"Questions and Answers"
by Janae Damaris
Moril Astren
Kaysa Zenarr-Tregat

Location: Pink Monga, Daleev Durv's apartment
Date: Eos 20, 4ABY

***

It was just peeking into the early hours of the next morning that Janae finally appeared from the back room, and began turning the last of the dim lights to darkness. Her dark hair was let loose from its simple ponytail, hanging long and shaggy past her shoulders, off-setting nicely with the crimson vest she now wore. She was tucking various instruments into her pockets, and with a final reach of long arms, grabbed a small blaster from the locked stock behind the bar and attached it firmly to her right leg.

"Sorry that took so long," she mused, rubbing her eyes, still half in shadow. "It seems that whenever I'm in a hurry, something always brings a delay. Anyway, if you two are still up for it, Daleev's place isn't far."

Moril nodded and glanced to Kaysa. "We're ready. Anything we can do to help. We'll have to be careful out here. The Empire is stepping up its patrols."

"Of course," she agreed, already walking on cat feet to the empty night. Locking the doors behind her, she set a brisk pace of a determined walk, making straight for a shady back alley two streets over.

She spoke nothing as she walked, occasionally making sharp turns and swift movements, until they had been walking for quite a while. Then, at once, she stopped completely, crouching in the shadows and urging the other two to do the same. They stood, immobile and quite cold in the late night, straining ears for any sound of movement. There was none. After another minute to be certain, Janae set forth again, now moving faster. They went a few more twisted blocks when she all but disappeared into the thin gray door of a rather shabby apartment in a backwater street.

She waited until they were in the lobby before speaking. "Sorry about that. We sort of...took the long way," she confessed, voice hushed and still feeling abnormally loud after such long quiet. "It seems silly now, but I thought there might have been somebody following us out of the Pink. I suppose not."

"Is there any reason anyone should be following us?" Kaysa asked with a pointed look at Janae. "You said your friend might be involved in some...shady dealings, or at least he used to be. Are you the same?"

"Not anymore," she said sharply. "Not for some time now, and they--" Then she softened, face uncertain. "I was about to say, 'they would not be after me,' but that would seem unconvincing in the face of Dal's disappearance, and my own suspicions. I cannot give you more than my reassurances, but I do not believe I am a target. They may know me solely in connection with Dal, if in fact there was someone behind us."

With that, she opened the door to Dal's apartment with a neat movement, and stood waiting just inside the doorway, as though to say that Moril and Kaysa were in no way bound to continue. She crossed to the window, leaving the door slightly ajar, and gazed down at the dimly lit street from the dark window.

"There is no one down there," she admitted. "No shadows, no good watch points. And there is a back way out of the building."

"Hopefully we won't need it," Kaysa muttered as she slipped into the room. She glanced around briefly at the quaint dwelling and sighed. "So...what are we looking for?"

"I don't know," she smiled, bringing the lights to half-view. The room was shabby and monochromatic, varying shades of brown and gray, hardly decorated and certainly not in any way "homey." There were disks, boxes, and papers littered around the corner chair as a focal point, but they seemed tidy enough, and by the two-day layer of dust across the sheets, it was obvious that they had been untouched since Dal's disappearance.

"I don't think the Imperials have been here," Janae said with conviction, crouching near the pile of information. "But somebody was looking for something."

She rifled through the pile, sifting the hard plastic disks in her fingers, and sighed. "I don't know what to--"

At that moment, there was an acute buzzing noise just to her right. She paused, frightened, then relaxed as she realized it was only an incoming holo. "I'm going to answer it," she said quickly to Moril and Kaysa. Before they could stop her, she reached for the vids.

There appeared a shaky image that fuzzed in and out of transmission. A man, perhaps in his forties, with dark hair, stood blinking. He glanced from side to side, as though checking to make sure he was really alone, before speaking.

"Daleev," he said, his voice gruff and grim. "You haven't responded for two days. I can't have that. I need the disk. I know this is a lot to ask of you, but neither of us really have a choice in this matter. You said you still had it, and I need it back. This is vital. Now, I'll be in New Plouton in three days, we'll set a drop point, and you had better cough it up, or we're all gonna die."

The message clicked off with the same bluntness, leaving a silent and dim apartment.

"Well, this just isn't my day," Janae told the holo coldly, and with a sincere touch of anger. She felt completely devoid of consciousness, slow and uncertain. "Fuckin' Dal, why didn't you tell me," she cursed under her breath. Her eyes rose with a flicker of lashes. "Perhaps you two should leave, before you get involved. I understand now, but this isn't exactly what I was hoping to find."

"I'm not going to abandon you, Janae," Moril said. "If you want me to help in this, then I'm not leaving your side. We'll find him and take care of this mess. But, I'm not leaving you to deal with it on your own. Besides, working with Zale Tregat teaches a guy a few things."

She gave him a weak smile. "If you're sure." Putting a fist to her head, she staggered into the clutter that was Dal's kitchen, and began rumbling for some glasses. "I need a drink," she explained, bringing a large bottle of something and a few glasses. She threw back two shots with the quickness, and settled into one of Dal's chairs.

"Nearest I can tell," she surmised, tracing the rim of the glass with her forefinger and looking composed, but irritable, "Dal mentioned to me once that after he left Coruscant, he fell in with 'all kinds of people.' All kinds, yes, but he said that the group of people he ran with longest were big-time smugglers. I don't know what this disk is, or for who - Alliance, freelance, Empire - but Dal apparently has it, and he--" here she nodded to the holo "--wants it, but somebody got to him first."

Kaysa ensconced herself in a rickety chair at the desk and gnawed at her lip pensively. "But if he presumably has the disk on him," she said slowly, "why would they still have him?" Her eyes locked with Janae's as she added gently, "If that information was important enough to abduct him for it, there might no longer exist enough of him to be found. I have a crime lord for a husband; I sorta know how these things work. If someone wanted desperately enough to keep it out of that man's hands, and your friend knew what that disk was for, it would be in their best interests to silence him one way or another."

She nodded, slow and deliberate. "Then it's very possible that he's already dead."

Kaysa sighed. "Sorry... I just think we have to face the possibility. If he is alive, we'll definitely find him."

"I know," Janae said curtly. "The possibility hasn't left my mind since the moment he disappeared. There are two possibilities. One, he didn't know what was on the disk, somehow lost it over the course of time, and is still alive because he's the only link to it. Or two, he did have the disk and know what it contained, and was killed because of it." Her blank pragmatism was static and controlled, and very odd. Janae could have been talking about the chair she was sitting on with the same careful precision. "The question remains - what to do now?"

"We'll have to start somewhere," Moril said. "So, first thing, we do a thorough search here for that disk. Do you know of any other place where he'd stash it? Safe drops or similar things. We should also go around to all the local lock-ups, appearing to be the respectable and upstanding people we are, to inquire about him. If the Imps have him, I doubt they've shipped him to another facility by now. We can bring in some Antorial people to help with the search if we need to. How's that sound?"

Her face drew a tired smile. "It's a start. Thank you, Moril. This search may be useless but...I have to do what I can. I'll scour his apartment tonight, and he could have hidden it somewhere at the Pink or a few other places around town that I know of."

"Well, whatever you're doing, you can count me in to help," he said, and then glanced at Kaysa. "Now, if we're starting here, we'd better get to work."

Kaysa sighed as she pushed herself out of the chair and considered the room before them, waiting to be searched. "If it's a small disk, we could be here a while... I hope my husbands can do without me for another evening."

"From what I hear," Moril said with a sly grin, "is that they might do too well without you."

Kaysa grumbled in response and marched petulantly past Moril on her way to begin the search, muttering to him as she passed, "That's the last time I sleep with you."

"Promises, promises," Moril muttered in response before she was too far away. He then glanced up to Janae and smiled. "So, where should we start first?"

"Anywhere," she suggested gratefully, rubbing her hands together. "We could split up the rooms... You guys could tackle the main room here, and the kitchen, and I'll scour his bedroom. Holler if you find anything interesting," she called over her shoulder as she headed towards a small room in the back.

When Janae was out of sight and earshot, Kaysa scurried back over to Moril and pulled him aside. "You do know this could get us both killed," she whispered. "Are you sure you really wanna get yourself caught up in this?"

"She needs our help," Moril said softly. "I've had enough people risk their lives for me, that I know it's time to start returning the favours. She's alone in this, and I can't just stand by."

Kaysa smiled. "Well...she's certainly lucky to have caught the eye of such a giving, caring man. Though...I really don't think I should help you two, as much as I want to. If Zale finds out..."

"There are worse things that Zale could find out," Moril answered. "And, if he does, we can just tell him the truth. About this part, anyway. You were helping me with someone I want to get to know, and we were drawn into her crisis."

"Exactly," she replied cheerfully. "Though, I think for the rest of this...mission of yours I should probably part ways with the two of you. Other than Zale absolutely forbidding my participation, two people asking questions will more inconspicuous than three."

Moril nodded. "I understand," he said with a lopsided smile. "I'll keep you posted, on everything."

Kaysa laughed softly as she embraced Moril. "Thanks. I've got to have some excitement in my life, don't I?" She kissed Moril's cheek before pulling back, then motioned her head towards the kitchen, smiling conspiratorially. "Go on. She might need some help in there."

Moril smiled, and then nodded in gratitude. "I'll talk to you later, Kaysa," he said. "Go make sure that Zale and Merrick aren't doing anything you wouldn't want them to be doing to you instead."

Kaysa grumbled, "Don't remind me..." With a wink and a little wave, Kaysa was off, leaving Moril to seduce Janae if he so chose.

Pausing just a moment to collect himself, Moril prepared to face Janae alone. Once his nerves had settled, he followed after in the direction she'd gone. "Janae," he called. "Looks like it's just you and me."

She looked up, crouching in what appeared to be a disorganized closet, elbows-deep in a variety of junk. "I never knew Dal was such a pack rat," she muttered before rising to face him. Her eyes flicked to the dark hallway behind him. "I hope I'm not keeping you from other things - like your job," she said, sensing a few reasons why the crimelord's wife had just left. "This is, after all, my problem. I'd hoped to meet you again with a different agenda...ridding this planet of Imperial presence." She sighed, looking dark and confused. "But I can't just let this lie."

"Zale's got everything under control, so he doesn't need me yet," Moril said. "I've got the time to be able to help you with this, and then together we'll all be able to work on getting rid of the Empire. I want to help you with this, Janae. I want to help you track down Dal and get this straightened out. I couldn't just sit back while a friend was in a bad situation."

"A friend?" she said softly. "These are interesting circumstances for friendship. But thank you. It seems I could use a friend."

Moril smiled and took a couple steps closer. "In times like these, friendship is almost a necessity." He held a hand out to her.

She nodded, accepting his hand, but hers was dull and cold. Her mind was elsewhere. "I don't think I can do much more tonight," she said softly, eyes glossing over the large pile of disks and junk strewn in the room. "I'm exhausted."

Moril smiled and then nodded. "I can understand that. Will you be alright getting to your home? I can help you again tomorrow if you'd like."

She nodded. "That would be great...you know where I'll be." A rough laugh. "Though I'll probably open The Pink late, and spend the afternoon searching for information. I have a few favors I can call in for help behind the bar."

"If you need any more than that, let me know and I have a few I can call in as well," Moril said with a smile. "And, I guess I'll see you tomorrow."

She nodded again, head bobbing with exhaustion. "Thanks Moril. Thanks for everything."

"I'm glad to be able to help," Moril answered. With that, he slipped outside, and then off toward his apartment.

---

"A Message of Hope"
By: Lerrah Breijal [NPC+]
Shrezade Anoran
Rilanna Kir
Hajne Toray [NPC+]
Chamlembac [NPC+]

Location: Riga
Date: Eos 20, 4ABY

***

Lerrah Breijal brought her ship down quickly through the atmosphere of Riga, her eyes continuously on the sensor display showing the Imperial Star Destroyers looming back behind her. She was glad she had a load of direllian ore in the hold, or they might have been more suspicious than they already were.

The trip had been quick and mostly uneventful. For the entire trip though, she'd been unable to get her mind off Tasia or on the memories of their time together. She needed to get back to Tase, and with how everything was with Shiv, she needed Tasia more than ever. She still loved Shiv as much as she always had, but she knew it would go nowhere. Tasia, however...who knew where that would go.

Riga Control directed her to one of the vacant berths in the spaceport, and she settled Agarra's Pride into place. She glanced back at Elf who was plugged into the NavComp. She laughed as the droid swivelled his head around to look at her.

"You stay here," she said. "I won't be long. And, don't let anyone into the ship. If someone nosey comes poking around, let me know."

***

Despite her youth, Lerrah had experience at this sort of thing, and it didn't take long to spread enough credits around to get an answer without arousing suspicion. And, with that newfound knowledge, she set down the road intent on delivering the message Tase had charged her with.

