"Massacre at Drogen Shipyards"
by Akesha Valerious
Garnet Seifer (aka Lady Ammut)
Ambassador Theen Fida
Amii'a Val'or
Alicia Ashantee Gardan
and Kaede Aoki

Location: Drogen Shipyards
Date: Vadris 21, 4 ABY

***

The machines were controlled by many species in the location, making the final arrangements in the outer hull. The sparkle of joining metals to the outer hull was visible.

A lot of people worked on the outside of the ship. The hangar where the Karadan cruiser was situated was huge, and the space outside could be seen, but there was a force field making the working area breathable. Inside the ship there was a lot work happening, since the final stage of the building was the installation of the ship's inner systems, computers, holoprojectors, main control of the direction of the ship and many more.

Akesha stepped out of the Karadan Cruiser, being followed by Ambassador Theen Fida, Amii'a Va'lor, Alicia Gardan and Kaede. "As you can see, Ambassador, this Cruiser is built from scratch. It is not based in any other previous models. It will be the fastest and strongest of its kind and, like I showed you, this ship can hold more enemy fire than any Star Destroyer or Super Star destroyer ever built."

"Quite impressive," Theen complimented.

"Indeed..." Alicia concurred. She had been in touch with the project before, having seen some of the designs and having arranged for a few crews of the best engineers from certain corporations, such as the Naboo Theed Palace Space Vessel Engineering Corps. But she hadn't seen the vessel itself yet. She was surprised to see that it was far better to look at in reality than to see the sketches or smaller models.

"I have been told that it can outrun any known model of a Star Destroyer, while sharing the maneuverability of a smaller transport," Alicia commented.

"That is true. This ship was firstly designed by my father. He thought this ship should correspond in a more military way. Why do other cruisers look like a sitting duck for enemy fire? Why don't cruisers move more rapidly to avoid the incoming enemy fire, making the damage to it less than before? These were the questions that my father made at the time. I continued his work, but made it not only more maneuverable, but with more firepower and stronger shields than anything that was previously built." Akesha paused. "Of course, IX Technologies is not the only one to get the credits for this ship. Many enterprises gave their support in this project."

"Very commendable," Amii'a commented. "It never ceases to maze me what can be accomplished with by such group efforts."

"Exactly why I have worked so diligently to create the co-op," Theen added. "With the pooling of resources for the benefit of all involved...this ship is testimony as to such bilateral cooperation."

"Is there a specific purpose to the construction of this cruiser?" Amii'ia asked. "Is it to be a one of a kind vessel, or a prototype that would secure the procurement of a contract to a fleet of them?"

"Well, if this prototype goes beyond the New Republic officials perspectives, then we intend to make contract with them. All these enterprises are mainly not only seeking out the contract. They want to contribute to this Cruiser, since we expect that people like you and everyone who gives their lives to fight against tyrannical factions, like the Empire, need it. I think that this ship can be a tool to free other worlds," Akesha said.

Theen already knew that he had an exclusive bid for the ship, he was quite impressed with it and the fact that those contributors were so generous in the construction funding. He knew full well the capabilities the ship could have as an instrument in peacekeeping, and he was determined to make sure and see the project through, and to procure it for his own use under the authority granted him for such involvements in the outer rim, both official and unofficial.

Alicia raised an eyebrow. "Yes... The only downfall that I can see is the overgrown price. Technology like this doesn't come out cheap and neither do the workers and engineers that were recruited. Overall, the ship is worth it. But I can see that setting a price that is easily affordable just isn't possible." And that was the reality. The New Republic wasn't yet what one would call rich enough to be able to support large funding and expenses. "But I'm sure that something can be arranged," Alicia nodded, mostly for Ambassador Theen.

"Arrangements can always be made," Theen said. "Especially when one is resourceful."

Akesha didn't move but watched Ambassador Theen. "I'm glad we agree on the same thing Ambassador. I hope you don't mind, but I had a meal prepared for us, where we can work on the details?"

"That was most thoughtful and generous, I would be delighted," Theen said.

Akesha turned to Alicia. "Care to join us, Alicia? This cruiser is equally your baby too!"

Alicia nodded simply. "Of course."

The group walked towards the repulsor lift, where two entrances could be seen. They entered from the side that gave entrance to the huge shipyard. The other entrance made way to an adjacent big room, that was currently empty.

***

Garnet sat on the throne, overviewing the Drogen Shipyards, as they got nearer. Behind the mask, Garnet playing the role as Lady Ammut was all too well, but she wondered whether soon enough there would be no more use for the mask. But for the time being she could easily play both sides. "Report!"

Admiral Vazier approached her with a smile. "They have not yet detected us. Even if they were looking for us, it is impossible to find us. It is like looking for a needle in a haystack."

Garnet got up and walked towards the frontal viewshield. "There it is, out target, Admiral. The new brand Karadan Cruiser... The new menacing cruiser to have ever been built. It is shameful that we have to do what we are about to do."

"Yes, my Lady, but it keeps me wondering if it would be more lucrative to steal it, rather then destroying it!" the Admiral commented.

"Why not building two for the price of one?" Garnet asked amused, looking at the Admiral who had an astonished face. Clearly the Admiral was not expecting that. "You see, The Brath'Nam Inter-Galactic Guild has the reputation of playing both sides of the fence, before the defeat of the Empire at Endor. With the destruction of this one, the Lord will have the only existing one."

"I see. Clever..."

"That is precisely the job of the Lord. To be more clever than others... Now, Admiral, do you mind if I take the helm of the ship?"

"Of course not, my Lady. We are here to serve you and the Lord, like always."

"Good..." She paused. "Gunner, fire at will towards the cruiser. Make sure that nothing is left to salvage!" Garnet said, behind her mask.

"Yes, ma'am," the gunner replied.

"Deactivate the cloaking device and fire at will!" Garnet ordered, with happiness in her voice.

***

Akesha looked through the glass of the lift that hadn't closed its double doors yet to travel to the upper levels. She saw a ship appearing from nothing. "Hey, what is that..." she asked the others, slowly realising what it was. Her face turned pale in an instant.

Kaede looked at what Akesha had pointed out. In fact, she had seen the very same thing almost at the same instance, and knew what it was the moment it appeared. Bad news. A cloaking ship that big showing up from out of nothing so close to that hangar could only mean one thing. An imminent attack of sorts, leaving only two questions to be answered: who and why...

Kaede moved quickly and almost instantly to cover Alicia from any given attack with her body. She pushed her employer and friend towards the other end of the lift where the empty room was. From their current location, it seemed like the best place to gain cover. "Incoming!" Kaede shouted. "Pull up the security measures and warn someone of our attackers! Close those blastdoors!" she told the workers on the hangar bay. She then turned around to Alicia. "Get into that room! Now! You'll be safer there."

Theen growled a curse as he glared upon the encroaching vessel.

"Blast!" Amii'a exclaimed. "I have got to get the Ambassador to safety!" she demanded to Alicia.

***

Garnet saw the Gunner punching the button to fire the missiles. She saw about six to ten missiles flying, making curves across the front viewscreen of the Necron. She saw the missiles hit the shield, and all was suddenly surrounded by flames. In the first strike, the shield that maintained the air inside was shut down. Mechanical instruments, people and everything that was loose on the hangar was almost promptly sucked into the vast blackness of space.

***

Akesha saw one missile coming in the direction of the lift. She ran as fast as she could towards the big room that was empty. Since she was the last one of the group that moved to the blastdoors, she jumped to the empty room and the explosion threw her against the far side wall of the room. As the air started to get sucked into space, the blast doors that divided the lift from the room they were now in were activated as a security measure.

The ground started to shake and the rooftop started to collapse itself upon the ground and upon the people in it.

***

Garnet saw several explosions hitting upon the Karadan Cruiser and everything that surrounded it, including the shipyards. The missiles hit several points on the Karadan Cruiser, breaking it in two. The front part slowly floated off, and, since it was constantly being hit by missiles, it exploded, projecting several tiny pieces back towards the shipyards and towards the Necron.

Garnet looked towards the shield officer, waiting for his reply. "Ma'am, the shields are holding the debris. No damage to the hull.

"Good. Keep firing!" Garnet ordered.

More missiles flew towards the shipyards, causing several structural damages in the area that surrounded the hangar. Garnet saw the other half of the cruiser, where she could clearly see the division the explosions hit. Not only that half, but the walls of the hangar itself, burned with flames for a short while before going off. Without air, the fire wouldn't keep on burning for long.

She was enjoying the view, explosion after explosion. The systems that held the back part of the Karadan Cruiser in mid air could not hold such an attack, so the system completely shut down itself... Or perhaps it had a direct hit to the machine that held the Cruiser in the air. That was unclear to Garnet since she barely saw what exactly where the missiles were hitting, since the vast light of the explosions made it unclear.

In the middle of the light, Garnet saw the second half falling, being pushed by Tae'Karada's gravitational pull. The second half hit the floor of the hangar, compromising the lower levels under it. Garnet saw several explosions under the hangar going off, having been caused by the fall of the cruiser.

A huge explosion stated that the second half of the Cruiser was now destroyed, taking part of the shipyards that surrounded the hangar along with it. Garnet had a glorified smile under her mask. She was clearly happy that the mission had been successful.

"My Lady... The scanners show us that the Drogen Shipyards are deploying their fighters to intercept us. Also there is an MCC exiting from hyperspace and is moving in to intercept us, as well."

"The Concordia... Admiral, our job here is done. It is better to get a move on things and jump to hyperspace before they can scan our jump coordinates."

"Yes, my Lady."

Garnet glanced to the shipyards. A small part of the huge shipyards burst with a few flames. Almost the entire hangar and lower levels were blasted to oblivion. Only a few pieces of metal that had once belonged to the Karadan Cruiser existed. Also, the image of several burned and not burned bodies floating in space made it a morbid view. Anyone with regard for life would be extremely sick with that view, but Garnet saw those people as insignificant and their deaths had no meaning to her. She even enjoyed the view.

"Entering hyperspace in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1..." The Necron entered hyperspace, leaving the destruction that was caused on part of the Drogen Shipyards. In a matter of minutes they had completed the mission and entered hyperspace before anyone could have a lock on their coordinates.

***

Akesha, tried to get up, but felt her back hurting her like hell. She could barely move. Her face was covered in blood, her own blood. She tried to move her legs but her right one hurt like hell as she moved to look. She saw that a girder was on top of her right leg. She didn't know what condition was her leg was, but the pain was all too unbearable. She tried to look to the condition of the room, but all that she could see was destruction. The rooftop fell upon them, smoke and sparkles from the electrical wiring was what she could see, but no fire. She was able to get the strength to speak. "Is everyone okay?" she asked, as the pain in her leg got even stronger.

"Shit..." Akesha said. The pain made her cry, but not in out of being scared or panic. It was nothing but pure pain.

"Akesha?" Amii'a called out, hearing her cries of pain. "Theen? Are you alright?"

"I'm...I'm fine," he growled groggily, obviously being stunned by the explosions.

Kaede got up from atop Alicia. In the midst of the confusion and explosions and the ceiling dropping on them, she had pushed Alicia into a corner that seemed to serve as one of the main pillars to hold the structure of the room itself, and had thrown herself to protect her friend. It was all too fast and she would not have things otherwise. She knew that Alicia was ok because she herself would have been hit before her, and she was ok. She helped Alicia get up and gave her a nod.

"We'll be ok... for now," she said in a low voice. "The attack seems to have stopped," Kaede told Alicia, then turning to get a feel of what was left of the room. She short sparkles from the electrical wiring gave a few impressions. Mostly debris and smoke it seemed. Luckily enough, Kaede had a flashlight with her. She reached into her pocket and took it out, turning it on. She moved to Akesha and pointed the light at Amii'a.

"Give me a hand here..." Kaede asked, as she held to the debris that had fallen over Akesha's leg. "We'll get you out. Just don't move..." she assured Akesha.

"Okay..." Akesha said as she lay down on the floor looking towards the ceiling she could see some metal on it, upon a hard look she saw it was the air conducts.

Theen moved over to help, "I am considerably stronger than an average Human."

Theen reached down to Akesha, he knelt and placed a slight grasp of his forefinger and thumb at a specific point upon her neck. "We Anx have an uncanny knack for manipulating the neurology of many species," he said as he applied pressure. "Your pain will subside enough that you may function better," he said as he arose to help lift the metal platting from her body.

Akesha felt the unbearable pain start to dissipate. She could still feel some pain, but not as much. She prepared herself when the others prepared to take the big girder off her.

When Akesha was free, Kaede helped her get up. Although apart from Akesha's injury they were all well, they were still trapped in that room.

"We have to find an alternative way out," Alicia pointed out as she moved towards Akesha to help her stand on her two feet. "The main doorway is blocked, and even if we could get out that way, we'd be sucked into outer space. If the missiles got to the door, then its because the shields went down. We need some other way out."

