"Deep Despair"
by Raeila Mullerin
Ferrig Mullerin
and Various Feltreys [NPC]

Location: Yallder District, New Plouton and Thanatos
Date: Niothe 21, 4ABY

***

"That's fifty creds. I raised the price since you came inside me after I told you not to."

Raeila leaned over and pulled up the pants bunched around her ankles and refastened them. Her shirt fell down on its own once the man's hands were removed, which almost urged her to ask him for another ten credits in remuneration for breaking yet another rule she'd laid down: Her breasts were off-limit. She figured he'd barely be able to come up with the fifty alone, so she didn't bother to ask at all.

The man groped in his pocket for the right amount of creds, which produced an impatient sigh from Raeila. She pressed her back to the wall of the building and gazed up and down the alleyway for any sign of Imp patrols. It was past curfew and she had no identicard. If they were caught, she'd be spending an evening in an Imperial stockade, which was probably much more comfortable than the apartment she'd rented. At least the Imps would provide her with a bed to sleep on.

"Look, do you or do you not have the creds? I knew I should have asked for them up front," Raeila said, shaking her head.

"I've got it, alright?" the man spat. "Just hold the fuck on. You're in no position to demand anything from me, whore."

"Hey!" Raeila stiffened abruptly and took a step towards the man. "You didn't seem to have a problem with that when you were sticking your dick in me. Now pay up and shut up!"

His blue eyes collected the darkness from the alleyway and seemed to transform them to black. He jerked his hands from his pockets, spilling the creds onto the ground and splashing the murky puddles. "You bitch," he rasped.

Raeila squealed as her body was thrust against the ferrocrete wall. Her head flung back and dashed against the dense surface, cutting off her cry. The man's strong hands closed around her arms and shook her vigorously, causing her head to flop back and forth as if her neck lacked support of any kind. She shrieked and tried to shrug her arms free of his grip, but he only tightened his hold.

"You slut! You bitch! I'll put you in your place. Woman, you'll know where your place is soon enough."

The man shoved Raeila onto the ground and as her body smacked against the hard surface, she swore he'd broken at least one bone with the force of his throw. She groaned and blinked away the splatter of glittering stars in her eyes, only to see and feel her customer-turned-attacker flatten himself along the length of her form. This infused her with a renewed vigour and the will to fight, no matter how futile she knew it was.

"Get off. Get off!" Raeila thrashed wildly, or at least that's what she was attempting to do, but her efforts were dampened by the weight of the man upon her. His grubby hands disappeared between them and she felt them groping for her zipper. She screamed and clawed at his face with her fingernails. He bellowed with rage and broke his fist across her jaw once, then twice to subdue her. Raeila choked on a lethargic groan and desisted her struggles. She could either let him have her, or die. The choice would have been simple at any other time in her life, but now, she wasn't certain which one she wanted more.

Her stubborn zipper seemed to frustrate the man, who finally resorted to tearing at the thin fabric to get her pants open. He wrenched them down her legs, then thrust his already freed cock into her roughly. She no longer had the will or the strength to vocally express the pain she felt and instead whimpered quietly in submission. The man's grunts sickened her, as did his breath upon her face and his hands upon her breasts. Once again, she noted how that would cost extra, but the time to mention that had long passed and ceased to be at all important.

By the time he had cried out with his climax, Raeila was numb with pain and utterly exhausted. He pulled out of her with little care and wiped himself clean on the tail of her cloak. "That, sweetheart," he whispered contemptuously, "is how it's supposed to be." He got to his feet and with a laugh, jammed his foot into her stomach. Raeila coughed violently and curled in on herself, cradling her abdomen. The pain was so all encompassing that she vaguely heard the man's zipper going up and his footsteps trailing out of the alleyway.

Defiled, cold, and alone, Raeila wept convulsively and shook with the residual pain coursing through her battered body. Her trembling hands eased her sullied and torn pants up, then wrapped her cloak tightly around her. The blood in her mouth choked her more than her tears, and the water of the puddle she was lying in chilled her to the very marrow of her bones. At least he'd left behind his fallen creds; she could collect them later and make up for an otherwise disastrous night. But later, not now. When she could move without sharp pain shooting through her body, she'd consider it. Until then, Raeila decided to lie curled up in her puddle and weep for the sake of weeping.

***

The crack of fist against flesh felt wonderful. With each punch Ferrig Mullerin threw, it felt like he was growing stronger. One of the Sand Razors charged and was quickly sent face first into the sand by a quick jab to the throat followed by a spinning chop. Ferrig let out a whooping cry that was echoed by his gang mates. They were winning this fight, and soon they would control Razor territory too. No one would be able to stand against Ferrig and the Feltreys.

He kicked the feet out from another Razor and sent the youth sprawling before bringing a heavy boot down on his throat. The sickening crunch that followed invigourated him. He was invincible.

And, then the touch of melancholy hit. He wouldn't be able to share this victory with Raeila. He'd never be able to share anything with Raeila again. She'd left the desert according to his boys. They'd seen her catch a speeder out with some Wetter scum. She'd flashed some thigh and a big smile, and she was gone.

A fist smashing against his jaw jarred Ferrig from his memories. He tried to steady himself, but his body was whipping around too fast. The sand reached up to claim him. A boot crashed into his stomach, and another swept his feet out from under him. Ferrig heard a cry of pain and knew it to be his own.

Pain blossomed all over his body as feet and fist lay into him. One, aimed at his face would have ended his life if a burst of adrenalin hadn't shot through this body. He brought his hands up and caught the foot. He twisted hard, and sent the body crashing into his comrades.

Ferrig struggled to his feet, taking a few more hits to face, stomach, and legs as he did. One shot nearly caught his groin, but a quick twist of his thigh had deflected the blow into a less vital area. He could feel blood on his head, and his strength was waning. They had to take the Razors though.

A look around the sand told him the Feltreys were scattered. Chaos had them all in its grip, and it was about shake them loose to see where fate may take them. Ferrig was about to cry out, to bring them back and regroup, when the breath was suddenly stolen from his lungs. Pain flared in his back, and the force of the blow threw him forward. He was just glad it was a club and whoever hit him hadn't just severed his spine.

He felt a boot slam up between his thighs, and pain filled him to the point where Ferrig thought he would throw up. He cried out as the kicking didn't stop. Somewhere distant, he heard a voice telling him that Feltrey territory would now belong to the Razors.

Raeila, Ferrig thought weakly. Oh gods, Raeila...

***

The streets of New Plouton seemed far more harsh than those of Thanatos. She felt safer there in the complete darkness of night than she did now with the street lamps raining light down upon her. It made her feel like a target for the other thugs and misogynists roaming the streets. Her right ankle throbbed worse with every step she took, and to alleviate the pain, she hobbled like a cripple the rest of the way to her apartment. She would need to examine it later, but she attributed the discomfort to a sprain and thankfully not a broken bone. Her ribs, however, felt worse off. Every breath brought with it a sharp stab of pain, and every wince it induced triggered more pain from her sore face. All in all, no part of her body seemed to have been spared from her beating.

New Plouton was so much more different from Thanatos and in some ways, far less civilized. She was respected there, even though she was a woman. The Feltreys looked to her for leadership as they did Ferrig, but in New Plouton, she was nothing more than a sculpted mass of soft flesh with breasts to grope and an opening into which men could stick their cocks for some fleeting moments of pleasure. She'd never felt that way before until she arrived on these streets, and especially not until that bastard brutalized her.

In Thanatos, no one dared lay an aggressive finger on her, not without fear of retaliation from the Feltreys. Ferrig would have made certain any who touched her suffered gravely. But Ferrig wasn't here to protect her anymore. She'd left him behind as she did Thanatos, and for what? She still hadn't found Kael and in a city this large, she might never. So what was the point, then? At the moment, she found none.

Stupidity and immaturity had driven her to storm out of Thanatos without a second thought. Cruelty and foolishness had made her turn her back on her own brother, the one person who had always loved her and taken care of her. She'd betrayed him, and would continue to add to that betrayal each day she spent walking upon Wetter territory. But her stubborn pride prevented her from returning and admitting he was right and that she deserved every harsh word he had thrown at her. She was a foolish, impulsive child who gave no forethought to any action she took, and had always been that way.

Ferrig had managed to keep her under control for a time, but Kael's return, and his proposal let loose her wild spirit like a dog breaking free of its leash. Ferrig hadn't had the power to control her after that, not when dreams of going to New Plouton and rushing into Kael's arms flooded her head. Unfulfilled dreams now, with no hope of ever taking on physical form. That left her only with regret, isolation, and a shooting pain in her stomach that left her wanting to vomit. Not a very good start to her new life indeed.

Raeila limped up the creaking staircase and made it to her room, soaking wet and with dried blood staining her white outfit - her wetter outfit, as Ferrig had called it. She knew now that his anger that day had not been entirely that. It had components of pain and agonizing betrayal mixed in, and he'd lashed out at her only because of the utter helplessness he felt.

As she stared at her bloodied lip in the mirror and the purple bruises already spreading along her jaw, she sobbed and looked down at the stream of water falling into the sink. She'd given up everything for this damp place where hopes and desires were washed away with the flooding rains. And all of it for Kael who was not even there to mend her wounds and comfort her in his embrace. In a place as desolate as the desert she felt less alone than she did here. How was that possible? Raeila chuckled bitterly as the answer quickly came to her. It was because she didn't have Ferrig or even Kael to fill that solitude with their love for her.

Raeila moved sluggishly into the small, four-walled room that had become her cell and wilted onto the blanket that served as her bed. She had no idea where she would go from here, if there was anyplace left to go. She'd abandoned everything when she left Thanatos, and New Plouton provided her with nothing to replace it all with, aside from anguish and humiliation.

All at once, Raeila felt much older than her eighteen years, and so damned tired. Sleep would come after she'd worn herself out crying, and she wondered whether she should even bother waking up. The chance that she could catch a glimpse of Kael lent her some hope, but not enough to negate the despair that came with knowing she might never see Ferrig again. That left little to go on, even less to live for. In the morning, she'd decide if struggling on was worth it, but for now, she would allow herself her precious few moments of self-pity.

***

Despair. The sensation was so completely new and alien to him that Ferrig Mullerin thought that perhaps the emotions he was feeling were not his own. Perhaps he had somehow developed telepathy and could feel someone else's emotions. Or perhaps it was a trick of that bitch, Purple.

He forced his eyes open, and it was still there. Deep despair.

"The Feltreys are mine," a voice from above rasped. "And, Ferrig will be my slave from now on. On your feet, slave!"

The boot caught Ferrig in his ribs, and he felt something crack under the blow. He coughed violently into the sand, and the pain nearly knocked him unconscious. But, he did struggle to his feet. As he did, the flecks of blood, his blood, on the sand told him things were bad.

Ferrig was about to supplicate himself before his new master, when a cry rose up from behind him. It was a voice he recognized. Suddenly, he was forgotten as the Razor leader burst past to meet the new charge.

He flopped back to the sand, but at such an angle that he could see what was happening. Pack was there, with more Feltreys. And, they were laying into the Razors like they were just piles of sand. Ferrig wanted to call out, to tell Pack it wasn't worth it anymore. Why bother going on? They were beaten, and empty. The Feltreys had no more love.

He had no more love. Raeila was gone, and without Rae at his side, what was the point? There would only be pain and suffering. Empty suffering with no one to clean the wounds, to make the pain go away.

The Razor leader charged straight at Pack, but Ferrig's young First -- a change Ferrig made during his rage after Raeila's departure -- ducked under the club trying to cave in his skull, and sent a fist into the gang leader's stomach. He followed it up with another fist into a point just below his ribs. The boy doubled over and dropped to his knees. In a fluid movement, Pack was upright again, and jammed an elbow down into the Razor's spine. Even in his pained state, the subsequent crack sent a shudder through Ferrig. That could have been him.

As Pack moved on to his next target, Ferrig sighed. That could have been him too, but it didn't matter anymore anyway. Nothing mattered anymore.

***

"Ferrig?!"

Raeila bolted upright and panted heavily as her eyes darted around the darkened room. A cold sweat beaded on her forehead and trickled down the side of her face. That brought back far too many memories of days spent under the scorching Thanatos sun when your body's moisture was melted away by the heat. Even completely unrelated things - certain smells, and sounds - induced thoughts of home, of Ferrig. She'd dreamed about him now, arms outspread and calling her name, but no voice came from his lips. She didn't hesitate to run towards him, but before they could embrace, he withered to dust and his remains scattered on the breeze, away from her, away from her reach. That's when she woke up screaming his name and trembling violently.

She placed her face into her hands and paused to calm her breathing, but with every inhalation, her bruised ribs were aggravated and the pain worsened. At least it detracted somewhat from the memories of her brother, which only managed to trigger a deeper pain that no amount of mending could heal. She wondered, then, if he was suffering as much as she was. She hoped not. He didn't deserve it, not for actions that were instigated solely by her. Ferrig would never forgive her, but it only made sense, for she would never forgive herself.