At first she wasn't certain if the house she'd come to was the right one. It was too nice, and...domesticated. It was hardly the place a station administrator would want to live. Well, who says she wants to live here? a voice in her mind asked. And, who says station admins can't like places like this?

With a sigh, Lerrah stepped forward and knocked on the heavy wooden door. A sure sign of opulence, she thought.

Moments passed, and the door still remained closed. However, the comm console on the adjacent wall clicked and soon a slightly crackling, nasally voice was filtering through it. "Yes? Who is it?"

"I'm looking for Shrezade Anoran," Lerrah said, making sure to keep her voice down. "I'm a representative of Drogen Imports."

"Really? And--" A reverberating cry from inside the home interrupted Hajne. "It's alright, Chammy-pooh," she whispered. "I'll take care of it." Hajne was heard clearing her throat, then: "You said your name was...?"

"My name is Lerrah," came the answer. She then lowered her voice and leaned closer to the speaker. "I really don't think I should say much more out here...not with enemies about."

"Oh...you're right," Hajne breathed into the comm, causing static to muffle her voice. "Chammy" --the voice sounded distant, as if she'd turned her head completely away from the mic-- "be ready in case it's a trap. Uh...Lerrah? One second and we-- I'll let you in."

The comm cut out and a small commotion could be heard from the other side of the door. Soon, though, the door slid open with no one standing in the opening to greet Lerrah. Suddenly, Hajne's face poked out from behind the wall, her bright red lips smiling at Lerrah. "Come on in. Though, I suggest you leave your weapons outside."

"I only have one blaster," Lerrah said, pointing to the weapon slung low on her thigh. "If you want, I can carefully hand it to you, and then I'll be unarmed. It might look silly to someone passing by if you have a blaster sitting on your front porch."

Hajne chewed her lip pensively, and considering it was Hajne, deliberation took her quite some time. Finally she smiled again and waved Lerrah inside.

Lerrah returned the smile and then stepped through the doorway. "Thanks," she said as she passed the red-lipped woman. "Is, uh, Mrs. Shrezade around? I have a message for her...a real special, secret message."

Hajne's eyes narrowed suspiciously and her painted lips pressed into a thin line as she assessed Lerrah's intentions. "You've got a message for Mrs. Anoran?" she repeated. "Well...I'm her best friend. Tell me and I'll make sure it gets to her."

"I can't do that," Lerrah said taking a step back. "The message is for Mrs., uh, A-Anoran here? I'm supposed to give her the message, and I don't think I should...you know. Tell anyone else." Suddenly, Lerrah backed into something big, and solid. She figured it was the wall until it growled.

Cham howled and whuffed, demanding that Lerrah tell Hajne the message. Not understanding a single syllable of Shriiwook, Lerrah could only scream.

Hajne, in turn, let loose a peal of shrill laughter. "Oh, did I forget to introduce my Chammy?" she hollered above Lerrah's cries of terror. "Chammy, get her and don't let her out of your sight my furry love-nut!" With a little wave, Hajne scampered down the hallway, giggling boisterously the entire way.

Lerrah kept backing away from Cham, nearly tripping over various pieces of furniture and other oddments that happened to be in her way. She couldn't take her fearful eyes off the wookiee, who seemed to be grinning maliciously at her. What had she gotten herself into?

"There she is, Rilanna!" Hajne's whining voice hollered from the end of the hallway. "Don't let her get away, Chammy!"

Cham let out a howl in response, bringing out another frightened cry from the young woman stuck in the corner, fumbling for the blaster at her hip.

Rilanna Kir burst into the room, and noticed the girl in the corner - though, considering they were of the same age, perhaps girl might not be appropriate - drawing a weapon on Cham. Her own blaster cleared its holster in a heartbeat. She had it pointed at the frightened young woman whose hands were shaking so badly, it would be a surprise if she could hit anything at all. Ril sighed. "Put down your weapon," she said. "He won't hurt you. Cham, back."

Lerrah's blaster clattered to the floor and she nearly fainted.

Hajne, however, was still laughing maniacally and Cham wasn't listening, preferring his lover's taunting to her own commanding tone. She wasn't sure when she'd lost control of him, but she knew he would require a talk later. Damn, she thought. I'd just shoot them both if I could.

That Cham wasn't backing down only made the girl scream louder, which seemed to drive Hajne on even further.

Hajne's cackling laughter cut through Lerrah's screams. She just loved it when her Chammy got into the action. Carrying above both Hajne's maniacal giggles and Lerrah's cries of fear, a stern, booming voice shouted for silence. Hajne's lips sealed immediately and Cham ceased his advance upon the woman, whose whimpers could still be heard. From behind both Hajne and Rilanna, the tall, still blonde but otherwise drastically changed Shrezade Anoran strode forward.

Her formerly lifeless, long hair had been shorn off entirely, leaving it cropped close to her head. The golden locks that remained were styled into peaks with short, errant strands coming down her brow in bangs. The tousled look was a far cry from her previously austere hair-do, and her clothing was even more shocking a change. The conservative attire she used to dress in was gone, replaced with form-fitting, leather pants and a white blouse buttoned only half of the way up, leaving a good portion of her chest exposed, as well as the black, lace bra supporting her supple breasts and the hanging pendant gifted to her by Rilanna nestled between them. She had taken to carrying a blaster on her hip now, after a couple of close calls, and when she stopped before the cowering woman on the floor, she pulled her weapon from its holster and aimed.

"Name and purpose," Reza said with a slight, crooked smile quirking her lips. "And make it fast. Dinner is getting cold."

"My name is Lerrah Breijal from Tae'Karada, and I have a message from Tasia Harough in regards to the Drogen Shipyards."

"And you came all this way to deliver it?" Reza glanced sidelong at Rilanna, shooting a raised eyebrow to her friend. "Sounds slightly suspicious to me." She returned her steely gaze to the girl. "How did you come across this message? The station is under siege, which means communication is restricted. How did she contact you?"

"Secure channel piggy-backed off of an Imperial carrier wave," Lerrah said. "I came all the way here because it was safer than sending a message from Tae'Karada to here, where any Imp in between could pick it out of the ComNet. I met Tasia back before the station was taken. She did some work on my ship and we became friends. She knew I was on the planet, so she sent a message to my ship. I have a recording that she sent to me. It also has codes, codes she said you'd recognize that would show you it's legitimate."

Reza's impassive gaze held the girl in its snare as she scrutinized her. Either she was very good at acting frightened, or she really was. Whatever the case, Reza was intrigued. She snapped her fingers abruptly, startling Lerrah, then held her open palm out towards her. "Show me a copy of the transmission and I want to see those codes. Now!"

Slowly and deliberately, Lerrah reached down to the cargo pocket on the side of her pants. She reached in and just as slowly pulled the datapad back out. Once they both could see clearly that she wasn't trying to do anything that would most likely get her killed, she handed the device to Shrezade.

Reza snatched the device from Lerrah's trembling fingertips, examined it briefly, then blindly tossed it over her shoulder towards Hajne and Cham. She hoped her idiot secretary would catch it, and if not, at the least keep from trampling it.

"We'll check it out for you, Mrs. Anoran," Hajne said cheerfully. "Come on, Chammy."

As the two oddities strolled down the hallway, Reza motioned for Rilanna to join her on the other side of the small foyer. She kept her weapon on Lerrah still, but focused her attention on Rilanna. "So? Do you know her? Seen her around the station? A better question is, even if that transmission proves to be authentic, do we trust her?"

Rilanna stepped forward and studied Lerrah. After several minutes of quiet deliberation, she finally holstered her weapon and nodded. "I remember seeing her there, though I wasn't head of station security yet. But, I believe she's telling the truth and it does sound like something Harough would do. And where she is, I'm certain her slicer friend is also close by. We'll have to play this carefully, just to be safe."

Reza nodded slowly, and as suspicious as she was, she trusted Rilanna's judgement. As she was holstering her own weapon, Hajne came scurrying into the foyer, waving the datapad in the air. "It's real!" she announced triumphantly. The woman stumbled to a halt before Reza and handed her the pad. "Cham says the codes look right too."

"Good," Reza replied. After taking the datapad from Hajne and dismissing her, Reza regarded Lerrah again and extended a hand to the girl. "Come on. You can tell us everything over dinner."

As Lerrah placed her hand into Reza's, she visibly relaxed. "Thank you," she said, with a sigh. "There are Imp patrols all over the place out there, but the net isn't very tight yet. If you did want to get back to Tae'Karada, I think you could probably manage it without much hassle."

"And why, my dear, would I want to do that?" Reza asked with an amused smile.

"In case you wanted to drive the Imps off your station and get it back I guess," Lerrah said. "I don't know if you want it back or if you're happy here, but to get to Drogen, you'll have to go through Imps."

"I know this already," Reza informed her. "I had to go through them to get off, after all." The three entered the dining area, where four places had been set and food already laid out. Reza gestured for Lerrah to take a vacant seat, then she moved to take hers at the head of the table. "Now, I don't want you to think you've come all this way for nothing," Reza continued. "But...what exactly do you expect the four of us to do about the station? Free it all on our own?"

"I-I don't really know," Lerrah said. "I was just helping a friend to deliver a message. Though, I've heard there is a growing resistance movement on Tae'Karada. Perhaps they could help you retake the station as well. I've only got a Corellian transport, but I'd help too. I know Zale Tregat, and he's rich and powerful. He and his people rescued me from Dargus Kandran, I'm sure they could help with liberating the Drogen Shipyards."

Reza's arm slowed its extension towards the basket of bread as the name of her old associate struck a chord. "You were a prisoner of Mr. Kandran?" she asked casually as her hand finally retrieved a bun and brought it to her plate. "Is he still on Tae'Karada, then?"

"He's got a big ship in the system," Lerrah said. "His son is my friend's boyfriend."

"Son?" Reza shot an intrigued smile in Rilanna's direction. "Sounds like Dargus Kandran has been quite busy."

Hajne and Cham started a small ruckus on their side of the table, which seemed to climax with Hajne tearing a piece from the bun held between Cham's teeth with her own, complete with accompanying growls as she chewed. Reza rolled her eyes and couldn't help laughing softly. "Do you see that, Lerrah Breijal?" she said to her guest. "They are why I choose to stay. I have sworn to protect them and if I return to Tae'Karada, they may die. If I leave them here, defenseless, while I go back to that planet, they may be tracked down and will still end up dead. I need more than your assurances of a mounting rebellion to get me to budge."

"What can I do?" Lerrah asked softly.

Reza broke a small piece off the crusty bread and popped it into her mouth. She watched Lerrah intently as she slowly chewed the morsel, and a subtle grin took hold of her lips. "Go back to Tae'Karada," she said, leaning forward and resting her elbows atop the table. "And when you get there...you should pay a visit to your friend, Dargus Kandran. That's where you will give him a message from me. Do you understand me, young woman?"

"I understand," Lerrah said.

Reza's smile became a full-blown one, and held with it a hint of self-satisfaction. "Smart girl," she commented to Ril, yet still keeping her fierce blue eyes upon Lerrah. "You've just earned yourself safe passage out of this house. Now, I suggest you eat up. We have much more to discuss."

Lerrah nodded and turned her attention to her meal, rather than the condescending woman still grinning at her. At least the food was very good.

***

From across the living area, seated in her favourite leather sofa, Reza watched the girl, Lerrah Breijal, sitting alone on the large couch opposite her chair, looking quite uncomfortable and nervous. She hadn't touched the drink poured her, and since Reza was almost finished her own, she would simply take it off the girl's hands and finish the amber liquor for her.

Observing her for the twenty minutes of silence in which they sat, Reza was assured that she was incapable of deception, and that her former worker, Tasia Harough, had in fact sent her to deliver the message. In the month they'd been on Riga, Rilanna Kir, her devoted and loyal friend, had taught her much and helped her enhance her already developed talents, such as picking the liars from the sincere ones.

Her favourite lesson, however, had been learning to shoot a blaster. The rush she experienced when she fired upon and killed her first Imp was euphoric, and only after the adrenaline left her system did she feel slightly bothered with the less than chaste kiss she had exchanged with Rilanna. Nothing more had happened after that time, nor did either of them discuss pursuing that direction in their relationship, but it had brought them far closer than they were previously, and now Reza could not picture life without her Rilanna. It also made her fiercely protective of the young woman, and, oddly enough, Cham and Hajne as well. For the first time since Vraner's death, she cared about someone other than herself and it was a nice feeling.

As she laughed fondly to herself, she noticed Lerrah regard her quizzically. Reza apologized for the display with a languid, vague gesture. "Just thinking, that's all." She finished the last of her drink, set her empty goblet down upon the side-table, and relaxed against the plush backrest of her armchair. "Tell me, Lerrah, why did you volunteer to take on this dangerous task?"

"Tasia needed my help," Lerrah answered. "When I was staying on the station...we...we were close, and...and I wanted to do a friend a favour. And, they're trapped in there, and I was hoping to see her again. Also, I hate the Empire...they're...they shouldn't be here. So, I want to do my part to get rid of them."