As Akesha got up with the aid of Ambassador Theen and Kaede, she glanced over to the ceiling and saw the smoke moving as it was pushed by some kind of wind. She noticed that it was the air vents. "About we exit through there?" Akesha suggested.

Kaede looked up and saw the air vents. If they were able to breathe, then the air vents weren't totally compromised, meaning that at some point they would be able to get to another room, and from there back to safety. "Seems viable enough," she commented. "If we can get to the vents in the first place..." she said as she glanced around with her flashlight. "Maybe we can pile up some of these things..."

"How about we start to pile here? The girder makes a secure base for our newly engineered construction that will get us out of here..." Akesha said, trying to soften the mood of what had just happened.

"Seems viable enough," Kaede nodded as she started to pile up a few things for them to be able to reach the air conduits. It didn't take too long for them to get a solid structure high enough for them to reach. It wasn't too good, but it would do just fine. "Ok, I will go first to test it and help pull one of you up. Each of us is going to have to pull in the next person, so make a viable line..." she told them, sort of taking charge of the situation. "Ambassador, I believe that I ought to pull you up first, being that you should be the heaviest."

"Hmmphh." Theen huffed. "Were it any other circumstance I might take offense to such a comment!" he said with a wink.

"Please forgive Kaede's blunt way of saying things. She was never one for diplomacy but rather someone practical. But she means well..." Alicia stepped forward with a bit of a smirk, knowing that the Ambassador wasn't exactly offended. Not that Alicia thought Kaede cared even if he would be offended, since at a time like this it would surely be the last thing on her mind.

Kaede looked at Alicia and blinked, then looking back at the Ambassador. "What I meant was that you should form a pattern from the heaviest to the lightest, since it is easier to pull someone lighter than your own self..." she said simply. "There was no pun intended, Ambassador," she said with a short nod. She then climbed the small structure and jumped up to the air conduits. Holding on with one hand, she slid the air vent grate to the side and climbed in, then offering a hand down. "Let us get out of here..." she said offering her hand to help Theen up.

Theen huffed a laugh and winked to show he had no ill feelings.

"I swear when we get out of this mess I'm going to find someone to shoot!" Amii'a hissed.

"You shouldn't shoot just someone... You should shoot the people responsible for this station's security. Obviously they were not prepared and their response isn't good for these situations..." Akesha said. "Quite frankly, I'd rather find out who leaked the information on our project."

"Could have leaked from many positions..." Alicia commented. "Maybe someone who saw the workers or those who had to clear the raw materials and personnel we used. But yes, I believe that someone will have to pay, and I don't mean financially. For now, let's just get out of here..."

Kaede helped the Ambassador up to the air conduits and from there they followed the plan. Each pulled up the next one up and soon they were all crossing into a different section of the space station and crawling back out of the air conduits onto another room. They were received by the station's personnel and offered both assistance and medical attention. But all knew that this was just the beginning. The attacker was obviously well away, but they'd find him yet.

---

"Headline News"
By Tallia Xephuma, Tae'Karadan Intergalactic NewsNetwork (NPC Written by Theen Fida)

Location: New Plouton (Holo-News Broadcast Station)
Date: Vadris 21, 4ABY

***

"Good morning New Plouton! And what a beautiful morning it is this morning of Vadris 20th.

"Our top story this morning, reports have been flooding in that a renegade group of Kir'thana had gotten a hold of a fusion bomb! Reports have been coming in that they apparently set the bomb off in the Tae'Sollar desert unwittingly, many deaths have been reported.

"This just in! A massive explosion ripped through a section of the Drogen Shipyards. Reports are still coming in as to what exactly caused the explosion. We have reports of a ship crashing, another has stated that construction of a vessel went awry and had exploded, sending debris, smoke and fire throughout several levels. More on this story when we have the information.

"In our continued coverage of the rag-tag group of freedom fighters dubbed as the Karadan Rebels, who oppose the rule of our benevolent Empresses, rebel forces have been pinned down in the mountains.

"In other news, starting Praeda 1st of the upcoming new year, a fantastic new series of reality holo-vids will air across the Outer Rim! Xivanti Enterprises based here in New Plouton will be producing three new reality shows; Galactic Idol, The Amazing Galactic Race, and Survivor: Outer Rim! All three reality shows are in pre-production and screening. Here to give us a little insight on these fantastic new reality shows is Vice President Hogave Fedariv of Xivanti Enterprises. Good morning Mr. Fedariv, what can you tell the people of New Plouton about these exciting new holo-vid endeavors?"

"Why thank you, Tallia! Indeed we have some really exciting entertainment shows lined up for the new year! The first to air will be Galactic Idol! What this particular show is about, is a talent search for the next biggest musical entertainer superstar! As we speak, associates of the shows production team are interviewing prospective raw talents who will compete against one another in a series of grueling musical and entertainment contests where only one shall win and be awarded a multi-million credit entertainment contract. We have plans to include famous entertainers as guest judges, and our talent scouts will be searching the whole of the Outer Rim for the next superstar! Interviews are being conducted right here in New Plouton as we speak!"

"Well that is indeed fantastic Mr. Fedariv!"

"Thank you! Now our next show is called The Amazing Galactic Race! We have high hopes for this daring and adventurous reality show! Contestants will compete in teams around the Outer Rim to collect clues, partake in challenges of skills and race one another across the stars for a prize package worth one-million creds! The teams will be comprised of freighter crews who race around the Outer Rim and stop off at various planets and space-stations to test their resolve, wits and prowess! But not all of the contest will be just flying in their ships! We have big and daring plans for these people, but I cannot divulge too much, as you can understand! What I can tell you though, is that this is planned to be a long and drawn out contest that will be played over the course of and entire month!"

"That does sound quite interesting and daring, Mr. Fedariv! Now tell us about this third show!"

"Our third program we are working on is Survivor: Outer Rim, where contestants will be dropped off with little supplies to survive in some of the Outer Rims harshest and most dangerous locations! This isn't all about surviving in the wilds of course, there will be strenuous challenges the contestants must perform for points and supplies. Several different teams will compete with one another, and with themselves, for there can be only one survivor! The winner of the contest will be awarded a luxurious and well deserved vacation at the locale of their choice, as well as a sizeable prize award of creds and goods!"

"Truly fantastic programs to be airing after the first of the year! Thank you, Mr. Fedariv! We look forward to following along with the exploits of these daring contestants! So, people of New Plouton! If you think you have what it takes to tough it out and strut your stuff in any of these three new exciting programs, apply now and you may just be the next luckiest being in the galaxy!

"Well that's all we have time for this morning, I hope you all have a great day, catch us for the latest in breaking news stories from New Plouton and across the Outer Rim, every standard hour on the hour! This is Tallia Xephuma, signing off!"

---

"Time For Action"
By: Cirran Tyris
Captain Dresh Kano
Tasia Harough
Lerrah Breijal
Captain Rilanna Kir
Administrator Shrezade Anoran
Ty Kat'Ritara

Location: Drogen Shipyards
Date: Vadris 21, 4 ABY

***

Cirran took another mouthful from his glass and sat back. As much as he hated to admit it, the dressing down from Kano had affected him. Although he had come to hate the red tape and political maneuverings of the Alliance, he had always essentially believed in its cause - bringing down the Empire - and it felt somehow wrong to now be so seemingly at odds with the people who had trained him and fought with him - hells, practically raised him. Still, he told himself, it was as much the fault of the paper-pushers who had refused to tell him where Jax was, that it was 'too sensitive', 'too risky', 'too important to the cause'...he angrily belted back the rest of his drink.

If they'd have just given me five minutes with that sandworm when I asked for it, I wouldn't be in this pissant bar in this backwater system drinking overpriced watered-down ale and wondering what to do and where to look next... He banged his empty glass on the table which attracted a few stares from the seedy patrons, but since word on the station had got around that he was a friend of Sgt. Coin, he was generally left alone, and he simply glared back until the voyeurs lowered their eyes.

He drew in a deep breath. Well, there was one thing he could do to occupy his time - one thing he'd been wanting to do since being locked up in a tiny dark room, and besides, Walker was on duty right now and with these prices he certainly couldn't afford to stay in this bar and get drunk. He tossed some credits on the table, stood up slightly unsteadily - correction - I can't afford to stay and get more drunk - and began weaving towards the lift to the flight decks.

***

Operating in a slight alcoholic fog, Cirran barrel-rolled the 'Fool's Hope' through a slow and lazy port-side turn, enjoying the revolving panoramic view of the station above him, and the many coloured moving lights that represented the comings and goings of commercial traffic in the area. Beyond them was the planet of Tae'Karada itself and then the stars, a whole galaxy of them. Cirran grinned widely to himself at the sheer space of it all, the freedom...although other parts of his brain, that even when slightly drunk were permanently hardwired to produce only fighter jockey thoughts, were not failing to note that the 'Hope' was slightly sluggish responding to the stick.

Cirran was alerted by these instincts through the fog to the briefest of flickers in the corner of his eye. He lowered his gaze to the sensor reading, which appeared normal - but wait, there it was, the quickest of blips which vanished almost instantly. This caused his grin to fade slightly. He could have sworn Tasia had replaced those parts. Ha, she can play with my parts, if she likes... chipped in Drunk Cirran, but another flicker on the screen sobered him up slightly. He tapped the display, which was again looking normal, and stayed that way for 15 seconds. But then there it was again! It was almost like one of the sensor ghosts you could sometimes apparently pick up on newer sensor systems if there was a cloaked ship nearby...

The sobering up process suddenly became very fast indeed. Cirran punched open a channel. "Drogen Station, this is the freighter 'Fool's Hope', I think that..." he started, but a sudden burst of loud static cut across his message. His readout confirmed his commlink was being jammed. Performing a quick and functional turn back towards the station, he looked apprehensively towards the station, his worse fears confirmed as moments later a metal monster shimmered magically into view from the blackness of space and began to deal out death.

***

The entire station shook as the superstructure strained against the incoming barrage of enemy fire. Klaxons sounded all throughout the station, announcing the most serious alert status. Screams could be heard from several decks away. Panic reigned throughout the station.

Rilanna Kir struggled back to her station in the Operations Bay. She felt a warm trickle of blood running down into her eyebrow.

"Status report," she shouted into the comms.

"Heavy structural-- --Ecks three-seven-eight down to-- Heavy casualties--Venting--"

"Clear up this channel," Rilanna called. "Launch fighters. All bays! Charge up all available laser cannons and return fire!"

The attack had come out of nowhere. One moment, everything was calm, and the next a Hapes Super Nova-class Battle Cruiser was opening fire on them. It hadn't taken long to determine the target, despite the severe damage the station was taking. It had taken Ty just a slight bit longer to determine who was attacking them.

***

Cirran came down the ramp at a jog, taking the chaotic situation in the bay around him in. The situation was a mess. The injured cried for help while around them those that had been fortunate enough to escape injury were torn between the task of helping them and that of the vital task of keeping the bay operating for fighter launch and damage control ships to get out and do their work. Cirran had ignored the warnings of the deck control officer that landing conditions were unsafe and had plonked the Hope down in the first available space amid some fallen girders. Many of the other decks were out of action and some - well, some were just gone. Nobody appeared to be in charge, and there was an ongoing cacophony of panicked shouts, scream, secondary explosions and creaking metal. Cirran grimly took the scene in. He'd seen this sort of thing before, but it never got easier.

He'd been able to do nothing to prevent it, of course. Cirran had never seen a ship of the class that had attacked Drogen before, but he didn't need to know exactly what type of ship it was to spot heavy armour, multiple fighter launch bays and more weapon blisters than he could count. In an old, if modified, light freighter, he had been in no position to stop the cruiser from doing exactly what its commander had wanted. Though he had tried to rally the traffic around Drogen into a defensive screen, most of them were commercial pilots without the vessels or stomach for a fight. He and a Quarren pilot that had agreed to help had managed to swoop in close, largely unnoticed, and shoot down 4 or 5 of the mass of missiles that had been headed for the station: but the price of even this token effort had been for them to be raked over with withering fire from the cruiser, almost as if in afterthought. Cirran's shields had barely held long enough for him to twist out of danger, and the Quarren was out there right now drifting in his severely damaged ship and waiting for Cirran to organise his rescue - which wasn't going to be for a while, by the look of things here. He grabbed a passing deckhand by the arm as he ran past.

"Have you seen Sgt. Coin?" he asked pointedly. The man looked at him blankly, shaking his head.

"You know, Sgt. Coin - Walker?" Cirran tried.

A look of recognition came into the tech's eyes. "He was headed for damage control duty on the lower decks. That area got hit pretty bad. We've lost contact with certain parts of the station. Look, you'll have to find him yourself, I'm needed over here." The man hurried on.