Favouring her right ankle, Raeila rose from the grimy, tacky floor and shifted across the room like an apparition, merging with the shadows and given form again as she passed under the light from the street lamps angling in through the window. She looked out through the small, square opening and watched two Imperial soldiers patrolling. The streets were empty now, just as they were in Thanatos at this time of night. Raeila chuckled bitterly. Once again, memories were elicited by a scene that would have otherwise been completely unconnected with her home if she didn't miss it so dearly.

She was grasping for anything that would remind her of Thanatos, of Ferrig, no matter how much anguish it brought her. None of these sights or smells, however, were a comforting replacement for the genuine thing, which she might never have again.

Raeila shrieked in frustration and slammed her hand against the wall before slumping to the ground, sobbing. "Ferrig... Ferrig!"

She rocked herself compulsively and rhythmically, but the motions weren't as soothing as she had intended them to be. She refused to be placated and comforted. Ferrig was supposed to do that, he was the one who always quelled her fears and lifted her gloom. That, she would have to do on her own now, but she had no idea how.

Without Ferrig, she realized she was lost in the hopelessness and confusion this new, pretentiously civilized land drowned her in, just like their vast canals and torrential rains did to their cities. She could have been queen in Thanatos, now she was nothing, forgotten among the thousands of nameless, nondescript faces bustling through the streets day and night. She wondered if Ferrig had even noticed she was gone. If he did, for his sake she hoped he didn't give it a second thought; for her sake too and peace of mind, if there was any to be had.

Raeila rested her forehead upon her drawn up knees and wept tortured tears. She could afford to now, for there was water aplenty in her new home that was nowhere near a home to her, and a few tears would be no waste. Still, she collected a puddle of the salty solution in the palm of her hand. When she became too tired to cry, she could raise her hand to the wind and let it sprinkle the droplets across the vast distance to the desert so that even the skies would weep for Ferrig, so that at least someone would be weeping for her.

***

Broken and battered, that's how he felt. Ferrig gazed up at the ceiling as several Feltreys gently lowered him onto his bed. He coughed once, sending a jolt of pain through his chest that radiated out to his fingertips and toes. He wished he were dead. It would be so much easier. All the pain would go away. All the loss.

"We lost twelve," Pack said from the doorway. "Three are missing, and fifteen including you are injured. We're stung, but we'll survive."

Ferrig would have nodded if he could. Instead, he just stared. How could they survive from this? He didn't have the will to continue. Pack was still deferring to him. The Feltreys were lost. Ferrig was lost. Raeila was lost.

"Just go," Ferrig whispered. "I'm going--" He gasped in pain. "Sleep now. If I'm lucky...I won't wake."

Pack shook his head and sighed. "I'll have Rayna come in to check your wounds. We'll make it through this, Ferrig. You'll see. We'll make it."

Ferrig would have laughed if he didn't think it would hurt so much. Instead, he blinked. Once Pack was gone, he closed his eyes and tried to block it all out.

The visions haunted him though. Sleep would be a long time in coming, and recovery... Maybe someday he would recover. And, then he'd know that he had truly offended the gods if they forced him to live through this. As he forced himself to a slow calm, he prayed to Thana for a quick death. That was the best way to go. And, then the pain would go away. Death would be a relief.

A tear trickled down his cheek as the vision of Raeila hovered in front of his eyes. As long as she was safe, he could die and everything would be good again.

---

"So Little Time"
by Dargus Kandran

Location: Dargus' Suite, Drogen Shipyards
Date: Niothe 21, 4ABY

***

With the long robe covering his body as he stretched out on the bed, Dargus Kandran couldn't remember a time when he'd felt more alive and invigourated. The garment was made of a black silk and caressed his skin like a pair of talented hands. The droid that had handed him the robe rolled away, and he sat up to observe his room.

It was different than the apartment he'd taken on the planet below. It was elegantly decorated with thick rugs covering the floor and paintings on the walls. The fabrics on furniture was soft and smooth, and delighted the senses to touch it. Though, the room would not have been the same without Tiala here. She was a beautiful dream, and she would only be surpassed when he had either Yelara or Maeren as his slaves. Oh, to be able to pacify them and make them serve him willingly. Though, part of Yelara's attraction was her fire.

He had a feeling with the boy on the planet doing his work for him, Maeren would already be quite passive when he got his hands on her again. This time, he would not let her go. She served far too well, too eagerly. He appreciated that devotion in a slave.

The boy would need to be rewarded obviously, and it was an easy choice to determine what to give him. And, the gift would have two-fold benefits. The kid would get what he wanted, and it would be a valuable test for that part of the facilities. Tia Am assured him that the primary cloning facilities were ready and only required the genetic materials from which to start. All that required testing now was the growth accelerators and the engram injectors. Both he had been assured were ready, but required only a test subject.

Dargus smiled at the thought of how much the boy wanted to grow up.

He moved across the room to gaze out the large window overlooking the planet below. He could feel the weight of the small stone around his neck. It was a small chunk from the destroyed world of Alderaan, and had once adorned the delicate throat of Elisia Melouet. He clasped his hands behind his back as he reviewed Elisia's final moments, with her fiancé on the planet below. He'd known that Kylas would track the girl down. He had known that Kylas would try to free her. And, he had known that her desire for revenge on Kace Mordin would keep her from fleeing.

Dargus smiled as he remembered the surprise in their eyes as he stepped through the door. The surprise as Kylas ignited his lightsaber and charged with a bloodthirsty cry that could only have been fed from the dark side. But, Kylas was blinded by his rage and need for revenge. His emotions had made him careless, and that carelessness had been a valuable weakness to exploit.

Kylas had died well, fighting to the last. Elisia had been another story however. She had begged for the life of her child. Had the child been his own, Dargus might have spared her. But, she carried Kylas' child within her womb, and that had sealed her fate.

Elisia had outlived her usefulness to him, and he could sense that she would never submit to him fully. Kylas was a child playing at a man's game. But, at least he had fought well. Dargus would remember him for that. He would remember too Elisia's cries as he took her repeatedly, and then at the very end when he had finally ended her pain.

The thoughts would always turn his lips up in a smile. Much like they did at thoughts of Yelara being closer in his grasp. It would be so much easier to grab her while she was away from Liam and the rest of the Jedi. She was protected only by Jae Dyn on Corellia, and he knew ways to get to Jae Dyn.

He had been alerted as soon as the Scarlet Kestrel lifted off from the spaceport. He had immediately dispatched a ship to follow it. And, now he had both women, and the two infants they had with them, under close observation. From descriptions, he believed Yelara's child to be Liam's. Jae Dyn however... A daughter.

In any event, he would have them both soon enough. And, perhaps, with the children of Jedi, he would find the pattern for his army.

Dargus smiled as he turned to face the young man strapped to the chair. He ran a hand along a scarred cheek and laughed softly. "I hope you enjoyed the show," he said. "And, don't worry. Tiala hasn't forgotten about you. I imagine she'll satisfy you much better than that blonde bitch ever could."

With that, Dargus turned away to approach the refresher. He had much to do today, and so little time to accomplish it all. As he closed the door, he decided he would check in on Shrezade Anoran today. He didn't want to let that little project fall away.

So little time, he thought as he disappeared into the shower. So very little time.

---

"Rebellious Spirits, Part 1"
By: Kallia Brael
Yelara Zaneth
Gel [NPC]

Location: Corellia
Date: Niothe 21, 4 ABY

***

The fragrance of freshly bloomed flowers was at once smothering and euphoric. Once the initial runny noses and stinging eyes passed, the walk through the valley became as idyllic as Yelara had imagined it could be. She was grateful for the time Orinth had given she and Kallia alone; she trusted him implicitly with the children and besides, they absolutely adored him.

She reminded herself to commend Kallia on her suggestion in purchasing some simple, airy dresses in place of their leather. With the heat of today, they would have melted.

The swaying flower stalks brushed against their bare ankles and the breeze tickled their naked arms, causing Yelara to giggle only slightly. She squeezed Kallia's hand as they walked, and kissed her tenderly upon the cheek. "It's nice here, isn't it? We should have a picnic here one day soon, while it's still warm. I only hope Leshie doesn't have any allergies...or Liam, for that matter."

"It's very nice," Kallia said softly. "It's a beautiful planet, and I'm so glad to be able to share it with you. And, we should do a picnic. Bring the babies, and maybe your grandfather if you'd like. And, just relax out here all day. And, if Leshie's allergic, I think we might be able to find something to help with that. Though, he may be too young. Liam should be able to use it for sure though."

The field of wild flowers ended abruptly and immediately transitioned into a hill of lush grass with a sparse distribution of Corellian apple trees interrupting the otherwise smooth sea of verdancy. Yelara grinned at Kallia, then raced with her towards the shade produced by one of the blossoming trees. She sank down onto the thick bed of grass beneath and pulled Kallia down beside her.

"This is so strange," she said. Yelara wrapped her arms around Kallia and reclined back against the trunk. "All that time on Tae'Karada and we only just now decided to leave it all behind. What were we thinking?"

"We weren't," Kallia said with a laugh. "We were too stuck on duty and the Jedi. But there are others to carry on that legacy now. Now we can enjoy the fruits of our labours. Now we can be happy."

Yelara stroked Kallia's loose hair tenderly as her lover's head rested upon her bosom. "You sounded happy last night." She giggled. "I can't believe you snuck into my room. That was very daring, my love. What if Orinth had seen you?"

"He was asleep," Kallia said with a grin. "And, if he'd caught me, I would have told him that I was either looking for water, or I'd remembered something I needed to tell you. Unfortunately, he's just too smart for the Force to affect his mind. Now I know where you get your smarts."

"Well, I've got more street smarts and technological smarts. Grandpa has all the rest. I was never much for sitting in a schoolroom and learning trivial things like galactic history. I guess some would call me unrefined, but they can screw off."

Kallia laughed softly and sighed from her comfortable position in Yelara's arms. "Oh, I like that idea. Just us, and the rest can go to the Abyss. And, I never had much schoolroom learning. Most of what I learned was from Tal Dan. I guess I got a mix of school-type learning since he made me read a lot; and then just living has given me some street smarts. Not nearly as much as you, my love...but enough to get me by."

"Well, we won't really need any here." She kissed the top of Kallia's head. "No need to carry lightsabers or daggers in our boots. There's nothing here that can possibly threaten us. Gods...I feel so safe, Kal. It's a wonderful feeling. It's like, I can finally breathe freely."

"It's beautiful here in every way that Tae'Karada is ugly. All the people are treated the same, and with respect. Women wear real clothes. And, we don't have to worry about Dargus, or stormtroopers, or which crime syndicate is going to start the next war. We have each other, our freedom, and total safety. It's the ideal planet to raise our children on."

Yelara smiled fondly at the idea, then asked inquisitively, "Do you think we'll have to get jobs? I know Liam has money hidden away...I just don't know how much."

"We may have to," Kallia said. "But, I don't think that would be so bad here. Maybe we can get a job at the same place. We're a good team, after all. And, it may be fun living like a normal person for awhile."

Yelara trembled with excitement and squeezed Kallia tightly in response. "How amazing that would be! I could repair things and you can be my hot little secretary. Oh the things we could do with a desk..."

"Oh, Yelara," Kal whispered. "Oh, I want to be your secretary. Would you want to work for someone else, or should we try to set up our own repair shop? I think I'd like that. Oh, it would be so wonderful."

"And scandalous. Neglecting our work for a mid-day romp..." Yelara lowered her lips to Kallia's neck and nibbled on the soft flesh. "I think we could set up our own shop. We could even put a bed in the back."

"Oh, I am really liking the sound of this," Kallia said as she slowly writhed against Yelara's touch. "Our own shop with a comfortable desk and a bed. We could set up our schedule with a break mid-day where we just have time for us. Oh, this is better than anything I could have imagined."

"Well, maybe it's because you lack a very vivid imagination." Yelara passed her hands over Kallia's stomach and finally cradled her breasts with them. "I could help you with that, you know," she whispered silkily into her ear. "I think I've got a great imagination."

"Oh, I definitely think you do," Kallia said, closing her eyes and giving in to the sensations of Yelara's touch. "There is so much I could learn from you."

"And to think, you're my elder. Tal Dan certainly didn't teach you enough of the right things." She buried her face into the curve of Kallia's neck and spread kisses along it to her shoulder. "We can change that, though."

Kallia opened herself as much as she could to Yelara's lips. "Oh, and I will be your willing student. I will eagerly learn whatever you teach me, my love."

Yelara chuckled and massaged Kallia's breasts sensuously. "When have you ever resisted me, dear, sweet, Kallia?"

Kallia moaned and a wide grin spread across her lips. "Oh, I could never resist you, Yelara, my love," she whispered. "You are far too good to be resisted. You are far too wonderfully naughty."

