"Arsenal of Freedom, Part 1"
By: Karma Arien
Iyika
Neera [NPC+]
Tiraj [NPC+]

Location: Rebel base, New Plouton
Date: Selene 1, 4 ABY

***

With her arms wrapped around his waist and her chin resting on his shoulder, Neera sighed. "That's a long way in," she said. "Lots of time for us to be spotted. Night will be on our side though, and I doubt they'll expect us. The lock on the door into the actual storeroom will be a trick, but nothing I can't handle." She brushed her cheek against Tiraj's, smiling at the unshaven bristles there. "There's a chance we won't make it out of there, but I think chances are better that we'll do this. The Imps have too many other concerns all over the place...they won't expect us to hit them there."

"Don't be nervous," Tiraj told her. He brushed his hands over hers, then turned his head aside to kiss her cheek affectionately. He chuckled as he nuzzled his nose into her loose brown hair, that had that fruity smell he'd come to recognize as her own. "Did you get all freshened up for me, or for the battle, hm?"

"Do you really think I'd get myself all prettied up for a bunch of Imps? And, besides, I'm a tech, not a fighter...and I just can't see myself getting all dressed up for a door and an electronic lock. So you, my dear, are it."

Tiraj grinned. "Good. Now's not the time to get jealous. I can save that for when this is over." He turned around in Neera's hold and slipped his own arms around her waist. "You'll be well-protected," he said in all seriousness. "And I'll keep a tracker on you at all times, in case you do get into trouble."

"As long as I have big guns going off all around me, stopping the bad guys, I'll be fine." She grinned at him. "Will you be there protecting me?"

"Can't," he answered. "I've gotta secure the perimeter with the other guys, make sure no one comes in or goes out. Iyika and the other one will be guarding you."

"Them? You saw the way they were looking at me. All I have to say is they'd better be professional in this. If they start acting like they were in the meeting with their dirty looks and acid quips, this won't go well."

Tiraj smiled in amusement, stroking Neera's hair to soothe her. "You'll be fine. Just remind them that we all have a job to do, and there'll be time for the petty fighting later."

"Just as long as they're doing the job and not each other," Neera said. "I'm no prude, as you very well know, but by all the gods that have ever existed, they really should come up for air once in awhile. Tak said he could hear them all night long last night. I just hope they got it out of their system."

"Like us?" He grinned slyly and slid his hands over her rear. "Don't be so hard on them, Neer. They know they might die today. They're just...making sure they don't waste any chances they have left to be together."

"Well, if that's the case, I should throw you down on this table and have my way with you," Neera said with a sly grin. "And, I'm only hard on them because I don't trust them. They're angry and bitter, and people like that are more prone to make mistakes. They'd fight us as quickly as they'd fight the Imps if it came down to it."

Tiraj sighed. "Then I'm sending someone along to watch your back. It'll make both of us feel a little safer." He kissed Neera's brow, then reached past her for his holstered blaster sitting on the table. "We have to go," he murmured, still brushing his lips against her flesh.

"Can't you do that for a little longer," she whispered as she brushed her hand against his. "Or, we can celebrate extra much when we're done. Promise me you'll be alright."

"I will be," he answered, wearing his typical charming grin. "I've done this sort of thing all my life. Infiltrating high security, highly defended facilities was my life, Neer. We can do this."

"What did you do before you became Mr. New Republic?" Neera asked as she trailed a hand down his chest. "You never talk about that, and you get me very curious. You were a super secret spy for someone naughty, weren't you?"

Tiraj waggled his eyebrows at her, and replied enigmatically, "Perhaps... When we get outta this, I'll tell you everything. How about that?"

"You've got yourself a deal, Mr. Super Secret Spy," she said. "And, maybe I'll get another tattoo for you to find. One right down inside my thigh."

Tiraj groaned. "Evil wench... Now I won't be able to concentrate on anything but that. If I get killed, I'm blaming you!" Then he pulled her to him abruptly and playfully nipped at her throat.

"Oh, you'd better make sure you live, Tiraj," Neera said as she slipped back away from him. "If you don't come back to me" --- she lifted her top, baring her breasts to him --- "see what you'll be missing out on?"

Tiraj's eyes grew wide, as did his smile. His hands reached outwards of their own volition, but he caught himself and quickly shook his head, though the image of those two, perfect mounds remained. "Merciless, you are," he muttered as he focused on strapping his holster around his waist. "Though, if you come face-to-face with an Imp, show him those things and you'll be spared, no doubt."

She gave him a grin and a wink. "Why do you think I didn't wear a bra today?" she said with a laugh. "And, if it comes down to that, I will. I just hope it doesn't. While I'm really not all that modest, the thought of an Imp lusting over my breasts isn't really all that pleasant." She let her shirt drop back into place, and moved forward to help him with his blaster. Her own was still sitting on the table waiting to be strapped into place. She just hoped she didn't have to use it. When she spoke again, there was a hint of fear in her voice. "If there is a Force out there, I hope it's on our side today."

"It will be," he affirmed gently. With his belt securely in place, he took her hand into his and brought it to his lips. "We'll see each other again in no time," he whispered, then pressed a tender kiss to her palm. His eyes held hers in a gaze he hoped would imbue her with confidence, or in the least express his affection for her. "We're going on a vacation after this, you and I. There are some things we need to talk about."

"Yeah?" she asked demurely as she reached for her weapon belt one-handed. She had no desire to remove her other hand from his, not for a long while yet. "I happen to like talking with you, you know. And other things. We should go to one of those perfect vacation worlds where you can do practically anything you've ever wanted. I'd like that, Tiraj. I'd like it very much." She watched him for a moment, then smiled. "I'm scared...but knowing I have you gives me strength. We'll be fine...I know it."

"Of course we will," he told her with a dismissive shrug. "We're too good-looking to die." He shot her a wink, and his dashing lopsided grin, then laced his fingers with hers. "Let's get going. It's time."

"It's time," she said and then fell into step beside him. "Just remember to come back to me, Tee, that's all I ask. Just come back to me."

Tiraj chuckled and slung his arms across Neera's slender shoulders. "If dying and never again hearing you cry out my name is the alternative, then I'll definitely see you in a few hours." He grinned and moved his lips to her ear. "And don't you dare plan on getting any sleep," he whispered.

"Sleep?" Neera asked with an impish smile. "Oh, I wouldn't dare plan something like that, not when there's a chance of rolling around with you in bed all night. That will truly be some celebration, won't it?"

Tiraj gave no verbal reply, instead using a deep, lecherous chuckle to convey his answer. And with Neera held fondly in a half-embrace, Tiraj led them both towards the armoury, one step closer to the battle that might take both their lives.

***

Karma's gear had been sitting outside her room when she returned. Lost in thought and totally professional as she prepared of their impending mission. There had been a time this type of thing was too dirty for her tastes, but things had changed drastically since her lesson on Oceana so many years ago.

By all accounts Karma Arien had changed as a result of her experiences. Nothing stung deeper than the betrayal of her own family so she had a right to be just slightly bitter. Lately it appeared like fate was doing its best to beat her down again, but she knew her job on this mission and she would carry it out. There was a time for letting that aura of calm drop and there was a time for strict focus. The latter is what dominated her demeanor now.

***

She stared above her at the ceiling, the strange patterns the different shades of cement mixing with one another. Iyika's eyes continued to look up, thinking about her life and how in hell's name she ended up in this situation. There were so many things she wanted to say, to her sister but most importantly to her father who still remained distant. Not only from her but from her sister and everyone around him; if only he could open himself up to the infinite possibilities of the universe.

"Something for me to do when I get back..." she whispered throwing the covers off her naked form. Karma had returned to her own quarters after a hot night together; a sly smile grew over her face thinking about what they'd gotten up to and imagined a few neighours had some restless hours hearing them. She chuckled as she moved over to her clothes, slowly dressing. Her trousers slid up her long slightly tanned legs; she put her black shirt on before covering it with her favourite leather jacket.

She followed her sleeves up and strapped the small blasters to her forearms; the right muscles with a hand gesture would activate the device, propelling the blasters into her hands; they'd saved her life on more than one occasion. Once they were safely hidden from sight Iyika slid her throwing knives and close-quarters combat knives in their places. Her rifle was leaning up against the far wall, black as night like a silent wraith waiting to be unleashed.

~You ok?~

Iyika smiled at the familiar A.I. speaking in her mind. She grabbed the rifle and stepped out of her quarters, looking back at the door leading into Karma's quarters. "I don't know... I just have a funny feeling...like I'm not going to see her after this is over..."

~Don't worry, you'll be fine and so will she. She's harder to kill than she looks. The Imps won't know what hit them.~

Iyika smiled, turning away from Karma's quarters. She always preferred to be alone before a battle or before she was about to kill someone; being alone came with the job of being an assassin.

She finally came to the mess hall. It was empty as she suspected. She grabbed a cup of hot coffee before sitting down in the darkened corner, waiting for the inevitable beginning.

***

After a quick check of her weapons Karma reported to their staging point. Nervous, yes, but confident they would walk away from this one. Rebels were resilient types.

Tiraj was now clad in his armour, consisting of breastplate, leg-coverings, helmet tucked under his arm, and a single armoured bracer containing a comm device, scanner capable of detecting life-signs, a mini-holoemitter equipped with a portable schematic of the facility, and a receiver for the transmitter he'd attached to Neera's blaster the night before. He may have appointed Iyika and Karma with the task of protecting her, but Tiraj still wanted to track her location in case he needed to get to her.

He glanced aside at Neera, still loading her gear, and now encased in armour that molded perfectly to those supple curves he always appreciated, and smiled to himself. I'm gonna marry that woman...no matter how big a fight she puts up. After realizing he was chuckling, and the men around him were watching, awaiting orders, he cleared his throat and focused his attention on the mission.

Karma was present, but Iyika was not in sight yet. He didn't know how much he could count on either of them, but he'd placed Neera's life in their hands, and whether that had been a foolish idea or not, he'd find out soon enough.

"Everyone has their coordinates?" he asked. Nods were received in return. "When we get in there, radio silence unless completely necessary, got it? And no premature firing; more importantly, no blaster fire in the munitions warehouse. You switch to ion pulses, unless you plan on getting everyone blown up at the wrong time."

His men appeared focused and determined, and just a bit scared, but he knew they'd come through. "Any questions before we head out?"

"Nothing here." Karma's response was a clear indication that she knew her orders and would carry them through. If anything she was more used to piloting a small agile craft but this wasn't so far out of her arena she couldn't handle it. To those that had seen her the night before Karma was a very different person. Rigidly clinging to what many thoughts were long forgotten lessons from a Rebel Colonel and those of her parents before they gave in to the Dark side.

Tiraj nodded slowly, then regarded Iyika, who had finally decided to join them. "And you? No sudden urges to confuse us with your puzzling colloquialisms?"

"My colloquialisms are none of your business..." replied Iyika. A smile crossed her lips as she crossed her arms. She was leaning against the far wall, listening to what was said in the background. Her rifle was resting up against the wall beside her. "Don't look so worried, my dear, I'll watch your pretty behind and make sure you get back..." She didn't say in what state she'd get back in, leaving that to her imagination.

Neera rolled her eyes and glanced to Tiraj, silently asking the question if they needed the two stray bitches they'd managed to pick up. Just strap a pack of Nines to you and see what happens to that pretty behind of yours when it goes off. Get to share that pretty behind with everyone...in little tiny chunks. She smiled at Iyika then before turning her attention back to

Tiraj. At least there was some comfort there.

Her gaze moved from Neera to Tiraj. "The patrols... How many are there and what are their routes?" she asked. Her tone was flat almost like she was asking about the weather. "I'll take them out to clear a path for Neera and Karma before joining up with them. With the patrols down it will give you some valuable seconds to get your asses in gear."

Tiraj sighed. "All that information was in the briefing files I gave you. If you'd spent time last night reviewing it instead of doing...other things" --he glanced briefly in Karma's direction-- "you would know that without my having to remind you. And my boys," he added with a frown bordering on a sneer, "won't need you to ensure their success in this mission. It would seem you believe you're far more important to this attack than you really are, Ms. Iyika, and that's going to get my men killed. So deposit that condescending, self-righteous attitude in the dung heap where it belongs, and pay some fucking attention," he growled. "And if something does happen to Neera while under your care," he added, leaning in closer to the woman, "you won't make it back alive either. Rest assured." He sealed the vow with a feral smile, then straightened up again and addressed his men.

"Teams 1 and 2, we'll get in there, breach their defenses and secure the perimeter. Team 1 will then accompany Teams 3 and 4 while we raid the place. Team 3" --he focused specifically on Iyika-- "you'll break off from Teams 1 and 4, and get to the central power generator. Neera will plant her bomb, and you get the hell outta there. Once that blows, the place, you'd better hope you've managed to get out in time, 'cause there isn't going to be much left after that. Got it?"

Karma simply nodded. Now wasn't the time to pick fights or trade barbs. For now she was content just to complete the mission. That would bring her one step closer to regaining her birthright. To accomplish that it required allies like the Rebellion.

"Got it..." Iyika replied, her voice ice cold. She wanted to say more, that she had been killing people while his grandfather was still sucking on his mother's tit, that she'd survived the Empire and more, but she kept all that to herself. She didn't like being threatened, not by anyone. She'd do her part and keep Neera safe. Until the mission is complete, then her ass is on her own... Iyika thought with a smile. She reached down, grabbing her rifle, lifting it up, resting the butt in her shoulder so the rifle aimed down at the floor.

Tiraj smirked. "Good. We have transports waiting outside for us. Stick with your teams and pack into one. We'll be deposited a kilometer from the factory and make the rest of the way on foot. When we're all in position, I'll give the word and we move." He passed his gaze over each of the men and women in the room, and added earnestly, "May the Force be with you all out there. Come home safely." Then a mask of unwavering determination fell over his face and Tiraj nodded decisively. "Move out!"

The troops filed out of the room and Tiraj watched them go with a knot of anxiety twisting in his stomach. He hated going into battle, especially ones that could be avoided, but the Imps had forced their hand by staking their claim on a planet they had no right to terrorize. Tonight, Tiraj and his team would return the favour ten-fold.

---

"Arsenal of Freedom, Part 2"
By: Karma Arien
Neera [NPC+]
Tiraj [NPC+]

Location: Rebel base, New Plouton
Date: Selene 1, 4 ABY

***

Their intel had estimated the perimeter was being guarded by at least ten troopers, and that their shift rotation was due to occur in a matter of minutes. That was when Tiraj and his teams would strike.

"Team Three, you in position?" he whispered through the comm.

"Team Three's in position," came Neera's reply. "I can see three of the guards from where I'm at. What a bunch of lazy nerfs."

Tiraj grinned. "Don't criticize them too harshly. It's their laziness that's gonna get us in there."

Neera laughed. "I love it when they're this predictable and accommodating. Oh, I see the second team coming in now."

Tiraj brought his macrobinoculars to his eyes and scanned the scene. It was time. "Teams 1 and 2, get ready. On my signal, we rush those bastards. Teams 3 and 4, await our communication. If you don't hear anything from us in ten minutes, get the hell outta here."

After receiving an affirmative from each of the team leaders, Tiraj unholstered his weapon, and sent one last communication to Neera only. "Be careful out there, beautiful."

"You too," Neera said after keying her comm only to Tiraj. "Make sure you get back to me. I don't want to celebrate our victory today alone."

"Definitely not alone," he replied. He paused, trying to find courage enough to force out the words resting on the tip of his tongue. Still feeling the coward, he mumbled, "I love you," then cut the connection and ordered the two teams to move out.

Neera felt her cheeks grow hot, and she couldn't help the giggle that came from somewhere. "I love you too," she whispered, then put her comm away.

***

Their black armour blended with the thick, still darkness, one their stealthy maneuvering did nothing to disturb. The overhead lights spotlighting the Imps as they moved in to take up their posts were deliberately avoided; the sentries walking along the ramparts would be easy targets for the snipers once Tiraj and his teams took care of the troops downbelow.

They needed to make the attack quick and clean, for they would have enough of a mess to deal with once they raided the facility. Tiraj and his men worked simultaneously, coming up behind the perimeter guards and driving vibrodaggers into the back of their necks, while the snipers collectively took down the sentries above. There was no time for them to raise the alarm.

Unseen and unheard, Teams 1 and 2 slipped easily into the installation. There was silence, then the sounds of weapons fire erupted. It was less than five minutes later that Team 2 emerged to take up post around the perimeter. Then Tiraj's voice came over the comm. "Teams 3 and 4, get your asses in here now. Our window of opportunity is narrow, so let's move!"

On orders Karma began to move toward Team 3's designated objective, her weapon poised to strike with very little notice. As they got closer to their intended destination she remained extremely vigilant.

Neera moved with the rest, her heavy equipment pack bouncing against her back with each step. She held a blaster pistol in one hand and a scanner in the other. She glanced to her side, where Karma was, and sighed. Why had Tiraj assigned those two to keep her safe? She could take care of herself, and she didn't trust them. No time to worry about that now, she told herself. Get the job done, and then worry. "I'm reading people up ahead of us. Ours, it looks like by the signal. We're clear." She glanced at Karma and grinned.

Karma simply nodded; she was reading the same thing. "Let's get in and out of there." They had to take the opportunity while it was there, though she knew all too well things could go south very quickly.

Several thoughts ran through her mind, but she didn't allow herself to dwell on any of them long, especially if they were unrelated to the mission at hand. When she was on her game, she was really on. So far that was something that these Rebels still needed to come to see. Trust only comes once it's been proven on the battlefield. Those words once spoken to her by her guardian never held more truth than they did now.

Without another word, they slipped inside and on toward their objective. They met very little resistance on the way in, having already been taken care of by the other teams. Once they found their spot, Neera unslung her pack and dropped in place next to the location they'd picked for the explosives. If nothing else, when the weapons depot went up, everyone would know it. It was hard to surreptitiously blow up this much ordinance, especially with the kinds of explosives they were using.

"I'll need five minutes," she said as she started pulling things out of her pack.

She nodded. "If anything changes I'll let you know." Five minutes could be an eternity if things heated up but it wasn't an unreasonable timeframe either.

"Good," Neera said, then she turned her attention completely to her given task. Any wrong move would be disastrous, though not nearly as disastrous as failing their mission.. She'd do what she needed to though, that was what members of the New Republic did. And, the Imps around here would sure get one hell of a surprise.

***

Tiraj swung out from behind the wall he was using for cover and fired off four rapid shots at the Imps in position at the other end of the corridor. They'd planted themselves there almost ten minutes ago, preventing his team from progressing any further. But once Neera did her work, they wouldn't have to worry about taking them all down.

He slipped back behind the ferrocrete wall as the Imps returned fire. Chunks of the stone were torn from the wall protecting him as the Imps' shots impacted. He could feel the vibrations against his back as they hit, even beneath his armour.

From the opposite side of the doorway, where the rest of his team was concealed, Hjil ducked out from behind the wall with his blaster pouring off shots. Tiraj offered cover fire and managed to catch an Imp in the arm. Enemy fire chased Hjil as he folded into a shoulder roll and made it safely onto the other side of the doorway, joining Tiraj.

"Fool!" he snapped, though Tiraj was grinning.

"Got bored," Hjil explained with a shrug, and remained on his knees as he and Tiraj continued shooting, Tiraj taking the top and Hjil the bottom. "Any word from Neera?"

Tiraj shook his head. "She'll come through," he assured him.

"Why?" He fired off a rapid series, then pressed his back to the wall and looked up at Tiraj. "Because she's your girl?" He chuckled, then resumed firing.

"No," Tiraj corrected. "Because she's good." He grinned, then added, "And because she's my girl."

Hjil shook his head, still chuckling, while the Imps remained intent on killing them. Tiraj hoped Neera really could pull through, because reinforcements were mounting and his teams were barely holding them off. And because he wanted to see his girl again.

***

Neera set the last charge in place and activated it. Red glowing numbers started flashing randomly across its surface, a flourish nothing more. She backed away, gathering her pack as she did. "It's set," she said. "We should fly because when this thing goes, it's going to go big."

Karma didn't need any further reminders. "Let's move then." She began to high tail it out of there double time. Truthfully, while it was a light show Arien wouldn't mind seeing she didn't want to be too close when it did blow.

Neera slung her pack over one shoulder and unholstered her blaster with the other hand. She didn't think the Imps would sit down and let them just run off, despite how many of them they'd killed. Imps seemed to breed worse than moophits, and where you had just a half dozen a few minutes ago, soon there would be a few hundred. She double-tapped her comlink, the signal to the other teams that they'd accomplished their part of the mission. Now it was only a matter of running away and waiting for the big explosion.

Karma had her blaster ready as they made their retreat. Extreme vigilance remained her watchword. It wouldn't do to have the efforts ruined by lax attention now. They moved swiftly yet silently towards the designated extraction point.

As they fled through the halls, Neera sent a quick message to Tiraj and his team, letting them know that the bomb was set and ready to go. It was time to evacuate.

Neera burst forth from the building, flying at the head of the wave of New Republic bodies surging from it. As she sprinted to the point where she would meet Tiraj, all of the hells broke free. The building blossomed into a cloud of fire and debris, sending shrapnel everywhere. A hot, sharp pain ignited in Neera's shoulder as she was thrown to the ground, and all around her chaos reigned.

At a full out sprint Karma emerged from the building only to have a piece of shrapnel find its way into her thigh. Even her current adrenaline rush couldn't keep that pain masked. Only a brief second or so later she felt herself hit the ground hard. After that not much clearly registered distinctly in Karma's thoughts except for extreme turmoil.

Tiraj was cursing to all the gods he could recall as he sat on the ferrocrete road where he'd landed, watching the flames lick the sky. He and his team had barely made it out in time, but it was the Imps who found themselves out of luck. Not one of them managed to escape. He hoped Neera hadn't suffered the same fate.

His blaster was hot to the touch from the heat rolling off the decimated building, and his eyes teared up as he watched in awe. The Imps would be out of ammunition when they required it; Tiraj and his teams had made certain of that. With a triumphant cry he sprang to his feet and brought his forearm up towards him. Neera's tracking device was working well...and it indicated she was still dangerously close to the flaming installation. Tiraj again resorted to cursing and dashed off to find her.

"Get out of here!" he called to his men. "Someone'll be coming to find out what happened to their factory!" Then he focused full attention on getting to Neera. Damn woman. Always have to do things with a flare, don't you? "Neer!" he hollered.

"Tiraj," came her faint call. "Tiraj! I'm over-- Ow! Over here!"

Ow? That alone had Tiraj sprinting faster. Visually searching for her was too difficult with the blazing fire so near, so he followed the blip on his bracer's screen. He was nearly on top of her when he looked up, and there she was, struggling to rise.

"Neer! What the hells!" He rushed to her side and gathered her up into his arms. Once he'd moved her far enough away from the fire, he looked her over quickly and fearfully. "What's wrong? You hurt?"

"Shrapnel," Neera said with a weak grin. "It got me in the shoulder. I think I'm okay, but...it just hurts."

"I bet," Tiraj replied with a relieved chuckle. "The boys are loading up onto the transport. Did your friends make it out?"

"I don't know," Neera said. "I made it out of the building, and then it exploded. I don't know what happened after that."

Tiraj muttered a curse, then summoned Iljak, one of his trusted soldiers. The man strode forward, and despite Neera's protest, he handed her off to him. "Don't worry," Tiraj told her, pressing a finger to her lips so she could raise no further fuss. "Just gonna check on them and then I'll join you."

"Just come back to me safe," Neera said. "We have a celebration tonight, remember?"

Tiraj grinned, that charming, breathtaking grin that had won many a woman over. Now, it was only for Neera. "How could I ever forget?" He kissed her brow, then nodded to Iljak. The man departed, with Neera looking back at him until the darkness consumed them.

It wasn't a job Tiraj looked forward to, but he never left a man in the field, even one he knew they were better off without.

***

Karma had managed to make it to her feet somehow despite the pain, carefully making her way closer towards the specified location as fast as she could limp. Wondering if the others made it out as well, but there was no time to dwell on that since she knew they had to retreat from the area as soon as possible.

"Over here," she called, cursing the shrapnel.

The orange flames reflected off the lone figure's dark armour as he approached. When he drew closer, his face resolved into that of Tiraj, who greeted her with his customary lopsided grin. "So you made it, I see." He came up beside her and slipped an arm around her waist for support. "Where's your friend?" he asked. "The one with the attitude and quirky sayings?"

"I haven't the faintest clue," Karma replied honestly. When it came to that type of thing she wasn't Iyika's keeper. Worried on some level, yes, but there would be time to deal with it later, once they were safe. "Yes, I made it. All chaos ripped loose just as Neera and I emerged from the building."

Tiraj pointedly glanced back at the disintegrating building and chuckled. "Yeah...I noticed. We've got a transport waiting. After we get on, we're out of here." He sighed. "That means if your friend isn't on there, she's on her own."

Karma nodded. "Let's get out of here." The response was clearly dictated by white hot pain as much as just wanting to get out of Imperial territory.

Tiraj obliged and led Karma into the alley through which they would meet the transport. He looked back at the smoking, burning ruin of the Imperial munitions factory and grinned. "One win for the good guys," he whispered.

"That it is," she responded just as quietly. It was an almost bittersweet victory given the events which shadowed her past.

When they reached the transport, Neera was waiting for them. She noticed at once that Iyika wasn't there, and frowned. As much as she didn't like the woman, she didn't like the thought of her being left behind, or worse. She smiled at Tiraj as he got closer. "I think...I think everyone else is here," she said. "We can go."

Tiraj set Karma down gently into the transport, then slipped up beside Neera. His arms went around her. "Drive on, Kol." The driver nodded and the transport's thrusters kicked in. Tiraj sighed. "Will it even matter? All this?"

"It'll always matter, Tiraj," Neera said. "When it stops mattering, that's when you turn into them."

He smiled down at her, then kissed the top of her head. "And that's what I have you for - to keep me from becoming that."

"Come on," Neera said with a smile. "Let's go back to my place...it's time to celebrate."

Tiraj chuckled and held Neera closer, taking care not to aggravate her injury. One small victory was all they had, but it was a start. He hoped it made a difference in the end.

---

"Crowning Achievement, Part 1"
By: Dargus Kandran
Liam Zaneth
Yelara Zaneth

Location: Dargus' Cruiser
Date: Selene 1, 4 ABY

***

"You're certain you'll be fine here?" Dargus asked, his arms holding Yelara close in an embrace. "You're certain you don't wish to join me on the surface? I could make sure you have a good vantage, but still be safe from the action." They were about to separate, and that separation had Dargus nervous for some reason. He knew he had nothing to fear from Yelara, no more than he had to fear from any woman. But, he was nervous nevertheless. "When the battle is won, I will send for you, and together we can enter our new palace."

"It's better that I stay," Yelara told him again. "I mean, if it were only my life I was in charge of, I wouldn't mind. But...the baby..."

Dargus touched a hand to Yelara's abdomen and smiled. "Our baby," he whispered. "Do you suppose we'll have a boy or a girl? A brother or sister for little Leshie. I'm sure he'd like that very much."

Yelara chuckled and placed her hand over Dargus'. "I'm not sure. It's too early to tell... But I think I'd want a little girl."

"A beautiful little girl," he said. "She'd be a little version of you, I think. We could even name her Kallia if you'd like."

"No," Yelara replied, her voice a cold whisper, "I don't think we will." She shifted away from Dargus, letting his hand fall from her stomach, and gazed up at him. "Don't mention that name again around me," she told him. "Not after what you've done."

"It was Keeve's doing," Dargus answered. "And...and the process...can be reversed."

Yelara's features brightened with hope and her smile returned. "It can?" she whispered.

"It can," Dargus answered. "The doctor knows the procedure, and could have it done within thirty minutes. We would only need to find her."

"Well, find her!" Yelara told him, losing hold of her excitement. "I mean...after the Palace...you'll find her, won't you?"

"I will devote every effort to finding her," Dargus answered. "Fear not, my love, you will have a chance to be with her again. And, perhaps she could stay in the palace with us."

"Yes," Yelara said with a smile of wonderment. "Then we could be a family again...all of us."

"All of us," Dargus whispered. "You, me, Va'Lesh, Kallia, Yara, and our little baby girl."

Yelara smiled inquisitively. "Girl? Just humouring my wishful thinking or is there something you aren't telling me?"

"Humouring your wishful thinking," Dargus said with a smile. "If our child is a boy, what do you think of the name...Cade?"

Yelara's features visibly fluctuated and her smile disappeared. Only Dargus could think of naming a child after a monster. Though considering he was that monster, it made sense. "Cade..." she repeated, attempting to smile again. "Of course... Anything you wish, my love."

Dargus laughed. "You don't need to humour me," he said. "I see from the look on your face that you hate it. Actually, now I think it a poor name...not a name I would wish to be associated with. I think that's the type of name you give to a child you wish to be picked on by his friends. No, our son, if we have a son, will have a good name."

Yelara sighed, with obvious relief, and chuckled. "I've always hated it. Such a harsh name, certainly not one befitting someone of your stature."

"Or a child," Dargus said with a sigh. "Would you believe that, translated from Rodian, Cade means 'smelly undergarments?' "

"Really?" Yelara giggled. "And you kept it for so long?"

"It wasn't until recently that I found out," Dargus said. "One night, this Rodian started laughing at me...I finally got the story out of him. I needed a change beside...to usher in this new era of my life. I hope you prefer Dargus."

"The name," Yelara replied, pressing in closer to him, "and the man."

Dargus smiled a wide smile. "Good," he said. "Because so do I. We're running short on time...and I should be joining my men. If you'd like, I will have a holo-feed sent back to the ship for you...so you can witness our finest hour."

"And so I can keep an eye on you," she added. "Don't do anything reckless, alright? Who else will run this ship and keep me warm at night?"

"I don't believe anyone else could," he said with a wide grin. He kissed her. "I don't think anyone could ever truly love you and care for you the way I do. Only me, Yelara. And, it shall always be that way."

"Only you," she affirmed, though in her mind, there were only thoughts of Liam. "Now, go. You'll be late for your own attack."

Dargus kissed Yelara one more time, then he backed away a few steps, eyes locked on hers. With one final, roguish smile, he turned away and started down the corridor.

"And so it begins," Yelara murmured, watching him go. "And ends for you, Kandran."

She sighed and turned her back to him, then took a moment to collect herself before moving off. With Dargus on the planet, occupied with seizing the palace, Liam could finally be freed, and again the Kestrels could fly.

***

Dargus strode into the massive bay where his people were assembling. They were formed up in ranks before loading into assault shuttles. Seeing all of the warriors, clad in their armour, was a beautiful sight. There was nothing more uplifting than seeing a force of men and women, ready to do battle for you, ready to give their lives for you.

He wore his armour with lightsabers clipped to the belt at his waist. A long, flowing cape trailed off his shoulders, billowing out behind him as he walked. He made a fearsome sight, he knew. His armour had been styled to appear to be the body of some fantastical beast, with spikes and other daggers jutting from it. He would make Tarkin beg for mercy today, and then he would take everything, including his life.

He approached one of the young women who served as one of his captains. Her body was tightly encased in body armour, a body similar to the young woman who had made off with Yelara's child. He felt himself stir inside his armour, and told himself he would get to know this one better. "Captain," he said with a nod, "is our force ready to make for the planet?"

"Yes, Master Kandran," the young woman's voice answered from beneath her helmet. "All assault vessels have been prepped and loaded. We are ready to launch, my lord."

"Very good," Dargus answered. "You will be with me during the battle. You will help me coordinate all plans with each of our teams. You are hereby promoted to the rank of colonel."

The young woman bowed humbly at the waist and held a fisted right hand over her heart. "Thank you, Master. I will serve you honourably."

"Come," Dargus ordered, and as she fell into step beside him he managed to resist the urge to grab her buttocks. It was a difficult moment, however. "Our greatest obstacle will be the vehicular support Tarkin has at the palace. Our assault shuttles will be responsible for eliminating them when the time comes. The largest and deadliest portion of his force will be elsewhere, and his attention will be diverted, making our attack much easier. All this I have foreseen. If we succeed in this, you will be raised to a seat on my council. I believe that is a suitable reward for such faithful and honourable service, don't you?"

"Any reward you see fit to bestow upon me is more than suitable, my lord," she replied meekly. "The only reward I require, however, is to fight by your side, to protect you with my very life."

"Then such a reward you shall surely have," Dargus said. "Today, you will be at my side. You should select one other to act as your second, to help you in coordination with each of the teams. He or she will receive the rank of major."

"I will do so, Master. I believe number Eighty-Five will serve you best in that role. Today, you will be victorious. And you shall lead us to that victory, my lord."

Dargus smiled. "Yes, I shall," he said. "And, Eighty-Five will be perfect. Now, let us get aboard our ship. It is time for us to achieve our victory." With that, he strode off toward the command shuttle.

The launch of the assault vessels spoke of the organization and perfection of Dargus' troops, for all ten ships activated their repulsors and fired their thrusters in almost complete unison, preparing to fly into battle.

The heavy doors of the hangar rose and the shuttles glided through the openings. Tae'Karada loomed in the distance and the legion of warriors sailed towards it with the roar of engines ominously sounding their approach. The clones had one singular goal in mind, one they would attempt to achieve even if it meant their deaths: they would win the palace for Dargus, then cheer their master's victory.

***

At the sound of the opening door, Liam looked up. The twins were with him, though they had become more interested in each other at the end of the bed than in him. Perhaps it was the agitation he'd been feeling, the dark vortex of energy swirling around Dargus' ship like a great hole ripped into the bottom of a sea, and all the water was seeking its escape. With the Force-dampening ysalamiri around him, he couldn't sense her...but he saw her. At first, the sensations from the vortex had led him to think that he was free of the small creature's Force-blocking powers...but quickly realized it was only that the energy of the Force was so strong...that not even the ysalamiri could block it out. He moved to the edge of his cell, a smile forming as he saw her. "You grow more beautiful every time I see you," he said.

Yelara smiled fondly at the sight of her husband, then cast a withering glare in the direction of the two pleasure slaves - clones of Maeren Shivral, though she had suspected just that when Liam first described them. "Out. You can continue somewhere else."

The two young women separated from one another, and quickly padded towards the door, giving Yelara a wide berth as they passed her, then they were gone. It was at that moment Yelara rushed to Liam and smothered his face with kisses. "Oh gods, it's finally going to happen, my love."

Liam's arms circled Yelara. "Oh gods," he rasped. "Could it--? It's really? Let's go! Is the ship ready? He won't stop us this time, will he?"

Yelara shook her head. "He's on the planet. He's attempting to seize the palace. That should keep him occupied long enough to get out of here." She slipped off the bed and held out a hand to her husband. "Come on. Va'Lesh has a ship waiting for us."

Liam raised an eyebrow. "Va'Lesh? Isn't he a little...oh, the clone. The one you got through to." He smiled, amused at the thought that Yel had wooed one of Dargus' clones away from him. "Let's get out of here then."

"Gladly," Yelara sighed, and hand-in-hand she walked with Liam out of the room, towards liberation.

It was only ten paces beyond the room before the Force returned. Liam gave a sigh of blissful relief. "I hate the feeling of being without that...I end up feeling so disconnected." He glanced at her. "The feeling is very similar to how I feel when I don't have you near me."

"That won't be a problem anymore," she assured him. "We just need to get to Bay 6...and we can fly again, my kestrel." Yelara stroked Liam's cheek gently, gazing into the eyes through which she'd seen Liam's soul and fell in love with it. "There's so much more we need to find out about one another, so much we need to mend," she mused. "And we'll start soon. So very soon."

"I have been looking forward to that for some time," Liam said as he slipped his hand into hers. "I've not been the best husband, but I hope to fix that. I hope to be a man our son can look up to and emulate. I hope to be a man that you can trust again. Bay 6?"

Yelara smiled warmly and nodded. "Our last stop before we leave this pit of filth Dargus has constructed. We'll need to hurry, though. They will try to stop us, and although I have no doubt you can subdue them, it will cost us time."

"We will keep ourselves moving as much as possible. It's not the type of battle I prefer to fight, but I see no other options. If we must, we'll just bring them along as we go, knocking them out as we can, when we can."

"It'll be easier to do while they're wearing their helmets," Yelara noted. "At least you won't have to see their faces."

"I'm just glad I am able to subdue them," Liam said. "Knowing who they are...I couldn't kill them...no matter who they work for or how they came to exist."

"And when we are able, we will come back for them, Liam. We will." She kissed her husband lightly to reassure him, and gave him further reassurance with a loving smile. "Now, let's go. Leshie will be expecting us."

They fled quickly down the corridor. The resistance was present all along their path. Utilizing the Force, Liam was able to easily subdue most before they were even aware of their presence. At one junction, there were two guards, and it required considerable more effort on Liam's part. He ended up with a bruised jaw, but still managed to put down both guards. "One thing's for certain," he said as he and Yelara started off again, "our son is certainly going to have a good right hook."

Feeling optimistic about their chances, Yelara laughed and with one hand lifting the skirt of her dress off the ground, she dashed into the bay with Liam. Freedom was near.

"There's the ship!" she announced.

"Let's go home," he said as they dashed across the bay toward the ship. "Let's find our freedom!"

Many of the soldiers in the bay had spotted them and were already charging. Liam easily knocked them back with a single wave of his hand and the two bounded up the ramp. It began pulling up behind them and Yelara called out to Va'Lesh to activate the repulsors. There was no response.

"Va'Lesh?" Worry marred Yelara's previously hopeful features as she looked to her husband. "Liam..."

"Out," Liam called, but it was too late.

Behind them, a low, dark laugh sounded. It was the sound of something dark and evil rubbing against something vile and disgusting. Liam Zaneth closed his eyes, centering himself and hoping this time, he and his wife would finally win their freedom. He turned to face the owner of the laugh, and knew that they would not have their freedom just yet. "Damn you."

***

A muffled explosion rocked the western quarter of the Palace and alarms blared. Tarkin's forces leaving for the Temple attack had provided an opening in the defense shield long enough for a small team of clones to enter and get to the shield generator. Minutes later, the attack had begun.

The Walkers stationed in the courtyards reanimated and plodded towards the perimeter just as the external shield surrounding the palace fluctuated, then disappeared. From overhead, pulse fire rained down to subdue the targets in closer proximity to the palace without causing damage to the edifice, while the far more destructive concussion missiles were launched at the Walkers near the perimeter, ripping them apart.

The assault vessels came in for another attack run, and once a section of the Imperial contingent had been decimated, the vessels moved in for a landing while a remaining few provided cover fire. Tarkin's elite, genetically modified troops were already too far off to return, and would provide no resistance for Dargus' soldiers; the white-armoured troopers being dispatched to engage Dargus' black-clad warriors were but a minor distraction.

Dargus' clones marched at a steady pace compared to the urgency of Tarkin's men as they moved into position. The stormtroopers were quickly and efficiently laid down by the clones, who marched without further opposition directly into the palace. There would be more futile attempts to stop them within, but Dargus' clones were programmed to prevail, and so to the throne room they proceeded, to secure it for its rightful Emperor, Dargus Kandran.

***

The shuttle banked down toward the planet with Liam and Yelara sitting at the controls. They weren't traveling to the destination they'd chosen though; they were travelling to the destination chosen by the man standing behind them. Dargus Kandran smiled at their meek behaviours.

"The trick," Dargus said only a slight edge in his voice, "is whether or not I should truly be upset at you. You did betray me, after all. I cannot forget that slight, my dear. I cannot forget that you sought to run off with my prisoner. And, when I find the clone you forced to betray me, he shall be punished as well. I'm not sure which would be worse, killing him outright, forcing him to be a pleasure slave, or finding that bitch you sent off with your child, and forcing him to watch me turn her into a pleasure slave."

Yelara's mouth set into a hard line and she said nothing. They hadn't expected Dargus to be on the cruiser, and especially not aware of her scheme, ready and waiting to capture them in the act. She hated him for it, and herself for putting Liam and Va'Lesh's lives in danger. The female clone training a blaster on them made an escape attempt impossible, for even if Liam managed to subdue her, there was still Dargus to contend with.

"This is your fault," she finally said viciously. "You said you would let him go... You never intended to keep that promise, so I was ensuring you did by setting him free myself."

"I had every intention of freeing him if you remained loyal to me," Dargus said. "When you sent your child off, though, I grew suspicious. That you didn't urge me to find your child...it didn't ring true. So, being the type that is prone to paranoia, I decided to let my hunch play out." He smiled. "You performed exactly as I had anticipated. However, I believe an emperor must have his empress, therefore, your marriage to Liam shall be dissolved, and you shall remain at my side, as my empress."

Yelara laughed cruelly. "They would never make you Emperor, Dargus. You can give yourself any title you wish, but do you really believe anyone would honour it?"

"That will be the test, won't it," Dargus said. "When the Empire falls, this planet will need a leader. I intend for that to be me. And, I have four members of poor, dead High Prince Val'reth's council to honour me, through my noble's title, as the new sovereign of this planet. So, I will have my claim legitimized."

Yelara glanced aside at her husband and for the first time, she truly feared Dargus. In power, he could truly turn Tae'Karada into a prison planet by ruling with an even tighter hold than Tarkin had. Tarkin was senile, but Dargus was purely evil. That was the difference, and one that would have devastating consequences on the planet. He had to be stopped.

The shuttle dove into the planet's atmosphere and steered them towards Arcadia; but more specifically, the palace, which was now surrounded by plumes of smoke and flames that billowed high above the monumental enclosure. Dargus had succeeded, that much was clear, but he couldn't be allowed to claim the throne.

Yelara gave no thought to what she needed to do, for Dargus would only have detected it and stopped her. So, relying solely on instinct, Yelara jerked the vessel hard to the left, throwing the clone into the wall and knocking Dargus off balance. She hoped Liam's reaction time was quick enough to take advantage of the opportunity she had given them, but she couldn't spare a moment to worry about that or recovering the ship from its nose-dive; instead, she threw herself at the female clone, already recovering from the fall and grappled for the weapon in her hand.

Dargus and Liam became a blur of motion as the Jedi charged the Sith. Kandran flew backwards with Liam on top of him. Fists and feet, elbows and knees...it was all a blur of motion as each fought for dominance. A kick landed in Liam's midsection, and knocked him back. He recovered quickly and came up charging. A shaft of crimson leapt from Dargus' hand and he threw himself to the side. Blinding pain seemed to stab through his thigh, burning him from the inside out. Liam dropped to the ground, wound throbbing. The crimson blade snapped into place, just below his throat. A simple flick of Dargus' wrist would remove his head.

"Now, now, Yelara," Dargus called, breathing heavily, "release her, and Liam will not be killed."

Yelara already had the seized blaster aimed at the clone's head as she sat atop her, but one look at Liam, wounded and vulnerable, and Yelara tossed the blaster aside. The clone immediately slid out from under Yelara and sprang to her feet. Roughly, she pulled Yelara from the ground and twisted her arms around behind her back.

"Now," Yelara rasped, "let him go."

The blade retracted back into the hilt of the lightsaber. He glanced at the clone and gave her a nod. "Bind them both," he said. "We want no more incidents like this." He reached out with the Force and stabilized the shuttle. "Once they are bound, take the controls and take us to the palace."

"Yes, Master." The Yara clone unclipped a pair of binders from her belt and slapped them onto Yelara's wrists. She then indelicately shoved her to the ground. She moved on to Liam next.

"This is how you'll have to keep me always, Dargus," Yelara growled. "Because I won't willingly be your Empress, not after his."

"You attacked us," Dargus said. "I was merely conveying us all to our coronation. Fear not, my beautiful empress, we will soon be raised above all on Tae'Karada. Your imperial attire shall be waiting for you when we arrive. You may not approve, but I assure you everyone else shall. I am so glad you are young and haven't begun to sag...it would not do for this moment." He took a step closer. "I suggest you become more willing, my dear. If you do not, I assure you that I can make you as willing as...well, as Kallia."

Helpless with her hands tightly bound behind her back, and sitting upon the ground, all Yelara could do in retaliation was shriek as she kicked Dargus in the shin with the pointed heel of her shoe.

Dargus glanced down at the plated guards protecting his legs, then at Yelara, and smiled. "Colonel," he said, not taking his eyes from Yelara, "please contact the doctor and have him prepare the bay for the Brael Process. It appears that Yelara will require some reconditioning, and really doesn't care about playing nicely. She will have to be...pacified." He glanced to Liam. "I do hope you learn to enjoy the Twins, Liam, because I'm afraid that after this Yelara will no longer know you. However, I will make certain that you are witness to every happy moment we share together." His gaze turned back to Yel, dead and evil. "His pain and suffering shall be on your hands now. You could have stopped it, but you remained defiant until the end."

Yelara narrowed her eyes fiercely at Dargus, but said nothing more, for Liam's sake. Out of the corner of her eyes, she noticed the clone disappear from the cockpit to carry out Dargus' request. "I thought you liked my fire," she said. "Or was that a lie too?"

"Oh, I like your fire," Dargus said with a leering smile. "However, I plan to ensure...more loyalty. This willingness you have to turn on me just will not do, especially for my wife and empress. Perhaps the doctor could fix that modesty problem you have too."

Yelara laughed wryly. "You just want a naked prize to parade around. Why don't you find a woman who can be that for you and just leave us alone... This is useless, Dargus. You're simply expending energy in a crusade that will likely end with your death. Is it really worth it?"

"You will be that for me, Yelara. You see, the two of you have caused me so much trouble. You nearly killed me once...and I haven't quite forgotten that yet. So, consider this my repayment. Your beloved will be forced to watch you express your love fully to me, happily ruling by my side. This isn't just about your naked body or making you love me. This is about revenge...revenge for the two of you sticking your noses in my business. And, now it is time for you to pay."

Yelara turned her head away and focused on Liam, whose jaw was clenched and who was visibly trembling as he fought off the pain of his injury. She had caused that by extension of her defiance and it only added further to her guilt. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

"You shouldn't be sorry," Liam whispered, his leg on fire with the pain of Dargus' slash. "He should. And, he will pay for this. And, we will be free." He turned to face her, his eyes showing nothing but his love for her. "Dargus will pay, and we shall be free. Anor tsi'aka l' otana tir va'lesh." Black chains can never deny freedom.

Yelara smiled tenderly at her husband, and felt for a time that not even Dargus could touch them. But her wishful thinking was interrupted by the return of Yara's clone. "I have contacted the doctor, Master. He will be ready to join us at the Palace when you call for him."

"Very good," Dargus said with a smile. He turned to Yelara. "If you make this difficult, it will be Liam that suffers. If you make this difficult, I shall kill one clone of your son before your eyes for every moment of difficulty you give me. Am I understood? If you do not cooperate, Yelara, others shall suffer for your actions."

Yelara closed her eyes and sighed somberly. "Okay," she whispered. "Just punish me, okay? You can have your revenge twenty times over, but on me."

"Once we're through this," Dargus said. "Once I've been crowned, then you will have your punishment. Before then, any trouble you cause will result in others being punished."

"Fine," she growled through clenched teeth. "You win...for now." And looking away, Yelara let a single tear slip out. All her avenues had been exhausted, and Liam was defenseless now. The only thing keeping her from breaking down completely was the knowledge that at least Leshie was safe...for now.

---

"Marching Into Battle"
By: Shrezade Anoran
Lerrah Breijal
Dresh Kano [NPC+]
Rilanna Kir

Location: The Lusankya
Date: Selene 1, 4 ABY

***

Standing on the bridge of the super star destroyer Lusankya, Admiral Jason Tallen felt his nerves unravelling. This would be the biggest battle of his career. This would decide the fate of, not only the outer rim, but of the fledgling New Republic. All of the ships that were battle-ready had been assembled in his fleet, pulled in from all across the core and mid rims.

They were a motley fleet, all travelling together in hyperspace. Unlike the Empire, whose ships matched and all seemed of a similar theme, his came from various worlds. Some ships were former Imperial ships, others were built by the Mon Calamari, the Bothans, constructed at the drive yards of Kuat or Fondor. It was a fine representation of the New Republic.

He looked down at his tactical display and saw they were nearing their objective. His eyes scanned around those assembled around the bridge, all like him...anxious, but ready for this fight. It was a fight they had to win, despite the odds.

"All hands," he called out suddenly, "battlestations. Prepare for reversion to real space. Prepare to engage the enemy!"

***

Around them, klaxons blared. Dresh Kano was delaying as much as he dared, spending a last moment with Shrezade Anoran. He was wearing his orange flightsuit, helmet tucked under an arm. It was how he felt most comfortable. She looked very impressive in her battle armour, a suit of matte black, plastiform plates sewn into a matte black bodysuit. It was designed for assaults like the one Reza would be taking part in, assaults like the one that had Dresh's heart in his throat.

"Stay safe in there," he said. "I'll see you on the other side of the fight." He paused and glanced around, then back to her. "I really wish you had Rilanna at your back for this. I...I know. But, I can't help it. She's damn good, and...and she'd make sure we got to see each other again. I-- I'm going to miss you, Shrezade."

"Oh, we won't be apart that long," she replied, doing her best to keep her voice from trembling. "But...if it's worth anything...I've enjoyed our time together, Captain."

"And, if I have anything to say about it, you'll continue to enjoy our time together." He slipped his arms around her and pulled her to him. He pressed his lips to hers, and it was only a moment or two before both their knees went week. "An incentive to come back to me," he whispered.

Reza smiled lazily at him, while drawing a gloved hand up to his cheek. "And the same to you," she said softly. "I lost one man I cared about, and I'm not losing another. So return to me, Captain--" Reza sighed, then smiled tenderly and corrected, "Dresh."

"And, you to me," Dresh answered. "Return to me, Reza, and we'll see what life is like together in times of peace. Maybe I could even take you out for a proper dinner, rather than a trip to a New Republic starship's mess hall."

"It's the company that matters, in the end," she told him. "And after this fight, I will be wanting your company still." Reza kissed Dresh again, oblivious completely to the soldiers and pilots hustling about around them. This might be their last moment together and it couldn't be rushed. "After this is over," she whispered, still brushing her lips against his, "I want you to consider staying on the station."

Dresh blinked, stunned by her request, but he found himself smiling. "I'd like that very much," he said. "I'll have to make arrangements with the New Republic...but I think something can be arranged. I'll make sure something can be arranged."

Reza grinned and, satisfied, stepped back. "That is a deal I advise you not to renege on by dying out there today."

"You too," Dresh said. "I don't want to make all these arrangements to move to your station if you're not going to be there." He gave her a lopsided grin, then gave a wave as he started backing away. "Stay safe, Reza."

Reza felt her throat closing in and managed an unsteady wave back. "You too," she said, her voice surprisingly thick with emotion. "Kill a few for me out there, will you?"

Dresh grinned. "When you get inside your station, pick me out a nice cabin. I'll...I'll need a place...to keep my stuff." His features wavered as he warred with emotions, but the grin held firmly. "Luck." With that, he spun away and hurried off toward his X-Wing. He didn't think he could continue facing her for another moment before he rushed back into her arms.

Reza watched Dresh slip into the cockpit, and the canopy slide closed over him. She couldn't shake the feeling that they wouldn't see each other again, but was determined to, for she had thought the same before Vraner left for a mission he never returned from. "I will see you again," she declared under breath. And after a final gaze at the man she was growing to care deeply for, Reza turned her back on him and marched to the Pride.