Reza nodded thoughtfully while her fingers idly brushed over the tops of her breasts. "And so now your job is done? You've done your part to free Tae'Karada and that is that?" She chuckled throatily. "How very noble."

"Tae'Karada isn't free yet," Lerrah said, glancing between the two women. "So, my part isn't over yet. I'm still willing to help out...but, I know I can't do it alone."

"Really?" Reza drawled. "And what makes you think I and my small cohort can?"

"I don't know," Lerrah said. "But, I'll help you. And, I'm sure Zale would help too. Dargus Kandran would want to get the Empire out. If the right contacts can be made, it can be done. And, you don't have to do it all. You'd just be the like the general, rather than one of the regular combat troops."

"A general?" Reza emitted a startling, melodious laugh that wasn't at all pleasant. "Oh, Ril, did you hear that? I get to lead my own army of Rebels. I imagine Vraner would certainly find that ironically humourous."

Rilanna smiled. "I'm sure he would," she said. "Not to mention you're getting quite a promotion. From rankless to the top of the ladder. Not bad."

Lerrah sighed and looked away. Perhaps I should just leave, she thought. Tell Tase, that the woman is far too bitter to want to do anything but sit on her ass in this luxurious house.

"Did you know," Reza went on, her haughty, airy tone cutting into Lerrah's thoughts, "we have bounty hunters tracking us. Ril here has already killed two, but our good friend, Major Weyland, has no doubt sent more after us. If I were to make myself conspicuous, say by becoming the General of this little resistance movement, you do know my life and those of everyone dear to me will be in even more jeopardy, do you not?"

"Look," Lerrah finally said. "If you don't want to do this, don't. Stay here and live out your life. I have a friend on that station, and I'm going to help her. I'm going to do my part to get those bastards off my home, and hopefully out of this galaxy. You don't have to do it, and I'm not forcing you. I'm just the messenger. I carried the messenger with a friend who thought you might want your station back. If you don't, fine. I don't care. I do care about getting my friend out, and I'll try to find help elsewhere if you're not interested. I'm sure there are plenty of people who want to run the station once the Empire is ousted."

Reza's face remained neutral, her expression unreadable, except for the tiny grin softening her lips. Her gaze passed lazily from Rilanna, to whom she gave an imperceptible nod of approval, then back to Lerrah. "I like your passion and fire, young woman. And, now that I'm more confident you are not simply a puling, whimpering idiot, we can truly discuss your offer."

"Let someone turn a raging Wookiee loose on you and see how much whimpering you do," Lerrah said with a laugh. "You do realize those things can completely rip arms from a person's body, right? I happen to like my arms right where they are."

"Oh, Cham's harmless," Reza assured her. "Dear Hajne has tamed the beast. He's here simply for intimidation. If you ask nicely, he may even let you pet his belly."

Lerrah shook her head. "Well, I know that now, but when he's doing all that howling and fist waving, he certainly looks ferocious."

Reza chuckled. "Yes...quite. I believe he will make a fine soldier for our army, do you not think so, Lerrah Breijal?"

Lerrah couldn't help smiling. "I think he would make a perfect soldier," she said. "And, I'm not all that great with a blaster, but there are things I can do. I'll help you however you need me to, Mrs. Anoran."

"Good," she replied. She nodded to Rilanna, then Reza rose from her seat. "We can discuss that in the morning. It has been a long day, Ms. Breijal, and I certainly think better when I've had plenty of rest. Rilanna will show you to your room."

"Thank you," Lerrah said as she stood. "After we talk tomorrow, I can take any messages back to Tae'Karada. I'd give anything to see the look on senile old Tarkin's face when he loses the station."

"How about the look on his face when I press a blaster to his forehead?" The smile on Reza's face was far too jovial for such a gruesome threat, but no one said she was exactly sane. "Good night, Lerrah Breijal. And if Hajne's squeals keep you up, just bang on the wall. That'll shut those two up."

Lerrah laughed again and shook her head. Rilanna motioned her to follow, and she did.

"We have a spare room down this way, unfortunately right next to the woman who doesn't know what the word quietly means and a Wookiee who is nearly incapable of being quiet, especially when he's with Hajne."

Lerrah laughed again, but followed along, soon disappearing down the hallway to leave Shrezade Anoran alone. Tomorrow the plans for retaking Tae'Karada and the Drogen shipyards would begin in earnest. Tomorrow, the plans for freedom would be outlined and she'd be able to see Tasia again. She glanced back at Shrezade one more time, and smiled hopefully at the woman.

---

"One Good Thing, Part 1"
by Symm Ruus Dunn

Location: Outskirts of Thanatos/Thanatos Landing Fields
Date: Eos 20, 4 ABY

***05h00***

Many hours ago, the lush forest Symm had acquired his Imperial bike in had changed to the sparse scrubland and then desert that was more familiar around his destination. The dunes were beginning to become larger and larger with pockets of rocky spires rising amidst them. Symm decided to get rid of the bike. If not, a Stormtrooper could see Symm's approach from miles and miles. Symm shrugged and slowed next to a large spire.

The rock was slightly moist and there were small green sprigs pushing up from cracks. Symm looked for a burrow or fissure in the rock and was rewarded with nothing. He opened the cargo container of the bike and pulled a fusion cutter out. Setting the cutter upon one of the small cracks he was rewarded with a slight trickle of water. Using a trick he had discovered on Aluas 7, he curled a long grass blade up and inserted it into his newly made hole. That enabled the trickling water to run along the grass' edge, so Symm cut a survival tent (one of two he had pilfered from his scout ambush) into several small patches. With one of the patches he made a lean-to of sorts big enough for one of the other patches to receive shade under. Symm shifted the blade of grass so that the trickle would land in this shady spot and then used several of the other patches to cover over his waterhole, and then he sprinkled sand over the top for camouflage.

After that work was done, Symm set about fixing his now over-foliaged Guilly suit. With all of the forest gone, the ferns and whatnot were useless. They would stick out in the bland desert environment. He removed all but a few and made sure that the ones he left were spindly twigs and dried out branches. After doing that he sat up on a small ledge of the spire he was next to and ate a small breakfast of Imperial rations. After the energy bar was done, he pulled his minicomp, also stolen from an Imperial scout, and macrobinoculars from his cargo pockets.

Thanatos is about a three hour walk West-North-West from here and I haven't seen any Imp Patrols yet. Symm thought about Imperial tactics and was scanning the horizon when he caught sight of what he was looking for. Aha! Three troopers, riding Sand Geezu. Two troopers, and one sensor operator. Heading on a typical patrol route for an occupation force. But they are in close! That would mean the patrol routes would be compact and tougher to get into. Oh! Symm shifted his attention to a small freighter, an Etti Lighter, which lumbered across the sky about a mile away and 50 feet off of the ground.

A small burst of blaster fire came from a small turret on the side as the "Lighter" tried to juke right, then left. Symm watched as three TIE Fighters lanced strafing runs into the side where the turret was. He saw the small explosion of energy and flesh as the turret hatch was decimated and its contents riddled with energy bolts. Smoke began to boil from the hole in the Lighter's hull and Symm could almost imagine the pilot frantically trying to set the small freighter down easy. Symm could see that the movements of the Lighter were getting jerky and less controlled, but it did seem to be coming down controlled.

And then the three TIE Fighters were back. A strafing run apiece ripped into the upper hull plating of the stricken ship. Still the Lighter was getting nearer and nearer the ground and seemed to still be controlled. Symm began crawling down the spire, keeping an eye on the drama happening a mile away. Just as it seemed to touch ground, the rear half of the now smoking ship ripped itself apart in a tremendous explosion. The front portions of the ship was lifted further in the air as it cartwheeled ahead of the quickly spreading black cloud and fingers of shrapnel. Symm could actually see two people, humanoids at least, actually leap out of the remnant and fall at least a hundred feet to the sand below. He thought he saw a third as well, but if it was a body, the hull section continued its cartwheel through the poor soul.

Symm leapt the remaining five feet of the spire and collected his things into one of the combat packs he was using. He inspected his water collector and was rewarded with a swallow of refreshing, but bitter, mineral water. He looked in the direction of Thanatos, and then at the smoking remains of a freighter and possibly survivors. Not exactly opposite directions. Oh well, Thanatos can wait a bit more. Symm throttled his stolen bike up and sped off to see if he could find the brave souls.

If there were any.

***0600 hours***

The sun had only been up for an hour or so, having gone up about the time Symm arrived at his breakfast spire. Symm looked through his macrobinocs at the dunes for miles around the charred front half of the Lighter. He could see the spire he had left and he could also see the patrol he had seen before lumbering towards the wreck from the direction of Thanatos. I have an hour, another half an hour if I'm lucky.

He turned back to the front section. His nose wrinkled as what he believed he saw as a third body was one, emphasis on was. The remains were so unrecognizable that species could only be put as red-blooded. Curiously enough, the landing strut he been extended and the small front section landed right side up on it. With the force of the crash and probably not a little damage from the fight, the strut had crumpled and the cockpit was intact. Relatively so. The Glassteel windows were all shattered but, apart from a few crinkles and dents, it turned out to be a pretty intact piece. Symm thought that sometime in the future, it would make a pretty good desert shelter. He didn't want to disturb anything, and turned to follow the supposed path of the ship as it blew apart for what he thought were survivors who chose to leap to safety.

He found them easy enough too. There were two, a man and a teenaged boy. He found them both because the man had a smoking shard of metal protruding through his back. Both bodies had created miniature craters of their impact. Symm could hear and see the labored breathing of the face down boy. Symm saw the jerky movement of an injured body trying to cling to life. Symm knelt next to the body and began his first aid training to tell if there were any bone breaks which prohibited the movement of the body. He could feel several broken ribs, the left arm was essentially mush, but was cauterized, so that had happened in the explosion.

He could see small cuts all over the torso of the boy and two deep ones along the opposite side of the ruined arm. But, Symm knew that he needed to be seen in a medical facility or he would die. That meant speed. He had to get to Thanatos as swiftly as possible. The bike was this boy's salvation. Symm slowly moved him up onto the bike's second seat. There he splinted all of the breaks he could and then strapped the injured boy to himself.

***0715 hours***

Sitting with a broken and bleeding boy, he throttled the bike on and looked up to see the three Stormtroopers advancing on the wreck in a gallop. These three turned to six as another three hundred yards or so to the left of the first group crested a dune. Resigning himself to the fact he wouldn't be sneaking into Thanatos as he had hoped, Symm throttled up and burst towards the sand cavalry. He drew his pistol, his carbine was being used as a back-and-neck splint.

The second group of troopers reigned in and began lancing the area with blaster fire. Bolts of energy sped at and past him as Symm weaved and juked the bike as best he could. He depressed the firing stud of the bike's blasters and saw several swaths set into the forelegs of one of the reptilian beasts that the troopers were riding. He sped past the three and soon realized that the other three had set up a sort of cross fire and he felt several jolts as blaster bolts impacted the bike. He grunted as one glanced across his thigh. He prayed that the boy would make it through this and throttled even higher.

Blaster bolts continued to follow him until he outranged the light blasters used by mounted troops. He kept the throttle full-bore and headed straight for Thanatos proper. Not very long after, He began to see grounded freighters here and there, all with Imperials of some sort around them. Some of the Imps exclaimed and pulled comm gear or something out and tried a pursuit, but the bike he was using was faster than any of the patrol cars that were being used. But the amount of Imps that weren't involved in shouting matches with owners and captains of the ships there were very few indeed and Symm got by without any serious problems.

"Well kid, they know we're comin'. Hold on just a little longer. Just a little longer," Symm said more to himself than the boy strapped to his back. Symm knew that if he could do this one good thing, then the death which he would wreak upon the Imperials would at least partly be atoned for.

---

"One Good Thing, Part 2"
By: Symm Ruus Dunn

Location: Thanatos
Date: Eos 20, 4 ABY

***0900 hours***

A shrill whine of repulsor motors became louder and louder as the empty houses on the very outskirts of Thanatos squatted in the blowing dust. For the past hour, Thanatos had been under a storm system which caused dust devils to spring up and throw obscuring clouds of sand and dust into the air. The repulsor's whine reached a crescendo as an odd figure on a speeder bike zipped past dirty buildings. There was a man intently steering and throttling the bike and what appeared to be another figure behind the first, very close behind.

Symm throttled the bike to a stop and parked it in an unused alleyway between what had been two houses. He began the laborious task of removing himself from the bike, all the while trying to keep the dying teenager as still as possible. Symm looked the kid over once again and saw that his condition hadn't gotten much worse. Apart from the slight jostling of riding the bike the kid had been through worse and Symm hoped he would pull through. The kid just needed medical attention, and fast.

Symm gathered his gear and hid it in the refuse of the alleyway. He grabbed some of the cloth that was there and dressed his worn costume up a little so that he appeared more worn and poor. With his disguise as good as he could make it, he pulled a few pieces of metal from the bike and wood from the houses and fashioned better splints for the boy, trying to do this without further injuring the poor guy. He had realized that weapons, not counting the fact of their origin, would be suspicious as splints on an injured person. Besides, the straighter pieces of whatever he found were better for the bones anyway.

