"Easy Search"
By Vincenzo Lapenta - Neurosurgeon
Sarah Lapage - Neurosurgeon (NPC+)
Joachim Rees - Neurosurgeon (NPC)
Jean Van der Morken - Patient (NPC)

Location: New Plouton Institute of Neuroscience General Hospital, Arcadia
Date: Selene 20, 5 ABY

***

Vincenzo was going over some documentation while sipping some hot caf. It was 4 days since he started at the enpin, and he had been going over a lot of documents. Like Standard Operating Procedures, Protocols, some articles, laboratory stuff, and more. It was logical, but after a couple of days it became tiring. And he had to read a bit more as he was charged with setting up a neurotoxicity lab, which was not something that appeared out of nowhere.

Suddenly his comm beeped. "Dr. Lapenta," he said as he picked up.

"Vincenzo, it's Joachim," came the voice of Joachim Rees, one of his colleagues, "I have a very interesting case here. Can you come and take a look. I'm in my office."

"I'll be right there," Vincenzo said. He shut down the comm and headed towards Joachim's office. He knocked and entered. Inside he saw Joachim with a young man who clearly looked not well. He had his left arm in a mitella.

"Mr. Van der Morken, this is Dr. Lapenta," Joachim said.

"Good afternoon, sir," Vincenzo greeted him.

"I've asked Dr. Lapenta here because he might know more about your problem then me," Joachim went on. The man just nodded.

"Would you wait in the waiting room for a moment, please," Joachim asked the patient. The man nodded again and shuffled out of the room.

"What's wrong," Vincenzo asked when he was gone.

"He's referred to us by Dr. Lapage from the Arcadia General Hospital," Joachim started, but he was interrupted by Vincenzo.

"Lapage, Sarah Lapage," he asked.

"Indeed, you know her."

"I studied with her on Commenor," Vincenzo said, his heart racing. He had found back Sarah without having to go looking for her on the whole planet. "Now, what's the case?"

"He's been living near a waste dump for all his life. Although it should have been safe, clearly there has been some toxic waste on it, and now he can't move his arm anymore, and perhaps there's some brain damage as well. Here's the datapad."

Vincenzo took the pad and quickly went over it. He immediately recognised Sarah's style on the report. "What would be the best is to get a sample of the toxic waste," he said.

"Not possible," Joachim said, "Sarah tried to get some, but she didn't got it."

"Then we don't have to try," Vincenzo said, "if it's okay with you, I'll take him over."

"Sure," Joachim said, "I have more then enough work already."

"I'll keep you informed," Vincenzo promised, before going into the waiting room, where he informed the patient that he would take over the case. He and Jean went to his office, where the first order of business was to draw some blood.

"They already did that, doctor" the patient said, seemingly awakening, "back in Arcadia."

"I've seen that, sir," Vincenzo said, "but I would like to do a few tests they didn't do there."

"Why didn't they do them right away," Jean asked.

"Because it's a number of tests they don't routinely do there," Vincenzo said, "I come from Russ VII, a planet so polluted that we have a whole series of tests that are not commonly used on other planets. If it's toxic waste that caused your condition, I'll find it."

He put the tubes away for now, and asked the patient to lie down on the exam bed. "So you're having trouble moving your arm," he asked.

"That's right, doctor," Jean answered.

"Do you still feel anything in the arm," Vincenzo asked next as he touched the hand, "like this?"

"No, doctor," the patient said.

"Hmm," Vincenzo said as he moved on. That the patient couldn't move his arm was for some toxins not all that uncommon, but that he didn't feel anything was.

"Anything wrong, doctor," Jean asked. Vincenzo could sense his unease and anxiety.

"Every person is different," he said, "I'll first have to conclude the examinations."

He continued to feel on different parts of the arm, each time asking the patient if he could feel it. "Shouldn't we do some scans or something," the patient asked after a while.

"Those were done in Arcadia," Vincenzo said, "there's no need to repeat them, I have all the results. But there are some things you can't find on a scan. Sometimes just feeling will tell you more."

After five minutes on the other arm, as comparison, he told the patient to put his jacket back on and went back to his desk. Jean sat at the other side.

"I think I know what the problem is," Vincenzo said, "you probably have some damage to your ulnar nerve. I'll have to wait for the blood tests for confirmation, but that's my best guess for the moment. Do you still live near the waste dump?"

"No, I currently live with family," he answered.

"Very good," Vincenzo said, "then the damage will not worsen. I'll have the blood test results in two days, so if you can come back then, we'll see what we can do. If it's what I think it is, it will be possible to reverse the damage."

"Then I hope you're right," Jean said, "is it possible to come around two in the afternoon. I have an appointment with my lawyer before that."

"Of course," Vincenzo said, marking it in his agenda, "two in the afternoon it is."

When the patient was gone, Vincenzo went to the lab with the blood samples and instructed them on the tests they needed to run. When he found out that they luckily had everything they needed to run the tests, he let them do their job while he went back to his office. There he informed the receptionist that he would be going early because he still had some things to do. She confirmed and told him to have a good day. She probably assumed it was to get some things in order in his apartment or something like that, and he didn't correct her, as he wanted to go looking for Sarah. And if they really made noise he could always say he wanted to speak to her about Jean Van der Morken.

He took the shuttle service to Arcadia and arriving there, he took a taxi to the hospital. Arriving there he showed his neuroscience card to the receptionist and asked for Dr. Lapage. As a doctor from a well known institution, he was allowed entry without questions and he was directed to the neurology department. Before he could introduce himself to the reception there, he spotted Sarah walking through the corridor.

"Sarah," he called out to her. She looked at him in surprise as she came closer.

"Vincenzo," she said softly, "what are you doing here."

"The ground became a bit hot under my feet on Russ," he said, "so I had to move. As I still remembered the most beautiful woman in the galaxy, I moved here. I work at the neuroscience institute in New Plouton."

"Why don't you come to my office," she said as she saw the receptionist and two nurses look at them.

Vincenzo followed her and entered her office. "You have a nice view," he said as he could see the royal palace from her office.

"Yeah," was all she said. He took her in his arms, but she struggled free.

"What's wrong," he asked. She just sat down behind her desk and looked at him.

"Why did you have to come here," she said, "now I finally thought I was over you, you come back. You know I'm married?"

"No," he said. Well that would explain a lot.

"I am," she said, "with a very nice guy. I thought I'd never see you again, and he's very nice. I did send you a message."

"I never got that," he said, "but I was under police scrutiny, so they probably intercepted it and never bothered to forward it once they were through with it."

"Police scrutiny," she asked, "what did you do?"

"I was just part of an environmental group," he said, "you remember I told you about Russ and the pollution. I joined a group who thought it had to be cleaned up, and the government didn't like that."

Sarah looked at him.

"Well, my brother and some of his friends thought to take decisive action," Vincenzo said, "I spoke out against this, but they went on anyway. The government liked that even less, so I decided to come here until things have cooled over.

"That's the way I know you," she said with a smile, "so, how did you find me?"

"I wanted to go searching for you," he said, "but earlier today, Joachim Rees asked me to look at a case he got from you, and that way I knew where you were."

"You mean Jean Van der Morken," Sarah asked, "if I'd known you were here, I'd referred them directly to you. If there's one person on this planet who can find what's wrong with him, it's you."

"Thanks," Vincenzo said.

"I mean that, Vince," she said, "you've had a lot of toxicology that we haven't. So, found anything already?"

"I think I know what's wrong, but I'm waiting for confirmation from the lab," he said, "if I'm right, it will be almost completely reversible, say about 10% permanent reduction."

"It could be worse," Sarah said, while trying to fight back the unease she felt upon seeing Vincenzo again. Her life certainly had turned more interesting.

There fell an awkward silence. "I think I'll better get going," Vincenzo said, "but maybe we should have dinner one day."

"Maybe," was all Sarah could say.

"I'll contact you later," Vincenzo said. He gave her a quick kiss and then he walked out, leaving Sarah with her thoughts in turmoil, even though he hadn't intended it.

---

"Tangled Web, Part 4"
By Yelara Neerou
Meer'esh
Amii'a Val'or

Location: Royal Palace, Arcadia
Date: Selene 20, 5 ABY

***

Despite suggesting firmly that he not attend the private conference, but when he escorted Consular Amii'a into her chambers and closed the door behind them, Yelara was disheartened to learn he would not be leaving. She eyed him scathingly, but her expression softened when she turned her focus to Amii'a. Rising from her seat at the small table within her solarium, Yelara gestured Amii'a forward. "It's good to see you back safely from your trip. I hope things went well?"

Amii'a bowed with respect as she stood before the High Princess. With a smile she replied, "Thank you, your Highness. All things considered it went well enough," she said, knowing that she needn't reiterate the basic details of her past mission to the Riga colony. It was all in her report, except for one very important and troubling matter.

She glanced at Meer'esh for a second, what she had to report was something the two had talked about before. Her and the Princess's apparent consort both shared grave concerns about Ambassador Theen Fida. In recent months Amii'a had uncovered more and more information that led her to believe the New Republic ambassador was grossly abusing his station and influence over Tae'Karadan politics and economics.

Turning her attention back to Yelara, Amii'a graciously accepted a seat across from the High Princess.

"This is a matter that is not in my report," she began. "An ongoing investigation that, with some new information I have uncovered from the mission to Riga, has led me to believe that several members of the council, and the New Republic Ambassador have been engaged in numerous unethical economic and political dealings that are showing serious consequences in the economy as well as a potentially dangerous fallback in credibility and viability of the government."

Yelara glanced aside at Meer'esh, who had thought it necessary to remain for the meeting, standing over Yelara's shoulder and irritating her to no end. But, any request for his departure would no doubt end in a verbal spar that Yelara thought highly unprofessional. Barely tolerating his presence, she returned her focus to the consular. "I believe you should elaborate, Ms. Val'or. It would benefit all of us to expose any shady characters operating in this government. Do you have specific names?"

"Of course, your Highness," Amii'a informed. "For some time I have been looking into many transactions between prominent business leaders and those who now make up the council, in regard to our many dealings through the New Republic Embassy. In more instances than I cared to discover, a vast sum of contracts, capital and the acquisitioning of Tae'Karadan commerce and industry has been directed towards these individuals and New Republic holdings rather than to our own people. Many of these dealings I myself have helped to collaborate with Ambassador Fida, in the interest of mutual cooperation. Only now do I see that my efforts to help strengthen our world only served to deepen the pockets of these traitors."

"Who?" Yelara pressed. "Who are these people? And does Ambassador Fida know of their deeds?"

"Ministers A'jassu, Urioq and Representative Chol'ub Ueb," she named. "They appear to be at the core, but I must say that this web of deceit and corruption may go further. The evidence is quite clear, your Grace, though well hidden within multiple accounts, faux identities and dummy corporations. As for the Ambassador...it would appear he is right in the middle of it all," she explained. "Numerous accounts of redirected funds, contractual underbidding, company buy-outs, questionable donations to public offices, pay-offs...they are slowly bleeding us to death and acquiring a dangerously large percentage in the economy to where we would be all but totally dependant on the foreign market."

With a thoughtful pause before continuing: "I am so sorry, your Highness...I cannot begin to express my outrage and regret! I trusted him, I have worked by his side for many years. I...I have helped to arrange many of these transactions between our world and the New Republic, all-the-while thinking I was helping to build a greater future for our people..."

"Your intentions were true, Ms. Val'or," Yelara assured her gently. "Even if your loyalties were misplaced." Her eyes flashed briefly towards Meer'esh as she added, "As were mine. It would appear I have no recourse but to have these traitors apprehended. Though, I trust you have tangible evidence of these crimes?"

"I do, your Highness," Amii'a replied as she produced a data card with everything she had collected before the mission to Riga and since. "With your permission, your Highness, I would like to bring them in myself, especially Ambassador Theen," she requested with stern conviction.

Yelara lowered her head in a permissive nod. "The rest of the council will have to be briefed."

"I can be doing that," Meer'esh interrupted.

"No you cannot," Yelara informed him politely, yet obdurately. "It should come from me, and only me. I will do so while you take Ambassador Theen and his accomplices into custody," she told Amii'a, ignoring Meer'esh's glower. "Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Consular. I'm just sorry Ambassador Theen had to be involved. I respected him and valued his advice. Ambition and greed" --her eyes shifted meaningfully Meer'esh's way-- "seem to infect and ruin many. We must end the corruption here and now."

A mixture of grief and satisfaction boiled within Amii'a. She dreaded having to bring Theen in after all they had shared, but at the same time his apparent betrayal of her trust and people all but overpowered her later emotions.

"I understand, your Highness, I had the utmost respect for him too. He was a mentor, and a good friend," she said with a sour taste in her mouth. "I will bring them in to answer for these crimes. I thank you for trusting me with this responsibility." Amii'a bowed before Yelara and awaited permission to be dismissed.