Cirran tightened his jaw and set out towards the bay exit to head for the emergency tubes leading to the lower decks.

"Hey," came a voice from beneath one of the ships preparing to hastily depart, "what the hell are you doing here? Keep standing there with your mouth open like that, one of the ships jetting out of here's likely to fly right in."

Cirran breathed an inward sigh of relief as he recognised the emerging head of Tasia Harough. "Tasia - everything OK?" he asked, and then immediately frowned, abashed, at the stupidity of his own question. "Who in the hells was that out there, anyway?" he continued. "It didn't look like the Imps."

"Who do you think it was?" answered Lerrah Breijal as she emerged from beneath the ship behind Tasia. "If you're just going to stand around gawking and not doing anything to help why don't you go somewhere you'll be out of the way. The New Republic may think you're some kind of golden boy now, but I still think you're just a slacker." Despite the words, she was grinning at him.

"Sorry, been a bit busy shooting down incoming missiles," Cirran retorted. His face softened however as he saw the exhausted expressions of the two women. "Look, I know you guys need some help down here - hells, looks like you need all the help you can get, and I'll come back, I promise - but right now I've got to find out what happened to Walker. Do you know if he made it through the attack?"

"I haven't seen him," Lerrah said. "I imagine he's been pretty busy with things that don't bring him here. I'd check through the security office, though I'd stay clear of Ril right now. I heard her on the comms, and she sounded ready to kill. Someone sabotaged some of the detection equipment. That's how they got so close without anyone knowing, I think."

"And besides," Tasia put in gruffly, smearing grease across her brow as she wiped it with the back of one hand, "that lumbering oaf can take care of himself. He survived a night with me, didn't he?" She winked mischievously at Cirran.

Cirran grinned lopsidedly. "Uh, yeah, so I hear," he said and then hastily added: "...not that I, you know, heard any details, or anything...". He caught sight of the two women taking obvious amusement in his obvious embarrassment. "Anyway...we all know he's tough, but I'm not sure he's so tough that he can survive sudden decompression or being at the center of large explosions." He surveyed the destruction and death around them again. "Few people can," he said grimly. "Look, I'm gonna see if I can find the big lug. Take care, you guys - I'll be back." He turned and left the bay at a jog.

Lerrah and Tasia looked to one another once Cirran disappeared around the corner, Tasia shrugging faintly. "You really think the brute's in trouble?" she asked, a touch of concern spilling through her cool front.

"I'm sure he's fine," Lerrah said. "He's too stubborn to not be fine. I'm sure once the crisis is over, he'll come swaggering in here as if nothing was wrong at all." She grinned at her friend and lover, and started back toward the flight deck. There wouldn't be much more to do until the ships came back in.

***

The station had sustained heavy damage. Rilanna was uncertain if the lower levels would ever be salvageable. The bay would be closed down for at least a month while repairs were made. The other bays would be more crowded, and techs would be in shorter supply. She was just glad Tasia and Lerrah had made it out alive.

"Talk to me, Ty," she said, turning to their resident computer expert.

The young man tapped some keys before him, and a holographic display of their attacker shimmered into view above the holotank.

"The Necron," he said. "It's a Hapes Super Nova-class Battle Cruiser. There are very few of them outside of Hapan space, so picking this one out was easy. It didn't stick around long, but I didn't need it to. Registry information marks it as belonging to Garnet Seifer."

Rilanna scowled and she could sense Shrezade's jaw clenching hard enough to break teeth. The loss of some of the Downsiders, something that normally would have made the station admin giddy, was inconsequential compared to the damage done to her station. The lower decks of the station had been blasted to oblivion. So far, the loss of life had been marked in the thousands.

"It's equipped with a cloaking device," Ty continued, "and is heavily armed."

Across the room, Dresh Kano snorted with a half laugh. "I'm sure they like to think that's heavily armed," he said. "But, they'll soon know the real thing. I've got a good part of my fleet on the way here now. Give it two more hours, and you'll have a fleet ready to give chase."

"Rumours exist that not long ago the ship was stolen by a woman calling herself Lady Ammut."

"I don't care who she is," Rilanna growled, "or what she's calling herself. We're going to find her, and we're going to make her pay. I've got my ship prepped. Lerrah and Elf will be with me. I'll be pulling some of the security team as gunners."

Dresh nodded. "I'll be taking command of the Shimmering Light," he said. "I could use someone at my side, someone to bridge the gap between Drogen and Republic forces." He glanced at Shrezade. "And, someone who can help me not get lost in the middle of a Mon Cal command cruiser."

Shrezade Anoran, planted stiffly in the command chair, loosened her deadly grip on the arm rests and tugged on the hem of her jacket. She smiled harshly at Dresh. "I'll join you. There's nothing more I can do from here."

Dresh turned to Reza. "I'll leave Admiral Eckrus here to watch over things," he said. "He's a capable commander, and I'm sure he can keep the repair crews moving. We'll also leave a force behind for any additional attacks."

"Don't think there's much chance of that," Ty said. "They got their target, and didn't seem to care much about the station." He shrugged. "It happened to be there."

"Ty will remain here on the station and help coordinate our efforts through HoloNet," Dresh continued. "If nothing else, the forces that do remain here will be able to discourage those who might use the attack as an opportunity to gain."

"When we find the ship, we'll have to be careful," Rilanna said. "Those ships come heavily loaded, and we don't want to lose too much more with it. Captain Kano assures me we'll have enough firepower with us to bring it down. I've still got some others I'd like to talk to to help fill out our ranks. They've got good ships that may be able to give us even more of an edge. And, if not an edge, at least another set of eyes. We'll need them out there."

"Then get them," Reza told Rilanna, and rose from her chair. "I want that idiot who nicked my station punished." Nodding curtly to Dresh, Reza stalked away.

"I'm just glad we were here on the station when it happened," Dresh said with a frown.

"Garnet Seifer or Lady Ammut, whoever's controlling that ship, will definitely not be when I get through with them. I'm grabbing my battle armour, then I'll be prepping my ship. If you need me before your fleet gets here, you know how to find me." With that, Rilanna was gone as well.

She'd gotten soft lately, since coming here. She only hoped she still had her edge. With a deadly smile as she disappeared into the turbolift, she felt confident knowing that she still had her edge and she was anything but soft. Whoever was controlling the Necron would pay.

***

Cirran moved through the shattered corridors, ducking and climbing through the maze of blackened metal. Heat still radiated from every surface, and the air was thin, life support systems struggling to replenish the oxygen lost to fires and hull breeches. Where the flight deck some levels above had been all noise and movement, this wrecked section was eerily silent. He coughed as his lungs filled with acrid smoke, and kept picking his way down the corridor where a damage control coordinator had said Walker had been assigned with his team.

Through the haze, he caught sight of an exhausted clump of men, their fire suits blackened, collapsed up against the wall by a heavy blast door ahead, their faces grubby and drained. Stretched across the corridor was a long form which Cirran soon recognised. He hurried forward, looking down at the prone form of Walker.

"Is he dead?" he asked the ranking officer, a lieutenant who sat slightly apart from the others.

The tired man looked up at him, his eyes dull, his face looking impossibly young to Cirran. "No, he's just out. We had to stun him. Took about four or five shots, too. The sarge is a big man," he said, with exhaustion in his voice.

"You stunned him? Why?" Cirran asked.

"He wanted to go back. But we had orders to close these doors or we might have lost the whole section, hells, maybe even the station. There's some pretty serious equipment in this section which is linked to the power core. A fire in here, explosions - could been a chain reaction. We had orders to seal this door. But he wouldn't listen. He wouldn't do it, but we had orders." The young officer's face fell. His men too were quiet.

Cirran took in the silence with a building sense of dread. "What's through there?" he asked.

"Nothing's through there, not anymore," came a gruff voice from the floor. Walker grunted and propped himself up on his elbows, shaking his head to clear the effects of the stun ray.

The other soldiers looked on apprehensively as the giant awoke. "I'm sorry, sarge," the young officer blurted, "but we had orders, you wouldn't listen to reason, you left me no choice--"

"It's all right, sir," Walker assured him. "You did the right - the proper thing. I apologise for my actions, sir. It's OK, boys," he added to the rest of the men, who looked relieved.

The lieutenant looked although he was about to cry. "Thank you, sergeant," he said in a trembling voice.

Walker stood up, cricking his neck. "If you'll excuse me sir, I think I'll report back to my regular security detail now? I have some things need taking care of."

"Very well, sergeant. Dismissed." The officer could not seem to meet the eyes of Walker or his men.

Walker turned his back on the blast doors and began to stride down the corridor, closely followed by Cirran. Cirran stayed quiet, sensing Walker's mood, but Walker answered his silent question anyway.

"It was a school," he said softly, "A day school for the kids of people who work in this section. There was a fire down there in the flight decks - a big one - and after they sealed the section they vented the atmosphere into space to deal with it. There's no-one alive in there now. Not those kids, not anyone."

Dismay came over Cirran, and he swore under his breath as the extent of the damage to the station hit him for the first time. More innocent victims of war, of violence. And for what? Nobody he had talked to even seemed to know why the station had been attacked. It was senseless, and there was only one thing to do - try and prevent it from happening again. For the moment looking for Kemma could wait. His 'to do' list only had one item on it - payback.

"What's the plan?" he asked the giant.

Walker clenched his fists. "We're gonna go sign up with whoever says they're lookin' to make these bastards bleed," he snarled.

***

The command station was a hive of confusing activity as station personnel hurried to deal with the emergency. No-one paid much attention as Cirran entered, looking for the one man he'd really not rather have another conversation with. Walker had left him to organize and prepare station troops for the retaliation operation that all the lower ranks assumed was already being set up - and universally wanted to participate in.

Cirran spotted his target hunched over a communications console, probably mustering his fleet.

"Captain Kano?" he said.

Dresh Kano glanced up from the holographic image of Admiral Eckrus' face. The bulbous head of the Mon Cal officer nodded at Dresh's comment, and turned away to converse with someone on his side of the connection, giving Dresh some privacy. "Not exactly the best place for loitering right now," he said. "We've got a lot to do, and I don't have time to go over all that again with you, Tyris. Why don't you come see me again after this crisis is over."

Cirran bristled at the brush-off, a sarcastic reply springing immediately to mind, but he bit down on it like he had done many times when dealing with his superiors in the Alliance. Instead he said: "Look - if you're short on time, Captain, I'll make this quick. I don't know what this was all about, and I may not be a poster-boy for the New Republic any more, but it doesn't mean I intend to sit by and let those bastards - whoever they were - go on their merry way and do this again somewhere else. I figure an upstanding military officer such as yourself is going after them, and I'm putting me and my ship at your disposal, if you'll have us. You've seen my record - if you've got an X, A or B Wing that's missing a pilot, so much the better." His brain caught up with his emotional outburst at the last part and reminded him of some pertinent facts.

"I, uh, promise not to run off with it this time," he added somewhat sheepishly.

"Don't think so," Dresh answered. "But, I'm sure there's a ship with a spot open in its crew you can fill. I don't think we'll be trusting you with hardware that can be so easily carried off."

There was a short silence as Cirran swallowed his pride. "OK, that's...that's fair," he started. "So are you going to put me in a pilot's seat, Kano? Because if not I'll take the 'Hope'. She's mostly a hunk of junk, of course, and I'll most likely end up vaped - but she's got a few tricks up her sleeve, or at least with a hotshot like me in the cockpit anyway." He looked at the captain determinedly, but with a twinkle in his eye.

"Whether you want to bring your ship or crew another ship, that's fine by me," Dresh answered. "Just as long as you don't disappear in the middle of the fight when your help is needed most..." He let the words hang for a moment before continuing. "I don't like the thought of putting someone of your record into an important place here. We need people we can count on, rely on to watch our backs when things get hot. You're not that person, Cirran, no matter how much you claim to be. You're unreliable and about as trustworthy as a Toydarian. You can be assured you're not going to be sitting in a crucial role because you're not the type of person I want to rely on to be watching my back, or anyone else I want to see come out the other end of this fight. But if you want a spot, you can bring your own, or I'll put you in Captain Kir's crew."

Cirran's stretched facade of politeness finally snapped. "To the hells with you, Kano," he spat angrily. "I may have jumped ship on the Alliance, but I never backed down from a hairball and I sure as sithspit never cut out on a wingman. Maybe if you had got beyond the big red 'deserter' stamp on my service record you might have seen that - some of us were actually out there fighting the war while guys like you were behind a desk reading the rulebook." In the back of his mind Cirran knew this last comment was probably totally unfair, as word on the station was that Kano had seen a lot of action against the Empire, but right now to Cirran he seemed to embody the officialdom and authority that had first caused him frustration, then anger and finally bitterness. "I'll take my own ship, and shoddy as she is the two of us will still be an asset to you, whether you like it or not. Some bastard out there just had a pretty good crack at wiping out the few friends I've managed to make in this place, they killed a lot of people besides and if they've done it here, they can do it again somewhere else. I don't want that any more than you. So I suggest you look out for the 'Hope' on your radar, because she'll be in your fleet, and she can be expected to do her part as well as anybody else - and a damned sight better than most. Consider your back officially watched, Captain."

