded, but no signs of it impacting were made. Kaysa figured they were firing off warning shots into the air to get them to surrender, but she and Moril kept running, straight for the road.

"Zale is gonna murder you!" she hollered to Moril.

"He may," he shouted back to her, "but I at least will have gotten the chance to have fun with his wife first!" They hit the road, and Moril turned them to the left. Sirens were sounding behind him, but they kept running. It was only another block, and then they'd be safe.

Kaysa was breathless with laughter and excitement, but emitted a shriek as an Imperial speeder appeared from nowhere to block their path. The blinding lights atop the vehicle stunned her momentarily, but she recovered quickly and was soon darting into an alley with Moril. Their feet hitting the uneven pavement disturbed puddles, kicked aside boxes and other debris, but the only sounds following them were the squawks of reisacats so rudely roused from their slumber and rodents scurrying for shelter. The heavy footsteps of Imperial officers tracking them into the alley came only after they'd turned a corner onto Moril's street and made a dash for his home.

"Oh gods," she said. "I'm gonna vomit, Moril!" Then, she only giggled again.

"Just wait until we get inside," Moril said. "Once we're safely inside, you can vomit wherever you want. Just as long as we're safe."

The sounds of pursuit roared in his ears as Moril spotted his apartment just ahead. He glanced back and could see no one. "Up. Through that door. Hurry!"

Together they bounded up the stairs, and after a very tense moment of fumbling with the keypad, managed to slip inside. They both fell inside, and the door hissed shut behind them. Just as the door closed, the distant sound of booted feet against ferrocrete could be heard.

Moril glanced to Kaysa and smiled. "We made it," he whispered.

She breathed heavily against Moril's face where she lay atop him, and nodded unsteadily. Instead of vomiting as she said she would, Kaysa chuckled and kissed Moril again, roughly. She pulled away abruptly, after Moril's hips rolled forward to rub against hers, and grinned at the man. "I guess this means you're my hero. Any thoughts on a reward?"

Moril looked around and then back to Kaysa. "My apartment's just up the stairs," he said. "Why don't we get up there and out of the foyer, and we can discuss a suitable reward for my heroics." He kissed her again, picked them both up off the ground and started up the flight of stairs with his arms still around her.

Still intoxicated by the potent spice, Kaysa was surprised they managed to make it into Moril's apartment without stumbling down the stairs. Once inside, she threw aside the bag of spice and staggered towards the couch, gentle laughter still rippling through her. She launched herself onto her stomach upon the long sofa, and with her legs kicking lazily in the air and a new fit of giggles escaping, she crooked her finger at Moril and beckoned him towards her. "Your reward, remember?"

Merrick slowly approached, a stoned grin on his face as he sank down next to her. "I remember," he said with a husky chuckle. "I could never forget. Reward me, Kaysa."

She drew a finger up his thigh and grinned. "Since you're my hero..." With a weak grunt, Kaysa pushed herself onto her knees, and sniggered as she undid the knot holding her blouse closed. Before it could come completely undone, she lost her balance and cried out as she fell into Moril. It only induced more laughter. "Oh, Moril, I think you're going to have to take the reward yourself," she said, then giggled.

"Very well," Moril said with a smile as he spread her blouse open. He adjusted them both into a more comfortable position and then lowered his face to her chest, training kisses along the pale flesh. "I should be heroic more often," he added as their bodies twined together. While Zale wouldn't have been very happy at Moril's reward, there was very little he could do about it then. Though, Zale would have appreciated that Moril was able to help Kaysa keep the lingering demons at bay for just a little longer...and he was quite good at it too.

"Going Home, Part 1"
By: Adam Edwards - Smuggler

Location: Spaceport - New Plouton
Date: Eos 19, 4ABY

***

Adam sat next to a open panel on the Elusive. The money from Jadda had allowed Adam to purchase an expensive signal dampener for his ship, making the Elusive hard for even the most powerful sensors to detect.

DB came down the corridor holding some cables. Adam selected one and plugged it into the slot. The device sprang to life.

"It's working, DB. Those Imp ships are gonna have a hard time finding us now," Adam said.

Adam had been hearing rumors that a plan to remove the Imperials from the Drogen Shipyards was being set into motion. But all of Tae'Karada didn't have enough firepower to combat the Imperial occupation. Adam had decided to go home and get some of his friends. That way, when the time came, he might be of some help. The Imperials wouldn't even know what hit them.

"DB, get the hyperdrive warmed up. We're going home," Adam told him over the comm.

DB's voice came back, "Home, sir?"

Adam sighed, "We're going to Corellia."

About an hour later Adam was strapping himself into the cockpit. They had gotten all the proper clearances and were about to depart.

"Are we all set, DB?" Adam asked.

"All systems are functioning," DB said back.

"Good, let's go," Adam ordered. He lifted the Elusive out of the docking port. The ship accelerated into the sky. Soon the blackness of space closed in around the ship.

"We are being hailed by the Imperials," DB announced.

"Send them our travel documents," Adam told him.

DB pressed a button and there was a long pause.

"They are granting us travel, sir," the droid said.

"Good, ready to see home, DB? You're gonna love it," Adam told the droid.

DB just stared at him. " I'm not programmed to love."

Adam sighed and pushed the hyperdrive levers. The Elusive accelerated and was gone.