It felt awkward being encased in armour, especially when she had little experience as a soldier...if shooting blasters with Rilanna was considered military experience. But it would keep her alive...if only to see Dresh again.

As Reza reached the Pride, Rilanna was dropping down from the top of the ship. She was clad in her own armour, a suit of dented and worn Mandalorian battle armour that she wouldn't reveal how she came by. She nodded to Reza. "We had a motivator go out, but it's fixed now. Lerrah says everything's ready on the inside, and now all we have to do is shove off."

Reza nodded, keeping her eyes intentionally past Rilanna and on the hull of the ship. She didn't think she was doing a good job of pretending to survey it. "Lerrah knows what is expected of her, does she?"

"She gets us inside, and holds the bay using Pride's guns. She doesn't move until we're ready for evac...and we go to her if we can, otherwise, she bolts out and tries to slip into an emergency bay nearest our position."

"Your position," Reza corrected. "Your team will be in another area, remember?"

"Of course," Rilanna replied, a brittle edge in her voice. "My position will be babysitting all the civilians who might wander into a stray remote blaster cannon."

Reza chuckled wryly. "Be careful, Captain Kir. You're beginning to sound like me."

"You know my skills are wasted there," Rilanna said, trying to keep the anger from her voice. "You know I'm...I'm better than that. Instead, you've assigned Major Edwards as your second-in-command." She shook her head, and wished she had her helmet. When she spoke again, her voice was tempered plasteel. "I'll do my part to get you your station back, Mrs. Anoran, but after that you will need to find a new security chief for Drogen."

Reza shook her head incredulously, wondering how Rilanna could be so stubborn and blind. Rilanna would be grateful once she realized Reza's decision was based on keeping her safe. "As you wish, Captain," she replied coolly, then decided no more time could be wasted arguing and headed for the ramp.

Rilanna glared after Reza, and once the woman was inside the ship let out a growl of frustration. She very nearly punched the ship, which would most likely have stranded them there. The Pride could be very temperamental.

"Problem?" a soft voice asked from the ramp.

"Guess."

"Don't worry about her, Ril," Lerrah said, stepping down from the ramp. "She's Reza and she'll do what she wants, how she wants, and when she wants, the rest of us be damned. For whatever reason, she's decided she doesn't want you in the thick of the fight--"

"She doesn't want me anywhere important. She doesn't want me doing anything that actually helps the New Republic take back her stupid station. After everything we've been through together, how can she just toss me aside like some spent power cartridge. And, now she's got Major Adam Edwards at her side? To listen to him talk, the only force the Republic needs for this entire battle is just him, his wicked slick ship, and his ego. Hell, forget the rest, just send his ego in there, and the job's finished."

"Rilanna," Lerrah said, edging closer, "you're all strapped into that armour, or I'd try to help you relax a little...but, you really need to relax, or you're going to get hurt out there. If you're not concentrating."

"I'll be fine," Rilanna growled. "I've done this enough to know what I'm doing...even if my assigned task is to sit and do nothing. Let's get inside and get out of here. The sooner we're finished with this, the sooner I can leave this place." With that, she stalked back up into Pride leaving Lerrah standing outside the ship. She sighed, and then followed Rilanna up the ramp.

***

Admiral Tallen watched the scanners in front of him closely. This assault would have to be timed perfectly. His mind was a blur of battle calculations, vectors, and velocities. Their tactical profile was strong, and the Empire would not be ready...they'd made certain of that.

"Reversion to realspace in five seconds," he called out.

"All systems standing by, Admiral," one of the men manning the navigation console answered.

He counted down. "Now," he barked.

The order was relayed to the rest of the fleet, and then, as one, the New Republic fleet dropped back into realspace, sitting at the edge of Tae'Remok.

"We've been spotted," Lieutenant Gylus announced. "Imperial ships moving to intercept."

"Attack pattern Omega," Tallen said, falling into the groove of battle, "launch all fighters and support craft."

***

On the Pride Reza had herself already strapped in, prepared for their launch, and was working at soothing her ruffled nerves. The truth was, she needed Rilanna by her side, fighting with her, but it seemed the two were at odds and might never recover from it. As long as it didn't interfere with their effectiveness during battle, their relationship could be mended...if Rilanna would have it.

Reza sighed and stared ahead through the viewscreen. She couldn't see Dresh's fighter from where the ship was positioned in the hangar, but she knew he was still out there. Thinking about you when he should be concentrating on the upcoming battle, she thought, and it brought a smile to her lips. She'd been a fool to get too close, but just how much of one would become known once the battle ended, and if he survived or not. "Good luck," she whispered to him. "And come back to me."

Rilanna Kir had donned her helmet, a mask to cover the pain that was clear on her face, and had taken up a position near the access hatch that Reza's team would file out of before the Pride broke away to take Rilanna and her team off to babysit the civilians. Her mood was dark and not even Lerrah had been able to pull her out of it. She had hoped the closer they got to the battle would lessen Shrezade's stubborn resolve to keep them as far apart as possible. She had removed her from doing any good on this operation, wasting her skills and talents on guarding civilians...and she had replaced her with Adam Edwards. Fine, she snarled inwardly. Let her keep the arrogant piece of nerf droppings if she wants him. Let him keep the security of her station.

Her fists were clenched in rage and if she didn't get control, she was going to end up getting herself or someone else hurt. She sighed, and turned away. If they weren't ready to go, she'd walk out now. She knew that Reza neither needed nor wanted her there...and she doubted that the New Republic even cared.

When the call finally came, Dresh Kano activated his repulsors. His X-Wing lifted into the air and began its slow drift toward the opening in the bay doors. He turned back to where Lerrah's Pride of Agarra sat, engines now rumbling as it prepared to take flight. Shrezade was inside, though he couldn't see her through the thick, durasteel plating. I'll come back, he thought to her. Just make sure you do too. With that, his ship blasted free of Lusankya, and rocketed toward the incoming Imperial fleet. There was no more time for reminiscing and daydreaming. Now was the time to fight for his life, and for the freedoms they all cherished. Now was the time to fight for his right to see Shrezade Anoran again, and to rid the galaxy of this new tyranny.

---

"Preparing For Darkness"
By: Koran Darr
Andro Ki'Ayalin [NPC+]
Laedra Vorrel

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Selene 1, 4 ABY

***

Standing on the balcony that overlooked the forest below, Koran Darr gazed out into the distance. He had not been alive in this time for very long, but perhaps what loomed before them now was due to his absence during the time when the Jedi fought their greatest battle ever...the last battle that era of Jedi would ever fight. A new era was upon them, and a new threat to their very existence. He glanced at Laedra who stood beside him, gazing out as he was.

"They are coming," he said.

Laedra nodded slowly, reluctantly. "I know... I couldn't sleep last night. Something just...felt wrong."

Koran nodded. "We don't have much time," he said. "They are on their way. I believe, though, that we are ready. You know what you have to do, Laedra?"

"I do," she replied uncertainly. "I just...don't know if I'm capable. You've advanced far more quickly than I. You've managed to grasp their techniques and teachings, whereas I'm still attempting to comprehend what they managed to accomplish." Lae sighed. "I just feel useless."

"You do perform well under pressure, Laedra," Koran said. "I have every faith that when the time comes, you will perform perfectly. Let us go inside and finish our preparations."

As Koran started back into the room, Laedra gently laid a hand on his shoulder to halt him. When he turned back to her, she smiled ruefully and said softly, "I wish... I wish I weren't so confused. I wish I could tell you what you want to hear...that I love you as you love me. But I can't, Koran, not yet. I don't know what I feel anymore." She sighed and pulled her hand away. "I wanted to let you know that before the battle begins and before there wasn't another chance to do so."

"There will be time after," Koran said. "We will make it through this fight, Laedra. We will survive, and we will continue. I don't know if that will change your feelings for me, but I know that is what I feel through the Force. I cannot ask you to love me, Laedra. All I can ask is that you remain true to your own emotions."

She chuckled wanly. "Whatever they may be... But...there are more important things now. There is little time, and much to do."

Koran took her hands into his. "Please trust me, Laedra. Please trust that we will make it through this. Trust in the Force...trust before your doubts and fears twist inside you. Please step away from those dark feelings and emotions."

"I-I am," she assured him quickly, though she felt only more fear in knowing she could potentially stumble onto the dark path again. "I trust you, Koran. And that gives me comfort."

"When you feel yourself caught in fear or despairing," Koran said, "reach out to the Force. Center yourself and let the Force calm you. Just as we've done together."

"I will," Laedra replied, then with a smile added, "Master."

"We will want to meditate for a short period of time. I believe we have enough for that much, to ready ourselves.

"We will also want to warn the other Masters," Laedra said. "If they'll believe us."

"In this, they will believe us," Koran said. "There is no other choice. I am certain they will feel the darkness, the danger. It is all around us, and unavoidable. They will believe. We will make them believe."

"If anyone can," Laedra told him, "I know it is you, Koran." She smiled tenderly, then moved past him towards the door. There was still much to do before the arrival of their enemies, and the spirits had yet to communicate with them after the last encounter. As much as she trusted Koran, she had little faith in the chances of their survival against a foe as formidable as Tarkin's Sith. Laedra couldn't help but fear.

***

All was ready. The next obstacle they would face would be the Sith, and they were close. So very close. All of the masters and apprentices had come out to help in the defense of their home, of their Temple. Koran Darr felt the wrongness approaching. "It will not be long now. They are nearly here. May the Force be with us."

Laedra returned the blessing in chorus with the other Masters and young Padawans. Kael was there, his face an image of pure determination and confidence, something she had never achieved in all her years as a Jedi. Young Aurra Sgall was also present, and if the young Twi'lek was nervous, she was certainly doing a commendable job of masking it. Daemor'rah, the one who had attacked her upon her arrival to Tae'Karada, was also among them, though now fighting with them instead of against, which was fortunate, for they already had enough enemies to contend with.

Laedra took in a deep breath and slowly exhaled. The small group of Jedi dispersed to take up their respective positions around the Temple perimeter, but Laedra remained behind for a moment to regard Koran, who had chosen to defend the Temple's main entrance. "Good luck, Koran."

"You too," Koran said softly. "Perhaps when this is over, we can go somewhere together, away from all this, and get to know each other better. As friends."

"You promised me the coast," Laedra reminded with a gentle smile. "And I'm holding you to that."

Koran smiled. "Then the coast it is," he said. "Me, you, and the ocean and sand. No Jedi, no Empire. Just us."

"Just us," she repeated softly. Laedra leaned forward and kissed Koran lightly, then smiled. "Be careful."

"And, you," Koran said. "Come back to me safe."

Laedra nodded her head dutifully and answered with a touch of playfulness, "Yes, Master." Then she departed towards the rear of the Temple.

Koran watched her go, her Jedi robes swirling around her ankles as she walked. He sighed softly once she was out of sight, and then moved to take up his position at the front of the Temple. There weren't enough of them to truly hold the Temple, not against the force Tarkin had sent after them. They did have something Tarkin couldn't combat...the Force of old and the skill to use it to protect their lives and the lives around them. Koran had faith it would be enough.

***

Laedra looked out among the trees and cloudless sky, but there was no sign of the invaders Koran had warned of. She hoped, for once, he was wrong about what he sensed.

Laedra sighed and gazed back down at her foot kicking at the blades of grass standing in the soil. She'd spent her life travelling, never having made a home for herself aside from Ina's ship, yet here she was, at the Temple, a place she'd grown to call home and now there was a possibility she would die defending it. A part of her wanted to run away from the fight like the coward she knew she was, but she knew doing so might mean the death of one of her fellow Jedi. They'd gone through much together, and she couldn't abandon them, no matter how frightened she was. Though, she found that if it was her day to die, she was prepared for it, if only to atone for all she'd done, to Liam, Yelara, to Koran... She deserved death as punishment for her wrong-doings, and if anyone was to die that day, she hoped it was herself.

"You seem in distress," a voice next to Laedra said. "Your mood is dark and your thoughts darker. None of us deserve death this day, Laedra. Not even those who come against us."

Laedra looked aside at Andro, at Ina's former master, and was forced to look away. Such reminders were a distraction today, one she couldn't afford. "Some will die," she told him forthrightly. "And if anyone must, I freely offer myself. I am the one who is least likely to follow the Jedi path for much longer...so is it not better to allow one who will to survive?"

"All life is precious," Andro said. "Jedi and non-Jedi alike. Because you have chosen to step away from our way of life does not make you any less a part of the whole, or any less a worthwhile life. It is honourable that you would sacrifice your life for others, Laedra, but do not be too hasty in casting off your life."

Laedra chuckled weakly, bitterly and shook her head. "My life, Master Ki'Ayalin, ended long ago. In fact...it never really began. Taken on as a Padawan at five, rescued from an environment bereft of love and thrust into another for almost fifteen years... I never had a chance. And I certainly don't deserve one now."

"I was accepted into the Jedi Order when I was two years old," Andro said. "It has been the only life I have known all of my life. When I was still a fairly young man, I saw the only family I had ever known cut down before me, murdered out of darkness and spite. I and the Jedi order have another chance now. We have the chance to be more than we have been. We have the chance to grow and learn...and love. Do not so quickly cast off all of this...because you lacked love when you were younger. You have the chance for love now if you would reach out to accept it. I am an old man, and most of my life has already been lived. You are still young...if you cast off your melancholy, you will also be full of life."

Laedra nodded slowly, saying nothing and pensively weighing his advice. Then she said quietly, "Are those the teachings you passed on to Ina as well?" Her gaze shifted sidelong to meet Andro's. "Did you also teach him to beat his students if they erred? Did you teach him to punish a young, love-starved girl for giving him unwanted attention? Is that what you taught your Padawan, Jedi Master Ki'Ayalin? Because if it is, you certainly taught him well."

"That is not what I taught to Ina," Andro said. "Ina always had a rebellious streak in him, and a dark nature. I tried to purge those beliefs from him, but they were buried too deeply. For what he put you through, I am sorry, Laedra. I wish I could have taught him better."

Laedra chuckled wryly. "As do I, Master. All I wanted was for someone to love me...and he chastised me for that." She sighed and turned fully to face Andro. "But...I don't blame you. Perhaps he was just like me, perhaps he too had parents who showed him nothing but disdain, and this led to his fear of love. So...I blame neither of you. I just wish things could have been different. But one cannot change the past, isn't that what they say?"

"The past cannot be changed," Andro answered. "However, we can learn from the past to help it affect the future. Ina was not the one for you. Perhaps you loved him, but he could not love you back for whatever reason. The key to love is finding someone who feels for you, as you do for them."

"The problem is," Laedra said gravely, "I've been hurt so much, I'm afraid to trust what I feel, afraid it'll only mean more pain. And in the end, I'll just end up hurting Koran because I'm afraid to love him back. And I hate myself for that."

"You need to let go of that hurt and pain, Laedra. You need to allow yourself to feel. Perhaps you will not be able to give your love to another quite yet, but to deny or hide your emotions...you only hurt yourself."

"It's better than hurting Koran, whose only fault was to love someone who is far too emotionally damaged to reciprocate." Laedra smiled at Andro confidently, then, and appended, "But, that does not mean I cannot still fight. For his sake, and for everyone's, I will defend this Temple with my very life if necessary. I offer this freely."

"I only say, do not give your life so quickly. It is commendable that you will make that sacrifice, Laedra. Just...do not be too hasty in throwing your life away because you believe it to be worthless now. Think of those around you...think of the worth you have to them."

Laedra did, then, and did not delude herself into believing Koran felt nothing for her. Of all those at the Temple, her death would hit him hardest. For he alone, she swore to at least fight for her life. "I understand," she replied quietly. "And...I thank you, Master Ki'Ayalin. Your presence has provided me with comfort."

"That shall be a bright star in this dark night," Andro said. "The enemy is close." He pulled his lightsaber from the clip at his belt. "It is time, Laedra."

In the distance, the lights of many transports flared into view. The sound, even at this distance, was deafening. As Andro took a step forward, the ships began to descend below the treeline. It would only be minutes before the troops arrived. The question of readiness was past. It was now a matter of doing what they had trained to do.

The dark side had arrived.

---

"Retaking The Desert"
By: Pack [NPC+]
Yannick [NPC+]
Moff Albren Seare [NPC+]
Various Other Gangers

Location: Thanatos
Date: Selene 1, 4 ABY

***

Pack gazed outward from where he and Yannick stood. If the Imps fell for their trap, they'd have their desert back. If the Imps didn't fall for it...none of it would matter. There wasn't much hope, but he had to cling to what little still existed. And, so little did exist.

Today was the day that would decide their fate, the fate of Thanatos, and the fate of all Kir'Thana.

"If I die today, I'm going to kill that bastard," he snarled. "Especially if I don't get to see Raeila again. I'd even pay. If I die, I'll kill every Imp and that bastard Rixx too. He better pray to Thana that I don't die today...or he's dead." He glanced at Yannick, and then frowned. "What are you laughing at?"

Yannick shrugged, then snickered again. "If you die today, I don't think any of that'll matter. Besides, it's bad luck to think such thoughts. We're gonna win today, Pack. We have to."

Pack watched a funnel of sand scatter across the top of a dune and he sighed. "Yes," he said. "We will win. Thana wouldn't abandon us, not now. We'll drive them out of our home, and have the biggest party the desert has ever seen!"

Yannick patted Pack amiably on the back. "Too bad Rae isn't here to blow us all. Now that would be some party."

"That girl could really make you squirm, couldn't she? Could you imagine being Ferrig? I heard she was sucking him off already when they were twelve, and that he took her cha'anga when she was thirteen. Can you imagine growing up like that? Oh bliss."

"Oh, I am trying," Yannick told him with a greedy smile. "And I'm wishing I had a sister like Rae. Maybe when this is all over, we could convince her to visit us. She probably knows what happened to Ferrig, too."

"We could comfort her," Pack said. "She'll need comforting. I think for our parts in this, we'll need comforting too. I think the three of us would do very well comforting each other."

"Though you make sure to keep your hands to yourself," Yannick warned, though he was smiling. "I know how you'd like to get a feel of this." He pointed to his groin, and grinned proudly. "Everyone would. It's the natural reaction when encountered with something so beautiful."

"Hey, I've seen the envious looks you've been giving the front of my pants," Pack said. "You're as fascinated with mine as much as you are with yours. But, who can blame you. It's not every guy who's born with a proton torpedo between his legs. Definitely stretches out the girls, if you know what I mean. Oh, you should have heard Purple and Rat screaming for it. They loved it. I bet if they saw me again, they'd tear my clothes off and have a feast on my rod."

Yannick chuckled, less so than he had the first time Pack mentioned the two girls. He couldn't help feeling that they were beyond petty offenses like tormenting women, that none of that seemed to matter any longer. "Things are gonna be different when this is over, aren't they?" he remarked. "We're not gonna be the people we once were."

Pack's mood darkened slightly, and he nodded. "Nothing will be the same. I wonder if this is what they mean when they say it's time to grow up. We have to be responsible now, more so than we ever were before. I don't know, Yan, I...I think we may end up being...being leaders. Are you ready for that? To have people who aren't your boys looking up to you?"

"I'm ready," Yannick replied, "if they're willing to follow. We can't let all this go to waste, Pack. We can't fight for our freedom, only to end up prisoners again of our own violence, our own stupid, primal ways. We're children of Thana, and we've gotta make her proud, Pack."

Pack held out a hand. "We will," he said, then pulled out a small blade. He quickly sliced at his palm, opening a gash there, and then extended the hilt toward Yannick.

It was a sacred, ancient ritual shared only by two people who felt respect and deep admiration for one another. Whereas they had once been enemies, they would now be brothers in blood, as all Kir'Thana were. Yannick closed his hand around the handle, and made a quick slit across his own hand. The blood trickled out. "Der'Thana," he said, and clasped hands with Pack.

"Der'Thana," Pack said, then grinned. "Now, my brother, let us go and prepare to destroy the Imperials that would seek to steal our home from us."

Yannick grinned. "And our women."

"No one touches our women."

"Not without paying, of course." He snickered and squeezed Pack's hand, sealing the bond they now shared, and vowing to go into battle as allies, as brothers under Thana.

***

Pack rolled out of the way of the blaster fire, barely avoiding being gutted. He came up blasting, aiming for one of the many Imps swarming in the square. He only hoped everything was ready back in the installation because if the Imps didn't take this bait...well, it wouldn't be pleasant for the Kir'Thana, that was for certain. His shots found their mark, and he put one right in the bright, white chest-plate of the Imp who'd been shooting at him.

He glanced around at Yannick, and quickly found his friend laughing as he blasted off two weapons, sending a small group of Imps scurrying for cover. Edging that direction, Pack added his own weapon to the mix, and soon they'd turned those Imps into something much less alive. "Do you think they're picking up on it?" he asked once he was next to Yannick. "There's a knot in the back, not fighting, it looks like they're talking, and one of them keeps looking in the direction of the installation."

"Well, we've certainly got them scrambling!" Yannick whooped as he poked his head above the vendor's cart he was using for cover and fired off a series of rapid shots. He ducked back down again in time to elude a blaster pulse intending to connect with his head. "It was a smart idea to keep the boys moving around, make it look like there are more of us than there are. They'll have a surprise waiting for them when they reach the installation."

"Oh, I sure hope we get back there in time because I really want to see the looks on their white faces," Pack said. "I want to laugh at them, laugh the way Thana must be laughing at them. You know, for having their big, amazing empire, these guys are pretty stupid to fall for a trick like this."

"Or maybe we're just that good," Yannick remarked proudly. He protected his head as a shot glanced off a clay pot on the cart and sent shards exploding outwards. Yannick quickly brushed the debris from his thick brown hair and returned the favour by squeezing off a succession of shots at the Imps.

"That was fairly close," Pack said. "I wouldn't have thought they'd be able to get within...ten meters of us. Maybe they've been practicing." He glanced out from behind their cart and laughed. "Oh, they're starting to take the bait, I think. They're starting to draw away."

"We need to warn the boys," Yannick reminded him, then peeked around the side of the cart and blasted at an Imp attempting to sneak up on them. He toppled backwards as Yannick's shot caught him squarely in his helmeted forehead. "May the hells consume you!" he hollered triumphantly at the fallen Imp, then spat on the ground as an added insult.

"Come on," Pack said as he started edging away from the cart. "We'll need to give them the signal. You know, these tactics aren't half bad. Can you imagine the damage we could have done to each other if we'd used them before?"

"Yeah," Yannick replied, "and I'm glad it won't ever happen."

The two raced towards the next set of carts, which had been pushed together to provide a large barrier for the gangers. Blaster fire chased them as they ran, and both threw themselves into a roll to clear the rest of the distance to their cover. They made it behind the carts with barely scorched behinds.

"You know," Pack said as they started brushing themselves off, "we're pretty damn good at this hero business. I could get used to it. Come on, let's round 'em up and go give those Imps a surprise!"

As Pack spread the word that the Imps were moving off to the installation, Yannick kept watch to ensure none of them were remaining behind to surprise them the moment they left their cover. To his chagrin, it appeared as if the Imperials weren't going anywhere. "Pack! They're staying!"

"Damn," Pack snarled. "Fine. Change in plan. We'll split our team here. Half of us will follow the plan, moving to take the Imps from behind. The rest will remain here, and deal with the Imps that weren't smart enough to follow our plan."

"One of us should stay and one lead the teams," Yannick suggested. "Though, I wouldn't envy anyone either of the two tasks."

Pack looked out at the Imps regrouping at the far end of the square and knew that this wouldn't be the easier of the two tasks. He nodded once, and then looked back at Yannick, his brother in blood. "I'll stay," he said. "You take half and follow the plan. I'll make sure these bastards learn the folly of not adhering to the plan we've laid out for them."

Yannick nodded. "Be careful. And if you need to, you have permission to use Tetry over there as a shield."

Pack laughed. He looked at the large brute known as Tetry and figured he could shield half the group left in the square. "I'll remember that," he said. "You be safe. And, when the day's over, I'm buying you a drink."

Yannick clapped him on the back. "Two." Then he grinned roguishly and moved off to gather his team. "May Thana watch down upon you," he called to Pack, then he and his crew disappeared between two buildings.

"And you, Brother," Pack murmured. He looked around at the gangers remaining to him and grinned. "Come on, let's make them wish they'd never heard of Tae'Karada." With a resounding battle cry, with Pack in the lead, the Kir'Thana charged at the remaining Imps.

***

"Moff Seare!" The lieutenant marched onto the bridge with haste evident in his movements. He halted before the moff and saluted him. "A report from intelligence in Thanatos, sir." He held the padd out towards him.

Seare took the datapad and read through it quickly. His frown deepened and his brows furrowed. "The grand admiral will not be pleased with this news. However, if we can retake that installation, our victory is certain. Have Captain Grava stand by as reinforcements. Captain Paer should be able to handle those children playing at warriors, but due to the territory, have another heavy weapons unit sent to him."

"Aye, sir," the lieutenant said with a nod.

"Does our intelligence indicate any possibility that this rabble will turn their sights here?"

"No, sir. We are too far outside their view. And, the distance they would have to cross would make them vulnerable. They will not strike out at us here."

Seare nodded. "As I suspected. Have the Marauders deployed at the installation as well. They have the command and military expertise, and will certainly strike fear into the hearts of the undisciplined fools that make up the local populace." He sighed and shook his head. "We will win this day, Lieutenant. If we do not, it is all our lives."

"I understand, Moff Seare," the young man answered. "I will convey your orders at once."

"Dismissed." Seare watched him go, and then turned his attention back to the large window overlooking the sands stretching into the horizon. "May the gods help us should we fail to hold this place."

***

The Imps had followed the bait and were marching into the installation. Yannick and his gang watched from the shadows of an alley, waiting for the right moment to come up behind the bastards and take them down. The rest of his brothers were also biding their time in the installation, knowing the shield malfunction they'd feigned was an opportunity for attack not even an Imp could pass up. And it appeared they weren't going to.

"Get ready, boys. They're coming," he muttered to the team waiting in the installation.

The four columns of troops, their white armour gleaming in the intense light of Thanatos' sun, marched through the gates with no sign of urgency or trepidation. They exuded unwavering confidence only those who believed nothing could stop them had the temerity to feel. Yannick was determined to correct them of that. And the moment the firing began within the compound, he set out to do exactly that.

"Okay, boys!" he called out to his team. "Charge those Wetter bastards!"

With one, unified war-cry, the gangers flocked out of the alley and thundered towards the installation. The Imps didn't see them coming.

***

The square was filled with orange, red, and green bolts of deadly energy. A strangled cry was cut short as Weg toppled to the ground, his throat made a ruin by the Imp's weapon. Pack forced himself to move on, repaying the Imp in kind for his treatment of Weg. A bolt burned past his head, and Pack ducked lower, firing blindly in the direction of the shooter.

They'd lost too many already, and a roar across the square filled Pack with despair. That was one of the Imp's vehicles, and as he looked he saw more Imps pouring out of the back of the transport. Damn, Pack thought, but he pressed on.

He found himself behind the same vendor cart he and Yannick had shared before, but his friend wasn't there now. Stay alive, Brother, he thought.

When Pack popped back around the cart, there were more Imps in the square. He squeezed off a few shots, not bothering to look to see if he'd hit anything important, then rushed toward a small group of friends. Imp blaster fire was everywhere, and he was beginning to fear that they weren't in as good a spot as he'd hoped.

He dropped another Imp as the brute charged forward, but another Imp squeezed off a volley that took Mago in the chest.

Damn, he swore to himself.

This was about to get very bad.

***

A gurgling cry rang out from Lau as a spear of red blaster fire caught him in the throat. His body spasmed then went still and Yannick sent a quick prayer up to Thana for his asri. He gritted his teeth and assailed the murdering Imp until he clipped his helmet and felled the white-armoured fiend.

The gangers had caught the Stormtroopers in a cross-fire, but with the limited cover provided by the sand-filled sacs they'd piled beforehand for protection, it hadn't turned out into the swift victory they'd planned. For every trooper they picked off, a ganger went down, evening the death count. Though, the odds were about to turn in the Imperials' favour.

Overhead, the whine of repulsors and the reverberant growl of engines preceded the arrival of four, black shuttles that blotted out the sun. Their shadows loomed over the gangers as the transports descended, causing a storm of sand and wind that battered Yannick and his boys. The Imperials seemed unaffected and continued firing despite the distraction.

As each ship hovered low to the ground, legions of troopers jumped out, already firing. Laser pulses from the shuttles' weapon turrets engulfed the barriers devised by the gangers, and ripped the sacs apart. The gangers, now unobstructed targets, were made easy prey for the stormtroopers.

Yannick heard the tortured screams of his brothers being slaughtered and knew the battle was a lost one. He shouted, calling for a retreat, though he didn't trust his voice to carry above the shrieks of weapon fire. Some of the boys nearest to him heard and made a run for it. Many of them were gunned down before they got two meters. The rest of the gangers remained where they were, stubbornly holding their positions. Yannick felt pride in his boys' determination, but knew it would soon get them killed.

He raised his blaster over his head and fired a series of shots - five to be exact, the signal they had all agreed on. The boys began their retreat. Those that were positioned to the rear of the courtyard hadn't a chance, for they were required to break through the Imperial contingent between them and the gateway. Yannick watched as they were relentlessly subdued by the Imps, though some managed to make it, at the cost of many of the others.

Hot tears streamed down Yannick's cheeks as he watched Hyal take it in the back, and Udan speared through the heart. "Oh, Thana," he groaned, then scrambled to seek his own escape.

From the corner of his eyes he saw four black wraiths scale the wall to his right and open fire with chilling accuracy. He'd heard of the Marauders, and upon witnessing the brutality the four black-armoured soldiers inflicted upon his boys, Yannick knew they had made their appearance.

He pumped his legs faster and harder, closing in on the opening. He heard a modulated voice shout an order for the shields to be raised and Yannick knew if he was caught inside, he was dead. Rapid blaster fire from behind sailed past him, nearly grazing an arm and a leg, and one shot dangerously close to his head, but Yannick knew not to stop.

With one last surge of strength, Yannick threw himself through the opening. He cried out as fire seemed to consume his right arm from the shoulder down and flattened him to the ground. It was then that he heard the hum of the shields activating and the desperate cries of those who hadn't made it out in time. Choking on the sand he'd inhaled upon his fall, Yannick rolled onto his back and watched in horror as the remaining gangers within were dispatched.

"I'm sorry, brothers," he sobbed, then struggled to his feet and staggered away.

He wondered when Thana had decided to abandon them, then prayed she'd at least chosen to shield Pack from the same fate he'd witnessed befall so many moments ago. Holding one hand to his injured shoulder, Yannick couldn't avoid feeling lucky, though if barely making it out alive was considered lucky in their situation, he held little hope that their home could ever be liberated.

---

"Surprise Attack"
by Grand Admiral Tarkin
plus several NPCs

Date: Selene 1, 4 ABY
Location: Royal Palace, Arcadia

***

Tarkin was seated in the throne room. For the first time in a long time there were no red guards standing by his side. They had all been sent in a mission to annihilate the Jedi, thus leaving the Palace and their leader who was awaiting for the good news. News that would bring him power and wealth soon enough.

Alas, all of the sudden, a muffled explosion was heard from the outside. It shook the western quarter of the Palace, which made the alarms sound. The Grand Admiral got up at once as two stormtroopers came barging into the room.

"Sir, we are under attack!" one of them said.

"I know that, you idiot!" Tarkin shot back as he made his way to the command room to check on the status and find out what had happened. It took him but one minute to get there. Waiting for him was a Commander.

"What is going on?" Tarkin shouted as he walked in. He could see that everyone was overlooking the damage assessment and giving orders.

The Commander, however, made his way over. "Sir, there was an explosion in the West Wing. We believe that a small force has been able to insert themselves inside the Palace walls and attempted a guerrilla tactical attack on us," he said.

"Well, find them! We cannot allow for some rebels to just barge in here and do as they please! I want them killed!" Tarkin ordered. He was obviously exalted with the situation, and the worse part of it all was that his elite guards were now too far off to come back and grant assistance. And all the while, this brought but one thought to Tarkin's mind: Could this be treason?

Outside, the AT-AT and AT-ST walkers sprung to life as several stormtroopers made their way to the west wing of the Palace to deal with the intruders. As they went over and covered the perimeter another explosion was heard. But it was a smaller one.

The external shields surrounding the Palace fluctuated and then winked out. They no longer had protection and were now open to aerial attacks. As the Grand Admiral saw this happen he immediately gave the order. "Have the squadrons get to their ships and have them provide with cover fire. This is no ordinary attack. This was well planned..." he said.

His orders were carried out at once and soon, there were pilots running about to get to their ships. Alas, before the ships were on the air and the New Empire's enemies brought down into submission, there was a rain of pulse fire that struck the Palace grounds, hitting almost everything all the way to the edifice.

Of course the Imperial Walkers remained unblemished as they had their shields up. Soon, a rain of crossfire was underway, the Imperial troopers and Walkers trying to get to the points from where it seemed the enemy was trying to win the advantage. From inside, Tarkin saw it all and conducted the strategic battle plan to overtake the advantage from the enemy.

It was by then that some lights could be seen, as they scorched the skies. There was no doubt what they were. Concussion missiles fired from a secure close point to destroy the AT-AT and AT-ST Walkers, the New Empire's main line of defense at this point. And since the huge metal monsters were not exactly fast, there was no way of getting them out or clear the path of the missiles. In huge fireballs, they fell down, ripped apart by the massive firepower in the concussion missiles.

"Where is that air support?" Tarkin asked, irritated. It seemed that the enemy had done his homework and knew exactly what Tarkin's options were. And as each minute passed by it seemed there were less options for him to choose from. "I want every available trooper to get to the gardens, gunners to their stations and have one battalion hold fast at the perimeter to our location inside the Palace!" he ordered.

Outside, assault vessels came in for another attack run. The Imperial gunners in position opened fire, but there were more vessels than guns and the vessels had shields that made the gunners' task more difficult. The enemies' vessels were able to successfully hit a large section of the Imperial contingent and decimate them. After a clearing had been made in the gardens, some of the ships moved in for a landing while a remaining few provided cover fire and engaged the Imperial ships now airborne.

From the vessels that landed, several troopers came out with their guns in hand, blazing and opening fire at the stormtroopers who gave their best to maintain the defense line and stop the incoming foes. But they were outnumbered in all aspects and now pinned down. The situation seemed utterly hopeless and Tarkin knew this quite well.

As the few remaining stormtroopers were subdued in the outside gardens, the Palace was breached and they were now inside the edifice. Shots could be heard as well as small explosions from the inside. The Grand Admiral knew well that there was no more chance of victory in this battle and thus he should retreat. But he vowed to make the one responsible pay for this act.

He calmly turned to the ones in the room, who were for the most part Commanders and High Ranking Officers. He glanced at them as they all looked at him, waiting for his orders. "Get to your ships and retreat to the SSD Nemesis. Contact them and get immediate support. And I want all the squadrons to break and provide cover fire while we depart. Any questions? No? Good!" he said as he left through a passage that led directly to one of the hangar bays where his ship was already prepped for departure.

The stormtroopers inside the Palace continued to fight the incoming troops, but it was all futile. In a few moments, they were marching into the throne room and took the Palace as theirs. The Grand Admiral, however, was not caught and neither were the High Ranking Officers who retreated, as they all got out in their Imperial shuttles and onto the Super Star Destroyer, Nemesis, who was provided with cover and escort at once.

---

"Crowning Achievement, Part 2"
By: Dargus Kandran
Liam Zaneth
Yelara Zaneth
Va'Lesh [NPC+]

Location: Royal Palace, Arcadia
Date: Selene 1, 4 ABY

***

One of Dargus' black-clad guards snapped a salute as he approached. Liam and Yelara trailed along behind him with the colonel guarding them. He looked over the ruin caused by the battle, and knew that much would need to be repaired. However, now that the palace was his, he could repair at his leisure. "You have done well, Captain. Your squad is to be commended. All squads are to be commended. The palace is now completely ours?"

"Yes, Master," the girl replied. "The shield generator is already being repaired and the remainder of Tarkin's men are being rounded up. Unfortunately, the Grand Admiral fled before he could be captured. Forgive us, my lord."

Dargus laughed. "That's perfectly fine. I'm sure he'll give the New Republic some fine sport before they finally track him down. We control the palace and that is what is important. Have a team see to revising the defenses of the generator. We do not want anyone else using that same tactic to gain access. Are the councillors ready?"

"They are, my lord. They await you in the throne room."

"Very good," Dargus answered, then turned and gestured to the captain he was speaking to and one of the men behind her. "You two, see that Yelara is properly dressed for the coronation. The colonel has it in the case she carries. If she gives you any trouble, stun her and dress her while she's unconscious."

"Yes, Master," she replied, then came up on one side of Yelara, gripping her arm securely, while the male clone did the same on the opposite side.

Yelara struggled feebly as she was forced away, then called out for Liam.

"We'll get out of this," Liam said calmly. "We'll be free. The kestrels shall be free."

The clones led her inside the palace and into a large room off to the side of the main audience chamber. Once they were inside, the door was closed. The male clone approached and indicated Yelara's clothing. "Undress," he said.

"But...Va'Lesh," she said softly, hoping she could get through to another clone. "This isn't right, Dargus is a bad person. Please...help me."

"He is our master," the clone of Va'Lesh stated. "We must do as he says. Remove your clothing so that we may do as we have been bid. Our master will be very displeased if we fail him."

"But I'm your mother," she told him. The Yara clone jerked her back as she took a step towards the Va'Lesh. "He's going to kill your father. Do you want that!"

"I have no mother or father," the clone answered. "My only loyalty is to Dargus Kandran, soon to be emperor of Tae'Remok."

"You will disrobe," the Yara clone ordered, then deactivated Yelara's binders and pulled them away. "Now, or we will stun you as the Master ordered."

Yelara opened her mouth to plea with the clones once more, but she realized they were nothing like Yara and Va'Lesh. Whereas their eyes were alive with wonder and curiousity, those of the two before her were clearly dead. Relenting and finally reaching back to unzip her gown, Yelara thought about her Va'Lesh - both of them - and wondered if she'd ever see him again.

Once her dress dropped to the ground, she noticed the Yara clone had a thin, gauzy equadi laid across her arms. She was to be Dargus' trophy after all, that much she knew, and the dress made that clear. She only wondered what the purpose of Liam's presence was, aside from an object for Dargus to inflict torture upon. The clone helped Yelara into the gown, and when the outfit fell into place her arms were again seized.

"We must return you now. Move." And Yelara could do nothing but comply.

"As long as you do not struggle," the male said as they left the room, "you will not be harmed. Lord Kandran awaits you in the audience chamber. You will become empress there, my lady."

"I don't want to be empress," she spat. "I just want to leave with my husband, that's all."

"Lord Kandran has commanded, and so it shall be done."

Yelara laughed derisively. "Lord Kandran is a fool."

"Lord Kandran is to be emperor," the Yara clone corrected. "He is a great man, and should be respected."

"That's because you're both fools too." Yelara twisted and tugged her arms to free herself from the unyielding grip of the two clones, but it was too late. They marched through the hulking doors of the throne room, and upon the dais, ensconced lazily in the throne atop it was Dargus.

Dargus beckoned them forward, and the clones didn't hesitate in escorting Yelara forward. Below the dais, three men dressed in courtly attire spoke quietly amongst themselves, occasionally looking to Dargus and nodding to each other. To the side of the dais, secured by a large chain, was Liam. Hands and feet were bound and secured, allowing him next to no room for mobility. "My beautiful wife," Dargus said with a bright smile. "Please allow me to introduce Maniod Desh, Torio Kindar, and Esseda Proat. They are former council members to the late High Prince Valreth. They have agreed that I am the most suitable man to take the throne, now that Tae'Karada is free. And, they deem you worthy to become my empress."

"And I'm sure threatening them with an agonizing death had nothing to do with their decision," Yelara retorted.

Dargus glanced to his side, and one of the clones stepped forward. He held a lash in his hand, and he laid it across Liam's back with a loud snap. The Jedi made no sound, but the tightness around his mouth and eyes spoke of the pain he felt. The lash fell one more time, and Liam suppressed a wince. Kandran looked back at Yelara, and nodded. "Of course not," he said.

Yelara looked away with disgust, and said nothing more for Liam's sake. The clones escorted her closer to the throne, and the three men turned to regard her. Their eyes looked over every inch of her body, only covered by a fine sheet of material that did nothing to hide her exposed bosom and torso; their nodding heads expressed their approval.

"She will make a fine Empress, my lord," one of the men remarked.

"Most suitable, indeed," said another. "And, she is with child already. An heir so soon. This is a good thing, my lord. A good thing, indeed."

Dargus only smiled, and then beckoned Yelara to join him.

Yelara resisted, but the clones were far stronger than they appeared. Her bare feet skidded against the ground as she was forcibly pulled towards Dargus. The three councillors murmured inaudibly to each other, though they were watching her and indeed discussing her potential as empress. Her raven curls bounced against her cheeks as she shook her head defiantly, then she cried out when they turned her over to Dargus, who less than gently pulled her to him. "Let go," she growled, staring up into his hard black eyes.

To the side, the lash cracked once, twice, and then three times. On the third, a gasp escaped Liam's lips. Dargus leaned close. "It would be a pity if you ended up killing him."

Yelara sobbed and roughly freed her arm from Dargus' grasp. "Just do this," she rasped. "Then it ends, Dargus."

The whip snapped again, one last time, and Dargus nodded. "Very well," he said. "Bring in the witnesses and let the ceremony begin."

The doors parted and in marched ranks of Dargus' clones, still clad in their armour but without their helmets on. Almost a hundred identical faces stared at Dargus and Yelara, blank faces with not a hint of the reverence they felt for their master displayed there. They were simply there as they were programmed to be, to watch over their master and to witness and praise his triumph, and Yelara suddenly hated them all.

The three men raised their hands in the air with palms facing Yelara and Dargus. Soon, they broke into a monotonous chant spoken in the native Tae'Karada tongue. Yelara understood none of it.

"Don't do this," she pleaded with Dargus one final time. "I don't need to be your empress for you to own me, Dargus. It doesn't have to be this way."

"But, I will have both," Dargus said. "You will be my empress, and I will own you. And, Liam will help me keep you in line. I know you are defiant, and he shall be there to help keep you even-tempered and calm, he shall help me keep you from lashing out. You will accept whatever pain I give you, but I'm not so certain you will continue your defiance knowing that it will only end up hurting him. Please me, and we are all happy; defy me, and Liam Zaneth will pay the price. Am I understood?"

Yelara pressed her lips into a thin line and turned her head away from Dargus. "I understand," she said grudgingly. "But I will hate you, Dargus. You can never change that."

"With him in your life, could you ever feel anything but that for me? You betrayed me, Yelara. How many times in the last three days have you betrayed me? How many times have you planned to drive a vibroblade between my shoulders? I will live with your hate...now that I can have my revenge."

"Then what do you need this ceremony for?" she snapped, regarding him again with narrowed eyes. "Just kill me now! Kill us both! At least we won't have to spend another second in your company. At least we'll finally be free of your stench!"

The whip snapped again and again. "This ceremony is for the people," Dargus said. "It is to make this official." He stood from his throne and stepped forward. "You will stand at my side and make all the words required of you. For every bit of insolence you show, Liam Zaneth will lose a finger, until he has none left. Then his toes. Once I have finished his toes, I will have his cock removed. Piece by piece until nothing remains. Unless you wish to witness such an act, I suggest you change your attitude now. Unless you wish to see your dear, beloved husband crippled, I suggest you obey my every single command. You hold the sanctity of his body in your hands now. What happens to him is on your head. Now face our subjects so that we may be crowned."

Yelara's body trembled and tears washed down her cheeks as she looked at her husband, who was barely able to raise his head and appeared utterly weary, or perhaps it was simply a projection of how she felt. She wished it to all end, even if it meant death for herself and Liam, but she couldn't bear to see him suffer before Dargus mercifully ended his life. She choked on a sob as she unsteadily turned to face the crowd and nodded for the councillors to proceed. The chanting resumed.

The coronation continued, with sprinkled water and sand, chanting and songs. Holovid crews were everywhere, seeming to have appeared from nowhere. Most people were uncomfortable with what was happening, but none dared speak out against Dargus. By the end of the ceremony, Liam Zaneth was kneeling upright again, but there was a tightness around his eyes. He was deep in the Force, using it to keep the pain at bay. His eyes met Yelara's as she and Dargus turned back to take their places on the dais. His love was displayed there, as well as his forgiveness of any actions she may take. He blinked slowly, an unspoken gesture of his love for her.

Yelara mouthed an apology to her husband, and let the tears flow to convince him of where her heart truly was. She stumbled as they climbed the steps to Dargus' throne, but his firm grip kept her from falling. It was a sign of things to come, she knew; Dargus would never let her go, not for anything. She was condemned to be his prisoner until she could no longer amuse him.

As he took his place on his throne, and Yelara knelt by his side, she looked out upon the ranks of noble minions and wept quietly. There was no way out, and any attempt would end with Liam's death. The future was not going to be a pleasant one.

"You look quite beautiful, Yelara," Dargus said with a smile. "I believe it is time we consummate this new union." He pointed to a guard. "Take her to my new chambers."

"Yes, Master," the guard said, and stepped forward. He took Yelara by the arm, and started her toward the exit.

She gazed back at Liam helplessly, then called out his name and extended a hand towards him, but he was too far out of reach. "I love you!"

"And, I love you," Liam called. Dargus laughed, as did those around him. Even as the lash fell, Liam didn't flinch as he gazed at Yelara, filling his life with her so that nothing else existed.

"Come," the clone said. "We must hurry." There was a slight pause, and then he added, "Or we will displease the Master."

"Screw the master," Yelara snarled, though she didn't attempt to struggle; Liam would suffer if she did. "I have to go to him," she whispered tearfully. "My husband... I can't leave him..."

"You will not leave him for long," came the answer. "Take the stairs on the left when we exit the audience chamber."

"No," Yelara sobbed. "I can't-- He'll punish me, but worse, he'll punish Liam. I can't be away from him." She gazed up into where she assumed the clone's eyes were beneath his helmet. "Please...help me."

"Please," the clone said. "Please, keep walking."

"I'm trying," Yelara replied hoarsely. "It's...it's hard. He's my heart...I can't bear to leave him."

"It will only be for a very brief time," the clone answered. And, then with a hesitant sigh, added, "Mother."

Yelara gasped softly and stared harder at the clone, attempting to see through its helmet. "Va'Lesh?" she whispered. "Is it...you?"

"Move before someone becomes suspicious," he answered urgently. "Once we are out of this room, I will explain as much as I can."

Yelara nodded and, containing a smile, she appeared to cooperate with Va'Lesh and moved along more willingly. Once out of the audience chamber and beginning their ascent up the staircase, Yelara grinned at Va'Lesh and hazarded a kiss to his helmet, hoping it was somewhere near where his cheek would be. "I was so worried about you! I thought...something had happened."

"I was waiting in the shuttle for you, but then I saw them coming. I snuck out of the shuttle and hid. When the master captured you, I followed carefully." He reached into one of the cases on his belt and pulled out a long cylinder. "I believe father will want this."

"Oh gods," Yelara breathed. She ran her fingers lightly over the lightsaber hilt. "You brought it... But we have to get it to Liam and I don't know how."

"Emperor Kandran will be speaking with the councillors now. While he is distracted, you might be able to reach Father. With this, you can cut his chains."

Yelara looked wide-eyed at the weapon. "I-I don't know... It's meant for a Jedi. How will I know how to use it?"

"That button will activate the blade," Va'Lesh said. "You will then be able to cut through his bindings. You will need to be extremely careful, however."

"I will be," she assured him. "But...how will we get in there without Dargus noticing?"

"Emperor Kandran will be distracted by his councillors," Va'Lesh said. "While his attention is occupied, you should be able to slip by unnoticed."

"And where will you be?" Yelara asked. "You can't be there, Va'Lesh. You should get away to safety."

"I will be close by," Va'Lesh answered. "I will assist with your escape...as I can. I assure you, Mother, I will be fine. This is the sort of thing I have been trained to do."

Yelara embraced her son, gaining strength and courage from him. When she pulled back she was smiling with no sign of anxiety affecting her features. "We can do this, my love. And then all of us will be free." She then took the lightsaber from his hand and touching a hand to his helmeted face again. "I love you, Va'Lesh."

"I love you too, Mother," he said. "We will be a family again soon. When this is over, we will all be together again."

Yelara brought Va'Lesh's hand to her lips and kissed it tenderly, then started back down the stairs with him, hiding the lightsaber behind her back as she did. "We need to find a side entrance into the chamber," she whispered.

"I have studied the layout of this palace," Va'Lesh answered. "The side passage is in this direction." With that, he started leading them toward it.

***

From behind the heavy, burgundy curtain draped over the opening of the vestibule that led into the audience chamber, Yelara peered in and gauged the distance she had to cover to Liam. Dargus was on the opposite side of the dais, conversing with the councillors as Va'Lesh had informed; the proud, self-satisfied grin he wore gave Yelara the urge to turn the lightsaber on him and relieve him of his head. But there would be time for that after Liam was freed...if she could get there without being detected. "Va'Lesh...is it safe to go?"

"It is safe," Va'Lesh answered, his eyes scanning the room for any potential threats. Dargus Kandran was the greatest threat, but any of his brothers or sisters could end his father's bid for freedom in a moment. "Now, Mother."

With a final smile for her son, Yelara gripped the lightsaber securely in her trembling hands and pushed through the curtain's opening. She felt her body attempting to succumb to her immobilizing fear and freeze, but she refused to. Liam as so close and their freedom just as close, and a single hesitation could jeopardize it all. One eye remained on Dargus, who was still filling the councillors' heads with his self-serving vaunting, while the other remained fixed upon her husband. Just one look at him and her determination became renewed.

She stepped lightly as she moved, and not even the light smacking of her bare feet upon the marble floor could be heard. A smile formed as Liam's eyes caught hers, and she motioned to the lightsaber held before her.

Liam looked down at the hilt of the weapon and then back up at Yelara. His lips curled into a slight smile, and he nodded. He flicked his eyes to the side to check on Dargus' position, then looked back to Yelara. I love you, he mouthed.

Yelara returned the profession with one of her own, then moved into position behind her husband, where his arms and ankles were bound. There wasn't much margin for error considering how closely his wrists were fastened, but Yelara would not fail.

"Hold still," she murmured, then with a final look in Dargus' direction, she held the lightsaber hilt to the side and activated it.

The ensuing hiss of the weapon igniting immediately caught Dargus' attention, as evidenced by the bellowing shout he directed at her. But before he could make an attempt to stop her, Yelara brought the blade of the weapon to Liam's cuffs and sliced clean through them.

The world seemed to slow to nothing. Dargus Kandran's face twisted into a mask of rage as he lurched forward, hands dropping to the hilts of the lightsabers he wore. Liam rose to his feet, allowing the Force to fill him perfectly. He sensed the danger from behind. He spun, using one arm to push Yelara aside as the whip-bearer charged forward; the other arm extended and the lightsaber in Yelara's hand leapt into his. A quick slash relieved the whip-bearer of his whip, and a thrust of his hand propelled the man back into the wall with the Force.