"I attribute that to the skills I've picked up on the streets." She dragged one hand down Kallia's side, all the way to the hem of her dress then slipped it beneath. She caressed her lover's thigh with one hand, and kneaded her breast more firmly with the other. "I worked in a brothel before, you know. I picked up a few tricks from there, so all in all, the experience wasn't that unpleasant."

"Oh...a brothel." Kallia grinned. "Maybe we could do that together. You and me, working together in a brothel. I think we worked really well with Kael. And, he definitely seemed a satisfied customer. I bet we would be the best around."

"Although, I imagine we'd pay more attention to each other than to the customers." Her hand dipped between Kallia's legs and delicately, she ran her fingers over the rose tattooed on her inner thigh, her rose, the one that had been imprinted in her mind since the first time she laid eyes upon it. "Remember when you said you wanted to get one with me? A tattoo? I think we should. I think we should do that."

"Yes," Kallia whispered. "I would like that very much. Let's go today. I want to go and do it today." She gasped at the gentle touch on her thigh and then laughed. "Oh gods I love you. Let's get tattoos together, and we can match."

"But where shall we get them?" Yelara giggled, only slightly breaking the mood until she slipped her fingers into Kallia and all was perfectly ecstatic again. "Oh, how fun it will be to see how long it takes Liam to find them."

Kallia arched back and let out a soft cry. "Oh, and how much fun he'll have looking for them. Should we get them somewhere difficult to find? Somewhere he'll enjoy looking for them? What should we get? Too many decisions."

"Well, then concentrate on how much pleasure I'm about to give you and we can worry about all that when the time comes. So, my love, close your eyes, listen to the birds singing and moan for me."

Kallia did just that. She closed her eyes again and allowed the pleasure Yelara was giving her to fill her completely.

***

"I hadn't realized finding a tattoo parlour would be so difficult." Yelara looked about the street, perturbed, then regarded Kallia and sighed. "We might have to go straight into the city. I just don't know if I'm comfortable going that far yet."

"Well, I'm sure there has to be one here," Kallia said. "You saw that guy near the edge of the town. He was practically a walking tattoo. There has to be something here. And, if not a tattoo parlour, maybe a brothel."

"You really like the brothel idea, don't you, my love?"

Kallia grinned and then laughed. "Maybe it's my new rebellious nature," she said. "But there is something appealing about it."

"Well, when the men are not dirty and ugly, I imagine it could be quite the memorable experience." Yelara no longer shuddered at the reminiscence of her time on Tatooine, pleasuring sweaty men for creds out of desperation. She'd confessed it to Liam, then Kael, and now, somewhat to Kallia, and doing so had been cathartic to an extent. "For now, my love," she added, "I suggest we stick with that tattoos, alright?"

"Well, I wouldn't go with dirty. They'd shower first. And, I'll have to see about ugly." She laughed. "But, for now, just tattoos for us. I was thinking of on my lower back. What about you?"

"I'm not sure... Perhaps my breast." Yelara grinned at Kallia. "It'll get a lot of attention from you, I'm certain."

"Oh, it will indeed," Kallia said with a laugh. "Just like mine gets a lot of attention from you. That's as it should be."

Yelara squealed abruptly and jerked Kallia suddenly forward. "Look!" She pointed to a small shop entitled succinctly enough 'Gel's Tattoos.' "Oh, I love being this daring."

Kallia let out a cheer as they both rushed toward the small building. With a wild giggle, she grabbed the knob on the old-styled door, and twist-pushed it open. They both tumbled inside to find a woman sitting behind a partially cluttered desk and a small waiting area. She looked up from whatever she'd been reading and smiled. "Can I help you?" she asked.

Yelara nodded and put simply: "Tattoos. We want one."

"We each want one," Kallia added.

The woman smiled, and pulled two datapads and handed them across the desk. "Go ahead and fill those out and then Gel can get started with your tattoos. The datapads also contain the galleries of tattoos, or you can work with him to create one of your own."

Yelara thanked the woman, then she and Kallia moved to the chairs lining the small nook in the corner of the waiting area. "What do you think? Do we create our own?"

"Not a bad idea," Kallia said. "Do you think we should get the same thing? Should it be special for just you and me?"

Yelara twined her arm around Kallia's as their hands linked and kissed her lover upon the cheek. "Just for us. Something that is emblematic of our relationship and our love. Like..." Yelara chuckled at the salacious image that crossed her mind, then shook her head. "Okay, something else."

If Yelara and Liam had a symbol, it would have been the Scarlet Kestrel. As Kallia thought about what symbolized herself and Yelara, she smiled when the thought struck her. She looked down at the datapad and said, "How about...?" Then she began sketching out the design she'd conjured in her mind, guided by her Force talent and a natural affinity with artistic endeavours. When she finally pulled the stylus away, a stylized image of a cat was left on the datapad. "...that?"

Yelara studied the image for only a moment before a pleased smile curled her lips, much in the same way as the cat's. "Oh, I like it. Suitably appropriate for us, my love. I really do like that a lot."

"We might be able to have the same style of image, but maybe adjusted for wherever it will be on our bodies. I mean, if you want, I might be able to draw it curling around your breast, ready to pounce, if you still want it there. And, maybe loping along on my back."

"Oh, I was wrong, my love," Yelara purred, "you do have a wonderful imagination." She kissed Kallia slowly and deeply. "Come on," she whispered, their lips still brushing. "Let's go get our kitty cats."

"Our kitty cats," Kallia repeated, and then slipped her hand into Yelara's as they both got up and moved to the desk. With the information filled out and their tattoo choices made, they were ready.

After the woman processed their information, she led them back to a clean room with a large chair in the center. "Gel will be in in just a moment. Whoever would like to go first, go ahead and get into the chair." With that, she stepped out of the room.

"Well..." Yelara looked to Kallia and grinned expectantly. "Who's first? Who wants to be the first to strip down for Gel?" she added with a giggle.

"I can go first if you don't want to," Kallia said with a grin. "He'll just be looking at my back. He'll get to look at your whole front. Then again, I'll get to look at your whole front too. I'll try to behave."

"Gel better behave!" Yelara laughed. "And I promise I'll try to behave as well." She placed her hands gently on Kallia's shoulders and turned her away. With Kallia's back to her, she gathered her long brown hair in one hand and draped it over her shoulder. A kiss was placed on her nape, then another upon the side of her neck. "Allow me," Yelara said softly as a hand went to Kallia's zipper and smoothly lowered it. "I'm going to enjoy kissing your cat."

Kallia sighed as the cool air touched her now-exposed back. "Oh, I'm going to like you kissing my cat too," she said. "And, I have a feeling I'll like kissing yours. I think with us behaving like this, it may be a little difficult for Gel to behave...especially if we can't keep our hands off each other."

"I'm not doing anything," Yelara replied innocently. "I'm merely helping you get out of your dress." She hooked a finger under each strap of the dress and slid them off of Kallia's shoulders. Her lips followed the left strap down Kallia's arm, kissing her silky flesh lightly. "I'm perfectly capable of restraining myself."

A slight shiver ran through Kallia's body, and she giggled softly. "Have I told you how beautiful your lips are, my perfectly restrained love?" She stepped out of the dress, leaving it completely in Yelara's hands. Without another word, she deftly slipped into the large chair. "I'm ready," she said."

Yelara draped Kallia's dress over the extra chair provided for accompanying guests, then seated herself, near enough to Kallia that she could hold her hand for comfort. "This is so exciting. Now don't fidget too much or your cat will end up looking like a nerf."

"Well, hopefully if that happens, it'd still be a sexy nerf. And, with you here, I don't think I'll fidget at all. I'll be a good girl, and you'll have to reward me later."

Yelara grinned slyly and was in the process of shooting Kallia a lewd remark when a sturdy, corpulent fellow lumbered into the room. The folds of his thick arms bore a dense collection of tattoos that travelled entirely to his fingertips. Earrings adorned both ears, as well as his nose and one in each cheek. Yelara, yet again, kept herself from commenting and smiled encouragement to Kallia.

The man, presumably Gel, settled his bulk into a hoverchair, which bounced from the weight of him. He hovered towards Kallia with a tray of equipment pulled along by his hand. "Where do you want it?"

"At the base of my spine," Kallia said, and then turned herself to show him her back and pointed exactly where she wanted it. "There."

Gel nodded a mute acknowledgement and picked up the hand-held instrument upon his tray. He tapped a series of commands onto the screen upon the back of the device to call up the image Kallia had drawn, already scanned into the instrument's memory banks. "Now...don't move too much."

Gel centred the tip of the device over the indicated area and activated it. A blue beam of light projected onto Kallia's back, then expanded into a flat band with its apex at the instruments tip. The plane of light slowly passed up and down the small of Kallia's back, imprinting a portion of the image onto her flesh with each complete pass. Soon, Yelara could see the cat taking shape and form. She glanced up at Kallia and smiled. "It's looking good."

"It's a tickly, prickly feeling," Kallia said. "Does it look perfect? They're gonna match. Our kitties. It bonds us together forever, Yel. Forever and always."

"It's perfect, Kal. It's all perfect."

Yelara squeezed her hand and soon after, a beep sounded and Gel sat up. "All done here. You got your cat, Miss."

Kallia sat up and tried to twist back to see the new tattoo. The beautiful part was that there was no pain. When she'd gotten her tattoo on Tatooine, it'd required needles and had hurt. She'd worn bacta patches for a few days to get rid of the pain. This however, was very nice. She slipped out of the chair to make room for Yelara. "Your turn," she said with a mischievous grin.

Yelara rose smoothly and calmly. Just as casually and with a smile, Yelara unzipped her dress and pushed it down to her waist. Gel barely blinked at the sight of her bare breasts and instead focused on calling up her image from the device's memory. Yelara winked at Kallia as she sat in a relaxed pose upon the reclining chair and jabbed a finger into her breast. "Right there, Mister."

Grel snorted humourlessly and started in on Yelara's tattoo. She gazed down intently to watch her cat come into being. She couldn't wait for Kallia to kiss it. Once again, a beep sounded from the device to signal the image's completion. "Done here. How do you like 'em, Ladies?"

Yelara traced the curve of her cat's back with a finger and grinned. "It's wonderful, Gel."

Kallia stared at the cat that seemed to be climbing up Yelara's breast and smiled. "It's beautiful," she whispered, and then reached out and brushed her fingers over the feline image. "You do wonderful work, Gel. If I decide I want anymore tattoos, I'll be sure to come back to you."

"And I'd be more than happy to work on bodies as finely formed as yours anytime, ladies." He replaced the instrument onto the tray and rose from his hoverchair. "You can pay up front." He saluted them, then promptly strode from the room.

Yelara redirected her attention to Kallia and took her hands. With a sharp jerk, she pulled Kallia onto her lap and kissed her. "We're bonded now. You wear my mark and I yours. I'm afraid you're now stuck with me, my love."

"Oh, I'm afraid so too," Kallia said with a wide grin, then lowered her lips to Yelara's new tattoo and kissed it sensuously.

"I doubt Gel would appreciate this as much as I do, my love." Yelara made no move to physically deter Kallia and allowed herself to absorb the sensation of her soft lips upon her breast. "We should really finish this somewhere else," she sighed.

Kallia moved her lips to Yelara's nipple and began suckling. "We should," she whispered. "I'll go when you do."

Yelara's only reaction was a moan. She wove her fingers into Kallia's hair as she pushed her chest outward for Kallia to feed on. "We can finish this at home...or in the field again. Or here, if you don't stop doing that with your tongue."

Kallia slid her hand down over Yelara's stomach and into her panties. "I can't wait," she whispered. "So, we're going to have to finish this up here."

"Kallia..." Yelara's hips jerked forward and her grip tightened on Kallia's hair. She laughed breathily, then said, "You really have gotten rebellious, haven't you?" She whimpered in response to her own question and kissed Kallia deeply.

When the kiss broke, Kallia grinned at Yelara. "I've gotten very rebellious, and by that twinkle I see in your eye, you like me this way."

Yelara chuckled throatily and kissed Kallia again to affirm her accurate assessment. She couldn't restrain her moans and cries as Kallia pleasured her, and when they finally emerged from the room to pay the woman at the front desk, the expression she wore was evidence enough that their act had not gone unnoticed.

Much like boisterous, uninhibited youngsters, Kallia and Yelara sprinted out of the tattoo shop giggling and screaming wildly. Corellia liberated that which Yelara had thought quashed by Dargus' oppression, but which she now knew still burned with a fire as intense as the passion she and Kallia shared: their spirits. She remembered explaining to Kallia one night, long ago, her concerns regarding just that. She worried Dargus would crush them within his grip and never would they be the same again. He hadn't succeeded.