"Only Too Late Do You Realize"
by Janae Damaris

Location: New Plouton, Tae'Karada
Date: Eos 19, 4 ABY

***

The night was slow, patrons waving in and out for the kind of drinking needed at the end of a long, hard day in New Plouton's business section, shaking off the edge of meaningless existence on Tae'Karada. The weekdays ceased the wild entertainment of the fast-passed end days; this was the time for regulars, small groups or alone, drinking, playing cards, smokin' the bar into a hazy cloud. And every second the door squeaked open, admitting one more haggard face clamoring for drinks, her heart leapt and fell. But it seemed no use.

Daleev Durv had never missed a day of work in five years without notice. Not once. In fact, he rarely skipped work at all, even when he was ill. He'd say, as he breezed in the door, coughing and holding some tissues, that the Pink was more entertaining than his apartment anyway.

Janae felt the crinklings of a smile, and stopped herself before her eyes began to water. It was true, she might be overreacting. He could have met with Eri, and forgotten - though she knew that was unlikely. It just wasn't like him. He would never make her worry like this. Dal didn't just "forget" work. He was responsible...and...maybe he'd commed her.

For the hundredth time that night, she checked the scattered patrons for refills, and swiveled to the back room, dark but offering a full view of her bar, in case anyone tried to sneak a filler. Rifling through her vest, she checked the small com to see if anyone had hailed her. Nothing. The frustration was almost too much.

Banging her hand against the desk, she sank against it for support, willing herself not to turn hysterical. But she could not ignore the intense feeling of dread that was rising in her throat. Tae'Karada was dangerous on the best of nights, and now with the war in Thanatos, and the curfews, the Empire growing bolder...she couldn't bear to think of what might happen if Dal had run into any one of those troubles.

After all, Dal was a good citizen, a calm man. He knew how to fire a blaster, as they all did, but his life had never required the constant practice of it. He showed all the appearances of a "normal guy," to everyone, including herself. Strange in the world of so many individuals, so many solemn, war-torn individuals, that Dal was happy. And law-abiding. And independent of any faction. And she found herself desperately afraid. And Janae Damaris was rarely afraid of anything.

It was then that she spied, across the desk, a small identity disc. Eyes round, she quickly searched her own jacket, and came across her own identity cards in the front pocket. With growing, saddening, realization, she scanned the disc and nearly screamed when the words "DURV, DALEEV. 27. HAIR: BROWN EYES--" began pouring across the tiny screen. Identification.

She felt weak, sinking to her knees with a clamor. She knew. Too many people would sneer at the ID requirements, too many people could easily get around them, but Dal...oh gods, Dal was taken by the Empire, she just knew it to be true.

Mind racing, she tucked the ID into her jacket pocket, and raced back to her place by the bar, refusing to speak more than "yes" or "no" for the rest of the night. She filled drinks and took orders silently, the whole while poised in thought. Planning. The Empire. He ran into watchmen, they searched his ID, and hauled him in. I know it! I know that's what happened.

"Ale, Jan? You sure you're all right?"

"Yes," she said, as one in a trance, and refilled the glass with eerie grace. So. What do we do now, hm? Bust into an Imperial facility? Dal doesn't know about Moril's plans for a coup... Thank the gods I never told him! There's nothing they can prosecute him for. They'll send him home tomorrow, though why would they keep him overnight? Why would they keep him that long? It doesn't take very long to perform an ID check. Unless...

"Unless there was a lot more to his life that he never told me," she whispered with sinking dread. Either way, she was going to have to act. Either way, she was going to need some help.

Either way, she needed to find Moril Astren.

"Therapeutic Shopping, Part 1"
By: Moril Astren [NPC+]
Merrick Braston
Maeren Shivral
Zale Tregat
Kaysa Zenarr-Tregat-Braston

Location: Moril's apartment in New Plouton
Date: Eos 19, 4ABY

***

Bang! Bang bang bang! Bang bang!

Boom!

It could have been the sound of booted stormtrooper feet thundering past. It could have been the sound of gauntleted stormtrooper fists pounding on a door. Or perhaps the butt of a stormtrooper blaster rifle.

Or, Moril's mind thought as his lips curled into a sleepy smile, the sound a bed makes with two frenetic lovers atop it.

His eyes opened slowly, and Moril looked around the room. He saw a bare leg extending from below the covers of the bed. It took him one bleary moment to realize that wasn't his leg...since he was across the room on the couch. He sat up and groaned.

Kaysa!

Last night's events came crashing back around him and Moril groaned again. The banging continued and he looked around. It couldn't be the Imps...not now.

"Kaysa," he said as he staggered toward the bed. "Kaysa, wake up."

She groaned in response and swung her arm to swat away the hand patting her calf frantically, but missed each time and finally gave up entirely. "Go 'way," she mumbled. "Sleeping...."

"There's someone at the door," he said. "We need to...to hide you."

"Moril!" came a voice from outside.

Moril's blood froze within his veins as he recognized the voice. He looked down at Kaysa and saw the recognition there as well. "I think," Moril said softly, "we're about to get into trouble."