Another danger flared, and Liam spun once more. His weapon snapped into place, stopping the downward thrust of Kandran's attack. He shoved and sent Dargus back a meter.

"Looks like the odds have evened considerably, Dargus," Liam said, a smirk playing across his lips. He stepped back into a fighting stance, taking a two-handed grip on his lightsaber. "We end this now."

With the force of the cosmos behind them, Dargus Kandran and Liam Zaneth charged forward.

The fight had begun.

---

"Gold Squadron"
by Captain Vicks Mason - New Republic Pilot/Former Smuggler (Gold 7)
Lt. Cmdr. Naan Nenb- Co-Pilot of the Tae'Karada Star (Gold 7) [NPC+]
Captain Drend Fallker- New Republic Pilot (Gold Leader) [NPC]
Captain Ty Giggs- New Republic Pilot (Gold 2) [NPC]
Lieutenant Marallis Tendo- Gold 9 [NPC]
Ensign Djerauld Tasmaan- Gold 11 [NPC]
Jerek Welder- Freelance Pit Fighter/Acting NR Pilot (Gold 8) [NPC+]
& Others

Location: SSD Lusankya
Date: Selene 1, 4 ABY

***

Captain Fallker looked around sternly at all of the pilots in his squadron. The 50-year old pilot didn't waste anytime with the briefing and began addressing his 20 pilot squadron. "All right ladies and gentleman, welcome to Gold Squadron. We've been assigned to assault duties to take out the big ships in this battle. We're only twenty pilots, but what's why we're not the only assault squadron in this battle. We don't know how many ships they have but intelligence tells us that there are Interdictor Cruisers and Star Destroyers. Our primary objective will be to take out however many Interdictors they have just in case we need to make a hasty retreat. All other ships are secondary as are the fighters. You can expect fighter resistance before we get to the capital ships, so use your weapons wisely and may the Force be with you. Man your fighters, ladies and gentleman!"

All of the pilots scattered to their fighters, mainly consisting of B-Wings and Y-Wings. Vicks and his new Sullustan Co-Pilot quickly ran up the ramp of the Tae'Karada Star and ran to the cockpit to take their places. Vicks quickly began take off procedures and spoke into the comm system.

"This is the Star, we're ready for departure, waiting for go signal," said Vicks.

Jerek quickly climbed into the cockpit of his Y-Wing and also began his take off procedures, as did the other pilots. Not long after every single ship in Gold Squadron was hovering waiting for the go signal. Suddenly it came in through the comm speaker and Gold Squadron poured out of the bay, fighter by fighter until finally the large YT-1300 Freighter quickly flew out.

"All wings report in," ordered Fallker through the comm system.

"Gold 2 standing by," said Commander Giggs.

"Gold 3 standing by."

"Gold 4 standing by."

"Gold 5 standing by."

"Gold 6 standing by."

"Gold 7 standing by," said Commander Nenb in common tongue while Vicks flew the ship.

The rest of the wings reported in and then the B-Wings locked their S-Foils into attack position. All of them flew in syncopation toward the fleet as Vicks' scanner picked up fighters. He quickly flicked the ship to ship communication switch as well as the intership comm system and spoke.

"Fighters coming in fast straight ahead! Gunners, get ready to fire!"

The Star began a barrel roll and flew down as TIE interceptors and TIE fighters followed the Star firing directly at it. The quad cannons were quickly turned toward the rear of the ship as the destructive red beams erupted from the laser cannons hitting one of the interceptors, blasting it into oblivion. The other three fighters continued pursuing the Star as the gunners attempted to fire at it, not getting a good lock. Vicks flew the ship, attempting to outmaneuver them, but the fighters kept hitting it, causing the ship to shake back and forth. Vicks cursed and saw the slight power drain in the shield system.

"They must've hit a bad spot! Lock in the auxiliary power!" ordered Vicks.

"Yes, sir," responded Naan, his Sullustan Co-Pilot.

"We have to get these TIEs off of us, hold on," said Vicks as he gripped the control yoke.

The Star dipped down and rapidly entered a barrel roll as one of the Command ships flew over top, causing one of the fighters to collide with it and forcing the two other TIEs to pull up and change directions. The Star then began pursuing a TIE Interceptor which was on an X-Wing's tail.

***

Jerek fired his laser cannons at the TIE fighter flying toward him and hit the cockpit. He watched as the simplistic fighter exploded into flames which quickly disappeared. He looked out his port side to see all of the fighters from the New Republic engaging in combat. He had never seen a fleet so big in his life. Members of the Gold Squadron were already being taken out.

"Gold 8, get on my wing and help me take out these Interceptors!" yelled Captain Fallker through the comm system.

Jerek complied and got on Gold Leader's wing. They both began firing their laser cannons until one of the Interceptors rammed Fallker's B-Wing, destroying it and sending a large piece of debris into Jerek's hull. The Y-Wing spun out of control until Jerek got it under control and told his R2 unit to repair it.

He started speaking into the comm system, "We've lost Gold Leader!"

"Aye, we've Lost Golds 3-5 and 13-15. Get back into attack formation and try to push through these fighters! We have to at least disable to Interdictor cruisers!" yelled Commander Giggs, now Gold Leader.

Jerek felt a slight shake in his ship and looked at his rear radar screen. He cursed as he noticed a TIE Fighter following him. He attempted to shake the fighter by rolling and what not, but he couldn't shake the blasted TIE.

"Someone get this damn TIE off of me!" yelled Jerek.

He looked at the radar screen to see the ship disappear and a YT-1300 freighter appear. Jerek smiled and took The Star's wing.

***

"Thanks, Vicks," said Jerek.

"Anytime. Gold Leader, we have to help eliminate some of these fighters, not all of our command ships can take these TIE squadrons and the last time I checked all other New Republic fighter squadrons has TIEs of their own to worry about! I say we at least cut the number of TIEs down so that we don't let our command ships fall to the hands of the Empire. It will also keep those fighters off of the back of the Station Assault team!" yelled Vicks as the Star shook from laser blasts coming from a TIE Interceptor and a TIE Fighter.

"Agreed! Get as many of those fighters away from the command ships. Destroy as many fighters as possible!" yelled Gold Leader.

Vicks maneuvered the ship underneath a medical Frigate trying to draw as many of the fighters away. He was successful, but now he had to deal with trying to shake seven fighters. The gunners were having a hard time firing toward the rear of the ship as the ship was hit once again, this time causing a little spark on the console beside one of the gunners. Vicks pulled the sublight speed lever back to minimal speed and pushed the lever controlling the forward thruster forward while pulling the control yoke toward him causing the ship to almost stop and fly up. He watched as the TIEs passed him and reversed the speed process, speeding the ship up. The gunners were quick to act, destroying two of the fighters. The remaining five scattered and the Star continued pursuing one of the TIE fighters.

***

Lieutenant Marallis Tendo was handling her B-Wing like a veteran pilot, considering she had enlisted in the New Republic two days prior. She pursued a TIE Fighter and quickly fired her laser cannons destroying it. She smiled and chose her next target, being a TIE Interceptor. She skillfully navigated through the battlefield of fighters and matched speed with the TIE. She flew behind it and fired bursts from her laser cannon being unsuccessful.

"Blasted!" she cursed as two TIE Fighters took her tail and began firing.

She began an attempt to outmaneuver them, which ended unsuccessfully. The TIEs began pummeling her with laser blasts which caused a slight system overload.

"Djerauld! Help me, I can't take anymore hits from these guys or I'm done for! Get over here and help me out!" she yelled.

"Be right there Marallis!"

She was panicking until she saw her gleam of hope fly at top speed toward her. She began smiling until she saw her lover's Y-Wing burst into flames from the laser blasts of a TIE Fighter beside her. The flaming piece of debris was heading straight for her but she was quick to maneuver and the debris crashed into one of the TIE Fighters tailing her destroying it.

"...Djerauld..."

A tear streamed down her eye as one of the TIE fighters shot two more laser blasts, causing her B-Wing to explode, killing her instantly. The wreckage quickly flew through space crashing to a nearby TIE Bomber, causing it to spin out of control.

***

Jerek took a few bad hits, but stayed in the fight. He was tailing a TIE fighter and attempted to destroy it, but it ended with no luck because he couldn't match the speed and maneuverability of the TIE Fighter. He cursed and continued his pursuit, frustrated and fearless.

"I'm having trouble with this one!" said Jerek over the comm.

"I can't shake these two! Someone help me out!" yelled the panicking Gold Leader, Commander Giggs.

Jerek was quick to respond to the distress call and abandoned his pursuit to help his Squadron Leader. He saw two TIE Interceptors attacking his B-Wing as he pulled up behind them and fired at the starboard fighter, shaking it and finally destroying it. The port fighter shot Commander Giggs' right S-Foil off. The B-Wing spun out of control and Commander Giggs sent his last message as his damaged fighter flew to a fiery explosion: "You will be victorious! Good luck my comrades!"

Jerek shook his head, but still pursued the remaining Interceptor. He saw the Tae'Karada Star fly toward it fast as he pushed his control stick to the left. He saw the Star fire its laser cannons at the TIE Interceptor, destroying it entirely. Jerek sighed and pressed on.

***

"All wings report in..." said Vicks.

"Gold 8 standing by," said Jerek angrily.

"Gold 10 standing by."

"Gold 12 standing by."

"Gold 16 standing by."

"Gold 18 standing by."

"Gold 20 standing by."

Vicks shook his head and looked over at Naan Nenb. Naan Nenb looked back at him until he finally had input: "This is going to be a long battle, and the odds are against us, but we must press on."

Vicks nodded and sighed as he turned back to the cockpit window. We must press on, he thought.

---

"We're Outta Here!"
By: Tarrel
Lenara ZoneDancer

Location: Thanatos
Date: Selene 1, 4 ABY

***

Tarrel sat at the table, slowly sipping his drink. The feelers were out, a job offered. A ship, fast, unmarked, was willing to take Imperial freight. Funny thing about Imperial types. They loved smugglers when they were on the payroll...

"I promise, just once. Just enough to get us off this rock," he told Lenara.

She finished checking the systems and sighed. "Alright. Just be careful...okay?"

He sighed. He didn't like it any more than she did, but they had to get off the planet. They'd make no money sitting here, and his funds were starting to wear thin. "We have to eat."

Lenara looked over at him and placed a hand on his shoulder, squeezing gently. "I said alright."

"I know... It's just... I don't know. I always get nervous when an Imperial Officer says the words, 'Undisclosed cargo.' "

"At least we have cargo from them, and we should be kept in peace till we reach drop-off point," the Engineer commented.

"Yeah, when it gets here... Damned Imperials...."

"How long?" she asked, slipping out of the co-pilot's char and heading in the back to get some coffee.

"He sounded urgent, so I thought he'd be back here before I was... He did pay..." A sound got his attention.

She'd heard it too, her blaster already out and ready. "Could be him?"

"Probably," he said, rushing to meet her at the door, his hand on his blaster. "Jump on the ship's weapons, just in case. So far he only knows of me."

She crept back into the cockpit, flicking a few switches. The weapons were on standby, waiting for a sign from Tarrel.

Tarrel crossed down the gang plank. "Ahh, Lieutenant Drakson. I see you made it."

"We had a couple of errands to run."

"Where's the cargo?"

"It's coming...." At that moment the big doors designed for large vehicles opened. A large cargo container was being repulsered through it. Tarrel thought, That'll be a tight fit...

Drakson seemed to understand his thoughts. "It should fit in your hold, even if they've been...modified."

"Go around the side, I'll open the hold."

After a few minutes of a low rumbling sound, the cargo hold doors closed, their cargo snugly fitted inside. Lenara checked the stats, making sure they would not have unforeseen difficulties mid-flight with what they were carrying. What were they carrying?

After letting Lenara get the cargo loaded Tarrel returned to the ground. "Half now, half on delivery as we discussed."

The Imperial tossed him the credit chit, which Tarrel checked to be sure was proper currency.

"Here are your lifting codes, and exit permit. Get it there in three days and there'll be a bonus."

"Understood. Good day." Without another word from either Tarrel went back into the ship. "Pre-flight?"

"Done. We can get off this rock, finally," she sighed. "Hope I never have to come back here again."

Tarrel slid into the pilot's chair, and flipped the con. "Thanatos Flight Control. Ship Diamond Lark request permission to exit the system."

"Exit codes?"

"One, One, Seven, Two, A, A, Three."

"Launch and exit approved. Good sailing Lark."

Tarrel smiled at Lenara. "Here we go."

Slowly, the landing struts were retracted, leaving the ship floating on support thrusters. The hangar door opened and the Lark swooshed out, heading into open space, for their destination. As the view around them changed into stars, ZoneDancer breathed out in relief.

"For the first time in my life...I'm off this forsaken planet."

"Let's try to never come back here..." He never let on at the loss of his adopted father out here, but he would never be able to look at that rock again without thinking about the explosion. "Setting course, Dantooine."

A curious glance in his direction. "Dantooine? I wasn't aware that the Imperials had a base there," she frowned. "Oh well...anything is better than Thanatos."

"Yeah, I know. Makes a guy kind of nervous...."

---

"Light Vs. Dark"
By: Koran Darr
Laedra Vorrel
Andro Ki'Ayalin [NPC+]
Kal'Aran
Aurra Sgall
Alisson Blair
Quinlan Vos [NPC+]
Daemor'rah

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Selene 1, 4 ABY

***

The Sith were on them at once. One moment, there was an uneasy peace over the forest and temple, and the next dark-clad warriors burst forth from the trees, large blades held high over their heads. They made no battle cry, no sound whatsoever. They were here to kill the Jedi, and for no other purpose. A battle cry was meaningless, talk was meaningless. Only serving their master's orders.

Koran Darr's verdant blade was ready when they arrived, but his part was not to be in the midst of the fighting. His part was deeper, more mystical. His part, and Laedra's on the other side of the temple, was to wield the power of the Force, using the guidance of the spirits inhabiting this place, to drive the encroachers back from whence they came.

He settled into a near-trance and reached out through the Force. One part of him touched the spirits, the other touched Laedra. It is time, he thought.

Laedra heard the call deep within her mind and she feared it. From the forest came a thunderous sound, as if a violent storm was sweeping through the trees. And from that storm emerged the Sith. She closed her mind to Koran, diverting her attention fully on the task ahead. The spirits were but relics, intangible and not in danger of getting cut down by a Sith sword. The Jedi were vulnerable. As much as she trusted Koran, and believed the spirits wished to aid them, Laedra could only rely on what she knew: the Sith were deadly and they had to be stopped by physical means. With Andro by her side, Laedra brandished her weapon and waited for the horde to come for them.

With yellow blade in hand, Jedi Master Andro Ki'Ayalin met the Sith charge like a Jedi fifty years his junior. He deftly parried the bladed thrust of the Sith in front of him, and slapped away an attack from the Sith to his side. He centred himself in the Force, concentrating on where each attack would be and making certain his lightsaber was there to stop it. A normal blade would have been easily destroyed by the lightsaber, but these blades were obviously special. With an outstretched hand, Andro sent one of the Sith flying back before he could sever the hand from his wrist. Almost naturally, he and Laedra maneuvered so each had their back to the other, reducing the chances that they could easily be outflanked.

"Their armour is impervious to our lightsabers," he said without easing up his defense.

"Yes," Laedra replied quickly. "Cortosis plated." She deflected a downward slash meant to slice her in two, then sent a kick to the warrior's chest. He barely stumbled. "Aim for the gaps in their armour!" she shouted to Andro. "That is their one vulnerability."

"Of course," Andro said, then laughed. "Thank you, Laedra Vorrel." With that, he aimed for the gaps in the armour. It wasn't easy, considering how much the Sith moved around, but caught within the power of the Force, Andro had a better chance of hitting than an average person would have. Finally, after many attempts, he managed to bring his blade down to slice through the soft tissue of a Sith arm, slicing armour and lower arm from the man's body. He finished off the Sith with a cut to the neck while he reeled in pain. "Good advice," he said to Laedra.

"I am not completely hopeless then," she quipped, then grinned and crouched low to spear a red-armoured Sith through his abdomen. The hulking menace staggered backwards, then dropped to the ground. Another quickly took up his place.

"Definitely not hopeless," Andro answered. "While you may have doubts and insecurities about yourself and your place in the universe, you're a good person and a good Jedi at heart."

Laedra had no time to express her gratitude to Andro, and instead thanked him by working feverishly to help defend him and their home. The brief moment of thought, when her mind should have been fully blank, allowed one of the Sith to breach her defenses and nearly cut her arm cleanly off. She cried out as the blade dug into her flesh but Laedra's lightsaber came up to prevent it from sinking in any further. Her foot slammed into the Sith's abdomen in an attempt to drive him back, but he held his position and his blade remained embedded in her arm.

His strength was unbelievable, and the strain of keeping his blade from digging in further was taxing Laedra's energy. With a grunting cry, she managed to gather enough of the Force and throw him back. The blade pried loose from her flesh, sending a spray of blood following it. The only consolation was that her arm remained intact. Overcoming the pain, Laedra battled on.

"Get that looked at," Andro said as he spun closer to drive back one of the Sith. He remove the warrior's hand at the wrist, and kicked him back, using the Force to add extra velocity. "You'll bleed to death if it's not bound!"

"No!" Laedra snapped. "I'm not leaving you. I'll hold out." To justify her ability to continue, Laedra drove her lightsaber through the throat of an onrushing Sith, then kicked him free of her weapon. He slumped to the forest floor. "It'll heal," she rasped. "Just fight!"

And, fight Andro did. He knew when this fight was over he'd want to sleep for a week. Lately, when he surrounded himself in the Force and acted like a youngling again, his body let him know how it felt about that. But they would survive this, and then he could worry about sleeping. Until then, he had to fight on. He had to fight for himself, for Laedra, for all the other Jedi and their Temple. He had to fight so that he could find Talara, to rescue her and continue her training. Losing this fight today would be costly, and a price he was not willing to pay. Today, the Jedi would be victorious.

***

The fight was difficult. Dreadfully so. Without Laedra to help with the spirits, Koran wasn't strong enough to do what they needed done. He did not know of any Jedi alive who would be. It required too much power, too much control... If they could have had time to teach other others, perhaps. But, there wasn't time.

There were Sith everywhere, and they weren't going down easily. Too few of us, Koran thought. And, not enough experience at this.

He parried away an attack to his midsection, and slashed another before it could reach his head. One on one, he could do. Two or three, perhaps. Especially given the edge of the Force. But, he had four opponents around him, and there were too many attacks for him to keep up with. He winced in pain as one of them found his flesh, biting deep into his thigh. He didn't cry out...that much discipline, he did have. Later, however, when this fight was over, the pain would return.

Koran could see others fighting around him, barely holding off against the Sith. This was not going well, not at all. He sent up a wall of Force and pushed three of the four around him away. The fourth, he leapt up into the air and twisted back behind the Sith warrior. The maneuver was unexpected, and earned him a moment of surprise. Using that surprise, his lightsaber came down and cut through the gap at the warrior's neck. As he landed, Koran sent the body at the Sith's comrades, though it was only a moment's distraction.

He could feel Laedra's pain through the Force. Could she feel his? Blood leaked from his wound, and Koran knew he would bleed to death if he did not do something soon. Gritting his teeth, he brushed the blade against the wound, cauterizing it instantly. He did cry out then, but only briefly. Once the blood had stopped, he used the Force to will away the pain.

He leapt back at a group of Sith, slashing, parrying, cutting and evading. The fight would not go well if the enemy could continue to regroup. They had to stop them...and quickly.

But, how do you stop so many?

You just keep fighting, he told himself. One swing at a time, and soon the fight will be over.

So, Koran Darr took another swing...and another...

***

She saw them come. She knew why they were here and she could feel them. Their goal was obvious, and it was clear they were greatly outnumbered by these incoming soldiers, by these Sith. Never had she confronted an enemy such as this one... Her Master stood beside her and knew they had but little seconds. His lightsaber was ignited and he breathed deeply.

"Aurra, I must tell you one thing before they reach our position and start attacking. It is possible to use the Force to bring up the chances to win a battle. Plan for victory," he told her.

She merely nodded as she brought up her blade and got ready. In less than a second she began to fend off the incoming Sith and their powerful strikes. She knew she had come a long way, but she wasn't exactly trained enough for this and she knew it. But she wouldn't give in and she would do her very best and trust the Force to guide her.

Kal'Aran moved fast and his blade was more a blur of movements. He remembered his former Master Mace Windu and recalled his teachings well. Windu had been one of the greatest lightsaber duelists of all times and he had taught Kal'Aran well... As the Jedi Master fended off some attacks and pushed away some of the Sith with Force pushes, he kept looking back to check on his padawan.

The girl was doing well but she was beginning to get tired. She was keeping a small perimeter and most of the attacks were blocked only a few centimeters away. Others were simply dodged. It was by then that a blade struck her in her shoulder. Blood spouted out and she gave a small cry of pain. It had been superficial but it hurt her.

"Master, I can't seem to damage them!" she cried out.

"They have body armor that is able to withstand our lightsabers. Aim your attacks for the gaps such as the elbows, wrists, knees and necks!" he shouted back as he did so, sending one Sith down by cutting his leg and another by getting him in his neck. But the truth was that he too was getting outflanked and beginning to lose terrain.

"We must get out. Join the others! Together we will stand stronger!" he told Aurra. But alas, they had no place to run off to as the Sith now surrounded them and attacked one after another.

Aurra was almost struck once more, being able to dodge the thrust of the Sith's blade at the very last second before she was hit. Alas, since she was back to back with Master Kal'Aran, the blade hit his shoulder. The Jedi Master grinded his teeth and stumbled with his feet, although he kept fending off the attacks that were much too close for being secure. "Aurra..." he called out.

The girl struck the Sith's wrist, cutting his hand and then pushed him back with the aid of the Force, which sent him on top of his comrades. She then pulled the blade off Kal'Aran's shoulder, blood gushing out of the wound. There was little time left for them if they didn't find a way out.

Suddenly, just before the Sith struck Kal'Aran again and Aurra was blown apart, Alisson showed up and she jumped into the middle of them, swirling her blade and using the Force to create a barrier. "Are you ok?" she asked.

"We must not stay here!" Kal'Aran called out as he saw that even though Alisson had come at a good time, she had brought along with her even more Sith, who had obviously come after her. She pulled a fallen blade off one of the Sith into her hands and nodded. "Then we must make our way!" she said.

The three of them, now in a triangle stood against the Sith who seemed endless in their attacks. Their major flaw was the gaps and even those were not easy to hit. Kal'Aran yelled at the two girls. "Now!" he said, and with that, the three of them Force pushed back the Sith around them and made their way to join the others.

As they were reaching Koran Darr's location, a Sith jumped out and blocked the way. Aurra placed her hand up to him and instead of Force pushing him back, she simply made him fall to his knees, grabbing his stomach and twitch in pain. "Malacia!" she said as they moved fast.

***

Out on the other side, Quinlan and his Padawan were surrounded by Sith as well. As the Sith blades came thrusting, however, Quinlan moved gracefully and was faster and more precise. His lightsaber technique was one of the best in the old republic days, and that had not come down with the years. He was able to keep a considerable distance and hit the Sith that attacked, mostly in the wrists and elbows.

However, the downside of it was that fewer Sith were concentrating on him and more on Daemor'rah... If she fell then he would be outflanked by the Sith. However, the white skinned woman stood fiercely against these strong foes she was up against. And even though she had not trained vigorously in duels, it was as if her body knew the procedure well, as she fought and fended them off, being hit only a couple of times still, one in the leg and one in her thigh.

As one of the Sith came forward, she cut his wrist clean off and picked up his weapon in mid air. She now had two weapons and seemed to know how to use them well. But it was clear that it was but a matter of time before she would fall and it seemed the Sith were growing in numbers as more of them arrived.

Quinlan also knew that it was not wise to stay there... Plus, he was concerned that with time in battle, Daemor'rah would give in to her darker feelings and fall to the darkside, even though he could feel no such thing in her.

He twisted and grabbed his lightsaber in a reverse manner. "We must move. Alongside the others is our best chance!" he told Daemor'rah. With that, he started to move in faster, and let out a burst that send the Sith around them down in a radius that was more than enough for them to make their way. He only hoped that together they could make it...

***

There were dead and dying all around them, but not nearly enough. There were still far too many of the Sith around and alive for Andro's taste. He'd prefer they didn't have to die, but they had already learned that these warriors would not lay down their weapons. "Move to the end of this wall," he said. "It'll give us protection against our left flank. Fewer of them will be able to get at us."

"There are too many of them to make any strategizing effective," Laedra said breathlessly. Still, she took Andro's advice and backed towards the wall. The Sith advanced without pause.

Hot sweat trickled down the sides of her face and collected in the hollow of her neck. Her tunic was stained with perspiration, and the sleeve of her right arm was soaked through with blood, fresh and dried. The use of her injured arm was growing more limited by the moment, until it was barely in use and her lightsaber was being swung by her left arm alone. In that moment, she knew she wasn't going to survive much longer.

"We need to regroup with the others," Andro said. "Together we are stronger than when we are apart."

Laedra nodded vigorously, stinging sweat falling into her eyes as she did. Another Sith lunged at her, but one downward stroke of her blade stopped the Sith's from connecting. A wall of the Force sent him sprawling back. "Go, Andro," she gasped, fighting back the chill of blood leaking from her profusely. "I'll cover your escape."

"You go," Andro said. "You hardly have the strength to stand! I'll be right behind you, Laedra. I will not leave until you are on your way. I still have the strength to guard our escape."

"That's more of a reason for you to go," Laedra urged. "You can still make a difference. I can't! Just go, please!" She raised her lightsaber above her head to deflect an overhead slash from one of the Sith. She managed to push him back, but it was enough to drain what little strength she had left. Laedra dropped to her knees and leaned her back against the wall. "Koran..." she whispered. He was the first thing that came to mind as the Sith's blade, glinting in the sunlight, came rushing towards her.

"Laedra! No!" Andro stepped forward as the Sith moved in. His blade came around and deflected three as they came down. He flung one Sith away as another came to take its place. His lightsaber was a blur of motion as he kept the Sith at bay, fighting for his life as well as Laedra's.

One of the Sith moved around to flank him, and he quickly showed the warrior that it was a bad idea to do so. What he hadn't counted on though was that the Sith had planned that, and another of the warriors quickly moved in to take advantage of Andro's position. He tried to drop back into a defensive stance, but the Sith's cortosis blade slashed too quickly. A muffled scream died on his lips as the Sith's blade sliced through the cartilage and bone holding his hand to the rest of his arm. Hand and lightsaber dropped to the ground and a fountain of blood sprayed from the Jedi's wrist.

He pushed away the pain and centred himself. A wall of Force sprung up between him and the Sith. He pushed with all of his strength and three of them were flung back twenty meters. The pain was a dull throb, but growing as his concentration wavered.

Another Sith charged, and he was flung away. But, another followed. And another. Too many of them. Somehow, though, Andro Ki'Ayalin managed to keep them at bay, even without his lightsaber.

"Laedra," he said weakly, "we must move."

Laedra's breathing was coming in short gasps and her eyelids flickered as she fought to keep her eyes open. She was vaguely aware of the battle around her, or Andro barely holding his own. A whimper left Laedra's lips as she realized she too was losing a war, one to keep herself from slipping into unconsciousness. "Koran," she murmured.

Laedra, came the disembodied voice. Followed by an echoing chorus of Laedra Vorrel. Laedra. Koran's voice continued. Use the Force, Laedra. Use the Force.

Laedra's mind snapped into focus, but her body still drifted towards unconsciousness. Koran... In her mind, she sobbed. I can't...and Andro... Koran...we're not going to make it.

You must, Koran's voice called in her mind. I still need you, Laedra. We need you. The spirits, our plan...it's not...it's not finished. Please, Laedra. Keep fighting. Don't go yet.

Laedra groaned, her head rolling against the stone wall of the Temple as she threatened to succumb to her lethargy. The muffled thumping of bodies crashing to the forest floor processed in her mind, and her dimming vision caught flashes of movement. Andro, surrounded by the white, gleaming light of the Force was at the center of her vision, but his aura was growing weaker. If both of them collapsed now, they would be dead. Koran, Laedra whispered in her mind. Koran...tell me... Tell me you love me. Please...for me.

I love you, Laedra, Koran's voice said. With all my heart, I do love you.

Laedra sighed, imbued with strength in knowing there was at least something to live for. Thank you, she whispered in her mind. I will not leave you, Koran. Not yet.

The sounds of battle rushed back to her in full and Laedra's focus returned completely to the task before her. An alarm of impending danger went off in her mind and Laedra instinctively raised a hand, creating a Force barrier to halt the blade sweeping towards her neck. Her eyes snapped open and the Sith, with his sword mere inches from her throat, was thrown back. His flight was halted by a tree ten meters away, where he landed face-down onto the forest floor. Her body was still physically weak, but drawing on the Force, and on Koran's love for her, she found the strength she required.

Still on her knees, she aided the injured Andro in fending off the Sith still hurtling towards him, using the Force as an extension of herself. With lightsaber in hand, Laedra gathered her feet beneath her and threw herself into the battle again.

"Andro! Flee! I'll cover you!" A Sith ran into her lightsaber, impaling him through the neck. A kick to his stomach knocked him loose and he slowly toppled over onto the ground.

"Do not linger here, Laedra," Andro said as he began moving away. He reached out with his remaining hand and pulled his lightsaber to him.

"You will not be sacrificed!" she told him. She lunged at a Sith, but her weapon glanced off his impenetrable armour. Laedra cried out fiercely and thrust again, this time sinking her weapon into the warrior's side. He staggered back, with one hand covering the wound, then sank to the ground. "Get inside the Temple, Andro. Please!"

"I'm going," Andro answered. "May the Force be with you, Laedra Vorrel." With that, he turned to leave He was ten meters from her when another Sith broke through the treeline. It was heading toward Laedra, but quickly veered when it saw him trying to escape. He brought a hand up to deflect the warrior away just as the man lunged. The warrior was flung back twenty meters where he crashed heavily into a tree. Andro took a step, but fiery pain lanced through him. His knees nearly gave out and he looked down at the front of his robes. A large, red patch was spreading from just above his stomach. Not quite fast enough, he thought as he sank to his knees. "Oh no," he rasped.

Laedra, still in the midst of the fight, sensed Andro's distress, but could not go to him. She gritted her teeth to fend off the anguish, knowing she could not allow herself to feel it yet. The first Sith facing-off against her was flung back, and the remaining one had his feet swept out from under him, then pinned to the ground with her lightsaber through his abdomen. Other Sith were charging towards her, but Laedra took the moment she could spare to rush to Andro's side.

"Oh gods," she whispered. She placed her hand on his, which was covering his own wound. "We can make it," she told him. "Andro...get up and we can make it!"

"I'm gone, Laedra," Andro whispered. "I can already feel the Force leaving me. It's my time. Save yourself and go."

"No," she whispered breathlessly. She felt her sorrow beginning to consume her, and knew it would only lead her down a dangerous path. The Sith were almost on top of them, but a sweeping gesture had them thrown back. It hardly deterred them, and within moments they were on their feet again. "Andro...please! I can't leave you... I-I should be in your position... You should live!"

Andro laughed and then was caught by a spasm of coughing. "Tell that to the hole in my gut," he answered. "Laedra...find Talara...help her... She...needs... Help. May the. Force. Be. With you. Always." He coughed one more time, and then his life force seemed to fade.

"No!" Laedra held Andro to her, supporting his head in one bloodied hand as he began sagging to the ground. The Sith were thundering towards them, but Laedra no longer cared. "Andro..." she whispered, watching him with bleary eyes. "You're the best of us. Don't leave..."

Andro Ki'Ayalin made no answer. As he lay in her arms, a look of peace descended on him, and then he slowly faded from existence, leaving only his cloak in Laedra's arms.

"No," she groaned, watching tears fall onto the bloodied garbs once belonging to Jedi Master Andro Ki'Ayalin.

She was barely aware of the Sith surrounding her now. They didn't strike, instead pointing the tips of their swords at her, and the empty cloak draped over her arms. "You said you'd protect us," she rasped, to the spirits who allegedly dwelled in the Temple. A fire flared in her eyes as Laedra crushed the fabric of Andro's shed clothing in her fists. "You lied," she hissed. "You bastards lied!"

A pulse of the Force rippled outwards from Laedra, knocking back the Sith that had been looming over her. Andro's cloak dropped from her hands as she leapt over the fallen soldiers and ran, towards the Temple, towards the spirits who had abandoned them, and towards revenge.

---

"Escort Run"
by Ellemiek Vermolen
and Auron Ronso
plus several minor NPCs

Location: Tae'Remok System
Date: Selene 1, 4 ABY

***

The ships left the hangar bay and formed fast under her wing, setting themselves just a bit up front the transport they were escorting. The run had started and the Imperials would have noticed them by now for sure!

"Black Leader, standing by!" she said.

"Black Two, standing by!"

"Black Three, standing by!"

"Black Four, standing by!"

"Black Five, standing by!" Auron said.

"Black Six, standing by..." said the last pilot.

Ellemiek nodded confidently to herself. This was one of the dire moments for which they kept training. "Ok boys and gals, set attack formation Delta 2!" she said as the ships moved to close in a tight diamond. "Keep your eyes open for incoming foes and set your shields to frontwards maximum, I repeat, shields to frontwards maximum," she said, as any of the Imperial fighters who would be launched at them had to attack up front.

The attack was launched as expected and they could all see the TIE Fighters, TIE Interceptors, TIE Advanced and TIE Bombers as they left the hangars. There were dozens of them, just like fire-flies all over space... Ellemiek opened the comm over to her wing. "Keep short and remember, I want a 500 mile radius of clean space for us. Anything beyond is not our priority for now!" she reminded.

Alas, it seemed that even amidst the confusion they were not passing as ignored. Still, it wasn't all bad as most of the Imperial fighters seemed to concentrate on the New Republic's flag ships and fighters. When the first group came Ellemiek looked over to see how many were there...

"Set your shields back to regular! Black 2 and 4 stay with the transport. You others engage!" she ordered fast. And it seemed all were ready as they broke up formation and engaged. They were lucky that the first group was all TIE Fighters and didn't have shields to protect them. It took them about a minute's time to shake most of the Imperials off them.

"This is Black 3! I have a bogey in my tail and can't seem to shake him off!" one of the pilots said.

Ellemiek could see him, so she shook off her own tail and went to offer cover. She had an TIE on her but she couldn't leave one of her wing, one of her friends... She was almost on him. "Dodge to the right, Kilgara and I'll get him. Just set him up for me!" Ellemiek said over the comm.

"Got it, ma'am!" Kilgara replied as she did so. With a fast and brute turn, the TIE found itself with a lock on him, all of the sudden. He was still looking at the radar when his cockpit exploded in a huge mass of fire.

Ellemiek sighed shortly when her radar beeped. It was the TIE after her with a lock. Ellemiek tried a cross spin to dodge the fire, but it was hardly necessary as the TIE exploded before opening fire at her. Ellemiek looked and saw Auron's ship.

"Thanks, Auron! That was a nice shot!" she said over the comm. "Regroup fast!" she said as they all were getting close to the 500 mile perimeter limit. They were about to get to the transport when the radar went off like crazy. There were four TIE Advanced and two TIE Bombers heading they way. Their goal was obvious.

"Go to attack pattern Delta 3!" Ellemiek ordered fast. This was exactly what they didn't need. "Wings 2 and 3 stay with me and secure the transport. Watch for those TIE Advanced! Wings 4 through 6 follow Commander Ronso and get those Bombers first! We cannot allow them to open fire at the transport!" she said.

"I'm on it!" Auron replied. "Black 4, Black 6. Follow me!"

The two X-Wings followed Auron in a close "V" formation, breaking from the main group. Auron looked and saw the two bombers coming closer to them. "Use concussion missiles on them if you can and watch out for enemy fire! These TIE Bombers are slow but they have strong shields!"

Auron and the two wingmen engaged the TIE Bombers. As the Imperial pilots saw a group of three X-Wings engaging them, they split their formation. Auron saw what they were doing. "I follow the one in the right and you take the one of the left! And keep them away from the transport!"

They did so. Auron was alone and he knew he was an easy target, so he had to be quick and eliminate the TIE Bomber. The other two were attacking the other bomber, and were able to hit him, but the shield was strong enough to withstand the attacks.

Auron closed in as he got the TIE Bomber on his sight. As he prepared to open fire he saw that he had a lock on him. He quickly shook his X-Wing and it was enough for his foe to lose his lock. He was now being chased and he knew that he had little time before he was in a lock again. So, he quickly opened fire, making the TIE Bomber lose its shields. He was then able to get a lock on the TIE bomber and fired a concussion missile. He saw the TIE Bomber explode in front of him, but he now had a TIE Advanced after him. He saw that the other TIE Bomber the two X-Wings were after was a better pilot than this one he had eliminated.

"This is Black 5 to Black 4 and 6. Try to lure him to the right. We'll all concentrate on that one!" Auron said.

There was a crossfire and Black 4 and 6 fired with all they had to the Imperial Bomber, which resulted in the TIE exploding. They had successfully destroyed both TIE Bombers and were now up against the TIE Advanced.

Auron's radar flashed and he saw he still had the TIE Advanced in his tail and he was now in a bad position to fight it off. "Get this Imperial off my tail!" he said, in a call for help.

Immediately did Black 4 and 6 line up after Auron and tried out for hitting the TIE Advanced. This made the Imperial pilot maneuver and thus lose his lock. The two X-Wings were able to hit it and it was almost out of its shields when it turned to escape the fire upon it. Auron was then able to reverse in a loop and got a clear shot of the TIE Advanced. He fired a concussion missile and hit the Imperial Starfighter, destroying it totally.

Auron joined the Two X-Wings and they joined the main group. "This is Black 5 to Black Leader. The TIE Bombers have been destroyed," Auron stated. "It seems that TIE Advanced was able to scorch my upper right wing, but all systems are operational."

Ellemiek and her two wingmen had fought off the other TIE Advanced and were now formed up with the transport that was still en-route.

"Very well..." Ellemiek answered back to Auron. "I got a little cooked back there myself, but we're all fine. Keep watch for fighters and also for those cannons in the station!" she said.

As they approached, it seemed there were more fighters inbound. TIE Fighters this time. "Break up and get to those TIE Fighters. We must keep them out for a minute or so until the transport docks safely!" she said.

All the X-Wings broke from the transport and launched themselves at the Imperial fighters. They had somewhat of a hard time to get them all, but fortunately they weren't as strong as an X-Wing... They were down to two foes when Ellemiek got the call from the transport stating they were relieved of the escort.

"Shake those TIE Fighters and regroup with Blue Falcon squadron, near the New Republic Capital Ships. We must keep them clear of those imps!" Ellemiek said. It took them just a few more seconds before they were en-route for the second stage of their mission...

---

"Let the Hunt Begin, Part 1"
by Kyra Ronso
Yre - Bounty Hunter [NPC]
and other Minor NPCs

Location: Mos Eisley, Tatooine
Date: Selene 1, 4 ABY

***

The Imperial Shuttle landed in one of the many hangars in Mos Espa. The ion engines shut down. The entrance ramp opened and there was Kyra, waiting for the ramp to open completely.

She walked down the ramp and touched a ground that she hadn't touched for quite a few years. She continued to walk, looking to the sky. As she exited the spaceport it seemed that things hadn't changed. It was still the same dump as it was when she left the planet. "I really hate this place!" Kyra spoke outloud. She looked around and saw a small cantina next to the spaceport. The faster I know were that Ghert'wt is the faster I leave this place... Kyra thought.

As she approached the cantina entrance she had a bad feeling about the place. Well she had an extremely bad feeling about the entire planet! She stepped through the door and the music came directly to her ears. She glanced everywhere and saw almost every kind of alien there was... The people didn't bother to look at who entered. She walked down the stairs and walked to the bar.

"What can I get you, stranger?" the barman asked.

"Anything strong. Extremely strong!" Kyra answered as she saw a strange man standing next to her.

The man looked at the collar that she had around her neck. Kyra looked back at him and nodded.

"Nice collar," the man said.

"If you touch the collar you're a dead man!" Kyra warned him. "Here, go buy a drink elsewhere," she said as she threw a small credit chip to the man.

She saw the barman bringing her drink. "Hey, Bartender, I'm here to meet Jurwen. Do you know where he is?"

The barman looked at Kyra and nodded in a strange way. "You just missed him. He walked out of the back door with another girl. Strange. He spent days in here without any luck. Now two girls are looking for him!" the barman said as Kyra drunk a little of her drink and put the credit chip to pay for it before walking towards the back door.

As she stepped through the door she saw a dead corpse laying there. She turned the body around and saw it was a man. "Jurwen?" She looked at the body and saw that he was shot in the chest.

"Don't move!" someone called out.

Kyra raised her hands and got up. She turned around carefully to the voice. She glanced to the woman and saw it was a Twi'lek. She had a blaster pointed at Kyra. Also her face looked very familiar...

"Well, well, well... What did the gods bring to me. I'm quite surprised to see you, Kyra Ronso. So, at last you did return to... What did you call this place? Ah yes, dump!" the Twi'lek said.

"Yre..." Kyra said very coldly.

"You remember me after all! Its been what, two years?" Yre said as she came forward, pointing the Blaster at Kyra. Her pink color and a scar on her left cheek were familiar to Kyra. Far too familiar...

"Yes, it's been two years. Every single day I prayed to meet you again! You know, it was strange that I took the blame for you..." Kyra said.

"You did, didn't you? Who would guess that a black operative was really a spy for the rebels. You were a pure genius, Kyra. You only needed a push to make you a really genuine black operative," Yre said as she stooped a few meters before Kyra.

"You brutally killed the Gallorian diplomat. I was going to make him disappear for a few days, so he could made the alliance, hidden! You knew about this, because I trusted you. I was betrayed by my own apprentice..." Kyra said as she put her hands down.

"You were weak as the rebels! My mission was to kill you as well. It was meant on that day so I would be number one!" Yre said.

"Well, you should be proud of yourself because I was considered as spy for the Empire!" Kyra laughed. "At least the scar I gave you stayed permanent!" Kyra said with a grin.

Yre touched her scar on the left cheek. "You ruined my beautiful face..."

"You really made importance how you looked, instead of seeing what you really are, Yre," Kyra said.

"Never mind how I looked! I am better than you! I got you to Jurwen, like I lured you to the diplomat." Yre paused. "My lord really gave me a good present this time!" the female Twi'lek smiled.

"Who is your lord?" Kyra asked. "You're mercenary, the lowest kind of bounty hunter. Now, are you going to tell me who sent you, or shall I take it out of you by force?"

"Since I am going to kill you now, I was sent by my lord Gengis Zibel. Of course, I will receive a big amount of money for killing you and Gher'wt," Yre said.

"Not before I stop you..." Kyra said as she ran to hide behind some boxes. Yre fired but missed the shot.

Kyra took out her twin blasters and fired upon Yre who quickly hid behind some other boxes. They exchanged fire, but only hit the boxes that gave them cover.

"You shoot lousy! What happened, Kyra? Too much time without fighting?" Yre asked as she laughed.

"Well, I have my reasons. Yre do you want another scar to accompany the one you have?" Kyra asked back as she fired a couple of rounds.

Yre got out from behind the boxes and charged at Kyra. Kyra saw Yre and exited as well, punching Yre. Alas, the Twi'lek deflected the blow, and responded with a kick in Kyra's stomach. Kyra stepped backwards, and looked at Yre as she placed herself in attack position and gave a smile.

Yre furiously charged Kyra. She gave all she had and Kyra defended every single attack. Kyra knew well Yre, and her technique hadn't changed since the last time they fought. Yre grabbed Kyra by the arm and threw her against the wall. Kyra slid to the ground, and as she turned up Yre pointed her blaster to Kyra's head.

"Your time in this world is over..." Yre said.

"Hey! What are you doing there?" someone shouted. Yre didn't turn around to see who spoke. She looked at Kyra. "Maybe it's your lucky day, Kyra. Hope to see you soon!" Yre said as she ran towards the back door of the cantina.

"Are you ok?" asked the trooper who was with her on the Imperial Shuttle.

"Define ok..." Kyra said.

"Who was she?" the trooper asked as he helped Kyra to get up.

"An old friend. That will make my job more difficult!" Kyra said as she looked at the door where Yre went into. She brought old secrets back to life. Yre was getting out of hand and she had to stop her in any way that she could...

---

"Striking Back"
By: Shrezade Anoran
Lerrah Breijal [NPC+]
Rilanna Kir

Location: Drogen Shipyards
Date: Selene 1, 4 ABY

***

Reza gripped the handrests for support as the ship, again, lurched to avoid oncoming fire. The station's external defenses appeared to be operational; she had deactivated them upon her hasty departure, yet it now seemed Major Weyland had managed to bring them online again. This was a point of concern for Reza. If he could gain access to the external defenses despite the security measures she'd taken to restrict anyone slicing into those systems, she feared he also had access to her internal defenses. Though, she would find all that out soon enough.

She was anxious and impatient, and wanted the battle to end so she could see Dresh again. But it had yet to even begin. That irked Reza. "Breijal," she snapped. "ETA."

"Two minutes until we break through the magnetic field of the bay," Lerrah announced. "I'm picking up heavy activity around the station. Make sure someone's got the guns back there. Strap in if you're not, it's about to get hot."

Reza sighed. If they were having this much trouble getting in, she wondered if they'd be able to get out when required to. The ship rocked abruptly, and a shower of sparks erupted from one of the side panels. Reza sighed again. "Ms. Breijal, I believe you have been hit," she informed the girl with disinterest.

Lerrah nodded. "Yes," she said with a frown. "It's unavoidable. The lasers are so thick out there, you could practically walk on them. I'd recommend a rebreather though." She rolled through an evasive move and then grinned. "Thirty seconds till we're inside."

"Good," Reza replied, then unstrapped herself and launched herself out of her chair. She was knocked slightly off-balance by turbulence as the ship again listed, but Reza continued steadily towards the corridor, seeking out the ship's cargo bay to prepare her troops for the Pride's landing. Halfway there, she noticed Rilanna approaching from the opposite direction. She couldn't decide whether to stop or continue.

Rilanna wasn't wearing her helmet, but suddenly wished she were. She nodded to Reza, her insides twisting with emotion. "Hi," she said.

Reza, who had forgotten her own helmet in the cockpit, could do nothing to conceal her own discomfort. She slowed slightly but made no move to stop. "Hello, Captain. I was just on my way to inform the men of our arrival."

"It seems like a rough ride in," Ril said. "Your men were anxious and ready to go kick some Imp tail when I left the lounge. I can only imagine what the rest in the bay are like."

Reza couldn't help but smile, and finally paused in the corridor to regard Rilanna. "And are you anxious, Captain?"

"After a fashion," Rilanna answered. "It's going to be a big and bloody battle, and lots of people are going to die...including people I care about. I'm nervous and anxious, but who wouldn't be?"

Reza shrugged, though the gesture was lost by another violent toss of the ship that threw her forward. When the disturbance subsided, she found herself embracing Rilanna, who was now pinned up against the wall. Reza found she was in no hurry to release her, but finally, she did, though her reddening cheeks betrayed her embarrassment. "I thought she was the best," she mentioned casually.

"She is," Rilanna said, her eyes holding Reza's. "If she weren't we'd probably be dead by now." She could feel her heart pounding against the durasteel plating of her battle armour. She swallowed. "We're still alive, aren't we? Thankfully."

"Thankfully," Reza murmured in agreement. Her eyes wandered down the corridor, though anywhere other than Rilanna's mildly sorrowful expression was preferable. She sighed and grudgingly met her gaze again. "Be careful, okay?"

"You too," Rilanna said softly. "Come back safe. I...I know I can't come with you, but...but stay safe, Reze."

"General Anoran," Reza corrected, though it was a feeble effort. She looked away again to steel her resolve. "You know the plan... You will not fail, Captain Kir."

"I won't fail," Rilanna answered. "General. I was born for this kind of thing; you don't have to worry about me."

Noting that they had again achieved a strict, comfortable formality, Reza found she could again hold Rilanna's gaze without faltering. "Good. People are counting on you, Captain. Good luck out there." She nodded curtly, then resumed her journey down the corridor.

"Thanks," Rilanna said softly. "You too." She sighed and resumed her course to the cockpit.

"Reza?" Lerrah asked.

"Of course."

"It really hurts when you love someone that much, and they won't love you back. It'll all work out, Ril."

Rilanna nodded. "How do you know?"

"Just a feeling. Now, strap in, it's gonna be a bumpy landing."

***

Over the internal comm, Reza heard Lerrah's announcement that they had secured an opening into one of the shipyard's rear hangars and were moving in for a landing. Endless bombardments of weapons fire still illuminated the bespeckled darkness of space, and the ship still pitched the odd time as it narrowly missed being consumed by concussion and ion missiles. The Imperials were holding nothing back.

"Get ready, gentlemen," Reza called out to her assembled team. They waited by the exit hatch, weapons held poised, and black helmets, masks of unshakeable determination. With a team like this by her side, she knew her chances were good. They would have been better if even one of those soldiers were Rilanna Kir. But that would not be so, not for this battle, at least.

"You know the plan and each of you your specific tasks. Our task is to provide a diversion while Major Adams and his men reach the secondary power generator. Other teams will be contributing added firepower in an attempt to secure the main docking bay. We will then make our way to the security grid and activate the internal defenses." She passed her cool, unwavering gaze over each of them. "Any questions?"

When none were raised, she nodded and slid her own helmet into place. It was fortunate timing as well, for she recognized the sound of the Pride's repulsors activating, and the gentle lurch of the ship settling onto solid ground. Blaster fire erupted almost immediately from outside and it was then that Reza was inflicted with almost paralyzing fear. But, knowing this was her opportunity to kill Major Weyland for what he'd done soothed her, and again she found some confidence.

"Alright! This is it!" She slapped the door activator, and the hatched hissed as it slid open. "We do this now! I want you to go out there firing!"

Red spears of light flashed across the hatch's opening, and Reza ordered her men into the fray. "Now!"

The black-armoured troops spilled out of the opening, their orange beams of blaster fire mixing with the Imps' red. The battle had begun, and there was no turning back, only victory...or death.

***

Once Reza's team had been unloaded, Lerrah banked the Pride out of the bay, and rocketed out into space. They still had their team in the cargo bay, ready to deploy once they reached their own destination on the other side of the station. Getting Downbelow would be a trick, especially if the rabble turned on them, but they'd make it. Especially with Rilanna leading the way.

Once their target came into view, beside her, Ril pointed. "There. Set us down right in there. It looks like everyone is peeling out to stop the other team. This could be easier than I thought."

Lerrah grinned. "Easy is good."

"It is," Ril said with a laugh. "Nice and easy." The ship thumped down and Ril kissed the top of Lerrah's head. "Perfect."

"Come back to me soon," Lerrah said with a wistful look.

Rilanna laughed and kissed her again. "I will," she said. "Luck out here."

"Luck in there."

With that, Ril and her team departed, with much less blaster fire than Reza's team. As Ril slipped out the large doors that would lead her to the stairwells down below, she thought of Reza. Stay safe, damn you. You may treat me like I'm nothing, but stay safe. I couldn't bear to lose you.

