"Grapevine - Part 1"

by: Syan Daywalker – Bounty Hunter (Kurt)
and Karia – Hunter’s Assistant [NPC+]

Location: Just Outside Tae’Remok System
Date: Selene 21, 5 ABY

***

“Is he here yet?”

Sitting in Aesir’s cockpit, bounty hunter Syan Daywalker turned in his chair and looked back over his shoulder at the speaker.

Hands on hips, Karia looked at him expectantly, “Well?”

Instead of answering her, Syan looked to Eighteen, the protocol/pilot droid sitting in the co-pilot’s seat beside him. “Time?” he asked.

“Five minutes, thirty-three seconds, Master Syan. You win.”

“What did you win? Someone tell me.” Karia asked, eyes narrowed.

The hunter wouldn’t have answered, but programmed with a startling lack of understanding of rhetorical questions, Eighteen answered helpfully, “Master Syan wagered against me that you would return to the cockpit to inquire as to our expected visitor’s arrival in less than seven standard milicycles.I wagered that, given the average of your last four visits, it would be greater than nine standard milicycles.”

Servomotors in her neck joint whirring, Eighteen faced her master again. “I am afraid I do not have the liquid assets with which to pay the wager, sir.”

“If that’s your way of complaining that I don’t pay you, don’t waste your breath,” Syan replied.

“But sir, I don’t-”

The large man hissed the droid to silence and sat up. The golden-skinned Ferrerrio assistant came up behind him, hand on his shoulder. “What is it?”

“Incoming,” Syan replied cryptically, hands skimming over the J-Type Nubian’s controls.

Humanoid eyes stared in to the pulsing readout, trying to decipher the data.

“Master Syan, Aesir reports that the thermoscale frequency of the incoming vessel’s engines match what you were told to expect. Shall I deactivate defensive systems?”

Syan stood up. “No. Leave them on.”

“But sir, we’ll be targeting our visitor as he comes alongside.”

“He’d be suspicious if we didn’t. Leave them on and stand by for my order.”

Squeezing in to the small turbolift with Karia, Syan pushed the button to descend to the ship’s main deck. Along the way he grabbed his katana from the corridor closet and jogged with his assistant and lover to the ship’s lone docking port.

Karia wore her twin blaster pistols on her hips and looked nervous, but prepared.

They stood in silence, mostly because there was nothing to say and it was Syan’s preference. He didn’t care for small talk.

They didn’t have to stand around long. The deck plating under their feet shuddered gently as the vessel beside them locked in to the docking port. Seals rotated and atmospheres equalized with a soft gasp of vapor that drifted down to the floor.

The interlocked doors irised open and a tall man stepped inside, scarred, old surplus Clonetrooper armor clanking heavily.

“I have what you need on this Cirran Tyris.”

---

"Unusual Bounties"
By: Drer Rda (NPC+)
Zarrak (PC)
Random NPCs

Location: Thanatos
Date: Selene 21, 5 ABY

***

After having acquired a safe haven in the desert city known as Thanatos, Drer purchased a recently vacated palace, that was hidden away in the rocky landscape. The filthy Aqualish he had bought the palace from more than happily accepted the Twi'lek's credits, claiming he would not be disappointed with his purchase. He wasn't. Nearly. Save for an apparent Beeja rat infestation. The rodents had just begun to eat away at the walls, and now Drer could sense he had another problem to deal with.

He watched as Agork, jabbed his spear at a fat Beeja rat that raced off with a chunk of meat in its maw. His spear clattered against the hole in the wall as the vermin escaped into a dark crevice in the wall. The Gamorrean snorted angrily as he scooped his spear before kicking at the hole with his foot. "Agork, make yourself useful to me and find us an exterminator will you." The Twi'lek tapped away at a small computer console not bothering to glance over his shoulder.

"Wait, on second thought search the area some more and see if we can find a new nest for Ntenta." Ntenta was the yearling and a half old Nexu that Drer had come to obtain recently after her previous owner had hoped to kill the creature, when the Nexu had attacked in self defense and tore open the Rodian owner's arm along with nearly half of his body. Sensing he could use the beast for good purpose, Drer paid the Rodian twice the needed credits he needed to pay for his medical bills in exchange for Ntenta. Since that time, Drer had found to taking in delight as the ever growing Nexu took to frightening untrustworthy associates sometimes tearing them open in the process.

His fingers halted as a most peculiar race appeared in the Bounty Hunter's Guild databank files. Dug. So there were now Dugs who had taken to bounty hunting? The Dug species were quite adept podracers, their small build and lithe feet allowing them to gracefully pilot the machines with skill and grace. But to take to bounty hunting? True their size would allow them an advantage of some kind, but it would also allow for a disadvantage as well, Drer was certain. However that was not to say they could be quite skilled in unarmed combat, their large hands packed an impressive wallop. Drer could recall when Idvat had gotten into a fight with a Dug once only to have his arm broken. Yes, this would warrant investigation.

"Idvat! Send out someone to find this Zarrak and have him come here at once, I would like very much to meet this Dug bounty hunter."

It had been several days since Zarrak last killed that CorSec officer, Kusna Coalb. He was staying low, spending his time either in Arcadia or the Jedi Temple.

Rumor had it that there were a few people looking for him. He didn't mind, if they wanted to kill him then he'd just blow them away. It was that simple.

It did not take Idvat long to locate the Dug bounty hunter. From what information he was able to gather from the Bounty Hunter's Guild, Zarrak favored a local cantina in Arcadia. A toothy grin spread across the large beefy Gran's face as he stepped inside the cantina immediately spotting the small Dug, nursing a drink thirstily at a table by himself, hands propped up on the table. "So, even Dugs can become bounty hunters now?" Idvat remarked as he stepped over to the Dug's table.

Zarrak glared at the Gran. How he really hated those creatures. "Yes, we can become bounty hunters. After all we're really good at violence. Now back off before I break your damn face."

The Gran laughed at Zarrak's reply. "You're the exact personification of a Dug, that you are." Idvat gestured to himself. "I have no nevermind with what happened between either of our ancestors in the past, so like you I suppose you could say I'm not your exact personification of a Gran." Idvat's tone turned serious. "Tell me, how would you like to make some real credits?"

"Well I am a bounty hunter after all." The Dug leaned back some more in his chair. "Credits always interest me. So tell me, what is this job for?"

"I'm not at liberty to say what the job is, only that you will learn that from my boss who wishes to meet you in person." The Gran gestured with his arm. "I can show you the way, unless you are afraid that a Gran like me might try and rob you of your credits."

"Oh I'm not worried about you," Zarrak growled. "Take me to your boss, Three Eyes."

"Follow me Spindly." The Gran turned and left the cantina with the Dug in tow, turning into an alleyway that housed a cloth covered object. Idvat tore off the cloth revealing it to be a modified speeder bike with a large seat designed for two riders, who apparently were to ride back to back, while one rider directed the bike the other manned the small gun turret in the rear.

"Don't touch anything," Idvat warned before he leapt onto the bike and waited for Zarrak to do the same. As soon the Dug got on, the Gran gunned the accelerator and raced off into the busy market streets, before veering off into the outskirts of the desert. After an hour or so's drive Idvat slowed the speeder to a halt as they approached a rocky area.

"We're here." Hopping off the bike Idvat walked towards a rusted terminal buried in rocks, and punched some buttons. "I've returned, open the locks." What sounded like droid gibberish was spoken back at him. The sounds of rock and metal shifting hit his ears as a smaller door with the large metal wall encased in rock opened revealing a small Jawa, his golden eyes gleaming brightly. "Come." The Gran stepped through the door as Zarrak followed.

Zarrak whistled as he saw the large door in front of him. Someone here must've had security on their mind. He followed him through the hall and it took his eyes a moment to be able to get used to the darkness. He followed the Gran, keeping his eyes on him at all times.

"Boss I've returned with the Bounty Hunter," Idvat remarked as he stepped inside the main hall standing before Drer. The main hall was sparsely decorated, several crates lay littered here and there, a pair of two small crates served as temporary chairs nearby the fainting couch. The Twi'lek lay on his fainting couch half asleep as a beautiful lavender skinned female Twi'lek knelt behind him massaging his shoulders. "Asal, you may go now," Drer remarked shifting so she could get up. "You must be Zarrak. I'm Drer Rda. Would you care for something to drink?"

Zarrak watched as the female Twi'lek got up. He smiled and chuckled as he said, "I've got to get me one of those. Lately my back and shoulders have been killing me." His face then grew serious. "Sure I'd a like drink. Now how about we cut straight to the chase. I'm not one for the pleasantries of conversation."

Drer smiled folding his hands. "I like bounty hunters who are all business, like you. Now I'll get right to the point as to why I had Idvat over there bring you to me." He remarked tipping his head in the direction of the Gran as the female Twi'lek returned with two glasses of T'ssolok one for Drer and one for Zarrak.

The dark skinned Twi'lek took a deep drink before beginning to speak. "I have lost something very valuable that belongs to me, that I would like to have returned to my possession. Have you ever heard of a race called the Veaseph?" He asked looking at the Dug intensely.

Zarrak shook his head after he drained the contents of his glass in one gulp. He watched the female Twi'lek as she walked away and licked his lips.

"I'm afraid I'm not familiar with this race," he replied.

"Suffice it to say, there is bad blood amongst the people of Veaseph I and II, and as of late some of them are starting to take to selling slaves; you see their females are considered very valuable for their unique spotted appearances...by chance of luck I was able to obtain a female of this species. Only up until now she has been stolen away from me while in the company of Agork over there." Drer glanced briefly in the Gamorrean's direction who stood leaning against his spear, and snorted in disgust.

"What's the matter there, big guy," Zarrak taunted. "You lost your wife? I tell you, Gamorreans. Can't seem to hold onto anything if you ask me."

Drer burst into laughter at the Dug's reply. "No, the Gamorrean was keeping watch over her for me, I hear tell he is a real charmer with the ladies, Gods only know how so, but," His tone turned serious then. "I'm looking for a humanoid, I did not get a look at this human but Agork did. He described the human as a giant even for one amongst his species, dark hair, bright eyes, and unkempt. I do however know that he possesses a YT-2000 freighter...probably uses it for smuggling."

The tiny bounty hunter nodded. "So I can assume you want the girl brought back to you alive. What about this human? You want me to kill him or do you want me to capture him and give him to you to kill?"

"Hmmm..." Drer traced the rim of his glass with his long skeletal fingers, mulling over the thought. Having the human captured and brought back here to be killed by his own hand sounded deliciously tempting, the mere thought of seeing the human die as he begged for his life before Drer filled the Twi'lek with a malicious anxiety. However, it would also draw more attention to himself then he wished for the moment, after all he had only just arrived to this planet and knew very little of it...however not tackling this problem head on, might give the local thugs the impression he was soft. Mulling over the thought more, he then looked back at the Dug and gave him his answer.

"Bring him to me, I will see to it that I make him suffer personally." The Twi'lek's hand clutched the glass tightly causing the glass to crack slightly. "I will pay you 10,000 credits. Half now as advanced payment and half later when you return with the girl and the humanoid."

"You got yourself a deal," Zarrak answered. He sat down his glass and leaned forward. He held out a massive hand for Drer to shake. "Consider them as good as yours."

---

"Impromptu Introductions, Part 1"
By: Zale Tregat
Kaysa Zenarr-Tregat
Moril Astren
Shaza Nightshade
Kimara
Aria Tregat [NPC+]

Location: Tae'Remok System;  Yesdol Spaceport - New Plouton, Tae'Karada
Date: Selene 21, 5 ABY

***

By the instruments he could glance at, Zale guessed that they were about halfway home. Shaza's ship was in no way luxurious, but it was comfortable enough. He returned along the passageway toward the room he shared with Kaysa. They had talked a little, but mostly sat together in silence. He hoped, however, that he'd made it clear enough to her he wasn't going to be abandoning her.

He entered the smallish cabin and smiled as Kaysa looked up at him from where she sat on the end of the bed.

"Shaza says everything is fine on the other ship according to Lerrah," he said as he moved to sit toward the head of the bed. "I still worry for Keeve though. Talara has taken quite a fancy to him."

"Poor boy," she replied flatly, her attempt at infusing sarcasm into her words failing. Staring at the back of her hands as they rested atop her thighs, Kaysa asked, "Has he forgiven Shiv yet, or is he beginning to seriously consider Talara's offers?"

"I think he wants to be free of everyone except Kimara," Zale said. "But, I don't know. I think he likes the attention, but doesn't want to be unfaithful to Kim."

Kaysa chuckled bitterly. "He must be glad I had no hand in raising him; fidelity would come a lot harder to him if I had."

"Considering who he's marrying, I'm surprised he hasn't found more than just Kim in his bed," Zale said. "And you really shouldn't be so hard on yourself, Kaysa. Sure we've had a rough time of things lately, but things haven't been easy. We've had a lot of things happen in our life that no normal person could survive. But, we're still here."

"Barely," she added nearly inaudibly. "If you're right, if I haven't screwed up so badly...then where's Merrick, Zale?" Raising her brown eyes, dark circles surrounding them, Kaysa asked again, "Where is he?"