Kaysa shot upright in bed, the sheets folding back as she did and revealing her very naked torso. She yelped and gathered the covers in towards her, though it did little to hide the fact that her body was still unclothed beneath. "Oh gods.... What--" Her eyes grew wide and her face pale as she glanced at Moril's bare self. "We did something bad, didn't we?"

Moril saw Kaysa's eyes and followed her gaze and yelped. "Quick," he said. "Get your clothes on. Do we...do we want to...Kaysa, are we going to tell him?"

"No!" Kaysa shrieked. Zale's banging became more urgent and Kaysa quickly slipped off the bed, fumbling with the sheets in an attempt to keep herself concealed. "You can't tell him, Moril," she whispered. "Are you insane! He'd kill you, then... Well, he'd just kill you."

"Very well," Moril said as he started fumbling for his clothes. "This'll be our little secret. Our very secret secret that no one but you and I will ever know about."

Kaysa nodded rigorously, then dropped to her hands and knees to search under the bed for her missing clothing. Another thunderous blow to the door jolted Kaysa, and the back of her head came up against the frame of the bed. She emitted a loud 'oof!" and carefully crawled out from beneath the bed, rubbing her head soothingly. "This is the spice's fault," she groaned. "And my damned irresistibility."

"I wonder if we even have any left," Moril said as he pulled on his shirt. "Are you almost ready? I should go before he breaks down the door."

Kaysa nodded, still pressing a hand to her sore head and scrambled to regain her footing. "Just...tell him I'm taking a shower. And don't say a word!" she hissed before fleeing for the refresher, tripping on the dragging sheet along the way.

Moril gave her another moment and started toward the door.

As expected, Zale was there...and about ready to put his shoulder to the door by the look of it. He stood up when he saw Moril and sighed. "What's happening in there?"

"Kaysa took a walk last night, and I found her. We talked for a bit, but it was after curfew. We'd been walking, and when we ran across an Imperial patrol, we were closest to my place. So we stayed here."

Zale looked skeptical for a moment, but then shook his head and laughed.

"Come on inside," Moril said. "I can get some kaffe brewing if you'd like."

"Please," Zale said as he entered the apartment. "Where is she?"

"Shower at the moment," Moril answered. "At first, I thought you were the Imps. We decided to pretend no one was home until you called. Having just woken up, Kaysa didn't want you to see the fright sleep had made her, so she ran for a shower. So, how's everything?"

"Good, though still a little unsettled. You mind if I--?"

"Go ahead," Moril said, motioning Zale back toward the refresher. "Just don't get my 'fresher all messed up."

Zale laughed before disappearing inside the steam-filled room. "Kaysa?"

She scrubbed away madly at any possible signs of her and Moril's night of indiscretion as she called out nervously, "Uh...in here! Just...just showering!"

"Do you want some company?" Zale said with a laugh. "I can help you get cleaned up. I'm really good at that, you know."

"Oh, if you came in here I doubt we'd be doing any cleaning," she shot back. Kaysa slid aside the shower door and poked her head through the opening, a billowing cloud of steam curling up around her. "We can talk like this...if you do wanna talk. I mean, I know I shouldn't have run out like that last night, but I needed to. You have to understand that."

"I understand," Zale said as he leaned back against the wall. "And, I'm glad Moril found you and took care of you. The city isn't safe these days, especially with the increased patrols. But, as long as you've got someone with you, it's alright."

Kaysa receded back into the mists within the shower and chuckled uncomfortably. "Oh, he took good care of me alright," she muttered.

"Merrick left a little before I did to go over to visit Shiv. I'm sure he'll be involved in some sparring with Keeve while he's there. I think Merrick will do good in reminding Keeve that Shiv has two other people in her life, and he will need to learn to share before he loses her."

Kaysa paused a moment in her cleansing ritual, then started scrubbing again at her chest slowly. "Did you say you went to see Shiv? How-- How was she?"

"I didn't go," Zale answered. "Merrick did. He wasn't back yet by the time I'd left. I'm sure he'll give us a report later. I'm sure she's fine though...and most likely missing her Kaysa."

"I know," she whispered, though her voice was easily drowned out by the patter of the water against the tiled shower floor. The water ceased with a tap of the console on the wall, and again Kaysa appeared in the doorway, glistening and dripping wet. "I don't want her gone, Zale, not anymore. But...I can't see her yet."

"I know," Zale said as he grabbed a towel for her. "It'll take time, but eventually... And, I'm certain she'll still love you as much as she always has. Maybe we should send her off somewhere in her ship, and we can tell how much she missed you by where the stray articles of clothing landed."

Kaysa chuckled weakly and reached out to accept the towel from Zale. "I know she loves me. I know it all, Zale," she told him as she passed the soft, gentle cloth over her chest. "I just...I need time to get used to it all."

"In the meantime, you know the rest of us will be whatever you need us to be," Zale said. "Just as long as you don't ask us to leave you completely alone."

"I doubt I could ever be. You've got your hounds trailing me with every step I take." She tossed the damp towel at Zale with a laugh, and before he could pull it off his face she was springing forward and wrapping her arms around his waist. "I promise not to sneak out at night again when I have a hankering for some spice," she said sweetly.

"You can sneak out," Zale said as he nuzzled his lips against her throat, "just as long as you're not out alone. It's not safe out there, and not just because of the Imps. We've got too many enemies out there now. I don't want anything happening to you, Kaysa. I'd go mad without you."