***

"Secure the bay!" Reza shouted into her helmet comm.

She ducked a shot that would have taken her in the head, then ran in a low crouch towards a barrier of piled crates. Blaster fire repeatedly slammed into the containers just as she made it behind. Reza listened to the shots flying overhead, timed an opening, then poked her head above the boxes and let loose a series of rapid, awfully aimed shots that only managed to catch one Imp in the arm. She hunkered down behind the crates in time to avoid the next round of shots.

The resistance encountered in the docking bay alone was considerable, and it didn't bode well for the rest of their mission. If they were having this much trouble now, she only imagined the obstacles they would next face. Now, she wished Rilanna were there to advise her. But she wasn't, and Reza was determined to take charge.

"Team Beta leader! I want you to try and lure a contingent of those forces towards the center of the bay. My team will do the same. Let's see if we can't just outflank those bastards."

"Beta leader acknowledges," the man's voice replied amid the sounds of blaster fire in the background.

Reza took in a deep breath, realizing she hadn't half the battle experience many of those men she was leading had, and that likely she would be sending them to their deaths. But, there was nothing she could do about it now aside from think as Rilanna would. A part of her mind quipped that if she could, she might discover how the young woman had fallen in love with her, but she shut it out. Now was not the time for idle thoughts.

She signalled for half her team to make a run for the next stacks of cargo containers five meters away. They did, and the remainder of Reza's team provided cover fire. One man went down, but the rest made it - still enough for her plan to succeed. Team Beta was doing as was told, and already some of the Imps were amassing in the center of the bay. Reza and her divided team made certain any strays would be herded back towards the middle, by blocking any potential openings to the Imps' right and left with a barrage of blaster fire.

More or less, they had them all rounded up, and Reza gave the call: "Okay! Hit them with all you've got! And the moment it's clear, secure that damned door!"

Beta leader gave an affirmative, and soon the Imps were being assailed by endless streams of orange blaster fire. They returned the favour, but their efforts were futile. Anywhere they turned, they were met with a barrage of offensive shots, and the reinforcements that arrived were pushed back through the door by a hail of Rebel blaster bolts. Reza knew they'd attempt to find another way in soon, which meant they would have to finish off the Imps quickly.

Stray Imperial fire caught the soldier beside her in the chest and threw him back, but Reza paid the Imp back in-kind with a shot to the head. She'd been lucky that time, and knew she would have to rely on further luck to get her through this, though she wished some of that upon Rilanna and Dresh. No matter how many Rebels were lost in the battle, it would only be a true victory if both of them came through this alive.

***

Major Dane Weyland stared out the large window of what used to be Shrezade Anoran's office. The space around the station was filled with ship and laser fire. He turned back from the view and regarded the lieutenant standing before him, nearly trembling. "The Rebel troops that have landed in the bay," he asked lazily, "have they been taken care of?" His tone was half-bored, as if the threat of Republic troops on the station was no threat at all.

"No, sir," the officer replied, an urgency clear in his voice. "Teams have engaged them in the docking bays, but they're everywhere."

"Perhaps we need more teams then," Weyland said. "I want that scum found and killed. If those two women are with them, I don't want them hurt. Have them brought to me. Most likely they are no where near this place, cowards that they are, and our men will just have to kill everyone. Double the guards around the Project. The grand admiral would be most displeased if any of those ships were damaged."

"Yes, sir, right away. Though, if I may... I would recommend you leave the station, sir...for your own protection."

Weyland raised an eyebrow. "My protection? Protection from whom, Lieutenant? From this rebel scum? You overestimate them. They won't get near me, that's what our stormtroopers are here to assure."

The lieutenant bowed his head humbly. "As you wish, Major. I will have extra guards posted outside your office."

Weyland sighed. "Very well," he said. "Though, remember that the focus is keeping that scum off this station. The guards' jobs are to make sure that the Rebels are ejected into space and that they don't reach my door. Be certain you don't cripple our forces by leaving too many guards protecting me."

"I won't, Major," the lieutenant replied. "Our victory will be secured."

Weyland nodded. "Dismissed," he said. He turned back around and resumed watching the battle outside. They would win today.

***

The bay had been secured, with a pile of lifeless Imps entombed now in their white armour littering the center of it. They were kept where they were to provide an obstacle for any Imps who managed to make it into the hangar; the fallen Rebels were moved respectfully to an isolated section of the bay, and would be given a proper burning after the station was seized. Reza couldn't deny the guilt she felt in knowing they had died under command, and more likely would. But she refused to let it bog her down. There was far more work to be done.

"Lieutenant Kapal." The Beta team leader approached and bowed his head in acknowledgement. "What's the word on the other teams?"

"Other teams are still reporting in, General. Captain Kir's team is in position and beginning to evacuate civilians. Captain Darat's team is closing in on one of the Imp security points near the command decks. He says they'll have that down soon enough, and we can set up our command post."

"Good. Now, we make our way to meet up with Major Edwards and his team, then we move on to the security grid." She nodded to the lieutenant, commending his efforts during the battle. "You keep this bay locked up tight, then I want your men to join Team Omega to attempt an infiltration of Bay 12. I'm not certain how far they've gotten in their project, but I know they're building something in there and I want it destroyed before it can be used against our boys outside."

"Aye, General," the lieutenant said. "You can count on us. Whatever he's building in there, consider it destroyed."

"Just...try not to blow apart my station in the process," she told him, far more serious than she was joking.

The lieutenant did not smile. "No, ma'am," he said. "We'll make sure not to even scratch the paint. You can count on us, ma'am. We'll help you get your station back."

Reza nodded curtly, then wished the commander good luck. She turned back to her own team and ordered them to prepare for departure. They would meet up with Major Edwards' team in Section 35, then head for the power generator. Reza and her team would branch off while Edwards and his men continued on to the back-up power relay, to ensure they deactivated all systems, save for life-support and access to the security defenses. Reza's job was to bring that system back online and making the Imps wish they had stayed far away from her station. That was the plan, but it remained to be seen how successful a one it would turn out to be.

---

"New Plouton Conquest"
By Kitana Gellar [NPC+]
Admiral Gengis Zibel [NPC+]
Captain Tifa Alexandros Lionheart [NPC+]
Brigadier-General Freya [NPC]
and Other Minor NPCs

Location: Necron & New Plouton
Date: Selene 1, 4 ABY

***

Gengis and Kitana looked to the side and saw one of the New Republic's capital ships fighting. The Necron was with the cloaking device turned on and they were beyond enemy lines... It was the only way to take the Imperials off guard.

"Admiral Zibel! Do you think this is going to work?" Kitana asked, looking at the planet that was extremely near.

"It has to work, Princess. The New Empire will detect our transports when they are almost landing on the planet. What I'm worried about is that our people are going to be alone down there and reinforcements can only reach them if the New Republic wins the fight up here..."

An officer approached Kitana and Gengis and made a signal that they were on the location.

"Launch the transports!" Gengis said.

"May Gemini protect them and us!" Kitana said as she saw the transports leaving the Necron.

"When all of the transports have landed on the planet we will join the New Republic," Gengis told the officer while looking over to Kitana.

"Yes, sir!" said the bridge officer.

The transports entered the atmosphere of Tae'Karada. A small group of transports made their way to Arcadia and the rest made their way to New Plouton.

As the transports started to fill the skies of New Plouton, the fights were already occurring down below, as a small New Republic faction was fighting against the Empire.

As the transport landed, the troopers exited, securing the perimeter. The AT-ST walkers helped to set the perimeter. Then, Tifa exited with her group along with General Freya.

"General, the perimeter is secured, sir!" one of the troopers said.

"Very well. All units move out," the General Freya said.

The units moved out. Tifa looked at the city as the Gallorian forces were split into two forces in New Plouton. There was another force landing on Arcadia, but her main focus was in New Plouton.

The troopers walked through the streets calmly for just about five minutes before the Empire started to shoot upon them. The troopers took cover as two of them were already lying dead.

"Sir, snipers!" Tifa said, as she tried to see where they were shooting from.

"Where? We have a schedule! We have to move!" Freya said.

"Maybe the second window on the building up ahead." Tifa paused. "Gunner, give me your helmet. Scope, try to see from where they are shooting."

The trooper gave the helmet and Tifa put a blaster rifle holding it and raised the helmet up. A shot was heard and got the helmet, making a big hole in it.

"Got it! Third window of the right fourth floor," Scope said.

"Get him!" Tifa ordered.

Scope fired a couple of rounds to the window and the body of a stormtrooper fell through it.

"Move out!" Freya ordered. "Tifa, take Gunner and Scope and see if the way is clear. We're right behind you!"

"Yes, sir!" Tifa nodded as she exited from cover and ran to the next block, followed by Gunner and Scope.

The city was pretty big and they still hadn't found the rebel teams... As they moved, they had to hide and take cover from sniper fire from time to time, but most of the times there was nothing. Still, they had to be cautious, since it could be taking the Gallorian forces to a trap.

"Captain, the next block is where the spaceport is. Do you see anything?" Gunner asked, looking down the street.

"Well, it seems that there's been a fight there, but I can make sure who controls it... Let's move closer and keep your heads down," Tifa said. She knew that she had to be sure the Gallorian forces where right behind them a few blocks down. Also, the AT-ST were along with them. They were powerful weapons but they were much too noisy.

Tifa and the two troopers ran from place to place to get near the entrance to the spaceport. She took a look through the electroscope of her rifle blaster. She saw some movement and some bodies lying there.

"Whatever they are, they are not stormtroopers. Also, they have the place heavily guarded!" Tifa paused as she punched the comm that was on her glove. "This is Gem 2 to Gem Leader."

"This is Gem Leader. What is it Gem 2?" Freya asked through the comm.

"Sir, we are a block away from the spaceport. There is a very heavy garrison in front of it but it doesn't look like Imperial Stormtroopers. Please advise," Tifa said.

"Get closer and send the New Republic codes that we have so they can identify us. Gem leader out!" said Freya through the comm.

"Let's move!" Tifa said.

They got closer to the location and saw that it was indeed extremely heavy guarded. She punched the comm and sent the codes. Now all she had to do was wait...

"This is the New Republic team number seven. Please identify yourself!" a voice called out.

"This is Captain Tifa of the Gallorian forces. We are your reinforcements!"

"You have been clear to enter the perimeter. New Republic team number seven out!" the voice said.

Tifa exited her hiding position and walked towards the garrison. As she got near the New Republic rebel lowered their weapons and let them pass. As they got in, people looked at them.

"I'm leader of the team seven," a man said as he got closer to Tifa. "Captain Tifa, I presume?"

"Sorry, sir if we are late, but the three of us have been clearing the way to Gallorian forces. What is the status report, sir?" Tifa asked.

"The imps didn't gave much of a fight here. They fled to three main garrisons on the city. Also, the Yesrin and Yallder districts have been uprising against the Imps..." the New Republic team leader stated.

Meanwhile, the Gallorian forces reached the garrison. The rebels seemed welcome to some more manpower. They discussed the situation in New Plouton. The uprisings against the Stormtroopers in Yallder and Yesrin was good to a certain extent. It seemed that the bigger problem was the garrison of stormtroopers in Yellvin District up front where there was the morality guard building.

"Well this is going to be like this. We need a main force to fight against the garrison in Yellvin, since it's where we have big problems. We have our main forces attacking on Yesdol and Yemol, but you could give us a hand there?"

Erwen looked. "Yes we can," Erwen said, pausing. "I will give you the teams Gem 1 to 4 to protect the spaceport."

"Good," the leader of team seven said.

"I will give you as well Gem 10 to 20 and Gem 21 to 30 to help you on the garrisons of Yesdol and Yemol." Freya paused. "That leaves us with 1500 troopers and 15 AT-STs to help you defeat the garrison in Yelvin," Freya said. She looked to the leader of the team seven and he seemed to concur with her.

"Remember, General Freya, the reinforcements are going to take a while to get here," the leader of the Garrison said.

"Yes I know, General. Be careful as well, and may Gemini accompany you."

"And may the Force be with you, General. We have a city to conquer," the leader of the team said, as he saw the Gallorian forces split up to face the three garrisons of New Plouton.

---

"Hideaway, Part 1"
By: Kallia Brael
Yara Brael [NPC+]
Keeve Shivral [NPC+]
Maeren Shivral
Kaysa Zenarr

Location: Agarra
Date: Selene 1, 4 ABY

***

Sitting on the thick branch, there was no danger of falling. Though, it was a very long way down. Maeren Shivral remembered this branch from when she was much younger, lying here and gazing up at the sky. She'd dreamed of what was out there beyond the planet that had been her home for so long. One of those dreams was sitting next to her, trailing a finger over her bare arm. She turned to him and smiled, causing a smile on his lips as well. "I like being here with you," she said. "It's a wonderful place to be with people you love."

"Well, who else would you come here with?" Keeve teased. He chuckled, then kissed her cool forehead. He was surprised what a little shade could do in mitigating the heat of the jungle planet. The moment he stepped onto it, he thought he would become engulfed in flames sparked by the sun. Now, under the thick, sheltering leaves of the tree, with Shiv cradled against him, he was growing to enjoy the planet.

Though, his mind always returned to Tae'Karada, especially during quiet times like these. He wondered how Dargus was faring on his campaign to conquer the planet; he also thought of how much Dargus despised him now, and what punishment awaited him upon his return. Absently, he tightened his arms around Shiv for security and brushed his lips over her bare shoulder. If he had a choice in the matter, he'd never return.

"I can't think of anyone else," she whispered. She pointed. "There's one of those little...they're kind of like reisakitties, but with longer tails that they wrap around branches. They're called pokoos here because of the sound they make. I always wanted one as a pet when I was a little girl." She brushed her lips against his. "I can't remember why I hated this place so much. I mean, I got to run around naked, it's so peaceful, and everyone is so nice. But if I'd stayed here, I'd never have met you...and I would have never been able to bring you back to see Agarra."

"It's amazing how things work out, isn't it?" He grinned. "Though, one thing about this place is there are no beebleberry frazzies. What kind of jungle planet has no beebleberry frazzies?"

"The kind of jungle planet without much technology. But, there are beebleberries. What do you say...you and me start a beebleberry frazzy stand here on Agarra. I bet it would be a big hit."

Keeve gave her a look of pure indignation. "You mean...I'd have to work? I'll have you know, my beautiful wife, that neither of us will have to work a day in our life as long as I'm taking care of us." He kissed her silken cheek tenderly, then nestled his against hers. "We can create Agarra's first beebleberry frazzy, then hire others to sell them for us. A better idea?"

"A much better idea," Shiv answered, then kissed him. "And we could have free beebleberry frazzies whenever we wanted them. I definitely like the sound of that. My genius of a husband with his wonderfully brilliant ideas."

Keeve chuckled. "Yeah...that's me. Though, not always so bright, was I? I almost didn't marry you, remember? If I hadn't let you into my life, you'd probably be here with Lerrah right now."

"Probably not Lerrah," Shiv answered. "Kaysa doesn't really like her very much. I think it's only because of my past with her, and she was afraid Lerrah would steal me away."

"Well," Keeve said slowly, "would she have?"

Shiv shook her head. "No," she answered. "I do still love her, but she couldn't steal me away."

Keeve sighed and rested his cheek atop a bed of Shiv's golden hair as she lay her head upon his shoulder and snuggled against his chest. Her weight was insignificant, and her presence so unimposing that Keeve kept caressing her arm, kept his hands always touching her to reassure himself she was still there. He hoped it was true, that no one could steal her from him, but he was determined to always keep her close, just in case. "Well," he responded quietly, "as long as you remember that I would never find happiness again if you left me, Maeren, then you'll never go far. Right?"

"There's no reason anywhere that would make me go far," she answered. "I always want to be near you, Keeve. Always. We can stay here on Agarra as long as you want."

Keeve laughed. "Who said I want to stay here? This wasn't my choice, you know...not that this is such a horrible place to be." He slowly spread kisses along Shiv's neck, while adding, "I'd much rather be on some vacation planet with you, having a proper honeymoon."

"Maybe, after we're done here, we can find a perfect planet, and we can have our honeymoon. Just you and me and all the fun we can make together. How does that sound?"

"Sounds great," Keeve replied. "Though, I don't think it'll happen, Maeren. And if it does, we'll be old and gray and in no physical condition to actually do the things married couples are supposed to do on honeymoons."

"We can try to make babies too," Shiv said with a partly shy, partly embarrassed grin. "Me and you, and a little Keeve. Doesn't that sound perfect? We can have a home somewhere, just us."

"Try?" Keeve chuckled lowly and slid his hand over her smooth thigh, while his lips brushed against her cheek. "I thought we had been," he murmured. "Though, we could further our efforts...try harder..."

"Try harder," Shiv whispered. "And a lot. There aren't many people around now, you know. We could...here..."

Keeve laughed in disbelief. "On a tree branch? Is that how you and Lerrah used to do it?" He looked over the side of the branch, then whistled. "It's a long way down. We could always just go back to our room and...try there."

"My second time with her was on one of those big branches right down over there. Our first time was...in her parents' bed. Thankfully they never knew their lesbian daughter and her lesbian girlfriend were being very naughty together. Kaysa made me realize that men were fun too. Though, nothing compares to you, Keeve. You're my everything." She brushed her hand over his chest and smiled. "It's fun in the trees...and fortunately, these don't splinter."

"You know that from experience, then?" he whispered with his lips against her ear. "Or are you going to demonstrate?"

"From experience," Shiv whispered as she began undoing the lacings holding her thin top in place. "And, soon you will have the same experience, my love." She met his eyes. "You're okay with this? Out here?"

Keeve grinned and helped Shiv spread open her shirt. "Ask me that again after we're done." Then he leaned forward and kissed his wife, while she showed him the trick to making love in a tree.

***

Kallia bounced Yara on her hip as she and Kaysa strolled through the small, Agarran market. They'd found a large hut to rent, and had all managed to fit inside comfortably. The trick, however, was that it needed to be maintained. And, maintaining meant shopping for groceries. "I think that place across the street has good vegetables."

Kaysa laughed softly. "I wouldn't know. I don't know if I've really shopped for this sort of stuff before. Tae'Karada was a different place, with different living requirements. This" --she gestured to the open-air market, with vendors lining the unpaved road on either side-- "is all so new to me."

"New experiences are fun," Kallia said. "When I was living on Tatooine while pregnant with Yara, I worked at a stall very similar to these. It wasn't what I would have chosen, but it was good work."

"It was hard, wasn't it?" Kaysa sympathized. "I mean...you were alone, pregnant..." She smiled fondly at Yara, and brushed one finger over her plump cheek. "But it was worth it in the end, wasn't it?"

"Very much worth it," Kallia whispered. "With her, for her, everything is worth it. Oh, have you ever tried one of these?" She picked up a large orange and red melon-shaped fruit. "We had some of these on Tatooine. You should see Yara around one. She loves them."

"Then Yara shall have one," Kaysa declared as she relieved Kallia of the melon and set it down into her woven thatch basket. "Anything else?" she asked, appraising the rest of the fruit arranged on that particular cart. "Those look like berries." At Kallia's puzzled expression, Kaysa laughed gently and pointed past her at an arrangement of blue, pitted fruit the size of grapes. She smiled apologetically as her arm brushed up against Kallia's bosom, then retracted it. "They could be beebleberries," she added.

Kallia returned the smile and shifted at the sudden rush of feeling that followed the accidental touch. It reminded her just how long it'd been since she and Keeve had been together. "They look like beebleberries," she said. "Well, let's get some and see. They look good, whatever they are. Oh, and are those tanja fruit? Those are supposed to be great for just about everything."

"If you can actually cook," Kaysa reminded her. "I'm sorry I burned those yuba beans last night," she said with a guilty smile. "You worked so long cleaning them and... You can cook from now on."

"How about we cook together," Kallia said with a grin. "We'll have Maeren and Keeve watch after Yara, and we'll make dinner. We do work well together."

"That we do," Kaysa affirmed with a warm smile for her friend, though that she even considered Kallia that was still strange to Kaysa. She'd never had a true friend until now, and she now knew what she had been missing. She thanked Kallia as the small box of beebleberries was passed to her, then she deposited them in her basket along with the melon, the devnian - a local bovine animal endemic to Agarra - steaks, and the red lettuce they'd picked up from earlier in their walk.

They only bought enough food to last a couple days, to avoid it spoiling under the Agarran heat, and to avoid spending sizeable sums of money all at once. It would make anyone looking for them suspicious, and it was far too soon in their escape to get captured yet.

"I need to get some ointment for Yara," Kallia said as they moved on from the vendor. "The heat is giving her a little bit of a rash, and I want to remedy it before it can get too bad."

Kaysa agreed and together they moved off towards what looked to be an apothecary's cart. As they made their way there, Kaysa smiled up at Kallia and said softly, "I'm glad you're here. If I have my child on this planet, I would want you around to help me. I trust you, Kallia."

Kallia brought a hand up and brushed it against Kaysa's arm. "Count on it," she said. "I couldn't leave you, Kaysa. I...I like being here, with you and Keeve and Shiv. I feel wanted and...and like I fit."

"Well, you do," Kaysa told her. "You're kind, and loving, and you actually ate my beans and said they were good, even though I knew they weren't. How could you not fit in?"

Kallia laughed. "I can't think of any way. And, I can't think of any people I'd rather be with. It's been a long time since I've had a friend, Kaysa. And, I'm...I'm very glad to have you as my friend."

Kaysa chuckled, then slipped her free arm through Kallia's. "Good. I'm not a likeable person most times, so this is pretty good news." She winked at Kallia, then grinned and nodded to the upcoming cart. "Now let's get little Yara something to soothe her rashy bottom. Wouldn't you like that?" she asked the child.

Little Yara giggled and reached out to grasp hold of Kaysa's hand, gurgling as she did. "Szhashoo!"

Kal laughed. "Most of the time I wish I had a translator. I think I saw baby things over behind that rack." She glanced at Kaysa. "You're taking notes for when your own has a rashy bottom?"

Kaysa nodded emphatically. "Why not learn from the best rather than from my own mistakes? It will save a lot of time, and my sanity, most likely."

"I wouldn't say I'm the best, but I'd love to help you however I can," she said. "You've helped me so much, and...well, I think it would be wrong of me not to help a friend. Just do yourself a favour and make sure you don't have your nipples pierced while breastfeeding."

Kaysa snickered. "Talk to Shiv. She's the one with those two rings adorning her breasts. Though, I think Keeve's beginning to take to them... The piercings," she clarified. "He was in love with the breasts the moment he saw them."

"I'm getting used to them, and actually...well, except for the part where I haven't been with anyone for awhile, I was beginning to enjoy them during lovemaking. At first they were awkward and strange...but not so much now."

"Well...you'll be with Keeve again," Kaysa assured her. "I mean...he was with you before, and he enjoyed it...right?"

"I think he enjoyed it very much," Kallia said. "But, he has Maeren now. I think he just considers me his bodyguard now."

"Well, that's not so bad," Kaysa told her. "It also means you get to be my bodyguard. And in return, I'll baby-sit Yara whenever you need me to."

"Well, I like the sound of that," Kallia said with a grin. "Though, I don't think I'd be doing anything that I'd need you to watch Yara, so I guess we'll just have to keep each other company."

Kaysa laughed softly and gazed up into Kallia's smiling, somewhat hopeful eyes. "And I couldn't ask for better company," she answered, and the hope in her eyes seemed to transform into pure contentment. No one had ever displayed such relief in having achieved her friendship, especially considering no one had ever wanted it before. Kallia did, and she thanked her new friend with a kiss on the cheek. "Good company, a good friend... I think I'm going to feel a lot better about being away from my husbands now."

"I'm glad I can be some help during this time," Kallia said. "It's nice to have friends. I'm not really used to it, but I can tell it won't be difficult to get used to." She grabbed a small tube of ointment for Yara and dropped it into Kaysa's basket. "Out here, shopping with you, it makes me feel so...normal."

"But before your time with Dargus," Kaysa pointed out, "you had a normal life...didn't you?"

Kallia shook her head. "It's...it's fuzzy, but what I remember is that I was always on the run. Because of the Empire, I had to move around a lot, and didn't spend much time in the same place. That is, until I finally came to Tae'Karada. Once I got there, I pretty much stayed in the same place." She motioned to the shops around them and then to Kaysa. "This feels normal."

Kaysa sighed, pitying the woman for the memories that were stolen from her, and by her own son. She deserved to know why she no longer had a past, and Kaysa was tired of keeping the secret. Gripping her arm loosely, Kaysa pulled Kallia aside, away from those attending the market, away from anything that would provide a distraction. Kallia's expression was curious, and Kaysa tried her best not to look too somber, but it proved difficult.

"I want to tell you something," she said slowly. "And...I don't want you to be mad, and I don't want you to be angry... I just think it's your right to know."

Kallia looked confused for a moment longer, then nodded. "I won't be mad," she said.

Kaysa smiled wanly. "You will be...but try not to let it show." She took in a deep breath, then let it out slowly, prolonging Kallia's curiousity for an agonizing moment longer. Finally, she slipped her hand into her friend's and squeezed it for comfort. "Your memories... They were stolen from you, Kallia. On Dargus' ship... Keeve had an operation performed..." She sighed, not knowing how or if she should continue. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'm sorry."

"My...my memories...oh gods..." Kallia felt so many emotions burbling within her that she didn't know which one she should truly feel. "What memories...which ones? What is still mine? What...what did...what did he add?" She held Yara protectively to her chest. "Oh gods, Kaysa...why?"

"He wanted to own you," she answered sadly. "He was upset over Shiv...and he wanted someone to love him, only him. But it was Dargus' doing, Kallia. He had Keeve twisted around his finger. He was just doing what he was encouraged to do..." The justification sounded feeble, even to her, and there was no defense she could make to rationalize what her son had done. "Oh gods...I'm sorry, Kal," she whispered, then wrapped her arms around both Kallia and Yara, and embraced them both gently. "We'll fix this, I promise. We'll get your memories back."

Kallia slipped one arm around Kaysa and held herself to her friend. "I have to...to know what...oh gods...oh gods..." It made sense, the thoughts that she couldn't focus on, the pieces and parts that made sense on one hand but not on the other. "You're real? Our friendship is real?"

"I'm real," Kaysa told her, squeezing just a little harder to further reassure her. "I'm your friend, Kal, and I'm going to help you." She kissed her cheek, then her lips for comfort, and smiled. "I'll be here."

Kallia's eyes met Kaysa's. "Thank you," she whispered. "Thank you so much. I don't think I'd want to get through this without you here." She hugged Kaysa tighter, glad for her friend's embrace. "Thank you."

Kaysa sighed and cursed Keeve for being so easily manipulated by Dargus, and so cold as to force a woman to suffer as much as Kallia was. If he were still a child, her hand would have been meeting his backside about now. "We'll work through this, and maybe even get some of those memories back. But think of it this way," she said, her smile warm. "At least now, there's more room in that beautiful head of yours for those new memories we'll make together."

Kallia grinned and then nodded. "So far the memories we're making together are nice. It'll be nice to raise our babies together. They can be best friends." She felt a tear run down her cheek. "There was someone else...someone who also had a baby. I...I can't remember her. Her baby and Yara were best friends."

"I don't know who that is," Kaysa replied apologetically. "We can ask Keeve though. He might know. We'll sit down, and he can help us figure it out."

Kallia nodded. "Thank you so much, Kaysa. You don't know how much this means to me. I'd say you're a better friend than I deserve, but without my memories, I don't know if that's true."

"It isn't true," she told her. "No matter what." She brushed the back of her hand over Kallia's cheek, taking the tears away, then pressed her own cheek to Kallia's. "We'll fix this. We will. And we'll start today. So please...no more tears. I actually prefer your smile more than your frown."

Kallia couldn't help smiling. "I'm sorry," she said. "It's a lot to take, as you can imagine. We should probably buy our things and go. We don't want the fruit to spoil out here in the heat."

"Then let's get going." Kaysa stepped back, releasing her hold on Kallia, then held out a hand to her. "And while you teach me to cook, I can tell you all I know about anything and everything."

Kallia grinned. "That sounds nice," she said. "And, if you'd like, you can hold Yara. She promises to be very good and cute, but that's really not much work for her."

Kaysa laughed softly. "That sounds like the perfect exchange." As Kallia's hand slid into hers, Kaysa led them back towards the venders to pay for their purchases. She reminded herself to give Keeve an earful when she got him alone, and to force him to take Kallia to bed that night. It was the least he owed her after ravaging her mind and stealing her identity. If she was going to teach her son anything, responsibility was top on her list.

---

"Hideaway, Part 2"
By: Kallia Brael
Yara Brael [NPC+]
Keeve Shivral [NPC+]
Maeren Shivral
Kaysa Zenarr
Hope [NPC+]

Location: Agarra
Date: Selene 1, 4 ABY

***

Keeve and Maeren entered the apartments they'd taken as their home on Agarra to the sound of laughter. There were three distinct voices, and all easily identifiable. Maeren smiled. "Well, it sounds like someone's having a good day," she said. "Doesn't Yara have the cutest laugh. Our baby will have a laugh like that." She placed her hand to her belly, where she hoped a baby would soon be, Keeve's baby.

A high-pitched mewling preceded the ball of white fair that lazily entered the living area, and Keeve chuckled. "Well...I hope ours doesn't come out with fur, though with as much as you love that reisakitty, I wouldn't be surprised."

Shiv grinned as Hope moved straight toward her. She'd gotten a little bigger, but not much. She stopped and sat right in front of Shiv, let out another meow, and then leapt up into Shiv's arms. "She's our baby for now," Shiv said as she let Hope crawl up to the crook of her neck, and snuggle in. "I can't believe how talented she is."

"Yeah," Keeve muttered. "Talented enough to figure out there's food on the table she can steal when no one's looking." He sighed and ruffled the kitten's fur. "That was my leftover pie, you little puffball."

Hope playfully batted at Keeve's hand, and mewed. "She says it was a very tasty piece of pie, and she thinks Kallia should make another one."

"So I can get some this time," Keeve quipped. He sighed and slipped his arm around Shiv's waist, making sure to keep some distance between himself and the temperamental reisacat. "You spoil her," he said as they started for the kitchen. "That's why she insists on scratching on the bedroom door at night to be let in. She should sleep in her own bed, not ours."

"She likes the warmth our bodies generate," Shiv said, then gave him a suggestive look. "We do generate a lot of body heat, don't we?"

Keeve grinned and leaned in closer. "We do... The Agarran sun's got nothing on us, my love."

"Nothing at all," Shiv said with a giggle. "Let's go see what Kaysa and Kallia are up to."

When they reached the kitchen, Kaysa was standing next to Kallia by the range, with Yara resting on her hip. The young girl was deeply fascinated with Kaysa's loose hair and occupied herself with curling it around her little fingers. Kaysa was grinning as she spoke in low tones with Kallia, who held a spoon in her hand and was stirring at something in a pot. Keeve chuckled at the scene. "Now, isn't this perfect," he commented. "Two women cooking... It's what any man could ask for."

Kallia turned to Keeve, the smile on her lips was there one moment and gone the next. A mixture of emotions passed over her face, and she turned quickly back to the food preparations.

Keeve frowned, then shrugged. "Fine, no women at the range. Very bad." He glanced at Shiv with a questioning gaze.

Kaysa sighed and placed a hand on Kallia's shoulder, while whispering soothing words to her.

Kallia nodded at Kaysa's words and offered a slight smile.

Shiv frowned as she looked between them. "What's the matter?" she asked.

"Nothing," Kaysa replied, looking back at her. Her eyes flashed with resentment as they shifted to Keeve. "Nothing Keeve doesn't know about."

Keeve smiled uncertainly. "What? I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Oh no?" Kaysa shook her head slowly. "Kallia...did you want to tell him?"

Kallia looked up and met Keeve's gaze. There were tears in her eyes and her face was awash with emotions. "What did you do to me, Keeve?"

He sighed in resignation, and shot Kaysa a gaze filled with almost as much hatred as he'd had for her on Tae'Karada. "You had to tell her, didn't you? You had to meddle and tell her!"

"She deserved to know," Kaysa snapped. "And you were too cowardly to tell her, so I did."

"It wasn't your place!" Keeve hollered. "You stupid bitch, you're always butting in, causing trouble!"

Kallia took a step toward Keeve. "How long would you have kept me in the dark, Keeve? How long would you have let the charade go on? How long would my own memories be... How long? When would you tell me?"

"I didn't want to tell you, Kal," he said, more gently. "I knew it would hurt, so I said nothing." He slipped away from Shiv, and moved towards her. "I thought it would be better for you...."

"But is it? Kaysa told me why you did it, but... I start to remember things, but...whenever I try to concentrate, it's not there. I won't leave, but...but I want to remember."

Keeve put himself between Kaysa and Kallia, blocking Kallia from her source of strength and from his source of frustration. "Kallia," he said softly, carefully placing his hands upon her shoulders. "It only made you forget the things you don't even want to remember, Kal. Like...Yelara, that woman. She was cruel to you. Is that something you want to know?"

"Cruel? She--? I-- I don't...Keeve, but... They're my memories! They're part of me! You had no right! I would have loved you without taking them away... I...oh gods, Keeve... I want them back. I want my memories..."

"I know," he murmured, brushing his lips against her cheek. "And if I could give them to you, I would, Kal. But I can't, not here."

"He can," Kaysa interjected. "He can fill in the missing pieces, Kallia. Don't let him manipulate you. Don't let him get away with this."

"Shut up!" Keeve snapped, shooting his mother a furious glare. "Do you enjoy causing pain? Just because you can't be happy, no one else can?"

"Keeve," Kallia said, more firmly than before, "don't be upset with her. She's trying to help me, something that it appears you don't really want... You have Maeren now...do you still need me to be your lover? I'll protect all of you, like I have. We haven't been together for...for awhile. What am I to you now, Keeve? If you don't want me as a lover anymore, I want my memories back."

Keeve smiled wanly, then shrugged. "I don't have them to give, Kal. I can only tell you what I know, but I can't give you back what I don't know."

"Then tell her what you do," Kaysa urged gently. "Keeve, dammit, don't be cruel. She has a right to know."

"And you should mind your own business," he said between clenched teeth. "From now on, stay out of my affairs, and especially my life."

"I will," Kaysa replied, displaying only a trace of disappointment. "If you stop messing with Kallia's."

Kallia shook her head and was about to speak when a wall of grief slammed into her with the force of a ship at lightspeed. She cried out and sagged to the floor. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she took a long, shuddering breath that was mixed with a heaving sob. "Oh gods," she keened. "Oh gods, Yelara!"

Keeve looked on in utter confusion and surprise, but was snapped out of it when Yara was thrust into his arms. Kaysa dropped to Kallia's side and pressed her hand to the woman's slick cheek. "What is it?" she whispered, pleaded. "Kallia...please, what's wrong!"

"Oh gods," Kallia whispered. "I felt it...I felt her." She looked up into Kaysa's eyes. "She's gone. Yelara's gone. Oh gods..."

Kaysa's brow furrowed quizzically, but she knew not to ask for clarification. Instead, she gathered Kallia into her arms and held her close. "Remember her," she murmured into her ear. "Use the grief...and remember her, Kallia. She won't be truly gone if you keep her memory alive, with you."

Kallia nodded and pressed herself against Kaysa, holding her tight. "Thank you," she whispered. "Thank you for being here...for being my friend..."

"And I'll remain here," Kaysa whispered. "For as long as you need me." She kissed Kallia's cheek tenderly, while Keeve and Shiv watched on. Keeve was stricken with shame and grief at the pain he'd caused Kallia. Holding Yara to him, he clenched his jaw to contain his emotions then stalked from the kitchen.

Shiv followed quickly. "Keeve," she said when she finally caught up. "It'll be okay. Everything will work out."

"No, it won't," he told her. He stopped abruptly, and pushed Yara into Shiv's arms. "I caused that...in there," he said, his throat growing surprisingly constricted. "Kallia will never forgive me, not now. And I don't deserve to be forgiven." Before he could lose hold of his emotions, Keeve stormed from the apartment to dwell on his guilt.

"Keeve," Shiv called from the doorway. Hope was sniffing Yara's hair while Yara was starting to feel some of her mother's distress, resulting in quite an armful for Shiv. "Please don't walk away from me like this. Please, not like this, Keeve. Don't shut me out."

Keeve shook his head stubbornly and didn't turn back. Until Yara shrieked and wailed, almost succeeding in pushing out of Shiv's hold. Keeve sighed and started back, extending his arms to the girl, who reached out with her own. He folded her in his embrace and cradled the girl against his chest. She still sobbed and fidgeted, but she wasn't fighting anymore. "It's okay," he murmured to her, stroking her thick brown hair. He gazed at Shiv and smiled wanly in apology. "I don't think she wants me around right now anyway."

"She's hurt more than angry," Shiv said as she wrapped her arms around both Keeve and Yara. Hope made a soft mewling sound from Shiv's shoulder and butted her forehead gently against Keeve's shoulder, and then rubbed her small fluffy head against his cheek.

Keeve tried, but was unable to hold back a smile and kissed the kitten's downy head. Nestling his cheek against it, he gazed up at Shiv and said softly, "Come with me. We can get away together."

"I think Kallia just needs some time," Shiv said as she gazed at Keeve. "I think Kaysa will help her; they've been getting closer and I think Kaysa knows how to reach Kal. They'll be alright, and...and everything will be alright."

"Then let's give them time together." He cradled Shiv's cheek in his hand. "Let's take that walk together, Maeren. Just for a little while."

"We could go down near the streams," Shiv said as she pressed her lips to his palm. "It's really nice down there, and hardly anyone goes there. Under the trees it'll be really cool. And, if we're feeling daring we can take a little dip into the water."

"Yara's first swim," Keeve said. He smiled fondly at the young child, still whimpering into his shoulder. "I think she'd like that."

"I think so too," Shiv said. "Maybe she'll laugh and smile again. I don't think Hope wants to swim though. She can keep us company, and maybe they have some keets or chabas she could hunt."

"Maybe," Keeve echoed with a smile. "Come on. We'll want to get back before nightfall." Slipping his arm around her waist, Keeve led them away, while inside the apartment, Kaysa continued to comfort Kallia.

"Let's get you off this floor," Kaysa whispered. She caressed Kallia's cheek, then rose. Supporting Kallia around her waist, Kaysa helped her find her own footing. "You should lay down for a while. You'll feel better."

Kallia nodded and leaned heavily against Kaysa. "It's strange," she said softly. "To hurt so deeply for a person you think you barely know, but inside you know that they're a part of you."

Kaysa sighed, and wished she could find words to alleviate Kallia's pain, for it was beginning to become her own. She led her into the bedroom and helped her down onto the bed. "Lie back," Kaysa whispered, then moved across the room to close the curtains over the windows.

Kallia did as Kaysa asked and lay back upon the bed. She sighed and then turned her eyes to watch Kaysa. "Thank you," she whispered. "I don't think I would be able to get through this without you."

Kaysa laughed gently as she made her way back to the bed. "You're making me sound more important than I am." She sat down on the edge of the mattress, beside Kallia. "Sleep," she told her softly, then brushed a hand through Kallia's hair.

Kallia reached up and touched Kaysa's hand. "You're more important than you think you are then," she said. "You're my friend, Kaysa, and you're here...when I need you. I value that very, very much."

"Thanks," Kaysa answered with a tender smile. She laced her fingers with Kallia's and brought her hand up to her lips. Kaysa held it there, giving it a lingering kiss, then she placed both linked hands against her chest. "I'll stay here until you fall asleep."

"Thank you," Kallia whispered. She closed her eyes and sighed softly. "Whatever happens, I'll stay here...with you."

Kaysa watched Kallia curiously, wondering how her presence could instill such calm in the woman. She smiled. It felt good to be helpful. "And whatever happens, I'll be here with you," she replied, then curled up onto the bed next to Kallia. "I think I like that arrangement."

"It's a nice arrangement," Kallia whispered as she started drifting off to sleep. "I like it very much."

Kaysa laughed lightly, a soothing sound she hoped would lull Kallia. Draping her arm across Kallia's waist, and folding her other beneath her head for support, Kaysa hoped to relax Kallia further by humming one of Merrick's more romantic pieces. It seemed to work as Kallia's breathing slowed and her features softened. Kaysa smiled. She was getting good at this friendship business.

As sleep finally claimed Kallia, she snuggled against Kaysa, sighing happily as she did. Puckering her lips, she gave her friend a kiss before finally drifting off.

---

"Breakthrough"
By: General Shrezade Anoran
Major Adam Edwards
DB-7 [NPC+]
Various New Republic NPCs

Location: In and around Drogen Shipyards
Date: Selene 1, 4ABY

***

A series of Corellian Corvettes wove through the maze of laser fire on their course for the Drogen shipyards. Around them ships and fighters battled, forming a desperate game in the space above Chimaeria.

Onboard the first Corvette, Major Adam Edwards checked his gun belt and eyed the power charge on his DL-44.

Unlike the rest of the soldiers, Adam had chosen not to wear body armor. He had on his pants, shirt, and black vest that had seen him through numerous fights. He was also wearing a small pack on the small of his back carrying his goggles and breather.

DB stood next to Adam, stoic as usual. The large droid had his concussion rifle over his shoulder. Behind them both, were a large group of New Republic soldiers.

They all held standard issue blasters and equipment. Adam looked back on them and smiled.

Drogen loomed bigger and bigger in the view port. Adam could make out the docking ports in the side of the station.

"Get ready," Adam yelled, looking back at his men.

The corvettes each chose different docking ports. Adam's corvette shuddered as it locked into place. Adam drew his blaster. Men hurried to set charges around the port then moved back.

The hatch blew inward, and Adam surged in. Two Stormtroopers turned in surprise. It didn't last long, because they began to raise their rifles. Adam aimed, pulled the trigger, and fired. The bolt hit the Stormtrooper in the chest, throwing him back. The other trooper was caught in a combined fire of three republic soldiers following Adam.

With the Imps dead, Republic troops moved to secure the area. Several more shots were heard as the troops found more resistance. Adam brought his comlink to his mouth.

"Captain Lax, do you read?" Adam asked into the comlink.

"Lax here, Major. We've encountered some resistance, but we've managed to secure this docking port. All of our other teams are reporting success," Lax responded.

"Edwards to all units. All troops move inward. My team will move to destroy the generator," Adam ordered.

Edwards, DB, and a platoon of soldiers moved through a series of corridors. Along the way they were met by groups of Stormtroopers, Imperial Army Units, and other enemies. By the time they reached a sign reading "Section 35," Adam had lost two men.

One of Adam's men, a Quarren Sgt named Ss'vi took point when a group of people came around the corner. But they didn't look like Imperials...

"Get that damned blaster out of my face," a very familiar female voice snapped. From around the corner appeared a woman clad in black armour embracing her every curve. A team of men followed behind her. "Ah, Major Edwards." The voice definitely belonged to Shrezade Anoran. Her helmeted head tilted to one side as she appraised his attire. "So...did you take one in the head on your way over?"

"I've been through more gunfights with these than I can could count. Haven't failed me yet. At least I don't use armor to flaunt myself," Adam countered, watching the corridor next to him.

Reza chuckled dryly. "This is not flaunting, Major, this is showing common sense. Once I activate those internal defenses and that nerve gas begins flowing through this place, if you haven't managed to find one of the secure areas, you'll be begging for armour." She waved dismissively at the young man, not interested in wasting time attempting to convince him of his idiocy. "We have to get moving. The evacuation efforts are moving along, but the Imps are still strong in number. I want them disposed of."

Adam shook his head, sighing. "Uh-uh sure Anoran. Now...is that before or after you want me to take out the generator?" Adam asked mockingly.

Reza stepped in towards the man and narrowed her eyes at him from beneath her helmet. "Are you a fool?" she spat. "People are dying as we speak, and more will die, yet all you can do is crack jokes in an attempt to disguise the fact that you're a coward and you're afraid? Drop the bloody bravado, Major, and grow some balls or else you can turn back now while the real heroes here save this station and its inhabitants, because right now, you're just in the way." Reza kept her helmeted face close to his, then she turned on her heel and began snapping off orders.

"We go now. Comm silence is to be maintained hereon in. The only signal we'll need is every light in this station going off and remaining off; if the secondary generators have been successfully disabled, they will." Reza paused, smiling to herself, and turned her head back towards Adam. "Am I to assume, Major, that you aren't wearing a helmet equipped with infrared sensors because you can see perfectly well in the absolute darkness that will fall upon this station very soon?"

Adam sighed and motioned for his men to move down the next hallway. As they went, Adam nodded towards Reza.

"I'll take my chances," he grinned as he followed the team down the corridor.

"So be it," Reza replied. "You have half an hour at most, Major," she called out to him. "Don't fail us."

Edwards watched as his team separated from Reza and her men. Good riddance. The women was more worried about her looks than in the lives of her men.

"I have the readings on the generator," DB said." I believe I can lead us there."

They maneuvered a series of corridors, with a decent amount of resistance. Several Imperial Army Soldiers, two Stormtroopers, and one young officer. Another of Adam's men was killed when a blaster bolt struck him in the chest.

They finally arrived at a huge door. DB seemed to process something in his mind, then nodded.

"This is the Generator Room," DB confirmed. "It appears to be magnetically sealed."

Adam sighed, then nodded again to DB. Adam shot the panel next to the door. The circuits were fried.

The droid stepped forward and magentically sealed its hands to the thick durasteel door. The servos in his arms whirred as the droid pushed. The door groaned and resisted. DB's deceptively thin legs bent to provide pushing force. His servos whirred again.

This time the door slid away.

Inside the Imperials were surprised when the door was knocked inward. They were even more surprised to see a large droid walk through.

However their orders were to shoot anyone attempting to enter. The same thought went through the minds of the 11 Stormtroopers guarding the generator.

They raised their rifles and fired. But the droid was already moving.

DB raised his concussion rifle and pulled the trigger. The blast sailed across the room, striking the wall. The two Stormtroopers standing there were thrown forward.

Adam and the rest of the team moved inward, taking cover behind anything they could find. Firing, Adam caught a trooper in the leg, putting the Imperial on the deck.

From the left, a Stormtrooper fired, hitting the soldier next to Adam. The bolt impaled the man, throwing him to the ground.

Another man, a New Republic Private, took aim at the Stormtrooper and fired. The Imp went down.

Three other Stormtroopers popped up from cover. Their combined fired took down another of Adam's soldiers.

Adam fired, along with half a dozen other men. The multiple bursts threw two of the troopers to the ground. The third ducked behind a part of the reactor, which was situated in the middle of the large room.

Two of Adam's soldiers ran forward, firing as they went.

Another Stormtrooper bought it, but not before he got off a shot, injuring one of the New Republic Soldier's in the leg.

The remaining four Stormtroopers, realizing the situation was unwinnable, exited via the rear hatch.

Adam's men moved to secure the other room, while the team's medic moved to check the dead and injured.

The team's technician, a young soldier from Chandrilla named Sloan, found the generator control station.

"Looks like the Imperials knew we were coming Major," said Sloan, looking at Adam. "They put half a dozen encryptions on this thing. It would take me a couple of days just to get through the first couple."

"We'll have to take a different approach then," Adam told him. "Where's the generator power regulators?"

Sloan pointed to a series of large black rectangles connected to the main generator.

Edwards grabbed the explosives brought with them and him and two other soldiers placed them around the regulators.

Then men ran for cover. Adam waited till he was crouched behind a large console then pressed the detonator.

The small explosives flashed and exploded. The power regulators were reduced to rubble, and small fragments flew everywhere.

The lights suddenly went out. Adam pulled out a pair of nightvision goggles from his pack. The world was suddenly bathed in a green glow.

"Lieutenant Taplas to Major Edwards," came a voice over the comm. "We've captured the secondary generator."

"Excellent, Lieutenant," Edwards said. "Reroute power to the security systems so that Anoran will be able to use them."

"Yes, sir. We're on it."

---

"Fight For Freedom"
By: Pack [NPC+]
Yannick [NPC+]
Moff Seare [NPC+]

Location: Thanatos
Date: Selene 1, 4 ABY

***

Pack was on his third blaster pistol, the first two emptied and discarded. Fortunately so many of the Imps had died that weapons were readily available. He placed a bolt in the chest of one, and rolled free. His brothers who'd been trapped inside were fleeing and the Imps were not happy with being taken from behind. He blasted a shot through the faceplate of one Imp as he came up on his feet again, and nearly had a bolt put through his chest.

"Damn," Pack snarled and quickly moved out of the line of fire. Given the amount of blaster fire out here, there weren't many places he could go. He made a dive behind one of the large vender carts that was tipped on its side and still smoking from where it'd been shot. Yannick was there, replacing a power cell in his weapon. "Fancy meeting you here," Pack said.

"For a time there," Yannick replied, "I didn't think we'd ever meet again." He brought his left arm forward to display his wound. "Just got it to stop bleeding."

"Well, be careful," Pack said as he took a moment to swap out power cells. "You bleed to death out here, I'll kill you again. And, then I'll keep Raeila all to myself."

Yannick, suddenly not in the mood to joke, gripped Pack's arm firmly and looked him levelly in the eyes. "Pack...we're getting slaughtered out here. We lost half our boys in the installation! You should have seen them...slamming into the field, scrabbling, trying to get out. The Imps, they just..." He sighed. "What the hells are we gonna do?"

"Let's pull back," Pack said. "Pull back to...not the square. It's too open. You know the place where The Rhack used to be? We'll pull back there and regroup. We come up with another plan, a Kir'Thana plan, and then we go back in there...if we can...and we save our home."

"There's hardly anyone left," Yannick pointed out. "Pack...it's suicide."

"If we do nothing, there will be no one left," Pack answered. "Some of us will die, but what if we win? What if we win back our home? For us, for our people? Thana hasn't deserted us, Yannick. Thana's still with us, watching us. We can do it if we plan it right."

"Plan what?" Yannick asked. "Our weapons are barely working, we've got wounded and dead..." He raised a hand to the wind and closed it into a fist. He laid open is palm again, revealing specks of glittering sand. "This is all we have, Pack, and that's not gonna stop the Imps."

"I won't give up, Yannick," Pack rasped. "I won't give up our home to them. If I have to die, then so be it. I'd rather die fighting them, than live under their oppressive rule. We'll figure something out, Yan. We have to stop them...or we're all dead anyway."

Yannick sighed, and nodded grudgingly to his friend. "I don't want to sit here and die either. I want to go down fighting." Confidence bolstered, he said, "We gather the boys and go. Then...we plan."

"That's my brother," Pack said, and held out his hand to Yannick. "If nothing else, we'll make those Imps eat so much sand, they'll send out dusters whenever they fart! Thana watches out for her children. Kai syn trea coet fin ish kir t'thana!"

Yannick clasped hands with Pack and smiled fiercely. "They'll wish they never strayed far from their wet lands." He chuckled with deranged glee, then rushed past Pack to gather the boys. They weren't finished just yet.

***

"Have they been finished off yet?" Seare asked as the door to his office opened and his aide entered. "They are a bunch of sand-dwelling rabble, holed up in a fortification that we could tear down with ease." He turned. "What is it about this rabble that forces them to fight so hard? What is it about them that forces them to struggle and suffer so long?"

"They believe they can win," the man answered with a shrug. "They will be an easy kill, however. Many of them were killed during the attempted ambush at the installation. The rest have retreated. They are of no consequence to us, Moff."