"He's on Tae'Karada," Zale said with a sigh. There was pain in his words as he uttered them. "He's with Analesse now. He said he does need to speak with you when we return, but I don't think it will be a happy reunion."

"Then there's no point in saying anything, is there?" Her fingers twisted and tugged at the hem of the oversized shirt provided her, trying, with some difficulty, to bury her grief. "He moves fast, doesn't he?" she whispered. "But you didn't." Her laugh was wooden and hoarse as she told him, "Oh, Zale...I think you got the bad end of the deal if you ended up with me."

"Somewhere under your tears and grief is the woman I fell in love with, who married me to save me, and who loved to laugh," Zale said. "I love her more than life, and hope to spend many years more with her as we raise our baby girl together. Things haven't gone quite the way we'd planned, Kaysa, but we're still here and I still love you. What happened, happened, but I have no intention of leaving you. You are my wife, the woman I love, the mother of my daughter, and ray of sunshine in the gloom that surrounds Tae'Karada. May not seem like it now, but I know I got the better deal."

"Then that's why you came? To claim your prize?" Kaysa turned to face him, and experienced a heartbreaking guilt over the exhaustion etched into his features, wearing ragged his once fiery gaze and the rare, but captivating smiles he would have bestowed upon her if it would have been any other time, one where they were actually happy. Her eyes stung, but she didn't notice the tears until they warmed her cheeks. Still trembling and weak, Kaysa slid a thin, frail hand over Zale's and squeezed faintly. "He used me horribly," she told him thickly. "I won't forget, not ever."

Zale opened his hands to hers. "My wife was in trouble, and I had to get her out of that trouble. During the search, Keeve had to tell me to get sleep, because I wouldn't leave. Moril has been doing most of the managing of Antorial for the last four months. I had to find you though, to rescue you. I knew something wasn't right, that you wouldn't willingly go with that bastard. I had to find you...and get you away from him." He closed his eyes briefly and drew in a deep breath. "I should have checked the body, made sure he was dead." He opened his eyes and gazed at her. "Whatever you need to get through this, I'm here. If you want me."

"Why wouldn't I?" Her smile was sad, but a warmth managed to find a break in the grief and leak through. "I love you, Zale, and I never stopped. I was...out of my head for a while. I don't blame Aria...but after I gave birth, something snapped. It was like I was trapped, suffocating, and Cadwin gave me a way out. And I was an idiot for accepting."

"Cadwin was even more foolish for getting involved with a man like Vrax," Zale said. He leaned close and brushed her forehead with a kiss. "We'll figure out our path and we'll figure out how to be happy again. Together."

"You sure you're up for it?" Kaysa sighed softly as her fingers played lightly over Zale's cheek, remembering how wonderful his flesh was to touch. "You're so tired...I'm afraid for you. I don't want you to suffer anymore."

"I've got you back now," Zale said with a smile for her. "I don't have to worry or lose sleep anymore. We can get healthy again, and find our happiness."

Kaysa nodded. "Though, I may need a hearty meal first," she joked. "I don't think you'd like what you see if I were to take my clothes off. I was so close, Zale...I'd given up and I was ready to let go." Her smile returned, pushing free more tears. "Until I saw you up on that rooftop...I was already gone."

"I'm so sorry I wasn't there sooner," Zale said. "He was good at covering his tracks, but not good enough. I'm just thankful I did get there when I did. I don't know what I would have done, how I would have gone on, if I didn't get there when I did."

"Don't think about it," Kaysa murmured, her lips sweeping against his cheek as she spoke. "None of this was your fault, and even if you hadn't found us in time, it would never have been your failure. Please don't make me feel more guilty than I already do."

"Did you want to come out to the galley with me," Zale asked softly. "I can make us something to eat if you'd like."

Her response was immediate and unequivocal - a brisk shake of the head. "Not unless we're alone. I'm not ready to face anyone yet."

"I'll make sure the others don't come in," he said. "It's just Moril, Saris, and Shaza on the ship."

Kaysa took deep, slow breaths to control her heartbeat. Then, she finally nodded. "Only if you promise me something. Only then."

Zale nodded. "Okay," he said.

"I want to know all about Aria," she told him. "And images, too...if you have them."

He reached into his jacket and pulled out a holo-imager. At a touch to one of the buttons on its side, a holographic image of their daughter shimmered into view above the imager. She was on her belly, trying to turn over, a happy smile that seemed to light up the room. "There she is."

Kaysa gasped, her hands reflexively leaping to her mouth to stifle a sob. Failing to do so, once Kaysa's sniffling began, it soon evolved into a bout of uncontrollable weeping. "My gods," she breathed. "She's so beautiful...and so big!"

"She's five months old now," Zale said. "Six soon. The hardest thing leaving on this search was leaving her behind for...for Kim to watch over. I didn't think twice about leaving behind Antorial, but having to look into our little girl's big brown eyes, and then walk away... I left a piece of my heart back there, that's for sure." He smiled at Kaysa, a smile filled to bursting with the love he felt for her and the joy at the little life they made together. "But, for the chance to make our family whole again, to be able to hold you in my arms...I knew I had to leave her, just for a little while."

Kaysa sucked in a shuddering breath and exhaled a choked sob. "Gods...I can't even remember holding her. Why couldn't I stay with her, Zale? Why was I so afraid?"

"It's a very big commitment," Zale said. "And, it requires a bit of change in our lives. My guess...you probably didn't feel ready."

"But am I ready now? I don't want to screw up again. Please don't let me make another mistake like this one."

"I'll be with you," Zale said. "We'll do it together. We'll make it work this time, you and me, and our little girl."

Kaysa nodded tremulously, unconsciously leaning into Zale's embrace as he curled his arm around her shoulders. "I have to do this," she whispered. "I have to be brave...for her. I don't want her to hate me, too. I have to make it up to her, Zale. I don't know how yet, but I have to."

"First thing we'll do when we get home is go to her," Zale said. "When mama and papa come home together, pick her up and show her how much they love her, that'll make a very good start."

"Okay," she whispered tearfully. "It'll have to do - even if she doesn't know me, she might still grow to recognize me as her mother. Unless you've already found a replacement..."

"I approached Moril, but he said he was pretty committed to Saris," Zale said with a grin. "So, I think I will just have to remain with my first choice, and she's the only one I want."

"Good." Kaysa managed a grin. "I'm glad you decided to stick with me. I don't know what I'd do if I had to be alone right now, no matter how much I'd deserve it. You shouldn't be so forgiving, Zale. It isn't fair."

"Maybe not," Zale said with a chuckle, "but my little girl will have her mama, and I'll have you. I've done my share of stupid things in my life, and I got the chances to get where I am today, and so you deserve the chances to be able to be with our daughter as she grows up, to hear her say your name, and to shower her with all the love you can."

"With Merrick deciding he doesn't need me in his life, it looks like I'll have a lot more love to spare for her," she quipped ruefully, then patted Zale's chest and assured him, "I won't dwell on that...not when I can't even confront him. He's happy, then?"

"As far as I can tell," Zale said. He shrugged, and took her hand. "I didn't delve too deeply into their relationship, and had other things on my mind. I don't know if it'll help you with Keeve, but he was very upset and had a few strong words with Merrick."

Kaysa laughed warmly. "So...he pretends not to, but he does have a soft spot for me? I'll have to tease him about that later. When do we arrive, anyway? I'd like to see him."

"I expect it should only be a few more hours," Zale said. "I expect Keeve and the others should be landing about the same time as we do."

"Then we still have a little time alone." Smiling adoringly at her daughter's image, Kaysa murmured, "Let's go eat...but I'm bringing her with us. I can't bear to part with her again."

"I know just what you mean," Zale said with a smile of his own. "I don't ever want to be apart from either of my girls again."

Eyes fixed to Zale's holo-imager now clutched in her hands, Kaysa rose with Zale supporting her on one side, and it was then she finally felt secure in returning to the life she'd abandoned on Tae'Karada. If Zale could still love her after this, where Merrick was quick to move on, then she owed it to him to at least try and raise their child together...even if she ended up fleeing again in cowardice. But judging by Zale's doting and affection, he wouldn't allow her to, and for that she was both glad and comforted.

***

The food had been very tasty, and it helped to pass more of the time together. Shaza was busy at the controls of the ship, and Moril and Shaza were back in their cabin continuing to make plans for their wedding. They had stopped by the cabin briefly, and with the strength provided by Zale's love and the image of Aria, Kaysa was able to smile and chat amiably before they ventured back to their room. Things seemed to be feeling much more comfortable now, and hopes were much higher than they'd been in some time.

The word had been sent back through the ship when they reached the edge of Tae'Karada's system, and then when they'd reached orbit and awaited their turn to land in the New Plouton Spaceport. As the ship shuddered, both Zale and Kaysa slipped into the cockpit. Below them, the planet spread out and around them.

Shaza grinned as she glanced back at them. "Beautiful, isn't it?" she asked.

"Indeed it is," Zale said.

"Should we expect a welcome party?" Kaysa quipped. "If so, I'd better at least brush my hair."

Zale chuckled. "I think we should," he said. He cast a sidelong glance at Shaza who grinned. "Yes, probably a very good idea."

Kaysa nodded decisively, then squeezed Zale's hand before stepping away. "I'll be getting ready. Don't disembark without me."

"I'll stay right here until you return," Zale said with a grin.

The ground was coming up quickly and out ahead of them, the spaceport was distinctive among the other buildings. Even with the view, Zale couldn't help himself from watching Kaysa go. With a content smile, he turned back to watch their landing.

Shaza made it seem simple. They came in high, and then slowed to a near-stop once over the top of the port. Using repulsor drives, they descended toward the berth they'd been assigned. Behind them as Shaza lined up their descent, Moril and Saris appeared silently. Around them, the spaceport rose, enclosing them within its walls. As they reached the level for their berth, Shaza nudged the controls once more to move them laterally into the pad. Ignoring the ship as it moved gracefully to the center of the berth, Zale instead found his gaze drawn to the young blonde woman standing at the edge of the berth holding a small infant. Bouncing the baby on her hip, the woman kept pointing toward the ship. Zale felt tears stinging his eyes as he watched, and within his chest his heart clenched.

"Kaysa," he called. "You have to come up. You have to see this!"

She was a few minutes in coming, but she hurried into the cockpit wearing a clean white shirt and trousers donated from Shaza's personal collection. Coming up beside Zale, she asked, "What is it? What's happened?" But she required no answer, not when her eyes caught the image displayed on the viewer. Her breath left her. "Is that...that her?" she whispered.

"It is," Zale said. Outside the ship, Kimara would wave to them and then wave Aria's tiny hand as Shaza settled the ship finally to the pad, and began the shut down process. "Shall we go get our little one, my love?"

"Drop the ramp!" was all she said before rushing out of the cockpit, towards the rear of the ship, towards the daughter she'd abandoned. The landing ramp had just touched down when Kaysa arrived, and down it she clattered, calling her child's name. Tears washed over her eyes, but her destination remained clear. She reached it breathlessly and a touch fatigued, reminding her painfully of the ill-treatment her body had suffered over the past few months. Though, Kaysa still laughed in absolute delight as she came upon her daughter, who gazed up at her in wonder and curiousity. Her tiny smile warmed Kaysa's heart. "Aria..." she breathed. She hesitated as she raised her hand towards Aria's cheek.

Zale remained standing farther back as he watched mother and daughter together. There was an awkward moment as Aria just stared, but then her smile widened and she began to squirm happily, reaching for her mama. Kim laughed and tears fell from her eyes. She stepped close to Kaysa and let her take Aria from her arms. Zale came up behind her and slipped his arms gently around both mother and daughter. "Welcome home," he whispered.

"Are you sure she knows me?" Kaysa asked worriedly. Her arms trembled, unaccustomed to the weight of her daughter now compared to the baby she had given birth to. Aria cooed and Kaysa chuckled tearfully.

"I'm thinking that's a yes," Zale said as he brushed a finger through Aria's hair. "I definitely think she knows her mama."

"That or she's this friendly to everyone she meets." Kaysa allowed her hand to cradle Aria's cheek. Aria gazed up at Kaysa with mouth wide, exploring this strange woman who seemed familiar enough. Kaysa laughed softly. "I don't care if she is like this with everyone, I'll take it."

"Isn't she beautiful and wonderful," Zale asked in a whisper. "She has your eyes. See? My hair, but...but once it gets longer it can be braided."

"Oh, we'll have to see about that," she informed him laughingly. "Let's get her home. I'd like some privacy to get to know her better."

"You read my mind," Zale said with a grin. He glanced over at Kim, whose eyes were still glistening as she watched the reunion between Kaysa and Aria. "You have a speeder you could get us home in?"

Before Kim could answer, however, Moril appeared at the top of the ramp. "Zale, we've got trouble. Shaza was shutting all the systems down, but before she could kill the nav, Agarra's Pride dropped off the scope. Lerrah's ship's gone, and Shaza can't find it."

"Can't raise her on the comms?" Zale said, his brow furrowing with confusion.

"Silence," was Moril's answer.

Zale turned his gaze toward the sky, as if he might be able to see Lerrah's ship out there amongst the stars.