"I know," she admitted grudgingly, "but I needed to get out, Zale. I needed to think." She chuckled softly as his arms pulled her in closer. "And enemies aside, you were just upset that I left before we could go another round."

"Well, of course," Zale said with a laugh. "If you had you in your bed, wouldn't you get upset if you left before you were finished with yourself?"

"You were sleeping!" Kaysa exclaimed. "Pretty soundly too. I snuck right out without even a stir. I'm very surprised at you, Mr. Tregat."

Zale laughed. "You wore me out, you trollop! And, it's just a good thing I had my people watching you or we'd be having this conversation in an Imperial prison."

"Oh yeah?" she asked suspiciously. "What do you mean?"

"If Moril hadn't found you, my love, where would you have gone when those Imps came by?"

"If Moril hadn't dragged me out of the alley, the Imps never would have caught us," she pointed out. She reached behind her and tugged the towel from his hand, then deftly slipped out of his embrace. "Now, I hope you brought a change of clothes or I'll have to go outside like this."

Zale pointed at the towel and grinned. "And, when have you ever stayed in an alley?"

"I would've this time until I'd found some spice," she replied. "Now, shoo. I have some drying to do and you need to arrange for some new clothing for me."

"I'll get a pair of Moril's shorts for you," Zale said. "Though, we'll keep it quiet because we don't want rumours of Kaysa getting into Moril's pants going around."

Kaysa's froze into place, but she managed to force out a laugh for Zale's benefit. Keeping this secret was going to be harder than she thought. She gestured for Zale to leave, shaking her head and still faking laughter as she did. Once he was gone, she locked the door behind him and moved to the toilet, where she plunked herself down upon the lidded seat. With a miserable groan, she buried her face into her hands and made a vow to never again sleep with any of Zale's employees.

In the other room, Moril had set out three steaming cups of kaffe. Zale grabbed one, still chuckling. "Kaysa's having clothing problems," he said. "Do you have anything you might be able to loan her?"

Moril shook his head and nodded. "Sure," he said. "You enjoy your kaffe, and I'll go get Kaysa something to wear."

Pants and shirt were easily found for Kaysa, and Moril quickly headed for the refresher door. He knocked. "Kaysa, it's Moril with clothes."

"Is Zale there with you?" she asked from within.

"No," Moril said. "He's out in the other room enjoying a cup of kaffe, and reading one of the reports I had sitting out."

There was silence for a moment, then the lock on the door clicked and it slid open, revealing Kaysa standing in the doorway with a towel securely wrapped around her. "You cleaned up the evidence, didn't you?" she whispered as she reached out to grab the clothing. "My shirt, my pants...disentangled from yours, I hope."

"Yes," Moril answered. "Not even Zale's best snoops would find them if they were to toss this place. If you want, I can just...eliminate them."

"Then he'll just think we were already naked when we got here." She couldn't help recalling the haze of memories from the previous night, and giggling at their daring. "Oh, Moril, as much fun as that was, we're never doing it again."

"I know I should be disappointed, especially after last night, but you're right. If you want, I can have your things cleaned and returned to you. I slept on the couch, you were in the bed. You took your clothes off and wore my robe in here to change. How's that sound?"

Kaysa pressed one hand to Moril's cheek and smiled fondly. "Zale didn't make you his right-hand man for nothing," she said. "Now, go drink with Zale. I'll be out soon." After placing a light kiss upon his lips, Kaysa took a step back and allowed the refresher door to close between she and Moril.

Moril chuckled softly to himself and returned to where Zale waited. "She'll be out in just a few," he said. "I don't know if she liked the selection I brought her or not. So, what's on your agenda today?"

Zale sighed. "Mainly catching up. But, I want to spend some time with Kaysa, just...being."

Moril laughed. "I'll hold your calls," he said.

***

Maeren Shivral took a seat in the streetside caf�. She hadn't looked up at Merrick yet, instead studying the place setting in front of her and the centerpiece between them. The night had been difficult, and Keeve hadn't been happy with her behaviour at all. At least he'd been supportive though. She knew she could always count on Keeve to support her.

As she finally dared to look up into Merrick's face, she saw the love there in his eyes. In that moment, she knew that, no matter what, Merrick would always support her as well.

"I love him, Merrick," she said.

Merrick smiled and reached out to take her hand. She let him willingly. "I know," he answered. "I could see it in your eyes when you looked at him. It's similar to how you look at Kaysa and me."

Shiv's head drooped. "Oh gods," she whispered. "Kaysa..."

"She knows you still love her," he said. "And, she just needs some time. It won't be long before she needs her star back in her arms."

Shiv wiped away tears that had formed in her eyes. "I wanted your return to be special, especially for Kaysa. But...oh gods, Merrick, I should have said something."

"Perhaps. And, perhaps if you'd told her when you talked to her the other day, she would have ordered you out of the house over the comlink. No one can know, so we just have to accept what's happened and move on. Now, how was your night?"

"It's been awhile since I've cried that much," she answered. "But, it was alright. Keeve was there for me, but...there's...it's just..."

"Go ahead, Maeren," Merrick said softly. "It's alright."