"Keep me apprised of your progress," Yelara requested, and rose to indicate the end of their meeting. She tipped her head at Amii'a, then at Meer'esh, who received a stern glare as tacit warning that he should leave with Amii'a. In a blur and rustle of dark skirts Yelara departed, leaving Amii'a and Meer'esh to show themselves out.

Meer'esh extended his arm towards the door, gesturing Amii'a to go before him. As they began walking, he moved closer to his associate. "That has been smooth. Many people are being happy to know Theen is gone, I know. You will be rewarded."

Amii'a started for the doorway but then paused at the man's words. The High Princess's looks had not gone unnoticed. Reward? she thought, thinking the situation and her past relationship with Theen entirely unwarranted for such a comment, let alone that Amii'a would expect to be rewarded for doing her job and having to turn in a longtime friend.

"Personally, I am reluctant in this misfortune," she said curtly. "A grave injustice has been committed to my people and against this new government. I take no pleasure in what must be done, Meer'esh, nor do I expect a reward. Justice is its own reward, and a bitter sweet one at that, all things considered."

Meer'esh hesitated, wondering if his employers had yet to fill Amii'a in on their grand scheme, or if she was simply an unwitting pawn. "Still," he added carefully, "you are being a useful ally. Your aid will not be going unnoticed. I am thanking you."

Amii'a yet again wanted to set the man straight, but she had some serious work to do and time was of the essence. Besides, she thought, this is politics; alliances, compromise, working with those you dislike and love for the common good... She only hoped that her and Meer'esh's little talks, as well as those with the mysterious Ron'amon, were indeed for the common good. Neither had asked anything from her, and neither did she ever accept anything - unlike Theen and his cohorts. Still, she wasn't about to be an unwitting pawn twice.

"Your thanks isn't necessary Meer'esh," she said as she left his presence. "I'm just doing my job."

Slowing to a halt in the corridor, studying Amii'a with some confusion as she hurried off, Meer'esh suspected he had fewer co-conspirators within the palace than he had been led to believe, and that Amii'a was oblivious to the machinations laid out by his overlords. She, too, was as blind as Yelara to the existence of those masterminds slowly bringing about the ruin of Tae'Karada, looking no further than their nearest friends and allies for fault and blame. Wreaking dissent and sowing doubt were their most powerful weapons...and they were indeed striking true, for soon only their allies would remain on the council, all the others weeded out. All that would be left, thereafter, was the conquest of Tae'Karada, and judging from how easily even the most loyal turned on one another, that day would be coming sooner than projected.

---

"Arriving on Coruscant"
By Chun Li (currently Ivana Skonezcna) - escort pilot, PI
Alekzander Kerensky - captain of Altdorf (NPC)
Lorgal - Bodyguard and Secretary (NPC+)

Location: Coruscant
Date: Selene 20, 5 ABY

***

Li looked at Imperial center, as she still thought about Coruscant. The look from space hadn't changed much since she was here for the last time. It seemed like ages ago.

"We've just received clearance to go though the shields," Kerensky said.

"Good," Li replied, "take us in, captain."

She had come to like the master of the Altdorf, even though he really towered above her. Luckily she hadn't seen all that much of Lorgal, who she liked a little less. But if having to deal with Lorgal was the way to get 40.000 creds, then deal with him she would.

The massive Barabel had kept to himself inside his stateroom, interacting with very few people. When the captain announced that they had been given clearance to go through the planetary shields, he decided to make an appearance on the bridge. Lorgal had worked with Captain Kerensky before, and he respected the man, but he could not help that everyone on the bridge stopped working to stare at his huge form.

Leaning casually against a bulkhead, he nodded to Chun Li, whom he had not gotten to know very well, as well as to the bear-sized human captain. Alekzander nodded back, a smile barely showing through his forest of a beard, and expertly directed the Corvette towards their pattern.

"Chun Li," Lorgal said when they were situated safely in the landing pattern, "Can I see you a moment in my room? I've got some things to discuss."

"It's Ivana Skonezcna," Li said as she walked towards him, "try to remember that. It can save our lives."

'And definitely mine,' she didn't add.

"Right, Ivana, apologies." The last remark sounded almost like an afterthought. They made their way to his stateroom in silence. When they arrived, Lorgal grabbed a datapad from his desk. "This has everything we need to begin our investigation here. Well... I should say for you to begin the investigation. I'm mostly here as backup and as a liaison with Rylaa and his assets. The Bothan we are looking for was last registered the address provided, though he has not been seen there for some time. The majority of the background information is here on this pad," Lorgal handed the datapad to Li, "If you want, I can go along with you. The residential area that Dirge's apartment was located in is a former Imperial sector though, and they don't take big ugly aliens like myself very kindly."

"You can better stay on the ship or whatever Rylaa provides here," Li said, "at least initially. Depending on my initial findings that might change of course."

"The Boss didn't arrange for much out here, as a just-in-case factor. Dirge had quite a long arm in the information sector and the Boss didn't want any tip-offs. If you say for me to stay here, then here is where I'll stay. Just call if you need some backup, and me and the boys'll be there quick."

"Okay," Li said, "well, I'll be reading this until we've landed."

Lorgal nodded and they left his room together. Chun Li to hers and him to the bridge to watch the ship's captain at work.

*** two hours later, one of the many starports ***

As soon as the Corellian corvette touched down and lowered its ramp, a customs official entered flanked by two security guards. Li knew the routine by now, and she had her ID cards and some other stuff ready. "Miss Skonezcna," the official said after running the card through his reader, "everything seems okay here. Enjoy your stay on Imperial Center." He moved on to the next person.

The massive barabel watched her go from the ramp. When she had disappeared into the crowd, he nodded to the group of men behind him. The five non-descript humans pulled hoods over their heads and walked calmly down the ramp, their fake documents already in hand. Lorgal smiled as they left, his needle-sharp teeth catching the dim light of the lower-level hanger. The five were part of a larger plan, one that Rylaa had kept even from his trusted aide. That was fine with Lorgal, he didn't need to know everything his boss was doing.

Alekzander joined him at the ramp. "Is she gone?" he asked quietly.

"She is."

"What do we do now?"

Lorgal turned to look at the big man. "We wait until she needs us."

Li took a cab towards a tower where she knew she would find some answers. Sitting back, she looked around to see if she was followed, but seeing nothing special.

---

"First Search"
by Chun Li (currently Ivana Skonezcna) - Escort Pilot, PI

Location: Ministry of Commerce Archive, Coruscant
Date: Selene 20, 5 ABY

***

"Here you will find everything you need, Ms. Skonezcna," the librarian of the archive said as he had lead Li towards one of the viewers. "Thank you," Li said, sitting down and starting up the console. She had come here to get as much information about Rising Thunder's activities after Rylaa had been forced to get out. She had posed as a journalist making a documentary about the company to get access to the records.

By starting her search here she wanted to get an idea about the status of the company at the moment, something which often included contact information of the current and past CEOs. She doubted that the information here would be current, but it would provide her with a starting point. She suspected that this company probably had some less legal businesses as well which she would have to investigate, but this would prove a start.

The first thing she did notice was that Rising Thunder seemed to be only a front, as a crime syndicate with the same name had been taken down a couple of months ago. A lot of files were not accessible from where she was as they pertained to the investigation. She did however, managed to get a list of the last set of board members with their addresses in a routine report that they probably forgot to classify. The address of Dirge, the Bothan she was looking for, was the address she already had and knew not to be valid anymore. And probably the ones for the other board members weren't either. One probably didn't stay when a criminal investigation was in place. Comparing the list with the one Rylaa had provided, she saw that only 4 of the original board members had stayed after the Bothan had taken over.

That would make things a lot more difficult, but it could be done. First of all she needed more information about this company, or crime syndicate. Maybe first of all the newspaper records, followed, if necessary, by police records. From there she might find some leads to get to some of the board members. One of them had to know where the CEO was, it would just be a matter of getting the data. Her training with imperial intelligence had provided her with some knowledge on getting information out of people not willing to give it.

---

"Parting Ways"
By Omri Kedemoth
Tara Darellia - Pilot (NPC+)

Location: Drogen Shipyards
Date: Selene 20, 5 ABY

***

An overstuffed duffel bag flew out of the Griffon's access hatch, landing on the hanger's deck. Omri followed it out, hoisting the bag up and carrying it to a small pile of well-worn plasteel cases. He wiped the sweat from his forehead with his bare arm. The hanger was exceptionally warm, and he had removed his traditional black tunic and was working in a light, sleeveless white shirt.

He returned to the vessel and climbed back inside. He strolled through the small ship from bow to stern. He told himself it was to make sure he had removed all his belongings. He walked along the short corridor, running his had along the bulkhead. When he reach the small cargo hold, he paused.

Omri allowed himself to reminisce. He remembered the day Kai and he escaped the imperials on this ship. How she managed to destroy two TIE fighters before jumping to hyperspace. Their first kiss was in this cargo hold, not much more than a large closet. He reached out to touch the cold metal. It was a farewell gesture to both the ship and its memories.

Climbing back out of the vessel, he began to stack his belongings onto a repulsorlift cart.

Omri saw the blast door on the far side of the bay open up and Tara Darellia walked through. She was dressed equally casually, in a sleeveless tan shirt and black cargo pants. A small red duffel bag was slung over her shoulder.

"Good morning, Mr. Kedemoth." Tara's greeting was accompanied by smug grin.

Omri, without looking up, replied. "Good morning Ms. Darellia. She's all yours."

With a satisfied "hmmm", Tara turned and strolled toward her ship. Dropping the duffel bag, she climbed into the access hatch.

"Geez, it smells in here!" Tara yelled from inside the cockpit.

Rolling his eyes, Omri yelled back, "I was in transit almost two weeks getting here."

"Could ya change the air scrubbers once in a while?" She complained as she climbed back out. She strode back towards Omri. "Well, it will need a thorough cleaning and sanitizing, but I think I can make it livable again." She said, wiping her hands on her pants.

"I am pained to know you are not satisfied with its condition." Omri taunted without an ounce of sincerity.

As Omri arranged his belongings on the cart, Tara picked up a small wooden box near the stack of cases. Opening it, she pulled out a small holoprojector.

"What's this?" she asked as Omri turned toward her.

"Leave that alone!" Omri barked, scowling. Tara activated the projector and a small holograph of a woman appeared. She was dressed in the same dark clothes Tara had seen Omri wear, as well as a sword. The woman was tall, dark-haired and beautiful, with tattoos on her face, just like Omri.

"Give me that!" Omri snapped as he snatched the device from her hand before she could react. He deactivate it and placed it back in the box.

"Sorry!" Tara snipped. After a moment, she asked coyly, "So, who is she?"

"She is - was - my wife." Omri replied as he tightened the straps on the hover cart.

Omri's strong reaction deterred Tara from further questioning. "Sorry," she fumbled, placing a stray strand of blonde hair behind her ear.

"Ms. Darellia," Omri turned to face her, his tone flat and business-like, "It has been a pleasure to meet you, I hope you enjoy your ship." He turned toward the hover cart controls.

"Wait," Tara stopped him. "Omri, I want to thank you again for giving my ship back to me. I don't think I would have done the same in your place." She confessed.

Omri sensed the sincerity of her statement, and how difficult it must have been for her to admit it. "Tara, it was the right thing to do."

Their eyes had met, locked for a moment. Uncomfortable, Omri broke it off.

Tara looked down awkwardly. "Well," She stood up straight, composing herself. "Let me know if I can ever do anything for you. And good luck on, well, whatever you are going to do."

"Thanks, and good luck on your new business." Omri reach out his hand, Tara took it in hers and they shook.

"Actually, I have my first job." Tara interjected cheerily, " I'm taking some perishable medical supplies to Riga."

Omri nodded politely, "It's a good start."

"Yeah... well, I guess I should get the ship ready." She motioned over her shoulder at the ship.

"Yeah, I need to get this stuff out of here." Omri replied.

As Tara turned back toward the ship, Omri pushed the hover cart toward the hanger exit. Before opening the blast door, he looked back. Tara was taking the coupling connector from her bag and placing it back onto the ship. For a long moment he watched. He told himself he was taking one last look at the ship. But that was only partly true. He turned back and pushed his gear through the open door.

He didn't see Tara turn to watch him leave.

---

"More Search"
By: Chun Li (currently Ivana Skonezcna) - PI, Escort Pilot

Location: Police station, Sector 45-B, Coruscant
Date: Selene 20, 5 ABY

***

Her search in the newspaper archives had not given the results she wanted. In fact, it had only been in the news for a couple of days, before other events took over. So now she had to get her information from the police files, and that was a bit trickier. First of all some of the files were on a separate network, not accessible from the outside. So not only she had to get into the police building, which was not so difficult, but also to the correct files, which was a bit more trouble.