"They'd just entered the system after hyperspace reversion," Moril said. "That should put them right around Pradzis' and her moons."

"We have to go back out," Zale said. "We've got to find them."

"Could it just be a malfunction with the comm system?" Kaysa asked with concern.

"If we can't raise them on the comm or see them on the scanner, it's something that bears looking into," Zale said.

"If you two want to stay," Kim said, "I can go with them and help search."

"Zale" --Kaysa turned to him, her eyes entreating-- "I can't go...I don't have the strength to. I need to stay here with my daughter."

Zale nodded. "I'll stay with you," he said. "Go ahead, Kim. Help bring them back, wherever they are."

Kimara nodded and started up the ramp.

As she reached the top, Saris appeared behind Moril. "Shaza can't get clearance," she said. "Control is saying that the pattern is full, and they can't let us out until it's cleared some."

"Get on in," Zale said. "When the window opens, you want to be ready to go. Good luck, and let us know as soon as you know something."

"We will," Kim called back as the ramp started closing. "See you soon."

The hatch cycled and sealed, closing the four of them into the ship while Zale, Kaysa, and Aria watched from the outside. Zale could only wish them the best as he put an arm around Kaysa and they started backing away from the ship.

"They'll find them," he whispered. "Come on, let's go on home. Our little one needs us."

Kaysa nodded absently, watching the hatch seal behind Kim. If something truly had happened to her rescuers, then Kaysa wouldn't be able to escape the guilt in knowing her actions had placed them in danger's path. Turning her face into Zale's arm, Kaysa bit back her grief and hoped all would go well.

---

"Impromptu Introductions, Part 2"
By: Lerrah Breijal
Keeve Shivral
Dargus Kandran
Liam Zaneth
Talara Sorenne
Maeren Shivral
Elf [NPC+]

Location: Outside the Tae'Remok System
Date: Selene 21, 5 ABY

***

"Lerrah, did you fall asleep? I knew it!" Keeve's irritated query preceded him as he stormed into the cockpit.

Lerrah threw a switch and the Pride spiraled away from what appeared to be a small moon. As the ship twisted through the blackness of space, blue spears of energy lanced along their former heading. She rolled the ship through another looping turn, then angled hard, straining the gravity generators. One of the blue spears exploded against their shields, and the ship rocked hard against the impact.

"I don't know what happened," Lerrah said, her voice distant as she concentrated on keeping them alive. "We came out of hyperspace, and all of a sudden..." She let out a wordless shout, as a ship raced up right in front of them. Somehow, she managed to bank the ship hard, and the other craft, a fighter of some sort, shot past them. "Elf, any luck on the comms?"

The droid whistled a reply that didn't sound very encouraging.

"Damn," Lerrah muttered as she rolled through another series of evasive maneuvers.

"We're being attacked," Keeve rasped, gripping the back of Lerrah's chair for balance. "Who are they? That ship...I don't recognize it."

"Neither do I," Lerrah said between gritted teeth. "They're faster and better armed, but I appear to be the better pilot so far. I hope. They're doing their best to keep us from breaking for Tae'Karada. What the hell are they doing here?"

"Trying to kill us, it would appear," came Dargus Kandran's reply as he approached. With him, were Talara and Liam, with Maeren just behind them.

"And they're going to succeed if we stick around here too much longer," Lerrah answered back.

Maeren cast a glance at Keeve, her eyes showing a mixture of fear and defiance toward the fear. When his eyes found hers, she looked away.

"What about that planet," Dargus said, pointing to the planet that lay ahead of them. "Upper atmosphere is a fairly thick layer of clouds that tend to reflect scans. Might be able to break free of them in there."

"Sounds like a great plan to me," Lerrah said, and banked the ship in that direction. "I hope there aren't any objections."

"Not from back here," Keeve stated tightly, then look aside to Maeren. "You'd better find a seat and strap in. This is going to be bumpy."

Shiv nodded, but paused for a moment before turning and heading back to the main cabin where she could find a safe spot.

"Hold on to something," Lerrah cautioned, and kicked the ship forward. At their tail, the other ships pursued. She had a clear view of them as she corkscrewed the ship around some more blaster fire. It was two ships, and both seemed to be highly maneuverable and highly motivated to turn them into spacedust.

The evasives were enough to get the Pride to the outer rings that surrounded Pradzis. While it was no asteroid field, Lerrah had no qualms about using the rings as a means to escape the fighters. While the Pride was a larger ship, she had an expert pilot at the controls. Rocks and debris loomed up before them, but were gone with a twist or turn. The occasional thump against the hull indicated a piece of debris that got too close, but none of it concerned Lerrah.

She pushed the Pride faster.

Behind them, the fighters tried to keep up as they dodged through the rings. Their shots found only rocks and empty space as they tried to blast the Pride. A large chunk of rock--possibly a remnant of one of the many moons that orbited the planet--loomed ahead. At the last possible moment, Lerrah broke to one side of it. The fighters split. One followed the Pride, and the second dodged to the other side of the rock. The pilot easily juked his way around the large rock, but wasn't fast enough to avoid chunk spinning in his path. A fiery explosion enveloped both smaller and larger rocks as pieces of the fighter were scattered into the field of rings and debris.

"Got him," Lerrah cried with a laugh.

Talara let out a cheer as well, but Liam and Dargus remained silent.

"There's still another one out there," Keeve reminded them, "and I doubt it will fall for the same maneuver."

"Probably not," Lerrah said as they broke out of the planet's rings. "But it's one less than we had a moment ago."

She pushed the ship toward the planet itself, hoping the cloud would scramble the sensors of the other ship and allow them to escape to freedom.

As they cleared the space between the rings and the planet, the fighter appeared out of the final set of rings and began its pursuit once more. The safety of the planet edged closer.

"Just a little bit farther, baby," Lerrah cooed to the ship. "Just a little more."

The nose of the ship touched the cloud. A cheer started on Lerrah's lips. Before the sound could form, the ship rocked hard. A deafening roar sounded from the rear of the ship. Lerrah was thrown against her harness as blue white energy coursed over the controls.

From where he was plugged into the ship, Elf began chattering while monitoring the ship's damage control system. The blue white energy hit the socket he was plugged into, and with an electric scream, the little astromech was thrown back against the far wall of the cockpit. Smoke poured from every opening in his chassis as a chattering yowl rose and then fell. Finally, the droid teetered, and clanged to the deck with a groan.

"Starboard engine is gone," Lerrah called. "Losing power all over the ship. Hull's intact."

Talara was already moving toward the navigator's seat when Lerrah turned to those behind her. "Strap in," she said. "This is probably going to be a bit rough."

"Can't bring up anything on the sensors," Talara said. "I can't see that fighter behind us either."

"He's the least of our worries now," Lerrah said as she tried to level their descent. At the edge of her senses, she could feel the Pride starting to spin. "We're going down and unless I can get power to the repulsors, we're going to hit hard."

As the ship burst out of the cloud, the canopy brightened slightly, and below they could see the ground spinning up at them. Emergency lighting flickered on in the cabin, and then cycled back through the ship so that everything was bathed in an eerie red glow.

Seeing that there was nothing they could help with here, the two Jedi moved back into the cabin, using the Force to keep their balance.

Keeve, meanwhile, had found his way to Elf's side and was stroking the overloaded droid's domed head. "It's ok, little buddy," he whispered. "We'll fix you up real good." Then, he lay one arm across Elf's torso to restrain the droid, and found a hand-grip with the other, bracing for impact.

The ship dropped heavily through the atmosphere as Lerrah tried everything she could think of to regain control. There was a section on the surface where lights were clear, and with effort, she edged the ship toward them. The ship was sluggish to respond, but she managed to get all of the Pride's drag fins extended to break their descent. There was a roaring around the ship as they burned through the atmosphere. The sound of tearing metal echoed through the ship as one of the fins was sheered from the hull.

The ship leveled out over a long plain, and shot right over the lights illuminating one of the valleys below. The forces exerted on the ship pressed Lerrah back into her seat, but she got her hand up to the controls and punched a series of buttons there. Outside the ship, the repulsors fired and the landing gear extended.

"Brace for impact!"

A cloud of dirt and dust sent up a plume as the Pride slammed into the surface of the planet. The safety harnesses holding everyone in place strained as the forces of gravity attempted to fling everyone inside. The sound of twisting metal was deafening as the ship slid along the ground. Through the canopy, Lerrah could see the world around them rotating as the ship spun slowly while chewing a deep furrow in the surface.

At last, the ship came to a sudden and abrupt stop as the starboard side slammed into something solid. Within, smoke filled the air and the emergency lights had dimmed to near nothing. Lerrah could feel pain in her chest from where the straps had dug in, and she could taste blood in her mouth where she'd bit her tongue. "Keeve? Talara?"

"I'm here," Talara whispered.

From beneath Keeve, a quiet tootling song sounded as dim lights flickered back to life.

"Elf?" Keeve groaned. He pressed his hand to the deck, intending to rise, but hollered as a sharp, throbbing pain blasted through his wrist and forearm. He slumped back over Elf, catching himself with his other hand. "It's nothing," he assured the girls through gritted teeth. "Just broken, that's all."

Talara unstrapped herself from her chair and pushed herself to her feet. She took a step toward Keeve and stopped, her head snapping to stare off into the distance. "Danger," she murmured. "We have to get out of here."

"I'll grab a medkit and check on the others," Lerrah said. "Help Keeve and Elf."

Talara nodded and moved to help Keeve up. As she did, Lerrah grabbed the medkit from the wall and headed into the main cabin. "Everyone alright?"

"I am," Shiv said. "Is...is Keeve?"

"He's got a broken wrist, but otherwise is fine," Lerrah said. "We have to get out of here."

"Danger," Liam said with a nod.

"Coming in from the West," Dargus finished. "We'll need rebreathers out there."

"Next to the exit hatch," Lerrah said. "No power, we'll probably have to blow it to get out."

Shiv untangled herself from her harness and hurried for the cockpit. She found Talara next to Keeve as the two of them followed by Elf made their way out. She looked relieved to see that he was only cradling his arm and appeared to have no other serious injuries. She pulled a rebreather from a container next to her and held it out to him. "You'll need this out there," she said.

Keeve winced a smile. "You first. If there aren't enough, you should have one."

"There's more by the hatch out," Shiv said. She pulled one more from the bin and handed it to Talara. "Do you need help? I can...I can help if you need." She was backing toward the exit as they came forward, her eyes focused on Keeve, a mixture of sadness and hope in her eyes.

"Maeren," Keeve called to her hoarsely. "Just...just stay close." And clearing his throat awkwardly, he held out his uninjured hand to accept one of the masks.

She handed the mask to him and as they reached the hatch that led out to the alien planet beyond, Lerrah handed one to her.

"The Jedi are outside already," Lerrah said. "We'll need to stay together once we're outside and then find somewhere to shelter until we can get our bearings. And see to our injuries." She gave Keeve a pointed look. "I don't know if my distress signal got off. Those fighters were jamming me something fierce. We have to find a way off this place. I think the authorities will want to know about this. Dresh would definitely not be happy to find out they're here." She led the way down the ramp, blaster in hand. "Watch out, the ground's a little mushy."

"What's Dresh going to do about it?" Keeve asked snarkily. "This is no longer Tae'Karadan territory - our misguided High Princess saw to that. Whoever these people are, they've every right to be here and we might very well have infringed on their territory."

"Something has to be done," Lerrah said. "They have to put up warning beacons or something. I don't know how we ended up where we did, but I don't think anyone else needs to go through this."

"Right now," Keeve retorted, "I'm more concerned with our safety. That's why we should head for those caves up ahead. It might not shield us from their sensors, but at least we won't be directly seen."

Lerrah nodded. Maeren was staying very close, but Talara had stepped a couple steps away and unclipped the lightsaber from her belt. As they all looked off in the distance at the caves, Liam and Dargus returned to the base of the ramp.

"The cave's a good choice," Liam said. "If nothing else, if they do come at us, we'll be able to hold them there."

"We may not have time to make it," Dargus said and pointed. Only a few kilometers off, vehicles could be seen speeding in their direction.

"Looks like a transport of some sort," Talara added.

"They came prepared," Keeve commented gruffly. "Can anyone spare a blaster, because it sure looks like we're gonna need it."

Lerrah handed Keeve hers.

With lightsaber in hand, Talara took several steps forward to stand with Liam and Dargus.

Keeve, Lerrah, and Shiv took position by the Jedi's side, wondering how they would possibly be able to halt a speeding transport with only blasters and laser swords at their disposal. "Maeren," Keeve said to her, finding her eyes with his, "you need to know.... I'm marrying Kim. I'm sorry.... But that doesn't mean I want you out of my life - I still want you near...if you want that."

"If you still...yes," Maeren answered softly. "I still want to be near. You're...you're going to divorce me, aren't you?"

Keeve sighed. "It's complicated...but I have to. I don't want to string you along, Maeren, not if I'm not sure about us."

Shiv closed her eyes and let out a long sigh. "Maybe it's best if I just go then," she said. "So I don't complicate your life any more than I already have. Not sure if I'm good for anything but whoring, but I'm sure I can find a job somewhere."