Symm looked down at what he had created and sighed. If you make it through this, guy, you are a stronger man than I. Symm grunted as a few still bruised parts of his own body complained when he lifted the boy onto his back. The "papoose" he had created was better for the boy, but not very easily lugged around. Symm's legs began to ache as he stepped further into town. He just needed to find someone to tell him where a doctor was.

***1030 hours***

Symm's back and legs were now arguing amongst themselves and Symm hadn't yet seen anyone to ask. The dust storm had quit about an hour before, and the sky was clear blue, with the sun shining brightly and hotly. The sweat that had been cooling before, now was getting just bothersome. Symm could see crystallized salt on his pant legs and knew that the same was probably true for his shirt. Hunched over as he was, he regretted the fact that the kid was probably baking, but he was pushed onward by the slight movement every so often by the hurt teen.

***1130 hours***

Symm stared incredulously at the little boy in front of him. He had a stick in his hand and was pointing it menacingly as if it were a blaster pistol. "No further, Impie scum!" the boy said with as much authority in his voice as he could muster. "Go back where you come from!"

Symm was about to speak when a young woman emerged from the house. "Pyre! Leave the man al--" She stopped and stared at the hunched Symm with his burden and after a few seconds, asked, "Mister, what the hell are you doing?" She came closer and then ran into the house, saying, "I'll get some water!"

Symm went slowly to his knees with a close eye on the young boy, still menacing Symm with a blaster stick. He smiled, but the kid just scowled and then stuck his tongue out. Symm couldn't help but chuckle and this prompted the kid to turn and scamper away.

"You really should head a few blocks that way." The young woman was back and was carrying a pitcher of clear water and a rag, which she applied to the bundled teens face and head. "How long has he been like this? I'll tell you what, it will take you too long to head to Doc Tull's like this. I have a dune sled, I'll go get it."

Symm watched the girl head away with the refreshing pitcher of water with a pang in his stomach.

"Oh! Sorry, mister!" The woman turned and came back laying the water at Symm's right side. "Now, I'll get the sled. Take him off of your back."

Symm was sucking on the rag because he knew he would gulp the water if he didn't. He didn't want to get sick in front of the kind woman. He then slowly pulled the back rig off and laid the young body down.

His shoulders, back, legs, and head were screaming at him for rest when he turned the sled into a wide building which sported a red cross on its walls. He could hear several groans and a scream or two coming from the back, but had nowhere else to go. Once his eyes adjusted to the light, he saw that a short fat little human with long sideburns and an equally long ponytail stood looking at him.

"You must be the man I've been told about. Bring that man over here. Help me put him on the bed. Very swiftly, man. Don't move his arms." The little man became a bundle of energy as Symm helped him with the body while the doc talked.

"The name is Tull, Doc Tull. Really! That's the name, the profession came later. Hmm... Lets have a look see shall we?" The Doc began removing the various splints Symm had put on. Symm watched and helped where he could but after a bit, an angry Doc Tull looked up at him and said. "Look, I appreciate what you have done. By the looks of you, it hasn't been easy, but, you're still walkin', that's something my patient doesn't at the moment got... So, if you please, leave. He will be alright. Come see me tomorrow. He should be conscious then. Come back tomorrow, now go...go. He'll be fine, go... Go!"

The little man had been talking in slowly louder tones as he backed Symm out of the small clinic. The door slammed before Symm realized what had happened. He stood looking at the door before turning around and heading back to get his gear.

***1300 hours***

Sitting in the dingy café, Symm was eating the best stew he had ever tasted. He didn't care what was probably in it. His appearance had changed too. He had found another room with comparative ease and had used the refresher to clean up. Feeling like a new man, and in no small part truly a new man, he had set into the city proper to find food and contacts to help him locate the people actively fighting the Imperials for Thanatos. And not just for Thanatos; for the whole planet for that matter. It had to start somewhere. This was as good a place as any.

---

"A Lull's Portence"
by: Symm Ruus Dunn

Location: Thanatos
Date: Eos 20, 4ABY

***

The sky was slowly darkening, initiating the gritty glows of many dirty neon lights. Various bars and cantinas were just starting into their most profitable periods and even though Imperial Patrols were commonplace, there were still people braving the streets to get a cup of caf or stronger.

Symm had been up and down many of the various streets of Thanatos looking for a hint, a sign. He needed to find the rebellious groups here. Without them, he was doomed to work alone and lose his life. It was inevitable in his mind. He hung his head and watched the ground as he trudged dejectedly down an avenue. He was headed back to his rented room, planning on hitting the sack for the night. He could feel his muscles and old wounds angrily telling him that he was over-exerting himself. It was nothing new, but he had usually been too busy with evasion, engaging, or hiding to feel it. In the lull, Symm's body was pleading for rest.

Symm caught his breath short as a flash of white caught his eye. Looking up, he saw that he was alone on the street except for a speeder van parked very close to the front door of a small house. What caught his eye was the white armor of Stormtroopers. At least, the trooper armor's glove. Its wearer had reached out of the front door and accepted a package from someone in the side cargo hatch of the speeder. Symm ducked into an alley as soon as he could and saw a body being passed from the van to the house. Two of the gloved hands reached out for a second and then they were gone, inside the house with the inert body.

Symm considered all he had seen and came to the conclusion that it had to be some sort of insertion house which was dealing in kidnapping and probably interrogation. Agents of the Imperial Security Bureau were probably entering and exiting Thanatos through this house and returning when the mission was done. There was probably many thousands of credits worth of electronic countermeasure gear, sensor baffles, weaponry, monitoring, communications and other equipment in the house. It would be an invaluable asset to have in the hands of the insurrection. The only problem was that Symm was no closer to meeting any of them than he was when he came to Thanatos in the first place.

Symm hurried down the alleyway and exited onto a different street. There, he saw a small café called "Em's Hole" with a small pink neon sign hanging above the front door which was partially burnt out. The only other light on the street was a small lamp a block or so down the street. This caused long and ominous shadows to fall across the street and was perfect for walking without being seen. Once he was at the door, Symm opened it and walked in, taking off his hat and cloak and shaking them free of dust.

The café was small, that was true, but it wasn't one of the cleanest places in Thanatos that Symm had seen. He scanned the place and saw two tables with three chairs each. There weren't any booths and the bar/kitchen took up most of the back wall. A couple patrons sat at the bar nursing various colored drinks in dingy glasses. He chose one of the tables and sat down; putting his cloak and hat against one of the other chairs. He looked up as the barkeep began moving from behind the bar towards him.

"What can I getch ya?" The barkeep was a short Twi'lek who had seen much better days. A permanent scowl had creased his face and one of his lekku had been removed halfway down the stalk. His clothes were filthy but he placed a cloudy glass down in front of Symm with a flourish and tried to show that he was at all interested in Symm's response.

"Caf, please," Symm replied. "One glass should be fine. Say, you wouldn't have happened to see anything interesting recently. maybe in the last few days?" With the last sentence, Symm placed a hundred credit note in the glass and handed it back to the grungy looking barkeep. The barkeep smiled and accepted the glass. He turned and walked back behind the bar. He filled the glass after removing the cash and walked back to Symm's table.

With a look of disdain almost taking over from the scowl covering his face, the Twi'lek said, "Now that you mention it, I did see that I am getting boils." With that, the Twi'lek snorted and almost grinned. He turned and walked back to the bar. Symm heard a couple of the patrons at the bar snicker but after a quick glance back at him, they stopped.

Symm grinned inwardly, realizing that he would have to try new approaches. He also realized that perhaps actions were more persuasive than words. He would need to make a public show of it and then melt into the shadows to be found later. For that, he needed planning. He needed to get back to his room. Hopefully, the streets would be relatively clear of Imps for the walk back. With a sigh, Symm stood, put his hat and cloak on, threw a twenty on the table and left the café with his glass of caf in his hand.

---

"Warnings"
by Yelara Kandran
Dargus Kandran
Leshie Zaneth [NPC+]
and Orinth Neerou [NPC+]

Location: Corellia
Date: Eos 20, 4ABY

***

Orinth had been sleeping for hours now, which was a relief to Yelara. It meant she had an excuse to hide away in his bedroom with little interference and few impromptu visits by Dargus. She didn't know why she was feeling the way she was, why she shrank away from his touch and cringed at the sound of his voice; why she gave herself to him reluctantly and received no enjoyment through their carnal acts; or especially why, when she had even a moment of peace, she thought only of Liam.

Dargus had her love now, not her cheating bastard of a husband. Yet...whenever she gazed into Dargus' inscrutable, dark eyes, why did Liam's piercing blue appear? She was convinced she was losing her mind, and refused to admit that this was happening because she still felt something for Liam. How could she forgive a man who had hurt her so deeply? But he was suffering for it now, at Dargus' hands. Wasn't that enough penance for his mistake?

Yelara groaned and lay her head upon her grandfather's chest. Soon, she felt his hand delicately stroking her hair and turned her face towards his.

"Sorry," she whispered. "Didn't mean to wake you."

"No trouble at all, my Yara," he replied weakly. "But, waking up to see you in such distress is not what I would have hoped for."

Yelara sighed and sat up straight, though in her sombre state, her shoulders remained hunched in a manifestation of her grief. "I was just thinking, that's all," she murmured, staring absently at his weathered hand beneath hers.

"Thinking about Liam, no doubt."

Yelara sighed wearily. "Grandfather...please."

"No," he said flatly. "I will not sit idly by and watch you suffer, watch that good man suffer. You must see that Dargus is evil. I can smell it rolling off him like a thick fog. Are you so blinded by him that you cannot see it?"

Yelara's body trembled slightly and a layer of tears washed over her eyes as she stared mutely at her hand gripping Orinth's tighter. The old man nodded slowly. "So...you are beginning to see. It's about time, Yara."

She took in a staggering breath and tore her hand away from Orinth's. "I'm confused, that's all," she explained. "I was surprised by Liam's appearance and...and it just...threw me for a loop."

"It's not that. You're beginning to see the truth about him. Don't look away."

"I can't!" she groaned, jumping to her feet. "I-I can't...." She turned her face from Orinth's view quickly as a tear forced its way down her cheek. "I-I have to go. I'll bring you some food."

"Yar--"

Before he could beg her to listen, Yelara rushed out of the room to escape the truth of Orinth's words.

***

"Yelara," Dargus called out softly as he stepped into Orinth's room. "Oh, I guess she's not here. How are you feeling, Orinth? That was a bad spell you had the other day, but it looks like you're recovering nicely now. You-- you don't like me, do you?"

"Why should I?" he replied gruffly. "Look at the pain you're causing my Yara. You do know she hates you, don't you? That it disgusts her to be with you?"

"I don't know about that," Dargus said lightly. "We actually have some good times together, but I shouldn't tell you about that. I don't think you'd be too enthusiastic to hear what your granddaughter does behind closed doors."

"Does against her will?" Orinth retorted.

"Oh, I assure you, she's quite willing," Dargus answered. "An unwilling woman doesn't scream in quite that way. But, I wouldn't expect you to know something about that."

Orinth shrugged his bony shoulders, seeming indifferent to Dargus' boasts. "I've found that women have great imaginations. She may scream, but that is no assurance that she is thinking of you."

"If it isn't about me, then it's about what we'll do together to Liam Zaneth for the pain he's caused her. Though, she could be thinking about her lesbian lover, Kallia, but Kallia is quite fond of my son Keeve right now."

Orinth's lips twisted into a frown of disgust and he spat at Dargus' feet. "You leave my house! You're made up of everything vile that exists in the universe, and Yelara is realizing that. With my help, she won't doubt it for much longer."

"Oh, not everything by far," Dargus answered. "Actually, I'm just an apprentice to that vileness. There are much more vile and wicked things than me. Though, you are correct. I'm not clean and good, but I do love Yelara. I give her all I can, and everything she desires. And, I will not stand for anything that destroys what we have." He took a step forward, and the entire aspect of his being seemed to change as his body became charged with the energy of the Force. "That little incident with your heart was no accident, old man. If you wish to see your granddaughter again in your life, your great grandson grow to be a man, I suggest you keep all your ideas about me quiet. I could destroy your life in an instant, and Yelara would not suspect a thing. Am I understood?"

Orinth shrank away from the shadow falling upon his bed and creeping closer to him, prepared to engulf him in Dargus' malevolence. "Y-You stay away," he gasped. One hand went to his chest as his weakened heart throbbed painfully. "You l-leave my Yara alone."

"You stay out of this, and Yelara will be fine," Dargus answered. "And, so will you. If you insist on interfering, I can't guarantee your safety."

A shred of courage returned to Orinth and the old man sat up to regard Dargus with fierce eyes. "You hurt me, and you will lose Yelara. But...perhaps that would be a wise course of action, all things considered..."