Yelara shrieked triumphantly at yet another victory they had won over Dargus. They had retained their joy of living and optimism for the future; they were interested only in what made them content and refused to allow others the satisfaction of robbing them of that contentment; they were free spirits, as Yelara had always known them to be, and as far from Dargus' taint as they were, she was confident that now they truly had found room to soar.

---

"Rebellious Spirits, Part 2"
By: Kallia Brael
Yelara Zaneth

Location: Corellia
Date: Niothe 21, 4 ABY

***

As they raced across the Corellian landscape, Kallia pointed to the west. "The waterfall," she called. "Let's go to the waterfall!"

Yelara obliged by waving her hand wildly in the air and flagging down a hovercab. It lurched to a stop beside them and with the hatch opened, Yelara flung Kallia inside. A squeal followed Yelara into the cab as she entered and swung the hatch closed. "To the falls!"

The driver acknowledged their request and quickly sped off toward their destination.

In the backseat, Kallia turned to Yelara. "So, how do you supposed Orinth is doing with our children? Do you think they've worn him out? Or is he gonna be grabbing their feet when we get home?"

"I think as much as they love him, they'll be good and proper children for him. I only wish they would show their mothers the same courtesy."

Kallia laughed softly. "They are a handful aren't they? Though, he was doing really well with them this morning. Did you see the way he had Leshie laughing?"

"I think he's always hoped for a grandchild, but never expected I'd give him one." Yelara cuddled up to Kallia and added, "I don't think they ever expected much from me in general, even though they never made me feel that way. I guess they just thought they'd never be able to replace my parents and never be able to find that reason I needed to do something with my life. It wasn't their fault I was such a horrible grandchild, though I know they partly blamed themselves. That's another reason I left. I wanted them to realize it was me, not them, and that I was incorrigible. I hope I got the point across."

"I think he's very proud of you," Kallia said. "You've turned into a very wonderful woman, and you have a beautiful baby, and you're going to be running a very prosperous repair facility here on Corellia."

"I know he's proud. I'm glad I could finally do that for him." Yelara looked up at Kallia and with amusement, said, "So, a prosperous repair facility? You really do like that idea, don't you?"

"Well, you're the tech," Kallia said with a laugh. "So if you like that idea, then I do too. Is that something you'd like to do? Or, should we just enjoy our lives for now and not worry about jobs?"

"I think it'd be a good idea for the future, after the children are a little older. It'd be fun repairing ships together, like that one time. You saved me from falling out of the cockpit, remember?"

Kallia laughed. "I remember that. We'd just met, and I think that was the afternoon I started falling in love with you. Your spirit and zest for life just captured me. Sometimes I wish we could go back to that, but without Dargus."

Yelara nodded and idly caressed Kallia's knee. "I wonder how things would have turned out if he hadn't been there. Do you think we would have even met?"

"I would like to hope we would have," Kallia said. "However, I have a feeling I wouldn't have even been on the shipyards if it hadn't been for his influence. I guess we can be thankful for that. He did bring us together, and in the end, there's no way he could come between us. Our love is stronger than anything he can do to us. And, now we are together as we've left him behind."

Yelara smiled wanly. "I was falling in love with him, you know," she said quietly. "He manipulated me, hurt me...yet I was sure I almost loved him. How is that possible?"

"You wanted to love someone," Kallia said. "I couldn't have ever loved him because I could feel the dark side in him. It was like standing near a refuse pile. His darkness kept me at bay, though I think he believes he fell in love with me."

"He told me he loved me. I believed him, Kal. I was stupid and I believed him. That's what kept me from leaving him, what caused me to almost lose Liam too."

Kallia nodded. "Do you still believe that he loved you?" she asked. "I never gave him much credit for being able to feel that, but I think it's natural for all humans to be able to love, even someone like him. He may not have been able to help himself. But, in the end, at this point, I don't know."

Yelara watched her hand sliding over Kallia's knee and thought about her many times with Dargus and the tender words he whispered into her ear...then the threats and the blood and the fear. She shuddered. "No...I don't think a man like that is capable of love. He never loved me, Kallia. It was all lies."

"Soon he will be dead," Kallia said. "And, then Liam will come home to us. Everything will be good then. Me, you, Liam, and the babies. We can have our ideal life, and happiness. I want happiness. I've felt happy with you, but once that monster is gone, I know I can feel happiness."

"Well, perhaps I can give you a taste of that once we reach the waterfalls." She nuzzled Kallia's neck. "Perhaps more than once."

Kallia smiled. "With our kitty cats." She sighed happily and the driver announced that they were coming up on the falls. "You know, I don't have a swimsuit."

Yelara grinned slyly and replied, "Neither do I. What shall we do?"

"I think we'll just have to hope that there aren't others around, or they're going to be getting really good looks at our tattoos. You know, I've never done anything this daring before. I kind of like it. I like being rebellious and impulsive. I like not having to restrain myself all the time. I really like finally being alive."

"And I like making you feel alive. Especially when you scream the way you do." Yelara giggled as she dipped into her pocket and blindly handed the cabbie some creds for the ride once it had ended. "Come on," she said to Kallia. "I want to make you feel alive."

"Oh gods yes," Kallia said as she pushed the door open, and grabbed Yelara's hand to pull her out. "Oh gods, Yelara, make me feel alive. Come on. You can make me feel alive over there. By that water. There...that's where I want you to make me feel alive."

Yelara laughed and scampered along behind Kallia. "I bet you've had this all planned out for days!"

"If I'd known this waterfall was here, I'd have had it planned out for a year."

"And I imagine we still would have forgotten our swimsuits...on purpose!" Yelara and Kallia bounded towards the reservoir and were already tugging off their clothing before it came into reach. "Orinth would definitely disapprove of this."

"Of course he would," Kallia said. "He'd really disapprove of the fact that I have wild sex with his granddaughter. And, that I just got a tattoo with his granddaughter. And, that I have sex with his granddaughter and her husband on a fairly regular basis. Oh he would not approve at all. But that makes life more fun. We have to see if we can keep from getting caught!"

"A game?" Yelara giggled with delight and tossed her dress at Kallia. "I'm in!" The moment Kallia's dress hit the grass, Yelara lunged forward, laughing. "And so are you!" She shoved Kallia and watched her arms wind-mill frantically before she toppled into the water, much as Liam had on their honeymoon. "You Jedi have horrible balance!"

Kallia came up out of the water with a screech. "Oh," she cried. "You are horrible! You don't fight fair at all. And, that means, that I don't have to fight fair either." She reached out with the Force and picked Yelara up into the air. Then with a smile she slowly moved her love out over the water, yet keeping her suspended above the clear liquid.

Yelara was too shocked to flail her limbs wildly or even make a sound. She gazed down at the gap between herself and the water, then to Kallia in stunned disbelief. She swallowed hard and finally managed to find her voice. "My love...please put me down. It's a little chilly up here."

Kallia looked at the water. "You sure?" But, before Yelara could answer, she released her hold.

"Kallia!" Yelara's cry was cut out as her body crashed into the surface of the water and submerged. She came up again coughing and splashing frantically until she finally regained her balance. She shook the wet hair out of her face, then glared at Kallia playfully. "Now who fights dirty, Ms. Brael?"

Kallia grinned. "Remember what we said earlier about me learning from you?"

Yelara grimaced. "Well...maybe I've changed my mind." She lunged for Kallia and threw her arms around her. Kallia maintained her balance this time as fervently as Yelara attempted to steal it from her. "And you've learned well and quickly, I see. My usual tricks are useless against you now!"

"You're going to have to come up with some new tricks, my love," Kallia said with a wide grin as she wrapped her arms around Yelara. "And, if you want me going under, I'm taking you with me. So, I think we've found ourselves a stalemate."

"Well, as long as we both agree about that." Yelara kissed Kallia slowly, then pulled back and laughed. "I'm glad you're here with me, Kal. And a part of me is even glad we have this time alone, without Liam."

Kallia nodded. "It's nice to have time for us, no matter how much we may miss him. I imagine once he joins us, we won't have much time together. Well, unless he decides to take the occasional trip back to the Temple. But, hopefully we can keep him here with us. I'm sure with our combined wiles we can make him forget all about the Temple."

"Oh, I know of a few ways to accomplish that and it involves two naked females in a bed, seeing how long it takes our lover to discover our new tattoos."

"Well, I have a feeling that it won't take him very long to discover these," Kallia said with a grin, "so we may have to get another that's going to be harder for him to find. And, if he still finds them too quick, I imagine we can distract him with the rewards of a successful search."

"We're really going to need to find a place soon if that's the case. Orinth would definitely not appreciate being kept up by piercing cries in the middle of the night."

"Oh, I really don't think Orinth would like you sleeping in the same bed as Liam, even if he's your husband. And, he'd really frown if I joined you two. For the sake of his sanity and his health, I think we should find our own place soon. And, then we can have it ready when Liam arrives."

"We'll start looking tomorrow." Yelara scooped water up into her hands and poured it down Kallia's back, drowning her new cat in a wash of liquid. "I want to stay here all day with you, my love. But we'll get all wrinkly and cold."

Kallia smiled, almost purring as the water from Yelara's hands trailed down her back. "Well, if you want, we can go lay on those rocks over there. It may be cold, but those rocks look like they're collecting heat. We can check in with Orinth and make sure everything's okay. If he doesn't mind, we can just lay out in the sun and enjoy our time together."

"Oh, he won't mind. But we'll have to get back to feed the children soon." Yelara pressed her cheek to Kallia's and sighed. "Though, a little while longer won't hurt."

"Just a little while," Kallia said with a grin. She stretched out her senses and then laughed. "Oh, it seems like our cab driver decided to have lunch here, and is enjoying the view immensely. Come on up to the rocks, and we'll have a little more privacy. At least until he moves."

Yelara and Kallia sloshed through the water and emerged from the reservoir dripping wet and glistening. The rock they decided to curl up on was comfortably warm, and wrapped in each other's embrace, Yelara felt absolutely drowsy and content.

"Kallia," Yelara murmured, "tell me something about yourself that I don't already know. I want to know everything about the woman I love."

"Before I went off to Tal Dan to be a Jedi Knight, I loved painting. I'd paint and draw everything I could see, and I loved it. Of course, my parents hated when I'd be inspired to draw something, and would use whatever was convenient. I think they hated the walls the most. Though, the dinner table was pretty bad too. I think it was two days before I could sit down. 'Mama's favourite table covering' hadn't really sunk in yet at that age."

"You're a painter?" Yelara looked up at Kallia with a beaming smile upon her face. "Why didn't you ever tell me that? That's so amazing, Kallia! Why did you stop? And why didn't you ever paint me?"

"Because I haven't done it for a very long time," Kallia said with a laugh. "Though, now that we're here, maybe I'll have the time to. I know I have the inspiration. Though, I don't think we'll be able to show them to Orinth."

Yelara giggled. "Oh, so you have those kinds of pictures in mind. Well, I don't mind posing for you. In fact, I demand that you let me pose for you! Oh, and the babies! You have to do a portrait of the children, Kal."

Kallia laughed. "Oh yes," she said, adding in a squeal of delight. "I'll have to do all three of you together. Though, I may need to make a holo of it, so we don't have to restrain Yara and Leshie for so long. But, that's a perfect idea. Momma cat and her kittens."

Yelara laughed as she embraced Kallia more firmly. "But what about their other momma cat? We should have a holo of us all taken, including you, then have it made into a portrait. It'll be perfect hanging on a wall in our new home."

Kallia smiled. "If we're going to do the portrait from a holo, then I could definitely be in it. Me, you, and our two little kittens. And, it will be very large and beautiful. How could it not be beautiful with its subject matter? We'll have to get me some art supplies and paints. And, I'll need a canvas big enough. And, then we'll need to make that holo...which should probably be when your grandfather isn't around."

"His two grandchildren and their parents lounging about naked, then preserving it in the form of a portrait. Oh, he won't like that at all." Yelara snickered. "Do you think we should ask him to be in it?"

Kallia giggled. "Well, if he's too modest, we can always place one of the babies conveniently right in front of him. And, it's not like we're going to be doing it of us having sex. It's us in our most natural form. And, I'm not ashamed of my body, and have no qualms about having our beauty captured forever in a painting."

"While we still have it! Kallia I don't ever want to grow old. Isn't there some Jedi thing you can do to slow down the aging process? Imagine us, too old to have sex. My love...it's frightening!"

"It is! I'll have to find out if there's a way I can slow our aging. There must be a way. If anyone can do it, it's going to be us. I want us to be like this forever. No wrinkles. No grey. No sagging. Just you and me, like we are now."

Yelara gazed down at her new tattoo fondly and giggled at the thought of what it would look like all stretched out and contorted. "Our poor kitty cats. For them alone we have to find a way, Kal."

"We will find a way," Kallia said with a smile. "For our kitty cats and our uninhibited, rambunctious, wild sex lives." She kissed Yelara and laughed. "Oh gods I love it here. So free, so happy. So naked."