She walked into the bar where she had just seen a police officer disappear. Finding a woman near her height had been difficult, but Imperial Center had lots of police. She had located the woman's address and as soon as she was on duty, Li had sneaked in to get one of her uniforms. With that uniform she headed towards the duty station that had done the investigation. Timing it so she arrived at the changing of the shift, she managed to slip in with a bunch of police officer coming in to start their shift.

Once inside she moved as if she belonged, something among the first things they learned with intel. Make sure everybody thinks you belong there, and less people will question you, even if they don't know who you are. Finding a terminal in a secluded area, Li sat down and started her search for information. Due to the fact that these systems were separate from the main network, security was less inside the building. It didn't take her long to get to the files she wanted.

"What are you doing there," she suddenly heard behind her. Slowly turning she saw an officer -she only had the uniform of a standard police woman- look at her.

"I don't know you," he said.

"I'm sorry, sir," Li said, "I'm Ivana, I transferred from sector 492-A a couple of days ago. I work the graveyard shift, but the lieutenant, Ehmmm..."

"Lieutenant Mackinson," the other lieutenant helped her.

"Yes, sir," Li continued, "he told me to read these files for another case I'm helping on. It's just taking me longer then expected, but I want to have it finished before I go home. It will only take about half an hour longer."

"Okay," he said, before leaving.

Li sighed with relief. That was a close call. Now she had to get out as quickly as possible, before the lieutenant realised that there was no Ivana on the night shift. She quickly downloaded the files on her datapad, closed down the terminal and left the building. She would read them somewhere else and then plan her next step.

---

"New Friends, New Enemies, Part Two"
By: Mielikki Aune (PC)
Cirran Tyris (PC)
J2O RA-7 (NPC+)
Sgt Mathias "Walker" Coin (NPC+)
Drer Rda (NPC+)
Random NPC's

Location: The Drogen Shipyards, Tae'Remok system, Outer Rim
Date: Selene 20, 5 ABY

***

Cirran's rapid string of expletives, some of which aimed at the Gamorrean, some at his ship, the ramp of which had obviously let him down again, and some at the situation in general, would have made his friend Walker proud. "What is it on this ship, open day?" he asked as he circled around to get a packing crate between him and the jabbering porcine alien, who was making threatening jabs in his direction. "Friend of yours?" he yelled to Mielikki.

"Worse, my escort!" she yelled as she hid fearfully behind Cirran. "Look, it's a long story but please just get me out of here! I beg of you!!" she remarked pulling on his arm. Fearfully she glanced back at the Gamorrean as he attempted to figure out a way to get to the two humanoids.

"I don't suppose he's going to listen to reason?" Cirran asked in the momentary lull.

"Doubtfully," she replied.

Cirran bobbed beyond the reach of the spear a couple of times. He looked at the girl, the Gamorrean, and all things considered came to a decision rather rapidly. Nevertheless, he muttered "Why me?" to himself as he stood up straight, and added "I mean, really!" with a bitter laugh at the craziness and sheer unfairness of life in the universe. Then he planted a foot on the mostly empty durasteel packing crate and heaved with a long leg, sliding it across the deck into the spear-wielding Gamorrean. The crate thudded into the alien at thigh height and sent him sprawling slightly, which gave Cirran enough time to launch himself shoulder first at the staggered alien in a flying tackle over the top of the crate. It was hard to say who the result was worse for. The Gamorrean was slammed back into a bulkhead, dropping his spear, but Cirran's gangly form bounced off the solid thug and he crashed heavily to the deck.

"Ow," he said, struggling slowly to his feet as the alien did the same. The spear was nowhere in sight. Probably joined my blaster somewhere, Cirran thought groggily to himself, also noting that given the things that kept happening to him, it might actually be a good idea to get hold of a replacement blaster at some later date, assuming he survived this.

Agork also rose slowly to his feet, holding his head he looked about nervously for his weapon, then at the humanoid male who was getting back up. Deciding this was not a foe to be dealt with weaponless, the Gamorrean fighter squealed angrily before he staggered off; he knew he would not live this down very well once the others got wind of a Gamorrean getting bested by a puny humanoid. Snorting, Agork took once last glance at the pair before he ambled off. Mielikki ran over to Cirran and worriedly looked over his injuries. "I don't think he's coming back, are you alright?" she asked.

"It depends. Am I dreaming this?" Cirran asked wearily.

"I wish I could say no," she remarked, then without giving it a second thought she ducked under Cirran's arm and helped him stand up. "Does this mean you're going to help me escape?" she asked. "I promise I'll find a way to pay you back, though I don't have any money I'm afraid..."

Cirran gazed blearily at the direction in which the alien had taken off. "He ran away! Unprecedented," he mumbled to himself in surprise. He shook his head, trying to clear it and catch up with events, and with that realised just what sort of situation he was in. "Help you escape? From what? " he said. "All it means is that somehow, I just stopped that big lug from impaling me, for now," he explained angrily. "Just exactly who are you, anyway? And who was he? Let me guess, there's a crime lord involved. Or a bounty hunter. Or your Palpatine's secret love child. Gods, why am I such a magnet for this stuff? And who uses a spear, for Gods' sakes?" He muttered a quick highlights package of his earlier outburst of profanity to himself under his breath. "I think you'd better tell me exactly what's going on here -" he now addressed Mielikki, " - starting with such pertinent details as can we expect your 'escort' back - probably with an AT-AT next time, knowing my luck."

Mielikki hung her head low, she was dreading this. She suddenly felt small, and vulnerable. "I...I'm a slavegirl for a man named Drer Rda, a Twi'lek crime lord. That Gamorrean who attacked you was the escort he assigned to watch over me while I walked around the station...with my friend Jaytwo...he's my droid friend. Drer had to make a forced stop here, since the engines and hyperdrive are completely fried thanks to the droid in charge aboard his ship the Wabretonc. I know they're going to be stuck here for a good while with repairs, but..."

She could feel tears beginning to collect in her eyes, her heart sank as the chance of being free of her owner hung barely out of reach. "I beg of you, please help me, this man stole away ten years of my life! I just want to get away from him..."

"I knew there'd be a crime lord," Cirran muttered, but he knew he was already committed, and his attitude softened somewhat when he saw the girl's tears. "Well, I don't have a lot of time for slavers," he admitted, smiling to reassure her. "But I'm not sure I'll be so lucky again when that Gamorrean tells his friends where you are. Time to take this ship somewhere, and fast. We can come back later and..well, I don't know what we'll do, but we'll work something out. Luckily for you, I'm on a mission to compile the galaxy's longest list of enemies." He smiled and squeezed the girl on the shoulder for comfort, and started to head towards the cockpit. However, his attention was arrested by another noise further back in the cargo bay. He looked frantically around until he spied the Gamorrean's lost spear, which was sliding as if by magic under a tarpaulin. "Gods, he's not back already?" he muttered, snatching at the cover to try and reveal any potential foe.

"No, wait!" Fearing the worst, she ended up nearly doubling over with laughter at the sight of J20 RA-7 yelling out before the droid banged his head against the crate as he stood up, dropping the spear.

"Jaytwo, it's alright he won't hurt us."

The droid carefully peeked out of the crate. "Are you sure? I heard loud noises just a moment ago, are you sure he didn't try and hurt you?"

Cirran regarded the droid with a resigned look, wondering what else the evening could have in store for him. "Right - would any other people or machines who may be currently lurking in my cargo hold please make themselves known now?" he yelled into the darkness.

"What other droids?" J20 asked confusedly. Mielikki stepped forward to Cirran. "There's nobody else, just him and me of course...I swear...I didn't plan on making this trip with a friend...well more like the only one I have" she replied quickly.

"Nevertheless, you'll forgive me if I turn on the lights on," Cirran said, moving across the cargo bay to do so, and thinking about his options as he looked down towards the cockpit. It's going to take a while to get out of here at this time of night...and then they could follow us anyway, he thought. He thought back to his Alliance training. Use your local knowledge, it's a tactical advantage.

"What's the name of this Twi'Lek's ship again?" he called out to Mielikki from across the compartment. "I may have an idea."

"The Wabretonc." She squinted at the sudden increase of light, as her eyes adjusted to the lighting. "You do?" She asked. She cursed herself for not grabbing her cloak when she left Drer's ship, and absentmindedly she rubbed her arms.

"This is more or less a New Republic station these days, or a New Republic affiliated one anyway," Cirran told her, "And as I understand it the New Republic isn't big on slavery - in fact, emancipation is kind of a founding principle of the whole outfit, really. It's technically legal in some systems still, but we could make it mighty uncomfortable for this boss - sorry, owner - of yours if station security finds out about their activities. And would I be right in presuming he's probably up to other questionably legal stuff as well?"

"Yes, I could compile a whole list if you'd like." Mielikki gestured to J20. "Or you could just ask Jaytwo..."

The droid stepped backwards holding up his arms, "But Rda would have me reduced to scrap if he ever found out!" He retorted quickly.

"He also has a fair number of friends and enemies, some of them want him dead and others...well, in pieces," she finished.

Cirran gave a resigned smile. "I feel his pain. But your mechanical friend here doesn't need to worry - for the moment. We just need to let this Rda character know that security on this station has taken an interest in his affairs, and that there's an inspection of his ship on the way, a random check - I'm betting he won't stick around long after that. And as it happens I know just the security officer for the job."

She couldn't help but beam, this sounded too good to be true. Mielikki threw her arms around Cirran in a hug and smiled at him. "Thank you...uh...what did you say your name was?" she asked her brow furrowing.

Cirran smiled, abashed - this was the damsel in distress bit, alright. "Uh, I didn't - it's Cirran, Cirran Tyris," he said. "And don't thank me until this works," he added as a caveat.

"Who said you can't thank anyone for helping them?" she asked, it was then that she became aware of the acute proximity she and Cirran were now in, the sensation was strange; she didn't feel frightened like she did with Drer yet somehow being held by a total stranger caused her to feel at ease.

"Fair enough," Cirran said, smiling and withdrawing slowly from Mielikki's hug to retrieve a commlink from his pocket, giving her a pat to the shoulder. He flicked it on. "Walker?" he inquired down the line.

There was a series of noises on the other end of the line, and then a gruff voice came online. "Pelor's Teeth spacer, it's half past three in the morning. This better be good."

Cirran took a glance at the scene around him, which included Mielikki, J2, the droid, and the Gamorrean's spear in his hand which he had picked up from the floor. "Oh, it is," he remarked. "Besides, I thought you were always on duty?"

"Even sergeants have to sleep some time, Tyris. So what is can I do for you? You need me to sing you a lullaby? No, don't tell me, you've got yourself in trouble here again already. This Jax bloke you were telling me about?"

"Er..." Cirran looked sideways at the girl and her somewhat cowardly robot now seemingly looking to him for protection, "Probably not."

"Look, I'm tired right now, spacer," Walker replied. "M'brain's all fuzzy. So if that's some kind of weak code for 'melt through my door with a plasma cutter and a squad of commandos and save my skinny hide again please, Walker', you should just say so."

"No, look, Walker, I'm fine - mostly," Cirran explained, rubbing his shoulder where he'd bounced off the Gamorrean. "It's not my door that I need you to kick down. I've got something of a tip-off for you."

"Really? This should be good." Walker harrumphed cynically.

"Oh, it is," Cirran confirmed. "You might want to check out a ship called the Wabretonc in bay...do we know the bay number?" he asked his guest.

"Uh...I think it's bay number 463," she replied.

Sithspit, that's only a few levels down from here, he thought."463, Walker. Captain's a Twi'lek, name of Rda. Almost certainly something fishy onboard. Can't tell you specifically what he's doing...except he's a slaver," he said, with another glance at Mielikki.

"A slaver?" growled the big security man in disapproval. "I'll pack my favourite gun, the really big one. But is there something you not filling me in on, Tyris?" came a suspicious voice down the line.

"Yes - be on the lookout for an angry Gamorrean. And sooner would be better than later," the pilot added, omitting a few other details.

"All right then mystery boy, I'll take a squad down," Walker agreed reluctantly, "but you're gonna owe me another drink after this, at least," the soldier finished, signing off.

Cirran turned to Mielikki. "Well, I guess this is where you've got to work out whether you want this Twi'lek friend of yours arrested, because Walker will find something to arrest him for. But then he'll be here. Are there other slaves on his ship?"

Mielikki nodded, "There are, though some of them I'm not on very good terms with; like the Gamorrean you met earlier."

Cirran grimaced. "Gods, I wouldn't wanna own him...or, er, anyone else obviously," he quickly explained.

Before Cirran could embarrass himself any further however, an alarm tone in the hold signalled that someone was trying to get into the ship, and that more amazingly, for once the security system had elected to do its job of keeping people outside. "Not good," said Cirran, and jogged to the cockpit where he could see an external monitor that showed the area just below the ramp. The screen showed the Gamorrean he had just finished warning Walker about, along with a tall sickly, Twi'lek male whose skin was a dark near black purple color. Alongside next to him stood a burly Gran male toting a blaster. The Gran paced the area as the Twi'lek - no doubt Drer Rda himself, Cirran figured - stood talking heatedly with the Gamorrean.