"If I lose her because of you," Dargus said, "I will kill her. Keep your mouth closed, and you both live. Say a word, or let on that anything is amiss, and...well, I think you're intelligent enough to understand."

"Damn you," Orinth sputtered. "You will burn in hell, Dargus Kandran! And when you do, I will be watching, laughing heartily."

"Most likely," Dargus said with a shrug. "I will leave you to your thoughts. Yelara is returning with your food, and I don't want you casting me any angry glares while she's here with you. It might make the situation...difficult."

Orinth, wheezing and breathless with angry sank back against his pillow and watched Dargus bow unctuously before striding towards the door. The old man chanted an Old Corellian curse at Dargus, then sent up a prayer for his Yara and Va'Lesh. Married to a fiend such as Dargus Kandran, she would need all the blessings of the gods she could get.

Out in the hallway, Dargus met Yelara coming from the other direction. "Hello, my beautiful love," he said. "Orinth is doing much better, isn't he?"

"He is," she replied quietly, distractedly. She glanced at Orinth's door, then at Dargus warily. "You were visiting him?"

"I was looking for you, and I thought you might be in there," he said. "But, you weren't. So, I just checked in on him since I was there."

She nodded slowly, then nodded to the tray in her hands. "I need to give him this. Excuse me," she murmured, then moved past him.

Dargus stepped out of the way for her, but didn't move far from Orinth's door. Using Force-enhanced senses, he could hear everything that was said.

"Oh, Yara!" Orinth cried out, holding out his arms to her.

Yelara frowned with concern and rushed to her grandfather's bedside. She set down the tray of food upon his side table and took each of his hands into hers. "What is it? Grandfather...you don't look well. What happened?"

"That...that monster, that's what! Oh dear, Yara, it isn't safe for you."

She shook her head. "He wouldn't hurt me. He would never."

Orinth's hands tightened spasmodically around hers and pulled her closer. Yelara gasped as she was thrown off balance and forced to sit at Orinth's side. "Grandfather--"

"He's going to kill you," he rasped. "You and Va'Lesh. Dear girl, you have to go. Now!"

Yelara took in a shaky breath and swallowed back all her fear, though her doubts refused to be repressed. "You're not well," she said quietly. "You need to rest, that's all, Grandfather."

"Rest my ear! I heard him. I may be old, but I'm not senile, Yara!"

"Shh... Grandfather, please! He'll hear."

The old man snorted wryly. "I don't care. I need to keep you safe, no matter what he does to me."

"Does to you?" She sighed. "He won't do anything to you, or me for that matter. Please...stop this."

In the hallway, Dargus sighed. He needed his hands to be clean of this, or he would lose Yelara. He couldn't do that, not yet. As much as a part of him wanted to, he couldn't destroy her that way.

In his mind, the figure of his Master appeared before him. The man was smiling despite the black soul that pulsed beneath the kindly veneer. Patience, my apprentice, he was saying, as he had said so often. The hasty action often leads to ruin. Slow and calculating, no matter how hot your blood burns, will achieve the most fulfilling results. Watch and wait, and you will be rewarded.

With a growl, Dargus turned away and strode down the hallway, despite the raging desire to rush to the bedroom door, and obliterate the old man. He rushed to the front door and outside, the duplicitous thoughts in his mind driving him on. He stopped and collapsed to his knees by the roadside, a battle of wills being waged in his mind.

Yelara had finally managed to calm down Orinth by assuring him she would be careful. He wasn't satisfied, but he knew it would take time to break through Yelara's stubborn resolve and convince her she was in danger. Willingly allowing Yelara to spoon the warm broth into his mouth, Orinth sighed and relaxed against the pillow propped against the headboard. Before she could get another into him, Orinth stopped the spoon with his hand and raised one bushy eyebrow at her. "Visit Liam. Talk to him, Yelara. You must."

Before, when her mind was made up and emotions not conflicted, Yelara would have flatly refused. Now, though, she seriously considered. "Finish your soup," she told him gently. She set the spoon down onto the tray and rose from the bed. "I'll take care of everything, Grandfather. Please trust me."

"I always have, Yara," he replied with a wistful smile. "I will trust you."

Nodding her gratitude, Yelara once again departed from the room. The moment the door was sealed behind her, she pressed her back to it and let out a silent sob. To say her soul was tortured was putting it mildly. To say it was being rended into tiny, bloodied shreds was a more accurate description.

She pined for her husband now, so instead went to her son. His eyes would satisfy her need to see Liam for now, but the time would come when she would need him, in the flesh...if Dargus hadn't already killed him.

***

Dargus found Yelara lying on the bed, with Va'Lesh kicking his feet into the air next to her. One hand was smoothing the baby's soft red locks as she softly sang a gentle song to him. Dargus couldn't hear the words but the melody was nice. "How's everything?" he asked as he came into the room and sat on the edge of the bed. As he sat, Leshie gave a whimper.

Yelara impulsively pulled Leshie closer to her, farther from Dargus. "It's fine," she replied tightly. "Just...wanted to see how he was doing. He's not so agitated today."

"Yelara?" Dargus asked as he studied her face. "Is everything alright? You seem...distant. Is everything alright? Is it your grandfather? You know when you're with me, you don't need to be worried. I'll do everything and anything to keep you safe."

She diverted her gaze to Leshie and kept it on his pudgy, cherubic face. "I think... I want to leave today, Dargus. I can't be here anymore, not without being completely miserable."

"I understand," Dargus said. "It must be very difficult for you. But, I'm sure everything will be fine. If you'd like, we can arrange for someone to watch after Orinth. It wouldn't be any trouble at all, and they'd be able to make sure he's eating enough and taking his medication."

Yelara traced the curve of Leshie's plump cheek with one finger, mulling over Dargus' offer. "I-I don't think he would accept. I'll just ask one of the neighbours to look in on him."

"Of course," Dargus said with a nod. "I imagine that would be easiest, and he'd feel most comfortable with people he knows rather than strangers." He took one of her hands into his and brought it to his lips. "He doesn't want me here, so why don't I return to the ship. You can say your goodbyes and arrange for the neighbours to watch after him. I'll have everything ready, and soon as you get back, we'll be off."

"Okay," she said softly. "Thank you, Dargus." She gave him a wan smile, then gently pulled her hand free from his and returned it to Leshie's cheek, where her attention was now fully focused.

A dark scowl passed over Dargus' face, but he let it go. Bide your time, he told himself. "I'll see you soon, Yelara," he said. "We'll be home again before you know it."

"Yes, My Lord," she muttered absently, then placed a tender kiss upon Leshie's brow, thinking how alike his father he really was becoming. She found that it brought a smile to her face.

Dargus turned and strode from the room. He was losing her, but he would find a way to reclaim her. He had to bring her back to him because he knew a part of him would despair to have to destroy her.

***

With Leshie cradled in a sling and strapped to her torso, tugging curiously at a raven curl hanging down Yelara's shoulder, mother and son climbed the docking ramp of the ship. Dargus had dispatched a droid to tend to Leshie's things, which it now pushed on a hovercart up into the vessel. Orinth's neighbours readily volunteered to watch over the feeble, old man, but his passionate pleas belied his weak appearance. He had begged her yet again to turn her back on Dargus before it was too late. She simply kissed his cheek, told him she'd comm when she had a chance, then disappeared. His breath was wasted on her;

she already knew everything he was telling her, and agreed.

Yelara paused momentarily in her ascent, hesitated. If she entered, she wouldn't get a chance to escape Dargus' unyielding snare. But Liam was with him now, and that was reason enough to stay.

"Come on, daddy's little Jedi Knight," she whispered to Leshie. She nuzzled her lips to his coppery hair. "We have to be brave for him. He needs us now and as much as we hate him, we can't help but love him. You'll be brave for mama, won't you?"

Leshie gurgled and tugged gently on Yelara's curl. She laughed softly. "That's a good boy." Still brushing her cheek against his brow, Yelara mounted the ramp and soon it withdrew behind her. She couldn't help feeling trapped, but she had no other choice. As Orinth had said, Dargus would kill them both if she ran and Yelara wasn't about to give him that opportunity.

She made her way slowly through the ship, not too eager to run into Dargus, and unfortunately came upon him in the conference room. A group of men, along with one woman, had just risen from their seats around the large table and were now heading to the door. Yelara stepped aside to allow them passage.

Each filed out in turn, two of the males giving her appraising looks, and the other male appearing uninterested. The woman's gaze, however, seemed disheartened and rueful. Yelara could only imagine why.

Dargus watched the Red Dragons leave, an inward smile only showing in his eyes. He had given them a task that Raxis L'Ygr had readily agreed to. He appreciated the man's loyalty, and it showed that he used to work for the Empire. L'Ygr was smart enough to know that if they worked for him, they would be rich and powerful. If they betrayed him, the man knew what would happen.

L'Ygr and the brutish one, Gort Donovan would remain on the ship and return to Tae'Remok with him. The woman and the queer would remain on Corellia. They would dispatch Orinth Neerou, and then use the Dragon's ship to return. Soon, the man's meddling would no longer provide any interference. News would arrive in about a week stating that his heart had given out, but none would know the real reason. It was perfect.

"Yelara, my love," Dargus said, standing and coming to embrace her. "And, my beautiful little boy. I hope everything went well. The neighbours agreed, and your grandfather is fine?"

"Yes," she replied. "Mrs. Dojek said she'd check in every few hours or so. Are we ready to take off?"

"Yes," Dargus said. "Come, let's go to the main cabin and we can get comfortable. And, I'm sure Leshie would rather be in a playpen right now, wouldn't you, little guy?"

Leshie whimpered and buried his face into Yelara's chest. She whispered soothing words to her boy and gave Dargus an apologetic look. "I should probably stay with him. He might be hungry."

"We can bring him in with us," Dargus said. "We can set up the carrier for him. And, then he can be with us, and loving mama will be close."

Yelara smiled and nodded. "Alright. But only for a little while. He's had a rough time lately... He'll need his sleep."

"Of course," Dargus answered as he began leading them back to the main cabin. "And, when we get back, we'll be able to see what kind of torment we can cause Liam. I do think it would really torture him to watch us make love. I think hearing you screaming my name would drive him insane. He'll realize what a fool he was to cheat on you with Laedra Vorrel."

"I--" Yelara's brow knitted. "I don't want to do that. Can't we...can't we just make love in privacy?"

"How are we going to hurt him then?" Dargus asked. "That's what you've been wanting, right? You want him to suffer for the pain he caused you, for sleeping with that slut, and ruining your life. Please don't tell me that seeing him again affected you, Yelara. That you're going soft on our plans for revenge."

"I'm not," she snapped. "It's just..." She sighed. "Can't you think up something more original than showing him footage of us making love? Maybe...maybe you should let me see him. I'll be there, but just out of reach. He can beg and plead, but I'll remain deaf to his importunities. Isn't that a better way to punish him?"

Dargus smiled. "That's my wife," he said. "Yes, when we return to the ship, then the torture will begin. You'll make him realize what a fool he was for throwing away what you had. And, his heart will crumble as yours did when you found out about him; but, alas, he won't have anyone there to help him rebuild his heart."

Yelara nodded pensively. "Perhaps I should take Leshie with me as well, just to add to the torment. I think he will break easily after that."

"Oh, that will be beautiful to see," Dargus said. "I imagine you may even get him crying. Wouldn't that be a sight to see? A Jedi Knight crying."

It was the last thing Yelara wanted to see, but she laughed nonetheless. "You're evil, Dargus," she teased, though there was a hint of sincerity in her tone. "Incorrigibly evil."

"I am, aren't I," Dargus said. "Though, for you, I am good, Yelara. For you, I am kind and gentle. For you and Va'Lesh."

For how long? she wondered. Despite her pessimistic musing, she craned her neck, then reached up to place a kiss upon his lips, fitting into the role again of the perfect, affectionate wife. "Come. Let's go see what Corellia looks like from space."

Dargus smiled and slipped an arm through hers. "How very romantic," he said. "Perhaps one of these days, I'll buy Corellia for you. It can be our own personal vacation spot."

"Isn't Tae'Karada a big enough playground for you?" she asked.

With a laugh, Dargus shook his head. "Of course not," he crowed. "It's so out of the way and distant from everything. And, there's that pesky Imperial infestation right now. Though, I have a few ideas that will get rid of that rather quickly."

"And...the palace?" she asked, trying to sound at least a little eager. "I've never seen the inside of it."

"Oh, my love, soon you and I will reside in that palace. Of course, we'll have to have it...cleaned after Tarkin is removed. I can only think of what that landmark of Tae'Karada's history must be going through with that man living there."

"I don't know why you didn't depose him before," Yelara said. "You had the manpower. You could have owned Tae'Karada by now. Why did you wait?"

"The time wasn't right," Dargus answered. "Though, soon it will be. I have a few ideas I'd like to see for Tae'Karada, though they might not all be appreciated. Especially by my modest wife."