"I especially love the naked part."

Watching as the sun slowly edged its way towards the horizon, Yelara had only one thought, and it was that she had never felt so serene or utterly safe as she did then. With Liam, she felt almost the same way, but on Tae'Karada there was always a looming anxiety and fear that Dargus would find them. He wouldn't find them here, if he was even looking anymore, but with as content as she was now, Yelara surprised herself by realizing she no longer cared if Dargus did find her. She'd found fulfillment and happiness, and nothing he could do to her would detract from that.

Lying naked in Kallia's arms, uninhibited and worry-free, she felt indomitable, and untouchable by anything remotely vile, remotely 'Dargus.' They were free now, Yelara felt it, and knew it by the smile on Kallia's face as they watched the sun set. They were free and Yelara never could have believed how wonderful it felt.

---

"Seductive Alliances"
by Zale Tregat
and Oot Kovan

Location: Thanatos, Tae'Karada
Date: Niothe 21, 4ABY

***

"I am not having sex with you!"

Oot Kovan smiled at the vehemence and passion in his voice, and knew that was exactly why they needed to be together. She wasn't a desperate woman. She functioned perfectly without a man in her life. Her syndicate still thrived as it had been since its start. She just enjoyed the companionship, and it was in her genetics to enjoy the finer things in life. And, Zale Tregat was one of the finer things in life.

"You keep saying that, but you're still here with me," she said, to which Zale sighed.

"And, I'm seriously thinking of changing that, you know." Zale crossed his arms over his chest and readied himself to stare her down. "Your weekend has turned into nearly a week now."

"Well, you are free to go," she said. "However, as promised, I have information for you."

Zale growled. "So you say. You've been leading me around with this information since I told you our weekend was over. I'm beginning to believe there isn't any."

"Dargus Kandran," Oot said flatly. "I know he's a mortal enemy of yours now, as he is of mine. I'm certain he won't be long in coming after me for my assault that nearly killed him."

Zale sat up, more interested now. They were both seated in one of the lounges in his Thanatos facility. It was designed for comfort, and at the mention of Kandran's name, they could have been sitting in the middle of the desert. "What about Kandran?"

"He has to go down," Oot stated. "If not, he's going to try to gain his old title back, and that means he's going to try to get rid of the rest of us. He's got power now, and there is no conventional way for us to stop him. At least, not by ourselves."

"You want to ally our organizations to go after him." It was no question. He knew that's what he would suggest as well. "My wife won't be happy with that arrangement."

"Of course not," Oot said with a vicious smile. "She wants her little harem, and she doesn't trust you to keep your dick out of me."

Zale chuckled. "Actually, she doesn't trust you to not find a way to trick me into getting my dick into you."

Oot gave him an innocent smile and looked away. "So, about Dargus Kandran...?"

"Before we talk about that, what?"

"Oh, it's nothing," Oot said with a laugh. "Nothing at all. So, Dargus. Interested in taking him down together?"

"I'll need to talk it over with Kaysa and my security people. But, I will levy a tentative yes."

"Very good," Oot said with a predatory smile. "I look forward to working with you. That is if you really are interested in stopping Kandran, and won't give in to your wife's petty jealousy. Perhaps she wouldn't mind joining us. There would be much less to complain about then."

Zale opened his mouth to respond, but his comlink started beeping before he could utter a sound. He tapped the receive button and a small hologram of Tel appeared above his wrist. That he was being contacted by Tel was the first indication that there was trouble.

"Zale," Tel began, "we've got a problem."

"I gathered that," Zale drawled. "What do you have for me?"

"Moril."

It was like a knife through the heart. "He's not...?"

"We don't know," Tel said. "He's missing. He went home and never returned the next morning. I sent a team to investigate, and they found the locks on the door neatly cut away. There was no sign of Moril inside the apartment, however indications are that there was a brief struggle."

Zale closed his eyes as his blood went cold. Neatly cut away. He didn't want to believe it, but he knew what it was. Unconsciously, he flexed his prosthetic hand remembering exactly what 'neatly cut away' felt like. "I'm on my way," he said in a strangled voice. He closed the comm circuit and rushed toward the door.

The playfulness in her manner was gone as Oot started forward. "What about me?"

"You're either with me, or you can find a way back. I'm sorry, but--"

"I understand," Oot said. "I would do the same if anything ever happened to Kambra. It's Dargus."

Zale nodded.

"I'm with you. Let's go teach that bastard a lesson."

They rushed from the room and up to the landing pad in the top level of the building. It wasn't very tall, no building in Thanatos was. But the top floor was a hangar bay with access up through the roof. As they came through the door, Zale thumbed the release on the iris built into the ceiling, and it quickly opened itself to the sky. The central platform began its ascent, causing Zale and Oot to hurry before they were left behind. With a leap, they both managed to get onto the platform and into the speeder before it came to a stop above the building.

Zale fired up the repulsors when Oot gasped beside him. He was momentarily confused until he saw what she had reacted to. On the horizon, a large cloud of sand billowed upward in the wake of the vehicles approaching Thanatos. In the center of all of them, large, beast-like shapes lumbered forward. Walkers.

"Oh gods," Zale rasped. "This isn't going to be good. Not good at all." He flicked open a channel to his people below. "This is Tregat. We've got Imperials incoming. Lock down and get clear. This isn't a drill. Get out of here while you can. Reassemble in the city."

Without waiting for an acknowledgement, Zale kicked the speeder forward and away from the desert. He gave the approaching Imperial force a wide berth, knowing full well they could reduce the speeder to atoms in an instant if he flew too close. And, he had other things to worry about right now. If Dargus had harmed Moril... With a growl, he kicked the repulsors to maximum and sped off toward New Plouton. Kandran would pay for this.

---

"Becoming, Part 1"
by Liam Zaneth
Laedra Vorrel
and Koran Darr

Location: The Ranula Hotel - Yesrin, New Plouton
Date: Niothe 21, 4ABY

***

Liam rested on the floor at the end of the bed he'd slept in last night, meditating. His thoughts were calm and collected, however swirling around somewhere deep was the thought that Laedra hadn't slipped into his room as she'd said she would. Something must have happened, or she wasn't able to get away from Koran. He didn't think that anything would have happened between the two, and therefore felt no jealousy at her spending an entire night in a bed with Koran Darr.

A gentle knock at the door brought him up from the depths of his meditation. He opened his eyes as Laedra appeared in the doorway, and then smiled. "Good morning," he said.

"Good morning." Laedra closed the door behind her but made no move forward for Liam. How would she tell him of her disgrace? No, she couldn't, not unless it was completely necessary. "I'm sorry about last night. Koran Darr felt it necessary to meditate for the entire evening! By the time he did fall asleep, I had too."

"Well, it's alright," he said with a soft chuckle. "I was pretty tired, so I fell asleep soon after I got in here. I was hoping you'd come in to wake me, but now is just as good."

Laedra smiled with relief and finally approached Liam. After confessing the secrets of her past to Koran, she felt in better control of her emotions, since there was no longer an immense struggle to contain such powerful and haunting memories. This, unfortunately, only made her a better liar. "Koran Darr wants to take another trip to the library this morning." She sat upon the edge of Liam's bed and lightly caressed his bare shoulder. "Are you up for that?"

Liam laughed. "Of course," he said. "I didn't get through half of those books. That droid was telling me the rest have some rather interesting pictures in them."

"And I'm certain you'll enjoy those pictures. It'll make up for being unable to see my naked form last night."

"Nothing could make up for that," Liam said with a laugh.

"And nothing could make up for yours, even though Koran has a nice looking chest himself." Laedra saw Liam's eyebrow quirk, then laughed gently. "As far as I know, he stayed in his robes the entire night, so you have nothing to worry about."

"You can look," Liam said with a laugh, "but touching one of the Masters may not be a good idea. I mean, touch them the wrong way, and they may just kick you out of the Jedi."

Laedra impulsively jerked her hand away from Liam's shoulder and stifled a mournful groan. Her shame came back to her in full intensity and for a moment, she almost lost hold of her guarded emotions. "Well...I think Koran Darr is a little more tolerant than most." She rose from the bed and made her way casually towards the door, although she could barely wait to put distance between she and Liam.

"Not instilling confidence here, Vorrel," Liam said with a laugh, and then frowned at her sudden retreat toward the door.

"Well, I do have a thing for Jedi Masters." Laedra's attempt to lighten the mood only thickened the tension. She faced Liam again wearing a tight, apologetic smile. "Nothing happened. Nothing. Now, put your shirt on and let's get going. We can have some breakfast before we do some research."

"I never suspected it did," Liam said as he moved to where his shirt lay on a chair. He quickly picked it up and pulled it on. He grabbed his belt and robes and approached the door. "I'm ready."

Laedra's smile softened. "Not yet, you're not." Just as Liam's features began changing to express his confusion, Laedra slipped her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply. She moaned quietly into his mouth as her body flattened against his and her waist was encircled by his arms. Once her numbing lips parted from his, she took a deep breath and said, "Now you're ready."

"Now I am," Liam said breathlessly while an impish smile touched his lips.

"Tonight, we shall make up for the time we spent apart last night." Laedra paused, then added, "Twice."

"Twice," Liam said with a laugh. "You're trying to exhaust me aren't you. Or at least trying to see if you can wear me down. Well, once again, tonight I will prove to you that it can't happen."

"Then I will have to put even greater effort into it." She coyly slipped away from Liam and blindly pressed her hand to the panel adjacent the door. Once the door hissed open, Laedra backed away through the opening.

As Liam stepped through the door after Laedra, his body language shifted and he was no longer the flirtatious and playful man he'd just been. He was a Jedi Knight, except his eyes still held a hint of the playful sparkle from a moment ago.

"Koran Darr is waiting downstairs for us," Laedra informed him, and as solemnly as she attempted to convey that information, she could not help but grin at Liam. "If I didn't know any better, I'd almost say he was deliberately giving us time alone together."

Liam returned the grin. "Well, I would say we should thank him, but perhaps making the most of the time he's given us will be thanks enough."

"You're not suggesting we return to your room and get as much use as we can out of your bed with the little time we have, are you?" Laedra glanced suggestively at Liam as she slipped her hand into his. "I mean...if you've accidentally forgotten something in your room, we can return there and look for it."

"You know, I may have left my toothbrush in there," he said. "I can't leave without my toothbrush, can I?"

Laedra backed towards the room again with Liam, and laughing, shook her head. "I can't decide whether I'm a bad influence on you, or if it's the other way around."

"Maybe it's both ways," Liam said with a grin as they slipped inside and he closed the door. "Now, where would I have left that toothbrush? I think on the bed. Yes, we'd better go search the bed."

"I was wrong," Laedra began as the door closed behind them and the distance to the bed closed, "you're the bad influence, Liam. Most definitely."

"And, I think you really like bad influences, my love." He slipped his arms around her and pulled her down onto the bed with him. "Now, help me look."

***

Three Jedi in traditional garbs certainly did draw in much attention. At first, all eyes were on them, but after a time, some patrons returned their sights to their meals and finally, Liam, Laedra, and Koran had some privacy.

Laedra was too uptight to say a word, and as of yet, none of them had made a sound except to order their meals. Laedra was uncertain as to how she was to address Koran Darr. Did she call him Master Darr, and if so, would Liam suspect something? Did she refer to him as 'Koran' and risk him correcting her in front of Liam, yet again making him suspicious? How could she defer to Koran, yet still give the illusion to Liam that they were almost equals when they truly were not anymore? Laedra decided silence was best until she was directly addressed by one or the other.

Koran's eyes shifted between Liam and Laedra for several minutes before the silence at the table became too much. "I believe with our findings yesterday, today should be much easier. It is my hope that by the time we leave here tonight we'll have enough information to begin a rough translation. Liam if you would continue through the books you were looking at yesterday, though paying less attention to the pictures. And, Laedra will be with me while we work toward the translation. If you need us, we'll be back in that restricted room."

Laedra nodded her head, but kept her gaze upon the glass of water before her. So that was how it was to be from now on. Koran would not let her out of his sight and keep her at a distance from everyone else, including Liam. She wasn't certain how long she could bear the separation and was beginning to believe being ejected from the Temple would not be so awful in comparison.

Koran watched Laedra for a moment and then leaned closer. "What is it, Laedra?"

She looked up at him slowly and reluctantly, knowing he would gain more knowledge from her eyes than her words. "It is nothing...Master Koran Darr. I was just contemplating what we have recently uncovered in our research, that is all."

"We have gained much knowledge recently, and I sense that soon we will gain even more." He glanced between them. "If you two will excuse me, I'll be right back. I believe I drank too much kaeva juice waiting for you in the lobby of the hotel." With that, he slipped out of the booth and strode toward the back of the restaurant.