Shiv nodded slowly. "It's just that...I love him so much, and...and we might get married if everything works out..." She looked up to make sure Merrick wasn't falling out of his chair with shock; he was looking on with concern and love, and it made her love him all the more. "I don't know if I can stay with him if he keeps hating you and Kaysa. There's so much anger and spite in him, and...it just feels..."

"I understand," Merrick said softly. "If anyone can bring him around, Maeren, it's you."

She smiled. "Thank you," she said and squeezed his hand. "Oh gods, Merrick. I want you to release another album soon because I really want to do another cover piece for you."

Merrick laughed and gave her an awkward bow. "Your wish is my command," he said. "Now, let's get you something to eat, and then you and I are going to head over to Yellvin for some shopping."

"Really? Oh Merrick! Oh, and I know a great shop there where we can sneak around the back...and I can thank you properly!"

"Therapeutic Shopping, Part 2"
By: Zale Tregat
Kaysa Zenarr-Tregat-Braston

Location: Yelldon, New Plouton
Date: Eos 19, 4ABY

***

Every blonde head that passed below seized Kaysa's attention, until she realized it wasn't in fact Shiv strolling through the park. Kaysa sighed again and continued her sightseeing out of the large, caf� window overlooking the lush landscape littered with pedestrians, out to enjoy the beautiful summer day with a nice walk. In the process, they tormented her with the thoughts of Shiv they triggered, and reminder of how much she missed her.

She ignored the untouched plate of food sitting before her, and even Zale across from her, no doubt studying her intently. How could she eat when her poor Shiv was probably sick from grief? How could she eat when the roiling in her stomach refused to pass? She felt her eyes tearing up again and quickly tore her gaze from the scene below. She couldn't bear this pain now, or the longing for her star. "Why do I always overreact?" she whimpered. "Why, Zale?"

"I believe that is the curse of being a passionate person who cares very much about things. Though, while you overreact, you are quick to realize you're overreacting, and that's the important part. Are you feeling closer to ready to see her again?"

Kaysa pushed the breast of fowl in her plate around with her fork as she shook her head sullenly. "I'm too ashamed," she muttered.

Zale nodded. "I understand," he said. "Though, I bet she'd help you get over that...if you let her."

"I said not yet, Zale," she repeated. "Don't try and push me like this." She now proceeded to stab at the succulent breast of meat. "When you do, it makes my stomach all jumpy and...and flippy."

Zale chuckled softly. "Very well," he said. "No more pushing, so no more flippy. Though, if you're still feeling that later, I think I know of a few tricks to settle your stomach."

Kaysa chided herself for the smile she let seize her pouting lips. "You and the sex.... I think that's the only method you know to console your poor wife. At least Merrick sings...."

"You think your stomach is jumpy and flippy now," Zale said. "I start singing, and you'll feel like it's doing a tango in there. And, I happen to have a rather unique talent with the sex. However, I know another way, but it requires spending lavish amounts of credits on you. We can do that instead of the sex if you'd like."

Kaysa's eyes lit up and her attention was immediately drawn away from the fork-hole riddled fowl. "You mean it? You'll take me shopping? In Arcadia where all the expensive stuff is?"

Zale laughed aloud and then nodded. "Of course," he said. "Arcadia it is. Though, only as long as you're not looking to shop at the palace."

Kaysa frowned playfully. "And why can't I?" Her grin returned and soon she was reaching across the table to clasp Zale's hand as she slipped out of her seat. "Come on. We don't have all day!"

"I'll have a speeder prepped," Zale said. "Though, I'll have another put on standby in case you buy more than a speeder-full of stuff."

"Good idea," she replied, tugging on his arm to hurry him along. "I think I'll need a lot of spending to cheer me up fully."

With another laugh, Zale hurried along with Kaysa as they fled the caf�. "I think we can try that shop you really liked last time," he said once he'd finished the comm call. "We might need to have another closet built into the new house."

Kaysa lifted her eyebrows haughtily at Zale. "Would you dare deny your wife anything she wants, Zale Tregat?"

Zale laughed. "I would never dare dream of doing such a thing," he answered. "I value your company and my parts in their proper places far too much to ever deny you a thing."

Kaysa pulled Zale up beside her with a rough jerk and hopped up to kiss his cheek. "Thank you, my love. I like you much better when you're submissive."

"Submissive?" Zale couldn't help laughing once again. "Oh, the day you enjoy a submissive partner is the day you start keeping your teeth in a glass at the side of the bed, and even then... Oh, my love, I am glad you haven't lost that beautiful sense of humour of yours."

Kaysa glowered at him playfully and released her hold on his hand once they were on the sidewalk. "Fine, don't admit it," she said, stubbornly turning her back to him and heading towards the corner. "Though, I remember making you beg at one time," she added with a grin. "If that's not submissive, I don't know what is."

"Then, my dear, I believe you are equally, if not more, submissive, because you have begged me on more than one occasion."

"Oh, I was faking," she replied. "I was just telling you what you wanted to hear."

"So, you fake your submission, but you automatically believe that my submission was authentic. Oh Kaysa. I have a feeling I'm going to have to buy you a few things to help cure you of that naivet� you have regarding me in bed."

"In bed?" She laughed abruptly. "We hardly ever do it in a bed, my love. I don't know which mistress you're thinking of, but it certainly isn't me."