"We're dead!!" J20 remarked as he took in the sight, the droid and Mielikki having followed Cirran to the ship's control centre.

"Relax!" Mielikki quipped as she stopped behind J20. "What? What's going on?" she asked looking to Cirran, and then at the monitor.

"Company," Cirran muttered. "And me without any good silverware." He tried to appraise the three aliens under his ship and concluded that it was unlikely that kicking a box into all three of them would work - if the ramp decided to misbehave itself as it usually did, and with the Bay more or less deserted at this time of night, it was going to go badly for him. He could power up his gun turrets perhaps, but in-dock that would likely cause alarms, questioning, and maybe even arrest, so instead he flicked the channel on the comm system that allowed use of the intercom under the ship near the ramp. "Gentlemen!" he started. "Good morning. Look, I hate to break this to you, but I've already got a copy of the Encyclopaedia Galactica."

"No, but you do have something that belongs to me human." Drer remarked speaking in the direction of the intercom, "Agork is also very displeased to inform me that you failed to cooperate with him; where is the girl and the droid?" He finished coldly: "If you fail to cooperate with me, I feel the results will not be very well in your favor, human." At this the Gran sniggered.

Pleeeease ramp, not now, Cirran prayed desperately, but his mouth said, "Ah yes, the girl and the droid. Sorry, we've had a chat and the girl seems to feel your relationship is no longer working out, so she'll be staying here. And the droid was intensely irritating, so he's spare parts now. So looks like no girl or droid for you. Thanks for calling, though."

Drer was unfazed by Cirran's answer. "It is much more complicated than that I'm afraid, now I suggest you hand the girl and the droid over now, before Idvat decides to make a new docking hatch for you..." Rda than looked to Idvat and the Gran raised his blaster and took aim at the ship, preparing to fire.

"Ignoring the question of whether you could seriously hope to blow your way in with that peashooter, I'd worry about my own ship, if I were you," Cirran said hurriedly, strangely conscious at a time like this of the spoiling effect the Gran's weapon would have on the 'Fool's Hope's shiny, new, aesthetically pleasing hull plating.

At this, Cirran had caught the Twi'lek's attention. "What of my ship?" Drer replied quickly.

"Everything stowed away on board, is it? Nothing untoward going on in it, just on the off chance that, say, station security should arrive to turn things upside down?" Cirran asked in mock curiosity.

AS if on queue, Cirran watched as the Gran evidently called Idvat lowered his blaster and fumbled around in his jacket before retrieving a comm unit. He spoke angrily in reply before listening intently, and his three eyes blinked rapidly in surprise before he turned to face his boss and Rda snatched the comm unit from him. "This better be important." Drer snapped. "Yes?" He asked clicking on the comm unit.

"Captain Rda, this is Sergeant Coin of station security," came a voice down the line. "We are going to conduct a routine random inspection of your vessel in approximately 5 minutes time, please stand by for our arrival and have your documentation ready."

Rda refrained from bursting into several stringed together curses in Huttese and Ryl over the comm unit and instead calmly replied, "Acknowledged Sergeant Coin, I will see to meeting with you personally." Inwardly his blood was boiling, already this human was making more trouble than he already needed to deal with, aside from ship's repairs. Mentally the gaunt Twi'lek was already forming a haphazardly shaped plan. Signing off, Drer looked back to ship. "By sheer coincidence it seems station security is arriving, I'm not finished with you just yet, human - make no mistakes, you'll not be the first I have dealt with who has attempted to steal away my girls. Be grateful that I have not I had the pleasure of dealing with you face to face," Drer finished.

"Station security? That is a coincidence. Well, I'd love to come down and see you guys off, but I'm sure you're in a hurry to you know, go and avoid arrest," Cirran snapped sarcastically.

Turning to face Idvat and the Gamorrean, Drer waved them over, "We're leaving, I will attend to this matter at a later time." He began walking following the Gran and Gamorrean but stopped not bothering to look over his shoulder. "Do not think that I will forget about this encounter, or you. I trust we will meet again soon human, for your sake I hope you unlike the others I have dealt will walk away unscathed, or rather I should say not missing anything important." Sneering Rda disappeared, following his subordinates.

"I-is he g-g-gone?" J20 asked fearfully.

"Yes," Cirran said, offering up silent but heartfelt thanks to the gremlins who lived in his ship's ramp, "and if he's even half the criminal you suggest, he's going to speed up those repairs and be more gone, and very soon, if he doesn't want Walker to bring his little operation to a shuddering halt."

The Veaseph woman now sat on the floor, her arms hugging her knees tightly as her small frame shook violently. Several thoughts raced through her mind as she attempted to quell her breathing. Oh Sinikka,where are you when I need you most? She then thought of her other family members absentmindedly, wondering if she'd ever see any of them alive ever again.

Cirran registered the girl's emotion, but like many males, was at something of a loss for what to do about it. "Hey, cheer up," he tried, moving to the girl's side on the floor and giving her a lopsided grin. "We've survived this particular moment, and now we can get on with the task of figuring out how to survive the next one - which in my recent experience is about the most you can hope for out of life." It didn't take him too long to realise that maybe this didn't sound as comforting as he thought. "Er...I'm not sure if I properly indicated before that I'm maybe not the safest person to go getting emancipated by," he finished with a shrug.

Mielikki managed a small smile. "I can't help but wonder if we just happened to have lady luck on our side and manage to avoid Drer for the moment." She shivered swallowing a lump in her throat. "Gods know what'll he do if gets a hold of me." Attempting calm her rattled nerves as best as possible for the moment anyways, she looked to J20 who spoke up at Cirran's last remark.

"I knew it! We've taken up refuge with a reprobate! If we don't get taken back by Rda, we'll all end up rusting in a prison cell!"

"Jaytwo! You shouldn't jump to conclusions so quickly." Mielikki remarked standing up next to the droid, J20 buzzed incomprehensibly in his originally programmed language which resulted in Mielikki batting him in the back in the head. "Calm down, I'm sure we'll manage to get out of this somehow...what should we do now though?" she asked, turning her attention back to Cirran.

"Well, I don't think they'll be back - they'll either be headed off-station as fast as they can go, or arrested. So I suggest you try and get some sleep, and I'll keep an eye on things from up here for a while - that is, if your friend here's willing to let you sleep in the same ship as, what was it you called me, a reprobate?" he asked, glaring fairly pointedly at the droid.

J20 stepped back nervously. "I er…take it back, I guess we have no choice considering the circumstances…we'd probably be better off staying here then taking any chances with any of the station's more colorful characters." Jaytwo added quickly as an afterthought.

"Well I can only hope I live up to your monochromatic ideals," Cirran said sarcastically. "But I've met quite a few of the station's 'characters', as you call them, and trust me, I'm not the worst of them," he confirmed.

"I'm glad you both agree with one another, to some degree or the next." Mielikki remarked in regards to the exchange between her droid friend and Cirran. "Where do you want me to sleep?" She asked then looking back to Cirran.

"Well, there's a bunk back there. You might actually fit into it, that'd make for a change," Cirran said, stretching his sore back. "Your droid can plug into the charge unit in the cargo hold if you can convince him I have no immediate interest in frying his circuits. I'll stick around up here for a bit and make sure we're in the clear."

"Thank you." She turned to J20, "Jaytwo I trust you have no problems staying here now right?" She asked a questioning edge to her tone.

The droid shrugged his mechanical limbs. "No, not at all, I'll go back to the cargo hold, call me if you need anything please."

She gave her friend a reassuring smile, "I'll be alright, go about your business."

J20 nodded before turning and heading off in the direction of the cargo hold.

Mielikki walked in the direction that Cirran indicated the bunk was though not before glancing over her shoulder in his direction. After having found the said sleeping area, Mielikki sat down on the bunk and stretched, letting out a tired yawn as she did. Lying so she was facing the wall, the young Veaseph studied its texture blankly as her mind ran abuzz with many thoughts. Her eyes grew heavy yet the will to fall asleep seemed far away for her.

In the cockpit, Cirran collapsed wearily into his pilot's chair and stifled a yawn, his sore limbs providing evidence if he needed it that recent events had been no hallucination. Before this evening he would have found it difficult to believe that his life could get too much more complex, but the universe seemed determine to prove him wrong. He could only hope that the Twi'lek's threats had been empty ones, and that he would soon abandon his former slave to...well, to what? Cirran had no idea what was to become of the girl that had sought refuge in his ship, but he realised that he would help her if he could. Like him, she was nearly alone in the universe, and in addition...well, he could virtually hear the jokes his old friend Feena would have made when he saw the girl that had all but dropped into his lap... But remember what you told her? You're a dangerous friend to have, Tyris. You couldn't protect Kemma, he reminded himself. He stared out into the now quiet ship bay, thinking, and suspected it might be a long night.

---

"First Findings"
by Chun Li (currently Ivana Skonezcna) - PI, Escort Pilot
and Lorgal - Secretary and bodyguard to Rylaa (NPC)

Location: Coruscant
Date: Selene 20, 5 ABY

***

It was late in the evening when Li went back to the ship. She only had the time to skim through the files she had obtained from the police station, but there were a couple of things that needed to be checked out. Li quickly found her way to the ship and got onboard. "I think I've found a lead," she announced.

Lorgal was lounging in the recreation area of the ship cleaning a massive repeater that your average soldier would call a "crew served weapon". Next to the couch was a medium sized fusion battery that had been heavily modified to be worn as part of a backpack assembly. The barabel looked up at Li's announcement and grinned. "Great! What do you have?"

"Rising Thunder doesn't exist anymore," Li started, "inspectors of the ministry of trade and commerce got a bit suspicious and the police crashed their little party. They have two of the last set of boardmembers in custody, the others are either dead or escaped. Dirge was in the group that got away. The interesting part is that the police discovered that he had a bit of land on Commenor and he went there, or so it shows in their records. I'm sure he wouldn't be there anymore, but I think we can pick up some extra leads down there."

"Then we go to Commenor, and from there where ever the new lead takes us." A small red light began to flash on the communicator at Lorgal's belt and he glanced at it. "Especially since our work here is now completely concluded. Whenever you are ready..."

Li now had confirmation about the reason of him joining the little party. She could have handled this alone, with her fighter, but it was clear they had some business, probably only marginally legal, on Imperial Center. It wasn't her business, and she wouldn't worry about it. "Let's go then," she said.

Lorgal's bulk rose from the couch, which gave a thankful squeak, as he nodded to her. Alekzander poked his head in and said, "The Altdorf's ready to go, Lorgal, so when you want we can lift off.

"Go ahead, Captain, we're headed to Commenor, I believe Ms. Li has the coordinates we need."

"Just Commenor for now," Li said, "I'll have to go through the files to get a more precise location on the planet itself, but I'll have it before we arrive." When the captain was gone to prepare the departure, Li turned back to Lorgal. "Nice gun," she said, "there's only one disadvantage, and that's concealment. And the fact that it's illegal on most worlds to walk around with a thing like that."

Lorgal's grin nearly split his face. "I don't usually worry about a thing like concealment, and when I cart it around I usually don't get bothered by whatever passes for the law on most planets. Besides, this is only my sidearm. I left my big guns at home."

"Why do I have the feeling I don't want to find out," Li said with a smile, "well, I'm going to see what I can find out more in those files. I'm in my quarters if you need me."

"Right," the big barabel said as he turned to follow the Altdorf's captain into the cockpit. Minutes later, the Corellian Corvette launched from the platform and rocketed into space towards its destination.

---

"The Morning After"
By: Mielikki Aune (PC)
Cirran Tyris (PC)
Tasia Harough (NPC+)
J20 RA7 (NPC+)

Location: , Drogen Shipyards
Date: Selene 20, 5 ABY

***

Cocooned in a tangle of blankets, Mielikki jolted awake instantaneously from her slumber and clutched her head in her hands, a light sheen of sweat covering her spotted form. That dream, she had it again, the one that so vividly reminded her of the day the Empire invaded. The memories always seemed to come in bits and pieces, sometimes she would dream specific memories of that time in her troubled youth and other times she would recall playing with her sister peacefully only to be swept up by men in blinding white armor and helmets who tore her from her sister into separate directions. Deciding that sleep would not come easily, Mielikki rose from the floor thin blanket still wrapped around her small form.

Quietly she peeked out from her room before padding out into the ship, aimlessly she looked around trying to rid the memories of the dream from her mind, its imprint still fresh and bright. Shivering she pulled the blanket tighter around her form and continued walking until she found herself in the ship's cockpit. Immediately she spied a tall form hunched over in one of the chairs and saw that Cirran sat sleeping upright, though apparently in a rather uncomfortable position, or at least to Mielikki's viewpoint. Had he sat watch all night?

Squatting down next to the chair Mielikki tossed her thin blanket over Cirran's frame and studied his features inquisitively, trying to read his thoughts as his eyes registered REM. She had lost track of time until eventually she fall asleep herself.