"Oh?" Yelara raised a questioning eyebrow and couldn't help grinning at him. "Naked women in the streets?"

"Well, if they wanted to be, I wouldn't object," Dargus answered. "Though, I was thinking of making the equadi mandatory attire for women."

"As long as you don't plan on sleeping with any of those women, I'm fine with it. And as long as I get to wear clothing." She glanced sidelong at Dargus and asked quizzically, "I do get to wear clothing, don't I?"

"You will be allowed clothing," Dargus said with a smile. "Amazing, beautiful clothing. Whatever you desire. I would never deny my beloved wife. Besides, I don't believe I would like all those people looking at you."

Yelara chuckled. "Oh, I doubt you'd even let me leave the palace, so that won't be a problem."

Dargus chuckled and brushed his lips against the side of her head. "Of course I would," he said. "I may be a bastard, but I am certainly not that cruel."

Yelara let out a shuddering breath, and was at once filled with confusion and doubt. Dargus could be tender at times, making her realize she truly did care for him. She couldn't simply betray him, not without leaving her a guilty conscience for the rest of her life. "Dargus," she said softly, "can we go to our room now? I want to just...lie with you. Can we do that?"

Dargus' smile was perhaps a little too wolfish, but he didn't hide it. "Of course," he said. "We can look out the window there if you like. Come, my love, let's go be together, and think only of our little family. Nothing else in the galaxy matters."

"Except destroying Liam Zaneth, correct?"

"I tend to put destroying Liam Zaneth on the order of breathing. It's just one of those things a person has to do."

Yelara would have laughed at Dargus' remark if it had been made two days ago, but today, she simply couldn't feel the same bitter hatred he felt towards Liam. Even as they spoke she was formulating plans to see Liam, ways to set him free. But on the other hand, she could only think of how her conscience would deal with betraying Dargus. She did feel love for him - not as powerful one as she felt for Liam, but it was still there. She knew what had to be done, but she simply couldn't do it yet.

Leshie had fallen asleep against her bosom by the time they reached their cabin. She smiled down at her son and kissed the top of his head. "Now, we'll have a little bit of privacy," she whispered to Dargus.

"Just you, me, and all the stars peeking in through our tiny window," Dargus said as he slid a hand sensuously along Yelara's arm.

He had managed to elicit the same reaction he had before Liam's appearance, and Yelara felt guilty for it and even more confused about her loyalties. With a gentle sigh, she closed her eyes, allowing the sensations to thoroughly consume her, and leaned her head against Dargus' chest. "Just you and me," she whispered. "And the stars. Seems so uncomplicated."

With Yelara's head against his chest, she couldn't see his face, and that allowed him to glance up to one of the hidden holo-cams and give Liam, who was being forced to watch at the other end of the connection, a predatory smile. "Just the three of us," he said.

---

"Death and Bad Dreams"
by Cara Landross

Location: New Plouton
Date: Eos 20, 4 ABY

***

Cara arrived back home on New Plouton and she plugged the keycard into the lock only to find that the blasted thing was already unlocked. She walked in and glanced around. Her father's papers were strewn around the room, her mother's needlework basket was dumped over, the toolbox was dumped over, the entire main room of the house was ransacked.

She moved into her room to see if anything was where she'd left them and noticed that they were not. She cursed strongly and continued through the rest of the house only to find her parents both in a pool of their own blood.

She dropped to her knees and her head hung down...silent tears began to flow down her cheeks.

She scrubbed at them and moved out of the room. She pulled her blaster and returned to the room and fired on the bodies, disintegrating them instantly. "Good-bye, mom, dad...I love you."

She went to her room and packed her things into a bag. "Time to take off, Huntress, we won't be returning back here anymore."

***

Cara returned to the spaceport and glanced around at the people nearby. Her ship, the Huntress, sat on a pad nearby and she made her way over to her, her hand flush against the metal skin of her hull. "Well, girl, we better be moving on, we no longer have a home."

She walked up the ramp and inside the ship. She pressed the control that closed the ramp and made her way to the cockpit. Sitting in the pilot's seat, she thought about what was to happen now.

"I can find work, with my current skills. I should be able to find someone who needs a pilot."

She stood up out of the seat and made her way back out to the spaceport. Spotting someone, she walked over and asked, "I beg your pardon, but could you tell me where I could find a job?"

The man nodded. "There's a place in Yallder, that's about 20km from here."

She nodded her thanks and realized she needed to get transport to the place. She tagged a transport and told the driver where to take her.

***

The transport, some time later, arrived before the building labeled as Zenarr Inc. She stepped out of the cab and glanced up the building. The driver tapped the glass and held his hand out for payment and she paid him. She stepped to the building and asked the person there who she needed to speak to about a job.

---

"Decoy"
by Garnet Seifer
Gengis Zibel [NPC+]
Grand Admiral Tarkin
Kyra Ronso
Aeris Strife [NPC+]
and other minor NPCS

Location: Tae'Remok System & Arcadia
Date: Eos 20, 4 ABY

***

Garnet was in her room watching her plans on her desk. Soon she would acquire two new planets to her army, and that meant new resources, new soldiers and new ships. She thought to herself that was going to be a very difficult war to win, but if she took her steps with caution and if she planned the battles to the detail she might win it. However, Grand Admiral Tarkin was a problem to her. Tarkin was a brilliant strategist, but his rule by fear didn't bring much admiration from the people of the planets which he ruled upon.

"My Queen?" Admiral Zibel appeared through the door. He looked at her, while trying to catch his breath. "Incoming transmission from Emperor Yu, ruler of planet Gallor!"

"My species' home planet?" Garnet questioned.

"Yes, My Queen. He wishes to speak with you and says it is an important matter," Admiral Gengis Zibel responded, watching her get up and walk through the door near where he was standing.

They walked to the bridge in a quick pace. She wondered what the Emperor of the Gallorians wanted to talked to her about. As she entered the bridge she came near the viewing screen. "Emperor Yu. It's a pleasure," she smiled.

"The pleasure is all mine, Queen Garnet Seifer. I have an important communication for you..." The man on the viewing screen bowed. He had a long beard and grey hair, but he was well built and to the other people on the bridge he looked like a man in his thirties or so.

"I am an old man and soon I'll be gone from this world. I have been talking to my Knights and we all agreed to join your army under your rule. The Gallorians are willing to fight on your side," Emperor Yu said.

Garnet didn't know what to say. "Very well, then. I will be in Gallor tomorrow. Queen Garnet out!" She bowed.

The viewing screen turned off. She looked at Admiral Zibel. "This is excellent. Gallor is mine and is an excellent position too since all of the Spira System will be mine. It will cut off the military trading route of the Kamdon System from Tae'Karada. How long to get to our position, to send the decoy?"

"Half an hour, My Queen." Gengis paused. "The map also says that if we conquer the Kamdon System, Tae'Karada will have two fronts. The New Republic and us!"

"If this plan succeeds we will control all of the Kamdon system." Garnet grinned. She then walked out of the bridge and back to her room. She picked up a small comm and turned it on.

A man with white hair grinned as he showed in her comm. "Hi there, Queen Garnet. What do you wish?"

"Are my swords ready, Dr. Ignisiuse?" Garnet grinned.

"Yes they are, as you requested." The man bowed. "When will you collect them?"

"Tomorrow, Doctor. I have some important business to attend too in Gallor," Garnet answered.

"You're coming here? To Gallor? Why?" the Doctor asked.

"Well, let's say that you don't have to work underground anymore. Garnet out!" Garnet responded with all tranquility while she watched the image fading away.

After a few minutes she received an incoming transmission from the bridge. "My Queen, we're reaching our destination," Admiral Zibel informed.

"I'm on my way, Admiral" Garnet told him as she walked out, making her way to the bridge. As she got there she saw Tae'Karada on the viewing screen. "Isn't it beautiful?"

"Yes, it is, My Queen." Gengis nodded, marvelled for its view.

"Start sending the message and make sure that the Imperial forces intercept it!" Garnet grinned as she stood, still watching the marvellous planet of Tae'Karada.

"Sending message..." one of the officers confirmed as he sent the message. "Message sent," he stated after having sent it.

Garnet stood still, looking at Tae'Karada. "We now have to wait. Soon we will see if Tarkin believes our message."

***An hour later inside the Throne Room in Arcadia***

Tarkin overlooked the gardens. He knew that with time things were getting more and more out of hand, and he wondered whether it was time to take things to a more serious level... His thoughts were interrupted by the doors as a Red Guard opened them. Tarkin turned to face one of his Captains.

"Grand Admiral, sir, the SSD Nemesis has intercepted a message. It has the markings of the Rebel Alliance and seems to be a long distance message... Cryptology has just decoded it!" he stated as he handed a padd to the Grand Admiral.

Tarkin read through it and frowned. "Send for Kyra Ronso and Aeris Strife!" he ordered at once.

Kyra and Aeris were making their way to the hangar. As they were passing the gardens a Red Guard came towards them. "The Grand Admiral requests your presence," he told them.

"What happened?" Aeris questioned.

The Red Guard answered nothing and simply made a gesture for them to follow. Without further questions the two girls made their way into a room where Tarkin was. Walking towards the New Empire Leader they both bowed. "My Liege... You sent for us," Kyra said.

Tarkin bowed his head, ever so slightly. "Yes, I want you to see this message we intercepted. It seems to be from the Rebel Alliance for a long distance," he told them. "Perhaps you could provide with some inner insight on this?" he asked Kyra, as he pressed a button to make the message appear in a full screen.

"That makes sense. The Rebels are preparing a full scale invasion of Tae'Remok system," Aeris said as she looked to Kyra and saw her eyes constantly moving from the screen to her personal datapad. "What?" she asked her.

"Something's not right here, Aeris. I don't know but definitely wrong!" Kyra said with sharpened eyes.

"What do you mean?" Aeris asked.

"Look, the rebels are not this stupid. They have more advanced coding than this. And this is too obvious!" Kyra answered.

"So if that is not a message from the rebels, then from whom?" Aeris asked, looking at the message one more time.

"This is the proof we needed to make sure that we were dealing with another faction," Kyra said. "My Liege, which systems do you have in your control?"

Tarkin frowned. "You know I have many systems!" Tarkin said. "But there a system which is not badly placed. The ones which are nearest are in the Kamdon System... You think this is a decoy?" he asked.

"In better terms, dispatch whatever units you have free to the Kamdon system. It will suffer a major attack," Kyra said as Aeris looked at her for what she said. Kyra was sure in what she was saying.

Tarkin raised an eyebrow and folded his arms. "Yes, it does seem a possibility to remove the fleet stationed there... Not a bad tactic. But we have to consider the other possibility. The one of them doing this for the sake that we think it's a decoy and have our fleet sent to the Kamdon system instead of having our true defences here!" he stated, as it seemed a good tactic to him. "Alas, if we see to both we cannot lose!" he grinned. "Thank you for your assistance. It proved most useful once more... You are dismissed," Tarkin told Kyra and Aeris.

---

"Offers and Counter-Offers"
By: Cara Landross
Kaysa Zenarr-Tregat-Braston

Location: Zenarr Inc. - Yallder, New Plouton
Date: Eos 20, 4ABY

***

Kaysa's eyes looked up from her vidscreen and appraised the woman standing in the doorway. She was pretty enough, and definitely had the look of a pilot, but Kaysa was always wary of strangers. It could as easily be an Imp incognito, attempting to bring down her operation. Or, it could just be an attractive woman looking for a job or offering one.

Kaysa waved her in and decided further assessment was necessary before she sicced Zale's man on her. They were at her service and ready to act with just the touch of one, concealed button on her desk. Now was not the time to take any chances.

"Is there something I can do for you?" she asked the woman.

Cara walked in as bidden and she moved about the room, taking in the furnishings and anything else there. "Um, yeah. I need something to do. My last employer kind of bit it and now I need another job." She scoffed internally, Yeah, that's rich, 'kind of bit it.' Sure, talk about lousy timing.

"Well...alright," Kaysa said slowly. "What is it exactly that you do, Ms...?"

"I'm a pilot. I move things from one place to another, either by legal or illegal means. I'll smuggle, I'll do all that and all I require is about 25 to 30% of the take go into my pocket." Nope, she didn't beat around the bush. Nor would she leave her name till she knew she had the job.

Kaysa motioned for Cara to take a seat; her pacing was becoming unnerving. "Have you shipped goods professionally before?"

"Have you ever heard of Landross shipping?"

Kaysa smiled. "Should I have?"

"If you had, you wouldn't be questioning my skills as either a pilot or a smuggler." She didn't bother to take a seat. "I worked for them for the last six years."

"Still, that doesn't mean you're any good," Kaysa pointed out. "What makes you think you're good enough to work for me?"

Cara stood there, still refusing to sit. "I can do the job. I've spent months out in space, alone, I may add, with little to no effect coming out of it. I've only ever lost one cargo due to the Imps in my entire tenure with Landross Shipping. If that's not good enough for you, then go to hell."