Without waiting for a reply from the officer, Cirran gave him an angry and sarcastic Alliance salute, turned his back and stormed out of the command center, heading for the damaged flight decks to fulfill his promise of aid to Tasia and Lerrah.

"Just see that you come out the other end of this fight," Dresh said softly after Cirran was gone. "And, maybe you'll regain some of the trust you've lost with the Republic, especially if you do watch some backs out there." He chuckled softly to himself and turned back to the comms. There was a part of him that had the eerie feeling of having been looking into a mirror.

---

"Traitor Are the Ones Who Sided With the Empresses"
by Kyra Ronso
Cloud Everblades
Hector Gilgamesh - NPC
General Saluis (Internal Security General of Tae'Karada) - NPC
Ambassador of Riga - NPC
Tae'Morad General Cairus - NPC
Tairus (Financial Advisor of the Empresses of Tae'Karada) - NPC

Location: Arcadia & New Plouton, Tae'Karada
Date: Vadris 21, 4 ABY

***

"...In last night interview, the Financial Advisor Tairus reassure that the financial situation of Tae'Karada is never been so high since the controversy passage of power of the two empresses. Also Mister Tairus reassured last night that the so called rebels are just mere thieves and terrorists to destroy the stability of the planet. 'The rebels are the plague of this planet and I assure you that everything is being done to resolve the situation. If the Karadan people want to keep up with the rest of the galaxy, is imperative to continue to evolve towards that way and this mere criminals are making possible to stop that development.' These were the words of Mr. Taurin. In other news the investigation still regard the recent attack at Drogen Shipyards, is still to know who is responsible for such awful and unpredictable attack, made the security to become heavier in the last days. It has not been the first time that the Drogen Shipyards was in such risk. The first one the Drogen authorities where able to find the bomb in time, before the worse could happen. This time, the Drogen Shipyards were so lucky, the north side of the shipyards suffered an attack five days ago, killing several workers and the destruction of a cruiser. Authorities say that was retaliation towards the owners of the Enterprises building the cruiser, but as investigation proceeds, more the investigators reach a conclusion that the attacker didn't care if any structural damage at the Drogen itself. The question still remains. Who would profit in such attack? With that question, I leave you with." The holographic image turned off.

Tairus walked looking towards General Saluis. "You see, what I have to do to quiet the rumours of the rebels?"

Saluis was seated on his chair looking carefully to Tairus. "We have in the last couple of days trying to find this rebels, ever since the Clone elite squad of the Empresses, were caught in the middle of the fire at the Gallorian Embassy, I used every last resource in this situation."

"That is not good enough!" Tairus said, angrily. With his hand he punched his table. "I had conversation with the Empresses, and they were not very happy with the situation. Now, I want you to get up in your ass and take care of the rebels for once and for all. Do you know how much money the rebels are costing us?"

"Don't know, Mr. Tairus. But I guess a lot."

"You are funny man, General. I don't like a funny man. Do you know how this make us look to other planets in this system? A Bunch of weak people, who doesn't know how to resolve our inner problems, the relations between Riga and Tae'Karada at risk and if we don't take care of the rebels we can kiss goodbye to that deal. All rebels are traitors and so they must be executed at once without trial."

"The Ambassador of Riga is weak and scary person, ever since this all thing started he cancelled every single appointment he had with the Empresses and every appointment that actually means exiting from the Riga Embassy." Saluis told, keeping seated on his chair.

"That is true General, but in two hours that sex maniac you call an Ambassador will arrive here in a few minutes." He paused. "Now, you will put every resource you have to take care of the Rebels, I don't care if use the cadets, suubtars or even ducks, but make sure it is resolved as fast as Forcedly possible! Is that clear?"

"Yes. I will do as you asked." He got up and left the room without saying anything else to Tairus. I'm using every resource I have you stupid fuck. The Empresses I follow, not you!

***

The Ambassador looked towards the entrance of the Riga Embassy where he could see outside the Limo-speeder waiting for him. He walked towards the limo, where he got in. "How is the request I sent to Riga?" he asked the woman beside her.

"Well sir, the response was no." She said, she noticed the way he looked at him, that always made little uncomfortable.

"No! I promise the Empresses that I would deliver a few weapons. When he come back contact Riga, tell them to find away to deliver those weapons!" The Ambassador demanded.

"Sir, may I remind you that you are serving the Riga government, not commanding."

The Ambassador approach her and slapped in her face. "Shut up, you little bitch." He approached and ripped her cloths off and started to rape her, has the Limo-speeder carefully drove through the streets of New Plouton. The dark window glasses of the Limo-speeder, concealed from the rest of the people in what was happening.

Once the Ambassador stopped, the woman, in pure tears, took what was left her cloths and exited the Limo-speeder once it stopped on sign. The Ambassador was not fast enough to stop her off leaving. The Limo continue his drive towards the building where he was going to have meeting with Mr. Taurin the Financial Advisor of Tae'Karada.

A few minutes later the limo stopped and the Ambassador punch a button that open the window that separated the driver to the back part of the limo. "Why do we stopped?"

"Sir, there is a crazy woman standing in front of us. Her swoop is blocking us. I will backward the limo and find another way."

"I don't care what are going to do, just do it!"

***

Kyra was standing above her swoop, blocking the limo to move forward. Steal concealed behind her black helmet, she exited from top of her speeder bike, taking out a rocket launcher. She pointed towards the Limo.

The driver seeing the rocker launcher in panic he opened the door and run as fast has he could. The Ambassador of Riga was surprised the way his driver exited the Limo. He walked toward the front part window and saw the woman with rocker launcher pointed towards the limo he was in. "Oh shit!"

Kyra fired the rocket launcher and saw the rocket flying towards the Limo. The Limo exploded into a million pieces taking the live of the Ambassador of Riga.

She placed back the rocket on her swoop and rove off from the location before the authorities could arrive.

Has she drove off. She place on of her hands over her mechanism on her neck. "Bravo to Home. Riga is on fire! Over."

"Understood, Bravo. Wait for further instructions. Over."

"Copy that!" Kyra said, accelerating her swoop.

***

Taurin was seated on the his chair waiting for arrival of the Ambassador of Riga. One hour waiting and he hopes to make relations with Tae'Karada. Incompetent fool!

Taurin's secretary entered fast without asking permission. "Mr. Taurin, you wanna want to see this." She said turning on the Holovid to the public channel.

An image of reporter in one of the streets of New Plouton, Taurin glance close and saw behind her a speeder still on fire. "We are here on location, where the Limo-speeder of the Ambassador of Riga is on fire. Witness told that woman dressed in black fired rocket missile towards it, taking the life of the ambassador himself. This bunch of criminals as were described by Mr. Taurin, last night shows that are well organized. As you can see this attack happen about an hour ago, and the firedroids still weren't able to contain the fire. I asked the droid chief of the operation and he stated that the liquid used on the rocket is hard to extinguish, only liquid found in military facilities. We get back for further information."

Taurin as he saw the images of the Holovid. "Shit. Upon investigation they will find that the liquid that makes the rocket is owned by our clone Armies. Riga will never now believe in our word." He got up and walked passed his secretary. "The empresses won't like this. Well I better go there and explain what happen and how this is affecting our finances." He stopped right in the entrance of his office. "Send message to the Empresses that I'm on my way!"

"Yes sir," the woman said, exited the room to send message to the Royal Palace.

Taurin stopped has a he saw one of the people that worked for him to enter the speeder and turning on the speeder. The engine of the speeder came to life as it was normal. The man inside the speeder was relief that nothing happen. He exited letting Taurin enter to the driver seat. Taurin looked around and drove off the speeder. He then saw that his personal datapad was in the seat next to him. He picked up and started to look at it, reading his last entry. Upon reading he saw an entry that he made today. He open the file he saw the phrase the made his face to pale. "Everyone who sided with the Empresses are consider Traitors to Tae'Karada. Penalty for traitor is death without a trial.

The speeder where Taurin was driving, exploded, making huge sound in the parking lot. The explosion knocked other several speeders.

Cloud exited from a dark corner. "Now, Empresses, let's see how you manage the financesl of this planet by your selves."

***

"This is the daily news with you host Car'runi."

"Good afternoon Tae'Karada. This morning, Mister Taurin the Financial Advisor to the Empresses was killed when his speeder exploded. This is the second attempt of today making the numbers of political victims, especial since the advisors of the Empresses were the prefer targets of the rebels. This morning Ambassador of Riga was killed in similar attacks, making the relations with Riga to shatter for good. Connie."

Cairus got up and exited his room. He walked fast through the corridors approaching five Tae'Morad people. "What is the situation of the rebels?"

"Sir, we know that they have base somewhere in the New Plouton Mountains. Where we not sure, but we are blocking every entrance and exit of the mountains.

"Good," Cairus told exiting. "Send message. Reinforce security in all five advisors that are alive. Unimaginable how these untrained rebels could have killed ten advisors so far."

Cairus exited the room. This is a fucking nightmare! And we are now paying for supporting the Empresses. This is the price.

***

General Saluis was exiting from his residence house for an extra meeting with the Empresses. With the death of Taurin, was deadly blow. No one expected that the crises with the rebels were reaching such point, that Tae'Karada government was now entering in collapse with the death of several Advisors. Taurin was the most important of them all since it was through him that the government still worked. Now with him dead the government was drifting away, General Sluis and the rest of the advisor knew that now the government will not work at all. Damn that day we accept Dargus Kandran as the Emperor of Tae'Karada.

"Sir. There is communication from one internal security teams protecting the Foreign Advisor. That they capture five rebels that were suppose to kill Foreign Advisor."

"Excellent, that is good news to tell the Empresses." He paused. "Deliver them to General Cairus and tell them to execute as traitors."

"Yes, sir!"

The General exited from the residence towards the speeder. He had total five Tae'Morad protecting him. As he walked nearer he saw a woman approaching.

Kyra approached the group that was protecting the General. Her eyes were ice cold. She took out her knife and with swift move penetrate the knife on to his throat and taking the bloody knife throwing the knife to the second guard that hit right on his head. She picked up the first guard's blaster pistol and fired towards every other guard. One shot one kill.

She then approached the general that was caught by surprise with the Blaster pistol pointed towards him he did not move. "General Saluis!"

"Rebel. So I guess this is it, isn't it?"

"You got it."

"Before you kill me hear this. Five of your companions were captured."

Kyra fired the blaster and the energy beam hit on General Saluis face, killing him instantly. She took out her knife. She saw speeder stopping right in front of the generals speeder. She got in it and the speeder drove off.

Kyra glanced to Cloud that delivered an old tissue so that Kyra could clean her knife. She took it. "Thank you." She started to clean it. "We might have problem! General Saluis told me before he died that they captured five our companions."

"Oh I see." Cloud picked up his comm. "Firun to Callon, please respond?" There was no response. "Anne change of plans. Go to the Foreign Advisor residence!"

The woman driving the speeder change course and in minutes they arrive to the residence seeing several clone troopers and Tae'Morad guards. "Shit. Here is you new assignment, find out where they are taking them and report back to me."

"Yes, Cloud," she said icily, opening the door of the speeder still in motion, but only exiting when the speeder had stopped.

Kyra glanced towards the commotion and saw when the five rebels were loaded to the big speeder truck, on the side with the logo of the Tae'Morad. "This is bravo to Firun. The rebels are being loaded in Tae'Morad truck."

"Copy that, follow them."

Kyra walked down the street and got up in the first swoop and hotwire it, before anyone could see that she was stealing it. She drove off few meters and waited for the Tae'Morad Truck speeder passed by.

She followed the Tae'Morad truck speeder to the Tae'Morad headquarters in Arcadia. She stopped the swoop in dark alley and made way to one of the buildings that surrounded the large square. She got in the lift towards the rooftop of the ceiling.

She approached the side and took her electrobinoculars and saw in the distance. She waited few hours seeing this huge wooden building being built. When the sun began to set, she saw huge crowed started to gather in the square. The five rebels were standing there being the target of rotten food, which was thrown to the crowed. As the five rebels climbed the small building, Kyra saw that they were being executed by hanging. "Firun, this is Bravo. They are executing our friends by hanging! Over."

"I know, Bravo. They are transmitting to the entire planet via Holovid. Over."

"Roger that," Kyra said. She saw the Tae'Morad General Cairus to climb the wooden steeps to turn over the large crowed that was standing in the square of the Tae'Morad.

"People of Tae'Karada. These rebels are consider of murder, conspiracy and crimes against Tae'Karada. They are the plague that threatens the future and the stability of this planet. In the name of our beloved Empresses, they are to executed at once, by hanging." The sound of drums were sounded as the crowed.