"In bed in a metaphorical sense," Zale said. "And, I have a feeling I am going to have to thoroughly re-educate you, my dear."

"You just try it," Kaysa challenged. She reached the speeder before Zale and snapped her fingers at him to unlock the hatch.

Zale approached slowly, a playful smile curling his lips. "Oh really?" he asked at her impatient gesturing. "You know, I think I really must teach you patience as well. You're always in such a hurry. There must be time to...enjoy."

Kaysa turned to face Zale and returned his grin with a sultry smile. "Oh, really?" She chuckled throatily and leaned back against the speeder with her arms spread along the edge of the canopy. "Enjoy what? Your Shac'tae techniques? Frankly, I think you just made all that up. You have yet to show me one thing a normal, untrained man can't do."

"You couldn't handle the others," Zale said. "The pure pleasure would drive your mind to madness. Though, if you don't mind a padded room, I can...enlighten you."

"Aww...would you do that for your dear, wife?" Kaysa teased. "Or is that only for Merrick?"

"Oh, I don't know if that other husband of yours even deserves a back-alley treatment," Zale said. "If he's really nice, maybe a quick tumble, but nothing near what I would do for my beautiful, un-initiated wife."

Kaysa cocked an eyebrow at Zale, sighed with apparent disinterest, and held out a hand, palm up, towards him. "The remote, please? I think I'd rather go shopping."

Zale quickly danced away from Kaysa and around to the other side of the speeder. He pulled a small remote from his pocket and tapped the control to open the hatch. "I'm flying," he said. "I want to make sure we make it there alive, and if you're behind the controls, I can't be assured of that."

Kaysa spun around and rapped lightly on the top of the canopy. "Hey! I'm a good pilot! I bet you haven't even flown a ship before!"

"Get in," Zale called, "or I'm going shopping without you!"

She sputtered angrily for a time, spouting a few choice curses as she did, until finally she threw open the hatch aggressively and petulantly plunked herself down inside. "Big, crazy-haired meany," she muttered as she pulled the hatch closed.

Zale kicked on the repulsors and throttled up the engine. "Belt in, my love," Zale said. "We're going shoppin'!"

Kaysa scrabbled for the safety belt and shrieked as Zale veered carelessly into oncoming traffic. Horns blared and the shrill whir of thrusters reversing added to Kaysa's fright. Her belt clicked into place just as Zale banked the speeder around into the proper direction and punched the accelerator. She gave him an admonishing glare, punched his arm, and finally chuckled softly as she nestled her cheek to his shoulder. He would owe her a wedding ring for that stunt.

***

The speeder returned to New Plouton, laden with all the packages that Zale and Kaysa had purchased that day. The sun was drifting lower in the sky, and soon darkness would fall completely. Zale really didn't want to think about how much money he'd spent that day, but to see the smile lighting Kaysa's face...it was well worth it. "If you'd like," he said as the speeder trundled down the street, "we can go back again next week. I think I saw a few more things that would look even better in your possession."

Kaysa squeezed her arms tighter around Zale's waist and sighed happily. "I think I'm all shopped out, if you can believe it." She nuzzled her face to Zale's arm as she forced back a yawn. "Can you carry me when we arrive? I doubt I could make it on my feet," she said sleepily.

Zale chuckled. "Once we get back to the house," Zale answered, "I will carry you all the way up to the bed. And, we should be there in just a minute or so." Zale slid an arm around Kaysa as her body melded against his. "I love you, Kaysa...and, I just want you to know that today was amazing. You and I will have to go shopping together a lot more often."

She nodded listlessly, and gave a gentle moan as she closed her eyes and snuggled comfortably against Zale. "I love you too.... And I promise not to sneak out on you tonight. Too tired to..."

"Oh, that's alright," Zale said with a soft chuckle, "I was planning on tying you to the bed anyway."

She laughed weakly in response and feebly swatted at Zale's thigh. "Fiend... I should try that on you one day and see how you like it."

"Oh, I would hate it because I know you would make me suffer," Zale said. "But, me, I would give you the purest pleasure you could ever imagine."

"Is that all you can think about?" she asked, cracking one eye open to gaze up at him. "I'm just a practice dummy, aren't I? Honing your skills on me so you can impress your real concubines, right?"

"Give me one other thing I could do with you when you're tied up, Kaysa. I could tickle you, I guess. Or torture you by eating whatever your favourite food is just out of reach. But, seriously, what else would I do with you tied up?"

"Force me to listen to you sing?" she offered.

"Very well," Zale said with a nod as he pulled into the opening gates of their new home, "tonight I'll tie you up and you'll listen to me sing."

Kaysa groaned and shook her head rigorously against Zale's arm. "Evil man!"

"By request," Zale said with a laugh. "Now, we're home. It's your chance to run if you don't want to be subjected to a new form of torture that any reasonable government would outlaw."

"But...I love you." She gazed up at him tenderly and smiled. "I'd put up with anything for you. Even your singing...."

Zale took Kaysa's hands up into his own, and then crooned out a verse of one of the songs Merrick had written for her. "I love you too, Kaysa. Now, let's get our things inside, and I'll make you some dinner."