"Very well," Seare answered. "The rest of them, see that they are killed if they show their faces. In the meantime, we must fortify that installation. See that it's done. Also, find out if any of the dead happen to be their leaders. If you find them, mount their heads on the entrance to the installation."

The lieutenant, masking his disgust well, nodded. "As you wish, Moff Seare. It will be done right away."

"Good," Seare answered. "Dismissed."

***

Pack looked around at the small group of gangers that had survived. He sighed and looked to Yannick. "I just wish I could remember those rousing speeches Kael used to always give the boys. He was good at that, inspiring confidence."

"He's not here now," Yannick told him. "So...we'll just have to think of something...like offering to buy them all hookers for the night."

"I think that'll work," Pack said. "They always did like having their hookers...especially if they didn't have to pay for them themselves. Other than hookers, what can we offer them?"

Yannick stared pensively at his wasted weapon, then sighed and gazed up into the blaring sunlight. "We offer them freedom," he answered poignantly. "We offer them a chance to have their hookers if they want 'em. We offer them a way to at least have the chance to turn their lives around." He paused and again regarded Pack. "We offer them the chance to take back control, to no longer be slaves to Wetters. We give them a way to be Kir'Thana again, and to rule their own lives." Yannick, after a moment, smiled and clapped Pack on the back. "How 'bout that?"

Pack grinned. "I think that sounds perfect," he said. "I don't think Kael could have said it better himself. Come on, let's go tell them that. I think we should also give them a choice. To walk away from this...or to keep fighting. I won't stop, but...but I don't want to force everyone to the last if they don't want to."

"For the chance to save their home," Yannick said, throwing one arm across Pack's shoulders, "I think they will, brother."

"Me too," Pack answered. "But they deserve the choice, at least. All of us do. And, that's why the Imps have to go." He called all his brothers to gather around them. It was only a few moments before the meagre few were settled. "Our home has been invaded. Our lives have been taken away from us. I want my life back! I want my home back! Today, we may very well all die. Today may be the last day we see each other, our loved ones, or our freedom. I will not go down without a fight! I will not give up my home! I will not allow some Wetter off on some uncomfortable throne to tell me how I'm supposed to live my life! I'm not going to let some Wetter decide how I must die!"

"Neither am I!" Yannick chimed in. "They murdered many of our friends today, soaking our sands with our blood. That's not their right!" Murmured agreement from a few of the boys was hardly encouraging, but at least they were getting through to some. "We should be spilling their blood, feeding Thana their essence, not the other way around. And those Wetters need to know that!"

"We cannot promise you life today," Pack called out. "But we can promise that if we win the day, you will have freedom! For too long, the gangs of Thanatos have fought amongst each other. No more! From this day on, we are one! From this day on, we serve Thana and our people! From this day on, we will ensure the freedom of all Kir'Thana!"

Yannick was almost felled by the force of the boys' cheers. They whooped, and sent ululating cries up to Thana, and in return were infused with the desert's spirit and power. Yannick grinned at Pack, and nodded. If they didn't win today, at least they would leave a trail of slaughtered Imps in return for their efforts. But with Thana looking over them, with her love for them filling their veins and nurturing them, they would be carried to victory like the sands lifted up on Thana's sweet breath, and gently laid down again. They were her children, made from the very sands she cherished...and they would not fail again.

***

As the Kir'Thana marched across the sands together, determination on their faces, Pack had never seen them more disciplined and focused. He glanced at Yannick, standing next to him, and saw that his friend and brother was seeing the same thing. He imagined the look on his own face must be very similar to Yannick's. He clapped his brother on the back. "We're doing it," he said softly. "We're uniting them, and we're going to lead them to victory. I know it, Yan. We will win today, and we'll ensure peace, safety, and freedom for our people."

"And we've gotta make it last," Yannick added. "We can't go through all this, only to start fighting each other again. Though, in Thana, I think they've found the enlightenment they need to realize they'd be a lot happier not battling one another."

"Yes," Pack said. "We can make it work. Together, we can do it. We have their respect, Yan. And, if we lead them to victory today... Perhaps a council. We could form a council to help run things around here. With peacekeepers and rules. I think we can do it."

"It'll take a lot of work," Yannick told him. Then, he smiled. "But I think we can do it. We can't afford not to."

"There's a lot we can't afford right now," Pack said. "But, I think we've got what it takes to see this through. Our people are motivated and we know the desert better than any Wetter. We'll make them rue the day they stepped onto our sands."

Yannick grinned with pure bloodlust in return, which was heightened by the sight of their target looming in the distant stretches of sand. He signalled for the boy to keep close to the dune providing them cover. "So...that belongs to their leader?"

"So it does," Pack answered. "I wonder if he'd like us to pay a visit. It doesn't look as heavily guarded. Do you think we could take it, brother? It'd be quite a blow to take down their leader, wouldn't it?"

"It would be," he answered slowly. He crouched down next to Pack as they squinted into the distance, gazing upon the large metallic installation that seemed to taint the desert with its very presence. "It has to be destroyed, Pack. But they've probably got perimeter alarms set up, and scouts... We'd have to go in at night."

Pack nodded. "Maybe we could use some of that other stuff Rixx brought with him. The stuff back there, that's all small chatchas. That out there, that's big. That's the whole Imp force here in the desert. That's the sand serpent's head, to be sure."

"And the best way to kill a serpent," Yannick said with a grin, "is to chop off its head."

Pack grinned. "Indeed," he said softly. "So, tonight we strike unseen from the dark, taking the Imps unawares. If we time it right, we can do it." He tried to remember the pictures Rixx had shown them. "There was a maintenance access from the back, right? What if we try to get through there. If we get a small enough team going through there..."

"We can blow the power generator and disable their defense systems," Yannick finished for him. "It could work. We could then plant some bombs around the base and run like hell, blow the thing sky-high."

Pack grinned. "Can you imagine the cheers that will go up when that place does? We'll go get the explosives, then wait for nightfall. I really wish I could see the face of their leader when the thing blows."

"Me too," Yannick concurred. "We could set it out in the sunlight and let it dry out. It'd make a fine mask, don't you think?"

Pack laughed. "Of course," he said. "And, I'm certain you could use it to frighten all the children."

"Me? Frighten children?" Yannick snorted and gestured dismissively. "I only do that when there's nothing to do."

"How much do you think we'll have to do when we're not fighting each other or the Imps anymore?"

Yannick sighed. "I think we'll need to come up with some time-consuming games. We can figure it out, though, after we teach those Imps they made a mistake in squatting on our land."

"They'll quickly learn the price of upsetting Thana is not easily paid. Come, let's go get those explosives."

Yannick nodded, then snapped his fingers at Nory to get the boy's attention. "You've got sentry duty. Make sure you alert the boys if you spot anything coming their way. We'll be back before nightfall." The boy nodded briskly, and moved into an appropriate spying position. "Okay," Yannick said to Pack. "Let's go."

"Suppose we might be able to find a little fun on the way? We'll have quite a bit of time before nightfall. I could really use a little...tension relief, if you get my meaning."

"Oh, I get your meaning," Yannick answered with a lecherous grin. "But how we gonna pay?"

"Pay? Who pays? Oh, hell, Yan, I'd do you if it came down to it."

Yannick raised an eyebrow at Pack, and made a show of taking one large step away from him. "Remind me never to sleep with my back turned to you."

Pack laughed. "Don't worry, brother, only if I'm really desperate. Besides, I don't think I'd fit."

Yannick smirked and raised his chin proudly. "You mean, I wouldn't fit into yours." His smile faded, and he added quickly, "Not that I'd want to try...or anything. Because...you know...I like girls."

"Me too," Pack said with a laugh. "Me too, brother. Now, come on, let's go get some girls before things get bad."

"They already aren't?" He chortled and elbowed Pack companionably in the side, before dashing off in search of some Kir'Thanan women to allay their fears and replace them with bliss, just until the battle began. And afterwards, if they survived, they'd have all the time they needed to experience the joys of the flesh, and without the Imperials marching on their sands. That would be a day for celebration indeed.

***

Their hungers sated, Pack and Yannick grabbed the equipment they would need for the night. They had enough explosives to turn the installation where the Head Imp lived into a smoking crater. "You sure we have enough of this stuff?" Pack asked as they made their way back toward where they'd left the rest of the boys. "We'll have one shot at this, and it should really be a sign. Something...huge."

"It'll be enough," Yannick assured him. "And if not, we're dead anyway, so it's worth a shot."

"Well, I'll just be too sad if we're dead. You won't get to learn the real reason they call me Pack. Though, you said you don't want to know." He adjusted one of their bundles and grunted. "This better be enough. I wonder what he'll say when he realizes we've just blown up his place? Well, other than aaaayiiiiieeee."

Yannick snorted with laughter and playfully kicked Pack's behind. "He won't get a chance to say anything after we jam our blasters down his throat."

"I wonder if he can take it all the way down like Rae," Pack said with a wistful sigh. "Have you ever seen her do that? Oh, brother, that is something."

Yannick rolled his eyes. "We just had two, lovely girls, Pack, and already you're aching for Rae?" He sighed, after a moment, and nodded sullenly. "Yeah...me too..."

"I don't care how many women any man has been with, if he still isn't aching for Rae, he might as well just lop it off because there isn't anything else after that. She's the dream I have every night...or wish I had. Why the hell would she fuck her own brother?"

"Because he's not you," Yannick quipped, then raced ahead, laughing, before Pack could cuff him on the back of his head.

"Hey!" Pack raced, as much as he could, after Yannick, but with his burden, it wasn't easy. "Coward," he called. "I'll show you! I'll show you all!" The rest of his words were lost in laughter as he and Yannick raced across the sands as if nothing were amiss.

They neared the dune concealing their comrades, and from behind it jumped out Nory, aiming a blaster at them. He sighed and lowered the weapon once he recognized the two. "Finally," the boy said. "We thought you guys'd got caught."

"No, not caught," Pack said as he passed on some of the things they'd brought. "We were just a little delayed is all. Everything's been quiet here?" At the murmurs indicating it was, Pack nodded. "Very good. Come on, Yan, let's see if there's been any change. Tik, go ahead and rig up those explosives."

The boy set to work and Yannick and Pack sank down onto the sands to rest after their journey. "We need teams. One will come in from the East, and the other from the West to divide their attention. One of those teams will be responsible for getting in while the other takes care of drawing the Imps' fire away from Team 1."

"We'll have to make sure Team 2 is careful. I don't want to lose anyone out here if we can avoid it. I don't want to send any of our boys out to die, and I want them to know that. I don't want any of them thinking this is a suicide mission."

"Then we'll let them know how important each of them is," Yannick said. "Even one loss could mean the difference between winning and losing."

"No one does anything stupid," he said. "And, that goes for us too, brother. I'm going to be watching your back. And, before you get any funny ideas...your back, not your backside."

Yannick gave a lopsided grin. "Whatever keeps you protecting me...."

Pack grinned. "Don't worry, I'll also make sure your backside stays safe too. In case Rae ever decides she wants a piece of it."

"Oh and she will, once we rescue her from the wetlands. That'll be our next mission." He patted Pack's back, then gazed off into the darkening horizon and took in a deep breath. "It's time. We oughta give the boys the plan."

"Which team you taking?" Pack asked as they moved back to where the boys were waiting. "We could stick together, and assign someone to Team 2."

Yannick sighed. "I dunno. Might be best if we each led one. The boys will at least have confidence in who they were following."

Pack nodded. "Gonna make it hard to watch your back that way, so you better be careful out there. Got it?"

"Promise not to get shot again," he replied. "Though if I do, you owe me a joy-girl for my troubles."

"Deal," Pack answered with a grin. "Hell, if we get through this, I owe you a joy-girl just for making it through."

Yannick chuckled lowly. "I'm holding you to that, brother."

The two motioned for the boys to gather around, and after they were in place, he and Pack related the plan to them. Some seemed apprehensive, some indifferent, and others fiercely determined. Altogether, they would make a great team.

"You all know what you're supposed to do," Pack said. "Now it's time to do it. The body count is going to be high tonight...but let's make sure it's theirs."

The boys nodded and began moving to form their teams, when Yannick halted them. "And remember, Thana's with us, boys." That alone seemed to invigorate them and they resumed with renewed confidence and anticipation. Yannick could see it in their demeanour and in their eyes; they were ready to fight, and ready to win.

As they all started out, Pack clapped his hand onto Yannick's shoulder. "Come on," he said. "Let's go win back our home."

And so, what was once the gangs of Thanatos ventured out once more to win back the home the Empire threatened to take away. The only doubt was whether Thana was truly watching out for them. They'd soon know the answer.

---

"Reclamation, Part 1"
By: Shrezade Anoran
Major Dane Weyland [NPC+]
Rilanna Kir

Location: Drogen Shipyards
Date: Selene 1, 4 ABY

***

Reza and her group had broken away from Major Edwards and his what seemed an eternity ago, for it was taking just that long for the major to complete his task. The glaring, white lights illuminating the corridors they travelled were still very much on; if Major Edwards had managed to deactivate the power generators, the entire station would be bathed in darkness by now and the Imperials scrambling to adjust. But it wasn't, and they weren't, and time was running short.

So, Reza and her team pressed on, seeking out the central security grid, but they would not have the advantage of encountering the Imps out of their element and utterly blind now; instead, they would have major resistance to contend with. She cursed the major, reminding herself to give him another lecture regarding his cocky, swaggering behaviour and how it had finally cost lives, just as she said it would.

Then, just as another vulgar reference to the major came to mind, the sound of power relays deactivating intruded into her thoughts, and the dimming of the overhead lights followed until darkness closed in on the corridor.

Reza sighed. "It's about time, you fool."

She touched a hand to the side of her helmet, switching her visor's settings to scan in the infrared range. The once blackened corridor was coloured in varying shades of green now, giving everything a fluorescent hue. It took a moment to adjust to the unusual view of the world around her she now had, and it was a strain on her eyes, but she had no time to complain. Her sensors were detecting movement fifteen metres down the corridor - troopers coming up right behind them.

"Okay, boys, let's hurry this up. The major did his part, and it's time to do ours."

Reza led the way, and they followed. It was obvious the stormtroopers tracking them had only a vague idea of her team's location, for when they began firing from a distance away, all shots strayed from their intended targets and impacted with the deckplating, or the bulkheads. Some did come close to catching her team members, but they sprinted away, knowing the Imps would have trouble following.

Even blind, Reza could have navigated her way through the corridors. She knew every turn, every incline, even those hidden passageways Weyland, with as meticulous as he was, could not have found. She hoped. Reza was her team's guide and when she finally led them to the main security grid, there was pride in knowing she was also helping to lead them all to victory.

With power to the security systems still active, as evidenced by the lit door console, Reza signalled one of her men to override the locking mechanism. Her security clearance codes were no longer valid - Major Weyland had seen to that - but the internal defense systems were protected with encryption code after encryption code that would take Weyland years to slice through. Not even a complete overhaul and reinstallation of the systems would undo what she'd had done, Reza had made certain of that. Reactivating the internal defenses after gaining access to the gridroom would be nearly effortless.

"Security codes overridden, General," her slicer, kneeling before the door console, informed her.

She nodded, grinning beneath her helmet. "Okay, this is it," she announced, a sense of invigorating excitement filling her. Victory was at hand. As the thick, durasteel doors laboriously spread, Reza was at once aware that the same failings of overconfidence and pride she had faulted Major Edwards with were also her own.

A shout from beside her, from one of her officers, was cut short as a red pulse of light slammed into his chest. The moment passed in agonizingly slow motion, but the realization of what was happening hit Reza far more quickly. Waiting behind the doors was a squad of white-armoured troops, blasters trained on her men. In her premature celebration of their success, Reza had failed to notice that their scanners were ineffective in penetrating the security gridroom's walls. Sensor inhibitors, she gasped in her mind.

"Fallback!" she shouted, though there was no time. She and her team were assailed with blaster fire from the advancing troopers. Her men made an attempt to flee, but many were caught in the back as they ran, others in the chest as they turned to return fire. Reza was among them, hurrying to flee down the corridor, but they were met by the squad tracking them previously, who now added to the barrage.

Black-armoured rebels were dropping from in front, beside, and behind her. Their efforts to defend themselves was futile, and Reza, trapped in the middle of it, knew they were not escaping this alive. She gasped and ducked to the side as one of the men toppled to the ground. Her foot caught on his arm, lying limply across the deck. She crashed to the floor, and struggled to rise again, but was thrown facedown onto the deckplating again by a blow to her shoulder. Her cry was lost within her helmet, as were those of the last few rebel soldiers being dispatched. She groaned and reached out for her weapon, resting beyond arm's reach on the deck, where it had slipped from her hold.

There was a call to cease fire that went unheard to Reza, then a familiar voice snapping orders. Just as her fingers closed around the handle of her blaster, a chilling, deep chuckle sounded from above her. A heavily booted foot came down onto her wrist, and Reza's hand reflexively released its hold on her weapon. She shrieked in frustration and pain, struggling to free herself, but a strong hand closed around her other arm and Reza was thrown onto her back. Another foot stepped onto her other wrist, pinning both arms down, but with her free legs, she kicked frantically and arched off the ground as she filled the corridor with her shrill, primal screams.

The man standing over her, leaned forward, chuckling, but before she could get a look at his face in the darkness, her helmet was forced off. She hissed and turned her face away from the piercing light being shone into her eyes, but a gloved hand gripped her chin and jerked her head forward again. Reza opened her eyes again, squinting into the face peering down at her, and even with the intense light limiting her vision, she knew who it was. "Bastard," she rasped.

He made a low noise in the back of his throat that could have been laughter. "Oh, come come, Mrs. Anoran, surely you can find it within yourself to give an old, dear friend a warmer welcome than that. And, I do not see your co-conspirator here. That is disheartening; I had so wanted to see Rilanna again. She was...good to me, you know. Quite good. I'm surprised she isn't here by your side, guarding your very life with her own. How touching, hm? Does she, hm, guard you in bed too? Pity. I like what you've done with your hair." He looked at his men. "Get her up. I'm going to enjoy seeing you put to death, and Rilanna as well."

Reza's arms were seized as Weyland stepped aside, releasing her wrists. She twisted and jerked violently as she was pulled from the ground, and kicked out her legs when she was turned towards Weyland. Unfortunately, he was too far out of reach, and any further attempts were quashed with a slap across her cheek that had her head spinning.

"Do what you want," she spat, trying to focus her dizzying vision on Weyland. "You won't get Rilanna, though."

"Pity," Weyland said with a sigh. "The two of you will make a fine prize upon our victory. Were I a more lustful man, I might have my way with Rilanna once she's caught, for old time's sake. Perhaps I may still. She's quite...talented. You're an attractive woman yourself, Mrs. Anoran. Does Rilanna appreciate that, I wonder? I saw the way she looked at you."

"She admires me, nothing more," Reza told him, raising her chin in defiance. "Though, that is more than she ever felt for you." She grinned, and looked upon him with a piteous gaze. "Do you know that she faked it. Every single time... It disgusted her to be touched by you, with good reason."

"Perhaps we'll get to see how well she fakes it now, hm? Will she fake it for us...while you watch? Would you like to see her performance, Shrezade? Oh, I'm sure you would. She did it for you, didn't she? Seducing me, bedding me? All done at your bidding?"

Reza smiled serenely. "Did you think she was actually in it for love, you fool?" She chuckled. "Of course it was for me! She was my employee, and employees do what their employers ask of them. Rilanna performed well in that capacity."

"Will she perform well in that capacity again? For you? Will she to save your life? That shall be interesting. But, enough about that. Now we must talk about you, and what you're doing on my station."

"My station," she corrected haughtily. "And if you've been too moronic to notice, I'm taking it back."

Weyland glanced at the two stormtroopers flanking Reza, holding her arms in place, and then back to Reza. "Oh? Are you? Hm." He looked around and then shrugged. "Perhaps I don't quite remember what 'taking it back' looks like, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't look like this." He indicated her with a wave of his hand.

"As you can see," Reza replied, motioning her eyes to either side where her team members were now laying, "I did not come alone. We have the entire station under attack, fool, and we will have it within the hour."

"Well, I certainly hope the rest of your people have more talent than this group here, and yourself. I'm not sure if you're aware of it or not, but you're not doing very well. Capture usually precludes the whole victory...thing."

Reza was aware of what the failure of her team meant, but Weyland had no idea how pivotal to their victory it was. Just as he was bluffing her, Reza would bluff him. "We were but one small force. There are many more." She grinned lazily at him. "And have you seen what's going on outside? It's over, Major. Your precious Empire is being conquered, and you're going down

with it."

"Oh, I hardly doubt that. Your New Republic is no better than the previous, and that rabble couldn't get a consensus on which butt cheek to scratch in the morning. Regardless of the rest though, you've lost, and that makes me quite happy. Would you care to come to my office for a drink, Mrs. Anoran?"

Reza smirked. "I'd be delighted. At least now my good brandy will have the opportunity to be savoured by someone with at least a little class." Her grin broadened as she stared with amusement at Weyland. "Present company most definitely excluded."

"Oh, I had that swill replaced," Weyland said as he motioned for his men to bring Anoran. "I had some local liquor brought up from the planet."

Reza's lips contorted into a frown of distaste. "As I said, no class whatsoever."

"Bring her," Weyland said, and then marched off.

***

"Time," Rilanna called out.

"Two minutes past," answered Mek'ri, a Kythrin. "Evacuation is proceeding, Captain."

Rilanna nodded. "What's taking her?"

"Perhaps the general ran into trouble," her second replied. "It is unlikely the Empire would put up no resistance. Her progress could have easily been delayed by a squad of Imperials."

Rilanna nodded once more than turned. "It's not like her though. She's usually very...prompt." She glanced at the chron in her HUD, and sighed. Come on, Reza, get there.

"Captain," Jak said. He was one of the humans assigned to her group (there were only three of them). When Rilanna glanced at him: "We've managed to load another ship of evacuees. Captain Breijal is ready to go with them."

Captain Breijal. It made Rilanna smile, despite herself. The first time Lerrah had heard herself referred to as captain, she'd complained for nearly two hours. "Clear her to go, and start readying this next group to go. Also, try to raise General Anoran."

"Aye, Captain." Jak walked back toward the evacuees, leaving Rilanna pretty much with her thoughts.

Just be safe, she thought to Reza. Just be safe and come back to me.

***

Weyland smiled across the desk at Reza. "I find it to be far superior to most brandies," he said, indicating the glasses they each held. "The flavour is much more rich and robust. Superior in every way, hm?"

Reza raised an eyebrow at the golden liquor in the goblet cradled in her hand, swirling aroung within as she gently rotated her wrist. She sniffed at the aroma escaping the bursting pockets of air-bubbles floating atop the liquid's surface, wrinkled her nose slightly, then took a sip. Her cheeks puffed as the liquor was pushed from side to side in her mouth, coating Reza's tongue with its essence. Finally, she tossed her head to the left, spit the liquid onto the floor, then grinned smugly at Weyland. "Disgusting, though somehow fitting for a man as vile as yourself."

Weyland stared at her, unblinking, for nearly a minute before he sighed and shook his head. "Pity," he said, then took a sip of the drink in his hand. "The finest Bespin Fire Whiskey made on Tae'Karada. If you ask nicely, I may still have some of the wine you left behind for me."

"For you?" Reza chuckled dryly. "You are completely delusional, are you not? Rest assured that if I had had time to pack, those would have come with me. You don't deserve such fine things."

Weyland laughed. "You see, there is the big joke of the galaxy," he said. "There is no great judge sitting over all, deciding who is deserving and who is not. There is no one making sure those who deserve, get. So, I have learned that it's best just to take what I need. And, now, I have a very nice wine collection. Would you care for a glass?"

Reza smiled with false gratitude, and shook her head. "I doubt I could keep it down while having to stare at your preternaturally monstrous face. Perhaps it should be saved for the celebration I shall engage in after I've killed you."

"Oh, you are vicious, aren't you? I'd forgotten what an acidic tongue you have. Oh, it's all very well. I'll drink, you can just sit here. If you look out the window behind me, you can see the edge of the battle...where your New Republic friends are losing, by the way."

Reza feigned disinterest in the raging war outside, but Dresh was among those fighting, and Reza couldn't resist glancing through the viewport in search of his fighter. She watched intently the stream of concussion missiles and laser cannons, following one as it impacted with a New Republic fighter. The ship disintegrated and its debris flung outwards from the ball of flames it had become. She prayed it hadn't been Dresh's. Clenching her jaw tightly to fend off the fear, Reza raised her head high and regarded Weyland again lazily. "What do you want? I grow weary of this game."

"For starters, I would like for your people on this station to stand down. We can go from there."

Reza chuckled derisively. "And how do you propose I do that? Say 'please'? You fool, I'm nothing to them. They'd just as soon let me die here than they would abandon this mission just by asking them kindly."

"So, they'll sacrifice you to see the mission through? How very touching." He was quiet a moment, and then he grinned. "Even Rilanna? Rilanna would let you die for the sake of the mission?"

Reza casually shifted her gaze to the goblet resting loosely in her hand and followed the miniscule bubbles spiralling up towards the surface. "Rilanna would leave me to die," Reza replied quietly. "I am nothing to her. She would have no purpose to sacrifice this mission for me."

Weyland's grin only widened. "Oh, then we'll have to see, won't we? Let's see how much of nothing you are to her, shall we? It shall be quite a delight, hm? In either case, you'll be dead, but I'll have fun."

Reza sighed wearily. "Oh, leave her alone, you fool." She smiled frigidly at him. "Sparring with me is far more entertaining, isn't it?"

"No," Weyland said. "Proving you wrong is. And seeing you die. And, then paying Rilanna back for deceiving me. That is more entertaining. Sparring with you has as much purpose as a man's nipples."

"I would have thought that with your experience in bed," she drawled, "you'd know a man's nipples aren't just for decoration." Reza chuckled throatily and leaned forward in her seat. "Don't be coy now, Major. Your inability to arouse Rilanna during your nights together wasn't as a consequence of inexperience. It was simply inexperience with women."

Weyland laughed aloud. "Oh, indeed. Though, she did prefer when I took her in the ass. Did you know once she called out your name? That was a delight. She denied it afterward, but.... Still, it shall be interesting to see if she comes to save you."

Reza's hold on her glass tightened, but her face remained otherwise expressionless. With as furiously as she had attempted to push away Rilanna, there was now way she could deny her feelings for the woman. And no way she would allow her to fall into Weyland's hands. Her lips curled into a smile that was at once eerily sweet, and dangerously vicious. The whiskey in her glass sailed across the distance separating she from Weyland like a stream of gold, and splashed into the major's irritatingly smug face. With a growl she launched herself out of her chair and flew over the desk at Weyland. His chair toppled backwards with he still in it as Reza collided with him, wrapping her hands around his neck.

"Bastard," she hissed, and tightened her grip on his throat.

As he'd topped from his chair, Weyland had cried out. However, now, with Reza's hands around his throat, there were very few sounds he could actually make. His guards, however, had been monitoring the office from outside the door, where Weyland had left them, and they charged through the door at the first hint of commotion.

Rough hands grabbed Reza's arms, and another set of hands found a pair of pressure points on Reza's wrists, and used them to get her to release her grip on the major.

As Weyland got back to his feet, he laughed hoarsely. "Oh my, a wild thing, aren't you? Well, let's see how much Rilanna favours your life, since you obviously favour it not at all."

"Tell them to release me, and you can have a chance to take it from me," she challenged. "Isn't that what you want?"

"Oh, indeed," Weyland said. "However, I want her life too. You see, both of you earned my ire, and now I mean to pay you back. I do hope you don't take it personally. Though, it is personal, so you might as well. Now, because I know you won't be cooperative, I plan to use the holoterminals installed around the station. So, even if you won't play the helpless captive, everyone will be able to see that you are."

"Pathetic," Reza spat. "You're going to lure her here? Why not find her yourself, you coward? Why not go out there, among the danger, and find her your damned self!"

"I'm no coward, but why should I put in all that extra work when this will be so much easier. Why should I expend the energy when the mere thought of your life in danger will achieve the same results?"

"Because it won't work," Reza explained. "She hates me, I made certain of that. She'll be glad to see me suffering. So why not just finish this now? You...and me. It's how you've always wanted it, isn't it?"

"Actually, no it's not," Weyland answered. "I always imagined it more of a threesome. Now, will you cooperate or do I have to really get my point across to your rebel scum?"

Reza's lips pressed thin. "I won't beg her to come. I won't."

"Oh, you don't have to beg," Weyland said. "You just have to look like I'm about to kill you...which, actually, isn't very far from the truth. Now, move over there, and it's time to make our announcement."

Reza resisted, but was shoved towards the far wall. The guards positioned her to face the desk, where the holoreceiver was, and where her image would be scanned and broadcast to the entire station, to Ril. She closed her eyes briefly and sent a silent message to her friend, pleading with her to avoid the trap, to complete the mission no matter what the cost to herself. But Rilanna had always been sentimental, and Reza feared she couldn't resist a rescue effort. "Stupid, beautiful girl," she whispered.

Weyland nodded for the trooper next to the transmitter to activate it. Once it was running, he smiled. "Attention rebel scum," he said in his best, condescending voice. "You have unlawfully violated an Imperial facility. We now hold your leader, and if you do not withdraw at once, she will be executed. You have...ten minutes." The transmission cut out and Weyland glanced at Reza. "Now, we wait."

"For what? This station will be seized in less than ten minutes," she pointed out. "I suggest you leave while you can."

"Oh, come now, Mrs. Anoran, surely you must realize by now that there is no hope for your foolish little cause. No, we will wait to see if your knight in shining battle armour shows up to save the day."

"So you can kill her?" Reza chuckled disdainfully. "No. We will finish this now, Weyland. I'm here, you're here..." She grinned slyly. "Haven't you always wanted to experience the sensation of your fist impacting with my face? Why not try now?"

"Because it will be more fun when dear, sweet Rilanna Kir can watch it happen. I want her to feel the pain of seeing you die, and then I will kill her myself."

"You can try," Reza replied smugly. "But you won't succeed. And once you're gone, then perhaps I can remove your offal stench from my office."

Weyland laughed. "Of course, you will," he said. "Now sit down and be quiet. I'm tired of listening to those noises you make."

Reza gave a falsely pleasant smile to the man and obliged him by sauntering over to her chair - the leather chair behind the desk, both once belonging to her. She righted the fallen chair, turned it towards her, then seated herself upon it. Still grinning, she swung both legs up and rested her booted feet atop the desk. "Now, if only you could break out some of my brandy..."

"You will take the other seat," Weyland said dispassionately, "or I will have you forcibly removed from that chair and placed in the other." He nodded to a guard, who stepped forward. "And, then we can share a bottle of your wonderful brandy."

Reza laughed jeeringly. "Who said anything about sharing?"

"Weren't you listening?" Weyland asked. "I did. However, if your little games continue, perhaps I should just drink it in front of you."

"Try it," Reza challenged. "And we'll see just how slow and agonizing a death you will receive as a consequence." Her smile, now, was only cold and held menace. "Try it," she whispered.

"Move her to the other seat," Weyland said, "and bring me the brandy."

Reza glanced with disinterest at the approaching trooper, and only chuckled as he slapped her feet off the desk, but halted when a fisted hand slamming into her jaw knocked her from the chair. She remained on the ground, supported on all fours, and hung her head low as she spit the metallic tasting blood from her mouth. Out of the corner of one eye, she watched the trooper pass, pause at the cabinet holding her liquor, then come around to the desk again. The heavy sound of a filled bottle being set down upon the dense surface preceded those of struggle as Reza was hauled up from the ground and forcibly dragged towards the other chair. She swore, spat blood at the Imp's helmet, which slid rapidly down the slick surface and left a trail of red behind. With a violent thrust, she was thrown down into her chair.

"Now," Weyland said, "we wait."

---

"The Hour of Fate"
By: Dargus Kandran
Liam Zaneth
Yelara Zaneth

Location: The Palace, Arcadia
Date: Selene 1, 4 ABY

***

Their blades clashed, a dance of violet and crimson, whirling and slashing, each looking for an opening. Two crimson spears slashed outward, seeking to extinguish the violet. The violet blade, however, was strong and did not wish to be extinguished. With a speed and dexterity that belied reality, the violet blade seemed to be many, blocking here, then parrying. The skill of the violet's wielder was truly masterful, and easily matched the twin crimson blades.

Dargus Kandran snarled as Liam easily slipped away from a slashing cut that would have opened him up across the chest. With only a single weapon, the Jedi was forced on the defensive. Any attacks he could make were easily parried and countered by one of Dargus' weapons, leaving the other free to attack. Liam's speed, however, was proving difficult to keep up with.

A savage cut went wide, slicing deep into a pillar as Liam skipped lightly away. Even as he skipped away, he managed to drive his blade far too close for Dargus' liking. The next cut found a serving woman and the one after that bit deep into one of the councillors who had just appointed him Emperor.

"Their deaths will be on your head," Dargus called after Liam.

Liam parried another slash aimed at his head, and tried to push Dargus back, but the Sith Lord's aggression was giving him strength. The dead bodies strewn across the floor, a sign of Dargus' careless aggression. Knowing there wasn't much else he could do, Liam decided to save the rest of the people still in the throne room. With that, he started backing away, leading Dargus. Caught in his anger, Dargus didn't realize what he was doing and followed.

The balcony overlooking the cliffs and the bay beyond was through the doors, and that was Liam's target. With a quick slice that turned into a parry, he cut through the door and rolled out into the open air. With a bellowing howl, Dargus was right behind him, crimson blades slashing as he came.

"Your anger will destroy you, Dargus," Liam said, keeping himself as calm as possible.

Dargus did not answer. He aimed a cut at Liam's head, but Liam wasn't there. He followed it, however with a second attack that took the Jedi in the thigh. Liam cried out and nearly lost his balance, sending his defense into desperation. Dargus only laughed.

Yelara had kept far from the whirling lightsabers, especially after innocent bystanders seemed mindlessly slaughtered by Dargus' red blades. Hiding amongst the curtains, she could be safe and watch her husband battle, but now they had moved out of sight, and Yelara worried.

She ventured closer to the balcony, where the clashing of weapons grew louder, and Dargus' sinister laughter hung in the air like a thick fog. She dared not move any closer, however, and stood a distance from the opening, wringing her hands nervously and beseeching the gods to protect Liam. "And I will never ask another thing from you again," she whispered anxiously.

The battle continued to rage as Liam and Dargus each sought an opening in the other's defenses. Both combatants still seemed to be at the peak of fitness, trading attacks that could never quite find their mark. Dargus thrust a fistful of Force energy at Liam, but Liam deflected most of it away. It did stagger him back a few steps, but he recovered before Dargus could separate his head from his neck.

Dargus did it again, and Liam quickly realized what he was trying to do. It'd be very easy to win the fight if he knocked Liam from the balcony. The fall would be roughly a kilometer, and even with the Force, would likely kill him. Liam vowed to not get tossed from the ledge.

Dargus charged him again, using reserves of strength that could only come from the dark side. His attack was brutal and fast, and it took everything Liam had to defend his life. He could sense the ledge behind him, and the distance diminishing with each step he was forced back. He could not die here...would not.

Yelara craned her neck to better her view of the battle; she dared not get any closer. But she couldn't see Liam, and Dargus was advancing forward quickly. She wasn't certain how large the balcony was, but she knew he would run out of ground soon, which meant so would Liam.

Helpless was what she felt, and guilty. From the initiation of her relationship with Liam, she had started them down the path they had now reached the end of. Her first day on the station where she was forced to Dargus' bed, and where she had enjoyed it; the day she met Liam, when she should have followed her gut instinct to just run away with him and never look back; driving Kallia away, the person who had shown her first what love was, and made her realize what she had with Dargus wasn't even close to it; then, there was seeking revenge for what Dargus had done, instead of simply moving on and letting fate deal with his punishment; the worst mistake of all was attempting to achieve vengeance for Liam's infidelity, instead of recognizing that their love for one another went too deep to allow anyone to come between them. If she had only done things differently, she, Liam, and Leshie would be in a cottage on Corellia, tending to their csolcir mushrooms. Now, her husband was about to be cut down.

"No," she whispered through clenched teeth. "This is not how it's going to end. Not even close!" She had to fly with Liam once more, for neither kestrel could live without the other; Yelara couldn't live without Liam. Curling her hands into fists, Yelara launched herself forward, knowing what had to be done.

Liam's strategy had switched to complete defense, knowing that with the fury of Dargus' attacks, he would not have the chance to attack himself. He also knew that whatever he was going to do, it had to be before he ran out of balcony.

Dargus was laughing now, laughing as he saw Liam Zaneth's end drawing near. "The end is near, Liam...Kace...soon it won't matter what you call yourself, since things like that tend to become much less important when you're dead."

"You're a fool if you think I'm about to die to you, Dargus."

"Then call me a fool, because it is time for you to die!"

Two hands came heavily down upon Dargus' shoulder and jerked him back, away from Liam before he could strike again.

Dargus spun around, his rage exploding as he did. He jabbed outward to deal with the fool who had thought to interrupt his fight with Liam. It was then that he realized that it was Yelara before him, with his lightsaber thrust through her abdomen. He narrowed his eyes and frowned at her. "Now, Yelara, that was rather stupid."

Yelara gave no cry, nor did Liam's anguished shout process in her mind; she was struck only with surprise, then relief at having saved Liam, no matter what the expense. Her hands remained on Dargus' shoulders, and his weapon, impaled through her gut as her eyes shifted mechanically to the lightsaber, though only its hilt was visible now, the rest embedded in her flesh. She studied it with a peaceful curiousity, thinking only of how it had hurt far less than she imagined it would. Then, as the numbing shock declined, she realized it really was as painful as anticipated.

She groaned hoarsely and dug her fingernails into Dargus' shoulders. But even amid the pain, harsh, barely perceptible laughter was present, and Yelara's violet eyes stared up at him shrewdly. "No...heir," she managed. "And no longer...your whore." Then Yelara's hand came across his cheek, and a wad of spit followed. "Bastard," she hissed, then gasped as the overwhelming pain returned and her legs began crumpling beneath her.

Dargus laughed aloud and pulled his weapon from her body. He turned back to Liam, a wide grin on his face. "Pity."

Liam rushed him then, weapon raised high, and Dargus didn't know what hit him. He had awoken a fire in Liam he never expected to find in the cold Jedi. Both his weapons were a blur of motion as he defended against Liam's attacks. All quips were forgotten as it quickly became a fight for his life. Soon it became clear that even with two blades he was no match for Liam's cold fury.

Slash, slash. Thrust, slash, thrust. Liam's blade was everywhere. Dargus felt searing cuts all over his body. He brought a blade up to parry one attack, but Liam had reversed and slapped the weapon aside. With his arm over extended, Dargus was vulnerable. The pain was intense as Liam's blade cut through flesh and bone, severing his hand just below the elbow.

"Mercy," Dargus rasped.

"Mercy?" Liam asked. "Like you showed me? Like you showed Yelara? Like you've ever shown anyone in your life?" Liam's lightsaber wasn't through, and Dargus used his remaining weapon to defend himself, though weakly.

"You're a Jedi," Dargus croaked. "This is against your beliefs."

"Do you think any Jedi alive would weep to see you die? You are one of our greatest enemies, Dargus. You must die."

Dargus brought his weapon up again, fumbling behind him with his stump. Under his feet, he found rubble, and knew that he had reached the point where one of his wild cuts had gone through the railing. Liam's lightsaber slashed again, and Dargus' arm buckled under the blow.

"Oh gods," Dargus rasped, and then he was falling.

Liam watched Dargus go over the edge, his cry fading as he plummeted. He watched for a moment, and then cast his lightsaber aside and rushed to Yelara.

"Oh gods," Liam whispered. "Oh, Yel. Please, Yel...please be alright. Talk to me. Talk to me. He's gone. He's dead. We're safe now. You and me and Leshie. It's okay now. Please, Yel. Please..."

Yelara's eyes, staring distantly at the cerulean sky, shifted slowly to find Liam's. She smiled - with all the strength she could find, she managed one, radiant smile for her love. "Not...so bad," she whispered, and listlessly slid her hand away from the gaping wound it had been covering. "See?" She chuckled softly, only to be racked with choking coughs. After sucking in a sharp, deep breath, she recovered. "Hold my hand," she told Liam desperately. "I need to feel you..."

Liam took her hand and held it close. "I love you, Yelara," Liam whispered between the sobs he could not stop. "Please don't leave me. Please, we've got our Leshie to take care of. Please...please, my love, I need you here. I love you."

"I love you too," she answered fervently. "But you're strong enough, Liam... You're...you're strong enough to raise Leshie." Tears washed over Yelara's eyes as she thought of her child, wondering if he would ask about her, if he would even remember her... "Don't let him forget," she whispered. "Oh gods...Liam...tell him about me. T-tell him I love him. And Va'Lesh too...and Yara." A soft smile curled her lips, and Yelara's face glowed with the memory of Kallia. "You have to find her...and you tell her about me, Liam. She can't forget me," she murmured. "She can't...."

"She won't," Liam whispered. "She won't forget. None of us will." Tears spilled down his cheeks, and down onto her cheek. "We won't forget, Yelara. We won't forget." He clung to her tightly, not wanting to let go, unable to let go. "Oh Yel..."

She laughed softly, though the sound was strangled and weak. "Don't worry, Liam...we'll be together. H-how could I ever leave your heart?" With great effort, she brought her free hand to his cheek, and sighed at the sensation of his face cradled in her palm. "No blame...no regrets. Promise. Me. What happened...it's forgotten, Liam. The only...only...thing--" She gritted her teeth, struggling to continue as her body was seized by merciless agony. "Just don't forget that I always loved you," she croaked, then sighed as the bout of inextricable pain passed, and a tranquility swept over her, as well as an immobilizing chill. "I'm your kestrel, and you're mine. Forever...remember?"

"Forever," Liam answered. "Forever and always." He brushed his lips against hers, and felt the resolve he'd managed to find wavering once again. "I love you, my kestrel. And, someday we will be together again. For now, you will always be in my heart, and I shall never forget."

"And you will be always in mine," she whispered, barely strong enough to speak, but clinging on to the very last shred of her existence. "Find joy, Liam. Don't...don't dwell. F-find joy in our son...in his smile, his laugh. Find it in his...his eyes - our eyes." The tears running down her cheeks provided warmth where her own was leaking away, carried off by the breeze swirling around them. She knew death was close, but there was no fear in knowing her next breath was likely her last. "Just live, Liam," she told him passionately. "Live...and so will I." One final, trembling smile touched her lips, then she whispered, "One more kiss...then I have to go..."

"Oh gods, Yelara," Liam whispered. He pressed his lips to hers, wishing as he did that the moment could last forever. Forever and then longer. "I love you, my beautiful kestrel," he whispered.

But there was no response. Yelara's hand dropped away from his cheek and her arm fell limply across her stomach. Only her smile remained, as did the loving gaze her violet eyes held Liam's in; even as her soul drifted up towards the sky, there was life in them, and a love not even the trappings of death could extinguish. And it would remain as long as the universe continued expanding, and as long as Liam never forgot his Kestrel.

Liam closed his eyes and called upon the Force to stay his grief, but it did not help. The sobs began somewhere deep inside, and continued to build as he held her to himself. He shook his head slowly, clutching his wife, his love, his Kestrel to him. He did not know how he would manage now, but he would. He had to. He had his son, and Va'Lesh and Yara, and his memories. "I will not let you go," he whispered between sobs. I'll never let you go.

His grief took him then, lost in mourning for the woman he loved more than life, the mother of his child, and the only source of true joy he had ever found in life. But, so long as he remembered, she would never be far. Never far.

---

"Combined Efforts, Part 1"
by Captain Vicks Mason- New Republic Pilot/Former Smuggler (Gold Leader)
Ellemiek Vermolen - New Republic Commander (Black Leader)
Jerek Welder- Freelance Pit Fighter (Gold 2) [NPC+]
Lt. Commander Naan Nenb- New Republic Pilot/Co-Pilot to Vicks Mason [NPC+]
& Auron Ronso - New Republic Commander (Black 5)
plus a few more NPCs

Location: Tae'Remok Sector
Date: Selene 1, 4 ABY

***

"Vicks, we have more X-Wings coming in!" said Naan at his side.

"Finally some more fighters! Black Leader, this is Gold Leader, do you copy?" said Vicks into the comm system, awaiting the response.

"Gold Leader, this is Black Leader. I copy," Ellemiek said as she got closer to the New Republic ships. It seemed there were dogfights and Imperial starfighters everywhere and more and more seemed to be pouring out of the station as well as from the Imperial Capital ships lurking by... She was supposed to join up with Blue Falcon group, but she couldn't figure out who it was! "Gold Leader, what's your status?" Ellemiek asked.

"We've lost the majority of our squadron. This is Captain Mason of Gold Squadron, now acting Gold Leader. We're having trouble with the fighters, so we could use an extra hand, especially a squadron of X-Wings!" said Vicks over the comm system. "I'm reading a squadron of TIE Advanced fighters heading toward our command ships, I say we form up and take that group of imps out of the picture."

"I copy that, Gold Leader," Ellemiek said. She then saw the scenery for a few seconds. "Black Leader to Blue Leader, we are forming up with Gold Squadron to take out a group of incoming TIE Advanced," she informed as she was due to hook up with them.

Ellemiek then opened the comm to her fellow wingmen. She could tell they were all ready. "Form up in attack formation and get ready to engage those TIE Advanced!" she told her wingmen.

"Yes, sir!" Auron replied.

"Get a lock on a target now and stick with that fighter! We need to destroy as many as possible!" said Vicks over the comm.

The squadron neared as the Tae'Karada Star and the combined squadron of fighters rushed to intercept them. Laser cannon beams erupted from the quad cannon's nozzles attempting to hit the TIE Advanced fighters that the gunners were targeting. The squadron of TIEs broke to avoid damage, which made things more difficult.

Auron saw the TIE Advanced pass him. He knew it was a matter of minutes before the TIEs started to chase him and his companions. He looked behind, trying to see where they went, as the Black Hawks squadron turned around to try and chase them. As the TIE Advanced came in front of him he fired upon them, but every single shot was deflected by the Imperial starfighter's shields. "Their shields are too powerful!" Auron said, then pausing and looking behind him to see if they were coming back. He smiled. "Let's get them!"

"Split formations in two by two!" Ellemiek ordered her wingmen. "I don't want anyone running without another pilot taking view and covering his wing! Keep it short and simple and let them have it all if you can!" she told them. "Those shields can take a lot so use your missiles if needed. We need to clear them fast!" she added up.

With that said, Ellemiek herself spun her X-Wing as a TIE came up behind her. She had seen him in time and had clearly rolled her starfighter to avoid the shots. Alas, the TIE was still on her, even though without a lock...

"Black two, can you shake this bogey off me?" Ellemiek asked her wingman.

"Sure thing!" Black Two answered as he came by. "Just give me a few seconds..." he stated as he got a lock on the TIE.

Once the Imperial pilot heard the distinctive sound of the lock he had on him he turned fast to avoid it. He was fast but the missile was faster... He barely had time to launch a chaff to avoid being hit. The missile went after the chaff but hit it much too close to the real ship. His shields were down but he stayed with all systems operational. He smirked briefly before he saw his radar. Ellemiek was already on his tail and she opened fire at him. Without shields the TIE blew up into fire and pieces.

"That's one down!" Ellemiek called out.

"Good job, Black Leader!" said Vicks as he continued to pursue one of the TIE Advanced Fighters. He flew the ship with amazing skill, avoiding other fighters in his wake to continue pursuing his fighter. A second TIE Advanced pulled up in front of the ship and Vicks shook his head.

"Jerek, get over here now!"

"Aye, Vicks. Right beside you!"

"Target that second TIE Advanced and chase after that one, I'm busy with this one!" said Vicks as the gunners finally scored a hit on the TIE Advanced, sending the ship into a barrel roll.

The TIE Advanced spiraled down toward one of the New Republic's medical frigates and began firing at its mid-section. The Star was right behind and returned the favor with bursts from the quad cannons. Another gunner managed to hit the fighter's engines as Vicks watched the fighter continue quickly toward the Frigate's hull. His eyes widened until one of the gunner finally scored a direct hit destroying the TIE Advanced.

"Confirmed kill. One less Imperial bastard to worry about!" yelled Vicks over the comm.

Auron glanced to the side, trying to see where the TIEs were. As his wing mate, Black 6, followed. "I have a bogey right behind me," Black six said.

"I see him," Auron said has he looked behind and saw the TIE Advance chasing Black 6. Auron turned as to place himself behind the TIE Advanced. He got himself behind the TIE and tried to get a lock on him. "I can't lock on target, Black 6. When I say go, turn right!"

"Yes, sir!" Black 6 answered as he tried to shake his foe.

"Now!" Auron yelled through the comm.

The X-Wind turned right as Auron locked and fired against the TIE Advanced, continuing to press the fire as he chased the TIE. Soon the Imperial fighter was out of shields and exploded without any chance of shooting down Black 6.

"Are you ok, Black 6?" Auron asked.

"Yes, I am, sir..." Black 6 answered.

"That makes three..."Auron paused. "I have a TIE on my ass!"

"That makes two of us! We've managed to get them away from the command ships, but now they're after us! Take as many evasive maneuvers as you can!" yelled Vicks as the gunners struggled to fire at the TIE Advanced following the Star.

"I'll try to get the one off your tail, Black 5," said Jerek.

Jerek maneuvered his Y-Wing to get behind the TIE Advanced as he fired four shots from his laser cannon, one scraping the side of the TIE Advanced, barely doing any damage and sending it flying away, outmaneuvering Jerek.

"Thank you," Auron said, as got himself behind a TIE and fired, not stopping until he had to withdraw from the chase to avoid being hit.

Vicks looked at the sensor alert and noticed that there was a TIE Bomber flying toward one of the Mon Calamari cruisers at ramming speed with a squadron of eight TIE fighters escorting it, all of them pegged off slowly, leaving five and a gaping hole.

"There's a TIE Bomber heading for one of our cruisers!"

"I'm on it!" yelled Jerek as he decreased power to his weapons and put it into his speed.

The Y-Wing flew almost as fast as an X-Wing as it sped toward the gaping hole. Two A-Wings took Jerek's side as they fired at the surrounding TIE Fighters, distracting them and creating a successful decoy. One of the A-Wings destroyed one of the TIE Fighters and flew away, taking two of them with him. The other A-Wing wasn't as successful, as it was destroyed pretty quickly, but it bought Jerek enough time to get in for a ram.

"This looks like the end of the line for me! It was an honor serving with you!" yelled Jerek as he reached for the ejection lever, his one last hope for life.

Vicks watched as the Y-Wing and the TIE Bomber burst into a fiery explosion. The remaining two TIE Fighters were sent flying in separate directions, one plummeting to its death on a large piece of debris. The Star shook again as it took another hit from the TIE Advanced fighters following them. One of the gunners managed to get a shot at it and hit one of the wings as Vicks flew directly toward one of the Carrack Cruisers. Vicks pulled the control yoke and pushed the right pedal down, pulling the Star up and sending it into a barrel roll over the cruiser, and only one TIE Advanced managed to keep up the pursuit.