Kyra saw placing the ropes on each five rebels' necks and the General Cairus activate the device that sent the five rebels to their deaths.

Kyra anger rose to her veins. How this people could be so dumb to believe the words of this murderer. "Bravo, this Firun. An eye for an eye. Meet me back on Home. Over"

"Roger that, Firun."

***

Later in that day, as the Night was high Kyra and Cloud stepped in the square of the Tae'Morad seeing the distance the building of the Tae'Morad. They were carrying two large bags approaching the wooden building where five of their companions had been executed.

There no guards in view. Cloud clicked on his transmitter. "Everything is clear bring the in!"

Has the truck-speeder arrived they unloaded several dead bodies and hanged the by their feet on the large beam that had the rope where their friends were executed. The dead bodies were several soldiers that they killed. Once that was done, Kyra contemplate in the view of the naked dead clone troopers that were symbol of the Empresses power. Written in large piece of white cloth all across the large wooden beam the dead naked clone troopers were hanging from: "Traitors are those who side with the Empresses!"

Kyra and Cloud picked up the two bags and move closer to the Tae'Morad building. They set the bags on the floor, Kyra took out a rocket launcher and placed on top of her shoulder. "Load me!"

Kyra said, as cloud open his bag full of rocket missiles. He place the first one. "Let's do it."

Kyra fired the rocket launcher towards the frond doors of the Tae'Morad making it exploded into a million pieces. Cloud loaded a different missile then the first one, and tap over Kyra's shoulder.

The second missile flew across the square and entered inside the building a huge explosion was hear and huge fireballs exited from the windows of the building.

Kyra continue to fire the rest of missiles all across of the front side of the Tae'Morad building making the huge tower of the frontside started shift.

***

General Cairus approached the window seeing two persons firing at the building he was in. He finally saw a missile coming in his direction. "Oh, no." he said taking huge blast that took part of the building with it and also took his life.

***

The windows exploded compromising the main tower that fall to the square. Kyra stopped seeing the Tae'Morad building in flames the smoke went high enough that probably could be seen from the palace. The wreckage of the tower made pile just in front of the Tae'Morad Building that was partially destroyed, but the front side of the building was entirely destroyed.

Kyra put her rocket launcher in her bag both exited the place before the authorities could arrive. When the authorities arrived the attackers were long gone and the sight they face was unimaginable one!

---

"After-Party Refreshments"
By: Merrick Braston
Analesse D'vrishay

Location: Analesse's Apartment - Yesdol, New Plouton
Date: Vadris 21, 4 ABY

***

Merrick Braston looked at the button to the side of the door he stood before. He reached out, as he had four other times since arriving, but stopped himself. He dropped the hand back to his side and turned to head back down to the speeder parked down by the curb. He took in a deep breath and let it out. Could he really do this? Was it a betrayal or not? He wasn't here for anything more than the friendship. He didn't think anything romantic could happen even if it were possible. The argument with Kaysa, the incident with Cadwin, and Kaysa's departure had destroyed any desire on his part for any intimacy. He needed a friend now, more than he could remember needing one in a very long time.

He sighed at the memory of his and Kaysa's last falling out. It seemed like so long ago now. More than anything, he remembered the horrible stench that had eventually become a cloak to him. The alcohol mixed with the other aspects of a slovenly existence had made him a fairly unbearable person. She'd finally gotten through to him, and they'd reconciled. More than reconciled, he told himself. But now? Could anything work to bring them together again when Kaysa only wanted him around when it was convenient for her? Could he really offer her the things she seemed to desire and receive from Cadwin? He couldn't cater to that. He couldn't lead her down that road again.

He had to stop Kaysa's self-destruction, but wasn't sure if he was strong enough. Perhaps... He sighed. Perhaps.

Merrick Braston spun on his heel again and reached out once again. This time, there was no pulling back. This time, a resonant chime sounded within. This time, there was no turning away.

The wait seemed endless and gruelling, each moment testing his resolve and giving his tortured thoughts time again to resurface. Then, she was standing there in the doorway in a long, silken robe and eyes wide with astonishment. Analesse D'vrishay pushed the loose curls of hair away from her face to gain a better look at the man before her. "Merrick?" she whispered, a note of concern in her voice. "What's going on?"

"After today, I'll understand if you want nothing more to do with me," he said. "But, things keep getting worse, and...and I...I couldn't think of anyone else..." He looked up into her eyes. "If you no longer wish to be a friend, I will understand and go. But, I could really use a friend besides a bottle of brandy right now." He tried for a laugh, but it came out strained. "Right now, you and Zale are the closest friends I have, and...and I came here first... Can we talk?"

Analesse cleared her throat gently as she stared down at her bare feet, yet seeing nothing in particular. "We...do need to talk," she answered softly. "So...." Sighing, Analesse raised her eyes to Merrick's and stepped back. "Come in. I don't want anyone to catch a glimpse of you standing out there."

"Thank you," Merrick said, then stepped inside and moved past her. He glanced back at her and gave a half smile that was also part sigh. "I'm really sorry about this..."

"Why?" she asked, and when the door sealed behind them, she finally allowed a warm smile to soften her formerly serious expression. "I tried to catch you before you left tonight...I was more concerned about you than what those simpletons would begin saying." She gestured to a plush sofa arranged within an expansive, yet modestly decorated living area. It seemed far too capacious a space for just a single person; likely, it only enhanced one's sense of loneliness. "Did you need a drink?" she asked, already making her way to a side table carved into elegant curves from native Karadan wood. Atop it was a faceted, crystal bottle and beside that, a half-filled glass. It appeared Analesse had begun drinking long before Merrick's arrival.

"Please," Merrick answered. "And, I'm sorry for the way Kaysa treated you earlier, that the whole event was...well, probably not ruined, but for me it was. I had looked forward to spending the time there with you. It was a great opportunity to talk to people about the project, and to get to know each other better. But, my dear wife is unable to handle me having a woman as a friend because she doesn't trust me. I tried to explain, but again, she didn't believe me. I just...I don't know. So, I take it we're still friends?"

Analesse chuckled lightly and carried the filled tumblers back to where Merrick was standing. Smiling fondly at him as they stood face-to-face, she assured him, "Friends...and partners, at least as long as I'm able to keep back all the negative publicity." And she handed him one of the glasses.

"Do you suppose there will be much negative publicity over today?"

Thinking back on her startling encounter with Rich, Analesse nodded faintly and murmured, "I think that's a great possibility. Though," she added, "that isn't your fault. You couldn't know your wife would react that way to me." And she settled onto the sofa with both knees folded to one side. The lower flaps of her robe parted to reveal pale, bare legs up to the knee. Analesse waited for Merrick to join her before continuing. "I...knew slightly of your troubled past before I offered you this partnership, Merrick. I knew somewhat of what I was getting into. You're not to blame for any of this."

"I guess I could always just divorce her and the problem will resolve itself," he said then shook his head. "As much as I do love her, she's giving me a lot of reasons to not. At this stage, I honestly don't know. The woman I fell in love with is still there, but...but I hardly see her lately. I don't know if I ever will again, really." He looked up at her and shook his head. "I have had a troubled past, haven't I? I thought it was all behind me. I guess it can always be blamed on my rock and roll lifestyle."

"That is hardly the case with you," Analesse told him, smiling with mirth. "You're more than a rock star, Merrick. You're an artist. I hope people can begin to see how talented you are, and give you some credit when it comes to this project." Her lighthearted demeanour changed quickly enough as Analesse gazed into her glass. "But...Merrick," she began again, hesitantly, "I've had.... There've been certain individuals who...well...who are very interested in this project and would do anything to insinuate themselves into it. They will use this incident to do just that." She sighed and reached across the gap separating them to touch Merrick's hand lightly. "But...I won't let that stop us. I can't. You don't know how I've dreamed of transforming the White Noise, of having it the perfect place to showcase your talent. I won't let this go."

"We've also got Zale on our side," Merrick said. "Between his money and mine, there are few on the planet who have the financial clout to budge us. And, provided Kaysa keeps away, we won't have any repeats of what happened today. I will not let her self-destruction pull this project down."

Analesse nodded slowly, and with great hesitation asked, "You're not seeing her again then? Was it that bad?"

"I won't go into all the details, but she and Cadwin are out doing who knows what," Merrick said. "I have no doubt that I will see her again, because as soon as she's sober enough to worry, she'll have to make sure I'm not doing anything she doesn't approve of. It's bad. Very bad. But...I don't know what will happen."

"You still love her," Analesse explained with a shrug, and kept her eyes fixed to Merrick's glass, and the perfect ly strong yet delicate hand encircling it. She sighed quietly. "That doesn't go away, Merrick. 'In the Storm' says so - true love doesn't fade. You'll...never let her go, I think, I wonder...."

Merrick stared off into the distance for several minutes. "Things that happened before, about eight years ago now, they're happening again here. It's...it's just like with Liane all over again. I don't want it to happen...not again."

"Liane?" Analesse murmured pensively. Her eyes flicked up towards his as she discovered why it had struck her as familiar. "The woman from your song - from 'Perpetual Dark'? She's real?"

Merrick nodded. "Yes," he said. "It's a part of my life I've been trying to...to put behind me. It's not so easy with everything happening now. It's...the drugs, the other man...it's all the same." For a moment, he could almost see Liane's eyes again, except it wasn't Liane's eyes he was seeing but Kaysa's. He shook his head. "It's...all...so much the same."

It took a long gulp of liquor to settle Analesse after Merrick's revelation. She hadn't ever interpreted Merrick's song as an account of true events. He always wrote and sang with such passion, that it was often difficult to tell reality from imagined. Her large, dark eyes looked upon him now with a new understanding and compassion. There was not a trace of fear. "Merrick," she whispered, and shifted closer until her knees pressed up against his thigh. She kept his hand beneath her own. "Listen to me, Merrick...that won't happen again. You're not that person, not anymore. You're stronger, I know that for a certainty, and I know you'll find a way to work this out with your wife...if that is your choosing." Again, her eyes questioned him. "Is it? Are you planning on fighting for Kaysa?"

"I...I don't know," Merrick said. "I don't know if she really wants to be fought for. She...it's so messed up, Analesse. I'm like a pet. She wants me there when it's convenient for her, but has no care for my needs or desires. The relationship is horribly unbalanced."

"Then why have you stayed so long? Merrick...why are you making yourself so miserable? Is love really worth all that?" she asked a touch wistfully, then smiled and whispered absently, "It must be wonderful, love must, if it has the power to make you endure such suffering for it."

"I didn't realize how much suffering until I met you," Merrick said. "I'd forgotten what it was like to be in a room with someone who cared what I said or did."

Chuckling demurely and avoiding his gaze to hide her sudden onset of bashfulness, Analesse told him, "It can't have been that long, Merrick. But" --her smile faded and a sudden somberness came over her-- "I know how you feel and what you mean. Sometimes, I'm not sure if all those businessmen and women, aristocrats, and feisty jerks like Rich Tas truly see me or consider seriously anything I say. I'm still untested and unwelcome; they compliment me when I'm facing them, but when my back is turned, what they truly think comes out." She chuckled wryly. "Even in their compliments the insults are there, just veiled by false praise and subtle jabs they don't think I'll discern. I'm an outsider and an upstart, and I'll never really be accepted. And all I really want is to build things, Merrick. To just...." She sighed and raised her face towards the ceiling as if staring past the layers of durasteel and ferrocrete into the stars. With a dreamy smile, Analesse whispered, "I've always wanted to go farther than anyone has before, Merrick. I have grand visions, and I want them realized. And for some reason, no one can understand that passion. No one" --she lowered her eyes to stare significantly into his-- "except you."

Merrick smiled as he kept his gaze on hers. "Passion is something that's always been a part of me, and...I'm drawn to it in others. It's difficult not to share in your vision and want to build right along with you. And, we'll see this vision realized. We'll show all those who don't believe just how much there is to believe in."

"If Rich doesn't ruin it for us," Analesse reminded him. "He's...persistent. And frankly," she admitted with some reservation, "he scares me."

"I can have Zale watch him," Merrick said. "His people are very good at that."

Analesse chuckled mildly. "I don't mean he's a physical threat, Merrick, no matter how feisty he may get. I just mean that he knows a lot of people who can make this project difficult for us. We just need to remain always one step ahead of him."

"I'm sure we can manage that," Merrick said. "I can't imagine this guy can come close to being as smart as us together."

"I always knew there was a touch of arrogance in you," she teased with a laugh. "I should get you another drink and see what other character flaws expose themselves in your uninhibited state."

"Oh, I'm a terrible drunk," Merrick said with a laugh. "But, I wouldn't refuse a drink, that's for sure. Thank you for this, Lesse. I'm actually feeling much better than I was."