She smiled serenely and kissed Zale lightly. "Definitely dinner, and singing, and...other stuff." After unravelling her arms from his waist, Kaysa pushed open her hatch and slipped out of the vehicle. The waning sunlight was still bright enough to reflect off the second large jewel on her finger, and watching it glitter brought a large grin to her face. "Oh, Merrick is gonna be jealous," she called out to Zale. "I think yours is bigger." She glanced over her shoulder at him and added, "The ring, I mean."

"You know that just means he's going to buy you an even bigger one next week," Zale said as he came up behind her. Then he quickly hefted her up into his arms with a whooping laugh. "Come on, my love, let me carry you across the threshold again."

Kaysa gave a light-hearted laugh and loosely slipped her arms around Zale's neck. "It doesn't mean we have to have another wedding, does it?"

"Not unless we really want to do another one," Zale said as he started for the front door. "Sometime, I think I want to marry you again. We can have a nice wedding where we both dress up and have friends there. Maybe I'm overly romantic, but...I thought that might be nice."

"Then we'll do that," she replied sincerely. "When I come around and welcome my Shiv back, we'll do just that."

"That'll be soon," Zale said as they entered their home. "Soon, we'll all be back together again. Now, come, let me go make you something for dinner. Something worthy of my wife and the future mother of my children."

Kaysa laughed softly and absently slid one hand to her abdomen. "Very soon, my love. I can feel it." She brushed her lips against his neck, then rested her cheek upon his chest. "Can I have a song now?" she asked quietly. "Just a small one?"

"Just a small one," Zale said, and then began to sing softly to her. His voice wasn't as melodious or polished as Merrick or Shiv's, but it was his song for her...and that was all that mattered.

"Fortunate Acquaintances, Part 1"
By: Dani
Maeren Shivral
Nieme Yaresh-Selrid
Weibran "The Hutt" [NPC+]

Location: Yallder; The Palace of Stars - Yelldon, New Plouton
Date: Eos 19, 4ABY

***

The first couple days had been difficult, but with what little creds Dani had stored away, they'd managed to find a quaint little apartment to stay in. Nieme had found a job as a sous-chef in a small-time caf�, and Dani as a waitress in the same establishment, and although the pay was meagre, it did put some money in their pockets to save for a better living space, somewhere to start over. As long as they had each other, though, nothing could impinge on their happiness now.

The moment they'd burst through the trees and entered New Plouton the day of their escape, everything felt different. Nieme's heart became lighter and she found the darkness she too had felt creeping up on her begin receding back to where it had come. She hardly thought about Kael, now, and only about her future with Dani, though her love for Kael was still strong.

The first night, they had gone to visit Corun, who had readily invited them into his home, for small repayment of course, in the form of sexual favours. Neither Dani nor Nieme were bothered by it one bit and paid their fee willingly. It gave them a place to sleep, and a chance to spread the happiness the Temple was attempting to forbid them from doing. It was their purpose in life and without it, they would have been lost.

As Nieme stared lazily out of their small, square window - the only one in the entire two room apartment - she felt for once that life was indeed good. Turning her gaze to Dani's motionless, sleeping form beside her, she became certain of it.

"My sweet flower," she whispered, dragging her fingers up Dani's bare thigh peeking out from beneath the bedsheet. Nieme turned onto her side and pressed herself against Dani from behind. She drew back the purple hair covering Dani's cheek, and began spreading kisses over her lover's nape and shoulders. "Wake up, my sleepy love. We have a lot to do today."

Dani moaned happily and shifted against Nieme's caresses. "We already did a lot last night," she said as a grin made its way to her lips. "Good morning, my radiant star," she said, opening her eyes to look up at Nieme. "This is a very small apartment and bed, but for us it feels absolutely perfect."

"Because it is," Nieme replied. She leaned over and kissed Dani's lips tenderly. "Gods...we should've done this long ago, my love."

"We should have," Dani said as she began playing with the ends of Nieme's hair. "We had the right idea before, but now we've finally followed through. I feel so much happier here with you. There's no more pressure or doubt. This is right."

Nieme sighed and embraced Dani as she turned into her arms. "I just feel bad about leaving Orn like that...without even a goodbye. We...we should visit him if we can. Or send him a holomessage at least."

"I'd like that," Dani said with a smile. "Maybe on his next trip for supplies, we can invite him to visit with us. I imagine he gets very lonely there. I think we should find Orn someone special."

"Definitely," Nieme replied. "We could always drop by that fancy brothel and see if there's anyone there that would suit Orn." She paused for a moment, sliding the top of the sheets down over Dani's breasts, and said slowly, "You know, my love" --she kissed one breast-- "we could use the extra money." She kissed the other while drawing her hands up Dani's sides. "We could...maybe...see if they're hiring. Don't you think?"

Dani moaned gently again and nodded. "Yes," she purred. "I think we'd be the best they had. We can go there after work today, if you want. Maybe we'll get to dance too. I think that would be a lot of fun. I was reading that pretty much all their dancers also work upstairs. Their big star dancer though, she doesn't because her lover or something wouldn't allow it. Still, from everything I've read, she's an amazing dancer."

"But we can be just as amazing," Nieme said fervently. "And we can make even more money by working upstairs together. Every guy's dreamed of a threesome with two beautiful girls. We could be rich!"

"Oh, it'll be perfect, Nieme! We go in as a team, and they can't separate us. No one can ever separate us!"