A sudden burst of light came razing though and hit the TIE Advanced, blowing it up. It had been Ellemiek with a concussion missile. "Got him!" she smiled. "We have one less, people. Stay focused!"

As she said so, one of the TIE Advanced locked on her ship. She had little time to do anything at all and did her very best to shake him off. Alas, there was a concussion missile against her. She quickly dodged it and pressed a chaff to counter-measure the missile...

The missile had missed her and hit the chaff but the TIE Advanced was still in her tail and firing at her. Ellemiek spun her X-Wing in an attempt to dodge, but her shields were dropping quickly. One of the shots got her ship and hit her rear stabilizer. "Get this imp off me!" Ellemiek said over the comm.

"I'm on him, Black Leader!" Black 2 answered as he was now following the TIE Advanced. When the Imperial pilot had a lock on him he diverted his course and gave up his pursuit on Ellemiek. He also managed to outmaneuver Black 2...

"Red, see if you can fix that stabilizer!" Ellemiek told her R2 unit as she tried to get back into it. As a result of her shields falling she diverted some of her weapons power to restore it. She then turned and saw more incoming starfighters. "We have two more! I read four TIE Fighters heading our way!" she said.

The Star had managed to fake the TIE Advanced out as the Star began pursuing the TIE Advanced. The fighter was hard to get, but Vicks was keeping up speed.

"This is Black 4! I'm in heavy duty here! I've been shot in my lower left wing and lost my R2 unit!" the pilot said. "Request assistance! I have two of those TIE Advanced on my tail!"

"I'm on it Black 4!" Ellemiek called out as she went with all she had through battle. On her way over she had picked up a TIE on her tail, but she wasn't about to leave one of her wing in such peril...

"Black 4, I'm almost there! Hang in there and divert all your shields to your rear! Move in closer to one of our Capital ships. With any luck they'll be able to shoot down the TIEs on your rear!" Ellemiek said over the comm.

"Will do!" Black 4 answered as he moved out. He was lucky that he did have a New Republic capital ship next to his position. He spun and made his way fast, but his shields were dropping down fast. When he was almost without shields he got shot in his engines and his ship started to stall. Luckily he was right next to the capital ship.

The TIE Advanced came in for the kill but was shot at before they could reach him. One of the Imperial starfighters bought it and exploded, while the other one got away with it, even though he had to cease his pursuit. Ellemiek was also lucky that her rear enemy had ceased his pursuit once she got closer to the New Republic's capital ship. "You ok, Black 4?"

"My engine's gone, sir..." he replied.

"You're no good here anymore. Can you make it to the hangar bay?" she asked him.

"Yes, sir, I think I can," the pilot said. "I'll try to exchange fighters and come back in. Maybe they'll have a spare one I can use!"

"That'll do pilot. Good flying there!" she smiled as she turned and made her way back to battle.

Vicks kept his eye on the TIE Advanced as he impressively kept up with the fighter. Finally, the dorsal gunner scored a shot on the fighter's engines, causing it to slowly start spinning out of control. The ventral gunner finished it off as the Star flew through the small explosion.

Auron looked everywhere as he shot down another TIE Fighter, but the fight was not over. It seemed that now he had a TIE Interceptor on his tail.

"This is Black 6! I have a TIE Advanced on my tail!"

"I have a TIE Interceptor on my ass!" Auron said over the comm. "Black 6, this is Black 5. Make full speed against me. We're going to try a cross-over!"

"Cross-over?" the pilot repeated as he deflected a missile that the TIE Advance fired. "Very well, I'm open to suggestions!" Black 6 said.

"On the count of three we are going to be very close and you will turn right and I will turn left." Auron paused. "Any questions?"

"Yes..." Black 6 said quickly. "Is that my right or your right?"

"Your right!" Auron said as he pushed his throttle to full speed.

The two X-Wings came near with the two enemies still on pursuit.

"One... Two... Three!" Auron counted. The two X-Wings diverted one to each side, barely missing each other. The TIE Interceptor saw the maneuver, but when he saw he had the TIE Advanced right in front of him and he didn't have time to avoid it. The two imperial ships collided, making a huge explosion.

"Less two to worry about..." Auron said, smiling.

"Good call, Black 5!" Ellemiek said. As she neared the hot spot of the starfighter battle, she received a message from command. The Blue Falcon was en-route to their location. "Black Leader to Gold Leader, we have Blue Falcon group en-route to help us. What's your status?"

"We're holding up with what we've got! We've only lost one fighter... It was Jerek," said Vicks over the comm as he continued pursuing one of the last TIE Advanced fighters of the squadron.

"Good. Same here, Gold Leader," Ellemiek reported in. She had never seen battles such as this one in real life, but then again the odds were never good when up against Imperial starfighters. She saw a TIE Fighter blow up as the Blue Falcon group got there. "Glad you could make it, Blue Group!" she said over to the Blue Leader.

"It's pretty chaotic!" the Blue Leader answered.

"You can say that again!" Ellemiek stated as she took a lock on a TIE Fighter and pursued him. She made a few regulations on her online computer and looked at her wing. "Black 2, cover my wing, just in case!"

"I'm on it, Black Leader!" Blue 2 said.

The last TIE Advanced erupted into flames as it was bombarded by laser cannon blasts from the Tae'Karada Star. He smiled as he began to speak into the comm system speaking to the other ships.

"That's the last of that squadron! Gold Leader to Black Leader, our primary objective is to take out the Interdictor Cruisers, we somehow need to push through these fighters and since a lot of my squadron is no longer in existence, your help would be much appreciated!"

"Black leader to Gold Leader, my squadron consists on X-Wings mainly, so perhaps we ought to ask Blue Group for assistance also... With their B-Wings we'll stand better chances for bombing them!" Ellemiek replied. She then opened the comm to Blue Leader. "Blue Leader this is Black Leader, can you assist in an attack on those Interdictors?"

"Blue Leader to Black Leader, we'll do our best!"

"Great! Black Leader to Gold Leader, we are go. Give us a go when ready and we'll form up under your wing," Ellemiek told Vicks.

"First we need to push through these fighters!" said Vicks with a sigh.

---

"Summoning Spirits"
By: Talara Sorenne
Ferrig Mullerin
Raeila Mullerin
Orn Gham [NPC+]
Orinth Neerou [NPC+]
Tralesha Zibel [NPC+]
Koran Darr
Laedra Vorrel

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Selene 1, 4 ABY

***

She had been left alone, finally. Nieme and Dani had been with her most of the morning, and then there was Merrick. They liked to see her with him. Perhaps it was because he had a nice voice and was very vocal during sex. She pulled her knees to her chest and sighed. She felt bad, terrible. How could they have done this to her? They were her friends? How could they do this to her? How? And, how could it feel so wonderful? She was too young, that's what Ferrig said. If she was too young, how could she enjoy this so much? How could she spend her nights wishing Ferrig could have come with her, so she could do the things to him that she did to Merrick and Zale, and the others Dani and Nieme brought to her? She was too young, but no one else seemed to think so. Master Qual had quickly made her take the precautions so she couldn't have a baby. But...it all felt so good. Just thinking about it made her body react...

"Why does it feel so good?"

Suddenly, her eyes snapped closed and she felt pain. In her mind's eye, she saw lightsabers and hard steel... No, it was different than steel, and it was deadly. She saw Master Andro, fighting against dark warriors. And...and then, she saw him die.

The tears came instantly, and grief pulled her into a tight, fetal ball. Her sobs were loud in her ears as she hugged herself, the remorse over the loss of her mentor, teacher, friend, and companion for as long as she'd been alive.

"Why?" she sobbed, a mixture of anger, fear, and loss filling her. "Why...?"

***

"Ferrig!" Raeila pulled her brother from the mouth of the cave as he again wandered towards it. "They'll see. Kael said we need to stay here."

"I hate just sitting in here though," Ferrig said. "They're out there fighting to protect us, and we're just sitting in here. I...I just feel so helpless." He put his arms around her and sighed. "I'm sorry. It's just...just difficult."

"I know," she whispered, stroking her brother's hair. "Kael's out there...and I have no idea if he's okay or what... I'm afraid too."

"He'll be fine. He's careful and good. And, he's Kir'Thana, Rae. He's a survivor. He'll make it out, and when he does we'll find a great big bed together and celebrate."

Raeila giggled softly. "Shh! The others will hear," she whispered.

Sharing the cave with them were Shaza, Tralesha, and Orinth, as well as Orn and Yara. Leshie was in Orinth's arms, held protectively to his chest, though the child seemed highly agitated. Kael had said he was likely aware of what was going on. If that were true, Rae wished the child could speak, and give her news of Kael. Instead, she sought comfort in her brother's arms, and he in hers.

"They're good at this, being Jedi Knights and all. They'll make it, Rae. They'll make it. Why, any minute now, you'll see Kael come through that door grinning like the fool he is."

"Any minute now," Rae echoed, with far less confidence than Ferrig expressed. "But until then...what do you say we go sit with the others?"

Ferrig nodded, and then slipped his hand into hers. "At least we're not alone out here," he said. "I don't know if I could deal with being alone out here, with that happening out there. I wouldn't be afraid though...in case you were thinking that." He grinned and kissed her. "Not as long as I know you're safe."

"And I will be," she assured him. "As long as you don't leave my side."

"I'll never leave your side, my love. Not for anything." He kissed her, then led the way back toward where the others were seated.

Orn watched the two with a look of mild distaste, then grumbled and looked away. "Disgusting," he muttered to the three beside him. "They share the same blood, and they share their bodies. They've always been depraved...in every way."

"My father tried with me once," Tralesha answered. "I left and never looked back."

"He did?" Orinth asked sadly, then sighed. "We cannot choose who our parents are, and some are luckier than others, but that does not mean there is no one out there who loves you." He smiled affectionately at the young woman. "You often find that in the most unexpected instances."

Tralesha nodded and then smiled. "That's true. I thought I loved someone, but...but he betrayed everything we believed in. For now, I'm happy as I am."

"Happy?" Yara inquired. She sat beside Orinth, watching Leshie closely, as was her duty. "I know what that means, but I do not quite understand the concept. How does one know when one is happy?"

"It's...it's hard to explain," Tralesha said. "Basically, it's feeling content with who you are and what you're doing. I'm happy being with Orinth and helping to get Yelara back."

Yara paused to contemplate, then smiled uncertainly. "I was...content with Va'Lesh...but I thought that was love. Are love and happiness so very different?"

"It's hard to love someone and not be happy," Tralesha said. "At least with that person. When you're together, no matter how bad things are, with him at your side, everything's alright."

Yara nodded slowly, puzzling over such a concept. "I am not with Va'Lesh," she said, "and I feel...worried and impatient... I wish to see him again and it makes me restless that I cannot. Is that what love is?"

"When you think about him, how do you feel? What does thinking about him make you feel like?"

"I don't quite know," Yara replied curiously. "I have never had to analyze my emotions. We are taught not to feel. We are taught to do, and that is all. But...if I had to feel something for Va'Lesh...it must certainly be what he said he feels for me." A subtle smile tugged at Yara's lips. "I believe he loves me. And I believe I love him."

Tralesha smiled. "That sounds wonderful," she said. "Well, when this is all over with here, I'm sure you'll see him again. I'm sure he can't wait to see you."

"I am certain he cannot," Yara replied forthrightly, but with not a hint of pride. Then, seemingly disinterested in the conversation, turned her attention to Leshie, whose fiery red hair she began stroking.

Tralesha uncoiled herself from where she'd been sitting and moved over to where Ferrig and Raeila sat together. "The two of you seem content and anxious all at once," she said. "But you seem to be holding up very well."

Rae smiled wanly and nestled her cheek to Ferrig's shoulder as she sat across his lap. "I know Kael will be okay," she replied softly. "I can't lose him yet. We're just planning on starting a family and everything."

"Of course he will," Tralesha said as she sat down next to them. "He's very strong, and he loves you too much not to come back to you."

"Well, you know," Rae mused, "he did leave me to come to the Temple, though I know he never stopped loving me. It's just...sometimes one thing is more important than another, depending on the situation." She sighed and admitted, "I just think, in this case, defending the Temple with his very life is more important than coming back to me alive."

"But he will come back to you," Tralesha said. "They have to come back...all of them."

Rae nodded brightly, though her smile held a hint of worry. "I know... I guess, for the time being, we've gotta make sure to keep ourselves safe...so they'll have someone to come back to."

"This is the safest place for us to be," Tralesha said. "I know I'd rather be out there, but from how Jedi Master Darr and Jedi Laedra Vorrel described them...I don't think those of us without the Force would last long."

A pang of fear struck Rae, and she soon stiffened in her brother's tender hold. "But...they can beat them, right? I-It's not hopeless?"

"Of course they can," Tral said. "For those of us without the Force, it'd be very hard, but for the Jedi, it'd be...well, as easy as anything."

"Yeah, Mullerin," Orn's gruff voice called from the darkness. "Just as easy as transforming into the perfect, decent girl you're trying to pass yourself off as." His feral grin penetrated through the thick shadows to reach Rae. "Simple as that."

Rae sighed and looked away.

"Don't listen to him," Tralesha said. "He's just a bitter, sour, old man. And he's scared. People can change, and do change." She smiled. "I speak from experience." She cast a surreptitious glance over at Orinth, and her lips curled up even more.

Raeila's soft smile expressed gratitude to Tralesha, and she reached out to cover the young woman's hand with her own. "We've all changed, I think." She glanced briefly at Orn, frowned, then added, "Or at least some of us have. It takes time...but we can all do it."

As Rae squeezed Tralesha's hand, Leshie let out a piercing squeal and thrashed wildly in Orinth's arms. It took both he and Yara to keep Leshie from falling to the ground.

"What's wrong with him?" Raeila asked with clear concern.

"I don't know," Orinth shouted over Leshie's screams. "He...he just started. Come on, Va'Lesh. Calm down, dear boy."

Tralesha moved over and tried some soothing words, like she remembered her mother using...before, when she was very little. "Oh, poor little guy...what's the matter, little one? It'll all be okay, everything will be okay. You're safe here with us."

One of Leshie's tiny fists, frantically swinging, knocked Tralesha in the eye. Orinth apologized with a bashful smile. "I don't know what it is... He's never been like this!"

Yara, who had been stroking Leshie's head, stopped suddenly and whispered, "Yelara."

Orinth regarded her quizzically. "What about Yelara?"

With little compassion in her voice, a result of training that conditioned her to be an emotionless killer, Yelara answered forthrightly, "She's dead."

***

"Laedra," Koran called as Laedra rushed past them. He flung his attackers away, and charged after her, allowing the other Jedi to fill in his place until he could return.

"Not now, Koran," she growled, and pushed on ahead towards the Temple's interior.

Koran didn't give up, and continued on after her. "Yes, now," he called, and hurried to catch up to her. She was supposed to be outside, and her arm was not supposed to be bleeding like that.

"There's a battle going on," she snapped. "You should not be abandoning your position, Koran." She tightened the grip she had on her lightsaber's hilt and marched into the Temple as the doors flung open for her. "I have something to do, and it doesn't concern you!"

"With the anger boiling off of you," Koran said, "it is my concern. Get your emotions under control before you do something that we'll all regret. We have enough enemies out there without you going over to the dark side."

Lyrr rounded on Koran and glared at him with a mixture of pain and rage in her eyes. "He's dead," she whispered. "Andro's dead...and now I must avenge his death. There is more at stake here than my soul, Koran. So leave me alone, and go fight."

"If you want to avenge his death, what are you doing in here? The people that killed him are outside trying to kill the rest of us. And, Laedra, vengeance isn't our way."

"It isn't your way," she corrected. "You're a Jedi, I'm not." She grinned fiercely at him and said, "You're wrong. The people who killed him live in this Temple, Koran...and I'm going to make them pay." Laedra whirled away from Koran and sped down the corridor, seeking out those who had failed to protect them.

"Laedra," Koran said, hurrying after her. "What are you going to do?"

Laedra responded by sprinting up the stairs, the ones that led to the shrine. Her lightsaber remained firmly in her hand. "Cowards!" she hollered as she approached the opening. "Bastards. Cowards!"

"Laedra," Koran called, and raced up the stairs after her. He could only imagine what was going on outside, but he didn't know if Laedra would need to be stopped or not. "Laedra!"

"Come on," Laedra taunted, pacing relentlessly throughout the shrine. "Show yourselves! You were so free to offer your aid before, but now that danger has arrived, you seek safety and hide away in your sacred temple?" Laedra shrieked and dragged the tip of her weapon across the nearest wall, breaking off chunks of stone and sending a spray of pebbles and dust following her lightsaber's track. She gazed at the glyphs, some now gouged away. "What?" she jeered. "Nothing?!"

Koran burst into the room and gaped at what he saw. "Laedra! Stop this now! This is wrong!"

"Wrong?!" She laughed bitterly, spinning in unsteady circles in the center of the shrine so that her expression of ridicule would reach all the spirits dwelling within. "They are what's wrong! They are cowards!" Laedra rushed towards the wall and stopped abruptly, her nose brushing the surface. "You lied," she whispered, speaking only to the spirits hiding in the walls. "You said your goal was to seek transcendence." Laedra slid along the stone surface, stopping at each column of glyphs to ensure each of the spirits were addressed. "You sought to shed your mortal vessels. Why?" She chuckled. "Because you were cowards!"

"Laedra, don't do this...don't go through with whatever you're planning. We can save the people outside, but we have to go outside to do that. Please, come with me and we'll defeat the Sith. Please, Laedra, come with me."

"Why?" She grinned viciously at the wall. "So they can continue to hide away in here while we defend their home?" Laedra shook her head slowly, backing away, but still narrowing her eyes at the glyphs. "They're cowards, Koran. And we're giving our lives to protect them!"

She leapt up the steps onto the dais and laughed at them wildly. "All their teachings--" Laedra slashed at the wall again. "All their wisdom!" She screamed out with rage and kicked over the heavy, elaborate altar the ancients had built. It crashed down the stairs.

With tangled hair hanging over her face, she watched Koran in the distance, her arms spread wide. "All this... They didn't want transcendence, Koran! They wanted to escape so they wouldn't have to suffer the pain we face when we lose a loved one, the struggles we must confront and overcome, they sought to elevate themselves to the level of gods so they wouldn't have to face the challenges us mortals do, Koran! Because," she whispered hoarsely, "they were afraid, just as they are now."

Both hands gripping her lightsaber, Laedra spun towards the back wall of the shrine, shouting, "You were afraid!" Then, with a cry, she plunged her weapon into the large sunburst symbol carved high above. A blinding ball of light exploded from the glyph, knocking Laedra back onto the ground.

"Laedra!" Koran surged forward, but only got a step before the shockwave sent him to his knees. "Laedra."

The ball of spinning, white light hovered above the sunburst, increasing in momentum rapidly, and emitting a shrill whine reminiscent of the wind whistling through the trees. Laedra groaned, and semi-consciously gazed up at the sphere. "Help us," she pleaded weakly, then fell unconscious.

The revolving body continued to accelerate, and its whines reverted to piercing screams. Abruptly, it stopped. Silence.... Then, the ball burst into a halo of light more intense than the sun, rocking the shrine. It expanded outwards at an incredible speed, passing through the walls, through Koran, through anything in its path and leaving the air shuddering in its wake.

Its circumference grew exponentially until it was large enough to encompass the Temple. It passed through all the Jedi fighting to protect their Temple, but slammed into the Sith and flattened them like a foot trampling grass. The trees shook as the pure, gleaming band of light continued into the forest until it reached the vessels sent to deposit the Sith. The ships crumpled as if they were metal crushed in a giant's hands. Then, the light retreated, faster than any eye could track and wrapped itself again into the suspended ball of energy hovering over the starburst.

There was a long moment where no sound could be heard. Then, Koran groaned and sat up slowly. He looked around, noted the still-pulsing light hovering above them, like a star guiding their way through a dark night. "Laedra?"

She opened her eyes slowly and stared up at the orb. A soft smile touched her lips. "I knew that'd get their attention," she whispered.

"I think that got most of the forest's attention," Koran said as he got back to his feet. "We'd better get back out there, Laedra. We need to stop those Sith; we need to let them know that they cannot defeat the Jedi."

Laedra sat up slowly, then looked back at Koran. "They killed Andro," she said flatly. "I failed him, Koran... I watched him die...and I could do nothing."

"The Sith killed Andro," Koran said. "And, if anyone must pay, it is the Sith who now surround our Temple seeking to end our way of life. If I am to die today, it will be fighting them. But, I do not intend to die; there's still much to do in life. Such as asking you to marry me."

Laedra was in a daze, rising to her feet without being aware of it, and smiling with wonder unknowingly. She was silent as she watched Koran, focusing on ascertaining whether she had heard correctly, or if she was growing delirious. She was tending towards the latter, for she could think of no reason Koran would wish to wed her, especially considering their tumultuous relationship. Still, she hazarded a response. "Are you...asking me now?" she asked, finding her voice finally. "And...do I have to answer?"

"Not now," Koran said with a smile. "I'll ask you again after this is over. I don't have any flowers and the floor in here is all strewn with rubble. It'd make it difficult to go down on a knee to ask."

Laedra laughed lightly and covered her blushing cheeks with her hands to conceal them. "You're a strange man, Koran Darr." She smiled tenderly and added, "And a good one. And after we survive this, you may ask me again."

"Thank you," Koran said. "Now, let's get back out there so we can survive this."

"Gladly," Laedra replied. Her fallen weapon leapt into her waiting hand, from where it had fallen onto the dais. The sphere of radiant light was still there. "What do you think it's doing?" she asked Koran.

"Perhaps it's them watching us," Koran answered as they stopped in the doorway to regard the glowing sphere. "I have never encountered anything like this before...so, I have no idea what it's supposed to be. I sense no malice from it though."

"So...the spirits have decided they want to help?" she remarked. She smiled at Koran, and quipped, "Well, it's about time..." And the two moved briskly down the corridor, seeking to rejoin the battle below and perhaps defeat the Sith as they had originally intended. This time with the spirits truly watching over them.

They stepped outside and the air was thick with the sounds of combat. A group of Sith spotted them and charged immediately. Koran did not have time to realize that the wound to his leg no longer bothered him. He reached up a hand and with a quick gesture sent two of the Sith flying backward. The ease with which he had performed the maneuver was startling. He glanced at Laedra. "The Force is definitely with us."

Laedra looked upon the scene with an easy calm that had not prevailed in her during the first bout of fighting. Now, she was confident they could succeed. With a slow smile, Laedra raised her lightsaber before her and ignited it. "Most definitely," she concurred.

Koran's blade snap-hissed into existence, and he slid easily to the side as one of the Sith moved to engage. The downward cut was parried aside, and Koran's lightsaber slashed out to take the warrior out at the knee. As he was returning to his center, another Sith charged up behind him. He snapped his blade back, countering the attack behind his body, then twisted away, pushing the warrior as he did. Once he had faced his enemy, he dropped and lunged with the weapon, piercing the gap in the plates protecting his thighs and groin. A scream died on the warrior's lips, and he slumped to the ground. "Very impressive," Koran said, though his focus was tighter than it had ever been.

Laedra, too, felt the Force filling her completely, yet it was not an overpowering sensation and there was no fear that she could not harness it. The Force was at their command. They were the Force, as the spirits had once told them. Now, Laedra understood what that meant.

She could sense the other Jedi awakening to that realization as well, and already exploring the extents of their newly bestowed abilities. They would soon discover, however, there were no limits to the power at hand, and the Sith would soon learn the same.

---

"Standoff"
by: Major Adam Edwards
DB-7 [NPC+]
Various New Republic NPCs

Location: Drogen Shipyards
Date: Selene 1, 4 ABY

***

The Imperial Commander's voice came over the loud speaker. As Adam listened, he couldn't help but sigh. Anoran had gone and gotten herself captured. The woman, who for some reason was in charge of this operation, was once again a shining example to her troops by going and getting herself captured.

Nevertheless, Adam couldn't on good conscience leave her to the Imperials. He activated his comlink.

"All New Republic Units. This is Major Edwards. I'm taking command of the attack. All units are to press on with their current attacks." Edwards clicked to a different frequency. "Captain Lax where are you?"

Lax's voice came back loud, and the sound of blaster fire was heard in the distance.

"Lax here."

Adam pressed the talk button. "Did your men get the announcement?"

"Yes, sir."

"Where are your men located?" Adam asked.

"Level 57. We're engaged on the concourse," Lax said.

"Your unit is closest to the Imperial Commander's office. I suspect that's where Reza's being held. Once my unit gets there, we're going to go in after her," Adam told him.

There was a long pause. "Yes, sir," was the Captain's response.

Adam sighed. That damn woman had screwed up the entire battle plan. Now they had to risk men and time to go in and save her. Adam ordered 1st and 2nd squads to remain here and guard the generator. Third and Fourth would be coming with him.

They quickly left the room, working their way to a turbolift under New Republic control. Adam and DB were with the first group inside. it would take a couple of trips to get them all to level 57.

The doors parted on level 57. Adam and his group surged out. They exited the closed corridor into a large concourse.

Suddenly a hail of blaster fire flew past them. The soldiers threw themselves to the ground. The shots had come from Imperials on the other side of Lax's position. Several feet away, Captain Lax and his men were using damaged equipment and overturned tables for cover. Adam and his soldiers crawled forward.

"Good to see you, Major. We ready to go?" the Captain asked.

"Once the rest of my men get here, we'll move forward," Adam told him.

Two minutes later, the rest of Adam's team had arrived.

"Alright Third Squad. On my signal, lay down cover fire. Everyone else will be moving up with me. Spread Formation. Everyone ready?" Edwards asked.

The soldiers crouched together nodded.

Adam's voice rose above the roar of blasters.

"Covering fire!"

Third Squad opened up on the Imperials' positions. The Stormtroopers ducked back under cover.

Adam jumped from his position, his finger pressing down the trigger. Another Stormtrooper went down.

The New Republic troops swarmed over the Imperial barricade. Adam watched as DB leapt over the boxes used for cover, and grab a Stormtrooper. The droid was almost a blur as he knocked the Imperial against the bulkhead, reached up, and broke the man's neck.

Another group of soldiers thundered through, led by Captain Lax. Lax pulled the trigger on his rifle, and caught a retreating Imperial in the shoulder.

More New Republic soldiers laid waste to the retreating Stormtroopers.

Lax looked across at Adam.

"The Imperial Commander's office can't be more than 50 meters down that way," Lax reported, pointing.

"Alright let's move," Edwards ordered, urging them forward.

The troops began to move forward, when a new group of Stormtroopers flooded into the area. They fired into the Republic troops.

Adam had just managed to bring his blaster up and fire. The shot hit, sending another imp to the ground, but there were too many.

One of the Stormtroopers took aim, and fired.

Adam felt the bolt drill into his side. He fell back, almost losing his blaster.

His head swam, and he barely heard Lax shouting to retreat through the haze. Adam felt a strong metallic hand grab him, and he turned to see DB dragging him away with one hand, and firing into the Stormtroopers with another. As he was being dragged, Adam noticed a number of New Republic troops on the ground.

The Republic soldiers made it back to the barricades, though some of them had fallen when the Imperial's counter-attacked.

Though the Imperials hadn't forced the Republic all the way back, it was clear they wouldn't be moving forward anytime soon. Unless something else happened, Adam realized, Reza might be dead very soon.

The team medic knelt near Adam, applying a pain killer, and bandaging the wound. Adam thumbed his comm and called for reinforcements, but already knew they would be too late.

---

"Reclamation, Part 2"
By: Shrezade Anoran
Major Dane Weyland [NPC+]
Rilanna Kir

Location: Drogen Shipyards
Date: Selene 1, 4 ABY

***

A shiver ran down Rilanna Kir's spine. It was one of the worst feelings she'd ever felt. Seeing Weyland's face again had been...strange. She hadn't known what she would feel upon seeing it, but now she knew that the only feeling he invoked in her was revulsion. He was a wretched man, especially to use Reza as bait. She knew she didn't have any feelings, but there had been the doubt that she'd feel guilt over her duplicity.

There was none.

A Stormtrooper turned as she stormed forward. He never had a chance to raise an alarm before she'd brought up her weapon and fired. He toppled over backwards, dead. She moved through the checkpoint and quickly dispatched his friend.

She knew what she was doing was wrong, but she couldn't help it. She couldn't leave Reza to die, no matter what. She'd left Mek'ri in charge of the evacuation, trusting him to do the job. He was a good officer, and would do well. And, if they wanted to fire her, they were more than welcome to do so. Reza needed to be rescued, and that was that.

She neared Reza's old office, easily recognizing the background from Weyland's announcement. A pair of guards stood up at her approach, and she grinned ferally within her mask. Not this time, boys. Both her blasters came up, and she announced her presence in the only way the Imps would understand.

***

"Ah," Weyland said with a delighted laugh as the sound of a commotion was heard outside. It was over far too quickly. His smile, however did not fade. "It appears that she's right on time. You won't be too upset if I point a weapon at you, will you? I didn't think so."

Reza barely flinched as the barrel of a blaster was pressed to her left temple by the Imperial guard in the room. She glared icily at Weyland. Aside from the probability of her death approaching quickly, Reza thought of Rilanna, willing the girl to turn back and leave her to her fate. But the sounds of blaster fire outside regrettably indicated that Rilanna was not leaving.

The blaster fire stopped as quickly as they started and a moment later the door slid open. Rilanna Kir was framed in the doorway, her battle armour in shades of black and blue gave her an ominous look. She took a look at the weapon trained on Reza and cast a furious glare at Weyland. Of course, any looks she gave were lost inside of her helmet. "You won't walk out of here, Major," she said.

"Neither will, Mrs. Anoran, Captain," the Imperial officer said cheerfully. "I'm sure that will drive you insane for the rest of your days, won't it? Knowing you could have surrendered yourself to me, and saved her life. Pity. Now, I'm obligated to say, turn over your weapons and surrender yourself to me."

"You're a fool."

"Well, I hadn't expected that exactly, but I guess you were obligated to say something of that nature."

"You're insane too."

"My dear, Mrs. Anoran has already made that observation. You're too late. Isn't she, my dear Mrs. Anoran?"

"It's never too late to reiterate something so pivotally important as your failing mental stability." Reza smiled, but her slightly furrowed brow conveyed her anxiety, though it was in regards to Rilanna's safety, not her own.

Rilanna turned her helmeted gaze to Reza. "You're alright," she said. "He hasn't hurt you has he?"

Reza, unable to shake her head without jamming the blaster's point deeper into her flesh, simply smiled reassuringly. "He's had his men do all the work. And they're harmless."

Rilanna shrugged. "They'll still die," she said. "As duly authorized representatives of the New Republic, we demand that you offer us your unconditional surrender." She glanced to Reza. "You already went over this part, didn't you?"

Before Reza could reply, Weyland made a growling noise. "No! Damn the two of you! You have lost. No quips, no sarcasm. You've lost, and there's nothing you can do about it. Now, surrender yourselves to me, and we'll finish this."

Reza shrugged, and said simply, "No." Her hands, folded innocently upon her lap into one large fist, were swung upwards. They slammed into the weapon and hand of the Imperial solder and knocked both away. Reza acted quickly and tackled the soldier to the ground.

Rilanna had been ready for the move, and had one blaster clear of its holster in a heartbeat, in the second heartbeat she'd fired. The third heartbeat put the stormtrooper down onto the ground for good. Her second blaster came up and trained itself onto Weyland's chest, but the major was already moving. "Reza," Ril said, "blaster."

Nodding briskly, she pried the weapon from the Imp's lifeless fingers and, still kneeling astraddle him, aimed at Weyland. "Thank you for that, my dear," she drawled.

"You're welcome," Rilanna said, then turned toward Weyland. He was there one moment, and the next he was suddenly obscured by a throng of white-armoured bodies that forced themselves in the room. A couple shots were fired, and slammed into the walls. It became very clear very quickly that a blaster fight in these close confines would not be good. With that knowledge, the Imps threw themselves bodily at Reza and Rilanna.

Reza's blaster was holstered quickly, and with both hands now free, she planted them flat on the ground off to one side, shifted all her weight onto them, and swung one leg up into the abdomen of the Imp charging her. He stumbled backwards, but another came forward with his leg already hurtling towards her head. Reza rolled away from it and sprang to her feet. She hadn't time to see how Rilanna was faring before she launched into a hand-to-hand fight with both Imps.

One of the Imps slammed heavily into Rilanna, knocking her back into the desk. Were it not for her battle armour, she would have been seriously injured. She rammed an armoured forearm into his throat, but his own armour protected him. Armoured fists hammered against each other as he tried to subdue her and she kill him. She slammed the heel of her hand up against his chin, driving his helmet back. With the moment of vulnerability, she rammed a forearm into his throat once more, this achieving the desire effect. The Imp stumbled back, but another quickly rushed in to take his place. Please let there not be more of them, Ril thought.

Reza had managed to fling one of the Imps by the arm into her chair to clear him out of the way. Both tumbled to the ground, but his comrade was still there to drive his foot into her lower back. She cried out briefly, then grunted as he followed through with an upward kick to the chin that knocked her flat onto her back. As he raised his foot to bring it smashing down onto her skull, Reza trapped the ankle of his other leg between her calves, crossed her feet, then jerked outwards. The Imp's leg came out from under him and he collapsed with arms windmilling. Reza was upright again just as he hit the ground. She had time to briefly glance around the room, and noticed both that Weyland had fled, and that Rilanna was faring marginally well between three foes. She had no time to aid her, however, for two more Imperials rushed towards her. Reza sighed and dropped again into a fighting stance.

Rilanna brought her knee up against an armoured groin, but the armour wasn't enough to completely quell the impact. She heard a muffled grunt from within the man's helmet as he rolled back away, leaving her with two attackers. She spun to the left as one tried to grab at her shoulder, overbalancing him in the process. Taking advantage of his situation, she launched a kick into his gut that sent him toppling backward.

As she swung to the remaining attacker, she fired off her grapple, and snared the legs of the trooper who'd just fallen. Not wanting to stick around much longer, since they had to go after Weyland, she snapped her wrist back which popped the spike embedded along her forearm. She drove it forward into the Imp's gut. A jolt went through him, discharging a stun charge. She yanked on the cable, sending the tangled Imp back to the ground. She turned to Reza and smiled as she watched her friend fighting against the Imps. Damn, she's good, she thought.

The heavy clatter of an armour encased Imp being tossed to the ground was followed by a satisfied chuckle from Reza. It was a short celebration curtailed by an armoured forearm closing around her throat. Her fingers slid off the smooth material as she grasped at the forearm constricting her airway, and the trooper she had previously felled took this as his opportunity for repayment. She grunted as a balled fist slammed into her abdomen, but her breastplate dulled the intensity of his blow. The trooper went for her face next, and unfortunately she felt the full impact of that strike. Reza blinked rapidly to focus her vision again after the dizzying punch, and noticed the Imp cocking his arm back for another.

Managing to wedge her fingers between the first Imperial's forearm and her throat, and leaning her weight into him for leverage, Reza pulled her legs into her chest, then kicked outwards to catch the second Imperial in the head and send him sprawling. Sucking in what little air her constricted throat could gather, she used it to replenish her strength and flip the first Imperial over her shoulders. His grip released and Reza pulled out her blaster to place a shot squarely in his chest. He stayed down. She aimed her weapon at another Imp who had gotten it into his head to attack her again, but he halted and raised his arms in the gesture of surrender. Reza smiled at him viciously. "Smart boy," she rasped.

Rilanna quickly retrieved her own weapons and moved forward. She grabbed binders from the fallen Stormtroopers and began shackling them all. Once that was done, she moved over where Reza was. Thankfully her own face was hidden behind her helmet. "Are you alright?" she asked softly.

Reza smiled tenderly at Rilanna, unintentionally expressing how truly glad she was to see her friend. But it faded quickly enough, and she snapped back into focus. "We have to find that bastard. And then we need to get those security defenses online." She moved past Rilanna and retrieved her helmet. She would need it once the nerve gas began spreading through the station's vents. "Did you see which way he went?"

"I thought I saw him go left out the door," Rilanna answered. "Best guess, he's heading for his secret project. It's the most secure location on the entire station."

Reza frowned. "Our troops couldn't secure the bay?"

"The reports were still coming in when Weyland made his announcement. It's possible we've retaken it by now." She frowned then glanced back at the Stormtroopers. "Do you suppose he knows about the station's defenses? Would he have gone there?"

Reza shook her head. "He had his chance to activate them before and he didn't." She worried her bottom lip and hastily ran through every possible location the cowardly major would have run to. Her hidden bay, the location of her original escape with Ril was foremost on that list. Reza suddenly glanced up. "Dammit," she whispered, then sprinted to the door he'd taken. "He's trying to get off the station!"

Rilanna darted quickly after Reza. If Weyland got away, she could only imagine how furious Reza would be...because she would be feeling just as furious herself "We'll stop him," she said. "We'll pay him back, Reze."

"I just want him dead," Reza told her with a fierce smile.

The two got halfway down the side corridor before Reza halted, and Rilanna beside her. She paused, then faced her friend. "Only one of us can go after him. There isn't time to catch him, then activate the security defenses. And since I know those security systems..."

"I'll get him," Rilanna said. "You get those defenses up, and I'll stop Weyland. I'll save a piece of him for you." She reached up and pulled her helmet off so she should look at Reza and Reza could look at her. "Good luck, Reze."

"You too," she replied all too unsteadily. It showed a crack in the stubborn wall she'd placed between them, though that came fully down when Reza gently grasped Rilanna's nape and pressed her lips to Ril's in a bruising, yet tender kiss. There was no time to pretend she felt nothing, not when they had just cheated death and gotten a second chance, one that might end soon.

With one hand still holding her helmet, Rilanna wrapped both around Reza and held her close. The kiss seemed to last forever and everything seemed to stop, for just a few seconds. Both knew they had things to do, important things, but this was a moment they needed. Finally, the kiss ended and Rilanna was breathless. Her eyes held Reza's as she tried to find her balance again. "I love you, Reza," she whispered softly.

Reza smiled ruefully. "I know.... When this is all over, we'll work through things, Ril. I do love you...I'm just not sure how."

"I'll see you soon," Rilanna said, then kissed Reza once more before taking a step back. "Stay safe."

"I will." She grinned. "Make sure to give him a little something from me."

"Oh, I plan to keep him alive long enough for you to do so yourself," Rilanna said. "I don't want to have all the fun, and you have as many scores to settle with him as I do."

"I'll meet you there." She grinned at Ril, running her gloved hand over the full curves of her friend's breastplate. With a chuckle she stepped back, letting her fingers linger for a moment, then she dashed away.

As she watched Reza rush off, Rilanna's heart was pounding in her chest. As she snugged her helmet back into place, she was grinning foolishly. I love you, she thought, then dashed off in the other direction after Weyland. He would pay for what he'd done, and both she and Reza would see that he did.

***

Once away from the corridors surrounding her office, Reza was again submerged in darkness. Her helmet's infrared amplifiers compensated for the darkness that would have rendered her blind, and Reza made a hasty run for the security systems distribution core, in the opposite direction from which Weyland had dragged her off. She met no resistance along the way; likely, the Imperials were clustered in the vital areas of the station, where the New Republic troops were focusing their attacks. This left the corridor empty, even of her team members who had been subdued. Likely many of them had survived the attack, and were now prisoners of the Empire. But they wouldn't be for long.

Reza again came to the doors of the security gridroom, which had been resecured, no doubt at Weyland's bidding. One shot aimed precisely at the console had forks of electricity crawling over the surface and shorted out the locking mechanism. Then, the internal alarms sounded, just as Reza had expected them to. There had been no time to practice discretion; they were already behind schedule.

The doors lurched open partway, then jammed, leaving only a few inches of space to slip through. With her armour on, Reza knew there was no chance she'd fit. So bit by bit, she shed her protective casing, and was left standing in the darkened corridor wearing only a tank top and lightweight pants. It was a struggle and took some wriggling and squeezing, but Reza managed to push through the opening and now was within the security main grid room.

The room was modest in size, measuring only ten feet by seven, and was made that much smaller by the computer consoles projecting from the three walls. The coloured lights glowing on each verified that power had been successfully routed to the security systems, and they danced as the computer performed routine scans of the entire station, checking systems, sweeping every crevice of the shipyards for security breaches like the one she'd just caused, and raising the alarms accordingly. All of it was in perfect order.

The large vidscreen covering a third of the wall facing her displayed a schematic of the deck, but through the computer systems, she could access blueprints of the entire station. More importantly, she could control every internal defense mechanism existing on each. Reza grinned, then rushed to the console and deftly inputted her decryption code. A large portion of the console to her right flared to life, giving her control to the station's counterattack mechanisms. She chuckled lowly and called up the schematic for level 25, the area of the station that held the largest concentration of Imperial soldiers. As the layout of grids, and labyrinthine access routes and ducts appeared, red dots overlaid particular areas to highlight the precise locations of all internal defense structures. Control was literally at Reza's fingertips.

"Imperial scum," she drawled, fingers moving languidly over the console, "have a pleasant defeat."

---

"Reclamation, Part 3"
By: Shrezade Anoran
Major Dane Weyland [NPC+]
Rilanna Kir

Location: Drogen Shipyards
Date: Selene 1, 4 ABY

***

Rilanna stepped into the secret bay where she and Reza had made their escape what seemed like a lifetime ago. It was dark, but she saw a ship waiting on the pad. From the sounds, it appeared that it was in preflight checks. She smiled. She toggled the infrared display with her chin, and the world was draped in a pale, red light. That which she couldn't see before, was now visible. Both weapons were in her hands, and she was ready for whichever tricks Weyland may pull. She didn't trust him. She heard the sound of his breathing and casually turned. A green spear of energy lashed out and left a smoking gouge in the shoulder pad of her battle armour.

"Not very good with that, are you, Major?" She danced aside to give herself cover.

"I'm as good as I need to be. Had I wanted you dead, you would be. I scored some of the highest marks at the academy for marksmanship, you know."

"Then you're a fool. You just wasted your only chance to kill me."

"I don't want to kill you though," Weyland answered. "Just like before, that's how it will be."

"Sure," Rilanna answered. "You're delusional too. As I said, you should have killed me when you had the chance, because I'm now going to kill you."

"It doesn't have to be this way, Rilanna."

"You threatened to kill Reza."

"Details. She isn't necessary anyway. Give up your weapons and we'll make it like it was."

Rilanna sighed. "No. You're a pompous, arrogant bastard, and you're a lousy lover."

"Oh, Rilanna, that hurts."

Rilanna grinned. "Possibly," she said, "but this will hurt worse." She spun out from where she'd been hiding, and fired. Weyland had stepped out and was raising his weapon to shoot her when the paired blaster bolts seared the air around him. He was atop the shuttle, weapon ready, but had to quickly dodge aside when her blast hit. She heard him grunt in pain, and knew that she'd come close.

She cried out suddenly as he reared up and fired. His shot slammed into her abdomen, throwing her back. He let out a victory cry, and she heard him leaping down. He was racing toward her, weapon raised. His next shot punched through the deck and then he was on top of her. She'd been ready for his attack and flipped him back over her head. He crashed into a packing crate, but recovered quickly. Her breathing was coming in sharp gasps, and she knew that he'd done some damage. His boot took her across her helmeted face.

He brought his foot back around, but she managed to lock her forearms around it and twisted, sending him to the ground. He sprang up to meet her, ready to knock her head from her shoulders again, but Rilanna had her blasters up.

"Oh," Weyland said when he saw them pointed at his unarmoured chest.

Without a word, Rilanna fired. Weyland was flung back, dead before he hit the ground.

"Revenge," she whispered. "It's done."

***

Reza laughed with morbid glee as she raced through the corridors, hearing the sounds of pulse turrets firing rapidly and killing everything that moved. In sealed decks where she'd made certain only Imp soldiers were trapped, nerve gas flooded in, causing a slow, merciless death to any caught without filtration masks. Airlock hatches were blown away and Imperials locked within were sucked out into space's vacuum. She'd focused all the internal defenses on areas occupied by Imperials, and coordinated the Rebel teams to drive and lure the enemy into sections of the station that could be sealed off to immure the Imps with no hope of escaping the wrath of weapons turrets, or noxious gases, oxygen deprivation, and the worst perhaps - depressurization that could crush a soldier, armour included, within seconds.

Those that were left could easily be finished off by the New Republic soldiers in a clean blaster fight. This left Reza free to seek out Rilanna, which she did, and which had her racked with anxiety. If she had been hurt or worse, she would track Weyland to the ends of the universe and kill him herself. Nearing the hidden hangar bay, Reza found herself running faster and filled with growing fear. "Ril," she whispered. The open doors drew closer. "Ril!"

"Here," Rilanna answered. She was sitting on the deck, as far away from Weyland as she could get. She winced as she shifted and smiled. She'd removed her helmet and her face lit up when she saw Reza. "I got him."

Reza's eyes remained on Weyland as she passed, and a feral smile formed on her lips. "Serves you right for sitting in my chair," she muttered, then focused only on Ril. She knelt at her friend's side and noted her one arm wrapped gently around her stomach. Reza sighed and began unclasping the fastenings holding Ril's armour in place. "You're okay? You're not in a lot of pain?"

"No," she said. "Not too much pain. Bastard shot me. Didn't breach the armour, but it hurts like...well, kind of like getting shot. Drove the armour back. I'll need to get it looked at, but I'm doing alright."

Reza pulled the breastplate away and set it to the side, then began easing down the zipper of Ril's energy dissipater suit. She frowned. "Foolish girl... I was worried."

Rilanna smiled. "I'm sorry I worried you," she said. "I would have contacted you, but his blast interfered with my comlink. We did it? We saved the station? I knew we could."

"Not officially yet," Reza replied. "But I don't think the Imps are going to be making a come-back." She laughed softly at her friend as she pushed the sleeves of the suit off her shoulders and spread it open wider. "Where does it hurt?" Reza muttered absently, and carefully lifted the hem of Ril's undershirt away from her abdomen. She winced at the sight of blue splotches already spreading over Ril's stomach. "You should've killed him twice," she said and lightly brushed her fingers over the bruises.

Ril winced, but then smiled. While the bruise hurt, Reza's touch was gentle. "I did shoot him twice," she said. "It felt good. Very good, actually. Though, not nearly as good as being free of him feels."

"He was such an ineffectual, powerless man," Reza mused. She rolled the shirt higher, and motioned with her eyes for Rilanna to hold it where it rested just below her bosom. "I feels almost silly fleeing from him, almost cowardly..." She smiled fondly then, and smoothed her hand delicately over Rilanna's belly. "It did give us time to develop our relationship though. At least that's one thing he did right."

"Yes," Rilanna whispered. "We did get that. And it wasn't him, it was all the men he controlled. There is strength in numbers, but perseverance will usually win out. Like us. We did it, Reze; we got the station back...or near enough."

Reza chuckled wryly as she let Rilanna's shirt down. "Yes...we did." She seated herself beside Rilanna with a weary sigh, and stared across at the unmoving body of Major Weyland. "Rilanna," she whispered, wishing for a moment he were still alive, still controlling the station, "I don't know what to do."

"What do you mean?" Ril asked. "What is it, Reza? What's on your mind?" She reached out and took Reza's hand and smiled at her friend.

Reza shifted her gaze to their laced fingers, and squeezed Rilanna's hand tightly. "Do I even want this anymore, Ril? Do I even want to go back to all this?" Her eyes found her friend's, and Reza whispered, "What if everything we've built up will be lost? Do we want to risk that, Ril?"

"Whatever it is, we can make it work, Reza. We need to figure out what we want us to be, and then we can work the rest around that. Maybe we can even work in a reduced capacity here on the station. Find someone we trust to run the day-to-day operations, and we're only involved in the important stuff."

"No," Reza replied readily. "I refuse to divide my station, Ril. Either I have it all, or none of it." She lowered her eyes to their hands resting upon their thighs pressed close, and whispered, "I'm afraid."

"Me too," Rilanna said softly. "It's not going to be easy." She looked up at Reza. "Could you give it up?"

Reza gazed distantly out upon the ship resting in the hangar, a ship that could so easily take both she and Rilanna away from it all. And Reza found that the thought triggered not one small trace of hesitance. "You know," she whispered with a serene smile, "for the right motivations, I could." Her eyes looked aside at Rilanna and she repeated with greater confidence. "Most definitely."

Ril smiled. "I think that sounds nice," she said. She shifted slightly. "How about, for now, we take it slowly, figure out what we want and where we want to be. If that sounds alright."

"It sounds fine," she replied with a gentle laugh. "And...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to push so hard, Ril. I just wanted to keep you far enough away that you wouldn't get hurt."

"It hurt to be away from you," Rilanna said. "But, you're not pushing now. We can do what we want now, Reza. We can be whoever we want, and make our lives however we desire."

Reza smiled wistfully. "If only that were completely true... But at least we'll get an almost fresh start...even if it might get a little full around here with Lerrah and Dresh." She squeezed Rilanna's hand gently and said, "But we'll always have time, Ril. Always."

Rilanna nodded and brought Reza's hands to her lips. "I don't know what will happen between Lerrah and I, but she knows how I feel about you. She knows how much I love you. And, she's got someone special here on the station, already. Whatever happens, Reza, I want to be with you."

"Major Weyland told me," Reza quipped, though her face held a bitter frown. "I'm sorry I made you go through with it, Ril. I should never have asked you to seduce him... Though," she added with a slow smile, "is it true that you spoke my name during...well..."

Rilanna felt her face go red and she looked down at her hand. "Maybe I did...once or twice..." She looked up at Reza, and smiled. "I didn't know if he noticed or not...he never said anything... But, don't worry about him...or the guy on Riga. It'd been awhile for me, so it was a nice diversion for a time...but it wasn't who I truly wanted, and no one could have ever taken her place, not in my life or in my fantasies."

Reza laughed softly to herself. "I still can't understand it. I don't understand why you want me, Ril." She kissed her friend's cheek, then smiled. "That doesn't matter, though. What matters right now is making sure we round up every last one of those Imps and keep them off my--" Her smile broadening, Reza amended, "Our station."

"Help me get my breastplate back on," Rilanna said as she eased herself into a sitting position. "I need to track down a woman named...Harough. She was a flightbay tech. When Lerrah was on the station before, they had a pretty wild fling. I told Lare I'd look for her."

"Did she give you any idea of where she might be?" Reza asked, positioning the metal casing over Rilanna's torso.

Rilanna winced, then nodded that she was alright. "She's supposed to be helping out a slicer friend of hers. She told Rilanna they'd be mid-decks, but they'd track us down when we got here and had the situation settled. Oh...I think...when this is done, I think I'm going to soak in a tub for about a week."

Reza chuckled. "You can have mine. It's much bigger." She clasped the fastening on Rilanna's right, then leaned forward to secure those on the left. Reza smiled slyly as her cheek brushed against Rilanna's lips. "In time," she said quietly, still working at the clasp, "you will have some company in that tub."

Rilanna smiled and let her lips graze over Reza's cheek. She reached one arm around her friend and hugged Reza, just happy to hold her close. "Thank you," she whispered. "I'd like that."

Reza laughed lightly, and returned Rilanna's embrace. "You don't know how endearing you are, Rilanna Kir," she told her. "And how truly I adore you."