It was only a short time later, as light from the station's artificial day cycle streamed into the cockpit, that Cirran awoke with a start, probably caused by his pleasant surprise that no-one was trying to kill him at that particular point in time. His own vague dreams had been full of both shadowy figures, laughing at him out of reach, and a not so shadowy Gamorrean in a chef's hat who was trying to make him the final morsel at the end of a giant, well-laden kebab skewer. No need to psychoanalyze that one too hard, he thought to himself, as last night's events came rushing back.

He stretched and was further reminded of what had taken place on his ship recently by the all-over body ache he seemed to be feeling. As he groaned, he registered the blanket over him, and then the Veaseph girl sleeping on the floor of the cockpit. She has to be cold. And uncomfortable. I guess she's used to sleeping pretty rough...and I complain about my bunk, he thought grimly. It helped him realize that despite the pain and trouble he was in, he had probably done the right thing, and a smile flashed over his face. Still, things were undoubtedly a mess. He hoped Walker had the Twi'lek in a cell by now, but even if that was the case, between the truly unexpected arrival of Mielikki, having Ares after him, and whatever the meaning of Jax's taunting message was, he'd be damned if he knew what he was going to do next.

The moment the light touched her face, Mielikki awakened from her slumber. She sat upright, and glanced in Cirran's direction hearing him groan out in pain. She felt bad for the pilot, having dragged him into this mess that was her life, she could only imagine what his life consisted of from what he had told her of the previous night. "You look worse than I feel," she remarked, "Are you gonna be alright?" she asked, touching a hand to his face trying to judge the severity of the angry black and blue bruise along his jaw.

"I dare say. I've had worse lately, sadly," Cirran replied, wincing slightly, and gingerly touching the bruise himself. "This is why I prefer to fight with a ship. Sure you might get vaporized, but you don't get the crap painfully kicked out of you before it happens." He sat up in the chair with a pained expression, and looked down at Mielikki. "So - good morning," he said, smiling at the randomness of the universe, that he now found this girl in his cockpit.

"I...uh...woke up in the middle of the night and wandered around, since I couldn't sleep and I noticed that some-- I mean I noticed you were still here, I was worried and decided to come see if you were okay," she replied quickly, noting her face suddenly felt warmer, she smiled embarrassedly.

"Well, I think I'm mostly fine, although I'm not so impressed with myself for falling asleep when I'm supposed to be keeping an eye out for your Twi'lek friend," Cirran admitted. "But it seems that you're still here, and I'm still alive, so I guess he didn't come back. I guess that means our next move is...breakfast?"

"Sounds like a good idea to me...can't remember when I last ate...or rather anything that actually resembled food that I heard of," she replied shrugging her shoulders. "But I'm up for anything," she stated sincerely.

The sound of metal scraping against metal caught her ears, and both saw that J20 had awoken, or rather finished his charging cycle. "Up for anything of what?" the droid asked looking curiously at the humanoids.

"Anything to eat...save for...well you know that bantha fodder that Drer gives the slaves." J20 visibly shuddered. "Oh never mind then. I'm in complete agreement then," the droid replied.

"Right then, now that we have the droid's approval, let's see what we can find," Cirran said. "I'd better check something first." He fished out his ever-present commlink and flicked it on. "Walker? Awake yet?"

The gruff voice on the other end of the line sounded tired. "Haven't had any sleep yet, thanks to you...been up all night processing this mystery ship of yours. Threw the Twi'lek in a cell - he's a slaver, all right, and he's running contraband too. We've impounded the ship, but the slave issue's a legal nightmare...not sure what's gonna happen to 'em, plus more than a few seem to be quite happy to stay in his service...I had to lay a couple of 'em out. How did you know to tip us off anyway, spacer?"

Cirran looked over at Mielikki, thinking that if it was known she was an escapee from the crime lords service, she could end up in some net of red tape that might see her detained for processing for months, or even back with the Twi'lek, if he had good enough lawyers. He decided Walker didn't need that information just yet.

"I'll tell you later, Walker...but you say the Twi'lek's in a cell?"

"Him and a few of his uncooperative men," Walker confirmed.

"Right, cheers." Cirran flicked off the commlink. "Looks like it's safe to go for a wander for some breakfast...maybe we can call past medical, too," he added wincing, concluding he had possibly cracked some ribs.

"Alright, but first before we head out, you don't suppose you have something I could wear...no offense but a girl like me might draw you some unwanted attention...dressed this like this, anyway."

Cirran looked Mielikki up and down, kept doing it just a bit too long, and then realized he was doing it. "Uh...good point," he finally acknowledged. "Although I'm not sure I have much in the way of suitable clothing around," he finished, thinking of his wardrobe that consisted mostly of coveralls designed to fit his own nearly 2 metre frame. "I might have an idea, though." He raised the commlink again, dialing it to a different frequency.

"Hey, Tasia. Guess who?" he tried uncertainly into the device.

"Oh, you've gotta be kidding me," the foreman was overheard mumbling in reaction. She cleared her throat and answered at full volume now. "Mr. Tyris...have another dangerous and completely unprofitable proposition for me? You do realize Anoran nearly sent me out of an airlock the last time, I hope."

Cirran winced slightly, remembering the events that unfolded last time he had talked Tasia into helping him out with something. Nevertheless, he pressed on cheerfully: "Oh come on, I'm putting adventure into your life! Plus Walker tells me you've been on holiday, for which I'm sure you were overdue, and for which I was the inspiration - from a certain point of view."

"Lerrah and I prefer to call it 'running for our hides', but 'vacation' could work too," Tasia stated caustically. "So...what is it you want? A freebie ship tune-up?"

Cirran paused briefly and looked skywards. There was nothing for it but to just say it. "Clothes," he sighed into the commlink. "I need you come to my ship with some of your clothes."

There was a stifled laugh that transformed into a snicker. "My clothes?" she repeated, still chuckling. "How...kinky. Do you want to borrow some heels, too?"

Cirran smiled. "Don't think I'd fit them. But they aren't for me...I have something of a situation here...well, you'll see when you get here. I promise no fleeing required...at least not initially."

"Ooh...now I'm intrigued," Tasia purred. "Where should I meet you? And how slinky a dress do you want?"

"Come to my ship, she's in bay 63 - oh, and she's a bit shinier than the last time you might have seen her. Don't bring anything too slinky..." he looked Mielikki up and down briefly "...we've got slinky covered here - we're trying to avoid attention."

"You're no fun," she sighed. "I'll be right over."

"Was that a friend of yours or something of sorts between an enemy and shall I say a colleague?" Mielikki asked, trying to hide the smile that was creeping across her features.

J20 shrugged, "Well whoever she was she certainly sounded quite upset, and her sense of humor was truly most peculiar indeed." The RA-7 unit shrugged his mechanical shoulders again before turning to the side slightly.

Cirran wondered how to best answer the question. "Tasia and me go way back..." He frowned. "No, that's not right...we go back, anyway. Let's just say we've had some rather intense experiences in each other's company...she won't sell you out to anyone, anyway. Plus hopefully she's about your size."

"Now I'm really curious about what kind of person this woman is," she remarked. "Though I do question her taste of clothing given her suggested offerings," Mielikki added before leaning against the wall.

Cirran smiled. "I guess we'll see what she's come up when she gets here. And speaking of visitors, I think I had better go to take another look at that godsdamned ramp of mine until she does. If it had decided to drop open when your Twi'Lek friend had shown up, I think we'd have been in serious trouble." He stood up and stretched. "There's some food back in the cabin somewhere...not anything much more exciting than protein bars, I'm afraid," he said apologetically.

"That's alright, I don't think I've ever had rations in a long time. I wonder if they're anything like the rations I remember from back home..." she thought growing nostalgic, only to feel an accompanying pain at the thought that she didn't know what happened to her father or brother during the war with the Empire along with her sister.

"Where is the cabin again?" she asked, quickly diverting her mind from the subject.

"I call the bunk area the cabin," Cirran explained. "Follow me, it's a bit of a mess, but I'll dig them out of the right cupboard." He led Mielikki back to the small living area of the freighter and rooted around in some cupboards until he emerged with a couple of ration packs. "Go for your life," he said, handing one to her. "I'm going to take a look at these servos - don't be surprised if you hear me swearing loudly. The droid can plug himself in the cargo bay if he needs power." He grabbed a hydrospanner, noting with slight annoyance that it would have made a much a better weapon than the length of tubing he had picked up in the dark last night, and headed further back into the ship to begin tinkering with its idiosyncratic entry system.

Mielikki fiddled around with a ration pack before she managed to open it, and pulled out a protein bar which she sniffed curiously before taking a tentative bite. "Definitely nothing like what I remember," she remarked to herself before taking another bite. "Good though." She leaned back against the bunk as she continued her meal for a few minutes Grabbing another protein bar she grimaced as she noticed the lights briefly dim before flickering back on, followed by a string of what sounded like curses in Huttese followed by clinking noises. "You need any help?" she called out to Cirran.

There were loud mutterings from the cargo bay. "Do you know how to speak Trandoshan? Because I'm pretty sure that's what this piece of Sithspit subsystem is programmed in," came the reply. The lights in the ship dimmed again.

"A little, if that helps any," she called back. Protein bar forgotten for the moment Mielikki got up and made her way to the cargo bay where she heard Cirran's voice.

Cirran was standing over the small podium that housed the supposedly simple system that lowered the ship's ramp, muttering to himself and looking very much like he wanted to take to it with the hydrospanner he was holding in a more violent manner than the one for which the tool was designed. "The blasted thing seems to thing we're in space," he said. "Can't get the ramp open to check the hydraulics, and there seems to be something here about an emergency override - but who knows, it may as well be in Wookiee. And I have no idea why we lost the lights. Bloody fluidics...who builds anything using fluidics anymore, anyway?"

Mielikki walked over to where Cirran stood and furrowed her brow as she attempted to make sense of the gibberish the computer was giving her. "Who in the galaxy programmed this thing?" Mielikki asked reading the data feedout before looking back up to Cirran.

Cirran frowned. "It was like this when I bought the ship - one of the reasons it was so cheap." He didn't add that his half-informed and under-funded attempts to fix the problem and only resulted in additional malfunctions. "If you grab that handle over there, we can try the emergency manual release," he said continuing to enter commands into the system, mostly at random.

"Sure. It's worth a shot, even if it is apparently in the dark," she replied before moving to grab the said handle. "Ready when you are."

"OK, give it a go," Cirran nodded. Mielikki pulled down on the emergency release, which in theory should have opened the cargo hold even in flight. Nothing happened. Cirran sighed. "Looks like we're going to starve to death in here...guess I'll try and bypass the system entirely." He moved onto the ramp itself in order to access the system's feed line. "Can you pass me that plasma cutter?" he asked his lovely assistant.

"Here you go." She picked up the tool and handed it to Cirran, watching as he worked curious with interest. "So what exactly are you hoping to accomplish, trying to hotwire the ramp so it will do your bidding for you?" she asked teasingly.

"Well, I'll be happy if I can just get it to..." Cirran started, but he didn't get to finish his sentence as the ramp, which seemed to have been waiting for an opportune moment to strike, dropped without warning into the space below the ship. Mielikki and Cirran were sent suddenly tumbling down its slope to land in a tangle of limbs on the hangar deck as the ramp crashed into it.

"Should have seen that coming," Cirran sighed wearily, after a moment or two of silence.

"Maybe we should just hire an exorcist," Mielikki mumbled as she lifted her head up, hitting her head against Cirran's chin in the process. "Ow! Sorry," she remarked grabbing at her temple in pain.

Cirran rubbed his bruised chin painfully, and attempted to sit up as much as was possible with Mielikki largely on top of him. "Yes, or maybe I should FLY THE DAMNED SHIP INTO A STAR. You HEAR ME, SHIP!" he bellowed up at his vessel. The ship offered no reply. Venting complete, Cirran sank back onto the deck with a ringing head. It had been a tough 48 hours.

Sounds of hurried mechanical scuffling was heard, and Mielikki heard J20 call out worriedly. "What happened? Are you two alright!? Should I send for help!?"

"Your droid worries too much," Cirran muttered from the ground. "Or in light of recent events around here, maybe not enough."

A shadow descended over the two entangled forms upon the flightdeck, from which issued an amused, throaty chuckle. As Cirran looked up and Mielikki craned her neck to do the same, Tasia Harough leaned over to peer down at them. She was grinning slyly. "See? I knew you wanted kinky."

Cirran struggled guiltily to extricate himself from under Mielikki. "We were trying to fix the ramp," he explained lamely.

"It's true, it just so happened to decide to drop when we were both standing on it, I mean really who programs a ramp to open itself at random--" Mielikki tripped in her attempt to stand, her legs entangled within Cirran's longer legs, causing her to fall forward and giving Cirran barely enough time to catch her.