"Don't say that!" Keeve's eyes were drawn back to the transport, hurtling ever closer to them, and he knew there was little time to fully resolve matters with Shiv. "When we get out of this, Maeren...we'll figure things out. Please don't walk away without giving me a chance to explain things."

"Does it matter if you explain, Keeve," Shiv asked. "Does it matter what I say? You're marrying Kim and I don't think anything anyone could say will change your mind. You don't want me as your wife anymore, but you want me to be close...so I can see how happy you and Kim are together and how badly I've messed everything up, how badly messed up I am. I don't want to be the dark little raincloud in your sunshiney world."

"So, I'm the villain again," he muttered wearily to himself. "Fine, Maeren, draw your conclusions before I'm done explaining. Will you at least let me protect you, or can't you trust me to do that, too?!"

"You can explain if you want, Keeve," Shiv said, "but I really don't see what you could say that would change things from my 'conclusions.' I really don't see why you wanted to come rescue me if you were just going to throw me aside again. At least Zale and Kaysa will have a chance to be happy though."

"So you would rather have stayed with Vrax? Are you insane!"

"It's very clear that this has nothing to do with what I want," Shiv snapped. "I messed everything up, and now I have nothing! Nothing! You get to have your nice life, and your marriage, and what do I--"

"Get ready," Dargus called, his voice carrying right over Maeren's.

Despite the fear that the transport would just roll over them, it slowed as it neared. Like the fighters that had shot them down, the vehicle was unlike any they'd seen before. As it finally came to a halt, human-sized beings began to boil out from inside of it. Their skin held a metallic sheen and they carried a variety of bristling weapons. In the darkness, it was difficult to make out details. As they neared, it was clear that they were taller than normal humans, and yet seemed to be dwarfed by one of their number.

The largest of them moved forward slowly, observing casually. The look he gave Dargus and the others was filled with obvious disdain. There was something in its gaze that indicated a dismissal.

"There is no challenge here," the creature rasped in practiced Basic. "The plan is still secure." It gave a command in an unintelligible language, and the troops shifted their stances and readied their weapons.

"What the hells is that?" Keeve whispered more to himself than anyone. Although not incredibly well-travelled, Keeve suspected the alien before him was not a common species. One look at it and Keeve feared they had little chance of surviving this encounter. The thought of throwing down his weapon and surrendering even crossed his mind, but he preferred to die fighting rather than standing helplessly by as his friends were killed around him. "Maeren...you'd better stay back..."

"G-good idea," Maeren managed as she moved back closer to the ship.

Dargus Kandran looked over the opposition, assessing them. It was clear that the large one was the biggest danger. He glanced aside quickly at Liam and Talara, noting their calm demeanours and the readiness to act. There would be one way to get through this, he knew.

Once his people were ready, the alien leader swept a dismissive hand toward the group. "Kill them."

A single step was all it took. Dargus made it, and it was accepted for the challenge it was.

"Halt," came the alien call as the soldiers prepared to kill as ordered. Their weapons immediately lowered and as one they took a step back to give the leader room. Dargus stepped forward, lightsaber in hand and eyes giving away no sign of his intention. The alien nodded. "I accept."

One moment Dargus was stepping forward, almost casually. In the next, he vaulted forward, blade igniting in the middle of his forward flip. He landed behind the alien, and raised his ignited blade. The creature towered over him, but it made little concern to Dargus. There was a flash of blue and the blade sliced cleanly through the alien's chest. Or, should have.

Dargus Kandran stared in disbelief as no wound was left upon the alien. He glanced down at his blade and found, to his astonishment, that the vibrant blue blade seemed to have shifted out of focus with only a blue glow emanating from the weapon's emitter.

"Know, small man, that you have been slain by Khorgan of the Jau," the alien rasped.

One hand lashed out and closed around Dargus' wrist. His cry was muffled by the rebreather as the circuitry in his prosthetic was crushed in a vicelike grip. From his now useless hand, his lightsaber fell to thump softly into the soft dirt. Whatever pain he felt in the replacement limb was instantly forgotten as Khorgan pulled a vicious looking blade from a shoulder sheathe and jammed it into Dargus Kandran's chest. As one might casually toss away a broken toy, the alien the former crimelord back into the dirt. He turned his alien gaze onto the rest and a cruel smile formed over his alien lips.

Keeve and the others were stunned, though Keeve more so, and for another reason. His relationship with Dargus had been strained for a time, but it was impossible to forget he had once been a father to him as well...and now those bonds impaled Keeve's heart with a sadness he never expected. With it came a rage so powerful, he was not conscious of rushing forward with a mighty warcry and blaster levelled at the alien. His shots all seemed to go wide, but were truly all on mark - they simply glanced off the creature's body as if a providential wind had blown in to deflect the blaster bolts harmlessly away. The flickering of a personal shield was absent, nor was a generator visible; the creature's natural armour seemed enough protection from the laser beams. And realizing his efforts were in vain, Keeve abandoned his weapon and resorted to hurling himself at the towering beast. There was barely an opportunity to land a blow before one solid, chitonous arm slammed into Keeve's chest and tossed him aside, as if the creature were swatting away a tsutsi gnat. He struck the ground hard and his vision went black, though Keeve was still conscious enough to perceive the beast's deep, booming laugh.

Talara leapt forward to Keeve's side, partially as a protector, partially out of concern. Behind her, Shiv wanted to rush forward, but held herself back out of fear.

"Keeve," Tala whispered. "Keeve, gotta get up. Can't just lie here. Up you go...come on..."

"Getting up," he mumbled drowsily, and although his hand partially cooperated in gripping Talara's hand, his legs were yet to follow, only managing to push at the yielding, moss-covered ground without finding purchase. With Talara's help and substantial efforts, he rose on teetering legs. Keeve was clearly out of the fight, not that his participation would make a difference - they were all doomed.

Lerrah came forward enough to help Talara with Keeve, and once they were close enough, Maeren rushed to help as well.

Liam Zaneth gazed into the eyes of the alien leader and knew that he could not win. No more than Dargus had. But, as the senior Jedi, it fell to him to protect the group and see them to safety. He thumbed his useless lightsaber to life, but knew that the weapon would be of no use against this enemy. A silent apology was whispered into the Force and set free. He could only hope it would reach its intended target. Liam Zaneth took a step forward and reached down within himself to find the power he'd pushed away, the inky blackness that would aid him in this fight. He felt sick inside, but as he stood he knew that the Dark Side would be the only power that could save them. Not him, he knew. Touching that part of himself again would be his damnation. Down he delved to bring forth the power to kill with a thought.

Just as he was about to touch the Darkness, a shadow rose above him from atop Lerrah's ship.

As the sparse light touched the figure and revealed a woman standing there. There was a serious glint in her eye as she held aloft a curved weapon and aimed its metallic shaft at the alien leader. In the darkness, she almost seemed to glow.

"My ship is behind yours," she called. "Go!"

Liam's touch recoiled away from the Darkness within, and he offered silent thanks. Today would not be the day for damnation.

As the echo of her cry died down, she loosed the shaft from her bow. Khorgan growled something to his warriors and started toward her, knowing the danger for what she represented, but only made a single step before his left eye sprouted a feathered shaft. He dropped with a gurgling bellow.

The woman leapt down to the ground. Pulling another weapon from her belt, she hurled it into the crowd of soldiers who were reacting to their leader's loud death throes.

"Go, go!" she cried again.

"Need to move fast, Keeve," Talara said. She checked on Liam, who was moving to grab Dargus. "Really fast."

"Yeah," he agreed, already regaining his mobility. His eyes cleared enough, as well, to look back at the foreign woman. She was petite in frame and stature, but was easily bringing down creature after creature with her propelled spears, while their own high-powered weaponry had made not even a scratch. He couldn't even begin to fathom what was transpiring, nor would his pounding head allow him much time to ponder it.

The woman seemed to be keeping the alien soldiers at bay with large nets fired from her weapon. The shaft sped forward, and then opened to catch several at once, causing confusion and chaos in their ranks. It was that chaos that allowed the chance at freedom Maeren and the others were racing for.

When at last her quiver was empty, the woman broke for her ship as well. She reached it just as the others were climbing aboard, and just as the aliens were freeing themselves from the tangles of her nets and each other.

Once on the ship, the woman slammed a fist against the panel for the airlock to cycle closed. The sounds of energy weapons peppering the outer hull could be heard within.

"Hold on to something," the woman said as she pushed her way to the cockpit. "It's time to run." She threw back the toggles for the repulsors. The ship shot skyward, clawing toward freedom.

"You have our thanks," Talara said as she and the others gathered just outside the cockpit. "But...who are you? And...and who are they?"

"There isn't time now," the woman said. "You may call me Kaylee. Can any of you fly a ship like this?"

"I can," Lerrah answered.

"Good," said Kaylee. "Take over."

Lerrah didn't need to be told a second time, and slid behind the controls.

"Your friend needs medical attention, but I am not a doctor," Kaylee said as she slipped past the others.

In the light of the ship, she was no longer a shadow. She appeared to be roughly the same height as Lerrah, though with a very slender build. The clothes she wore appeared to be made of animal hides. The pants covered all of her legs and tucked into leather greaves that protected her shins. A pair of sandals protected her feet, straps twining up beneath the greaves. Her torso was minimally covered by straps that crossed over her smallish breasts, but left conspicuous amounts of her flesh bare. A bracer covered each forearm to protect her from the missiles fired from the bow that now leaned against one of the control panels. Her face and torso were covered by some sort of blue markings. Her brown hair was twisted into a braid that fell down the center of her spine and came to just below her shoulders.

"I think I can help him," Liam Zaneth said from beside the prone form of Dargus Kandran. "I don't know how long I can hold him though. His wound is...is very bad."

"It should only be a matter of hours before we are on your planet," Kaylee said. "The ship is not as fast as I would like, but at least it will get us there."

As the woman went to consult with Liam, Talara realized she really wasn't that old. Maybe just a few years younger than Maeren and Lerrah. But still older than me, she thought. She turned to Keeve and smiled sadly. "I'm not a great healer like Kael, but I might be able to help with your headache," she said.

"If anyone needs help," he informed her, "it's Dargus. I'll live; he might not."

"Liam and that lady are helping him," Talara said. "Kaylee. She's some kind of warrior. I think she knows these aliens, or knows of them. I'd be in the way trying to help them, but I can help you."

Keeve sighed, too pained and exhausted to play stubborn. "My hand hurts more," he muttered. "How do I know you won't just take this opportunity to hurt me for rejecting you?"

She looked up at him hoping her eyes conveyed the truth of her feelings as she reached out and took his hand into hers. She wasn't a healer, not the way Kael was or the way the others Master Darr talked about were. But she had watched Kael work, and knew a little about using the Force to heal. She let the flows of it stretch from herself to Keeve, and allowed the lifeforce to begin mending his injury.

The sensation was indescribable - a warmth spreading though his hand and forearm from the inside while his flesh remained cool. With each moment, the pain diminished, replaced by a soothing vibration that resonated throughout his body. As relaxed as he was, Keeve felt vulnerable to Talara's adoring gaze, and before she could complete her treatment, Keeve gently pulled his hand away. Although still sore, he was surprised at being able to flex his hand now. He stared at Talara in amazement. "You're a Jedi, that's for certain. Who taught you that?"

"Master Andro taught me a little," she said. "So I could treat my own injuries during training. I learned a little more watching Kael work and asking him questions. I'm nowhere near as good as he is though. It helped?"

"A little," he admitted, then smiled wanly at her. "Thanks. Now I owe you one...but I really should see Dargus first."

Talara nodded. "Go on," she said. "I'll be nearby."

"Make sure to watch out for that woman...see if you can find out more about her." After a brief pause, he added, "And better make sure we're not being followed, or we might not make it home after all." And shaking out his hand to test Talara's handiwork, Keeve departed, though with great apprehension in not knowing what to expect when he saw Dargus.

---

"Impromptu Introductions, Part 3"
By: Lerrah Breijal
Keeve Shivral
Dargus Kandran
Liam Zaneth
Talara Sorenne
Maeren Shivral
Elf [NPC+]
Kimara

Location: Outside the Tae'Remok System; Yesdol Spaceport - New Plouton, Tae'Karada
Date: Selene 21, 5 ABY

***

As he approached, Liam Zaneth and Kaylee were both crouched over Dargus. "You have to try, Dargus," Liam was saying. "Do you know how upset Yelara will be if the two of you have made amends and you suddenly go and die on her? Try it, Dargus, so we can get you the help you need."

Dargus let out a hoarse chuckle. "You try having a sharp piece of metal shoved through your chest, and see how easy it is to concentrate to enter a hibernation trance."

"You still have to try," Liam urged. At his side, Kaylee was holding a cloth to his chest to staunch the bleeding. "I'll help you..."

Dargus smiled and turned his glassy gaze to the young woman. "You are very pretty," he said. "I wish we could have met under better cir-circumstances. It's very c-cold in here."

"I wish I could have made it to you sooner," Kaylee said. "I apologize."