"You're my best friend, Reze," Rilanna said. "Even when you were trying to push me away, I knew that. Whatever happens after today, I know that I want to be by your side, as your friend, as your confidante, and, if you'll have me, as your partner." She smiled wistfully, happily. "Our station."

"Absolutely." Reza held Rilanna a moment longer, then sighed and pulled away. Rising to her feet, she held a hand out to Ril. "Come. Let's go see what shape our station is in."

Once she was back on her feet, Rilanna checked her weapons and then finally removed her hand from Reza's. "Time to make them pay."

Reza nodded and proceeded forward with Rilanna. As they came up alongside Weyland again, Reza stopped and studied him with an inquisitively inclined head. "Whatever shall we do with him?"

"When we leave, we can decompress the bay," Rilanna said. "Our new shuttle's secured to the deck, so we don't have to worry about it."

Reza smiled thoughtfully as she resumed strolling towards the bay doors. She would have suggested his head impaled on a rod...but Rilanna's idea seemed more fitting somehow. Outside the hangar now with Rilanna, Reza turned on her heel and gazed through the transparisteel panelled doors as they closed, feeling intensely invigorated by the knowledge that she held the power to decide Weyland's final fate. With a feral grin, she blindly tapped in her access code on the door console, then, savouring every moment of it, inputted the depressurization sequence.

An intermittent red light blinked overhead inside the room as the bay door slowly lifted. The tails of Weyland's untucked shirt fluttered as the atmosphere rushed out of the hangar, replaced by the pervasive nothingness of space. His body shifted at first, but remained. Then it rolled once and halted with Weyland's face flat upon the deck. Reza's grin grew more fierce as she urged his lifeless body on, and finally it obeyed, being grasped by the sweeping winds escaping the bay and hurtling out into space. It slowed its forward momentum once it impacted with the dense, matterless void outside the station, and Reza could only watch with satisfaction. "That's what he gets for drinking that disgusting Bespin whiskey," she retorted.

"That's what he gets for sticking himself inside of me and then turning against us. Bastard. I hope he rots in every hell there is."

Reza smiled, for once freely and hopeful of what was to come. Slinging an arm across Rilanna's shoulders, she watched Weyland spin head over heels at an agonizingly slow pace, drifting further from view. "I hope he has a lot of patience," she mused, "because he's going to be out there a long time."

Resting her cheek against Rilanna's shoulder, Reza sighed and suddenly felt ten times lighter. For years she'd lived as a prisoner of her own grief, repressing her emotions and only going through the motions without feeling, without experiencing. As much of a brute as he had been, Weyland had at least given her the opportunity to shed her restrictive, smothering shell and allowed the Reza that had once been to blossom again. For the first time since Vraner's death, Reza felt no guilt. She could now truly live.

---

"Siege"
By Gengis Zibel [NPC+]
Brigadier-General Erwen [NPC]
Major Nealis [NPC]
Liam Zaneth
Oot Kovan [NPC+]

Location: Necron & Arcadia
Date: Selene 1, 4 ABY

***

Gengis looked to the planet; he was getting impatient. The New Republic capital ship needed their assistance, but he had to be sure that the transports arrived undamaged to the planet.

"Any news?" Gengis asked.

"No, sir. It seems that we are picking up a lot of static." The comm officer paused. "Wait, I'm getting something. Yes...it's confirmed; the transports made it to their locations."

"Good. Put all fighters on alert. We are going to enter in the battle; prepare to flank the Star Destroyers," Gengis said, as the sirens throughout the ship were heard.

***Meanwhile in Arcadia***

The Gallorian forces made their way to the palace. It was strange. It seemed that there were no stormtroopers in sight. At least that part near the palace. Brigadier-General Erwen looked as she felt something was definitely wrong. The streets were empty and the route they'd taken had been clear.

As they reached the main square, there was evidence of a great battle only finished a short time prior to their arrival since there were still wounded fleeing from the location and a lot of bodies on the ground. Some stormtroopers could be seen withdrawing from the area. Fires from carcasses of the AT-AT walkers were burning in the distance. Some parts of the Palace walls were destroyed and appeared to have no shields. Whomever had attacked the palace, whomever had planned the attack on the palace, had done a remarkable job of planning it out.

"What a hell happened here?" Major Nealis asked.

"To be honest, Major, I don't know," Erwen said as she took out her electrobinoculars and looked to the palace. "Whatever they are, they are not stormtroopers. Their suits are different than the stormtroopers."

"Do we proceed with the plan?" Nealis asked.

"I think we have a new enemy, Major! But we don't know anything about them. On the other hand, the New Republic is expecting us to take control of the palace." Erwen spoke softly, still looking to the palace.

"What do we do, Sir?" Nealis asked.

"Like it was planned. We are going to take that palace and hold it," Erwen ordered.

The soldiers stood in place, ready to engage this new enemy. Part of the walls and the shields were down; it was the perfect moment to attack.

"Attack!" screamed Erwen. The soldiers charged towards the palace. About a hundred Gallorian troopers exited from between the buildings and ran towards the palace.

The unknown troops within the palace were quick to respond. As the Gallorians charged, they trained their mounted gunnery turrets and opened fire. The heavy weapons fire was devastating against unarmoured targets. Despite the Gallorians' numerical advantage, those holding the palace appeared to have unwavering discipline and a tactical advantage on their side. As the Gallorians charged, they were wide-open targets.

The Gallorians ran as fast as they could. As they received heavy fire against the enemy, the Gallorians quickly responded but still moving forward towards the palace. Many of the Gallorians were cut down by enemy fire as they surged toward the walls, but those that survived came ever closer to the walls.

The army at the walls didn't flinch or fall back at the sight of the charging Gallorians. Their weapons fired true, and more and more of the charging enemy went down under the barrage of blaster fire. The move on the part of the Gallorian leaders was foolish; they did not have the numbers to make such a suicidal charge worthwhile, especially against a fortified position, such as the palace provided.

A man dressed all in black stood behind them, unswerved by the fighting. In his hands, he held two silvered cylinders. He waited. His face was a mask of pain, but his eyes blazed a fierce blue. At his side, a young man with eyes just as blue, clad in battle armour, but without his helmet, waited and watched.

There were much fewer Gallorians still standing when they finally reached the wall, but even at close quarters, where they did not need to worry about the unprotected expanse across which they ran, the superior skill of the army at the walls won out. Gallorian corpses littered the battlefield, and now they piled below the walls surrounding the palace.

"Remember, Major Nealis, set a line of defense five hundred meters away from the Palace walls and spread around it."

"Yes, sir," Major Nealis said, waiting for the orders from General Erwen.

"Move out!" Erwen ordered.

The second wave moved quickly as they set around the palace, five hundred meters from the walls. The line of the defense was set quickly.

At the walls, the defenders of the palace watched the Gallorians line themselves around the palace walls. There was no talking, no communication of any kind. There didn't need to be. Their actions and movements were as instinctual as breathing.

The man dressed all in black separated himself from the group with which he had been standing and moved forward. He moved forward, toward the Gallorian command post, seemingly unconcerned with the troops holding their positions five hundred meters from his men. He moved directly toward General Erwen, already knowing who commanded.

Erwen notice the man dressed all in black moving forward, she smiled back to the man in black. The line of defence around the place was complete, and the second wave set a fire against the high positions of the walls as the first wave retreated to the line of defence. Erwen knew that was going to take any chances since a frontal attack always seemed wrong and barely was doing any difference to this enemy.

At an unseen signal, from within the palace walls, a dozen small fighters rose up into the sky, and began making strafing runs around the outer perimeter of the wall. Lined up so perfectly around the wall, the Gallorians were unprotected and easily targeted.

Through it all, the man dressed in black continued on. He walked calmly, unafraid None of the weapons fire seemed to touch him, and he walked calmly through the middle of the storm, straight toward the Gallorian leaders. Precision shots fired by the ships left a clear path for him to pass through. He stopped two meters from where the Gallorian leaders stood.

"My name is Liam Zaneth, Emperor Regent of Tae'Karada until the return of her beloved Empress, the true ruler of this planet, chosen and approved by High Prince Valreth's own ruling council. You will withdraw from Arcadia with all possible speed. Any further aggressive actions will be taken as a sign of war...and do not think for a moment that I will not protect this planet or her people with every resource under my command. There will be no negotiations. You will leave, or you will die. It is a simple matter, really. I will give you fifteen minutes to begin your retreat. You will have two minutes to spread word to your people that they are to cease firing. If a single shot is fired by any of your people after that two minutes, it will be taken as a sign that you wish to continue your aggressive assault, and will be dealt with accordingly. I strongly suggest you go pick a different fight."

"Major Nealis order the cease fire now," Erwen said through the comm. The firing stopped. "I have specific orders from the New Republic to take control of that palace. We are the new allies of the New Republic."

"Tarkin no longer holds the palace," Liam answered. "You will need to find a new objective from the New Republic. You will not meet the one you have been assigned here."

"Very well. We will retreat but we will have to monitor this area. No one is allowed to enter or leave without our authorization, until I get response from the New Republic that there is no problem here," Erwen said. "I hope you understand my position. We have orders to follow and I don't want to take any chances. We will turn our attention to the Imperials, but we say who is allowed to enter or exit the palace, until we get orders from the New Republic."

"Know that if you leave anyone within a two kilometer radius of the palace, they will be taken and imprisoned. I don't care about your orders. You will evacuate this area and move on to your next objective. You have no authorization whatsoever in Arcadia, not while I sit the throne of this planet. You have twelve minutes remaining to withdraw. If you or your people enter Arcadia without my leave, you will be arrested and detained. I hope you understand."

"I can't do that," Erwen explained. "That decision belongs to my direct superiors, not me. Only the High Officers of the New Republic can answer to your plea, but I will transmit your request. Or perhaps you'd like to talk to them? Maybe we can set up a communications link..."

"You will remove all of your people from Arcadia," Liam said, his eyes going colder than midnight on Hoth during the winter, "or they will be arrested. If they resist, they will be killed. Now, you have seven minutes, I suggest you stop delaying. These are not negotiable terms. Tae'Karada is a sovereign planet, not under the rule of the New Republic. You will do that, or you will be held personally responsible for the dissolution of any sort of alliance that may exist between Tae'Karada and the New Republic. Remove your people now, General, all of them, or your actions will be viewed as an attack against the sovereign people of Tae'Karada."

"And how come you appoint yourself as ruler? Was this a democratic option? Did the people elect you as ruler? I told you, I have no authority to dissolve this operation and send my men away. I have my orders and we will be staying until my superiors tell me otherwise. Now, the real question is whether you want to be responsible for declaring war against the New Republic and thus throw away all chances of alliance with us."

"I am giving you ten seconds," Liam said. "If you aren't on your way out of here by the end of that ten seconds, my fighters will resume their strafing runs, and my troops will begin firing, in earnest, upon your people again. You seem to be under the mistaken impression that this planet has ever been some sort of democracy. It is, and has always been, a monarchy. The former High Prince's council has confirmed me as the Emperor Regent until Va'Lesh Zaneth, son and heir of Empress Yelara Zaneth, comes of age to ascend the throne." Liam removed the hilts of both lightsabers from his belt. "You will remove your people from Arcadia, or you will suffer the consequences."

"I have told you and will tell you once more that I cannot do that without my superiors ordering so. Now, you can either talk to them or I can talk to them, but without that we cannot, and will not, have any deal," Erwen stated and crossed her arms. "Besides, my ten seconds have passed. Now you can do whatever you like. If, as a ruler, you prefer to offer war to your people, right after they have been under the tyranny of the Empire then that is your choice. If you attack we will respond in the same way, although I think we can avoid it. But I warn you once more, that doing so will cease all possible future negotiations with the New Republic, I'm sure. The same New Republic that is fighting in outer space and in New Plouton as we speak to liberate the planet from Grand Admiral Tarkin's rule. What is your choice, Emperor Regent Liam Zaneth?"

"You have already made your choice," Liam answered. "You have chosen to refuse a command by the sovereign of this planet, and you knew the consequences of such defiance. You have fired upon my people, and acted as the aggressor in this case. You attacked first, and have refused the terms I laid forward. The fault in this matter is entirely yours." Liam then turned and began walking away. As he did, he stretched out his arms and ignited his lightsabers. He then raised the beams, one blue and one red, and crossed them over his head. The signal.

The ships that had been hovering above the walls shot forward and once again began setting up for their strafing runs. As Liam crossed an unmarked line, the shield activated, rippling energy that descended from the sky and blocked those inside the palace from those outside.

As they sat, three large transport ships rumbled over the city and stopped to hover in the area behind the Gallorian troops. After a moment, they descended to the ground. In the matter of a few heartbeats, bodies began boiling out of the craft and taking up positions, putting the Gallorian forces between themselves and the palace.

A red-skinned Twi'lek woman watched from the back of a landspeeder. At her side, a one-eyed Gungan sat, watching. She gave a signal to the driver and he moved the landspeeder forward, toward the command center. As she got closer, it was obvious the Twi'lek woman was wearing very expensive clothing, as well as a pin at her collar marking her a representative of the New Republic.

She climbed out of the speeder with the Gungan at her side and approached the command station for the Gallorian forces. "General Erwen," she said, taking a pause to look around at the battlefield. "Is there a problem here?"

General Erwen saluted. "We arrived here under orders and encountered a force unknown to us. I ordered an initial attack as to follow my orders to the letter. We just met a man who says he is the new appointed ruler of this planet and he gave us an ultimatum. Unwilling for us to contact our superiors to ask for permission, he seems to have declared war. Ma'am, I am not sure he will keep his word. We are pinned down now. Perhaps this is no place for a senator to be in at this time... Frankly this Emperor Regent Liam Zaneth seems just as mad as Tarkin!"

"Have you attempted to contact your superiors, General?" the woman asked. "And, I must say that Liam Zaneth is certainly not mad, only grieving. What was the ultimatum he gave you?"

"He gave us ten seconds to leave, ma'am, so I didn't have time to contact anyone yet. As soon as he left he sent those troopers there and we're pinned down now. Ma'am, perhaps we should escort you to a safer location? I can have my men do so."

The woman indicated the ships and troops on the other side of them. "Those are my men, General. I am perfectly safe. So, you are waiting for authorization to either pull out or lay siege to the palace?"

"Exactly," Erwen said with a nod.

"You have your authorization then, General," the woman said. "The confirmed sovereign ruler of the planet upon which you stand has asked you to remove yourself from this vicinity, therefore, you do it."

"I will abide, Senator, but by your request and not his," Erwen said. She then turned to face her men. "Get your gear and get ready to move out! We will rendezvous with the other groups at New Plouton!" she ordered. She then turned to face the Twi'lek senator again. "Senator, with your dismissal then..." She nodded.

"You will do so because the leader of this planet has commanded you to, General, not because of me," Oot Kovan, the Twi'lek woman, said flatly. "If you are unable to abide the commands from the leaders of the planet, you have no business being here, especially commands from a just leader such as the man who has taken up the mantle of leadership here. I suggest you pull the stick out, General, and realize there is more than one chain of command. Now, get your people out of here before Emperor Regent Zaneth loses his patience." With that, she stepped away and headed toward the palace. She could sense the bitter victory here, and knew this meeting would be difficult.

---

"Taking Over"
by: Major Adam Edwards
DB-7 [NPC+]
Various New Republic NPCs

Location: Drogen Shipyards
Date: Selene 1, 4ABY

***

Somewhere in between Adam getting shot and being carried back, the Imperials had retreated. Most of the station was already under New Republic control.

It seemed Anoran had activated her defense systems, and many of the Imperial Garrison had fallen to them. However as long as the Imperials held the control room, they still could cause plenty of trouble.

Adam grunted as he rose from the deck. The team medic helped him to his feet. Captain Lax stood several meters away, replacing a charge in his rifle.

"Looks like they've fallen back, Major. If our men don't get them, the defenses will," Lax assured him.

Adam picked his blaster up from the floor and nodded.

"Pick a couple of your best men, Captain. We're going to take the control room," Adam ordered.

Lax moved to follow his orders. Adam turned back to DB.

"Thanks for pulling me out of there, DB," he said.

DB tilted his head as if he was confused. "What else could I have done?"

Adam sighed. "I'm just glad you didn't leave me out there."

"That would have been very...disloyal of me," the droid said.

Lax came back with six men. All of them looked battle-hardened. The highest ranked was a Staff Sergeant, the lowest was a private.

Adam, DB, Lax, and the men all moved back to the turbolift.

The control room was located on Level 14. In the room, the Imperials worked frantically to re-organize their troops and find some way to deactivate the security systems.

The young Imperial Lieutenant Drax Conaway looked toward the lift as its doors opened. Expecting the extra Stormtroopers they had requested earlier, he was shocked to see a group of rebel soldiers charge through. He attempted to draw his weapon. The blaster was almost out when he saw a flash and the world blackened.

Adam flew out the lift door, his weapon ready. The wound burned in protest as his targeted an Imperial Lieutenant and fired. The blast sent the man reeling.

The room was occupied by three other naval officers and four Stormtroopers. Two of the officers were cut down before they could draw their weapons. The third managed to fire, but his shot hit DB's armored chest and did little damage. Two of the Stormtroopers fired, cutting down one of the Republic Soldiers.

Lax turned, throwing a barrage of blaster fire in the direction of the troopers. Both went down.

DB, realizing he couldn't fire his Concussion Rifle in such close quarters, grabbed the officer that fired at him. He picked the man off of the floor and slammed him into the nearest wall. The officer, dazed, fell to the ground.

The group of New Republic Soldiers took down the last three Stormtroopers, but not before losing another man.

When the shooting stopped, all the Imperials besides the dazed officer were dead. Adam and his group had lost two and one injured.

"Captain, use the cameras to locate the remaining Imperial Troops, then send our men to deal with them," Adam ordered. "DB, tie your friend up."

DB grabbed a piece of loose cable and began to tie the man's hands and legs.

"Send a team to Anoran's office. Find out if she's dead or not," he told Lax.

The men rushed to follow his orders. Once Lax was done, he walked across the room, towards Adam.

"We did it. Drogen is ours," he said, smiling.

"Get me the casualty reports. I want to know how many were lost," Adam told him.

Lax nodded, his smile fading quickly.

---

"Ethereal Paladins, Part 1"
By: Alisson Blair
Koran Darr
Daemor'rah
Kal'Aran
Ferrig Mullerin
Raeila Mullerin
Aurra Sgall
Laedra Vorrel
Quinlan Vos

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Selene 1, 4 ABY

***

"What's going on out there?" Ferrig Mullerin asked from the entrance of the cave as he peered out into the forest. He turned to his sister, seated at his side. "What do you think? Are they still fighting? I don't know if I can still hear them or not."

Rae turned her ear towards the opening, squinted as she concentrated, but heard nothing. "I don't know... Do you-- Should we go out there and check?"

"Maybe we should," Ferrig said. "I don't know what we'd be able to do, but it's gotta be more than just sitting in here."

"We wouldn't have to get really close," Raeila told him. "I mean...just close enough to see what's going on. In case we...have to run or something."

"They probably wouldn't worry much about us anyway," Ferrig said. "I mean, if you were fighting Jedi, would you worry about us? Come on, let's go see." He held out a hand to his sister, glancing back into the cave for the others.

Tralesha was occupied with consoling Orinth on the loss of his granddaughter, and Orinth was just as busy seeking to comfort Va'Lesh. No one noticed Ferrig and Raeila slip out of the cave.

Raeila trembled as they progressed deeper into the forest, closer to the Temple and whatever awaited them there. Raeila thought first of Kael, praying to Thana he had been spared. After the trials they'd encountered just to find one another, losing him now would devastate her.

"Do you hear anything yet?" she whispered anxiously to Ferrig.

"Something, but it's distant. Low rumble and...it almost sounds like insects fighting. It sounds like it's coming from that direction." He led the way, picking their way through trees and other obstacles. As they continued, the sounds of fighting grew nearer. "Yes," he said. "Fighting."

Raeila's hand tightened around Ferrig's. "Oh gods... Kael... Ferrig what if--" She turned her face into his arm. "I couldn't bear it."

"He'll make it Rae," Ferrig said. "I'm sure he's fighting as hard as he can, because he knows that if he doesn't make it he won't have you anymore either. He'll come back to you."

Raeila nodded, then gasped as she was abruptly pulled down to her knees behind a thicket by Ferrig and drawn in close. Not far from where they were, the rustling of leaves and the crunching of litter beneath heavy feet sounded, and was only getting closer. Accompanying the tell-tale signs of a scuffle was the crackling of a lightsaber striking something metallic - a sword, perhaps. Raeila clenched her eyes shut and buried herself in Ferrig's sheltering arms.

"Ferrig," she whispered. "I'm scared."

"We'll be safe," Ferrig whispered in response. "We just make sure to...to stay down. We'll be alright, Rae. They'll pass us by. It'll be fine."

A flash of light appeared between the trees, but that was about it. A grunt of pain was followed by more sounds of battle, and then silence. Ferrig realized he was holding his breath.

Raeila, meanwhile, shook violently in Ferrig's embrace, willing herself not to cry out in fear and bolt. She heard one of them whimper, and knew it was herself, then realized it sounded volumes louder in the complete silence of the forest than it actually was. Raeila froze, hoping desperately whoever was out there hadn't heard. As cautious, slow footsteps grew closer, Raeila realized they had.

"Ferrig, we have to run," she whispered.

The branches that shielded them from whomever was on the other side parted and a body surged forward. The young man suddenly stopped short as he saw who he faced, then laughed. "Oh Thana," snapped Kael Selrid. "What are the two of you doing out here? I almost cut you in half? Is everything alright in the cave? They haven't found it, have they?"

Raeila grinned with elation at Kael, then gasped and sprang to her feet as she noted the smear of blood on his upper arm. "Kael! What happened!" She moved to his side and inspected the wound. "Oh gods...we were so worried!" she told him, delicately pulling the fabric of his tunic away from the cut. "We didn't know what was happening or anything.... We just had to come and see."

"It was really bad for awhile," Kael said. "But, we're winning now. I'd just chased one of them down; I think he was trying to make it to a comm." He looked away, and then back to Ferrig and Rae. "Master Andro...he didn't make it."

"Oh no..." Raeila sighed, then slipped her arms around Kael's waist and hugged him, grateful she was still able to. "Kael...please don't go back there. I don't want you to be next."

"I won't be next," Kael said as he wrapped his arms around her. "I promise I'll come back, Rae. But, I will have to go back. I don't think they'd be upset with me staying here for a couple minutes...making sure the two of you are alright. How's everything back in the cave?"

Raeila gazed up at him, the sorrow clear in her eyes. "I don't know how she knows... Yara...she said that Orinth's granddaughter - Yelara.... She says she's died. Orinth is so sad...and Va'lesh too."

Kael closed his eyes and nodded, feeling the emptiness in the Force where Yelara would have been, at least her living self. "Yes," he whispered. "She's gone." He opened his eyes and in them was a great sadness. "The costs of this war are too high."

"The costs of all wars are too high," Ferrig said.

"Then how can we end this?" Raeila asked. "Before anyone else dies?" She pressed her hand to Kael's cheek. "Before you die?"

"This one is nearly at an end," Kael said. "This one will be over soon. We're just...rounding up the stragglers, now. It will be over soon, my love; I promise. And, then we will put down our lightsabers and once again work toward peace."

Raeila nodded sullenly, then returned fully to Kael's embrace. "I love you," she whispered fervently. "I thank Thana that you're still here with me."

"And, I thank her that I have a wonderful, beautiful wife to come home to...and that I can come home. The two of you stay out of the way out here. It's dangerous. We don't really know who or what these Sith are, but they may attempt to exploit any advantage they find. Wouldn't want you caught in the middle of this. I don't want anything to happen to you."

"Then it won't," she assured him, and added a kiss to assuage any lingering fears. "We'll see you soon, my arozeil. And please be careful."

"I'm always be careful for you," Kael whispered and pulled her tight into his arms for a long, passionate kiss that promised much more when the dangers had passed. "You two stay safe," he said. "I'll come back as soon as I'm able."

Raeila nodded and grudgingly slipped out of his embrace. At Ferrig's side now, she took his hand and smiled tenderly for Kael. "Thana's watching down on you, Kael. Go save our home."

Kael gave them both a smile, then waved before rushing back off into the forest.

Once he was gone, Ferrig sighed. "I never thought I'd say it, but I felt safer with him here with us."

Raeila stared across the way, upon the lifeless Sith Kael had dispatched. She reflexively sought Ferrig's embrace. "Me too," she whispered. "Let's go back to the cave. I'd rather face Orn than those guys any day."

"Of course," Ferrig answered as he put his arms protectively around his sister. He'd always protected her, but he knew he couldn't protect her the way Kael could. He'd do his best though...that's all he could ever hope to do. "We'll be safe in the cave."

"And you can keep me warm too," she sighed, and smiled at him fondly as they started back. "I love you too, Ferrig," she told him after a time. "I wanted you to hear that."

"Thank you," Ferrig said. "I knew that already, but it is nice to hear. Come on, let's go find a nice rock to curl up on together in that cave." He kissed the side of her head, and slipped between a pair of trees that hid the path they'd taken out. It was easy to follow it back.

***

A red blur flew past Laedra's field of view and its flight was stopped by a nearby tree. It rebounded and fell face down onto the forest floor, five feet away. She studied the Sith with slight interest, wondering how she had been so afraid of them before. Now, they were but insignificant nuisances that required immediate expulsion, and the Jedi were succeeding.

Still regarding the lifeless Sith, part of Laedra's attention was tugged in another direction - to the Sith coming up behind her. But Laedra felt no panic, no urgency. She was attuned to the world around her, to the Force flowing through her, and was an extension of it now, not a barrier to it as before. The approaching enemy was a disruption to the tranquil undulations of the unseen energies around her, allowing Laedra to easily sense his presence as if he were a herd of banthas stampeding. Her eyes remained still on the dead Sith a distance from her, contemplating whether he had felt fear the moment his life-force slipped away from his now empty shell, and if his comrade would experience the same.

Laedra swung her weapon over her head and inverted its pink shaft to deflect the blade sweeping towards her lower back. Both weapons collided, and it was almost effortless keeping the Sith's at bay. As he struggled to push his weapon forward, Laedra barely flexed a muscle to hold it back. And still, her attention was on his fallen comrade. She mused briefly that this one would soon join him.

Laedra heard the Sith grunt as her leg shot back and drove into his gut, but he hadn't time to stumble far before Laedra twisted her lithe body around and sliced clean through his neck. His head rolled off his shoulder and to the ground. The decapitated body soon followed. Laedra sighed. The battle was growing tedious, and Laedra simply wanted to find a bed. A bed where she could curl up with Koran. She smiled.

Not far from where Laedra was battling her Sith, Koran Darr was doing the same. He was managing to keep two at bay while they tried to breach his defenses. They had not the skill or strength to do so. He switched from a defensive to an offensive stance. He dropped his shoulder, and slipped down along the side of one of the Sith. He brought his weapon up, high in an arc, taking one in the knee and the other at the vulnerable spot beneath his left arm. The first Sith crumbled to the ground, now deprived of most of his right leg, and the other Sith's weapon toppled to the ground, still attached to the arm severed from his body. The wounds, instantly cauterized by the lightsaber, left the Sith in no danger of bleeding to death, so Koran used the Force to toss them out of the way. He sensed movement and threat behind him, and quickly snapped his lightsaber back, over the top of his head, to protect the length of his back. The Sith's blade crashed into the weapon, but could not slice through Koran Darr as he'd intended. Koran spun, parried the next thrust, and lunged. The battle was joined once more, though the Sith truly had no chance at this point.

For Quinlan it became all too easy. If before he was finding these Sith a challenge but one with which he could stand, now he was finding this even more easy. It was strange, as if he was in total control of all his aptitudes. All at once. Perfect motion, perfect control. The Sith fell as he could move faster and strike stronger than before. He was bashing at them and using the Force to keep them at bay, as he struck one after the other.

Daemor'rah was also finding things easier. Still with two weapons at hand, she felt life around her and she felt herself as part of it. Everything was tuned up in a perfect unison, with all the plant life and the people and even the water springs all together. She felt calm and yet could see the raging battle. But it was as if she had no more need for fear... Letting herself loose, she kept parrying and striking at the Sith who kept their attacks imminent, using her first weapon, her lightsaber, to strike and the blade she held to defend as the Sith tried to attack all at the same time. "Master, it seems so easy now!" she yelled over.

"It does!" Quinlan nodded. "But keep focused still. We must keep a positive attitude and focus on victory or we might fall victims of our own pride!" Quinlan said.

"Yes, Master!" Daemor'rah nodded seriously as she kept her attack.

Another Sith sailed away from Laedra as, with a single wave of her hand, he was lifted by the Force and carried off. Around her, susurrations whirled about her head, ones that would have been imperceptible to even she if the Force hadn't enhanced her senses. She smiled at the spirits, knowing they were guiding them to their victory.

Thank you, she told them. And she felt them smiling down upon her.

As another Sith charged her from behind, Laedra closed her eyes and surrendered to the spirits' protection. Laedra was instantly embraced by a warding shroud of the Force. She sighed, her body seeming insubstantial as if a leaf being raised by a breeze, and the gentle hands of the spirits lifted Laedra from the ground. With arms spread wide and body held aloft in the air, the Sith became inconsequential, especially as she opened her eyes and gazed serenely at the blue sky directly in her line of sight.

The spirits continued whispering to her, in their ancient tongue, but Laedra understood every word, and spoke it flawlessly when she replied. They told her of how exalting transcendence had felt, much like floating weightlessly on an ocean of the Force, as she was now.

I understand, Laedra replied. But we're not ready for transcendence yet. There's still much to do.

The spirits made their approval known with a hauntingly entrancing refrain that reminded her of chimes tinkling in a multitude of harmonics that blended in perfect unison. Then all Laedra's senses snapped back into focus. The Sith was beneath her, driving his sword upwards to impale her. Laedra was at complete ease as she sailed over the Sith, her body coming completely vertical to his. She looked down upon the Sith as she remained momentarily suspended above him. He seemed so...small now. She wondered if he even deserved death. But he had to be banished with the rest of them, no matter what their fate would be.

The Force cradled her as Laedra completed her revolution over the Sith, and with one leg extended to greet the ground that rushed forward, she was gently set down behind the warrior. He hadn't a chance to turn before, on one knee, Laedra thrust her lightsaber into the gap at his lower back. His weapon dropped as both hand came around, groping frantically for the blade protruding from him. Laedra withdrew the weapon in one clean pull, and the Sith toppled forward. She closed her eyes calmly and brought the hilt of her lightsaber parallel with her forehead in a moment of reflection. Thank you, she whispered again to the spirits.

Master Kal'Aran was also finding things a lot more easy and he knew this was the work of the spirits at the Temple. This was the work of Koran Darr and his Padawan, Laedra.... And it was a good thing since this gave them a unique and most interesting advantage at battle against the Sith, who also seemed weaker now than before. He was still back to back with Aurra and he was still hurt in his shoulder, but even his wound seemed a lesser setback, as he didn't feel as much pain anymore....

The blue skinned girl was finding things a lot easier now and could feel her movements faster than usual. It was as if she had gone years of training ahead in one single leap. She wasn't aware why this had been so but she was content that it was. A few minutes ago they were losing, and now it seemed the battle was turning to their advantage and the Sith were falling and even starting to retreat. Still, she chose not to take unnecessary lives, so instead she Force pushed them and used malacia whenever she could. As things were, she didn't even have to concentrate much to use this new technique she had learned just a few days ago....

Alisson was also by their side, but stood solo. Sith came to her and she simply dodged them and attacked, striking and turning fast as the troopers came from different directions. She could even tell where they were standing even if she didn't see them because she had her back to them. It was as if she had a warning from the Force. At one point she even felt two Sith as they came at the same time to strike her. Alisson dodged at the very last second and the blades of each Sith struck the other. She had never felt this strong and fast even with all her training. She saw more and more Sith falling at the passing of each minute, and it didn't take long before they started to flee and become hesitant in their attacks.

Koran leapt over one fallen Sith, rocketing up nearly twenty meters, raising his lightsaber high overhead as he reached the apex of his jump. One of the Sith watched him as he began to descend, and the man actually readied himself for Koran. Koran felt no fear, however. There was nothing for him but the Force. Once he was close enough, he brought his weapon down, snapping as hard as possible with as much strength as he could muster. The Sith, seeing this, adjusted into a defensive stance, slipping his sword crossways across his body to defend against Koran's downward slash. Lightsaber crashed against cortosis blade. There was an instant of unwavering calm, and then everything exploded as the force of Koran's strike shattered the blade, and his lightsaber met the weak point between shoulder and throat, slicing down into the body of the Sith.

He sensed a movement behind him. Stood, turned, and thrust out a hand. The Sith charging him was flung back, crashing heavily into the trunk of a tree. "My apologies," Koran said to the tree. In his mind, he heard its answer: For the good of all, I am only happy to be of assistance.

Koran retrieved his weapon from the body of the Sith he'd killed, and moved on through the trees. Ahead of him, he saw Laedra dispatch a pair of Sith. A half-smile curled his lips and he approached her. "It appears that most are in retreat," he said, then tossed another Sith away. "Though, there do appear to be a few who have not yet grasped the hopelessness of this fight."

"They are persistent," Laedra noted, and closed her eyes briefly as a pulse of Force energies emanated from the length of her body, passing through Koran and rushed towards an oncoming Sith behind him. The solider hurtled away as the impenetrable wall slammed into him. Laedra sighed, then smiled at Koran. "Never thought I'd be able to do that."

"You do it very well," Koran said and returned her smile. "I believe it will not be much longer out here. Did you sense Ferrig and Raeila?"

Laedra nodded. "And Kael. And everyone else around us." She laughed in amazement. "I can see everything, Koran! Is this what it was like for them, do you think?"

"It must be," Koran answered. "This must be what it's like. Can you imagine going through life with this much...awareness of everything? Though, I guess it does appear that we will be."

"It will be somewhat disconcerting at first." Laedra sighed gravely. "I felt Liam," she whispered. "He was in pain... And from what Orinth showed us of Yelara's life force..." She looked down, feeling a bubbling guilt beneath the surface of the tranquility offered by the spirits. "I no longer feel her, Koran."

Koran sighed softly and nodded. "I no longer feel her either," he said. "We will win this fight against the Sith today, but it will be no victory."

"How can it be when there's been so much death? I feel it all over, Koran," she said. "We're not the only ones battling. There's a war out there...and one we should be fighting in, defending our home. We must help, Koran."

Koran reached out a hand to Laedra. "I feel it to," he said. "When things are secure here, we'll go out there and help however we can. Whatever they need of us, we'll help protect our home...we'll be guardians of the peace again."

Laedra smiled tenderly as her fingers laced with Koran's. "And surprisingly, that no longer frightens me." She squeezed his hand gently, then looked past him at their friends driving off the last of the Sith. "Should we help?"

Koran looked, then nodded. "Yes," he said, then smiled. "That is what we're here for." He then looked her in the eyes and smiled. "And for each other."

"There'll be time," she assured him. "Now" --she gestured to the two Sith attempting to sneak up behind them and catch them offguard-- "shall we?"

"They do think they're so clever, don't they?" Koran asked, as he glanced back at the Sith. "They'll never learn, though we can teach them a lesson they won't soon forget. Before we get separated from each other in the fight, Laedra, I love you."

Laedra smiled. "I feel that more than ever now. And I love you too...in my own way." Before he could misinterpret, Laedra leaned forward and kissed him fondly, then pulled away and ran to intercept one of the advancing Siths.

---

"Ethereal Paladins, Part 2"
By: Alisson Blair
Koran Darr
Daemor'rah
Kal'Aran
Ferrig Mullerin
Raeila Mullerin
Aurra Sgall
Laedra Vorrel
Quinlan Vos

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Selene 1, 4 ABY

***

Koran laughed, and spun after her. As he reached the second Sith, his lightsaber ignited. Dropping low before the Sith, ducking easily below the attack aimed to remove his head from his shoulders, he attacked. The lightsaber struck harmlessly off the armoured band protecting the Sith's waist, and as the man smiled, thinking he'd gotten Koran, the lightsaber snapped upward, driving beneath the arm, and in through the gap of the armour. The man's eyes rolled back, and he toppled to the ground, sword falling from lifeless hands. "In your next life," Koran said to the corpse, "you should learn the word surrender."

Laedra subdued her opponent less quickly, but with more of a flourish. Blade and lightsaber clashed as Laedra whirled left, and then right, each time swinging at the Sith but her efforts quashed by the cortosis blade striking back. The soldier proved daring as he attempted to lunge forward and end Laedra's dizzying display of rapidly alternating turns. Laedra was prepared for it, her foresight alerting her to the Sith's next move before he realized he would perform it. A laid out backflip put Laedra out of reach, and when her feet touched down, she sprang upright and pulled her body into another blurring spin that achieved what she'd attempted to do: make a target too difficult for the Sith to attack.

Her cloak wrapped around her slender legs and torso as she twisted, while her lightsaber spiralled around her head. Defying the powerful inertial force acting on her, Laedra levelled out her weapon when she came about-face again and sliced through the Sith's neck. After a final revolution, she pulled out of her spin and her feet found solid ground again. She held her weapon doublehanded and extended outwards towards the Sith, who remained eerily still. She narrowed her eyes inquisitively at him, then with a single tap of her lightsaber's tip to the Sith's helmet, his head finally tumbled back, and the Sith to one side. Laedra frowned at the gruesome scene. "Well."

Quinlan and Daemor'rah were standing. They saw two of the Sith running away as they probably understood the fact that they had no chance whatsoever against them. It had been the turn of the tide and it had been a true lifesaver for them all.

"Shall we go after them, Master?" Daemor'rah asked.

"No..." Quinlan shook his head. "They are afraid and they will not be coming back. This battle we have won although I fear the costs have been large. Master Andro is no longer alive..." he said as he glanced at all the bodies around them. "Daemor'rah, you fought bravely and very well and I sensed no hate or anger when fighting by your side. I am proud of you."

"Thank you, Master. Actually I felt quite relaxed when that bright light showed and ever since have a feeling of peace..." she replied. As she did so she noticed Aurra and Master Kal'Aran walking their way along with Alisson. She smiled and walked over. "I am glad you're ok," she said.

"So am I!" Aurra replied. She was truly happy that it had turned out well. "For a moment I thought we were all at a loss, but Master Kal'Aran told me to keep a positive thought. That it might influence the outcome of a battle."

"And it can!" Alisson smiled. "The Sith? Are they all dead?" she asked Quinlan Vos.

"Those who are not have fled. Some are even in heavy pain... I recognize the technique as malacia," he said as he looked at young Aurra Sgall.

"If I can choose to save lives or disable them without having to take their lives, then I believe that would be best..." the young girl said. "I'm just surprised I could do it so easily!"

"Thank the spirits... I think they had something to do with it, although I cannot say how or why," Master Kal'Aran told Aurra. "But we owe them our lives."

"Those wounds?" Quinlan asked, pointing at Kal'Aran.

"We all got a little bruised. I can hardly feel any pain now," the Jedi Master replied to his old friend.

"I will look at them and tend to them once we're back inside the Temple," Alisson insisted, only to see her former Jedi Master nod in agreement.

***

"It appears," Koran said as he approached Laedra, "that we now have a prisoner. Good work. It does appear that they do have some mechanism within them for self-preservation." He pointed past Laedra to where Kael was approaching with a Sith marching in front of him. The man was missing one arm, but still had a defiant look in his eyes. The young Jedi's lightsaber was at the man's back, ready to end his life should he prove troublesome.

"What will we do with him?" Laedra asked. "It would be dangerous to keep him here."

"It would," Koran said. "However, perhaps he can still answer some questions. Unless you feel it would be more prudent to dispense with the questions and take care of him now. I do not know what useful information we could gain from him that we do not already know. I sense within him an abomination, a wrongness beyond just his dark powers."

Laedra frowned. "A clone? Like Yara?"

"No," Koran said. "Not like that...manipulated somehow, but not from birth. It's...it's as if it were...a mutation."

"Tarkin's doing," Laedra remarked with distaste. "He is interfering with the natural way of things. I believe our next task should be to depose him."

Koran nodded. "I agree," he said. "Though, I believe others may be ahead of us in that task already. We will check on him after we finish up with this."

Laedra looked around them, at their fellow Jedi easily taking care of the remaining Sith. "It looks like this might just be over."

"Let's get to the communications station and see if we can get any word on what's happening. I sense a great disturbance in the Force. Something very big is happening."

"As do--" Laedra groaned and staggered back, only stopping when a tree came up behind her for support. Her weapon slipped from her hand, and Laedra dropped to her knees as if her strength was being drained rapidly from her. "Oh gods..." she breathed. "What's happening?"

Koran was already on the ground, his forehead pressed against the moist earth. He tried to push himself up but found himself lacking in the strength to do so. He felt...drained. "The...our...I feel so weak...as if...our powers...taken away."

All of the Jedi and Padawans that stood together grabbed their heads and fell to their knees and onto the ground. They were hurting, as if all that strength had been taken away from them. A shield of a partial invincibility that had been loaned and was just taken back from them.

"Strength... Pulled away..." Alisson moaned as she fell down.

They were all too tired to even speak or comment, but they all knew that just as fast as they had become stronger they had become their regular person once more... And they were now feeling their fatigue and wounds as they would have if things had never changed before. This was true proof that without the help, it would have been a massacre for them.

***

Laedra grunted as she collapsed onto her side, and her body could do nothing more than breathe. The gentle whispers from before returned and swirled around her mind, reassuring her that this was the way of things, that their blessing could not remain forever. The balance in the Force was a delicate one that could be easily upset if they were allowed to hold such power permanently. You have the knowledge, they confided, and at once their ephemeral, amorphous forms drifted above her. Seek...and you shall know. Know...and it shall be yours.

Laedra nodded listlessly, and sighed. We will not let your knowledge die. We will seek, and know.... She smiled. And be.

The spirits glowed brightly, as if returning the smile, then were dispersed by a swift breeze passing through the small clearing. Within the shrine, the humming, illuminant sphere that had been the source of their temporary powers dimmed, and shrank away. At last, it was but a pinprick of light that finally winked out, silencing the spirits once more.

Koran Darr managed to find the strength within himself to crawl to Laedra's side. A shaking hand reached up and brushed her cheek and he smiled. "We did it, Laedra. We did it."

Laedra chuckled weakly. "If so...then why don't I feel so good?"

"They took it away," Koran answered. "And...and after what we did...we're exhausted."

She smiled. "I noticed." Laedra managed to look around her. The other Jedi were in the same condition as she and Koran, and the Sith Kael had captured seemed to be in a state of suspended animation. It appeared the spirits were still protecting them, from his retaliation now as they lay powerless on the forest floor. "They're still here...but I don't think they'll be talking to us again for a while."

"Not for awhile," Koran said. "I think they got what they needed from us, and now they need a rest." He tried to sit up, and failed. "I think we need one too."

Laedra chuckled softly and struggled to crawl closer to Koran. It was a grueling effort and when she finally edged near enough to him, she sighed heavily and nestled her cheek to his shoulder. "Just a little rest," she murmured, and gathered just enough remaining strength to slip her arms around his waist.

Koran sighed softly and managed to slip his arms most of the way around Laedra. "Just a little," he said. He felt his exhaustion deepen, and then he chuckled. "Though, longer might be nice...or unavoidable."

Laedra grinned, then her eyes flashed towards the copse of trees to her left where a loud rustle had arisen. From the forest appeared Ferrig and Raeila, who gasped and rushed towards Kael now lying fatigued upon the ground. She knelt at his side and cradled his head in her lap. "Are you okay?" she whispered anxiously. "Are you hurt? Oh gods, Kael..."

"Exhausted," Kael murmured. "The fight...we won, but after..." He looked up at Rae. "After, the spirits took their gift back...and we're all drained...but...but we won."

Raeila gazed out upon the bodies strewn across the clearing, some missing limbs, and others heads. She cringed and focused on Kael's heavy eyes. "My love, let's get you inside. I'll help." Raeila did just that by slipping her arms under his and attempting to pull him to his feet. He seemed far heavier completely fatigued than he usually was, and Raeila failed with a grunt as both sank to the ground again.

Kael made a sound that could have been a chuckle. "Maybe, we should just lie here for a little bit," he said. "It's nice here, isn't it?"

Raeila laughed defeatedly, and began stroking Kael's hair. "Yeah...just beautiful." She looked back at her brother and urged him tacitly to help her, then leaned over Kael and kissed his brow. "You were wonderful today, I bet," she whispered. "My arozeil Jedi Knight."

"Thank you," Kael whispered as he returned her kiss. Ferrig's strong arms came beneath his arms and helped him up. Once he was standing, Ferrig slung one arm across his back for support. "What would I do without the two of you?"

Raeila giggled. "You'd still be telling bad jokes?"

Kael chuckled and then waved a thumb to Ferrig behind him. "That's his job," he said. "I don't tell jokes."

"Because they'd be bad," Ferrig answered. "You know they would."

"No they wouldn't."

Ferrig laughed. "Then tell one."

"I'm not in the joke telling mood," Kael answered with a grin.

Ferrig looked to his sister. "See?"

Raeila smiled affectionately at her two men, then rose to help Ferrig support Kael. As his arm came across her shoulders and they began leading him away, Raeila frowned pensively at the approaching temple. "It was strange.... We were in the cave and we somehow just knew it was safe, knew it was okay to come to you. I just don't know how...."

"It was the spirits," Kael said. "They were watching over us, protecting us. I just wish they'd given us a warning before they took their gift away."

"A gift?" Raeila smiled quizzically. "What kind?"

"They gave us a deeper understanding of the Force, helped us to learn how to defeat the Sith and protect our home and each other. Without them, we couldn't have made it. There were just too many of them." He smiled at her. "But we did make it."

Raeila glanced over her shoulder at all the Jedi helplessly attempting to pick themselves up from the ground, then giggled at Kael. "You certainly did. But I think I should try and help some of them." She kissed Kael on the cheek. "I'm proud of you, my arozeil. You're so brave." Then she caressed his cheek briefly and sought the other Jedi to offer aid.

Alisson was holding Master Kal'Aran as they came to meet the others. By their side was also Master Vos, who was helping his padawan, as she was wounded in her leg, and Aurra walked alone. They were obviously fatigued and tired. But it was good to see that the rest were also okay... The biggest loss was indeed the loss of Master Andro. And it was indeed a large price to pay.

"Thank you," Koran said as Raeila came over to help him to his feet. "I feel so... It's good that there are some of us unaffected by our sudden change. You are a good person, Raeila Mullerin."

She blushed and sheepishly looked away. "I'm trying, Master Darr. And I'm really glad you're alright. Once you get inside, I'll look at that leg wound."

Koran glanced down at his leg and chuckled. "I'd forgotten I even had it. That would explain the pain though. Laedra also has injuries that will need to be looked at."

"Tralesha and Shaza and Orinth will help, I'm sure," Raeila told him. Her eyes strayed to the Sith on either side of the path she was taking towards the Temple. She sighed. "What are we to do with them, Master?"

Koran glanced at the bodies and sighed softly. "Tonight, after we've recovered our strength, we will make a pyre for them."

Raeila gazed up at Koran in disbelief. "You will? In the desert we only do that for the people we care for and respect. You'll do that for them?"

"It's more a matter of disposing of the bodies," Koran said. "We don't want to just leave them to litter the forest. They will bring all sorts of predators, and possibly diseases. That needs to be averted."

Raeila nodded slowly. "But...what of their asri?"

"After what Tarkin did to them, I doubt they have any asri left in them."

Swallowing hard, Raeila solemnly looked down, keeping her eyes from catching sight of the Sith again. It reminded her far too much of the desert and all the deaths she'd witnessed there. It seemed no place, not even one as once sacred as the Temple, was spared from the taint of violence and darkness.

Koran put a hand on Rae's shoulder. "It'll be alright," he said. "We'll all get through this."

"I know, Master Darr." She smiled for him. "We'll make it better."

And as she aided Koran into the Temple, Raeila attempted to picture life after this. Talara was gone, as was Andro. Yelara had died as well and no one knew what was to become of Liam Zaneth. Raeila held little hope for the future, but at least she still had Kael and Ferrig, and they all had the Temple. Though, the future seemed all too desolate at that moment.

---

"Always Up for A Fight"
By: Robin Black [NPC+]

Location: New Plouton
Date: Selene 1, 4 ABY

***

Robin Black could tell the trouble brewing. Even in the bar he was in in the middle of New Plouton people were edgy. Few people bought drinks, and fewer still were chatting. Robin felt the reassuring pressing weight of his guns in his holsters. If a fight started with the New Republic and Tarkin's forces here, then there was no question who would win, the New Republic forces were extensive and well supported. Robin knew what side he would join. When the Rebellion had become the New Republic it had lost its appeal for Robin.

Two large men entered the bar. Both looked like the vicious type of thugs who usually walked the streets bullying weaker individuals. They pointed at Robin and walked over. Robin leaned back against the wall of the bar and unclipped his guns under the table.

The two thugs were large and scarred, neither of them human. One who looked like the leader of the two took a seat opposite Robin. Robin looked up from his drink at the man. "Seats taken," Robin muttered, pulling his gun free under the table.

"I have a message from my boss." The man spoke, "He wants you to join our organisation."

"And who is this boss of yours?" Robin asked. "And what sort of organisation are we talking about here?"

"We do not know our boss's name nor do we see his face; he wears a mask at all times, however our organisation is just a simple public bar similar to this one. We have other dealings such as car repair, brewing, and above all protection."

"So you're a crime mob?" Robin asked. "And you're taking advantage of the war that is now going on between the Imperials and the New Republic?"

"You are correct. We were told not to appeal to your greed because you don't have any. You do what is right. Think about this then: since the war will cause the breakdown of law and order, we distil order into the chaos of the war."

"And if I refuse?" Robin asked.

"Then I regret that my partner here" --the leader of the two thugs nodded towards his companion-- "will be forced to shoot you."

Robin noticed the Imperial blaster on the thug's thigh. It was a formidable weapon more than likely taken off a dead Imperial storm trooper, the Emperor's elite. Robin sipped at his drink. "Well I tell you that I will refuse to join anything that will in any way harm people," Robin snarled. "And if you're going to try and shoot me you had better be quick about it."

The thug pulled for his weapon but Robin already had his guns out. He fired with both weapons, striking the man in his chest. The thug flew backwards, landing on the ground with a heavy thud. Robin didn't need to look at him to know he was dead. The second thug stumbled backwards and landed heavily on the floor. "You tell your boss that no one tells me what to do, and if he truly wants me to join his organisation, next time he had better come and see me himself."

"Y-yes, sir," the man managed. Robin drew back a boot and kicked the man in the side of the head, knocking him out.

"Scum," spat Robin. He looked around the bar, most of the people in the bar were now on their feet, some hadn't even moved. Robin swaggered towards the door. He tossed the barman a couple of coins. "That should cover the cleaning," he said and wandered out.

After half an hour later, Robin's pulse stopped racing and he managed to bring his mind under control. He was worried that someone knew who he was. Sure Robin had plenty of dodgy contacts. Most of them however were off world. Robin looked into his money pouch. Not much left, only a few coins. People rarely carried around money in the central core. Out here on the rim it was a different matter. Soon Robin would need to get a job. However the only thing he was good for in his life was killing people.