She squeezed his hand and whispered, "It's no trouble, Merrick. I'm glad you came. I was worried...and," she admitted, "a little disappointed." At his quizzical smile, Analesse confided, "We never did get to dance. I was hoping we'd be able to."

"Well, you do have a fairly impressive audio system here," he said with a grin. "There's nothing to say that we couldn't have that dance now."

Shaking her head briskly, silky curls bouncing against her cheeks, Analesse told him, "I don't think so, Mr. Braston. I'm hardly dressed for such a thing!" She grinned. "My dress would've been perfect for dancing - this robe is a disgrace in comparison." And pulling her hand away from Merrick's, Analesse suddenly rose. Her smile was sly and enigmatic. "Wait here. I'll be back." Then she was hurrying off with the train of her robe fluttering behind her.

Merrick chuckled and sat back on the couch, looking around the room again as he had the other night. It was a nice place, and as he looked the room itself reminded him of Analesse. It seemed to carry her personality. He smiled and closed his eyes, letting his mind wander where he knew he should not. In his reverie, he barely noticed the dulcet chords of a piano breaking the room's silence - a very familiar melody Merrick quickly placed, and as he opened his eyes Analesse was standing in the room's entryway wearing the same dress she'd donned that evening, and an even more dazzling smile.

"Recognize the song?" She laughed softly as a rich, mellifluous voice began crooning - one intimately recognizable to Merrick. Descending the short staircase leading to the living area, Analesse shrugged and quipped, "I told you I had every album."

"It's been a very long time since I've heard this one," Merrick said with a smile as he stood up. "I'll have to sing it in my next show. Brings back memories."

"Of what?" she asked, still moving invitingly towards him.

He held a hand out to her with a wide grin. "Of dancing," he said.

Chuckling soundlessly, Analesse lay her fingertips against his and slid them over the length of his long fingers until their hands met. Analesse watched him languidly beneath her lashes, and was so entranced by his charming smile she didn't notice herself being pulled into his arms until the heat of his torso permeated hers. Exhaling shakily, Analesse pressed her free hand to his chest and admired her fingers as they brushed over the lapel of Merrick's tuxedo jacket. "Still suits you," she murmured.

"Thank you," Merrick said as they started moving with the music. "I don't get nearly enough chances to dress up these days. Though, I'm very glad I got to see you all dressed up."

"It's nothing amazing," she dismissed with a half-shrug. "I do this once or twice a month. It's a pain, really, having to purchase a new outfit for each occasion. I'd much rather just stay home and listen to some good music. You?"

"I'll never say no to good music," Merrick said. "Sometimes it's nice to go out...but, yes, sometimes, staying home would be nicer. I think the only real trouble with spending time with an upper class crowd is that the pretentiousness begins to wear thin very quickly."

"That can't be helped," she sighed. "It comes with the competitive territory. No one can afford to show their true face. I hope it's not rubbing off on me." Being thrown unexpectedly into a spin by Merrick, Analesse clung tightly and pressed into him with a gasp. She laughed once they were safely around. "No one dances like that at those parties! I definitely know what I've been missing now."

"There's nothing worse than having a life sheltered from real dancing," Merrick said with a laugh. "Well, now you know what you have been missing, so if you show up at one of those parties without me, you can show them how it's really done."

Grinning slyly, Analesse asked, "Now why would I do that? Go to a party without you...that would seem foolish, wouldn't it?"

"That's what I was thinking," Merrick said, "but I didn't want to be too presumptuous." He gave her another spin, letting her twirl away from him before pulling her back into his arms. "Next time we're at a party, we're dancing, and we'll show them all what dancing is really like."

"Then they'll really talk," she warned him, and added more seriously, "They'll think you've got a mistress...and that I'm her. And that's not something you want for your career, is it?"

"Well, you'll just have to make sure you dance with Zale too," Merrick said. "That should stop some of the tongue-wagging. You're dancing with both of your business partners...it just happens that we dance better together."

"That could work," Analesse allowed and led Merrick into a turn this time, nearly knocking them into the coffee table. With some fancy footwork by Merrick, the two avoided a collision, laughing once they'd gotten back into rhythm. Analesse leaned her forehead against his shoulder as she continued chuckling with mirth. "Gods, I don't laugh like this. I haven't ever. Are you always this much fun?"

"I hope so," Merrick said with a laugh of his own. "I can't remember the last time I had this much fun. It must be the company."

Analesse smirked up at him and retorted, "It must be the drinks. Do you want another?" she asked, and was already pulling away to retrieve him another. "It'll only take a second...."

"Sure," Merrick said with a smile. "I could use another." He released her so she could get their drinks, watching her as she did.

"Merrick?" Lessa called softly to him while pouring, "what will you do tonight? Will you go home to your wife?"

"I should go home," Merrick said. "Not to Kaysa though. We each have our own rooms in the house, and that's where I'd go. I don't know what will happen with her, but I know it can't go on like it is."

"You can--" Analesse cleared her throat gently and turned to face him with both drinks in hand. "I was going to say.... You can stay here tonight...if you want, I mean," she finished hastily. "There's a-a couch" --she motioned with the glass towards the sofa behind Merrick-- "and I have blankets...so you don't have to go home if you don't feel comfortable." By now a dark blush had suffused her cheeks and Analesse was smiling awkwardly. "Unless that's really too inappropriate, in which case I'm sorry I asked."

"It might be inappropriate," Merrick said with a smile, "but you don't have to apologize. I'll think about it. I know it'll cause a stir, but...maybe that's what's needed."

"A stir?" she asked uncertainly. "With who? You mean...people?" Before Merrick could respond, Analesse gnawed at her lower lip pensively and knitted her brow in worry. "Yes...you might be right..." And looking up at him again, she decided, "I shouldn't have asked. It would cause problems for us both. We don't want people getting the wrong idea."

"I meant with Kaysa," Merrick said. "A catalyst to force something to happen. But, you're right. It would be best to confront her, and not fuel her anxieties."

Analesse nodded wanly and approached Merrick to hand him one glass. Her previous lightheartedness was toned down dramatically. "One more drink, then I guess we really say goodnight," she told him quietly.

Merrick nodded as he accepted the glass. "We'll see each other in the meeting tomorrow," he said. "And, I imagine we both could use the sleep."

"I imagine so," she echoed with a tight smile and concealed her sudden uneasiness by sipping at her drink. Analesse intentionally avoided his gaze, not quite certain any longer where either of them stood. Friendship, she reminded herself. That's where we are. That's where we'll always be...so get over it, Lessa. Don't be such a child. She smirked wryly into her glass without pulling it away.

"I know so," Merrick said. "I hope you don't mind if I take my time with this drink?"

She sighed. "I don't. Do you want a seat?" And foregoing his answer, she stiffly took up her own offer and sat.

Merrick moved over and sat on the couch beside her and took a sip from his drink. "What's wrong? You're far more subdued than you were just a few minutes ago."

"Because I have to be," she answered ruefully. "I don't know what this all is, Merrick...and I don't want to turn it into something it's not and end up making a fool of myself. And most of all," she admitted with a heavy sigh, "I don't want to lose a friend. A good friend, at that. It's just...Felicita, she told me that-- Well, she indicated that--" Lost for words and overcome by hesitation, Analesse shook her head and stared down solemnly into her glass.

Merrick frowned and reached out and brushed a hand over hers. "She indicated what, Analesse?"

Willing herself not to weaken at his touch, Analesse continued hesitantly. "Felicita...she meddles sometimes, but I do trust her insight. She...said that...she noticed something there. She noticed how I looked at you and how you looked at me...." Analesse rolled her eyes and snorted derisively at her own stupidity. "I told her I thought I'd noticed the same, and she insisted I was right, but to be careful because of your situation.... I wanted to tell her she was wrong, that it was too soon to even think about anything like that, because we were friends...that there was nothing there...." Blushing profusely at having been so candid, Analesse whispered, "I shouldn't have listened to her...I shouldn't have thought this was something more than friendship." Releasing a frustrated sigh, Analesse exclaimed, "I just...I thought we were on a path towards something special, Merrick! I've never had that before and I was so looking forward to it and...I hate that I was wrong. I hate that I started thinking that way, because now I just...I can't just think of you as a friend, and it's so very wrong to think of you as more because I want to be your confidante, Merrick. I really do want to help you and be there for you...but now I've just made things" --she lowered her voiced and muttered, "awkward."

"If I weren't married, I think...it would have...between us," Merrick said. "And, even though I am married, I...I'm pulled toward you. I'm definitely attracted to you, and if things were different. With Kaysa as she is, it's difficult. Don't think that I haven't had...thoughts. But until something happens with Kaysa...I can't let myself think otherwise. But, that said, I do care about you, Analesse. It's not an easy situation, but despite the awkwardness, I do want to remain friends, close friends."

"I know," she said a touch irritably, and sighed as she turned her head away. "I'm sorry...I don't mean to push you. I was just telling you how things are...or at least how I sometimes perceive them," she murmured. "I shouldn't have said anything. I should know when to practice restraint, and when to show more tact...and this is one of those situations. And I've failed to do both. I don't need you to say anything to assure me or placate me or...." Sighing again deeply, Analesse willed herself to look at Merrick as she admitted, "I have no one, Merrick, not like you. I guess...I was just yearning to have someone. I didn't mean to confuse your offer of friendship for something it wasn't because I'm desperate for something akin to affection. I'm sorry, and I accept your position. I won't pressure you into anything, I promise."

"I said what I did because I wanted to," Merrick said. "Because I wanted you to know what I was feeling. For whatever I can be to you, you do have me." And, if there's a time when I can be more... "And, besides, my best work comes under pressure."

"What work?" she queried, and even allowed a curious smile for him. "Are you writing a song about all this?"

"I'm writing a song about everything," Merrick said with a laugh. "I'd thought about it, and eventually I will. I think it'd make a good one."

Analesse chuckled weakly. "Just don't mention how much of an idiot I am, okay?"

His eyes found and held hers. "Don't worry," he said. "It's going to be about what an idiot I am."

A genuinely warm, contented smile found Analesse's voluptuous lips. "Then I'm safe," she replied softly and ended their long, significant stare by rising as she set down her glass. "This album's got twelve more songs on it." Analesse, grinning, held out a hand to him. "Interested?"

"I'm surprised you even have to ask," he said as he placed his own glass beside hers. "I hope you have sturdy carpeting."

"It cost a fortune," she assured him, and pulled him to his feet as she finished, "it'll last."

With a flourish, Merrick gestured toward the floor and then led the way. "Good. It'll need to. This album has twelve, but you've got a lot more songs in your collection."

At the center of her living area, Merrick and Analesse assumed their former dancing posture - bodies pressed close, hands clasped tenderly, and eyes sparkling - then began moving to the relaxed rhythm of 'Distance'. But there was none between them then, and Analesse relished the sensation more than she should have. Though, it did help to banish all the disappointment and grief of that evening. At least, she hoped her very presence could do so for Merrick.

---

"Opposing Destinies"
By: Yelara Neerou
Meer'esh [NPC+]
Oot Kovan
Kambra Gant [NPC+]

Location: The Zacacea Blossom, Yuarteira District
Date: Vadris 21, 4 ABY

***

"You know I wouldn't just pick up and leave," Yelara assured the man seated beside her, laughing softly.

Meer'esh, still mildly concerned about her unexpected departure to Vendra the other day, finally relaxed against the bench's backrest to watch the passersby. "It was...disconcerting," he stated pensively. "I do not say that you must tell me of your comings and goings but...." His delicate, pale brow wrinkled as he fought to put his thoughts into coherent words of Basic. "We are... I am--" Meer'esh pressed his perfect lips thin in irritation at his inability to express himself properly.

His tense features, however, softened when Yelara's fingers laced with his. Her expectant smile coaxed a chuckle from Meer'esh, despite his usual reservation about open expressions of any emotion other than constant frustration over his limited Basic vocabulary. Surprising even Yelara, he curled his fingers over the back of her hand instead of bashfully pulling away. With a contented grin, Yelara leaned her head upon his strong shoulder and whispered significantly, "I am too, Meer'esh. Very much so."

Despite their break having ended minutes ago, Meer'esh and Yelara remained seated on the bench facing Yuarteira's famous, yet now frozen, canal. It was a picturesque scene, to be sure: two would-be lovers gazing dreamily out upon the glistening, crystalline stretch of ice disappearing into the horizon, and each seeking warmth from the other's proximity. It would have been, however, if free of disruption.

"I'm sorry," came a voice from behind, "Miss Neerou? I was hoping I might have a word with you." As they both turned, a Twi'lek woman in an elegant gown stood behind them with a pleasant smile on her face. Standing several paces back was a one-eyed Gungan who was watching without appearing to watch the Twi'lek woman.