Dargus' gaze went past her and tried to focus. "Keeve," he said and coughed. "I...I'm sorry for not being a better father to you, the father you deserved. It was wrong of me to do what I did...so very wrong. But...but you turned out well, someone any father would be proud of. You're...you're a good...boy."

He swallowed hard and was carried forward by his legs, now gone as numb as he felt. "I try to be," Keeve responded, his smile faint. He knelt at Dargus' side. "But I still have more to learn...so you'd better stay around a while longer or I might not turn out so well."

"I'll do my best," Dargus said, his voice growing weaker. "I stole your childhood. I hope...hope you can forgive. Me. Tell Kallia. Tell her. I love her. Truly and honest...honestly." He swallowed, and from the pained expression it was obvious even such a simple action was now difficult for him. "Very cold. There's...facility. Clones. Vandenkor. I...forgot." He coughed. "Tell Yelara...she. She saved. Me."

"She knows," Liam whispered in a voice tight with emotion. "She knows, Dargus."

"Tell her. Cold." Dargus' eyes were focused on Keeve as his breathing grew more shallow. He closed his eyes, and as he did a smile seemed to form on his lips. It softened his face, made him seem younger. It was such a foreign expression, such pure, calm serenity, that it hardly seemed to belong there. But the calmness seemed to radiate from him, filling those around him with a peacefulness that seemed contrary to their situation. As Keeve and the others watched, Dargus seemed to get thinner, fainter. And then, he faded completely leaving only his clothing behind.

Keeve was dumbfounded, the entire situation surreal. He opened his mouth to ask Liam what had happened, but only a croak escaped through his constricted throat. Shaking his head briskly, Keeve jerked upright and fled the room to find a secluded portion of the ship where he could safely vent his emotions.

Left alone with Liam, Kaylee turned toward him. "I am sorry for your loss," she said. "He is the first among you to fall, but he will not be the last."

Liam shifted his gaze to her. "You know of them?"

"I hunt them. It is my mission. It is my life."

A nod was Liam's answer. "Who are you? What are you? And what are they?"

"I am Kaylee Soras," she said. "I am a Kitari Huntress. And, they are invaders from beyond this galaxy. My people have fought them for over two hundred years when they first inhabited our planet. I followed them here. I had hoped I could warn your people before it was too late, but I was never able to get near enough to do so."

Liam thought over what she had said. "We will need to go to the palace as soon as we touch down. Yelara has to know about this."

"I concur," Kaylee answered with a nod. "I will accompany you."

Liam nodded again. "I think I need some time for meditation."

"I should meditate as well," Kaylee said. "May I join you?"

"Of course," Liam said. They moved off together, in silence, but there was something in the way she looked at him that made Liam feel slightly nervous about her presence.

Maeren Shivral watched them go with a sigh, and then started in the other direction. She knew Keeve had gone that way. She'd give him the time he needed, but when he emerged, he'd find her waiting for him. And when he did make his way out of the cargo bay, red rings around his eyes and mouth set in a hard line, Keeve halted without a word to Maeren. He didn't trust his voice enough to speak.

"I can go away if you want," Shiv said softly as she took a hesitant step closer to him.

Keeve appeared reluctant, but shook his head and held out one hand, palm upwards, to her. "Don't go away. I never asked you to."

"I don't know what I'm going to do, Keeve," Shiv said softly. She reached out and put her hand in his. "I feel so lost."

His smile was filled with irony and sadness. "That makes the two of us. It seems I'm doing a good job of shutting people out of my life...leaving me with very few friends. I hope you will at least consider staying around. I want you to."

"I'll try. I'll see how it goes, what happens. I'm happy for you and Kim. At least you'll have a wife who isn't so messed up. I want to still be your friend, Keeve, but I don't know if I can stop loving you."

"Maeren...you have to know something...something that changes everything." Tentatively closing his hand around hers, Keeve led Shiv into the bay and had her sit atop one of the containers. He made certain his eyes were fixed to hers and never strayed, so that Maeren could see the regret there. "Dargus...he did something to you, Maeren, something horrible...to both you and Kim."

"Me and Saris are clones," Shiv said sadly. "Vrax made a point of rubbing it in every day. It doesn't stop how I feel about you or what we've shared. But it does explain a lot of things."

"I should've told you," he said apologetically. "I've...known for some time. I just wasn't sure how I felt at the time...but you're not the Maeren I fell in love with, the Maeren who gave me my first beebleberry pop. We have no history. I'm just not sure who you really are."

"I remember all those things, Keeve," Maeren said. "I remember them when they happened. I'm...I'm me..."

"You know that," he told her gently, "but...it wasn't you, it was Kim..." Sighing in frustration, Keeve grasped Shiv's other hand and bent forward so their faces were level. "This is confusing for me. I do love you...we've shared things together, that can't be denied. I'm just not sure if what we had was real, or a product of Dargus' interference. I just don't know anymore, Maeren."

"And now we'll never know," Maeren said softly. She shrugged and shook her head. "Everything is such a mess."

He smiled wanly. "It has been for some time. I don't want you out of my life, Maeren...we've shared too much together for that to happen. But I'm just not sure what kind of relationship we can have."

"Then what's the point of me being in your life," Shiv asked. "Do you have any idea what it's going to be like for me being close to you and seeing the two of you happy together?"

"I can imagine," he admitted. "But won't you even consider it?"

"I...I might, I don't know... If it's too hard, I'll have to go."

"But not forever?" Keeve raised an eyebrow expectantly. "And not too far?"

"Depends on how hard it is, Keeve," Shiv said. "I'm probably just fooling myself thinking it's going to be alright. But I'll try because I love you, even though I don't really have any hope for the future."

"That's all we can do." Smiling, Keeve patted her hand and straightened to his full height. "If you want, we can tour the ship a little. Maybe talk a little more about things?"

"Sure," Shiv said. There was a sadness in her voice, but she tried to smile brightly for him. "This is a really strange ship. It looks almost like a familiar ship, but then it doesn't. I wonder where it came from."

"Well...let's see if we can find out." Gesturing Shiv to follow, Keeve started out of the cargo bay, hoping to seek out some answers, both about their mysterious saviour, and the fate of their relationship.

***

"Coming up on Tae'Karada," Lerrah announced. "I've already got clearance to land, but there's some issue with the starports. From what I can tell, there's some issue with ships departing. Some sort of lockdown, from what I can tell, but the news screamers don't have any information." She turned back to where Talara, Keeve, and Maeren stood. "I'll have us on the ground soon though."

"Were we followed at all?" Keeve asked.

"Scanners have been clean the entire time," Lerrah said. She indicated the astromech droid at her side. "Even had Elf pop outside for a look. As far as we could tell, no one there. And let's just hope they don't have cloaking technology for their ships."

"Or we'll be leading them right to Tae'Karada," Keeve commented. "Do we know if Zale and the others made it back okay?"

"Just before we were attacked," Lerrah said, "they were landing on Tae'Karada. Unless something happened after they landed, they're there." She frowned. "Port clearance isn't letting Shaza's ship take off. They're in lockdown, but only for departures." She tapped in a few keys on the comm. "Shadow Stalker, this is the former crew of Agarra's Pride. We got a little lost on the way in, but we're safe. Mostly."

"Good to hear, Pride," came Shaza's response. "We were just coming out to look for you, but the situation planetside is a little on the volatile side."

"Keeve," a familiar voice broke in. "Is Keeve there? Is he safe?"

"Kim!" he shouted, ensuring she wouldn't miss his voice. He nearly shoved Lerrah out of the pilot's seat to get closer to the comm. "I'm fine - we all are." Frowning, Keeve added somberly, "Except Dargus. He didn't make it."

"Oh...he...he seemed to actually be starting to be a decent person too," Kim said. "That's...I'm so sorry, Keeve. Is...is Maeren there? Is she alright?"

He glanced aside at Maeren and smiled encouragingly. "Only she can answer that."

"I'm here, Kim," Shiv said. "I...I'm as okay as I can be."

"I was so worried," Kim said. "I'm so happy you're safe now. We're going to have a feast or something when you all get here. Something to celebrate us being a family again."

"That sounds good." Keeve watched Maeren expectantly. "Doesn't it? A real feast."

"I'm sure it'll be wonderful," Maeren said. "One big, happy family."

Keeve maintained a smile for Kim, hoping she wouldn't detect Shiv's lack of enthusiasm. "We'll see you when we land, Kim. It shouldn't be too much longer now."

"I can't wait," Kim said, her enthusiasm clear. "We'll be waiting here for you. Kaysa and Zale already went home with Aria."

"Does Merrick know?" he asked with distaste. "Or does he even care?"

"Maybe he feels uncomfortable about the situation," Shiv said. "Not everyone thinks it's okay to keep their exes around to be buddies with."

"This isn't about you, Maeren," Keeve informed her coolly. "Not everything is."

"It only makes sense though," Shiv said. "You're moving on, Merrick's moving on. Do you still care about me? Answer that and you have the answer to Merrick. Besides, Merrick tried with Kaysa, but she didn't treat him right. She just lashed out at anyone who tried to help, like I did. Just shows that Zale's either the biggest fool, or has the biggest heart."

"And I'm a heartless bastard." Keeve shook his head incredulously at her, then turned to depart. "Land the ship, Lerrah and do us all a favour!"

"Keeve, wait," Shiv said. "That was wrong of me to say. I'm just angry over what's happened, and mostly at myself. You don't deserve that. I know I've hurt you a lot, and I don't want to anymore. You don't deserve that."

He paused in the doorway, but didn't look her way. "Forget it, Maeren...just forget it." Sighing, Keeve continued out of the cockpit. He couldn't wait to reach the ramp and leave behind the entire few days. Seeing Kim again would do wonders for that.

Before he was gone completely, Shiv had turned to Lerrah. "Do you think there's room for me to stay with you on the station? I figure I just need to get back on my feet, then see where I can go."

Lerrah nodded. "Sure, Maeren. As long as you need to stay."

The planet rose up to greet them, and Lerrah's attention was consumed by landing the ship, and not consoling her best friend. There would be time for consolation and tender words later, but for now, it was time to be home.

They had no trouble setting down in the berth in the starport, and ending their long journey. As Lerrah starting shutting down systems, she heard a sad sighing toot at her side. Tears stung her eyes then, and the loss of her ship, her beautiful, wonderful ship, hit her like a stampeding bantha. "We'll find another one, Elf," she said. "Somewhere, we'll get ourselves another ship."

Talara had wandered back to find Liam and gather Dargus's belongings, and that left only Maeren with her. She gave her lifelong friend a smile. "Come on, let's go say hello."

"I'm not welcome there," Shiv said. "I'll just wait here until you're ready to go back to the station."

"I won't be long," Lerrah said. She leaned in and kissed the top of Shiv's head. "I still love you, my dear, and I always will. Just make sure you remember that."

Shiv smiled. "I won't forget," she said. "See you soon."

When she got to the base of the ramp, Talara, Liam, and Kaylee were all talking to each other quietly. Just ahead of them, Keeve stood looking around, almost frantically. As a familiar blond figure emerged at the entrance to the terminal, his face lit up and the dark clouds that had seemed to surround him evaporated in an instant.

She was up and in his arms moments later, locked in a fervent kiss. "No more cargo runs," Keeve declared as their lips parted. "Never again."

"What about rescue missions," Kim asked with a grin. "I say if either come up again, we go together. How's that?"

"After what we've just been through, neither of us are ever leaving the planet again." Smiling with joy, but slight weariness Keeve asked, "You want to go home? There's a lot to talk about."

"Lerrah," Kim said looking past Keeve. As the friend she now only possessed vague memories of (and some of those memories that made her cheeks flush) stepped forward, Kim gave her a quick hug and friendly kiss. "I'm so sorry about your ship. If you need help finding another one...I can help make some encouraging comments or something."

"Thanks," Lerrah said with a laugh. "I'm going to take Maeren with me to the station. I don't know if you ever want to see her again, Keeve, but I'll try to at least make her comfortable there."

"Despite my offers," he told her with only a trace of frustration in his voice, "she's the one who wants distance. I never asked her to leave...but if she wants to maintain contact, then I won't refuse her."

"I'll talk to her," Lerrah said. "I think it's that you're now putting distance between the two of you, and she's taking that to an extreme. She's also feeling alone and unwanted. I'll do my best to help her not feel that way, but most of all, I'll be her friend."

"As I was trying to be," Keeve added, but sighed and nodded. "Alright... Just make sure she knows we're still here for her."

"I think I've got a better chance of it since I'm the ex-lover, not the ex-husband," Lerrah said. "I'll keep you posted. And, just remember, if you do ever decide you're okay with a second wife, I'm sure you'll make Maeren the happiest woman in the world."

He smirked. "Right. If you're done making me feel guilty, I'd better get going." Keeve extended a hand to Lerrah. "Thanks for the lift...and tell Elf it was nice to see him again."

Lerrah grinned and approached him. She leaned up and gave him a kiss. "Have a wonderful night, you two," she said. "And, if you need someone to carry rings at your wedding, Elf will happily volunteer. If you don't mind me being around, I want to stay in touch." She kissed him, then Kim, and stepped back. "I'll do what I can to help keep Maeren happy, and maybe we'll stop by to visit soon, if you want."