"Not ever," she added with a fierce smile. "No one can tear us apart, and if they try, we'll tear them apart." She kissed Dani firmly and passionately, winding her legs around her lover's and pulling her in closer. "One screw before work," she whispered, slightly breathless with desire. "Just once, my love...please?"

"You know I can never say no to you," Dani purred as she rolled herself on top of Nieme. "I love you, my radiant star. And, I'm going to show you just how much!"

Nieme giggled and tugged the sheet fully off of Dani, and despite the chill in the air that morning, she knew soon she'd be warmed up enough. "I wish we could get married, Dani, so I could truly prove to you how much I love you. But...this is always just as good."

"Then let's," Dani whispered. "I'm sure we can find someone that would do it for us. Let's get married, Nieme. It'll be beautiful and amazing. I want to be married to you, my love."

"Me too," she replied. Her eyes lit up and she excitedly clasped Dani's hands. "Maybe Corun can help us! He knows lots about New Plouton. He could help us find someone and then we can truly be one, Dani!"

Dani's face lit up with joy and she kissed Nieme passionately. "Oh gods, Ni," she whispered. "I want to go on a honeymoon with you too. Oh, there's so much for us to do. This is the best thing we've ever done. This was the right thing to do, and now there's nothing ahead for us but pure joy and happiness."

"And we'll have it sooner if you get down there, my love, and make me scream." She snickered and slid her hands up to Dani's breasts. "Let's scream like we never could in the Temple. Let's live the lives we want to, and not the ones chosen for us by those stuffy old men."

With a playful growl, Dani slid herself down Nieme's body, and not long after that the two girls were screaming loud and long. The neighbours wouldn't appreciate it, but they'd get used to it soon enough.

***

"So..." Nieme mused, gazing queerly at the enormous golden statue towering above them. "That's a bantha?" She nodded her head slowly. "Never seen one before... Are they all that big?"

"I've never seen a live one before," Dani said, "but I think that one's a little taller than it's supposed to be...by at least forty meters. Oh look, there's windows in the side. I bet people can go inside." She grinned and looked at Nieme. "I wonder if the girls ever go up in there with customers..."

Nieme giggled. "Oh, I bet they do. So...do you wanna go in? See if they need more dancers? If not, I bet we'd make good waitresses."

"Of course we would," Dani answered. "Come on. Let's go knock their garters off." With that, she took Nieme's hand and headed inside.

Within the club, there was a smattering of employees bustling about, making preparations for the evening's entertainment. Nieme and Dani were caught up instantly in the grandeur of the interior, which looked even larger than the exterior had indicated. On stage, there were a few dancing girls in sweats, stretching while the orchestra assembled before them in the pit tuned their instruments. Nieme tapped Dani's shoulder and pointed to them, grinning broadly. "That could be us, Dani. Imagine it!"

"Oh I am imagining," she said. "We have to do this, Ni. It's perfect for us. That looks like an office over there."

Nieme squinted at the door, trying to make out the gilted lettering across the top. Abandoning the effort with a shrug, she grinned at Dani and led her along. Before they got two feet, a large, imposing man stepped in front of them to impede their progress. "We're not open." He extended a long, thick finger towards the door. "Out."

"We're-- I'm-- We--" Dani adjusted quickly so he could get a good look at her body. "Dancers!"

The massively-built, intimidating man passed his dark eyes over her, then jerked a thumb over his shoulder towards the dressing rooms. "You're late. Practice started ten minutes ago."

Nieme glanced at Dani with mild surprise, then grinned at the man. "Don't worry. They won't even know we were missing." She nudged Dani subtly to get her moving, then the two slipped carefully past him, though he kept a wary eye on them as they went.

"Oh, Dani!" she whispered. "This is great! We won't even have to audition."

Dani nodded and looked back at the man. "We'll have to figure out how they're going to pay us though," Dani whispered. "But we can do that after we get inside. You can dance, right Nieme?"

Nieme frowned for a moment, then replied, "In my own way. We dance all the time, Dani, remember?"

Dani giggled. "Of course you do, Ni," she said. "But, we'd get arrested if we did that on the stage."

"Well...I'll just follow your lead then," Nieme replied.

They slipped easily backstage where the dressing rooms were located. There were fewer workers about, which made it easy to find an empty dressing room to raid.

"Wow! Look at these costumes!" Nieme went to the rack and pulled out a glittering corset attached to nothing more than a pair of panties and a few ribbons of diaphanous material all around. "Oh, you'd look so sexy in this, my love."

"Oh, it's so beautiful and almost non-existent! Oh, my love, we have to get work here. We should change into something we can practice in, and go out on the stage with the others. If we slip in, they may not even realize we're not hired."

Nieme conceded with a shrug and set the outfit back onto the rack. She searched the room again for comfortable practice attire, then glanced down at the clothing they already wore and smiled. With a giggle, she scurried over to Dani and began pushing up the hem of her shirt. "Just go out in your bra!" she said. "And tie your shirt around your waist... It'll be fine!"

With a giggle, Dani stripped off her shirt and tied it around her waist as Nieme suggested. She then looked down at her boots and slipped out of them. She stashed them off to the side and turned to Nieme for her lover's appraisal. "Well?"

"Perfect!" Nieme exclaimed. She