Meer'esh withdrew his hand from Yelara's as he rose abruptly. Yelara remained seated, watching the woman suspiciously. "Do I know you?" she asked slowly.

"Not any longer," the woman answered. "But, before your tragedy, we were friends after a fashion. But, that is not what I wish to speak to you of. I am here on behalf of Tae'Karada, and it is the future of which I would like to speak."

Yelara opened her mouth to answer, but was thoroughly shocked when Meer'esh moved around the bench to stand between herself and Oot. "Yelara must be getting to work once more," he told her with a firmness in his tone Yelara hadn't heard before. "You are unable to speak to her now, Twi'lek."

"The rightful government of Tae'Karada will compensate you for any time lost," Oot said. "If she is unable to speak with me now, I will wait until her shift is complete. But, it is imperative that I speak with her as soon as possible."

"What are you talking about?" Yelara asked impatiently before Meer'esh could again intervene. Now, she too had moved away from the bench and was standing beside Meer'esh. The suspicion in her eyes hadn't diminished. "What does the government of Tae'Karada want with me? I haven't done anything."

"I know that you have no memories of your life from before," Oot said. "However, after Tarkin was removed from power, Dargus Kandran ascended the throne. At the time, you were married to him and were his empress, just as your son was the crowned prince. There are plans in the works to remove the current Empresses from power before they destroy the entire planet. The old line is dead, and you are the representative of the new line. You and your son. We would like for you to ascend the throne of Tae'Karada as the new High Princess."

Yelara paled, despite her skeptical nature urging her to dismiss Oot's tale. Become a planetary ruler? She was still trying to get her mind around it when pain shot up her arm. Torn from her daze, Yelara winced and looked down at the pale hand tightly gripping her upper arm. Meer'esh's face was lowered towards hers, and in his eyes she noted a touch of desperation and anger. "Yelara," he whispered insistently, "let us go. This woman is telling you lies."

More inclined to believe the man she had grown close to and fond of, Yelara nodded slowly, despite his strangling hold of her arm. Her bewildered gaze met Oot's and her mouth opened to speak, but instead she simply shook her head in denial.

"Please, Yelara," Oot said softly. "At least consider what I'm saying. You would have an entire staff behind you, helping to make decisions. You would never have to worry about money again, and little Va'Lesh would have the best of everything. I have been your friend from the first time we struck down Dargus Kandran. I would not lie to you now, not in a matter this important."

"I don't even know you," Yelara explained. "I don't know you, and I don't want what you're offering me! Will you please leave me alone?" Meer'esh's hand loosened its grip as his panic abated slightly. Yelara felt the pressure on her arm lessen, and shifted closer to Meer'esh for shelter.

"Yelara does not want this," he told Oot firmly. "Why must you upset her?"

"Because she is one of this planet's last hopes," Oot said with a level stare at Meer'esh. "Because I would rather see the planet in the hands of someone who could responsibly run it, like Yelara, than one of the current representatives of the government who are more interested in their own power than in what they can do to help build this planet back into something new. Because the woman I knew as Yelara Neerou was that type of woman." She glanced at Yelara and sighed. "Perhaps it's for the best, since this Yelara is barely a shadow of the Yelara I knew. The true Yelara Neerou wouldn't be scared of her own shadow, and she never needed a man to help urge her to her decisions."

"I'm not afraid," Yelara snapped. "That woman isn't me - I'm not her damned shadow; why can't you people stop comparing us! This is my life, that was hers.... Just let me live mine, will you?"

"Of course," Oot answered. "You are entitled to that. I will just hope that you remember that if you like none of the changes that will undoubtedly be happening on this planet soon, you were in a position to make a difference. And, I did not say that you were her shadow; just that you are a shadow of what she was...meaning that while she was a great woman with immense inner strength, you lack that. But, you are interested in nothing more than living your new life, casting out everything from your old life, and sitting here with your new lover. My apologies for intruding where no other is wanted. We will seek another to lead us, if one is available. If not, I'm certain we will figure out a solution...without you."

Yelara watched Oot with a hardened, resentful stare. She hated that what this woman was saying struck a nerve, and that she was truly bothered by it. Tense and prepared to lash out, Yelara instead jerked her arm free of Meer'esh's hand and stalked back towards the Zacacea Blossom. Meer'esh narrowed his eyes balefully at Oot and rasped, "Leave her. It is best. You will not cause her harm; I will not let you."

Oot met his gaze with a hard expression. "That's a quaint sentiment, to be sure," she hissed, "but it is not up to you. You have no choice, I assure you. I would strongly suggest that you remove yourself from this issue. The officials trying to rebuild this planet are reaching a point of desperation, and I cannot say what they will demand for the greater good. There are many who have lost their lives for aiding the current Empresses. Beware that those who see you discouraging Yelara from this don't equate those actions with helping Nieme and Dani. Have you seen the bodies recovered by those killed by the Karadan rebels? Very unpleasant, I assure you."

"I am doing this for her own safety," Meer'esh informed Oot. "You are jeopardizing it. Go away. I will deal with Karadan rebels if they come my way," he promised fiercely, "and believe me, they will not get close before they are being dealt with. Now leave here; I will not have Yelara seeing you about when she is outside." And with a withering scowl at both, he followed after Yelara.

After he was gone, Oot turned back to the bench. "Kambra, this is a very nice view," she said. "I believe I will stay here and enjoy it for a time."

"Of course, Dame Kovan," Kambra said as he moved to stand behind her. "Mesa stay right here. It is bombad view."

"Indeed it is." She took a glance back toward the diner, then turned back to the canal with a smile.

***

Meer'esh found Yelara in the employee lounge, her back to him and her face in both hands. His composure had slipped easily away during their discussion with Oot - he had performed disgracefully, doing little towards dissuading Yelara from accepting the Twi'lek's offer. It was time to redeem himself, and convince her to banish the foolish idea from her mind. His duty must be fulfilled.

Meer'esh was surprised at the flinch he received when one hand lightly touched Yelara's shoulder. She was weeping - that much became certain when she swung to face him with swollen eyes.

"Why me?" Yelara asked hoarsely, and with definite bitterness in her tone. "Why does my past keep haunting me? Why do I have to suffer for that woman's choices! I'm not that Yelara!"

And Meer'esh echoed her previous reflex by jerking back in the face of her fury. Then, despite his restraint and better judgement, he stepped forward and took her into his arms. Yelara melted into him, weeping against his shoulder. He stroked her back soothingly, albeit awkwardly. Yelara didn't notice in her grief.

"I just want a normal life for me and Leshie," she whispered. "Why do they need me? Why can't they find someone else?"

"Maybe," Meer'esh began slowly and carefully, "they think you are best for it. They think you remember your past and your want to become Empress." He waited anxiously for her reply, hoping it was the right one when compared to what might befall her if she did remember.

"Well...they're wrong," Yelara told him, and Meer'esh relaxed visibly. She still remembered nothing. He was smiling comfortingly when Yelara finally looked up at him. "That was, as far as I'm concerned, just a horrible nightmare I have no memory of. I promise, I'm not going away, Meer'esh, especially not with those people. This is my life now, and I like how it is."

Her smile, and the affectionate manner in which she gazed up at him gave Meer'esh a sudden sense of anxiety and discomfort. Not entirely acquainted with infatuation in all its forms, even he knew the manner with which Yelara watched him wasn't entirely chaste.

"You'll help me, right?" she asked softly. "You'll help me keep those people from bothering me?"

Meer'esh swallowed hard and nodded. "Yes, Yelara. I will do that." And deftly, Meer'esh slipped free of Yelara's embrace just as she had raised her lips to his, and held her at arm's length with both hands upon her shoulders. He couldn't allow such intimacy; there was no room for it. "I must be going out there now, Yelara. The customers are being waiting. You will come out soon?"

She smiled wanly and nodded. "Thank you for defending me out there," Yelara whispered. "I'm glad to have you as a protector."

"I am glad to be," he replied, and unable to resist the longing for comfort in her eyes, Meer'esh leaned forward and placed a fleeting kiss to her brow. Before she could open her eyes again once the surge of excitement left her, Meer'esh was gone.

Sighing, Yelara moved off to collect her uniform and make herself presentable, all the while wondering why Meer'esh was so intent on keeping distance between them. She knew he was shy but.... As she dabbed at her eyes to dry the tears, Yelara wondered more importantly about her future and what else she didn't yet know of her past. Why had Liam not mentioned this one, highly interesting fact? She would most definitely have to ask him that evening, though, what other surprises would find her that day before she got that chance? Smiling weakly, Yelara hoped there weren't any.

***

Exhausted emotionally and physically, Yelara Neerou - successor to the Tae'Karadan throne and potential saviour of the planet - left after completing her shift at the Zacacea blossom wishing only to go home and lose herself, and her entire day, in a deep, undisturbed sleep. Meer'esh had demanded to escort her, but Yelara had refused, insisting she needed time alone to sort her thoughts. Reluctantly abiding by her wishes, Meer'esh had returned to his work, albeit grimly.

So, having found solitude at last, Yelara began her trek to the hoverrail station, but was stopped short when she approached the bridge built over Yuarteira's canal. Standing behind the seated figure of a tall, regal Twi'lek was a one-eyed Gungan, who looked her way as she gasped in agitation. And joining him was the Twi'lek, Oot Kovan. Yelara frowned, and with determination she strode past them both, holding her head high. They could not wear her down, no matter how persistent, and they could not guilt her into taking the throne. Her mind would not be changed.

They fell in step behind her, several paces back. Finally, she spoke up. "I do hope you will at least think about what I said earlier. Time is critical. If I have not heard from you by tomorrow night, we will have to move on and make the best of it. You are our best, first choice, but if you are unable or unwilling, we will need to find another way."

"Then find another way," Yelara hollered back, her breath rushing out in a large cloud of vapour. "I'm not a politician, and I'm not a monarch. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't be this ruler you expect of me!"

"There will people to guide you, to make the hard decisions with you," Oot said. "I will give you until tomorrow night. If I have not heard from you by then, if you have not changed your mind by then, we will find another way. But, as I said, you are our best hope."

Yelara halted suddenly and whirled on Oot. She noticed the Gungan reacting, readying himself to act if necessary. Yelara sighed and reined in her rage to ask calmly, "Who is this 'we'? The planet? You and whoever else concocted this ill-conceived scheme?" With a wistful smile, Yelara whispered, "I'm no one special. I...I still don't really have an identity. I'm just trying to create a normal life for my son and I. If...If you say we were once friends then why would you want to throw my life into turmoil for something I most likely won't even succeed at? Why do you want to do this to me?"

"I would rather have you there, Yelara," Oot said. "I would rather put someone I trust to do the right thing for this planet on the throne, rather than some plotting bureaucrat. I don't want to force you into a life you wouldn't want, but if you accept your child will never want for anything, you will never have to worry about where your next meal will come from. You will have all you will ever want or need. And, the difficult decisions can be made by others. You will not have to make them."

"By others?" she asked quizzically. "I can just...hand-off my responsibility like that? Then what's the point of having me at all when others could easily do what I'm meant to do?" Yelara sighed and murmured as she gazed absently into the vast canal, "I don't know if I can do this.... I don't even know if I want to. For Leshie, I would...but how do I know it won't make his life even more difficult?"

"In time, once you know more of the politics and procedure, you will be more influential, I'm sure. You are a beautiful woman, Yelara, with a beautiful child, and your charisma is tangible. Yours could be the hand that unites this planet together again, after so much hardship. Eventually, Leshie could become High Prince, when he comes of age. I know it's a difficult decision, and not one to be taken lightly. I sat the throne for a time, and know that it is not easy. You were my friend before, Yelara, and I hope that in some way I can still be a friend to you. If you do accept, if you will have me, I would like to be one of your personal advisors in matters of state. That means, of course, Kambra would be one of your protectors, and you can't ask for a better one than he. It could be very symbolic; as you are making a new start in your own life, you could lead Tae'Karada through her new start as well."

"Gods," Yelara whispered, closing her eyes tightly, "this is all too much to take in.... I mean, I'll be in the spotlight constantly, when all I've wanted to do since waking up was to just live peacefully with Leshie. I--" Her striking violet eyes locked with Oot's, and smiling wanly she admitted, "I don't even know if I can do this. I'm just.... I'm just a waitress, nothing great. And like you said, I'm not strong - not like the Yelara you knew. I'm weak, and I'm afraid of my own shadow most days. Those qualities don't make a good ruler, I know that much, at least."

"I believe there is still strength within you, Yelara," Oot said softly. "She didn't die completely with what happened at the palace. Your life since waking again has been different and confusing. If you don't wish to do this, I will not press you. But if there is a part of you that does, I will help you in every way I can. You are just a waitress because you tell yourself that, and because you probably have not tried to be anything else. Who's to say you aren't a high princess without trying. Again, I will not ask for a final answer until tomorrow night. Until then, perhaps you and your child would like a meal? And, the secret government of Tae'Karada is picking up the bill."