"We want," Kim said with a grin. "See you soon, Lerrah."

Slipping his hand into Kim's, Keeve motioned his head towards the general direction of home. "We have some catching up to do. Are you up for it?" His smile was wholly unchaste.

"Oh, I'm definitely up for it," Kim said with a matching smile. It faltered a little as she added, "Some things have happened around here that you should know about. Some not very good things."

"What things?" he asked hastily. "Did anything happen to you?"

"Not to me," Kim said. "It's the High Princess. She says...she says the Jedi have done bad things, that...that they're now outlaws. They...they harboured criminals in the Temple, keeping them from justice, I think she said."

"What?! Is she crazy? What do they plan on doing with them?"

"Word I've heard is arrest them," Kim said. "There's something going on at the Palace, but they've got scramblers in place so you can't see what's going on. It's about Nieme and Dani, Keeve. They were spotted in the city recently with a Jedi Knight, and they were free. I think that's who the High Princess says the Jedi have, are protecting, and they're trying to get them back...but the Jedi aren't turning them over or something."

"Those idiots," Keeve hissed, then stopped cold. "Kallia," he whispered. "We've got to get to her. If something happens... The kids, Kim!"

"She and Zari are at home and they're well aware of the situation," she said. "But, I think we should definitely get home. I need to spend some quality time with you."

But Keeve was already backpedalling towards Kaylee's ship. "Get the hover going. I need to tell Talara. I need to warn her!" Then he was off rushing to the vessel before Talara could disappear.

"Okay," Kim called. "I'll be waiting right out front!" She hurried on to get the speeder started up and ready for his return. It wasn't the explosively romantic reunion she'd hoped for, but she was just happy to have him home.

"Talara!" Keeve searched frantically and found her by the rear landing strut, standing by Liam and Kaylee as they spoke. He stopped before all three, slightly breathless. "There's trouble," he told them all, though his eyes settled onto Talara. "You can't go back to the Temple - the authorities will toss you in prison or worse, along with the rest of the Jedi."

Talara frowned. "Prison? They wouldn't...not the...why would someone toss me in--? I haven't done anything, Keeve. We haven't."

"I can sense a disturbance," Liam said. "Something has happened, and it poses a danger, for certain. We were about to go to the Palace, to speak with the High Princess about the aliens who shot us down. Perhaps it's even a better idea to go now, but carefully."

"Really?" Keeve gave a bitter laugh. "She's the one who gave the decree. She's your enemy. She'd have you arrested on sight."

"There's something else going on here," Liam said. "I'm certain of it. And, she'll do everything she can to avoid arresting me. She's my wife, but things are a bit complicated."

He snorted. "You're telling me. Talara, come on. You're coming home with me."

"I'm sorry, Keeve," Talara answered. "I have to go with Master Zaneth. We have to get to the bottom of this."

"Go with him, Talara," Liam said. "This could be very dangerous, and I need to make sure you're able to report to Koran if I'm not. Go with Keeve and keep yourself safe. I'll contact you once I know more, and if you don't hear from me by tomorrow morning, find a secure location and try to contact Koran and Laedra."

"But Master--"

Liam gave her a stern look. "No, buts. I need to know that you're going to be safe, and I need to know that you'll pass on all we learned in case I'm unable to. This could very well be a dire time for all of us, but I have to be certain. These are your orders, Padawan Sorenne."

"I understand, Master," Talara answered. "I'll stay with Keeve, and contact Master Darr if I can."

"Good," Liam said with a smile. "May the Force be with you."

"May the Force be with you, Master."

Liam turned to Kaylee and nodded. They both turned and started toward the exit leaving Keeve and Talara alone.

"Well...that's..." Keeve cleared his throat uncomfortably. "You'll stay with Kim and I. Zari's there too, so...."

"And, I'll make you miserable and uncomfortable every time we're near each other," Talara said. "This isn't going to work, Keeve. I don't want to do that to you. I'll find somewhere else to go."

"No," he informed her. "You'll come home with me. Whether or not it's uncomfortable to me, at least I'll know your safe, so let's go...now."

"Keeve, you don't want me there," Talara said. "I'll find a place that's safe, and I'll call and leave you a message every two hours on the hour. That way you know I'm safe, and you're not constantly freaking out because I'm nearby. You don't want me anywhere near you, and it's just going to make things worse than they already are between us."

Keeve persisted, telling her, "It's a big place...so we won't even brush up against each other. Besides...Zari could use a friend her age around. Don't you want to be there for her?"

"She's pregnant, Keeve," Talara said, sadly. "And, I'll go. She needs a friend. And maybe we can be friends again, you and me."

Frowning, Keeve indicated to her, "I never said we weren't...but I've no idea you did." With a gentle sigh, Keeve managed a weak smile and gestured Talara to follow. "Kim's getting the hovercar prepped. We'd better get going."

"Alright," Talara answered, surprised at how calmly Keeve was taking her revelation. She frowned and added, "Did you already know about Zari being pregnant?"

He shrugged. "No...but that's all the more reason for you to come with me. Someone's gotta help me protect her and that child."

Talara blinked. "You didn't freak out," she said. "That's why I didn't say anything, because you'd freak out. Why didn't you freak out, Keeve? You always freak out."

"No I don't," he protested. "Only sometimes. Should I be freaking out?" His smile was amused.

"I just figured, you would...since...you're very overprotective, and...and she's pregnant. Would you freak out if I told you I was pregnant?"

"But you're not," he reminded her, though his eyes did narrow to slits as he studied her sidelong. "You're not, right?"

"I'm not," Talara said as she glanced down at her flat, bare belly. She patted it and grinned at Keeve. "No babies here. Though, maybe soon you and Kim will be having one."

"Maybe once all this Jedi stuff is over with. Come on, there she is." Pointing to a hovercar pulling up before them, Keeve hurried forward. He opened the hatch and waved Talara inside. "Try and keep your head down just in case, hm?"

"No one can look at my head and figure out I'm a Jedi," Talara said as she slipped into the speeder. "Kael's the famous one, but the girls who recognize him want to kiss him."

"Not this time," he informed her seriously, leaning forward as she sat in the vehicle to gaze levelly at her. "This time they'll likely want to kill him, and you if you're not careful. This isn't a joke, Tala."

"I know it's not, Keeve," Talara said. "But none of the people who want to hurt the Jedi can look at any of us and say we're a Jedi, not if we're not wearing our robes. And, the robes I've chosen--" she indicated her attire "--are not the standard Jedi robes."

"It's still better to be safe, alright?"

"Keeve, you could be a Jedi for all they could tell," Tala said. "Look at you, fit, sexy, and with those dashing good looks."

"She does have a point," Kim said with a grin. "You definitely are quite...fit."

Sighing in defeat, Keeve turned away from Talara and started towards his own seat. "You two together are going to drive me to an early grave. I just know it."

"It's all part of our master plan so that Kim and I can be together for always and ever," Tala said, feigning a dreamy, moon-eyed look.

Kim laughed and as Keeve got into his seat, she leaned over and gave him a kiss. "Don't worry though, I'll still give you lots of attention before you croak."

"Just...drive," he muttered sullenly, and as the two shared giggles, Keeve remained with arms stubbornly crossed over his chest and lips pouting for the entire ride home.

Kim pulled their speeder into the basement parking facility for the tower where their apartment was located. Given the amount of money Keeve had available to him, they were able to afford one of the penthouses on the very top level of the tower. As they got out of the speeder, Kim moved over to Keeve before he could start up to the apartment. "We need to think about a new apartment, one where we have our section and Kallia, Tala, Zeezee, and the babies can have their section. I was thinking of one of those two-level places we first looked at but decided they were too big for us. If you want that, of course."

"We may need to," he agreed. "I don't have any idea how long we'll have to house all these strays from the Jedi Temple, and if they keep breaking their vows and having babies, we'll never have a moment to ourselves again."

"Zeezee and Tala will have to share a bed," Kim said. "We'll try a few days and see how it goes. If it doesn't work, maybe Moril and Saris have room, or Merrick and Analesse. We'll need to keep Zee with Kallia, but I'm sure Merrick and Analesse would have no problem looking after Talara."

Keeve shook his head in disgust at the idea. "I don't want that kind of contact with him. It's best if we keep our distance."

"You really don't like him, do you?" Kim asked. "No bother though. It just means we get to keep her with us, and I really like having her around. You'll just be very glad she's not from Agarra."

"I'm not so sure of that anymore," Keeve quipped. "She tried to seduce me, Kim. You should have seen her! Kids her age shouldn't know how to do that."

"She's been through a lot," Kim said with a laugh. "But my big, strong man resisted her, so everything is fine."

Keeve frowned playfully then chuckled and pulled Kim close as they started towards their apartment, Keeve eager to reunite with his girls and hopefully find some peace finally.

As Keeve and Kim moved off ahead of her, Talara turned back to gaze toward the exit of the parking garage. She held her cloak draped over her arm so it concealed the lightsaber clipped to her belt. She hoped the rest of the Jedi were okay. She'd be able to help them eventually, but she was just a Padawan. Once inside, she'd send a coded message to the Temple, to let Master Vorrel know she was safe. She sighed and started toward the lift that would take her up to Keeve and Kim's apartment.

---

"The More Things Change..."
By: Cirran Tyris (PC)
Sgt. Mathias "Walker" Coin (NPC+)

Location: The Drogen Shipyards, Tae'Remok system, Outer Rim
Date: Selene 21, 5 ABY

***

An alarm was sounding. It was the alarm at the Sienaar complex on Lianna as Feena led him out of the building. Now it was echoing through the halls of Echo Base, the Imps were coming, he had to scramble...and now it was the altitude indicator inside the speeder cockpit beeping a steady warning, Boxer was dead behind him, the snow was rushing up at him, and he was burning...

Cirran's eyes flew open, the chronometer alarm by the bed finally having done its job of waking him up. He threw out a hand to stop its noise, and then lay there thinking for a few seconds, but he'd had the old nightmare a lot of times, and it didn't disturb him as much as it used to, or he tried not to let it anyway. So he yawned and stretched, and was slightly disturbed instead by the fact that his long body seemed to creak in several places when he did so. He winced and rubbed a hand along is severely bruised jaw. Damn this is sore, he thought, but that tends to happen when you leap head first into a Gamorrean. Sitting up he threw his legs over the side of the bed and blearily rubbed his eyes, taking stock.

The room on the station he had rented wasn't the most luxurious of accommodation on offer there, but it did have a full size bed and that was the main thing Cirran had been after. Between his solo dash back from Corellia, and then last night - what with the finding a runaway slave girl on his ship, contending with the muscle sent to get her, and then receiving a few death threats from her owner - well, suffice it to say he hadn't had a lot of rest lately. So after Mielikki had left with Tasia, he had taken the option of renting a room with some of the cash he still had left over from his jobs in the Core, and making use of the bed therein, a real bed into which his lanky form actually fitted, pure luxury. He had been asleep almost before he hit the pillow.

Now he was due to meet up with Walker, catch up some more, and most importantly provide the big sergeant with an explanation. Walker hadn't sounded too pleased with him over the commlink when they last spoke. Cirran thought this was probably not so much because he had asked the security man to inspect a ship, impound it, arrest its slaver owner and knock a few heads together while he did it - this sort of thing was after all the giant's stock and trade - but more because he had asked him to do it in the middle of the night. I know how he feels, he thought, yawning again, but noting he felt a lot better than he had before his nap.

After taking a shower and throwing some clothes on, he headed out into the station to find the bar where he had agreed to meet his friend. The bar was one so far unknown to him - which was slightly surprising, as it felt like he had spent most of his time on Drogen in bars - but there always seemed to be plenty more of them to discover. Cirran wondered if the station should have done with it and just become one giant floating alcohol dispensary.

The station seemed to have recovered well from the devastating attack upon it that Cirran had been present for some months ago, showing few visible signs of damage now that Cirran could see - but then these were the levels still open to the public, he reflected. A cosmopolitan throng of various aliens, humans and mechanicals - pilots, merchants, crewers, techs, military types, foodsellers, government workers, entertainers - and probably smugglers and slicers and pickpockets and pleasure girls too, Cirran decided - crowded the promenades and shops of the lower levels, each bustling about their business. Cirran felt reassuringly anonymous, but still couldn't help wondering which of those around him might be the bounty hunters.

He had soon reached the bar that Walker had suggested, and entered its less-dingy-than-he-was-used-to confines to immediately spot the sergeant bent over the brightly coloured lights of the bar. He sidled up to his friend and took the barstool next to him. "Evening, Walker" he said cheerily. Walker merely grunted looked angrily in his direction. "You have some explaining to do, spacer," he said, glowering, which coming from him, could be disconcerting even to a friend like Cirran.

Lack of sleep must have pissed him off more than I thought, Cirran thought. "Yeah, OK," he acknowledged, and launched into the tale of the previous night's proceedings. Walker sad silently listening to his narrative, his demeanour seeming to improve slightly throughout.