Kaysa bit back an amused smile, but couldn't help laughing slightly wistfully. "You remind me of my girlfriend. She was just as eager for a job when she first walked through that door. But if you can lose the attitude for a minute, maybe you'll understand why I'm asking you all these question. Now, take a damn seat. I hate looking up at people when I speak."

"Whatever." She finally sat down, but not because Kaysa told her to. "On another note, I don't like being laughed at, I don't like being thought of as amusing, and I hate being compared to another person."

"You should think it an honour to be compared to Shiv," Kaysa said. "But then again, maybe you're not alike at all. She at least has the sense enough not to annoy a potential employer." Before Cara could snap of another snarky comment, Kaysa continued: "Now, you're a young woman, and I know you think you can handle yourself, but the Imps are tightening up security on all shipping routes in the Tae'Remok system. If I hire you, I don't want you getting shot out of the sky on your first run. I just want to be certain you won't."

"Sounds like you're be more concerned about the cargo than me." She glanced around in search of...something that would tell her who this woman was. And how in hell could she have not known about the Landross Shipyards? Don't be an idiot, her offices are here, 20 kilometers away, of course she wouldn't know. But then, you'd think she'd know anything and everything there had to be about anyone providing competition.

"I didn't get shot down that one time on my first run. It was my third long distance run. And I've been doing nothing but long distance runs since...that is till now."

"And you're definitely not opposed to shipping illicit goods?" Kaysa nodded slowly, answering the question herself in her own mind. "And you're asking 30% commission?" She whistled lowly. "That's a lot. Are you worth it?"

"I could be asking for 50%." She didn't answer the question, and she realized that. And, she didn't care. "No, I'm not opposed to shipping illegal items. I have secret holds for such items, and regular holds for normal, legal, cargo."

Kaysa chuckled throatily. "Oh, I like how you think. And I can tell you can take care of yourself. So...I am going to give you a shot, even though it goes against my better judgement to hire someone so young. Now, I'm gonna start you out on something easy, just to make sure you can handle it, no offense."

Cara stood up. "I don't need this." She headed for the door. "If you need me, call me at the Yelldon spaceport. I've got a ship there."

"My dear," Kaysa called out, "you appear to believe that I do need you. It would, in fact, seem that you need me. My offer is a reasonable one, but if you enjoy risks, then who am I to hold you back? Now sit that cute butt of yours down and let me make you another offer, one more pleasing to both of us."

Cara looked back. "I have a decent amount of credits saved up, I'll make it for a while on that. In the meantime, I have my former employer's customer base I can take over. I am the one who took the runs when they were needed." She still didn't tell this woman that the Landross' were her adoptive parents.

"If that's all true," Kaysa said, "then why did you come to me?"

"Because I know they won't last. My ship needs repairs, I will need food and clothing and a new weapon. I also have plans to purchase a droid. After purchasing the food, clothes with no holes in them, a new weapon and a couple of spare power packs and the droid, I'll barely have enough to live on for two months. That a good enough answer for you, or do I need to spell it out further?"

"No, that's quite alright. You've already conveyed quite clearly to me the extent of your impertinence," Kaysa retorted. "If you want a job, you may have it. But until you can prove to me that you won't end up getting blown out of the sky along with my cargo, you'll get 15% commission. Is that good enough for you?"

"I've spent the last six years doing this job for my father, I don't need to prove myself to anyone."

Kaysa grinned and relaxed back against her chair. "If that's not good enough for you, young woman, then have a nice day." Still gazing languidly at the girl, Kaysa reached over and activated her vidscreen, indicating the meeting was through and she would be getting back to business. "Good luck out there finding a better offer that doesn't involve you selling your body." Kaysa passed her eyes suggestively over the length of Cara's frame. "Though, I imagine you'd get many lucrative offers for it."

"Is that what it will take, sleeping with you to get what I believe I'm worth as a pilot, a smuggler, a mercenary?" She had noticed the woman looking her over, and no she was no stranger to that angle of a person's personality, or life, or whatever anyone else would call it. "Is it?"

Kaysa laughed in amusement, but there was no mockery expressed. "If I weren't already married and involved with another, perhaps I would have taken you up on that. But that's not what this is about. You're hungry, tenacious and damned stubborn. I admire that in a woman, and I simply wanted to help you out. But it would appear you're too proud for that. The job offer still stands, but it is up to you to take it."

"Yet you won't take my offer of 25 to 30%. Instead you give me a measly 15%. I'm worth the 25 to 30%. At Landross Shipping, I was getting that plus. I'm giving you a deal."

"Then prove it to me," Kaysa replied. "Fly a run for 15% and if you impress me, I'll raise it to 30%."

"I've got a counter offer. I fly a run for you at the 30%, and if I'm not as good as I say I am, you can knock me down to the 15%." By this time Cara was behind the chair she had been offered before and she was bending over it, her hands on top of the chair's wooden back. "Is that something worth your time? Or should I just offer my services elsewhere?"

Kaysa studied the woman's inscrutable face for a moment, then grinned. "25% and it's a deal."

The one thing her father had taught her: always try for the high end...but accept something lower if it's even close to what you really want. The 15% just wasn't what she wanted, but she was more than willing to take the 25%. "You have a deal." She offered her hand to the other woman. "When do I start?"

Kaysa accepted the woman's gesture and shook her hand firmly. "I've got a small job picking up some supplies in an outpost just on the edge of the system. Think you can handle it?"

Sounding confident, Cara nodded. "I can do anything you throw my way." She finally sat down.

Kaysa smiled slowly. "Well, it's about time. Now, it's a small job, but crossing the Imp patrols without having your cargo seized is gonna be tricky." She called up a file from her minicomp and transferred the information to a datapad. "That's your job," she said as she slid it across the desk to Cara. Before the girl could reach out to take it, Kaysa pulled it back. "So, gonna tell me who I'm giving a job to?"

"Cara Landross." She grinned as she spoke her own name and watched Kaysa's face while she computed the information and realized she was not only an employee of Landross Shipping, but she was related to the family. No, not related, but was a member of the family that ran it.

"So, if you're practically an heir to the Landross Shipping 'fortune' why do you need a job from me?" Kaysa inquired. "Not that I mind. Just...interested."

"Not practically, I am. However, I do have to survive and the money I've got from my parents won't last. I know this, and I'm sure you, as a smart business woman, know that too." She glanced her over, realizing then that the woman was quite attractive. "However, if you do not believe I am worth your time, I can go and leave you to find another pilot for the cargo." She stood up and moved for the door.

Kaysa gazed at the girl in disbelief. "Did I not just offer you a job? Ms. Landross, are we not on the same page here?"

"We're not even in the same book." Cara glanced back at Kaysa. "You think that because I'm new to your business, that I'm new to the entire shipping industry. I've been a part of it my entire life, just more intimately over the last six years. I was fourteen...fourteen, when I started doing the short hauls for my father, sixteen when he started me on long hauls. I am not some rookie here. I know how to avoid Imp patrols, whether or not you believe that is up to you."

"Yeah, well I was pregnant by sixteen, smuggling by eighteen and I still get myself into trouble sometimes. You'd be wise not to get too overconfident, especially in this business, Ms. Landross," Kaysa cautioned. "Just some friendly advice for, hopefully, an employee."

"It's not over-confidence that spurs me, it's knowing that I know the job and can perform. You don't get that from too many, I'd wager. My father taught me the business ever since I could walk and talk, and he also taught me to be flexible because eventually, he wasn't going to be around for me and I'd have to find someone else to work for, or work on my own."

"Well, I've offered you a job, Ms. Landross," Kaysa reminded her. "I'm simply waiting for you to decide whether you truly want it or not." She held up the padd containing the job details for the run offered Cara. "So...do you want it?"

Cara reached out and grabbed the PADD. She scrolled through the cargo list and destination. "I'll take it." She had said she wasn't that picky about the runs she would take.

Kaysa sighed. "It's about time!" She smiled gently and rose from her seat. "Welcome to Zenarr Inc., Cara Landross," she said, holding out a hand to the woman.

She reached out and took the woman's hand in hers in a firm handshake. "Thanks."

---

"Mysterious Stranger, Part 1"
by A'Kin [NPC+]
Nieme Yaresh-Selrid
and Dani

Location: New Plouton, Tae'Karada
Date: Eos 20, 4ABY

***

It was late at night, the stars glittering brightly above the busy streets. Everything seemed normal in the city of New Plouton, of course there was the constant Imperial patrols, but apart from that it was relatively normal. The streets were active with people moving into the bars, and various clubs still accepting people in, but most people never noticed the two Jedi walking silently through their city.

No one saw the two figures, their identities hidden by their cloaks, walking through a square, once a booming market, but once night had come the large market was transformed back into the large open space for the huge crowds of people.

At first glance they looked nothing more than travellers going about their business, trying to make a living, but then most didn't have his sight.

A'Kin continued to watch the two Jedi walking, seeming to try their best to mingle with the crowd. By the haze surrounding the two Jedi they didn't appear to have that much ability with the Force, but then he didn't know they were only Padawans and not full Jedi.

Coming out of nowhere would alert them and the other Jedi on Tae'Karada to his presence on the planet. Still there was something about these two. You're not getting sentimental on me now, are you?

"God, I hope not. Would be hazardous in my line of work."

What line of work? You don't do anything!

"But it's the principle of the thing. Should I help them?" he asked, for once not knowing what to do; it was a difficult choice. He never fully trusted Jedi, partly because of what he was and partly for his daughter, whose job had taken her over the edge with the Jedi.

You're asking my advice? What have you got to lose? It's not like you're going to stay here for any long periods. The only reason you came is because of your daughter. Go and ask if they need help. If they don't want it, vanish back into the dark like the dark stranger you are.

The Kel'Ishan sighed, shaking his head, looking at the two Jedi coming towards him. Shrugging to himself he finally stepped out from the shadows, moving towards them behind the pillar lining the walkway at the back of the store at the end of the alley. "Need some help?" he asked, walking up to them. "You look like two lost sheep looking for your shepherd."

Nieme raised an eyebrow at Dani, and slowly the two turned to face the man. Nieme noted that he was a handsome fellow, even though his face was partially concealed beneath a cowl, but the hard, impassive expression he wore made her wary. "We're not lost," she stated. "We're out for a walk...alone."

Dani looked over him and frowned. There was something about his emotions that unsettled her. He was guarding them closely, she could tell, but it was extremely difficult to hide everything from a Zeltron's empathy. "Yes, we come out about this time every night," she answered. "Except for all the patrols, it's a nice city, and we like to walk in it. Perhaps we're not the ones who are lost. How can we help you?"

A smile passed over his face at the question; it was something he hadn't expected and he liked surprises. At his age a little surprise was always welcome. "Doubtfu,l child, but my thanks for the offer. If you intend to continue walking these dark streets I would buy different clothing, a different coat to start with. Jedi aren't a welcomed sight around the city these days. Then again most people aren't."

He lifted his staff and started walking along the alley, stopping just before the two Padawans. "If you change your mind I'll not be far. As you can see, movement isn't one of my strong points. Good night, ladies. Tread carefully," he said, bowing his head, slowly walking along the back alley, looking up at the sky above him.

"Neither is lying," Dani said as she rolled her eyes. She glanced at her attire and then Nieme's and wondered what possibly would have led him to believe they were dressed like Jedi. The robes were stashed away back in their apartment. "Do you think he's trying to proposition us, my love?"

Nieme narrowed her eyes pensively, then her face became lit up by a smile. "Maybe! We could make some extra money. Come on!" The two of them scurried up behind the man, and hopping up, Nieme tapped him on the shoulder. "Excuse us, sir. Um...sir?"

"Yes, my dear... I may be slow but I'm by no means deaf..." He turned and looked at her before looking at her friend. "Changed your mind already? I was willing to wait a little longer but I'm glad for the company. There's a hotel not far from here. Don't worry..." he whispered, seeing the looks on their faces, "I'm not as fast as I used to be and I'm sure two young, healthy Jedi could take me quite easily. I know the owner of a quiet place to talk."

Nieme looked excitedly to Dani. They knew they would only be able to take him once before his heart gave out, but they would at least get some money out of it. "To the hotel, then," she told him. Nieme slipped up beside him, and Dani joined him on the other side. "And we're not worried. I think we'll all have a very good time."

"And, we're not Jedi anymore," Dani said. "Just so you know. So, how long have you been in town here? It's a nice city, with lots of places to go. Have you been to the Palace of Stars? We work there."

"Really? But seeing how beautiful you two are that's hardly surprising. I own a club myself, nothing fancy but it pays the bills. I come and go on business, visiting friends and family."

They finally came up to the hotel where A'Kin stopped, looking at the entrance. "If you please, the owner is a little cautious about people he doesn't know. I'll go ahead and talk to him."

A few moments later A'Kin was standing at the reception desk to the side of the main entrance into the hotel. There was a man seated behind the desk, a human by the look of him with a strange tattoo down the right side of his face.