Tasia nodded her head skeptically, amused by their flustered display. "Sure thing... Now" --she raised her hand, in which was clutched a pair of black cropped pants and an ivory tunic-- "who do these belong to?"

Cirran scowled slightly. "Fetching as I'm sure that'd look on me, they're for her. Tasia Harough, meet Mielikki," Cirran said, getting Mielikki and himself into a stable standing position with a final steadying hand.

The Veaseph offered an embarrassed half smile to Tasia as she was handed the garments. "Thank you, though I'm afraid I can't offer you anything in return..." she remarked, lowering her head.

Shrugging, Tasia quipped, "Don't worry...seeing you two engaging in foreplay on the flightdeck is payment enough."

Cirran reddened slightly. "Look, we're not..." he started, and then sighed. "Doesn't matter," he decided. "How did your own run from bounty hunter justice go anyway, chief?" he asked. "Mine was a regular barrel of laughs."

"Don't even mention it," she grunted, her cheerful expression twisting into a scowl. "You got us into that. I hardly think it's a laughing matter." Then, Tasia grinned again. "Though, watching you fumble through a pathetic attempt at sex makes it all better."

Cirran sighed again. "Look, I already told you it's not like that - she's a pleasure slave! Er, I mean she was a pleasure slave," he added hastily, as Mielikki looked at him askance.

"It's not like I chose to become a pleasure slave! The situation is complicated..." Mielikki barked in rebuttal. "Now if you're both through catching up I'm going to go change."

Cirran caught Tasia's inquisitive look. "It's a long story," he explained, and then considered that statement. "Actually, it's a pretty short story. She ran off from some Twi' Lek criminal and hid in my ship, I found her, a Gamorrean showed up, I tackled him, he ran off and came back with her boss to get her back, I objected, he took off, and Walker caught him and hurled him in the brig. Now you've turned up here with clothes. I think that about covers it."

The sound of metal footsteps heralded the arrival of the RA-7 unit, who had been concerned to see the look on Mielikki's face as she stormed back into the ship. "She seems upset. Did I do something wrong?" he asked Cirran and Tasia.

"No," Tasia assured the droid facetiously, "but your owner did. He just declared his newest girlfriend a prostitute." She gave Cirran a simpering smile. "How charming!"

J20 jumped at Tasia's remark, and at first began speaking in his normal buzzing speech before composing himself. "A prostitute?! Mielikki may be a slave girl, but she is not a prostitute!!" He then looked over to Cirran briefly. "And this man is certainly not my owner! More or less he's an acquaintance."

Cirran buried his face in his hands. He suddenly felt old. "The droid's right, it's not mine...it came free with the girl. No, I mean..." He took a deep breath. "Look, I'm going to stop trying to dig my way out of this nice little hole I've made for myself. She's a runaway slave, Tasia, and as may be clear by now..." here he turned his back on J20, and lowered his voice, hoping the droid wouldn't hear, "...I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing. Where does the station management stand on this sort of thing, do you know?"

"If I know anything about Anoran," Tasia replied in all seriousness now, "prostitution is not something she allows. You could turn these people in...and earn the ire of these very dangerous individuals, or you could just stay out of it." She smirked. "Even with Walker's protection, I'd choose the latter."

Cirran sighed. "Too late. I turned them in already. But then what's the ire of a few more dangerous people? It seems I won't be happy until the entire galaxy is out to kill me. I didn't think, I just sort of...rescued. It sounds like she's had it pretty tough... and the poor kid's probably out of the frying pan and into the fire if she stays hanging out with me. Look,you've got some pull around this place, do you think you could find her a job somewhere - one that involved standing up? She seems to know a bit about machines. Right, droid?" he asked J20 for confirmation.

"Mielikki knows more about droids if anything, but she does certainly know enough to get by. I hope you're not suggesting she works for this woman here," the RA-7 unit replied eyeing Tasia warily.

"She can hardly be worse than your former 'employer'," Cirran retorted, only the smallest smidgen of doubt crossing his mind as he said it.

Mielikki had just caught the tail end of the group's conversation as she descended the ramp, now dressed in the clothing given to her by Tasia, her former attire was rolled together into the skirt, neatly and was tucked under her arm. The feeling of the garments felt alien to her, she could not recall the last time she had ever dressed in the equivalent of normal clothing designed to cover her form rather than to expose her spotted skin. "What's going on?" she asked, stopping at the bottom of the ramp.

Tasia's keen brown eyes scanned the girl from head to toe. She emitted an approving sound. "I think I can work something out...especially if she comes to work everyday looking like she is now." Her smile was wholly unchaste, though it lasted only a moment before she became stern. "But I swear, Tyris, if her former owners end up coming to look for her and make a mess of things on my flightdeck, I'll have Walker pound you into the deckplating. Deal?"

Cirran frowned, wondering if Walker would side with him or Tasia in such a situation, and deciding that Tasia could probably provide certain favours for the big sergeant that he couldn't. "Pounded into the deckplating. Got it." He put that image out of his mind, and flashed a smile at a confused looking Mielikki. "Think I just got you a job," he said.

"That's great!" Mielikki replied cheerfully a smile on her face, it melted though as realization kicked in. Granted getting a job was one thing, but what good would that do her if she had no place to return to? "But what am I going to do about living conditions? I can't hide with you forever..." she finished, looking to Cirran.

"Well, once Tasia here starts giving you paychecks, there's plenty of low rental stuff on the station," Cirran said, thinking back to the uncomfortable time he had spent in his super cheap accommodation on his first arrival. "In the meantime though, maybe Walker or Tasia can find you somewhere, or there's always the ship...although I can understand you might not want to...I mean...well, you know," he finally trailed off uncertainly, rubbing the back of his neck. Tasia looked amused.

"Tyris, you're an absolute coward, you know that?" Smiling at Mielikki reassuringly, Tasia offered, "You can stay with me for a while...until you can find your own accommodations, because I know you certainly wouldn't want to bunk with Cirran. I mean, how many showers can a girl take in a day to wash off all the drool he'll be spilling?"

Cirran grimaced, but seemed to swallow his retort...slightly. "You'll be fine with Tasia..." he confirmed to Mielikki, "....probably," he finished almost inaudibly. J20 looked alarmed at this last part, and seemed to start scrutinising Tasia afresh. Cirran nudged the droid with his elbow where it would have had ribs if it was alive. "Don't worry, droid. She's OK. She's just never forgiven me for crashing into her hangar deck," he said to the automation by way of explanation.

"Alright then, Jaytwo and I will stay with Tasia until I'm able to move out and afford a place of my own...which hopefully will not be a long time," Mielikki replied after hearing over Tasia's suggestion. She then looked to Tasia, "I doubt we'll be seeing my former mast--" She bit the last word as thought it were acidic before quickly correcting herself. "I mean my former owner will show up anytime soon...I don't think he quite knew what he was getting himself into when he came to this station..."

"Ha, who does?" Cirran laughed. Both women were looking at him somewhat strangely though, so he wiped the smile off his face. "Ahem...right, well, you keep your head down Mielikki, and if you need anything, you let me know," he said, smiling reassuringly.

"Don't worry," Tasia assured Cirran, her smile uncomfortably suggestive, "I'll give her everything she needs."

"Nearly everything I'm sure," Mielikki replied reddening. "I'm sorry but I don't accept propositions from anyone...former pleasure slave or not." Before Tasia could offer any suggestive replies J20 stepped forward.

"Mielikki if you wish to leave, I'm ready," the droid said. She nodded.

"I'm ready to go Jaytwo." She looked to Cirran and smiled shyly. "Thank you for helping us, I really appreciate all that you've done to help me and Jaytwo." She paused. "Will I see you again?" Her tone was uncertain as she asked the question, she knew that Drer was locked away yet...part of herself also feared the possibility that this was all a sheer chance of luck.

Cirran flashed an only-slightly-unbalanced-looking grin. "Assuming nobody vapes me shortly, the odds of which I'd put at about 60-40 at the moment, then definitely. I'll be around. If Tasia gives you any hassles then let me know, and I'll tell Lerrah on her." He pretended he couldn't see Tasia's scowl. It's not like she'd probably mind... he thought to himself. "We should have a drink sometime..." he continued to Mielikki, "...meet under better circumstances maybe. There are some good bars around here...no, that's a lie, but the chances of being attacked by an angry Gamorrean with a spear in any given one of them are, oh, I would say, at least a good 5 to 10 percent lower than they were last night."

Mielikki gave him a smile in return, and then she and her droid followed Tasia out of the bay. Cirran watched them go, and then turned and headed up the malfunctioning ramp of his ship.

"Well, what do you think, Hope?" he asked his ship as he entered the cargo bay. The ship did not offer its opinion.

"Yeah, I know, I know," Cirran continued, slumping wearily onto a packing crate, "I've got enough problems of my own...like talking to a ship, for example...still..."

As he got up to begin working on the ship's ramp again, he couldn't help thinking that although the Veasaph girl seemed to have at least temporarily disappeared from as life as quickly as she arrived in it, a new set of complications had arrived in his already complex life.

---

"Order of Business: Part 2"
By Amii'a Val'or
NPC's

Location: New Plouton
Date: Selene 20th, 5ABY

***

Someone knew, Amii'a thought as she sat inside the hover van, surrounded by high tech surveillance equipment. Once is a coincidence, twice most surely isn't, she thought in regards to the bombing of Minister Ueb's personal suite the day before, and the mysterious circumstances of Minister A'jassu's own demise the day after. Both were culprits in a web of political corruption that she had been charged with bringing to justice. Both were killed before she could do so, before either could be depositioned. A third time will not happen, she thoughtfully commanded.

Several city blocks away she sat and listened as Minister Urioq ranted and raved about the shocking deaths of two Council members, two who were political colleagues, two who were apparent cohorts in a tangled web of corruption and deceit. She had wanted to bring them all in to solidify her case against Ambassador Theen, but deep down she had held high hopes that it would prove his innocence. It was still painful to think the New Republic Ambassador, her long-time friend, could be in the middle of such erroneousness. She had triple checked all the gathered information herself, even having had her blue protocol droid confirm all the corroborating evidence. Droids are many things, she thought - not entirely confident in their place of society. But they don't run on emotions and desires like people, they are true to their programming.

"Madam Consular, the target is on the move," a young security officer informed as he noted the trace on his screen for her to see.

She had obtained the proper warrants, and had staked-out her mark and had placed a tracking device upon Minister Urioq's speeder. She had put in motion a plan to apprehend the man before he two was destroyed.

"Yelzara, we are ready," Amii'a informed by way of a secure comlink. The message was encrypted and sent to a special agent who sat by the minister's side. She had been placed under the guise that she was taking the minister into protective custody by order of the High Princess- as there was an apparent death list on key members of the Council.

Amii'a thought it was fitting, and not entirely untrue. After all, there was an apparent conspiracy to off those she was to apprehend, and the High Princess had ordered the likes of Minister Urioq into apprehension, Just not for the same reasons the Minister has been led to believe, she thought with some satisfaction. She was pleased with the plan, and did want to apprehend the man before he too could be killed, but she wanted to do so to bring him to justice and try to get to the bottom of all that had transpired.

"Alright people, the target is in motion," she said to her team. "Maintain positions and communications silence. When the traffic signals change, all agents move out."

Amii'a had arranged for the path to come to a stop, having among her entourage a government slicer who would remotely control the Minister's droid chauffeur and would change the traffic signals to stop all traffic at a four corner intersection on the ground level of the heart of New Plouton. The path was not preplanned, only Amii'a knew. She wanted to be cautious and didn't trust the information to not be leaked. Only she, Meer'esh and the High Princess were privy to the list of those political figures to be apprehended. Two had been taken out already.

She waited.

Waited.

The Minister's speeder approached. She silently instructed directions for his speeder by pointing to left and right turns for the slicer to command the droid driver. The intersection she had chosen, that she waited upon, was very near. She checked her other screen, her teams' positions were in motion, each being directed by a coordinator that took direction from Amii'a's droid. Only she and it new the route for the teams and the Minister's speeder, and where they all would meet.

"Here," she ordered verbally for the first time since she had called for communications silence. All teams stopped, the slicer changed the traffic signals to stop traffic on all levels. "GO!" she ordered, and she exited the hover van to converge upon the speeder with the rest of her team.

Exiting her vehicle she noted all team members that converged from every direction. It seemed a well choreographed operation, everything was in-place. Amii'a allowed herself a moment of satisfaction.

And then all hell broke out.

A deafening roar of explosion rocked the intersection. A wave of heat and a concussive blast knocked her back against the hover van. The world around her was silent and time seemed to slow to an eerie crawl as a maelstrom of thoughts and emotions flooded her mind. She hit the van with considerable force, the world around her quickly faded to black.

Her eyes fluttered opened, foggy and unfocused. Her mind was jumbled, her thoughts incoherent. Sounds came and went as her hearing struggled to process information to her brain, everything was chaos.