Laedra finally allowed herself to relax and with a sigh, she covered Liam's hand with hers. "He can be a very sobering figure when he wants to be, can't he?"

"Now, what is wrong, Lae? I can feel your stress and anxiety. And, if I couldn't feel it through the Force, I need only look at you. Talk to me."

"I can't," she said defeatedly. "I'm afraid of what you'll think, Liam. And I'm not even certain if I'm allowed to at this time."

Liam looked at Laedra, trying to gauge what he saw in her eyes and in her body language. "Alright," he said. "Though, I want you to know that whatever you may believe, I'll still love you no matter what you have to say." He looked after Koran and sighed. "Maybe you'll be able to tell me someday."

"Someday soon, I hope. I don't like hiding things from you, Liam. It only puts distance between us and as you know, I couldn't bear that."

Liam smiled. "I trust you, Lae," he said. "And, I know whatever is bothering you...we'll be able to make it right soon."

Laedra squeezed Liam's hand. She was immensely grateful she had him to help her through this, even though he was still completely in the dark as to what he was supporting her through. "I love you, Liam Zaneth. I thank the Force for guiding me to you."

"I say those very same words whenever I look in your eyes and see your love for me there," he said. "And, I love you as well." He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it quickly before Koran Darr could return.

"You're cruel, Liam Zaneth," Laedra teased. "If Koran Darr sees me blushing, I'm the one who will be forced to come up with a reasonable explanation for it."

"Just tell him I told you a dirty joke I'd heard on Malastare a couple years ago."

Laedra nodded her approval. "You'll have to tell it to me tonight, accompanied with illustrations from the pornography you seem adept at finding in the library."

"Oh, I'll make some special copies just for us," he said. "There's some really good stuff there. I think we'll have fun going through it together. So are you feeling better and won't be so withdrawn during the meal? I think Master Koran is suspecting something."

"I noticed. I'll be less reticent and more...however I usually am." She smiled at Liam and leaned forward to boldly kiss him when she caught a glimpse of Koran returning. She moved her hand to her glass and brought it to her lips, flashing her eyes towards Koran's position to warn Liam.

Liam gave an imperceptible nod, and hid the impish smile that found its way into his features. "So the Quarren says to the Rodian: 'That wasn't my tentacle.' "

Koran shook his head as he slid into the booth. "Are they still telling that one?" he asked. "It was old when I was a padawan."

"It may be old," Liam said with a grin, "but it still gets laughs."

"Frankly, I found no humour in it." Laedra smiled almost sweetly at Liam and added, "Your timing was all wrong, Liam Zaneth."

Liam turned to Koran and grinned. "Everyone's a critic."

Laedra shrugged and brought her drink once again to her lips. She was grateful Liam was so talented at lightening the mood, for now she wouldn't have to explain her sombre mood at breakfast to Koran. "I just thought," Laedra went on to explain, "that being a Jedi, your sense of timing would be much better, Liam, but I guess it merely hasn't carried over from your combat training to your jokes."

Liam laughed and shook his head. "Well, maybe you're right," he said. "I'll stick to the lightsaber and leave the joke telling to you. And, then we can see how good your timing is."

"I'm afraid I know no jokes. I guess your assessment will have to wait until I learn."

Liam laughed. "Well, I think maybe I'll have to pick up a few jokes for you then," he said. "What kind of joke would you prefer to tell?" He glanced over at Koran.

"I was stuck in carbonite for thirty years," the Jedi Master said quickly. "I don't know any jokes anymore."

"Well, I guess I'll have to find some for you then," Liam said with another look at Laedra. "I'm sure you'll do fine though."

"With you as my teacher, Liam, I'm sure I will." Her eyes unintentionally shifted to Koran, her true teacher and new master. She certainly wouldn't be in the mood for jokes once he began sincerely treating her as his Padawan.

Koran smiled, and then laughed. "If you have room for an extra student, I wouldn't mind learning some of those jokes as well, Liam. I don't think a person could ever have too many jokes in their repertoire. Sometimes a joke is the best way to diffuse a difficult situation, and it's something we should know. Peaceful solutions are preferable to pulling out lightsabers."

"A peaceful solution is an ideal method of resolving conflict, but I would like to see you convince the Empire of that," Laedra stated mildly.

"From what I have seen, convincing the Empire of anything other than what they desire is difficult. However, it may not be a bad idea to approach their leader. That I have heard, no one has even approached Tarkin under diplomatic terms yet. Perhaps through talking, something could be figured out."

Laedra nodded slowly, still uncertain as to whether, as a Padawan, she was entitled to an opinion or even allowed to suggest a course of action to Koran Darr. She'd been a Padawan so long ago - and not a very good one at that - that she had no idea how to act as one now, or even what Koran, as a master, expected of her. Why couldn't I have better contained my emotions, she asked herself.

The waitress arrived with their meals, and relieved to now have some reason not to speak, Laedra began stuffing her face almost immediately.

More reserved than Laedra, but equally hungry, both Liam and Koran quickly started in on their meals as well. It would be a long day of searching through the old records, and they'd need their strength.

***

The day had indeed been long and tiring, but all three Jedi felt that they had made progress. Liam piloted the speeder, while Koran and Laedra sat in the back going over the information they'd pieced together earlier that day.

"I think we can have a rough translation done by tonight," Koran said. "And, if we bring some computers in on the translation, potentially even more accurate as well."

"For something this essential to solving the mystery, I believe we should have the computers aid us. We don't want any mistakes in the translation."

Koran nodded. "Good thinking," he said, and then smiled. "You did well today. And, I am continually astounded by your intelligence. Just as a curiousity, how many languages can you speak?"

"Fluently? Perhaps six, but I haven't practiced in so long, I don't know if I can do it anymore."

Koran smiled. "You have a talent for it," he said. "I can't think of anyone more suited to this translation work than you, and you are truly impressive to watch when you focus in on the task." His smiled broadened. "As I said, I am impressed."

Laedra bowed her head to Koran, and murmured a "Thank you, Master," to him.

Koran leaned close, as if to study the datapad in Laedra's hand. "When we are in the presence of others, you can call me Koran," he whispered. "We don't want others to know about this, so treat me as you normally would. Okay?"

Laedra worried her lip between her teeth and nodded her head. "Of course. I just--" She sighed and once again nodded her head.

Koran covered her hand with his. "It's alright," he whispered. "Everything will be alright, Laedra."

The comforting touch was enough to assuage Laedra's present anxieties and she allowed herself a smile. She cleared her throat and straightened her back and shoulders to display her renewed composure. "Where were we? Oh yes...translations...I think."

Koran laughed softly. "We can continue again when we reach the temple," he said. "There isn't much we can do in the back of a speeder anyway."

Laedra blushed involuntarily and chuckled. "Well, nothing having to do with translations, at least."

Koran smiled and felt himself blushing. "Well, there is currently a ban on that sort of thing," he said. "So we should be safe."

Laedra dared not ask whether they would still safe if romantic relations were not prohibited, for already the conversation was far too inappropriate for discussion by two Jedi. Correction, she thought to herself ruefully. A Jedi and his Padawan. Reminded again of her disgrace, Laedra lowered her eyes solemnly to the datapad and regarded sightlessly the information scrolling across the screen. Her first day as a Padawan, and she knew it would only get worse from here. Laedra was convinced, then, that she would not be able to persevere for long.

Koran turned his attention from Laedra, knowing that his comments were most likely the cause for her anxiety. After a few minutes he glanced at her. "When we get back, we can go to one of the research rooms and start going through the information. Perhaps by the time we go to bed we'll have some reading we can do. Determining what this place was before."

"I already have a feeling it was a Temple dedicated to the sun god. That would explain the starburst pattern we've seen frequently. But until we translate these glyphs, I would prefer not to make assumptions."

"That's the best way to handle any mystery," Koran said. "Making an assumption that is incorrect could land you into carbonite for thirty years."

"You really must tell me more about that later, Koran. It sounds like an interesting story."

Koran laughed. "I'll have to do that," he said. "Though, maybe somewhere alone so we don't have too many people knowing how clumsy I am."

Laedra smiled, then laughed, finally. "I assure you, I will not tell a soul...except for those within the altar. I imagine they could use a good laugh."

Koran smiled with satisfaction at Laedra's laugh. It was a good sign, and he believed one that brought the promise of getting through the current crisis. He would fill in the gaps Ina left, and in the end Laedra would truly be a Jedi Knight. He covered her hand with his and nodded. All would again be as it should be.

---

"Becoming, Part 2"
by Laedra Vorrel
and Koran Darr

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Niothe 21, 4ABY

***

Dani and Nieme indulged in animated chatter while Kael looked on, but not in the least with jealousy or simmering rage. A good sign, in Laedra's mind. Aurra Sgall, Masters Kal'Aran and Vos, as well as Alisson had eaten earlier and were now off doing what they were within the Temple. Koran was beside her talking across the table at Liam, and Laedra...she watched it all, wondering now where she would fit in.

She was a Padawan, but could she every truly fit herself into that role? She couldn't even perform the role of a Knight successfully, which gave her little hope that she ever would. Laedra knew not to dwell on such thoughts, especially with Koran so keenly aware of her emotions lately. He was observing her, assessing her, or so she thought. It may have been paranoia, but she had a right to be suspicious after she trusted Koran enough to confide him him, only to have him expel her.

Laedra stared into her soup bowl and stirred her spoon through the liquid. She hadn't touched her meal and didn't think she would, not with the roiling in her stomach at the anxiety and uncertainty caused by her present situation. She was not a young child anymore, yet she was beginning as a Padawan again. The journey to knighthood seemed so far away, and she now had doubts that she would ever become a Master. So what was the point of remaining in the Order? She'd been asking herself that the entire day, and no answer came to her. Or perhaps it had and she merely didn't like the sound of it: Leave the Order. She, however, refused to accept that.

Laedra set down her spoon and folded her hands in her lap, still staring blankly at the orange liquid in the bowl. There was no answer to be found there, and the Force was certainly not with her lately, so where could she seek a better answer? She was beginning to feel hopeless, then reminded herself to guard her emotions lest Koran sense them and assign her a full evening's meditation, just as any master would any Padawan. Truly disgraced she was.

Koran had finished his soup a few minutes earlier, and Liam's had been finished several minutes before that. However, a glance at Laedra's bowl told him she'd had a single spoonful if that. He contained his sigh and told himself he had to do something. Liam had turned his attention to a plate of biscuits Orn had brought out, and Koran seized the opportunity. He turned to Laedra. "I've heard there is a fairly extensive caves complex around the area. It is possible some of them may also contain clues as to what we seek. Would you care to accompany me while I go take a peek?"

Koran's gentle intrusion snapped her from her reverie. She gazed at him in silence for a long moment, taking time to shift her mind towards what he asked and away from her mental self-pitying. "Caves?" she repeated. "This evening?"

"I imagine it will only be an hour or so," he said. "We won't have much light, so I don't want to stay out too late. But, I do want to take a look. Are you interested?"

"Well, if it's possible they hold something of use within, then I guess it's worth a try. So, I will accompany you, Master Darr."

"Good," Koran said. "We'll go as soon as we're finished here. We'll need a pair of lights and instruments to record whatever we find."

Laedra looked down at her untouched meal, grimaced, then regarded Koran again. "I'll go and look for all the supplies while you finish up your dinner. This way we don't waste time searching for all we need."

"I'll meet you at the front doors," Koran told her. "I figure I'll be finished here momentarily, so I'll see you there?"

Laedra bowed her head then pushed back her chair and rose. Her eyes caught Liam's but she couldn't very well announce to the entire room that she and Koran were taking a trip into the forest, not if doing so meant disturbing their meal; she couldn't single out Liam either and whisper what they had planned, not without arousing suspicion about their relationship. So instead, she moved silently from the room and into the corridor, seeking out the instruments she and Koran Darr would need for their excursion.

Koran took a few more minutes to finish his meal, and then looked around. "Well, back to the glyphs," he said. "A translator's job is never done." He smiled, and then stood and moved off toward his room. A quick stop there, and then to the front door to meet Laedra.

"I believe I have gathered everything we'll need," Laedra said as she moved forward to greet Koran. "Are we ready to go?"

"Yes," Koran said. "Let's go see what we can find." With that, he led the way out of the temple, and off on a side path toward the waterfall. "I've heard that during the day this is a very beautiful area. Hopefully its beauty will also be in the answers it can provide us."

"And you're so certain there will be something within the caves? How do you know this, Master?"

"I don't," Koran said. "However, we may find something, and being out here will give us some time alone to speak openly. If you wish to talk, that is."

Laedra sighed, finally understanding the true reason for the late night research expedition. "There is obviously something you wish to speak to me about. If you ask, Master, I will answer."

"And you will say nothing more?"

"Of what?" Laedra smiled to herself and shook her head. "Master, I detect that you know what you expect me to speak of, so why not just ask me?"