"What the hell do you want?" he demanded, looking from the film he was watching. By the sounds coming from the small monitor it was obvious what the movie was.

"I want three rooms, one with a double bed and the other two with single beds, all on the same floor."

"Forget it! We're full!" he shouted.

This wasn't going the way he was hoping. He knew the owner and this man definitely wasn't the owner. "Where's Kail?"

"He's out! Piss off, old man..." the human shouted, grabbing a blaster from under the desk, pointing it at A'Kin. "...or I'll be the last thing you'll ever see!"

One moment the man was holding the blaster at A'Kin's face, trying to look menacing. In the blink of an eye, A'Kin's right hand came shooting out, grabbing the man's wrist, yanking it up and around, twisting it violently.

The man's arm was twisted around and his face slammed against the surface of the desk. As he made groaning noises, trying to rise, A'Kin took the blaster from his hand and pointed it down, resting it against his head. "Now... About those rooms?"

"Yeah, yeah hold on!" the man shouted, trying to grab the keys for the rooms while still pinned to the desk. A'Kin heard keys falling to the floor, but finally he grabbed the keys and placed them on the desk.

"Thank you," A'Kin said. Releasing his grip in a fluid motion, he took the blaster apart and let seven different parts fall to the floor at the man's feet. He sighed, shaking his head as he took the keys, waving his two new friends over. He glimpsed the man looking dumfounded at the sight of his blaster lying at his feet. Of course A'Kin had held onto the power cell so the blaster, once reassembled, would be useless.

Nieme looked sidelong at Dani, wondering just what they'd gotten themselves into. They stepped into the hotel and with an uncomfortable smile, Nieme reached up and accepted the key from the man. "You know...you really didn't have to. We're more than happy to share a bed with you."

"One of the rules I live by: never sleep with a... No, no that's not it. Always-- No, that's not it either. Oh yes! never sleep with two beautiful ladies when you first meet them, or something along those lines. I forget how it goes but you get the idea. For all I know you could be axe murdering psychopaths, but then, I might be one for all you know," he said with a smile, opening the door for them.

"I'll keep the other two keys. We're on the top floor so try and not make too much noise as sound carries well in this place. Or so I've been told."

Dani stopped and looked at Nieme, and then over to the strange man who was planning. "So, what are we here for if you aren't going to be sleeping with us?"

"Talk, of course! Why else?" The confusion written on his face was fake but practised over a few centuries. He still didn't know why he was even talking two these people but here he was, and sex with these two lovely ladies, though very appealing, wasn't on his mind at the moment. Besides the look the man at the reception desk gave him was still playing on his mind. If he did end up sleeping with these two they'd be put into harm's way and it wasn't necessarily a good first day.

"If you don't wish to that's fine, but I'm going up. You're welcome to join me."

He walked over to the lift. Only the sound of the muffled thuds coming from his staff could be heard from him. The lift door opened, sighing as it slid to the side, revealing the inside. He glided through and turned, looking back at the two young ladies.

Nieme frowned at Dani, and couldn't help thinking how they'd been duped out of a job. "Maybe we can change his mind," she whispered to Dani. "Let's just go up."

Dani thought about it for a moment, then grinned. "I think we might be able to," she said. "Let's do it."

With a giggle, Dani and Nieme hurried to catch up with the man. "We like talking," she said to him with a large grin. "We'll talk all night." The suggestion underlying the statement was made explicit by the sultry wink she gave him.

While in the lift, A'Kin looked at the two ladies. The light mist around them was slowly turning red. A'Kin had to force himself not to smile to himself. Thankfully the lift came to the top storey and the door opened, revealing the long corridor. A'Kin went first as he held the keys. He looked from one door to another, checking the numbers. "Ah! Here we are!"

The door keys weren't actually keys but electronic 'key' cards. He slid the card into the lock and the green light came up. Once he heard the door unlock he opened it and stepped through inside. The room was very spacious, plants were dotted around the large double-bed. A'Kin immediately went over to the table and soft chair a metre from the foot of the bed.

"Make yourselves comfortable. Feel free to take anything from the mini-bar... Everything is paid for..." he said, relaxing on the chair.

"No thanks, not thirsty," Nieme said. She looked to Dani and nudged her head towards A'Kin. With a grin, she sauntered over to him and settled onto her knees at his feet. Smiling sweetly at him, Nieme crossed her arms atop his lap and leaned her chin against his knee. "So...what'd you wanna talk about?"

"Whatever comes to mind..." the old man replied, looking down into her eyes. Using his implant he zoomed in on her eye and could see his reflection. "Perhaps you'd tell me why you're no longer with the Jedi? Why you threw away all chances of being a Jedi Knight? Most people I know would kill at the chance."

He watched Nieme, looking for any response in her features. Though he wasn't a Jedi and couldn't sense what she was thinking or feeling, he could read body language like a master.

"Well," she replied slowly, thoughtfully, "how do you even know we were Jedi to begin with? You've just met us. You know nothing about us." She chuckled and drew one hand up his thigh. "Though, if you want to get to know us, we'd be happy to oblige."

He made no move to stop her but continued to look down into her eyes. "It appears talk isn't on your minds, but in my experience Jedi are more like humans. Their hearts are in the right place but their minds and body are almost always trying to catch up. Perhaps you were listening too hard to the words and not the feelings and missed the important message. But then what would I know?" he said, smiling down at her.

Dani couldn't help giggling. "You are a very funny man," she said after a moment. "We are not Jedi Knights, and we don't want to talk about Jedi Knights. You will have to find something new to talk about, because we won't talk about it."

"As you wish, but the past always comes back to haunt us when we least expect it. I was just offering my advice. If I offended you in any way I apologise. I'm just a crazy old man looking for redemption in the eyes of the young. Perhaps I was asking too much... So!" --His voice boomed, changing the subject quickly-- "What would you say if I offered you two a job? You both are intelligent ladies and obviously can handle yourselves when push comes to shove. How much would be of a reasonable pay for the two of you?"

Nieme looked quizzically to Dani, then regarded him again and shrugged. "What kind of job?"

"Oh nothing special, this and that. Guards for my club, bodyguards for myself when the situation called for it. I won't ask you to do anything you don't wish to do. In my experience it's always bad for business if employees are unhappy. So...name your terms..." His arms crossed over his stomach as he looked over at Dani. He couldn't decide who to look at, Dani or Nieme, but since Nieme appeared to be having all the fun his gaze fell on Dani while he waited for a response.

Dani's look changed to one of skepticism when he started describing what he wanted them to do. "You want the two of us to be bodyguards? You don't even know that we can effectively guard a body."

"Firstly you're both on the same wavelength which is very hard to come by these days. Secondly, with your Jedi training, granted limited, you would be great assets. And thirdly, you'll have me to give you expert hands-on advice. You get paid and trained at the same time while enjoying all the fruits of the job, which are considerable." He smiled inwardly, changing tactics, working in a little reverse psychology.

"But if you'd prefer to remain where you are I quite understand. The place you're working is rumoured to be one of the best... What was it called again...? Probably not important. Please take your time; these decisions shaping our lives aren't to be taken lightly."

"You mean...quit the Palace?" Nieme asked. She looked to Dani dejectedly. "But...we like it there. I mean...can't we bodyguard and work there?" She pouted her lips enticingly, then pushed both her hands higher up A'Kin's thighs. "Please?"

"I wouldn't know if it would work out. I am a busy man..." he sighed, leaning back on the chair thinking, about it. "I suppose we could work something out but are you sure you can handle it? Both jobs are hard work and you may have to choose between one or the other."

Dani looked at Nieme and then back to A'Kin. "Can...can Nieme and I talk it over first? This is something big, and we should really talk about it first. Is that okay?"

With that A'Kin rose slowly as to allow Nieme to move off. "With that notion I think I will retire for the night. Good night and I hope you both have pleasant dreams. I'll be up early in the morning so don't be afraid to come in." A'Kin moved over to the door, smiling at Dani, winking his left eye. He reached for the door handle with his left hand, leaning on the staff with the other.

The door open and A'Kin stepped through, vanishing behind the door as it closed. He looked up and down the hallway, his smile vanishing as he saw a shadow move along the wall, heading up the stairs at the far end. "In the darkness we find creatures of all species coming out to hunt, but meat is not always their prey," the Kel'Ishan whispered, walking up to the door of one of his rooms, sliding the card into the lock. Soon he was inside his room, enjoying the silence.

---

"Mysterious Stranger, Part 2"
by A'Kin [NPC+]
Dani
and Nieme

Location: New Plouton, Tae'Karada
Date: Eos 20, 4ABY

***

The problem with Kel'Ishans was the fact they needed little sleep. It was the fact they moved so slowly from place to place using walking staffs only, using their full speed when the situation called for it. This was one of the long nights A'Kin couldn't make himself go to sleep; he had too much unburned energy inside him. But he heard a sound from the corridor outside. Opening his left eye he turned slowly, looking at the door.

Through the gap at the bottom of the door a large shadow suddenly passed, moving along the corridor. Using his cybernetic implant he zoomed in on the wall, filtering it out like an x-ray machine. He saw heat patterns of a huge man standing on the other side of the door. He then changed the vision and watched the man, seeing his skeleton and the faint images of his muscles and internal organs working to keep him alive.

"Interesting..." A'Kin whispered, looking up at the ceiling, hearing a sound from above and smiled.

The large man in the corridor was a Goloth, a large lizard-like species with huge eyes perfect for the night vision, and huge powerful arms. They were a slow species but they didn't need to be fast. Their strength was immense and their skin thick as leather. There were few weaknesses to a Goloth but one is its neck. Though its muscles are big, its bones at the neck are considerably smaller than would appear and are easily broken.

"Where have you been?" the Goloth said, turning at the sight of the small, skinny human carrying an overly large rifle. "What do you think you carry, human? That be too big for you! Almost big as you."

The human just growled up at the Goloth who was laughing at him. They moved into position on either side of the door leading into A'Kin's room. The human slid the access card into the lock and then opened the door, storming inside; the Goloth was right behind him, moving into the room. The human took up position beside the open balcony door with the curtains blowing in the wind. The Goloth's hand gripped his blaster and the two of them aimed at the lump under the sheets of the bed.

The human nodded and they both fired. The laser blasts cut through sheets, hitting what was lying underneath but with the noise of the blasters neither the Goloth nor the human heard the thumping noise coming from above them on the roof of the hotel. They stopped firing. The Goloth moved up to the bed, pulling the sheets away to reveal nothing but pillows.

"Pillows!" the Goloth cried, grabbing one of them, throwing it across the room, spilling feathers everywhere. That's when he realised there were still only two of them. "Where be Guam?" he asked.

The human looked around but could see no one and he just shrugged, looking back at the Goloth. "He's always late! I want to know where the damn old man is!"

They never released their companion was being choked to death right above them. All they had to do was step out on the balcony and they would be able to save his life and see the man killing him. The thin wire-wound rope was around the human's neck, his thumb caught in the rope when he tried to free himself before his attacker pulled him up off the balcony.

The low muffled bangs his two companions could not hear were the sounds of Guam's heels hitting the roof, trying to make some kind of noise to gain help, but the longer he waited the less noise his heels made until suddenly he became motionless. His attacker pulled the rope and the human up onto the roof. A'Kin untied the rope and made sure Guam was dead, placing a finger against his neck.

"I like this not!" the Goloth said, looking around the room, empty apart from the old furniture the hotel owned which weren't much to look at. "He promised a killing and a killing we have either the old man or him..."

The human only nodded in reply, putting his rifle down, leaning against the wall as the rifle was heavier than he thought. He had no idea he was being watched and the observer was waiting for just this opportunity.

The Goloth never heard the door open behind him. A'Kin crept up silently behind the Goloth and kicked the back of the Goloth's knee, sending him crashing down on one knee. A'Kin's right hand reached around the Goloth's neck while he was down and, grabbing his head, yanked it around, snapping the Goloth's neck. The Kel'Ishan grabbed the blaster in the Goloth's belt and fired on the human who was trying to bring his rifle up to bear on him.

The blast caught the human in the chest, throwing him against the wall behind him. The human tried his hardest to continue breathing but all he could manage were gurgling sounds as he choked on his own blood. Dark red blood came up out of his mouth, running down his chin as he collapsed, falling to the floor, leaning up against the wall. He slowly slid to the side, blood smearing on the wall behind him.

A'Kin looked down at the Goloth now lying at his feet and then up at the human lying dead. Sighing, the Kel'Ishan grabbed hold of the Goloth and dragged him across the room to the balcony. He then painstakingly lifted him up over the wall of the balcony and pushed him over. He watched as the large man slammed into the ground, kicking up sand as he struck the ground. A'Kin then grabbed the human which felt considerably lighter with just lifting a Goloth. Once the first human was lying beside the Goloth three stories down, A'Kin closed the door leading onto the balcony and walked up to the other door, looking out the corridor.

"Well, looks like the two love birds tired themselves out after I left them. They're still asleep with all the noise I made."<