"...and now she's with Tasia," Cirran finally finished a few minutes later. "The chief was eyeing her up, too, but she didn't seem to be having any of it, so there's probably no competition for your...affections...there? Affections, is that really the right word for you and the chief? Anyway, that's what happened. Sorry to get you out of bed, but as you heard, I was definitely in need of a hand."

Walker nodded grimly and took a long pull on the gigantic mug of ale he was nursing. "I hate to tell you this spacer - I know the list of enemies you have wandering about the galaxy is already pretty long, but this Twi'Lek character might be more dangerous than you supposed. He escaped lock-up before we could transfer him to the prison level."

Cirran choked on his drink. "What?" he spluttered. "I've got to warn Tasia - he could come after Mielikki again..." The thought of any harm coming to the girl sent a horrible sinking feeling over him.

"Cool your jets, spacer," Walker interrupted him gruffly. "He's not on station any more, far as we can tell - he obviously had some help to get away - which is odd, since far as we know, he only just flew in to this crate - and his help killed a guard. I'm not too happy about that, as you can imagine. Was pretty pissed off at you, for dumping whole mess on us. Was thinkin' about cracking you one, actually, but when I saw the bruise you're sportin', I figured you'd taken enough punishment."

Relief immediately washed over the pilot, but it was followed pretty closely by a whole new set of anxieties. The Twi'Lek was out there somewhere, no doubt royally pissed off at Cirran, wanting Mielikki back and evidently powerful enough to engineer his own escape from a supposedly secure facility.

"I'm sorry, Walker," he offered after a moment. "The whole thing just sort of...happened. I didn't really know what I was doing."

The giant waved an armoured hand dismissively, "Ah, it's not your fault, lad," he said. "You did the right thing. I'm just frustrated because the slaver bastard got away, that's all." A look of serious intent passed over his face. "He'll live to regret what he did when Mathias Coin catches up to him." He took another drink to temporarily wash thoughts of bloody vengeance away, and then turned back to Cirran.

"So what are your plans, spacer? Gonna get after this Jax bloke still before this Twi'Lek shows up to vape ya, or pack the whole thing in, buy a little farm on some rock somewhere and settle down with this damsel in distress of yours?" He flashed the lanky pilot a grin.

Cirran smiled back. "Having Mielikki drop like she did was certainly unexpected, and it's thrown me out a bit, no doubt. But Jax is here somewhere Walker, and I need to find him if--"

Like so many of Cirran's sentences of late however, this one was unexpectedly interrupted, on this particular occasion by Walker unexpectedly grabbing the front of his jacket with one hand, lifting him up like he was a rag doll, and hurling him bodily over the bar. Cirran's brain launched into a speedy review as soon as this action was initiated. In normal circumstances there might have been a bit of confusion for him, at least briefly, about what was going on, but he knew his friend, and more importantly he knew what the existing circumstances of his life were. So it was that the thought 'maybe he changed his mind about beating me up' lasted only as long as it took for him to land in a crumpled heap on the floor on the other side of the bar. The impact briefly knocked any thoughts from him, but when they returned he very quickly surmised, as the sound of shots, screams and Walker vaulting over the bar to land next to him occurred, that some of his enemies had caught up with him.

"How many?" he asked the sergeant, struggling into a crouching position, adrenaline dealing neatly with any pain from his landing for now.

"I count 8 ..." - Walker's heavy repeater spat out a rapid series of shots - "...make that 7," he said, business-like, ducking then as shots sprayed into the thankfully sturdy bar.

"Only 8? I figured you wouldn't bother taking cover for less than 10," Cirran joked, reaching out to accept Walker's offer of his smallest sidearm, which was still fairly enormous by regular blaster standards.

"I am getting older, spacer," Walker replied, lining up another of their adversaries, but holding his fire when one of the by now few remaining patrons in the bar made a desperate run for the exit through his sights. "Bloody civilians," the soldier muttered, forced by return fire to duck his hulking frame down again. He stabbed a button at the wristpad of his armour, activating a commlink. "Coin here. Disturbance in Dirg's Descent bar, level 236. Officer under fire. All emergency teams respond." His orders given, he again concentrated on returning fire, joined now by Cirran, who, unused to the recoil of his borrowed weapon, was struggling to occasionally hit even the large tables their adversaries had upended to use as cover.

"This doesn't make sense," Walker said, flinching slightly from a spray of superheated dissipating gases from a blast nearby on the bartop.

"I know!" Cirran agreed, sounding exasperated, and continuing to blast away with limited effectiveness. "I have no trouble lighting up a squint as far as a couple of thousand clicks away, but that Rodian's just over there by the stage and I haven't even got him to duck yet."

A string of shots forced Walker down. "Not the fact that you can't shoot to save yourself, spacer - just try not to hit me. No, I mean they must know that the whole station is going to be down on them like a tonne of burning plasma shortly - they must be..."

"Uh, desperate?" Cirran yelped. Walker looked over to Cirran's side of the room, and saw that 6 of the enemies attacking them were rushing the bar en masse, mere seconds away, still-blasting weapons clutched one hand, an eclectic array of melee weapons now clutched in the other. Seeing not much other choice, Walker stood up slightly to take up a better firing position, and rapidly unleashed a stream of energy in the direction of the charge, chewing up a lot of bar furnishings rather nastily, and bringing two enemies down. He saw Cirran, somehow untouched by the hail of fire in his direction, blast essentially randomly with a periscoping hand over the bar into the mob to bring down another, and then a shot from the covering fire at the back flashed into his side. He was knocked backwards as the charging enemies launched themselves over and round the bar at Cirran, who was rising from a crouched position to try and meet them.

Thankfully for Cirran, he had always proved a good deal more efficient at close combat than the blaster variety, and more thankfully, his opponents arrived as an unruly mob, cluttering each other's line of fire. The first to arrive, a seemingly berserk and screaming human, launched himself over the bar at Cirran, much as Cirran had executed a flying tackle against the Gamorrean the night before. Knowing one or two things about the perils of this move now, Cirran quickly ducked down again, his opponent sailing right over his head and headfirst into the wall behind the bar. Bottles smashed spectacularly, their exotic contents spilling forth as the human crashed to the ground, but Cirran was too busy looking wildly around and trying to get to his feet and bring his blaster up again to pay any attention to the colourful explosion.

A very quick series of bangs all around him followed, and Cirran suddenly found himself lying on his back on what felt like a body, looking up at a very surprised Rodian standing over him. Unsure of what had just happened himself, Cirran nonetheless recovered his wits fractionally quicker than his opponent and took advantage of this fact to open up wildly on the green alien from a range at which even he couldn't miss. The Rodian was blasted surprisingly heavily backwards, flying bodily past the end of the bar, and crashing into a couple of chairs. Cirran lay still for a moment, looking disbelievingly at his blaster, and could hear but not see his two remaining opponents seemingly flee out into the main concourse. Evidently, having seen the Rodian's corpse flung back from behind the bar like a rag doll, they had decided that a situation where their companions were defeated and Cirran was evidently still fighting back was not one that was worth sticking around in. Cirran was struck by the sudden silence in the bar.

"Geroff me," a familiar gravelly voice said below him.

Walker had elected not to let a minor thing like being shot stop him, and had commando-crawled rapidly up to Cirran's position just in time to loose a spare slug-thrower he had on him up into the chin of the third survivor of the charge, who, thinking Walker was out of the fight, had leaned across the bar behind Cirran to shoot the crouching pilot from nearly point blank range. Instead, his head was snapped back by Walker's projectile, and the shot that would have hit Cirran in the back had flown wide. Walker had then grabbed the back of Cirran's belt with his free hand and yanked the pilot rapidly over backwards as he tried to stand up, causing his friend to land on him, but also causing the confidently aimed head shot of the Rodian, who had rounded the bar, to fly just high. Walker had then added his own fire to Cirran's burst at the Rodian, and the combination had proved well and truly fatal for their unfortunate would-be assassin.

Cirran sat up, taking his weight off the giant security man, who then himself sat up, wincing, his back against the bar. "You OK?" Cirran asked him.

"Had worse. The armour's good stuff," the soldier grunted. Cirran didn't doubt it. "Besides, I'm getting used to being shot since I met you." Cirran wasn't sure how to reply to that, so instead he shuffled to the corner of the bar and risked a peek around it. Nobody shot at him.

The bar was a mess of overturned furniture, blast marks, and not just a few corpses. Cirran noted that one of the corpses, probably the one that he had randomly hit from behind the bar, still seemed to be rolling around a bit. Not a corpse, then. Raising his blaster, he cautiously stood up.

"Watch it, spacer," Walker warned from the floor. Cirran made a careful approach to the writhing figure, covering it with his blaster, and overturned it with a boot. It was a Weequay, clutching a scorch mark on the right of its stomach where Cirran had fortuitously (for him, if not for the Weequay) hit it.

Cirran waved down at it. "Hi! Don't believe we've been formally introduced. I'm Cirran Tyris, as I guess you know already, and you're one of a group of thugs who shot my friend in the course of apparently trying to kill me. So, now that we've got the formalities out of the way, I'm going to blow your head off, unless you've got any pertinent information to tell me about, say, who sent you." He raised his blaster.

Rather than respond to this overt threat in the manner Cirran had hoped, the Weequay instead gave a coughing laugh. "I'd heard you were lucky, human, but you really do defy belief. Wouldn't last long without that big friend of yours though, would you? Do as you will. We may have failed, but others will come on, and your luck won't last. Every spaceport tramping sublevel lowlife and desert rat with so much as a pointy stick is after you." He gave a gurgling laugh again.

Cirran looked puzzled. What have I done lately? Mielikki's owner couldn't have posted a bounty as fast as this...could he? "Why?" he asked.

"Your bounty has gone up again. Red Dawn wants you badly.....we had to act - Vogash saw you arriving, and we wanted to claim the bounty on you before the professional found you...it's more if you're alive, but still plenty if you're dead, and we didn't want any complications." He was racked with a fit of coughing.

"Haven't you shot him, yet?" bellowed a voice from behind the bar.

"Just a minute, Walker..." Cirran called back. "What the hell is Red Dawn..." he started asking the wounded bounty hunter, and then it occurred to him another word demanded his attention. "Wait...a professional? What, like you?" he asked derisively, but a shiver nevertheless ran down his spine.

The Weequay gave another long rattling laugh, and then smiled, showing bloody teeth. "You think we are professionals, human? Ahahahaaaa...we are mere Pun'tash - improvisers, scum-for-hire, fighting amongst ourselves for tasty scraps. But there are rumours in the underworld, always circulating - and rumour has it that you, human, are under contract..." The Weequay began laughing again until his laugh dissolved into a long, hacking cough.

Contract? Cirran thought, but was interrupted by a cry of "Freeze!" He looked up to see a security squad of 8 troopers entering the bar, pointing their weapons at him. He slowly raised his hands. "Er, I'm..." he started.

"It's OK boys, he's with me," said a voice from the back of the room. Walker had propped himself up on the bar. "You call this an emergency response? Look at all the damage the spacer caused in here shooting all over the place while you were taking your sweet fucking time getting here," he growled.

The corporal leading the team, having deployed his men throughout the bar to secure it, took a look at Walker. "Good to see you too, sarge." He grinned, relieved. He raised the back of his wrist to his mouth and spoke into a commlink. "Gordo here, the area is secured. We'll need medevac for one."

"For two..." Cirran interjected, but then he realised a certain sound was absent, and looked down to see the Weequay had coughed his last. There would be no more answers from him.

Walker was walking out from behind the bar, and the corporal hurried over to assist him. "Pelor's Teeth, Gordo, I can make it as far as the damned bacta tank without the meat wagon. Give me a hand," he muttered. He draped a massive arm over his subordinate's shoulders, the corporal struggling under the weight.

"Let's go, spacer. You're coming along in case anyone else wants to shoot you today."

As more troops arrived to secure the scene, Cirran nodded his agreement to Walker and filed out after Walker and the other troops, casting an eye over the destruction behind him as he did so, his thoughts racing. Ares? The Twi'lek? Jax? It didn't matter who 'Red Dawn' might be, or what they wanted him for - if their reward attracted these sorts of amateurs, he thought, the arrival of their 'professional' could prove interesting indeed.

---

"Tasketh Soup for the Mechanic's/Smuggler's Soul"
By Mielikki Aune
Lerrah Breijal

Location: Drogen Shipyards
Date: Selene 21, 5 ABY

***

The station seemed quiet, almost too much so. Perhaps it was the lack of military presence since the Republic had withdrawn most of their people from the system. With Tasia planetside on a consulting job to bring a new skyhook from the planet to the station, Lerrah had found herself with an abundance of free time. Since she was off-shift today, the skies were essentially the limit, though she was still having difficulty deciding. And so, she'd opted to wander the corridors until some idea came to her. At least it was good exercise.

Mielikki walked down the corridor at a brisk pace counting the credits she held in her hand. The soft leather work boots she wore on her feet felt good, the items though miniscule in value meant allot to her. Having been a slave almost her entire life she had no possessions along with her dignity. Selling her metallic jewelry she was forced to wear along with the slave garments, Mielikki was happy to buy something she could actually use; boots made of a soft, durable leather and a light long-sleeved jacket. What little bit she had left over she decided to spend on lunch, she had just finished counting when she looked up to see a young woman whom she nearly collided with.