"I-I don't know," she answered. "His father is taking care of him...I don't know if he'll approve. And I don't really like large crowds and public places...." Chuckling gently, Yelara added, "Though, Va'Lesh does. His face seems to brighten when he's around others. It's all such a wonder for him...."

"If you could only see the way your face lights up whenever you speak of him," Oot said. "He is a wonderful little boy, that's for certain. If you wanted to go for that meal, would you object to your husband joining us?"

Yelara's brow furrowed slightly. "Should he-- Will he learn of your offer, of what you want me to do?"

"We don't have to speak of it if you don't wish for him to know," Oot said.

"I'd rather tell him myself," Yelara decided, nodding to herself. "He'll find out I'm hiding something - he always knows, and I don't want him to hate me more when he finds out I'm lying to him about something else."

Oot nodded her understanding. "I will leave that to you then," she said. "And, if you would prefer he not join us, I'm certain he will understand. And, if you prefer not to go, I will understand."

Eyes wandering away from Oot again as she considered her offer of a dinner out, Yelara caught a hint of a smile tugging at Kambra's comically large mouth. Yelara laughed softly back at him, at the deadly, yet friendly bodyguard, and nodded decisively. "Alright. Dinner it is. Where should Liam, little Leshie and I meet you?"

"There's a restaurant called the Heart of Karada," Oot said. "It's just across from the Estri-Casren if you know where that is."

"Liam should," Yelara assured her. "And speaking of him...he'll be wondering where I am. I really should go...but we'll see you soon." She smiled past Oot at the Gungan. "Both of you?"

Oot nodded to her and Kambra gave her a graceful bow. "We shall see you soon, Yelara," Oot said with a smile. She nodded to Kambra and the two of them started off in the direction of their speeder. She tried to keep her worry hidden, uncertain that all would work out as she hoped.

---

"Spirits of Flight"
By: Empress Nieme
Cailin Fawkes

Location: Arcadian Palace, Arcadia
Date: Vadris 21, 4 ABY

***

Cailin Fawkes stood at the window of her room. The room itself was luxurious only for the men and women she was to service there. Of those sent to her, she had only been forced to endure eight. The others, she'd been able to use the Force to convince them coupling was unnecessary. Three of the others had been too strong-willed, and she'd had no choice but to go to the bed with them. The act itself, while pleasurable to her body, was utterly degrading to her mind. The remaining five had been because of something she believed had been placed in her food, and she had been unable to summon the strength to resist. Every fiber of her being had screamed for the touch of flesh, and she had given in without hesitation. Since then, she'd been very careful of which food she ate. Each day, she sought new ways of escape, but none had been found. She felt her hope waning, but thoughts of Adam's return kept her going from day to day.

One of the soldiers in the courtyard below looked up at her, and her first instinct wasn't to cover her nakedness. That in itself was frightening. She did not want to become accustomed to this way of life, the unending need to seek pleasure at every turn. Sharing herself with Adam had been fine, she thought with a slow smile at the memory. While she'd resisted the thought at first, she gave in quickly enough. There was a spark of something between them, and it had felt right. With the strangers sent to her bed, there was nothing. She just wanted to get away.

The soldier turned away, quite possibly to bring more of his friends to watch her window. It was also possible he was on his way to her room. She figured his willpower wouldn't be an issue if he made it through the door. So, she turned her thoughts once again to her escape, gazing off into the distance and wondering where Adam was and if he was planning her rescue. She would see him again, she was certain. Though, if she escaped before he rescued her, she was uncertain how she would find him again. They'd find a way...she knew it.

"Thinking of him again?" asked a low, hoarse voice from behind. When Cailin spun around to face her impromptu visitor, two wild, deadened eyes stared back at her from the darkness. Stepping forward into the patch of moonlight spilling from Cailin's window came Nieme Yaresh's frail, trembling body. "You're so very loud," she rasped. Her mouth twitched into a pained grimace. "You all are. I can hear you from every corner of the palace." Nieme whimpered, and thin, quivering arms came up around herself. "Won't you stop thinking so hard, dear Cailin?"

"I'm sorry," Cailin said softly. "I...I didn't know it was... I do miss him though...he...when he hired me, I didn't even realize...but now, it seems like... I just...I hope he's alright. I know he'll be fine without me. I don't think he really needed me as a bodyguard, but... I'm sorry, I'll try to keep my mind more quiet."

"Yes," Nieme muttered distractedly. Her eyes stared sightlessly past Cailin as she continued forward to the window. "It is difficult, isn't it? When those you love are torn from you." Nieme stopped at the window and leaned heavily against the embrasure as if her weakened legs laboured to support her. "You can't will them back. I have tried."

Cailin took a step back. "No," she said. "I suppose not, but...but I do have faith that he will return for me. Just as I'm sure Dani will return to you."

Nieme whirled on Cailin wearing a vicious mask. One hand shot out to grip the girl's neck. "Don't you dare speak that name," she hissed, and as quickly as it had come, Nieme's burst of strength waned and her hold on Cailin's throat slackened. She sagged against the wall, shaking with mute tears. "They make promises...they do it to placate us, like we're foolish, naive children." A sorrowful, bitter laugh. "And we believe them."

"Maybe you think that," Cailin said, "but I know Adam will be coming back for me. You may have given up, but I haven't."

"Well you should," Nieme told her. "Because if he tries, he will die." Her smile was sad, and consolingly she caressed Cailin's smooth cheek with icy cold fingertips. "But...we will have each other still, won't we, dear? You'll stay with me, and then we can help each other to not be so sad."

"Until their return," Cailin said, but did not feel it. As Nieme's fingers trailed along her cheek, Cailin had a thought. "You are so very sad. What can I do to help?"

She studied Cailin's face thoughtfully, tracing her plump, shivering lips with little tenderness. "You...would do that for me?" Nieme whispered. Her bruising touch moved to Cailin's throat and dropped to her chest, leaving a path of cold fire in its wake. "The voices...maybe y-you can help silence them. Just for awhile, maybe." Brown, pleading eyes caught Cailin's. "For awhile...?"

"For awhile," Cailin whispered, the opportunity for freedom growing in her mind. "For awhile, yes."

"Dani...she could always keep them quiet," Nieme murmured desperately. Her seeking hands clenched the thin, gauzy fabric of Cailin's equadi for anchorage as her legs crumpled beneath her. Staring up at Cailin with tear-filmed eyes, Nieme whispered hoarsely, "At least try. Please. You...you could be just like me one day. These...these powers we have, they do strange things." She emitted an agonized, tearful laugh. "My mind will never be free again. You should pity me, dear girl...because this could be you soon. So very soon...."

"Come," Cailin said. "The bed will be more comfortable." With that, she tried to lead Nieme over to the bed.

Nieme gave a grunt of denial and pulled Cailin down to her knees. "No," she rasped, her breathing coming heavily and her wide eyes expressing panic. "Not in the dark. Please not in the dark! Right here, where there's light, where the spirits can't sneak up on me."

"We'll keep the lights on," Cailin said. "I'll keep you safe, Nieme. I promise." She reached up and caressed Nieme's cheek with one hand and brushed her hair back with the other. "Everything will be alright. I'll keep the spirits away for you."

Nieme nodded unsteadily, her tangled hair writhing like mad snakes as her head bobbed. With a whimper, Nieme collapsed again Cailin's supple body and trapped her lips in a rough, manic kiss.

Cailin quieted the part of her mind that wanted to pull away from Nieme, to run from her dark touch. But, in the end, she knew that down this path lay the chance she may need. If only she could soothe the mind of her captor enough to give her a chance to flee. But, the question would remain, even if Nieme's mind was addled with her own insanity, would it be enough to get away?

Though, as Nieme's arduous lips sought more tender flesh, Cailin shut the thoughts out of her mind, and gave herself over to the task before her.

***

Cailin let out a shaky breath and looked aside at where Nieme lay sprawled out. Her eyes were closed and her chest was rising with each breath. She sat up slowly, careful not to rouse Nieme too greatly. "Nieme," she whispered. "Nieme?"

It seemed Cailin had managed to silence her demons through their detached and frantic lovemaking, for Nieme didn't stir. Her face displayed a tranquility, despite the black circles still beneath her eyes which alluded to her previous anxiety; Nieme was more sound asleep than she had been in days.

Cailin slipped away from where Nieme lay and picked up her equadi. She wished she had more substantial clothing, but she figured there was little to no substantial clothing in the entire place. Making certain to keep her mind quiet, she began pulling on the flimsy garment. She had no idea how she would get off the palace grounds, but that was an obstacle to figure out later. For now, she just had to get herself out of this room.

She managed to do so, stepping past the threshold of the room that was moments ago still her prison. Her head snapped left, then right, surveying the corridors for any clone patroller who would pose a difficulty to her not-so-thought-out plan. When she looked right again, Cailin stopped cold, not even the warm breath falling against her ear banishing it.

"Leaving so soon? I thought we were having fun."

Cailin turned quickly and found Nieme's eyes, wide and wild, staring at her. She reached up and deftly released her equadi, letting it fall to the floor and pool about her feet. She pressed her body against Nieme's. "I thought you were asleep," she said softly, huskily. "I didn't want to disturb you when you seemed so at peace." She pressed her lips against Nieme's and let her hands find their way to Nieme's breasts. "It's never been so fulfilling before. Are you ready for more, my Empress?"

Nieme watched her skeptically, either not certain if she was deceiving, or certain she was and attempting to convince herself otherwise to once again find abandon with the girl. "What-- What were you doing out there?" she asked unsteadily; Cailin's touch was quickly drawing her to surrender.

"I was looking for the guard," Cailin lied easily. She continued to use her body as best she could to continue convincing Nieme her intentions had been anything other than what they had been. "I figured we might need some refreshment if we were going to continue again when you woke. I hope you are not upset with me."

Nieme sighed as one of Cailin's hands slid between her thighs. Her eyes fluttered closed. "You-- You shouldn't have ventured out there, so far away from me." Nieme's eyes flew open, and again her fearful gaze returned. She grasped Cailin's wrist painfully. "I need your strength. The voices...they stop when you're near. You shouldn't leave me like that!"

"I won't," Cailin whispered. "I promise I won't. If we go back inside, I can help the voices go away again, Nieme. I'll make them go away for a very long time. Forever...if I can."

Nieme laughed, a weak, pathetic choke of a laugh, and leaned her face in closer to Cailin's. At that proximity, the young girl was able to see clearly the jagged lines of blood streaking the whites of Nieme's eyes, and the cold, dark depth of them. Nieme smiled sickeningly. "You're not her," she whispered. "You make promises you...you can't keep."

"You're wrong," Cailin said softly with a smile. "I can keep my promises, and I always have. Do you want me to keep my promise, Nieme? Do you want me to take the spirits away?"

"How can you?" she accused, her face twisting into an ugly mask of anguish and disdain. Her grip on Cailin's wrist tightened. "You're not her. You're not! Why are you trying to replace her? What have you done to her!?"

"I've done nothing to her," Cailin said evenly as she could under the circumstances. "Nieme, you must calm down. You're going to bring the spirits back up like this. You need to calm down." She brought one hand up to cradle Nieme's head. "You don't want to bring the spirits back..."

"But I can't stop them," she whispered pitifully. "I'm not strong, not like Dani..." Nieme whimpered and her eyes took on a faraway look as she murmured, "Dani...."

As the distractions pulled Nieme's attention away again, Cailin realized that she either had to seize her chance now, or allow herself to remain a prisoner until she was rescued. And, as much as she felt pity for Nieme, as much as a part of herself wanted to do something to help, she knew that she was standing on a precarious edge. While Nieme was vulnerable and weak now, there was no telling what tomorrow would bring. It had to be now.

Calling out into the Force, Cailin struck quickly, but even so Nieme had become aware of her actions. A cry stilled in the empresses throat as Cailin's hand struck the side of her head. It wasn't a hard blow, but it was filled with the Force. Nieme's eyes rolled back into her head as she struggled for consciousness, and then she was toppling to the floor. Cailin caught her before she hit, and moved into the bedroom with her. She acted quickly, placing the empress on the bed and adjusting the lights to keep her bathed in their glow. As evil as Nieme was, Cailin couldn't believe she was completely corrupt. The love she felt for Dani was a testament to that. While she hadn't searched too deep, she suspected most of Nieme's condition was driven by anger and the pains of life, not from a truly black, malicious spirit.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "Fear not, Nieme, she will return to you soon." As Cailin fled for the door, she hoped that would truly be the case. She did not know if Tae'Karada could handle Nieme without Dani's balancing hand.

But, that was a problem for someone else, Cailin told herself as she sped through the doorway. She ignored her equadi, knowing that speed was important and she couldn't stop to retrieve the flimsy garment. Besides, if she w