"All I know is that except for a few moments during the day you have been morose," Koran said. "You didn't touch any of your food. You've hardly said a word all day unless specifically addressed. All I can see are the outward signs, but I have no idea what is on the inside. If there is something you would like to talk about, I am here. If there is anything I can do, I am here. I want to help you through this time, Laedra. I know it is difficult, but I want to be as much of a help as I can. But, I will need your help, to be able to offer any of my own."

"You know nothing of how difficult this is," Laedra replied curtly. "When have you been stripped of your rank, threatened with exile, then left with no choice but demotion to the rank of Padawan? When have you been too ashamed to even look at your colleagues and friends out of fear of discovery? You have not, Master. You don't know the shame, the confusion, the helplessness I feel." Laedra tramped ahead of Koran and muttered, "You know nothing of that."

"You are right," Koran said. "I haven't felt any of those things. However, I am one of the only surviving Jedi Masters. The galaxy is a very different place from when I was frozen. I feel guilt that I was not there to die with my friends and colleagues. I should have been standing at Mace Windu's side when he was cut down. I should have met the same fate as the other Jedi. I may not know what you are feeling, but I too struggle with difficult emotions every day, every hour, every minute. You were insolent, erratic, and treading very close to the darkness, Laedra. If you were in my place, what course would you have followed?"

Laedra batted away a tree branch aggressively. "I don't know," she replied tightly. "I might have been less merciful, but right now, I am not so certain you were. What future do I have now, Master? I am a Padawan! I could be a Master in a few years, but now..." She shook her head. "I am nothing, Master."

"You are not nothing," Koran said. "You have gaps in your training, Laedra. You're not starting out at this as Nieme and Dani are. You only need to learn the things that Ina did not teach you. And, I will teach you those things, and you'll be a Knight again. And then a Master. You are not nothing."

Laedra ended her fierce retreat and gazed ahead at the darkened forest, the nothingness the laid beyond. She closed her eyes and let out a deep, long breath. "If not," she said quietly, "then why do I feel like nothing?"

Koran shrugged his shoulders and stepped forward, closer to Laedra. "I imagine for the same reasons that I feel guilty for not being there with my colleagues when they were cut down."

"That's ridiculous. You had no real choice in the matter."

"Precisely," Koran said. "Now, why do you feel like nothing when I have already told you that you are not nothing?"

Laedra shrugged and propped herself against the tree beside her. "It is how I feel. I see that I have lost everything I have earned with no future in sight. Therefore...nothing."

"Do you really feel that you have earned what you have lost knowing that Ina rushed you through your training to keep things from getting out of hand between you? And, I am so very glad that you feel that the training I am going to be giving you offers you no future. I am so very happy you have such faith in my abilities as a Jedi Master."

"Stop it," Laedra pleaded wearily. "It's not what I meant, Kora-- Master. You may be able to train me to become a Knight again, but who will accept me knowing I am unstable? Yes, Ina may not have done a proper job in training me, but nonetheless, I spent thirteen years as a Padawan. Thirteen years, Koran! And now, it's all gone."

"Not all of it," Koran said. "You're not as hopeless as you believe you are, Laedra. Trust me, please. I am a Jedi Master, and I know you are not beyond hope."

"Well." Laedra laughed dryly, hanging her head low. "I have to trust you, don't I? If I do not, this will not work. A Padawan who has no faith in her Master is doomed to fail."

"It is easy to say that you'll trust me, though at the moment I have the feeling that you don't want to trust me. You want things to go back as they were with your rank and status untarnished. I do not feel a sense of commitment from you, Laedra. It may be too early for that, which means that it is too early for us to restart your training."

"Does this mean I'm to pack my things and leave?" Laedra looked up at Koran and saw precisely that in his expression. "I am committed to the Order, Master. But yes, I do wish things were now as they were before. Wouldn't you wish the same? I want to regain my title, Master, but the path seems so long. I don't know if I can do it."

"Then you won't," Koran said. "Yoda had a saying. 'Do or do not, there is no try.' It applies in this case. If you truly want to regain what you have lost, then you will do it. If you don't want it, then you should walk away. If you fear the hard road ahead, and will try to get to the end of it...then you will fail. The psychology of a Jedi is just as important as moving rocks and swinging a lightsaber. You must open yourself to what you will be taught, to where the Force will guide you. If you close yourself off or doubt your progress, then you will falter. I can't make this decision for you, Laedra, but I do want for you to continue. If you need time to make the decision, then that is alright too."

"But I know my decision, Master. I want this. I want to succeed in this. I just...I have to know." She gazed steadily into Koran's eyes as she took a step towards him. "You will not give up on me, will you? You will be patient with me and...you will not push me away as Ina did?"

"I promise you, I will stay with you until you are a proper Jedi Knight," he said. "I will not push you away, and I will not abandon you. I want to see you to the end of this journey, and will do everything in my power to get you there."

Laedra studied Koran's eyes, then sighed and slumped back against the tree. "I believe you," she whispered. "I believe you, Master. I want to do this, I want to become a proper Jedi. And I know you are the one to help me become that."

"Good," he said. "Now, how would you like to go up and take a peek in one of the caves while we're out here? I'm sure they're interesting even if they don't have anything to help us learn more about this place."

Laedra stood tall and nodded to Koran. "I would like that, Master. And, I thank you. You really are a very good Jedi Master. If you hadn't tricked me into coming out here tonight, I might have drowned in doubt and self-pity. I already am learning much from you, even if it is cunning and deviousness."

Koran laughed. "Sometimes a Jedi is required to trick someone into giving him what he wants. In this case we are fortunate in that I tricked you into giving us both what we wanted."

"I know you wished to speak with me... But what was it you believe I wanted, Master?"

"A direction," Koran said. "Or to be pointed in one anyway. And, perhaps to have someone talk to you about this rather than giving you orders. You may be considered a Padawan again, Laedra, but you aren't a normal Padawan, and I don't intend to treat you like a child. You are a peer, and I will treat you with respect. But, I sensed that you wanted help finding your way in the darkness."

Laedra watched Koran, wondering how a Jedi Master of the old Order could be so reasonable and caring, not like Ina, not like the man who broke her heart and forcibly pushed her away. He had driven her to the darkness and Master Koran Darr would now pull her away from it. A soft smile touched Laedra's face as she turned and started leisurely for the cave. "Come, come, Master. It isn't right to keep your Padawan up so late, not when she has training in the morning."

Koran smiled and followed after Laedra with his handlamp lighting the way. "Well, my Padawan had a very good day of training today, so maybe staying out a little late will be alright. Though, that doesn't mean I'm going to let her skate by tomorrow."

Laedra and Koran moved deeper into the forest. Without their handlamp, even with their Jedi senses to guide them, Laedra was certain they would be lost by now. The trees only grew thicker the further they walked and at times, the spaces between were barely wide enough for one person to pass through, let alone two.

"Master, there aren't any strange, dangerous animals out here that we should know about, are there? I imagine if there were, Master Vos would create a training exercise out of it."

Koran couldn't help laughing. "Indeed he would," he said. "Though, I don't believe there are any this close to the Temple. And, besides, if Dani and Nieme can lie around naked by the waterfall, which is only a hundred meters to our left, we should be safe from any predators."

Laedra stumbled, ostensibly, she told herself, on a tree branch, but it was the implications of Koran's statement that caused her to trip. "You've...seen them naked, Master?" Laedra laughed awkwardly. "I guess that means you've seen almost all of the female Jedi without clothing."

Koran thought about it for a moment and then laughed. "All except Aurra and Jae Dyn," he said. "And, yes, I've seen them naked. They frequently come down to the waterfall where Dani teaches Nieme to swim. Afterwards, they engage in more intimate activities and then lay there together. I have seen them laying out, and they made no effort to cover themselves from my view. I am not a voyeur, I assure you. It was purely chance. Though, I do have to admit that it was a pleasant sight."

Although she should have been slightly disturbed by this revelation, Laedra found herself laughing. "You truly are not a typical Jedi Master, are you? The impression I got from Ina, as well as Masters Vos and Kal'Aran was that the old Order Masters were rather strict and uptight. You are not, Master Darr."

"There are some that believe that once you become a Jedi you must give up all emotion and behave like a droid. I enjoy a good joke. I enjoy being happy and having friends. And, I'll admit that I do find my interests piqued at a pretty form. None of these things diminish me as a Jedi Master, and therefore I have no qualms about enjoying them. So, while Quinlan and Kal'Aran may present a stoic exterior, I see no reasons to deny what I feel inside. Not many Jedi view things as I, but I prefer my outlook on life and the Force."

"I think I prefer it as well," Laedra said. "I believe that was why I was so resistant to Ina's teachings when I was a Padawan. He presented the Order as a strict, severely formal institute where any practices that deviated from the Code were forbidden and met with censure. I believed that Jedi were not allowed to feel anything but utter devotion to the Order and every other emotion was a sin. The impression I got from Ina was that smiling was at times frowned upon, though, that didn't keep me from doing so. In fact, I made it a point to do what I was not supposed to do, just to give him a hard time." This, she did not tell Koran, led to merciless punishments from Ina, dealt to her on more than one occasion, and at the thought, Laedra all but shuddered. She deserved them, or so she'd thought at the time, and after witnessing firsthand Quinlan's obstacle course, she now surmised that brutal punishment was the standard among Masters of the Old Order. "I was a very rebellious student in those days," she went on, "and Ina didn't hesitate to correct my behaviour, or at least attempt to. After a time, I came to meet his gruelling punishments with a sick anticipation. However, he only succeeded in making me a more defiant and difficult student."

"Well, I hope my methods are better suited to your personality. At this stage, I believe that may be the case. While I don't agree with Ina's strict devotion to the Code, I do agree that the Jedi Code should be a dominant factor in your life. I hope that I will not be the harsh disciplinarian that he was. Such behaviour in my mind breeds darkness and resentment. And, if you ever find yourself resenting me for any reason, I want you to talk to me about it."

"And I trust if I do, you will not consider it an act of insubordination?" Laedra glanced sidelong at Koran. "I was hesitant to even speak to you this morning for fear that you'd find my forthrightness offensive. I think that too contributed to my reserved mood today. I enjoyed talking with you last night, and this morning when it truly hit me that I was your Padawan and no longer an equal, I feared we would not be able to converse with each other as we had. I feared that I'd lost you as a friend."

"And, that is why it was so difficult to go through that," Koran said. "You are one of the first friends I made after waking up in this similar-yet-different world, and I would not wish to lose you as a friend and colleague. And, you are my Padawan in title, but I expect you to treat me as a peer except when we are working on lessons. I hope that won't be too difficult to manage, but we will see. And, I expect you to always speak your mind."

"Now that I know doing so won't have me banished, I believe I will do so." Laedra sighed deeply and finally felt truly content for the first time that day. Well, other than when she and Liam made love, but that was a different kind of contentment. "Since I can now speak my mind without fear, may I ask whether you truly expect to find anything in that cave? Have you anything to base your assumption on other than a feeling?"

Koran laughed. "I don't expect to find anything, no," he said. "But, you never know. There may be something here. My main purpose was to get us out of the Temple, and away from anyone who could overhear us. We needed our privacy, and sometimes that isn't possible in a place like that. I thought it likely we could find something here, so it was the best excuse to get us out here without rousing too much suspicion."

"Master Koran Darr, you are devious." Laedra grinned and added, "I couldn't have asked for a better mentor."

Koran laughed. "I have never denied that my mind can work that way, and as long as the darkside does not threaten me, I see no reason to change." He grinned. "Now, how about this one right over here? If I were going to leave writings on the wall of a cave, it would be that one."

Laedra cocked a skeptical eyebrow at Koran, glanced at the cave, then back to him again. "A feeling, Master?"

"Well, it's closest to the waterfall and the temple," he said with a grin. "They may have wanted to write in every other cave but this one, but I'd want to use this one here."

"Yes, Master," Laedra teased. "Whatever you say, Master. Where you lead, I shall follow, Master."

Koran shook his head and laughed. "Be careful, I may just lead you over that waterfall," he said. "Though, the water looks deep enough underneath, so we might be okay. Watch your head, it's a little low up here."

---

"Becoming, Part 3"
by Laedra Vorrel
and Koran Darr

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Niothe 21, 4ABY

***

Laedra hunched over as she moved through the mouth of the cave. Once she was past it, the ceiling heightened and again she was able to stand upright. She turned slowly, the light of the handlamp falling upon the walls of the cave, but nothing interesting was to be seen. "Master, I do believe your feeling was wrong," she said, her voice an echo.

"I'm beginning to think so too," Koran said as he shone the light around the cave. "There's no signs of ancient civilization in here..." His light touched on a crumpled piece of fabric. "Except here." He moved closer and squatted down to get a better look and then laughed. "Oh my."