She thought for a moment that only a few seconds had passed. As she regained her senses and fought to place everything into order, she realized that more than a few seconds had transpired. Looking around, still blinking and still processing, she could see that her staging point had changed dramatically. Traffic was everywhere, emergency vehicles and crews were clearing debris, guiding traffic, maintaining traffic stops, and the smoldering wreckage of the Minister's speeder, what was left, was being extinguished.

"What the hell," she tried to say, her voice breaking and sticking into: uh-uh ell?!

"It was the Minister's speeder Consular," the robotic voice of her droid informed. "It seems to have self-destructed. You were harmed in the blast, but the medics assure me you have sustained no lasting damage to your body or programming."

Amii'a heard the droid's words, but didn't. She was too concerned about the Minister's demise, the agent that had escorted him, her failed objection to bring the man to justice, and having been undermined yet again.

She boiled from within, wanting to scream and curse, but her raging thoughts and emotions were dammed. All she could do was sit there and let the tears of frustration flow.

---

"Doing Stuff"
by Chun Li (currently Ivana Skonezcna) - PI, escort pilot

Location: In Hyperspace, en route to Commenor
Date: Selene 20, 5 ABY

***

Li was in her room, or the closet that was supposed to be her room. At least it was bigger then the room in her fighter, but space was still not unlimited on the Corellian corvette. As a freighter, most of the ship's space was for moving cargo, not for bunking crew members or passengers.

She sat on her bed reading the datapads she had downloaded from the police station, trying to figure out where on Commenor she had to be, and also what extra information she could get. Specially the financial information was useful, and certainly the account information. If one had a lot of accounts with banks on one planet, there was a high probability that he showed up on that planet at one time.

She spent a couple of hours going through all the information, making notes on another datapad, so she could find back the important stuff easily later on. While she had done this often enough, she still liked to stretch her legs from time to time, if the possibility existed. Now it did, so she stood up and walked to the almost empty cargo bay. There she had set up a small range for blaster practice. Reducing the power of the blaster so it couldn't do any real damage, she started her daily practice.

A couple of crew members joined in and it became a bit of a game. Li only had to let one of the gunners go before her, proving she could hold her own in a blaster fight. After the practice she put her blaster back on full power and walked back to her quarters to dig some more in the files she had stolen.

---

"Party Pooper"
By: Merrick Braston
Analesse D'vrishay
Reinrich Tas [NPC+]
Felicita Hes'ta

Location: Rondeau Hall - Yesdol, New Plouton
Date: Selene 20, 5 ABY

***

"Duke N'Beras! You're looking well this evening." Receiving a gracious wave from the Aqualish mogul, the starstruck reporter flashed his toothy grin at the holorecorder hovering before him to begin his introduction. "I'm Dack Fischler from 'TIN Scoop!' schmoozing with the celebrities outside of Rondeau Hall where we're gathered for a very special someone's Name Day--"

A very sharp, nearly giddy gasp swallowed the man's words as one of Tae'Karada's most popular entertainers came into view. The reporter scurried towards the fleeing musician, hollering his name. Having flagged his target down, the man turned on his smile and thrust a microphone under the musician's nose as he trotted alongside him. "Mr. Braston! How are you doing tonight? You look great!"

"I'm doing fantastic," Merrick Braston said, flashing a star's smile. "We're really looking forward to the party tonight, and what a night for it. I don't think we've had a night this great for quite awhile." He turned slightly to his side to Analesse and gave her hand, still nestled snuggly in his, a squeeze. "It's a perfect night."

Analesse refused comment, only smiling politely at the reporters, even as many shouted questions concerning their illicit affair, and the still unknown whereabouts of Merrick's wife. They were both well-acquainted with such questions, and had learned they were best ignored - it was the easiest way to avoid more controversy by accidentally saying the wrong thing.

Dazzling in their formal wear, Analesse and Merrick managed to finally clear the swarm of reporters and enter the hall. Doors barred the inquiring photographers and journalists from gaining entry, and from putting a damper on their evening.

"Wow," Analesse sighed, looking back for a moment to ensure they hadn't been followed. "They were pressing so close I thought I'd lose my dress."

"With this group," Merrick said as he looked around, "I don't think they would have noticed if you did. Would you like a drink? I think I see someone passing by over there with a tray."

Analesse nodded, and the two passed the foray into the ballroom. It was like so many of the social functions they'd attended together, with much of the same people, and music just as dull. Tawdry, flashy gowns abounded, the women encased within them nearly bursting through the seams and alluding not to their substantial girths, but to their vanity in believing their too-small dresses need not conform to their actual physical measurements. Analesse, on the other hand, was far more up to date with the current trends and well-acquainted with subtlety, if not absolutely subscribing to it that night.

Her willowy frame was perfectly fitted to the long dress, made of a black, iridescent material that displayed varying shades of purple, all deep and rich. Although strapless, her neckline was modest, though she flaunted far more flesh through a slit on the right side, one that continued beyond her thigh to the edge of the topmost hem, leaving a thick gap along her side that exposed the curve of her hip and the contour of one breast. The cleaved fabric was held together by a wide strip of diaphanous lace that concealed nothing; the other side of her dress was the same, only differing in that there was no slit, only a length of lace running straight from bottom hem to top. Just as much flesh peeked through. Analesse wore the dress well, appearing not in the least self-conscious about the alluring garment, for she wore it only for Merrick and no one else in the room.

Merrick picked two glasses from the tray of a passing server and handed one of the bubbling beverages to Analesse. "You know, one of these days we really should host one of these and show this set what real music is. I think I've heard this piece at every party we've been to, and age and repetition isn't improving it."

Analesse shrugged delicate, slender shoulders. "It's the house band. What do you expect from amateurs?" She sparkled when a smile curled her lips. "You thinking of getting up there and showing them how it's done?"

"It's my night to not be up there showing everyone how it's done," Merrick said with a chuckle. "I will thoroughly enjoy myself at your side, and endure the music. Besides, I don't think I would enjoy myself being away from you for that long."

Watching him alluringly from past the brim of her glass, Analesse chided, "Sweet-talker. Why bother trying? You know you'll be coming home with me tonight no matter what."

"Just saying it as I see it," Merrick said. "And, I like it when you look at me like that."

"Who says I'm looking at you in any way?" she asked coyly. Gaze shifting quickly towards one of the banquet tables, Analesse straightened alertly and lowered her glass. "It's Felicita. I need to speak with her...but I won't be long. You can get us something to eat, maybe?"

"Of course," Merrick said with a grin. "I just hope half the table isn't Chippin Delight again."

"So do we both," she answered with a gentle laugh. Pressing her lips to his cheek, Analesse whispered, "After we're seen for a while, we can leave. Kim has Aria all night, correct?"

"All night," Merrick confirmed. "She even said she could watch her all morning tomorrow if you wanted breakfast in bed."

"If? You know I do, so stop teasing." And planting another kiss to his cheek, she departed for the always ebullient Felicita Hes'tar.

A delighted, hooting laugh shook the plump woman, who had chosen a long, draping gown as opposed to the constricting numbers she normally selected. Analesse smiled to herself, wondering if the courteous suggestion concerning Felicita's choice in garments had been taken to heart by the elderly lady. It was amusing to, for once, advise her mentor.

Felicita had begun chatting away again to the small circle of aristocrats who only half-listened as their eyes quested about in search of other more influential attendees they could latch onto and fawn over for personal gain, as they were now doing with Felicita. For the time being, however, Felicita's tale provided an amusing break in the night's tedium and an opportunity to rub elbows with one of Tae'Karada's most powerful women; feigning laughter, they believed, was an effective way to curry her favour, even if it they had chosen an ill-timed moment in the story to express their false amusement. Analesse, however, knew Felicita Hes'Tar, understood that she was not impressed or affected by such contrived displays. In fact, the woman relished in keeping her audience literally captive with her elaborate stories, and making them absolutely miserable without giving away her true aim: to expose them for the absurd fools they truly were. She enjoyed it so much, Analesse was hesitant to intrude, but required a moment of her mentor's time. Waiting for the punchline of Felicita's humourous narration to be delivered, Analesse came up beside the older woman and requested a private chat. As the others forced chortles and summoned shrill titters, Felicita excused herself and walked off with Analesse. The gap her departure made in the circle was quickly closed up.

"My dear girl," Felicita was observing as they found a spot out of the way, "you are a vivacious one, aren't you? A ravishing outfit!" Leaning in, Felicita playfully asked, "May I borrow it one night? I dare say I would astound in that one!" Her clarion laughter rang through the hall, though little attention was drawn since many were accustomed to Felicita's raucous vocalizations and simply quaffed their liquored beverages to mitigate the painful ring in their ears. She chuckled lowly, then, and grinned mischievously up at Analesse. "I do enjoy tormenting them. If only they knew how that is the highlight of these dreadful evenings!"

"You're truly horrible, Felicita," Analesse teased fondly. "I don't know why you attend these parties if you hate them so. In fact, I wish you wouldn't. Your attendance is the only reason I come, otherwise I would gladly stay home."

Felicita watched her with an accusing eye as she chided, "Don't lie to me, my girl. You come for the boon to your status on this planet. If you didn't make an appearance here once in a while, you'd be nothing."

"And I'm something as it is?" Analesse shook her head, smiling wanly. "The White Noise's renovation is stalled indefinitely. I don't have the proper connections yet, Felicita. I don't know how to get out of this rut a certain someone's put me in."

"Reinrich again?" At Analesse's nod, Felicita sighed wearily. "That brat is certainly persistent, is he not? I'll go ahead and make a few calls."

Analesse took Felicita's hands and squeezed them in gratitude. "You know I wouldn't ask for your help if it wasn't absolutely necessary. I value your friendship more than I do your list of contacts."

"I know, my dear." Her small, yet pudgy hand patted Analesse's cheek. "Don't worry - let your wonderful, glorious, beautiful friend take care of this!" Cocking an eyebrow conspiratorially, Felicita confided, "Besides, if this project doesn't get completed, I'll never see you married to that adorable musician over there."

Blush wholly visible while spreading over her creamy flesh, Analesse smiled demurely. "I don't think it's anywhere near that yet. He has an ex-wife to put in the back of his mind, and only time - a lot of it! - will accomplish that."

"That," Felicita quipped, "or this dress of yours." As Analesse chuckled quietly, Felicita's eye caught an intriguing scene playing out across the way. She clucked her tongue disapprovingly and nodded past Analesse's shoulder. "It seems you're needed, dear girl, and in a hurry."

Analesse looked back and gasped softly at the situation escalating quickly behind her. She was already backing away when she returned her attention to Felicita. "I'm sorry...I need to--"

"Don't you worry about it," she assured her. "I'll take care of your little problem. You go and handle this, darling!" Her shooing gesture was entirely unnecessary, for Analesse barely had time to wave before she was off hurrying through the maze of socialites, hoping to prevent another embarrassing incident.

***

Merrick took his time strolling around the food table, filling a plate with tasty morsels that he knew Analesse would like. He passed over a plate of Chippen Surprise, and added a few stuffed Bespin olives, before moving along to where he thought he saw a plate of beebleberry tarts. Lessa would laugh at him for sure, but he knew she would appreciate the effort. He hummed to himself as he moved off to pick up some napkins and another drink.

His food hunt, however, was impeded by a solid body clad in black tuxedo and standing within his path. A wistful sigh preceded the man's smug chuckle, and his statement: "I love it when she's not afraid to expose her assets. Sure, it's bad for business, but not for my own gratification."

"Reinrich Tas," Merrick said with a forced smile. "Why whatever are you doing here?"

"This is a party for the elite," he explained superciliously, "and I'm one of them...which would lead me to ask what you're doing here?"

"I'm here for the stuffed olives," Merrick answered. "Oh, and I guess someone thought I was one of the elite too. You should try one of the olives, Reinrich, they're quite tasty."

"No thanks," he declined. His smile was voracious as his eyes continued to travel up and down Analesse's figure. "I have...tastes of a different kind. Though, so does she." He shifted his gaze to Merrick. "Has she opened her legs for you yet?"

"Actually, Reinrich, we're still at the holding hands stage," Merrick said as he followed the man's gaze. "I mean, we only just got out of the part where I'd pull her hair and she'd kick my shin, and then we'd accuse each other of having cooties. If you won't have the olives, maybe you'd prefer one of those sausages there."

His grin broadened with disgusting arrogance. "Those are more her taste...at least they were that night in the back of my limo. Say, Braston," Reinrich asked, his innocent curiousity feigned, "does she still have that birth mark on her inner thigh?" A deep chuckle filled with lusty mirth shook him. "Oh does she enjoy having it kissed...you should try sometime, pretty boy."

"Reinrich, what exactly are you trying to do here," Merrick asked, turning to face the man fully. "I get the feeling you're trying to get under my skin and make me angry. If that's the case, then you're not succeeding. Whatever you and Analesse had in the past is in the past, and will only affect the present if you continue to push it. Now, do you have anything else you need to say to me, or can I finish with this and return to my date?"