"WHOA! I'm so sorry, I really I should have been watching where I was going, I almost bowled you over." She apologised hurriedly, bowing her head slightly as she did so.

"Oh, don't worry," the woman answered. "I should have been paying more attention to where I was going." She frowned. "You're new on the station, aren't you? It's so hard to keep track, though. A lot of people are just passing through. I'm Lerrah, by the way. I usually work on ships here, but today I'm just wandering aimlessly and running into people." She grinned.

She smiled back, grateful to see that this woman was not angry with her. "I'm Mielikki...I uh just got here myself and I'm working for someone called Tasia Harough at the moment until I can get out on my own," she replied offering her hand for Lerrah to shake. "Your name sounds so familiar to me, I can't recall where I might have heard it before." Her face furrowed in confusion.

"Probably from Tasia," Lerrah answered as she shook Mielikki's hand. "She's sort of my girlfriend, but our relationship isn't exclusive. She's also my boss. I work on ships down in the repair bays."

"That explains it then, you must have quite a relationship, dating your boss and all," she replied grinning.

Lerrah laughed. "Well, I imagine if you asked Tasia, she'd just say that we're lovers, and that it's just about the wild, hot, steamy, rambunctious sex. Though, I guess it is. We're good friends, and close, but we're not exclusive, so it makes things interesting. I'd say I have a leg up on the rest of the people who I work with since I've seen her naked, but I think they've seen her naked too." She laughed. "She tends to be with more people than me, though, because she likes guys. Though, I'm sure you really don't want to stand here in the middle of the corridor talking about my sordid sex life."

Mielikki laughed at Lerrah's comment, and waved her off playfully. "Just be glad this is not my sex life we're talking about." She grew quiet for a moment looking off into the distance. "It's another life far away from my own entirely," she commented more to herself then to Lerrah.

"This station's a perfect place to get a fresh start," Lerrah said with a rueful smile. "Most seem to here."

"Do you know a good place to get something to eat? I was just heading off to go find lunch...and well I'm ashamed to say I'm not very familiar with the food of this part of the galaxy?" Mielikki asked, eager to change the subject.

"There are a couple that I really like," Lerrah said. "Just down this corridor, then left at the four-way. It's called Gage's and they have the best tasketh soup. If you want, I can show you."

"Sure that sounds like a great idea, lead the way," Mielikki replied smiling.

"Just this way," Lerrah said, motioning for Mielikki to follow.

With a grin, Lerrah led them off down the hallway. As they neared the end of the corridor, the sounds of the bustling eatery could be heard. It seemed that Lerrah wasn't the only one who enjoyed their. They turned at the four-way and the open doors of Gage's could be seen ahead.

"Looks crowded," Lerrah said as they reached the doorway. "We can probably grab a booth though. They've got a big variety here, but I highly recommend the soup."

Mielikki nodded as she took in the surroundings of Gage's; Lerrah was right this place was a real hotspot with the locals, it was filled with a variety of aliens some humanoid and not. Seeing that a booth had opened up, she quickly flagged it down and the two women took a seat.

Scrolling through the menu Mielikki looked up briefly at Lerrah who was doing likewise. "What's good to drink here?" She asked curiously before looking back down at her menu again looking over all that Gage's had to offer on the menu.

"I like their Hyperdrive Tea," Lerrah said. "It's got three different types of fruit juice, plus one of the black tea blends from the planet below. There's no alcohol in it, but it definitely keeps you awake when you've got a long shift ahead of you. If you're looking for something with alcohol, they've got some good Corellian ale."

"I'll try the tea then, I still much I want to get done today," she remarked smiling. Having decided on what she was going to order, the Veaseph looked up at Lerrah. "I'm going to get that soup you mentioned, what about you what are you going to eat?"

"I think the same thing," Lerrah said. "That's what I usually get when I come here. You won't be disappointed. So, how do you like it here on the station?"

Mielikki nodded. "I think I do like it here, I'm not entirely sure about it yet...but since I've come to this station it seems that my luck has begun to change for the better." She keyed in her order and looked up off into the distance, a thoughtful look on upon her features. "Or so I hope," she added as an after thought.

"Well, you've got a friend out of it, at any rate," Lerrah said with a grin.

This grabbed Mielikki's attention and caused her to look back in Lerrah's direction. She reached across the table and gently touched Lerrah's hand. "Thank you Lerrah."

"Thank you, too," Lerrah said with a grin. "For running into me. I like meeting new people, and for as many as come through here, there aren't many who I want to be friends with."

She nodded in return. "I think I know what you mean, anyway I think after we eat I'll head back; I want to look over some study materials Tasia left laying out for me, I never knew technical manuals could have such funny names." She added chuckling, "Hopefully none are in Wookiee."

"If you need any help, let me know," Lerrah said with a grin. "While I don't know Wookiee, I do work in the bay. Though, if it is in Wookiee, Captain Kir, the head of security, has a Wookiee friend who might be able to help translate."

Mielikki laughed heartily. "I was only joking, the odds of coming across a technical manual on my first day are ten to one..." Her tone quickly turned serious then, "Right?"

Lerrah gave her a grin. "Oh, I'm sure," she said. "I would imagine for your first day of work, Tasia will have you stripping down a J-type Nubian and reassembling it."

---

"Harried Retreat"
By: Padawan Talara Sorenne
Master Koran Darr
Master Laedra Vorrel
High Princess Yelara Zaneth
Padawan Vaya Bek
Irie [NPC]

Location: Jedi Temple - New Plouton
Date: Selene 21, 5 ABY

***

It had only been an hour since Talara had been back on Tae'Karada, but the news wasn't good. She'd watched the address from the Palace just a short time ago, and an icy chill had slithered down her back. It was astonishing to see how quickly and severely things had changed. She knew she shouldn't be, due to the slippery path it would lead her down, but Talara was scared. The accusations, the frightening hate she saw reflected by some interviewed. After everything they'd been doing, to see the public turn so completely. At first, she'd wanted to cry.

Now, however, she knew she needed to contact the Temple. Talara Sorenne finally opened her eyes and completed the connection to the Jedi Temple. The channel was secure and, hopefully, untraceable.

"Jedi Temple," came the reply. "How may I assist you?"

"Taven," Talara said, "I need to speak with Master Laedra, please."

"Of course, Padawan Sorenne. I will connect you at once."

The screen went blank momentarily as the young man tried to connect her with her Master. Finally, as time seemed to stretch on, Laedra's face appeared on the monitor.

"Master," Tala said and offered a bow to her teacher. "I have returned to the planet. I am staying with Master Brael at the moment. Master Zaneth has gone to the Palace to try to see High Princess Neerou. There's aliens, Master, on one of the outer moons. They attacked us, and shot down the ship. Something very terrible is in the works."

"Can you identify this race?" Laedra asked. "We have sensed something troubling in the Force, but we couldn't decipher what it was. If it is these aliens, we must know who and what they are."

"I've never seen them before, Master," Talara reported. "None of the others could recognize them either. Kimara is a really good artist though, maybe she could do a sketch to help out. I'll talk to her about that." She turned somber and sighed. "Master, Dargus Kandran is dead. He was killed by one of the aliens."

Laedra closed her eyes briefly, then opened them as she nodded. "We had felt something the other day - had feared one of you was harmed. I hope he was able to redeem himself, in the end."

"He...he joined the Force," Talara said. "I think. He was there, and as his life force passed on, he just disappeared."

Koran Darr appeared at Laedra's side on the viewer. "Talara, we'll need a full report as soon as you're able," he said. "If Master Zaneth contacts you before returning to the Temple, let him know we wish to speak to him as well."

"Of course, Master," Talara said and bowed before the holographic image of the Jedi Master.

As Koran was about to speak, the communication flashed another incoming message. "Priority message," he said. "Looks like a scrambled frequency. Talara, we'll contact you soon." He toggled the call and a haggard face appeared before them. He bowed. "High Princess Neerou. How may we assist you?"

Her smile was thin and breath came in shallow gasps as she answered, "No time for pleasantries. You're in danger - all of you. Leave the Temple now." She paused to catch her breath and seemed to be looming closer to the screen as if hugging the device to keep herself upright. "Tell Liam I'm sorry - I couldn't stop it. They think you have Dani and Nieme Yaresh. I'm not sure if they'll arrest you or kill you...but you're now enemies of Tae'Karada, and they'll stop at nothing to punish you all."

"We thank you for the warning," Koran said with a nod. "Liam is on his way to you, according to Talara. We'll clear out of here..." He looked at Laedra and frowned. "Stay safe, and may the Force be with you."

"Tell Liam," Yelara added hurriedly, looking back over her shoulder to watch for anyone entering, then facing the screen again, "that Va'Lesh...they have him." The struggle to maintain her composure was obvious in her tearful gaze and trembling lips, but Yelara held on. "I can't leave here...I can't do anything. I have to go now before they detect the signal...good luck to you all and...and I'm sorry I couldn't do more. I'm so sorry...." And as her emotions finally overwhelmed Yelara, she severed the connection.

Laedra rose swiftly. "We have to gather the children and anything we can carry. We'll need a safe location...but where?"

"I fear there may be no safe locations," Koran said. "If we can get the transport, we could hide over beyond Vendra. We'll need to make sure no one is in their robes. We should tell Talara to remain with Keeve, and the same with Zari and Jae Dyn."

"And what do we tell Liam?" Laedra asked softly. "He'll never leave New Plouton, not with his son missing and Yelara being held captive in the palace. He'll place himself in danger."

"At least we can tell him what's happened, and hopefully encourage him to not wear his robes," Koran said. "I don't believe we will be able to stop him from trying to free his son or wife. For now, our priority must be the Padawans and younglings." He turned and stared off in the distance, as if he might be able to see the Palace. "Hopefully Liam's padawans managed to escape the Palace."

"They were once soldiers, Koran," she reminded him, "they can fend for themselves. We must see to our own safety. I'll have Orn pack food and supplies while we gather the children. From Yelara's message, I don't believe we have much time."

"I agree," Koran said. "I'll begin getting everyone assembled to leave. Make sure that Talara knows to stay away from the Temple, and that we'll find a way to contact her when we're settled. I believe this is my punishment for missing the first Jedi Purge."

Laedra touched Koran's cheek and teased fondly, "Self-centred even at a time like this. Just remember there will be no purges, Koran. We will overcome this."

Koran smiled. "Of course we will," he said. "Losing Dargus is unfortunate, but hopefully we won't lose any others."

"We won't," Laedra assured him. "We can't." With an encouraging stroke of his cheek, Laedra returned to the comm to relay the message to Talara before she would depart to begin the necessary preparations.

Koran watched her for a moment before starting off to begin preparing their method of escape. They'd take several ships to get away. If something happened to one, at least the others would have a chance. He just hoped Yelara's warning had come soon enough.

***

Vaya raced through the woods. Several hours before she had returned to New Plouton after having visited with Jori, only to discover that the Jedi were now named enemies of the people by the government they had all helped to forge. Laedra had commed her, telling her to hurry and watch her back, as they had just received word that Palace forces were en route and that the Jedi were in the middle of evacuating.

How can this be?! she wondered as she traversed the forest, calling on the Force to aid in her speed, agility and stamina. Like the others, she knew the public outcry when it was discovered that Dani was not in official custody, but it frazzled her as to how overnight they had become wanted fugitives.

She first sensed danger, then she caught the barest glimpse of black matte armor, only the kind worn by palace troops. She knew it well after the last time they had attcked the Temple - only then it was by command of the very two they harbored.

Not slowing down, she Force jumped into the branches, trying to be cautious and as quiet as she could. She shifted her weight and used the Force for nimbleness. She jumped and swung from branch to limb, higher and further along, hoping to put safe distance between her and the troops. She didn't want to have a confrontation, she was only one person, and it had not been lost on her that those men and women in armor were only doing their job, just like before - however ill-guided their orders may have been.

The Temple was still a good distance away and her new route was taking twice the time it would have by ground, but she couldn't chance being spotted, they probably had several scouts out in front of their positions, like the one she had spotted. If it was anything like before they would be flanking the Temple and in greater numbers. She stretched out with her feelings, trying to contact Laedra, projecting the feeling of, and image of troops in the woods not far from the temple. She didn't know if using her comm would give away her position if they were monitering communications, or even useless if they were jamming.

As she made her way along, she could see the stonework of the temple through the leaves and branches, Almost there, she thought as she landed on a small limb. It quickly snapped, being rotted. She tried to to recover to the nearest branch, but it was just a hair out of reach. Her finger nails scraped against its bark as she began to fall backwards towards the ground. She used the momentum, pulling herself into a ball and then stretching out her body again with a twist in an attempt to redirect her descent. She bounced from one limb, ricochetting to another, and another, each slowing her speed until she could land firmly and safely.

She had come more than halfway down from where she was. A black armor-clad trooper stood upon a limb several trees away, his rifle aimed right at her. As the shot was fired, she leapt up and off the limb to the ground. A stun net whipped through where she had just moments before stood. She hit the ground, rolled and sprang back to