"What is it?" Laedra crossed the cave and crouched next to Koran. She raised an eyebrow at the discarded article of clothing, then shifted her gaze slowly to Koran. "Ancient civilizations, you say? Wearing expensive silk undergarments? So, Master, what sort of feeling was it that led you here again?"

Koran looked at the silken panties on the ground and then at Laedra. He shook his head and laughed. "I don't think I should say anything on the grounds of potentially embarrassing myself." He backed slowly away and laughed again. "Well, at least that ancient civilization left something interesting behind for us to study."

"Perhaps we should leave this here for some other explorers to discover." Laedra gave one last look at the panties, then straightened up and let them be. "I fear our search has come up relatively fruitless, Master."

"At least this search has," Koran said as he moved back to the entrance of the cave. "I can't help feeling compelled to leave something behind." He glanced back at her, and the laughter was clear in his eyes. "Come on before they start wondering where we are. We don't want any rumours started about us."

"That would make two Jedi I'm involved with then...or so the story goes," Laedra quipped as she followed after Koran.

Koran glanced back at Laedra, an enigmatic smile on his lips. "So the story goes," he said.

"My dear Master, whatever are you implying?" Laedra came up beside him and smiled at him innocently. "Liam is very handsome, I grant you that, but relationships of that nature are forbidden, are they not?"

"That's what the Jedi Code says," Koran said. "However, Liam is married, and Jae Dyn Brael is involved with Yelara as well. So, as you can see, rules can be broken."

Laedra tsked playfully and waggled her finger at Koran. "Not a very good thing to say to a rebellious Padawan such as myself. I may just turn your motto into a way of life if you're not careful."

"My first inclination is to say that you would be punished, however, I think you'd probably enjoy that too much. So...I will try to give you reason to not break any rules."

"Don't worry, Master, I don't believe I will give you much cause to punish me. I'm not a child anymore. I'm a woman and I'd like to think I have a little better judgement nowadays."

Koran laughed softly. "Indeed you do," he said. "If that weren't the case, then I don't believe we'd be having this conversation right now. And, I'm grateful you do as well. I wasn't ready to lose a friend yet. I don't think I ever will be."

Laedra nodded solemnly. "You've already lost far too many, haven't you? I don't know what that's like. I've never had friends before I came here. I imagine it must hurt as much as losing Ina did, however."

Koran nodded, but then smiled. "It hurts to lose them, but there is also joy in the new friends I do have. The Force is strong with me and those around me, and that helps to get me by. Though, the smiling faces help too. Except for Orn, when he smiles I get the feeling that he's trying to gauge how much food he can get into me." He then laughed. "He's fitting in very well though, and I think he's one of the happiest of all of us."

"Aside from Dani and Nieme." Laedra furrowed her brow upon mention of the Padawans...fellow Padawans now. "You shouldn't punish Dani. I must admit that I instigated what happened in a way. I pushed her and she just pushed back. It was only fair. She doesn't deserve to be reprimanded for what she said, and in fact, I may just owe her an apology...she and Nieme both."

A sudden laugh from outside the cave broke through the air. Koran smiled. "I think you may get your chance," he said. He listened and then smiled. "Sounds like they're getting ready to go for their swim."

"I imagine that fills you with much glee, Master." Laedra nudged Koran gently and laughed. "Two naked Padawans frolicking through the forest... I believe I'll just pay them both a visit in the morning, when they're fully clothed."

Koran chuckled softly. "That's probably for the best," he said. "I think they would prefer to not be interrupted here in their time alone. Shall we take the long way back?" He pointed to a trail leading away from the waterfall and the two frolicking Padawans.

"I believe we shall, Master. The long way is often the better way, after all. I think Master Ina told me that once."

Koran smiled as they started off. "See? Hardly nothing," he said. "And, in your time there you were able to pick up some of the wisdom required of a Jedi." He put a hand on her shoulder. "You are far from hopeless and I know you will make a great Jedi...especially when I'm through with you." He grinned, showing that he wasn't entirely serious.

"You know, Master, I do believe you will succeed with me. You have the qualities necessary to deal with someone as difficult as I am. Ina didn't, I don't believe. Perhaps that is why he failed in a sense." Laedra shrugged one shoulder, leaving the other stationary so as not to disturb Koran's hand. She appreciated that he wasn't afraid to touch her and comfort her, unlike Ina, which was another area he had been lacking in. A person such as herself thrived on friendship and intimacy in order to compensate for that which she had not received in her youth.

She was grateful now to have Koran, for he would provide her with everything that had been missing in the past and divert her from all actions that had contributed to her near downfall. Laedra smiled wistfully and brushed her cheek against Koran's hand. "Thank you," she whispered. "Thank you for all you're doing for me. Thank you."

"It's the least I could do for a friend," Koran responded quietly. "And, I am more than happy to help you in any way. You are a good woman, a friend, and I would hate to see you lost. I will do all I can to help you get where you want to be."

Laedra nodded slowly. "And now, I finally realize where that is. I want to be a Jedi Master someday, Koran. I never really thought about what I wanted before, but now that the future does not look so bleak, I need something to strive for, and it's that."

Koran smiled and then nodded. "Then a Jedi Master you shall be," he said. "And, I know you will be one of the best, Laedra. I have no doubts that soon after you are made a Jedi again, it won't be long before you are a Jedi Master. I envision you as a permanent member of the Jedi Council, and respected by all around you. I do think we're on the cusp of something here, and within a couple generations the Jedi will be close to what we were before. I can see all of us here having a guiding hand in that future, and I know yours will be prominent."

"Has the Force told you all this or is it intuition, Master? Perhaps flattery?"

"Perhaps all of the above," Koran said with a laugh. "And, it's a feeling I have, though I do see a glimmer of it through the Force."

"The Force is a powerful ally," Laedra quoted. "Or a dangerous enemy. The line seems so fine, Master, so indistinguishable at times. How do I keep from stepping over it?"

"When you act through aggression and anger, then you act on the darkside. When you act, you should be at peace with yourself and the world around you. When you are at peace, the Force will guide you. Sometimes it is hard to discern, but if you keep yourself aware, and you monitor your own thoughts and feelings you will be able to find the right path."

"And until I find that path, you will help me, will you not, Master?"

Koran smiled. "I will," he said. "And, if you ever feel you're straying once I've helped you, I can always help you back."

"You plan on this being a long-term association then?" Laedra patted Koran's back comfortingly. "You truly are a martyr, Master Koran Darr."

"Being a Jedi is a life-long commitment, as is being a friend. And, if being your friend makes me a martyr, then I am glad to be."

Laedra chuckled at Koran. "Oh, Koran Darr. If you weren't a Jedi, I imagine you would have been quite the suave lady's man."

"You really think so?" Koran asked, and then tried to strike a suave pose. At the sudden change in Laedra's shocked expression, Koran laughed. "Well, maybe not that suave."

Laughing as she was now, Laedra finally found herself pulled completely out of her earlier depression. Koran was proving to be more than just a teacher dictating to her the maxims of the Jedi Order and expecting immediate blind devotion, much as Ina had. Laedra's personality and character were incompatible with such methods. She was free-thinking and stubborn, and required a reason to believe before she could accept such principles as presented by the Order.

Most of all, she needed a friend, not a superior; she needed someone who would not chastise her or attempt to suppress her rebellious tendencies. Instead, she required a teacher who would help moderate such inclinations and work with her to incorporate them into the kind of Jedi she would become so the person she was would not be lost. Koran would accomplish that and amuse her along the way.

She knew it was rude to stare, but Laedra couldn't help gazing up at Koran as the moonlight limned the strong features of his face and glinted from his limply hanging brown hair. In him, she saw hope for herself and in his smile, reassurance that her cause was not utterly futile. And as he looked down at her, she found her confidence immediately bolstered.

Laedra would not fail, she knew that now. She would become a Master and leave behind her present disgrace. With Koran's help, she would become everything she could never have become if she had continued on her self-destructive path.

Impulsively, Laedra reached up and kissed Koran upon the cheek, and saying nothing, then started ahead of him on the trail back to the Temple where she would begin anew and never falter again.

---

"Occupation"
by Ferrig Mullerin
Moff Albren Seare
and Kael Selrid

Location: Thanatos, Tae'Karada
Date: Niothe 21 - 22, 4ABY

***

Ferrig Mullerin opened his eyes. His body was still racked with pain and he realized he couldn't move his left hand at all. The sunlight coming through the window told him it was moving on toward late afternoon. With a grunt, he tried to sit up but found he lacked the strength.

"It's alright, Ferrig." Pack's voice. "You're still really battered. We stole some bacta from the hospital." He laughed softly. "You should see yourself."

"Why?" His voice was a dry rasp, like sand blowing across a dune.

"You're completely naked, covered in these little pink patches all over your body. Your pecker's all wrapped up and looking like a boja sausage." Pack snickered again. "Sorry."

"Remind me...in the future...to not lose my focus in a fight."

"I'll remind you," Pack said. "Though, you almost lost more than your focus, and I'm not talking about the Feltreys either. We almost lost you out there, Ferrig. But, I'm glad I got the rest of us there in time."

Ferrig forced a grin, ignoring the pain flaring all around his face as he did. "That makes two of us."

"Just keep lying there, and those little pink patches will do their work."

He would have nodded if he could, instead Ferrig just blinked his acknowledgement.

It was shortly after Ferrig closed his eyes again when the rumbling started.

***

"Distance?"

The pilot of the Walker glanced back at Moff Seare and nodded brusquely. "Current position is fifteen kilometers and closing. We should be in position within ten minutes."

"Sir, there is a speeder breaking toward New Plouton," the co-pilot announced. "Shall I have Epsilon group break and take care of it?"

"Yes," the moff said. "We don't want news of what's happening here getting out until after this area has been pacified. Has our informant been cleared of the area?"

"Yes, all that remains is the scum that normally inhabit it."

"Our primary objectives are to secure the spaceport and to form a perimeter around Thanatos. No one in or out. Kill all those trying to flee."

"Aye, my lord."

The battle group continued to rumble forward, each step chewing up more and more of the sand separating them from their target. At the end of the ten minutes, Seare ordered the halt. They were a single kilometer from the edge of Thanatos, and it brought a smile to his face.

"Why have we stopped?" the co-pilot asked.

"Now they will wonder what we are here for. Now they will fear us."

***

Sleep faded with Pack's voice, and once again Ferrig opened his eyes. He was actually feeling better now. He looked up at his First and nodded for him to continue.

"Someone here to see you."

Ferrig pushed himself into a sitting position. "Who?"

Pack smiled. "Maybe I should just show him in."

Ferrig shook his head and laughed. With much effort he managed to cover himself with the light sheet draped over the bed.

As the figure appeared in the doorway, a melancholy smile twisted Ferrig's lips. "Kael," he whispered.

"You look like a gimtha used you as its chew toy," Kael said with a laugh, and then quickly wiped the smile from his face. "What happened?"

"The Razors," Ferrig said as his white-haired friend moved to have a seat. "And...and they managed to get in some good shots. Once they got me off my feet..."

Kael nodded. "Not a good situation, but at least you're alive and the gang still stands."

"But, so do they."

Kael sighed. "Well, all of you have a bigger problem."

"The Empire," Ferrig answered. "Pack told me. Are they still just sitting there?"

Kael nodded. "They are. And, judging from the sand pooling around them, they've been sitting there for awhile."

"I have no illusions that they'll just wander away. How do we stand up to that, Kael?"

"We unite."

Ferrig nodded. "My dream coming a bit early. If we can unite ourselves."

"If the desert doesn't unite, it won't matter anymore."

"Then we work to unite our people to take a stand against the Empire."

Kael smiled. "And, I can see what help I can get from my people. They can't sit by while the Empire wipes out all the desert populations. There aren't many of us, but we're smart. We'll figure out how to help."

"Thank you," Ferrig said, and then his face was washed with a pained expression.

Kael's concern was evident in his face as he leaned closer. "What is it?"

"Raeila."

"What about Raeila, Ferrig?"

Ferrig shook his head, and almost lost his composure at thoughts of his sister. "She's not here. She...she went to...Wetter territory. She...she fucked one of them and stayed there all night. I lost my temper when she got back, and now she's gone. She...she moved to one of the Wetter cities."

Kael felt the blood drain from his face. How would Raeila, born and raised in the desert, survive in a city? He felt his anger burning inside, and quickly calmed it. Now was no time to worry about Raeila. She was safe for now, away from what would happen here. He would look for her later.

"I'll look for her," he told Ferrig. "I'll find her. Now, I should contact my friends." With that, he pulled out his comlink, but only received static from it.

Ferrig cast him a questioning glance.

"They're jamming me. I'm going to have to go out farther to contact them. I'll be back soon, Ferrig. Try to gather your people. We'll need to seek out the other gangs." He placed a hand on his friend's shoulder and then started from the room. He would contact the others, and then they would help free Thanatos. The Empire would not destroy his home, not while he still breathed.