"Of course," Reinrich allowed, but before stepping out of Merrick's path, he said, "though do ask her why she hasn't mentioned her past to you" --he smirked-- "if you can call last month her 'past'."

Merrick blinked slowly. "Do we want to go see what Lessa has to say, Reinrich?" Merrick half turned. He stopped one of the servers who was carrying a plate of refreshments out onto the floor. "Excuse me, the woman there, could you ask her to come see me at the tables here? It's very important."

The server followed Merrick's brief head gesture, identified Analesse, then bowed before leaving to carry out his task. Reinrich, meanwhile, remained smiling. "Ask her all you want - you believe she'll admit the truth? She's a great bluffer. If you truly knew her that well, you'd know that." He paused, studying Merrick with mild amusement. "But then, you really know nothing about her, do you? Not even the husband she abandoned on her homeworld? Sure, he slapped her around once in a while, but that's no reason to break the guy's heart, is it?"

"That's not my place to say," Merrick said with a smile. He took a step closer. "You know nothing about me, do you? My history, what I've left in the past? All you're doing is trying to get me upset so you have a chance to get at her. You know, even if there were truth to what you're saying, I still wouldn't turn my back on her. I'm guessing you're hoping that if I'm out of the picture, you can sleaze your way in to try to woo her into your bed. Like that dress she's wearing? Pretty scandalous, isn't it? And, I'll give you one guess who she'll be going home with tonight."

Reinrich's conceited smile took on a fierceness as the men stared one another down. "And I'll give you one guess how many times she's barely avoided screaming out my name instead of yours."

"Merrick?" Analesse cautiously laid a hand on his shoulder, glancing between both men with complete bewilderment. "What's going on?"

"Reinrich is trying to make it so I don't have a good time at this party," Merrick said as he turned to Analesse. "He claims that you were unfaithful to me, with him. Just a month ago. Oh, and he claims that you have some difficulty in not screaming out his name instead of mine. And, you're a great bluffer, and that I would know that if I truly knew you. Was that it, Reinrich, or was there more?"

"Oh, there's plenty more," he drawled. Only Analesse saw it, but Reinrich puckered his lips, miming a kiss for his proclaimed lover. She looked away quickly. "Don't listen to him," she urged Merrick, though Analesse had begun trembling visibly. Was it rage over Reinrich's lies or panic over her infidelity being discovered? "Let's just go, Merrick. Reinrich's toying with you to avoid boredom."

"You say much the same thing when you show up at my place late at night for some excitement." Reinrich grinning hungrily.

"Shut up," Analesse hissed. "Just be quiet."

"Why? Afraid he'll believe the truth?"

"Reinrich," Merrick said without any hint of a smile, "I suggest you give up on this fantasy of yours. It's not healthy, and it's liable to get you hurt. I would question the sanity of anyone who would ever consider engaging you in any sort of bedsport. You have all the charms of a Hutt after a mud bath and considering you couldn't even move the butter dish as you were slavering over Analesse in her dress, you really can't have much going for you down there to interest a woman. Now, you've had your fun, I suggest you drop it there and move on with your life. Let's go, Lessa. The music at this party is beginning to hurt my ears."

She nodded unsteadily, and while Merrick turned away from Reinrich to escort her from the party, Analesse remained fixed to Reinrich's smarmy grin and predatory stare. It was undeniable that he was up to something...but Analesse had no idea what, aside from the sabotage of the White Noise's renovations. Not yet, at least.

Although his verbal assault seemed to have ended as they started off, Reinrich felt it necessary to land another blow, reminding Merrick, "Just ask her! Ask her how I know about the birthmark." A low chuckle followed.

Analesse gripped Merrick's hand, urging him not to turn around or respond, not with Reinrich's comments having gained the attention of many in the room. "What is he talking about?" she murmured.

"He knows about your birthmark, and that you like to be kissed there," Merrick answered as softly as he could. "He claims that you had sex with him in his limo a month ago. He claimed you left a husband behind on your homeworld, and that I could expect the same when you got bored of me, or that was the implication."

Analesse's face paled visibly and thin frame began trembling once again. "He said that?" Her voice was slightly breathless. "And do you believe him?"

"He does seem to know a lot of personal information about you, Analesse," Merrick said. "I don't want to believe it, but he seems to have a lot of private, specific information."

In the semi-seclusion of the foray, Analesse tore her hand free of Merrick's and rounded on him. She was far more devastated than angry. "I told you I'd never been with him. I can't explain how he knows what he knows...but nothing he said is true. What kind of woman do you think I am, Merrick, to believe that I'd had sex with another man - in the back of a limo, of all places! - while we were together. Please tell me you're not serious."

"He found out somehow, Analesse," Merrick said. "Somehow, he's come by the information, and that's what scares me. There are men who are complete slime, yet have all sorts of charm and could woo a woman into their bed. Reinrich Tas has no charm, and I couldn't imagine him ever succeeding at seducing anyone with half a brain." He shook his head. "I don't believe him, Analesse. After the time we've been together, everything we've gone through and everything we've shared, I could never believe that of you. But, somehow, despite all of that, he does know things. Once we're out of here, I'm going to contact Zale's people. I think they might be able to help."

"Just forget it," Analesse told him somberly. "He knows about a birthmark - it doesn't matter. What does is that you almost believed him. I'm not Kaysa, Merrick," she informed him harshly. "If you wanted a promiscuous mad-woman, you should have stayed with her."

"Does it bother you that he knows about your birthmark," Merrick asked. "What about the husband? I stood up for you against him, and now here you are taking me down. He knows things about you that a man like him shouldn't know, and you just shrug it off and tell me to forget it as well. I don't believe what he's said of you, Lessa, but it does concern me that he knows and that you're handling it this way. And, that I'm suddenly the bad guy."

"I'm not mad at you," she relented, again reaching for his hand. "I just don't think we should give Reinrich what he wants. Why would he say all he's said if he didn't want us to be bothered by it? He just hopes we'll divert our focus from the White Noise project to this so he can finally slip in and steal it out from under us. It's what he's wanted throughout all of this! So...just let it be, Merrick."

"It's not all he's wanted," Merrick answered. "And, he's not going to go away. He's not going to stop at this, Lessa. What if next time he pulls this, he's got some other intimate detail of your life to throw in my face? At what point does the very detailed knowledge he possesses about your life and your body become an issue for you? What if he's somehow managing to spy on us while we make love? Doesn't that bother you?"

"Of course," she insisted, quickly dropping her voice to a whisper as a passerby inquisitively watched them. "We can take measures to prevent espionage if that's what's happened, but I'd rather we didn't devote too much of our attention to this. Reinrich Tas is easily dealt with, if you just leave it to me."

"After this today, no," Merrick said. "If there's going to be any dealing with him, I want to be in on it. For what he's trying to do to us, I want to see his face when it happens."

Analesse looked away to collect her quickly fleeting patience, then returned her gaze to Merrick. With a cleansing deep breath, she nodded. "Alright...but if I tell you to drop it, will you?"

"I won't drop it as long as that bastard is invading my privacy and my life with you," Merrick said. "If he wants to get in our way, he'd better be prepared for the consequences."

Refraining from an answer, Analesse sighed gently and managed a smile. "Let's just go home right now and see if we can salvage any portion of this night."

"Of course," Merrick said. "At least Kim's still watching Aria for the day."

"At least," Analesse echoed, knowing there was no chance of finding joy again that night, but as they stepped out of the building to again be assailed by questions and followed doggedly by holocameras, Analesse mustered a dazzling smile to appear for all the world like nothing in the universe was at all amiss. How horribly different reality was.

---

"Artfully Unconvincing"
By: Yelara Zaneth
Meer'esh

Location: Royal Palace of Arcadia
Date: Selene 20, 5 ABY

***

It was the end of another long, tedious council session where much was said, but absolutely nothing resolved. Yelara was convinced they preferred listening to their own voices over considering the welfare of Tae'Karada. Disillusioned, frustrated, and filled with longing for Liam's return, Yelara was prepared to quit the palace and seek seclusion in the city. Meer'esh's troubling behaviour only fueled the urge.

While he had been docile after her harsh words to him, now he had fully recovered his backbone and was far worse than previously. No longer timid, he was becoming more outspoken during the council meetings, and increasingly aggressive in his advances behind closed doors. Yelara had now resorted to sleeping with her bedchamber door locked, knowing Meer'esh remained through the night in her chambers, rather than retiring to his own. He was there during the day as well, watching her at every moment and forbidding her from wandering about the palace and interacting with anyone. Yet, Yelara's defiance refused to be quashed.

She'd demanded he not attend the council meetings, and recommended he sleep in his own quarters - when he refused, she made a point of ridiculing him publicly, forcing him to carry the train of her gown through the halls of the palace, or polishing a spot on her shoe in a crowded courtyard. It wasn't anger that blazed in his eyes whenever performing these menial, degrading tasks, however; they implored her with a sadness that nearly shattered her resolve each time, but the incomprehensibility of what had caused his sudden change in demeanour puzzled Yelara enough to ignore his pleas. Was it possessiveness that made him overbearing, or was his true personality finally exposing itself, one that gave Yelara doubt over his professed affection for her? No matter the cause, Yelara despised him.

Now, Yelara picked up her skirts and hurried through her chamber door, hoping to fasten it shut before Meer'esh could invite himself in. He snaked himself through before it could seal, and snatched Yelara's hand away from the panel. The other swiped at his face, but Meer'esh caught her wrist and drew her forward into a constrictive embrace.

"No, don't," she rasped, turning her cheek to intercept what she suspected was an intended kiss.

Meer'esh sighed lamentably. "I am not forcing you, Yelara. I am wanting you to be calm. There are things you must be knowing...dangerous things."

"I already know everything!" Eyes now violet slits exuding venomous spite, Yelara twisted and strained against Meer'esh's hold. "You're cruel, and hateful, and you disgust me. I don't know who you are! I never did! You've lied to me about everything!"

His arms held fast to Yelara, despite the beaded embellishments on Yelara's dress scraping the flesh of his inner arms as she thrashed. "I was wanting to tell you everything," he said gently, inured to the pain after years of subjugation and ill-treatment. "Let me...be explaining some things, Yelara. I am not wanting to harm you."

Feeling his arms loosen their grip, Yelara shoved herself away, pushing off his chest. She placed as much distance between them as she could manage in that short moment of freedom. Meer'esh raised his hands before him innocuously, hoping to assure her he meant what he had said, and to keep her from bolting. The skepticism and uncertainty warred with compassion for the once soft-spoken, gentle man she'd met outside a café one summer morning. She yearned for his return, and hoped displaying some tenderness would coax that man out of him.

Her expression softened, and although hesitant Yelara closed the distance between them to take his hands into her own. There was surprise in the pale violet of his eyes, and a sorrow that ran deep, obviously having resided there for longer than that very moment. It wasn't the first time she'd witnessed it, but Meer'esh refused to speak on that subject, though now it was of minimal importance compared to his erratic behaviour. "Meer'esh," she whispered, "what's happened to you? What's changed?"

"You should not have been letting that Jedi in here," he told her in despair. "If he wasn't filling your head with...thoughts and ideas everything would be easy now. There would not be concern."

"Concern for what?" she asked softly. "Liam and I...we're not more than friends, not any longer. You don't have to worry--"

Meer'esh shook his head firmly. "This is not being about my jealousy, Yelara! It is his influence that is bringing worry. You are making decisions they are not liking. That is why you must be listening to me!"

"What are you talking about?" she asked in complete exasperation. "Who are 'they'? The council?"

"I can't. I am not to be saying anything more, but you must be listening to me, to do what I am telling you." He looked away, finding frustration with his limited knowledge of basic, which was creating an inability to speak plainly without divulging too much, though he wanted more than anything to tell Yelara everything. "Just know, Yelara," he said quietly, "that there is being more here than you can see. You must be trusting no one but me." Now he held her puzzled gaze in the snare of his entrancing lilac eyes and cupped her face in trembling, pale hands. "Yelara...I am protecting you. I am wishing I could be telling you everything, but you would be in danger if I did." Her mouth opened to ask for details, but he shook his head. "Just follow my directions, Yelara, and you will be safe. As long as they can be using you, you are okay. Otherwise, I cannot be protecting you."

"From who?" she demanded. "Meer'esh, who! Who is doing this!?"

"No," he whispered, the remorse clear. "It is being better if you don't know. Please...do not be fighting me in public, in plain sight of them. They will think I cannot be controlling you."

"You can't," she informed him with a wry, faint smile. "I can't just ignore what I know is right to please whoever it is manipulating you, Meer'esh. I won't be a mindless figurehead - my conscience won't allow it. I'm High Princess, and I'll do what I believe is right, whether you and your friends like it or not!"

"Yelara," he pleaded, but she'd snatched her hands a