He doubted that there would be notices up for killers wanted. He could try to hitch up with the New Republican army when they came in. However he doubted it. Robin walked along the streets until by chance he walked past the Starport. Repairs were still commencing from where Jack had blown up that transport. However something did catch Robin's eye. It was his old ship, Hastur, an old Gallofree style transport. It looked slightly damaged from the explosion but it still looked functional. Robin remembered that he had never relinquished ownership of the vessel. He smiled to himself. He had more than just a few coins in the world, now he had a ship. Then the thought struck him: he had a ship, yes, but in a blockaded system. Still Robin shrugged and made his way though the security gate onto the shipyards.

It was a messy place. A lot of mechanics were working on repairing vessels that had been damaged only a month ago. Robin activated the ship's lowering ramp and walked up. It was dark inside. Power was out. He tapped a controller on the wall and the emergency lighting kicked in. The ship looked barren without all their cargo, cargo they had sold or pawned for the bank raid. Now all Robin had was the ship. His brother had the money and had gotten lost in the jungle. Robin for a moment thought of his brother and missed him. He had always been the one to look out after Jack but then Jack had turned around and chucked him into the escape pod.

Robin knelt by the ship Navi computer and loaded up the system. Lights came to life all over the ship and he could feel the ship's old life support system kick in. He breathed in the stale air. He walked down the corridors of the transport ship and looked at the weapon mounts. It was a modification he had made long ago when he had first got the ship. He had installed hidden weapon points, six of them, heavy turbo lasers able to do damage to most capital ships. He had also installed two concussion missile launchers in the front hold, to tackle smaller fighter craft. He knew for a fact they were empty but he was reassured that they were there.

"Well, Hastur I think the time has come for you to fly again," Robin said to himself. He walked to the stern of the ship and came back with a box of tools.

---

"Helping Out"
By Aeris Strife [NPC+]
Kitana Gellar [NPC+]
Gengis Zibel [NPC+]
Waldin of the Side Blades [NPC]
and other minor NPCs

Location: Tae'Remok system, battle site
Date: Selene 1, 4 ABY

***

The Necron approached the battle as the Star Destroyers were firing against New Republic capital ships. The view was bad, the fight was occurring mainly near the New Republic ships and the Star Destroyers were attacking as well the New Republic but not as the Star Destroyers were...

Gengis looked to the scene and saw that he had two choices or he helped defend the New Republic capital ship or he could start to attack since they had the element of surprise.

It was the best option to attack the Star Destroyers that was most near the New Republic capital ships. Gengis looked to the scanner and saw that a Star Destroyer was attacking a medical frigate.

"Make course to that one over there, prepare all fighters to engage the enemy," Gengis ordered as the Necron pass between the fight.

Kitana saw the battle. It the first time that she was seeing a fight up close, yet she didn't say anything since Gengis was an Admiral; he was the one with military experience.

As the Necron approached the Star Destroyer, the fighters were launched against the Star Destroyer. "All fighters this is Admiral Zibel. It is like we have done many times before, focus your attack on their shield generator!"

The Necron appeared from the left side of the Star destroyer. As the fighters engaged the enemy.

Aeris flew over the Star Destroyer surface followed by the Side Blades making their way to the shield generator. They fired upon the shield Generator, but it was a strong one since their missiles hit making almost no damage.

"This is Wild Cat to Blade Leader. I am picking up incoming TIE Fighters from the left," Aeris said through the comm, as she avoided fire from the turrets.

"I see them. Don't worry we'll handle them," said Waldin.

Aeris turned around followed by her squadron to destroy the shields. The turrets started to fired against them once again. The Assault Gunboat was a powerful fighter since it had heavy shields, it was fast and had a lot of fire power.

"Locking on the shield generator!" Aeris said, as all of her ships had the lock. As they approached the Shield Generator, they fired all together.

The hit was good, but the shield generator was still intact, the damage was minimal.

"The hit was good but it barely scorch the shield generator!" Aeris told as she deflected some shots from enemy turrets, as her wing man was shot down.

In Necron as they received information that the Star Destroyer shields were still functioning. "Defensive procedures. Prepare for incoming enemy fighters." The Necron fired upon the Star Destroyer with all that they had trying to hit in any way, while the turrets eliminated the enemy fighters.

The surface of the Star Destroyers was hit as it exploded on the location where the missiles hit. The Necron continued to fired, but most of them hit on the shields.

When some missiles passed the shields, they were precise, as the Star Destroyer turned the attention to the Necron. At least now the Star Destroyer paid no attention to the medical frigate.

"Wild Cat watch out for enemy fighters!" Gengis said.

"They are all over the place. This is a very good plan! Get us killed like this! My squadron have been reduce to half."

"Just get out of there, we'll handle the Star Destroyer, Wild Leader. Go help the New Republic fighters," Gengis said.

"Yes, Sir. Wild cat squadron follow me." Aeris made her way to the New Republic capital ships helping out the New Republic fighters.

---

"Let the Hunt Begin, Part 2"
by Kyra Ronso
and other minor NPCs

Location: Mos Eisley, Tatooine
Date: Selene 1, 4 ABY

***

Kyra looked at the people in the cantina. The lowest kind of scum could be found in that place and in that planet. She hated this place because she used to be treated as if she was some kind of a stupid being and anything bad that happened was bound to be her fault. She was always the one who had her ass in the stake, without carrying any of her feelings. She was sick and tired of these feelings and that was why she hated the place, and it brought those memories back...

She sipped on her drink and took one more look around. She couldn't believe she had to find Yre in this god forsaken planet! She felt betrayed by every single person and that had to stop... Now she was being betrayed by the man who contracted her. Gengis.

She didn't know what was going on, but she knew that she had to find something that would explain things to her and then answer questions, especially why Yre was after Ghert'wt.

Kyra looked to her glass. She was thinking where she should go, since the informant was dead. Kyra looked to the glass and on it she saw how her life had changed so much in the past two years. All she wanted now was to get the respect from her husband and her friends. With their forgiveness she could forgive herself for what she did or didn't do.

Kyra got up and walked towards the bar. The bartender glanced at her and to the glass.

"Rough time back there?" the bartender asked.

"Yes, basically the story of my life," Kyra said. "It's a way of life..."

"The scum and scoundrel that come in here are my life. Sometimes we can't choose the lives we want and we have to accept our life and try to make it better. But if you don't catch your life with all your strength you might end up like me running a shit hole like this!" the Bartender said.

"What did you want to be?" Kyra asked, since she was somewhat curious.

"I wanted to run the most successful bar in the entire Galaxy but I let my life slip through my fingers!" The bartender chuckled.

Kyra smiled. "It is time to grab my life back. Do you know where Jurwen lives?"

The bartender looked at Kyra as she comprehended that he wanted money in exchange for the information. She took out a credit chip to pay the man.

"Mother didn't raise no fool!" he said as he received the money. "He lives just outside of town, north from here, next to a small shop."

"Thank you," Kyra said with a nod, sending a smile to the bartender. Kyra made her way through Mos Eisley to north. As she arrived on the location the hut seemed like a big house. She walked near the door and pushed hard as the door was clearly open.

A strange individual saw Kyra entering from outside and reported through the comm. Kyra walked inside as she looked around. All mechanical things were able to be found inside Jurwen's house. Mainly parts of droids and a lot of blasters.

As she walked near the wall, a major desk was laying with lot of comms and datapads. She examined the rest of the house but there was nothing useful. The info she wanted had to be in the wall within those datapads.

She examined every single datapad and found the info she was looking for. Ghert'wt was in the middle of the desert in a part that she knew well. She placed the datapad in one of the pockets of her trench coat.

She continued to examine the rest of the info and it seemed there was nothing else important, but yet she looked to one as she read the name "Wild Cat."

She wanted to read more, as a thermal detonator hit the window, breaking it. She grabbed the datapad that she was reading and hit the floor as she pulled the desk to the floor to hide from the blast.

The thermal detonator exploded as every single window broke and fire came out along with the heavy sound of the explosion. A small group of five people and the individual that was there earlier stood watching, as they laughed at the explosion.

The ball of fire perished and was placed by black smoke. Kyra walked out of the main door and fired against the group, who were obviously the ones who had been responsible. In a single round she killed two of the group.

As the group fired against her she ran to the right continuing to fire. As she got near, she jumped behind some boxes to protect herself from enemy fire. She glanced and saw the enemy was pretty sure about himself, to not hide themselves... Kyra fired and hit one more.

"Come out a face us like the woman you are!" said one of the men.

She exited as she placed her twin blasters on their rightful place, her belt. "Very well," she said as she got near the three men. She jumped and kicked the face of the man standing in the middle. As soon as she touched the floor she jumped again and spread her legs hitting on the other two.

She simply stood there giving time for the three men to get up, but out of nowhere a swoop appeared and made its direction towards Kyra.

"Yre..." Kyra said as she saw the face of the pilot of the swoop. Kyra jumped to the side barely missing her. She looked to the swoop as it disappeared on the horizon.

As she got up she took out a blaster. She wanted info. As soon as she got the blaster on her hand she felt another blaster on the head.

"If I were you I'd think twice, bitch!" a voice of a man said.

"Why don't we do this like men?" Kyra asked.

"You first!" the man said.

Kyra slowly kneeled to place her blaster down. As the blaster touched the floor she jumped and made a flip, kicking the blaster from the man's hands. As her feet landed she received a punch in her stomach. She stepped back and looked at the man.

The man stood simply waiting for Kyra to do better. She smiled and stood there also. "Is that all you've got?"

The man was now furious and attacked Kyra. He tried to kick her but she simply defended with her feet. If the man kicked she defended with her feet, and if the man tried to punch her she defended with her arms.

"Is that all you've got...?" Kyra felt being grabbed by the other two men by her arms.

She couldn't move as the man approached her. "As a matter of fact, it is!"

The man was prepared to punch as she kicked him in the balls and quickly, with her leg, kicked the man that was grabbing her right arm in the balls. As she got her right arm free she punched the nose of her other foe.

She looked to the man that was pointing a blaster and felt a sharp pain in all of her body. The man had set the blaster for stun. Kyra fell on the ground, unconscious.

The man approached as the other men got up and made their way over as well. "Do we kill her?"

"No. Ghert'wt wants to talk to her," the man holding the blaster said.

"Is that wise? She killed four of us in a matter of seconds..." the other man argued.

"We have orders to bring her to Ghert'wt, so... We will bring her to see Ghert'wt," the man with the blaster said, as he grabbed her by the hands and started to drag her. "Do something, and bring her blaster along! She might be useful to stop that bitch that we all know well."

Kyra's unconscious body was placed on a speeder. The two men entered the speeder and left the scene, leaving the hut on fire and four bodies laying there dead for anyone to take anything of value from their dead corpses.

---

"Battle of the Giants"
by Admiral Jason Tallen [NPC+]
Grand Admiral Tarkin
and Captain Dresh Kano

Location: Tae'Remok System
Date: Selene 1, 4ABY

***

"Evasive maneuvers," Admiral Tallen barked, his voice strained to be heard over the din of battle. The bridge of the super star destroyer lurched to the side as weapons fire impacted the super structure below them. Damage control crews were dispatched but there was no time to lick their wounds just yet. "Return fire, all batteries. Target their main ship and hold nothing back!"

The Lusankya's crew leapt to obey, maneuvering the massive beast into position to cut loose with their port side weapons. The massive turbolasers thrummed with each blast, but not enough to drop their match's shields. Our match, Tallen thought. There are too many of our match on their side, and too many of their ships still in the fight.

The fight wasn't going as well as Tallen had hoped, not with the reserves that reverted nearly on top of the New Republic fleet. The fleet that Tarkin had around Tae'Karada would have been wiped out easily, but the reinforcements that arrived would turn the tide of the battle if Tallen's people couldn't do something quickly.

He watched the tactical display before him as his ships moved around, engaging and pulling back. Small specks dotted the entire display, fighters harrying their targets. There were still too many Imperial ships, and too few of his own. He watched as a small cloud of Republic fighters vanished. On the tactical display, the death of a pilot was so clean, sterile. A glowing indicator just went out. Tallen knew it was much messier outside. A cloud of debris would spread out around where the fighter was destroyed, leaving little to nothing left of the pilot that had occupied it. He hated sending young pilots' remains to their families...because usually there was nothing. A larger blip on the screen went dark, and then vanished altogether.

"Crimson Dawn gone," came a near-despairing cry. "Took one of the bastards with her though."

One, Tallen thought. Not nearly enough.

"More TIE fighters coming in! Looks like they're coming our way."

"Stand by to drive them off," Tallen called. "Move us to three seven point four. Divert Spectre Squadron to engage. Continue firing at Tarkin's Super!"

I will not go down easily, Tallen swore as he set his mouth in a hard line and watched the battle shift around him.

***

"You've got one on your tail, Shaker," came the voice of Spectre Three.

"I'm having trouble shaking him," Shaker, also known as Spectre Seven, called. "I'm pulling to oh seven three. Take him when I roll."

"You got it, Shaker. Roll when you're ready."

Dresh Kano watched Shaker's X-Wing roll belly up and over again, spiralling down and away from the pursuing TIE fighter. Lances of laser fire sought the fighter, and after three and four, shot number five took him directly in the ion engine, transforming the small ship into a small fireball.

"Nice shooting, Three," Dresh said.

"'Course it was, Leader, it was me. Going in on a run on that big job again. Heat things up for the old man."

"I'm with you, Three," came the voice of Argon Taag. "Let's show that old vapourous fart what it's like to have a Spectre crawling up your ass."

Dresh winced at the thought, but said nothing. He was used to Taag's banter on the comm, but the young man kept coming up with new colourful utterances that usually paused a battle for five seconds while all the Spectres tried to wrap their minds around whatever it was he'd said.

Dresh spun away from Taag and Three, and moved in to assist a medical frigate that was taking serious fire from a group of TIE fighters.

New orders flashed in through Dresh's comm. "Form up," he called into the headset. "We're needed elsewhere. White will be coming in to mop up here."

"Mop up?" came the incredulous response from Taag.

"Close enough," Dresh answered.

"Maybe you're still thinking of that hot little number you're gonna have waiting for you, Cap'n, but it's colouring yer vision. We're gettin' slaughtered out here."

"I always like to keep a positive outlook on everything," Dresh said, as he fed their new orders into the computer. "On my mark, boys. We're gonna go give Tarkin a bloody nose."

"Slaughter or not," Taag answered with a laugh, "I'm all for that."

***

On the other side, aboard the Super Star Destroyer Nemesis, Grand Admiral Tarkin stood aboard its bridge as he watched the battle scene. The New Republic had conducted a well managed battle plan and the element of surprise had worked for them. But he would surpass this battle as he had so many others.

He was cold as ice and it seemed that even in spite of all the chaos of the battle ahead, he was calm and thoughtful, traits that made him a truly magnificent leader and tactician.

"Move to position point nine seven, mark two and fire all the turbolaser batteries. Concentrate fire on the Super Star Destroyer they have," Tarkin ordered. He wasn't surprised that the Lusankya was there, but it was a target he had to scratch off the battle. It was without a shadow of a doubt their main flagship.

Tarkin's orders were conducted with flawless skill as he watched the fight progress. "Launch starfighter squadrons 15 through 30. Attack the capital ships with the bombers and protect and divert attention with the others. And have seven squadrons keep a perimeter for us! Do not let their bombers near enough for firing!"

"I want our new prototype squadrons ready for launch! Have them prep their ships to launch under my command," Tarkin added. "And prepare the Superlaser Weapon," he said with a vicious grin. "The rebellion will end today!"

***

"Target the engines of that frigate," Tallen called out as the ship was rocked again with weapons from Tarkin's Super. "We need to cut off Tarkin's support, and then we'll be free to deal with him. Send battle groups Victory and Freedom against the left flank."

The officers on the bridge snapped to and quickly set about carrying out Tallen's orders. Outside in the battle, the two battle groups Tallen had named moved to obliterate Tarkin's left flank. That proved more difficult to carry out than Tallen had hoped. White Fire quickly came to resemble her namesake as that same flank targeted her and the cruiser vanished in a great ball of fire. The other ships faired better, but not by much.

"Pull them back," Tallen growled. "Get them back before they're destroyed. Send in Gallant group to cover their retreat. Target all fire on Tarkin's ship."

"Sir," the sensor operator said, turning, "I'm detecting an energy build-up on the admiral's ship."

"The weapon?"

The operator nodded.

"Damn," Tallen swore. "Target?"

"Us, sir."

"Go evasive. All weapons, fire. Stop him before that thing gets its charge up. All ships, commence firing."

***

Dresh Kano pulled his ship up out of its dive, loosing a proton torpedo as he did. It rippled across the surface of Tarkin's Super, but apparently did no serious damage. Even snub fighters though, over time, could do damage to a ship like this. Dresh's only problem was he wasn't doing damage fast enough. He rolled at the last minute, avoiding a TIE fighter he'd picked up on his tail.

"You see those readings, Cap'n?" Taag asked as he came up on Dresh's wing. "Somethin' big."

"They're charging their super weapon."

"Damn." Taag glanced out and down, looking at the Super Star Destroyer as they flew over it. "I guess we gotta try harder to blow it up, hm?"

Dresh laughed. "Yeah, you could say that. We'll have to coordinate. Target all fire on their engines."

"Engines?"

"We run enough power back through their systems, it should overload everything else."

Taag grunted. "Got it, sir. Forming up."

Spectre Squadron all formed up and looped around. It was hard to miss the big ship that Tarkin took for his flagship, and the engines proved to be a nice, large target. All the Spectre's whipped through, firing lasers and proton torpedoes.

"Dammit!" Dresh glared at the ship as it still existed, mocking him with its intactness. "What does it take to destroy one of those damn things?"

"Bigger guns," Taag said. "Cap, I got an idea. Kinda crazy, I know, but it has a chance."

"We don't have much time, Taag. Lemme hear it."

"Well, first, we gotta clear a path, then..."

***

The weapons supervisor in the bridge looked at Tarkin and gave him a nod. "Sir, Superlaser charged up and ready to fire!"

Tarkin watched the scene of battle and sighed. "You may fire when ready," he said. "Target their Super Star Destroyer."

The weapons officer went about to carry his orders when all of the sudden all systems started to fail and red lights went on all over the ship. Shields and turrets and even helm systems were not responding to their commands.

"What is happening!" Tarkin yelled furiously.

"Sir, all systems...they're not responding to us! It seems they are being taken over!" the XO answered. He was obviously confused and knew this could mean their end if they couldn't counter these actions.

"Launch all fighter wings! Project TIE Hades included as well! Protect the Nemesis at all costs!" Tarkin demanded, as his orders were carried at once. "Bring up communications with all other ships!"

"Sir, outer communications are down also. We only have inner speakers and comlink," said the communications officer, only to see Tarkin close his fists in a near rage.

"Sir, do you think we have an inside job? Shall I send teams to verify each department?" the XO asked.

Tarkin waved. "No. There's only one way to do this. Outside remote control. A system developed by the Kuat Drive Yards to take control over our own ships! The rebels must have learned it. We must run override codes!" Tarkin said. Luckily, the override console was located at the bridge. Alas, it took a couple of minutes to get them to take over as it would override each system automatically, one by one.

***

Had Tarkin been able to listen across the void of space, he might have heard the laughter bubbling up from a hidden room within the Drogen Shipyards. It was the laughter of a turning tide, of the underdog rising up to prove his strength. It was loud and long and filled with joyous mirth. It was the sound of anticipated victory.

---

"Ghost in the Machine"
By: Tasia Harough [NPC+]
Ty Kat'Ritara
Zion Xandler

Location: Drogen Shipyards; New Plouton
Date: Selene 1, 4 ABY

***

"I'm getting the signal," Ty said as he stared at the computer screen in front of him. "They're on their way in, Tasia. Things are about to get really hot here. So, how does freedom sound to you?" He looked up and smiled at her. "I'd say by tomorrow we'll be completely free. I think I want to go down to the planet, just because I can."

Tasia patted Ty's shoulder affectionately and grinned back. "Maybe a beach...with Lerrah tagging along. We could have those frazzies she used to always talk about."

"I think that sounds like a wonderful idea. Me, you, and Lerrah on a deserted stretch of beach, away from everything related to work and duty. Just pure relaxation."

"But not yet," Tasia reminded him with a gentle laugh. "We've got Imps to piss off. Are you sure we can do this from here, Ty? I mean all those ships..."

"Yeah," Ty said. "I can do it, though it could get tricky. There are a lot of ships out there, and I don't know how many I'll be able to do. I just...no, we can't trust anyone else with this."

"Ty, who will have time to betray us?" Tasia told him. She sighed and moved around to face him. "If you need help, get it. We can't afford to fail. If the battle out there doesn't go our way, our friends might just need this little trick to save their lives and ours."

He nodded. "You're right. I'm just...living here's made me paranoid. There's a guy on the planet. He knows his stuff and it's a pretty wicked slicer. I think he'd be able to handle this. I should be able to contact him."

"We should wait," Tasia advised. "Just until the firing starts. Everyone will be too distracted to notice a transmission's being sent out. Now, though, would be a good time to tell you that...you've been a good friend, Ty. The best." She smiled warmly and kissed the young man's forehead. "Life won't be the same without you around."

"Then I'll just have to stick around, won't I," he said with a lopsided grin. "Come on, help me get the transmitter aligned."

Tasia chuckled and came up beside him to give her friend a hand, hoping this wasn't the last time they would ever be working side by side. After all they'd done to support the resistance effort, they at least deserved to survive.

Once they had the transmitter set up, Ty honed in on Zion Xandler's frequency. Hopefully the flamboyant slicer would be home and able to help out. If not, Ty would be very busy in the coming battle...very busy indeed. Now they just had to wait for the fighting to start before he began sending.

***

Zion was working on information. It seemed that there were several uprisings, according to the Imperial database. Of course this was their internal database and one not to be known to the majority of people. In fact, even most of the Stormtroopers weren't allowed access! Just officers...

But Zion was no ordinary person when it came to being able to access information, and hacking the imperial databases as well as others was part of his work. The hardest part was sometimes to be able to decrypt the messages, but from what he understood it was all about raids and attacks, especially in outer space and in the Arcadia region, surrounding the palace! Could it be that there was an uprising against Tarkin?

Zion sat back as he rubbed his chin. Surely someone would pay well for information about their movements. Especially the New Republic. Zion was about to save it all when his computer console beeped. Zion looked at it and saw an incoming message. It was surely work as it was his console for being assigned with job offers.

The System Operator turned in his chair and pushed a button. It gave a holographic projection for talking but the image projected of Zion was encrypted in a way that his image was automatically changed somewhat to prevent anyone from selling out info on him. Also the voice was slightly altered...

He saw a man on the other side as his holo-image was now online. "Can I help you?" Zion asked.

The holographic image smiled. The features of the young man, slanted eyes, dark hair, and yellow skin, were definitely of Ai'Kri, but there was something different about him. Perhaps an alteration made through his own equipment on the other side. He appeared fast and agile, with a swept back look that gave him the appearance of being in motion.

"You're The Worm? Good. My name is Xerynth, and I have need of your skills if you are willing."

"What's the job and how much are you willing to pay?" Zion asked coolly. Those were the two questions that really mattered to him...

"Before I get into what we'll be doing," Ty said. "The only payment I can offer is the freedom from Imperial oppression if we are successful. There's about to be a big battle, and we're looking for however much slicer help we can muster."

Zion sat back and thought about it. He had never ever worked for someone where some sort of payment wasn't involved, and the thought of it sounded like a very bad deal... But then again, getting rid of the Empire wasn't as bad.

"I know about the battles. In fact, I have information about it. Recent information... But you should know I never work without payment. Still, what's the job?" he asked. Zion was interested about the nature of it.

"I'm afraid I can't give out that information," Ty said. "If you're on, I'll let you in. But the information is too sensitive to spill it, only to have you decide you don't want to. Time is short, but not too short that you might not be able to make a profit off of it."

"Well, business used to be better before the Empire got here and took over..." Zion said. "So I guess you got me interested. You can count on my help if it can get us rid of the Imps! You have my word on it," Zion nodded.

"Very well," Ty answered. "Then, here's the deal. All of the Imperial ships, from the fighter to those big monstrous cruisers, that were made at the Kuat Shipyards, have a special remote override code. I've figured it out, and so now, I can remotely control all of Tarkin's ship's from the Kuat Shipyards. So, when the fleets engage, we're going to make sure that the New Republic wins."

Zion raised his eyebrows. "And it's that simple?" he questioned. "I've cracked Imperial databases several times and I must say they're not simple at all! Very well protected with several access codes and passwords that change almost by the hour! Not to mention the gate keepers and firewalls they have and the encrypted messages... I would imagine that something important as that wouldn't be exception," he stated. "How did you manage to get them?" he asked. He had to make sure the other side was no trick for him to be caught. Not that it would be simple for his connection was secure and it would take weeks for them to track it to him...

"A careless pilot," Ty answered. "One of my associates came across the information during a routine maintenance. I've tested it out and it works. I have no doubt that they'll figure out what we're doing and cut ties as quickly as possible...but if we work quickly, the damage will already be done, and the New Republic will only need to mop up."

"And you need me for..." Zion said, then pausing so that Ty could tell him why he needed his services.

"You may be aware that the Imps have a rather large fleet," Ty answered. "I can only control so many ships at once. Therefore, having someone else controlling one of the other ships would be...helpful."

Zion smirked. "Okay... I'll do it. I always wanted to screw those imps! Let's just hope that they don't get those codes changed too fast!" he commented.

"Considering the Imperial bureaucracy," Ty answered with a grin, "I doubt they will. I imagine they have to beg Tarkin for his acceptance for a course change, let alone something like this. I'll transmit you the data you'll need. Let me know when you're ready to receive."

Zion punched in a few controls to open a transmission for the file. "Ok, you can send it through..." he said once he was ready. "Oh, and you might want to focus on Tarkin's Super Star Destroyer. He has a Super Laser on it..." Zion said. He didn't used to give free info but he thought he ought to, given the job at hand.

"Really," Ty said, the sarcasm evident. "As it happens, that's my first target. I've worked up a list of ships for you, just so we don't end up trying to grab the same targets."

"Good..." Zion nodded. "When will we start?" he asked. He was actually looking forward to planting chaos in the Imperial Fleet.

"Both fleets have already engaged, so the time is now. How long will it take you to get yourself ready? Once you're ready, we go."

"My computers are always online and working... I'm always ready! We can start now if you like!" Zion told Ty with a grin.

"Then let's get to work," Ty said. "This line is as secure as we can get under the circumstances, and with the fight, I don't think the Imps will be scanning for illicit comm traffic. So keep it open so we can communicate. Now...let's make them hurt."

"Yeah, let's..." Zion nodded as he turned and punched in a few codes. He brought up another computer so he could get online with the Imperial ships and got it in secure access mode. He would link his computer to the Imperial database and from there to five different ships, before reaching the Kuat Drive Yards. That way it would take more time to try and disconnect him from the line while trying to get their password changed at the same time, once the wreck began...

The Systems Operator then looked at the computer and took the already received file with the codes and the ships he was supposed to target and input it in his access computer. "Welcome to the Imperial database," he whispered with a wide grin as he gained access to the first ship.

"Hey, got any plan of what to do to the ships? Do we divert their power, take away their shields, or just kill their whole systems?" Zion asked.

Ty laughed. "Well, I was thinking of shooting their neighbours," he said. "Who do you shoot at, the X-Wings coming in trying to strafe your hull plating off, or the star destroyer next to you who's got all his turbolasers trained on your flanks?"

"Well, their turbolasers are pointed at the incoming New Republic fighters and the moment we start firing at the other Imperial Ships the Admirals in each ship will understand what we've done, even though there'll be confusion between them. So maybe we can lower their shields as well. That'll give the New Republic some advantage when they bomb the Imps..." Zion stated.

Ty only grinned. "We'll have full control," he said. "We can make them do whatever we want, including turning the ships so those forward-facing weapons are pointed at each other. Galaxy's the limit, Zion. Make good use of it, and the New Republic will reap the rewards and we'll be heroes."

"So they're puppets..." Zion grinned. "Ok, we are go then! I'll be shutting down security systems and then open fire at the other ships. Hopefully we can bring down a few of them and even things up!"

"From what I'm seeing out there," Ty said, "it looks like the Republic can use all the help they can get. Stay sharp, Worm, and you'll be a hero after this. If we're not successful...well, I doubt anyone will remember us."

"They'll remember us!" Zion assured. "We'll make 'em remember us! Now, get your hands on those controls. If we're gonna do this we need to start at the same time, so that if they're alerted, we can take two at the very least!" Zion said. "So, tell me when you're ready and give the go order..."

Ty laughed. "Now's the time," he said. "Log in and get ready to move on my mark." He looked up at Tasia. "What's the status of the fleet out there?" he asked as he began readying his own terminal.

Tasia sighed. "Not good." She looked up from her vidscreen and shook her head gravely. "Ty...they're getting slaughtered out there. I really don't think the fleet's going to last much longer."

"Damn," Ty muttered. "Then we have to move now." He plugged in and brought up all the information he'd need. "Do it now, Worm. Do it now." He plugged in the codes he'd gathered, and used the transmitter array to beam them into space.

For a moment, nothing happened. For that seemingly endless moment, Ty feared that their plan would fail. And, then it happened.

ALL COMMAND FUNCTIONS NOW ONLINE, the terminal read. He had access. He had full control of Admiral Tarkin's Super Star Destroyer. A smile spread across Ty's lips and he looked briefly up at Tasia. "I've got control," he said. "I've got full control over all of the ship."

The first command he sent was to immediately drop all shields and target all weapons on the other Supers. The next command, because he was a practical joker at heart, flushed every 'fresher on the entire ship, at the same time. With that out of the way, he began in earnest. Ty flitted from ship to ship, all those on his list. He adjusted courses, realigned firing solutions, and sent Tarkin's fleet into chaos.

Zion got online with the Imperial Star Destroyers and accessed their main computers. He knew their systems well, so he could move quite quickly once inside them and implant total chaos. He lowered shields and got the ships re-aligned so they didn't have much of an angle to fire at the New Republic if any angle at all.

Zion then sat back for a few seconds and wondered for an instant. He had a large smirk on his face. Placing his hands on the commands he got their communications center offline so they couldn't communicate through ships. "I wonder what will happen if I overload the core engines..." he whispered. With that said he made the power of the ship be diverted so the power core would overload. It should create an explosion but the flaw was that it took time.

***

Ty looked up from where he'd been focusing on the programming required to take control of the fleet. He looked into Tasia's eyes and smiled from ear to ear. "Got 'em," he said. "We've got 'em, Tasia!" He couldn't help the laughter that came from him, laughter that spoke of joy and hope and the future.

Tasia moved to Ty's side and crouched down by his chair. She gazed intently at the screen, at the red blips winking out by the second. "How many of them you taken out? You sure it's working?"

"I pretty much shut down Tarkin's ship," Ty answered. "And, after that...I've started running an automated shutdown through the others on my list. It selects several random systems and disables them. That one lost gravity control, thrusters, and all weapons and shields. That one's environmentals went down and the power grid went completely offline."

Tasia jabbed her finger at a red dot on the screen that suddenly vanished. "And that bastard was wiped out by our boys!" She laughed with elation and gave Ty one swift pat on the back. "Now, if only we knew what was going on upstairs."

"I'll try to tap in, see if I can get a peek through the security cameras. Maybe we'll get a glance of your girlfriend."

Tasia grinned. "No peeking," she teased.

"No peeking," Ty asked with a grin. He switched over to internal frequencies and laughed. "Well fuck me. She's here."

Tasia sprang upright and leaned forward with face nearly pressed to the screen. "Where? I don't see her?"

"Not her," Ty said. "Her." He pointed to the image of a woman in black battle armour, walking along with a woman in battered Mandalorian battle armour. "She's here."

Tasia smiled wistfully and brushed her fingers over the image of Lerrah. "She's still so beautiful," she whispered. Another female entered the frame, and Tasia was suddenly frowning. "Wait...is that-- No...that can't be."

"What is it?" Ty asked.

Tasia glanced down at Ty with a look of pure disbelief. "It's that bitch. It's Anoran!"

Ty laughed. "I'm surprised she came back," he said. "She's there with Lerrah and that security wench. Should I send her a little signal? Lerrah, I mean."

Tasia sighed. "As much as I'd like that, I think we should hold off on making any transmissions from our location. If someone detects us, they could jam us and it'll be all over."

"Good point," Ty said. "And besides, you'll get to see her soon enough, won't you?"

Tasia's smile returned. "And ask her what the hell she's doing associating with Anoran."

Ty laughed. "Well, that will be an interesting explanation, won't it."

Tasia only grinned, then motioned for Ty to continue toying with the Imperial ships. Victory was close, and freedom closer. And the first thing Tasia wanted to do once it was achieved was to give Lerrah a big, passionate kiss.

Ty let his attention drift back to the Imperial ships and turning them against each other. They made it too easy, and soon their fleet would be...gone. He laughed again, unable to contain it. He couldn't remember a time when he'd had so much fun.

---

"Business in the Heart of the Bright Jewel"
by Alicia Ashantee Gardan
plus some NPCs

Location: Ord Mantell
Date: Selene 1, 4 ABY

***

There was a knock on the door. She sighed and got up from her cushion, making her way over to the door. She could guess what the matter was... She opened the door by pressing a button.

"Yes?" she asked simply.

"Ma'am, we are arriving at our destination," the man at the door said.

"Very well, you may go," she replied, sending him off. She wasn't too pleased to be at Ord Mantell. Even if it was known as the Heart of the Bright Jewel, it was still a world where it was too easy to lay low and to escape Imperials. Not that she liked the Empire. But it made it all too safe for some unwanted personas to be in. Kind of like Nar Shadaa...

But then again, this was business, not leisure. And with a little luck she would be out of there in no time at all. She sat back down and rubbed her eyes. There was something about space travelling that never let her sleep... Not that she was afraid. She didn't know what it was, but in hyperspace she just couldn't manage to catch some sleep.

The Royal Cruiser landed on the spaceport, its shiny colour making contrast with the other vessels. It was easy to be seen when flying a vessel that could be so easily spotted. Luckily, the Gardan family was wealthy enough and Alicia always travelled with a couple of starfighters alongside to provide with escort.

She got her coat and went out of her chambers. Now was the time for dealing. And she knew that she was about to meet a man who would not want to do things the easy way... But this was all part of a day's work, and though men were of no concern to her. She met the captain of her vessel on the cockpit and told him to wait and check systems. She would not be there for any more time than necessary.

Choosing two guards to join her, she walked down the ramp of her ship. The city was visible with its tall buildings. The city noise could be well heard with all the visitors and tourists who came here for gambling and for the safeports for smugglers. Alicia put on her long coat and her hat and turned back to her guards.

"Pink Sky Casino... We will meet Mr. Shozan there," she told them, only to see them nod affirmatively. She made her way over. The entrance to the casino was full with people, but anyone in the Gardan family was bound to be a little bit more than the common person. Frowning, Alicia moved alongside the cue for the entrance and all the way up to the security at the door entrance.

There was a large thug there who looked down upon her with a frown himself. "Can I help you, miss?"

"All depends..." she said coldly. "Will you get out of my way?" she asked. Before the man could reply she got her hand up as to tell him to wait. "And before you tell me to go to the end of this line here, you better think again and consider if you want to keep your job or if you want me to call the manager over. I am sure that Mr. Shozan would be very unhappy with you..."

The thug looked rather confused, but this woman who was standing in front of him knew the manager's name and that was not regularly known information. Plus, she seemed important. He decided to motion for her to enter. "Please deliver all your weapons. Casino policy to not have weapons inside," the thug said.

Alicia entered and waved the man as a thank you. Her guards went in after her and each delivered a blaster at the entrance. Now, all that was needed was to find this Mr. Shozan who Alicia had no idea was as she had never seen him before.

"Miss Gardan, what a pleasure to have you in our busy casino!" a man said with a wide smile. He looked sharp but twisted, as any casino manager would be.

"Mr. Shozan, I presume?" Alicia asked.

"The one and only..." he smiled viciously as he kissed her hand. "I see the rumors of your beauty aren't true as they say. You are much more beautiful than I was told. Please, come into my office. It is more private there." He motioned.

"Thank you, Mr. Shozan, but I came here for business and not for your remarks on my looks. Now, you have things ready I presume?" Alicia asked as she entered Shozan's office and took a seat.

"Rushing into business, aren't we?" Shozan said, as he sat down in his desk, across Alicia. He lit a large cigarra and puffed for a few seconds. "Tell me, how much is this worth for you?"

"I thought we had a price already decided..." Alicia stated with a frown.

"You're a business woman, you should know that deals can be altered at the last instant. Consider this a last minute change in plans!" Shozan said as he placed his elbows on the desk and smiled viciously. "I will expect full payment plus a raise of fifty percent of what we had negotiated."

"Mr. Shozan, this is totally unacceptable! I will not change our deal. I will, however, grant you the chance to re-think this..." Alicia said. "Might I remind you that the object you hold is of no importance to anyone else? Without the other components which I have that is just a piece of scrap metal!"

"The galaxy is a vast place! I'm sure there will be other parties interested!" Shozan said with an attitude of confidence. He was used to getting things his way.

"In that case, why don't we compromise? I will gladly pay an extra twenty five percent and you will give me what I came here for... And this offer is not up for negotiation! I don't usually do this, you know?" she replied.

"Well then, I'd hate it for you to come here for no reason. Please, if you show me the credits I will give you what you're looking for..." Shozan said as he sat back in his chair, obviously content with himself.

Alicia took a credit chip and confirmed its value. She then placed it on the table and crossed her arms. She saw the man pick up the chip and check it as well. He smiled widely and pressed a button. A short man came in, followed by two security officers from the casino. The short man was holding a small box which he gave over to Alicia.

She opened the box and saw its contents. She had what she came for, and now was time to leave. She got up and nodded to Shozan. "It was a pleasure to meet you and do business..." she said coldly. She didn't mean it, but it was polite to say the least.

"Miss Gardan wait!" Shozan said, raising his hand. He had this look in his eye... She could tell. "You will now give me back the box."

"Excuse me?" she asked. This was not good.

"You heard me. You will give me the box. How much do you value your life?" Shozan asked as he puffed on his cigarra. As he said so, the security officers pulled their blasters on her and her two guards.

Alas, Alicia was always a woman who took precautions against things like these. When dealing with several major corporations and business men, this was truly a necessity. Before anyone could do anything, one of her guards pulled Shozan and grabbed him from behind and took a small blaster-like object from his arm padd. Her other guard took two small blasters from his arm padds and pointed them at the casino security men.

"Don't shoot! Hold it!" Shozan shouted as he saw his life hanging from a thin line.

"Mr. Shozan, this could all be avoided if you had not double crossed our deal. Now, you will tell your men to cooperate, or you will die!" Alicia said calmly.

"How did you pass with weapons? We have detectors!" he said.

"Detectors for metallic objects that are part of the common weaponry. These are special hand made blasters. They only fire one shot each, but they are just as effective. Made out of bio parts and ceramic mostly. Now, please, tell your men?" Alicia told Shozan, only to see him nod.

She then turned to the casino security. "Now, toss your blasters away and place your arms above your heads, fingers interlaced!" she ordered them. She saw them do as told and got her credit chip back from the table. "You won't be needing this!" she told Shozan with an ironic smile. "After all, you don't deserve it if you can't honor a deal!"

Alicia and her two guards then walked out the door with Shozan still as hostage. Once at the door they pushed Shozan inside and shut the door, and fired at the console to keep them inside.

"Come on, we must go now!" Alicia told her guards. Once out of the casino it was easy to blend in with the people in the streets, and it had taken them less time to get out than for Shozan to get out of his office.

Now, it was only needed for the pieces of the puzzle to be put together...

---

"Rise of the Kir'Thana"
by Pack [NPC+]
Yannick [NPC+]
Moff Albren Seare [NPC+]

Location: Thanatos
Date: Selene 1, 4 ABY

***

Thana's veiling darkness was on their side that night. Yannick's team approached from the east, while Pack and his boys came from the west towards the beast dwelling in their desert. Just as Domega drove out the evil rathgor from his home, they would do the same to the Imps tonight.

The walls loomed large above them, but they were no true deterrent, not from the children of Thana. Not when so much depended on their success. Kryth, one of those on Yannick's team was nervous. He was young, but old enough among his friends to be considered a man. He was one of the youngest, but when he bedded Syna Fessen last month, he became a full member of the gangs. He couldn't help thinking of Syna now, wondering if she would have been the only girl he'd ever get a chance to be with. If she was, she couldn't be a bad choice for the last one he'd ever sleep with. "Sir," he said to Yannick, "I just want you to know...I'm with you to the end. All the way. I...I heard you talking earlier. Could you...do you know...could you introduce me to Raeila?"

Yannick grinned at the young ganger. "Of course. She and I, we go way back." He leaned in towards the boy and confided, "You know how they say Ferrig was her first?" He chuckled and shook his head. "I made her the woman she is today. So, I'll hook you two up. My treat."

Kryth grinned from ear to ear. "Really? Oh, that would be great. She's...she's pretty amazing, isn't she? She's so beautiful, and... I've heard some of the guys saying that she's Maheara reborn."

"Maheara with double the talent," Yannick amended. He winked at the boy knowingly, then chuckled and moved off to the next group of gangers. "Okay, once Pack and his boys are in place, we go in," he whispered. "Hey, Doj, that panel removed yet?"

"Of course it is," Doj answered. "You think I'm a lazy slooch like those guys Pack has with him?"

"Those guys are our boys too now," Yannick told him with a stern gaze. "Insulting them is like insulting your own brother. Don't forget that...any of you."

Doj laughed. "I insult my brother all the time," he said. "And, if I wanted to insult them, I wouldn't have called them slooches." He grinned. "It's all chai'ki, Yannick."

He sneered playfully. "It'd better be." Grinning, he nodded for Doj to remove the panel and readied his boys to enter. "Thana's watching us. Don't forget that." Once the panel hit the sands, his boys climbed inside the access hatch. Yannick immediately contacted Pack. "Okay, it begins, brother. Thana be with you."

"You too, brother," Pack answered. "We're in position and ready for your signal. This will make Thana proud."

"It would be an honour," Yannick replied humbly. Then he cut the connection and followed his boys in.

When they slipped inside the installation, Yannick had expected security alarms to blare and a troop of Imps to be already moving towards their position. But there was nothing. Yannick gave a relieved chuckle. "Looks like Thana's already with us," he muttered, then advanced towards the generator.

***

"Moff Seare!" One of his lieutenants marched at a brisk pace towards him on the control deck, looking slightly unsettled. He halted before the moff, gave a hasty salute and handed him a datapad.

Seare read through the report quickly and frowned. He looked up at the lieutenant and frowned even deeper. "Sand? Again sand? Have they figured out which junction box it is this time? The last time it took nearly three days to track it down."

"A crew has already been dispatched to track down the source of the malfunction, Moff. And our scouts report no suspicious activity within proximity of the base, so we are not at threat at this time."

"Very good," Seare answered. "Just to be cautious, however, double the normal guard."

"Aye, sir!" The lieutenant gave a departing salute, then left to carry through with his orders.

When the lieutenant was gone, Seare moved over to look out into the courtyard below. He sighed and shook his head. "Sand," he muttered again. "I will be glad when I am free of this duty. I will be glad when I can finally be rid of this sand and this rabble."

***

Pack looked up where he waited for Yannick's signal. The waiting was the hardest part. At least he had the boys around him to give him that boost in spirit. If he were alone, he didn't think he could do this. How those heroic figures who went off and were heroes alone did it, he'd never know...but he did know he couldn't do that. He needed his friends around him, the people he cared for. Solitude was not the way of the desert, at least not now. But the heroes of the legends, what they did, they did because they had to. He was certain they would have rather been surrounded by their friends. I can be a hero, he thought. Though, I don't really want to be. I just want my home back. I just want things back to normal.

But none of them would experience anything close to normal that night. After a controlled, minor explosion in the generator room, a unified, rousing cry broke the silence filling Thana's desert. Pack had received his signal. "Hey, brother!" In the background, the shrill whine of blaster fire muffled Yannick's voice. "Interested in a little fun?"

"I was thinking you'd never ask," Pack answered, then he raised his weapon in the air and waved it, the signal that they should go. Then, with one voice, the rest of the Kir'Thana cried out as they charged inside to help win the battle that would give them their home back.

The Imperials seemed not at all surprised when the gangers rushed forward from either direction, firing their weapons relentlessly. No alarms were raised; the gangers had taken that ability away from them the moment their generator was demolished. Now, it was a clean fight between the Wetters and the gangers, and the gangers were on their own playing field.

The fight was fast and chaotic, with no cover for either side anywhere to be found. The Imps charged them, and they charged back, firing as they ran and hoping Thana guided their shots successfully to their intended targets.

The air was alive as bolts of energy and light crossed the distance from one side to the other, all seeking to destroy, to kill, to save. Pack came out of a shoulder roll, brought himself up and fired into one Stormtrooper as another rushed from the room that held the burning wreckage of the generator. The shot he fired came so close to hitting Pack, that the air was still sizzling when he returned fire.

The Imps had been taken by surprise, but it didn't take them long to re-form their ranks, and use the discipline they'd honed since before the first time they'd worn the white armour. At his side, Khol went down, and Pack nearly with him as a shot grazed his shoulder. Things were going bad. Things were starting to look really bad.

"Pack!" Yannick snapped into his comm. "We need to get those charges set!" He grunted as he was tackled by a ganger thrown back by an Imperial blaster bolt. Yannick rolled the ganger off, and growled when the shocked, lifeless face of Doj stared back at him. With a burst of anger and energy, Yannick sprang to his feet and charged forward with blaster blazing. Not again, Thana, he pleaded. Not again.

"I'm trying to get there," Pack called into his comlink. "They've got us pinned down. I'm trying to get there. Crossfire. We need a crossfire. See if you can get someone back behind them." The sounds of blaster fire were loud and steady in the comlink, as was the cursing of the gangers. "There's too many of them! Kill some off damn you! We're getting there, Yan. We're working at it...they're just. We'll get there!"

"And by the time you do, we'll be dead!" Yannick snarled as his weapon spat a single shot, was in the process of expelling another, and died. He slammed the heel of his palm against the powercell to kick-start it, then hurled the useless piece aside. Although unarmed, there was no way Yannick was giving up the fight.

"Hey, Pack! Maybe I'll see you again sometime," he laughed into his comm, while he dashed towards a lone Imp drawing a bead on him. "Maybe I'll even buy you a drink!" Yannick emitted a whooping laugh and threw himself at the white-armoured troop just as he got his shot off.

"Yannick!" Pack skidded to a stop. "Yan! You better not do anything stupid!" Things were going very bad, worse than very bad. Pack knew the end was near in that moment, knew there couldn't be much time left. He felt hot tears on his cheeks as he cried out in rage, firing his weapon at anything in white armour. He had to get those bombs placed, and then he had to find Yannick.

Gangers had resorted to throwing themselves physically at the stormtroopers when their blasters proved ineffective in fending off their foes. Unprotected bodies crashed into armoured ones in a deafening chorus of errantly discharging blasters and thuds as opponents impacted with one another. Weapons were grappled as gangers tangled with their white enemies in a violent struggle on the sands. Some of the boys lost the battle as blaster fire pierced clean through their unarmoured flesh. Others took out their rage and grief on the Imps and savagely pummelled them with fist on armour, or flesh on flesh as they managed to unmask the helmeted bastards who had killed so many of their friends. Thana's sands were again being sullied, but again with her children's own blood.

It started as a low hum at first, just below the level of consciousness, just below the level of awareness. But it grew. All across the desert, the sands rose, spiraling and drifting, faster and faster. It was as if the goddess herself rode the dunes, mounted upon the sands from which her children were born. The roar rose, deafeningly loud. Her wrath had been woken, and now the price would be paid for sullying the sands with the Children.

Whereas the storm was disorienting to the Imps, the gangers drew strength and courage and determination from it. It was a sign from Thana, their Mother, that this fight would not be lost, that she would not allow these foreigners to settle on her land. Drifts of gritty sand assailed the troopers still standing and drove them into confusion. They waved their arms frantically to keep the minute particles from clogging their air filters and depriving them of oxygen. Others choked on lungfuls of it and tossed wildly on the ground as they sought freedom from the suffocating ocean of sand enveloping them.

The gangers, however, were in their element. Their shirts came upon over their noses and mouths to provide protection to their airways, and although they could see no better than the Imps, their white armour stood out perfectly against the amber sands. Blasters took aim and found their marks with ease and accuracy. Gangers taunted their prey now by dancing around them, while they, in return, swung madly to subdue the nuisances jeering them and drumming their helmets with disembodied hands. The gangers had turned the tide of battle and now fought on their own terms. And they were succeeding.

Pack found his objective. It was a fuel station near the large building at the end of the courtyard. After squeezing off a couple shots, he dropped beside the fuel station and unslung his pack. Out came the explosives he carried, and onto the fuel relays they went. The sand didn't bother him, not this sand. This was Thana's gift. He set the charges, and pulled away. He sent a quick prayer to Thana, and then spun away with his weapon coming up. "Yannick!" he called. "If you're dead, I'm going to kill you!"

No response reached Pack, only the wind whistling in his ears. Yannick was another casualty of a war they never should have had to fight, but one they were now on the brink of ending. It was faint at first, then grew clearer and louder until it became distinct even among the sounds of the tempest. Laughter. Giddy, delirious laughter. And it was Yannick's. "Hey, Pack!" his voice called back through the comm. "Don't you dare tell me you gave up on me, brother."

Pack laughed. "Never, brother," he said. "I'd never give up on you. Oh, we're about to have a really big boom...so you might want to...well, I guess head for an exit." He laughed again. "It's good to hear your voice, my brother. Very good."

"You bet it is," he affirmed proudly. "Now, finish up there. I'll signal the boys to make a run for it."

"I'm finished up," Pack said. "I'll meet you outside, brother. I'll meet you outside."

"Just hurry it," Yannick warned. "Not sure how long Thana's gift will last." Then Yannick switched comm channels to broadcast on all frequencies. "Okay, boys! Get your last shots off and run! It's time to show these Imps that wetter land is more to their liking."

A whooping, unbridled cry came from Yannick, and he heard all the boys reply in-kind. Then as the unified, blood-bound creatures of the desert they were, they flocked as one through the storm, and into the safety of the desert.

"Come on, Pack," Yannick urged.

Inside the compound the explosions had started. A pulsing, rippling cacophony that sent a rumbling wave through the sands. Blossoms of orange could be seen through the swirling sand, consuming and destroying all those who had displeased Thana. At the head of the wave came Pack, charging and lending his voice to the Kir'Thana. He raised a fist in the air, and cried out as the wave of the blast lifted him from the ground and tossed him forward.

Yannick and his boys rolled onto the sands as the explosion shook the ground beneath them with its reverberating pulse. Yannick felt the heat wash over him, and was infused with elation at what its presence meant. He looked back at the scorching ruin, and emitted a bestial, howling cheer as the metallic behemoth's infrastructure buckled and finally toppled over to the side with a loud groan.

"Die, Wetters!" he screamed, and all the boys joined in.

His eyes watered from both the intensity of the