"Revenge Is Sweet, Part 1"
By Iyika
And Karma Arien

Location: New Plouton
Date: Eos 22, 4ABY

***

She was still awake and it was three in the morning. She was seated on her balcony of her apartment in Arcadia; it was one of those nights, or in this case mornings, where you could see all the stars in the night sky. She sighed, thinking about the problem at hand; it was a perfect robbery or would be if she could get out of the building.

She looked down at the table in front of her. On it lay a PADD with the information on her next job in work for herself. The problem she faced was the damned security, getting in wasn't the problem getting out was the bitch.

"You've been awfully quiet! Any suggestions?"

It's obvious you're not going to get this done by yourself, you're going to need help and from a pilot by the looks of it.

"Yeah, but who's going to be crazy enough to try it?" she asked, crashing back on the sunbed, closing her eyes. As she lay on her back her implant was activated and information rushed in front of her on a holographic screen. She opened her eyes and looked at the photo of a very attractive woman. "Who's this?"

Your new partner in crime, Karma Arien. Once Rebel Officer but now is moving around seemingly at random; was on the Drogen Shipyards but is now travelling the streets of New Plouton. She's a good pilot, granted not as good as you but good enough.

"Hmmm..." Iyika groaned, thinking. Her file didn't say much on her background only of her family, who seemed to like to turn to the dark side. Not a comforting thought. "Very well, contact her and make arrangements to meet somewhere in New Plouton... Make it my father's club."

I'll contact her right away and get your ship ready to leave. You know with this you may be found out and the Imperials will no doubt come after you.

"They'll have to find proof first and then find me, I'm not that easily found when I put my mind to it. You worry too much. Contact Miss Arien. But if she doesn't wish to help make a list of other pilots in the area."

***

Karma was surprised to find a message waiting for her. It gave a place and time to meet but little else. Like usual her mind wandered through various possibilities. Dangerous was one of them...intriguing another. But then neither had stopped her before. Duncan knew that and she didn't need to remind herself of it.

Finished for the day she returned to her place of residence to prepare. She didn't know what exactly awaited her at this particular club, but she did know it could prove very beneficial if the motive was right. Sorting through her closet Karma finally found an appropriate, non-flashy, yet subtly distinctive something to wear, then headed for her designated rendezvous.

Iyika had little trouble getting in and out of Arcadia with her Imperial pass, supplied by her father's friends in the Imperial forces, but then they cost enough so she would hope they'd get her where she wanted to go without the usual hassle of getting searched every time. Her ship landed at the landing platform in New Plouton and after leaving her ship in the hands of the dockyards security Iyika headed out into the city.

She quickly found her father's club, The Midnight Hour. It was a strange name for a club but then most clubs had weird and wacky names so why should he be any different? The door opened and Iyika stepped through, soft music played in the background and Iyika was drawn to the ocean wildlife above her.

She saw Campbell walk up to her and he bowed his head in greeting. "What can I do for you, ma'am?" he asked, stepping up beside her with his hands held together behind his back. He continued looking around the club, watching everything, obviously liking being in control of the club and by the way he acted he wasn't expecting to see her so soon.

"I'm just here to meet someone: Karma Arien. Do you know her?"

"I know of her, ma'am but I haven't met her personally, but then your father keeps records of most people," Campbell replied, still eyeing the customers of the club.

"Then she hasn't arrived?"

"No, ma'am. As soon as she steps into the club I'll be sure to point her in your direction."

Iyika just nodded and she walked over to one of the sofas in the fenced off section where people went to talk. No sooner had her butt touched down on the sofa did a waiter appear.

"A telshoo whiskey, with kelan juice."

The waiter bowed and walked off to get her drink. She returned shortly after with Iyika's drink and walked away without even asking for money. Must know who I am... she thought.

It wasn't long before Karma entered The Midnight Hour. Almost immediately she was directed to Iyika's location. With a drink already in hand she approached in her usual cautious manner. Too many questions still remained unanswered at this particular stage of the game.

She saw the young woman coming towards her and the way she approached it was obvious she was more than a little cautious. Promising, she thought, finally looking directly at her when she stood at the table. "Please have a seat..." Iyika said, indicating the seat opposite. "I can imagine there are many questions you have, by all means fire away..." Iyika spoke calmly, half listening to the music in the background half concentrating on Arien.

"First and foremost how do you know who I am? Next why do you need my services?" Karma kept the first two questions straight forward. One could never be too careful. Her eyes swept the room briefly then landed back on Iyika. "I am assuming you were the one that sent the message..."

"Your file is on the Republic database after you served with the Rebels. I have friends in high places." She paused, taking a sip of her drink before continuing. "Secondly, I need your services for a small job I've put together, nothing serious but there is one small problem I'm faced with...getting out.

"The job is simple, a building which has a vault inside. Within this vault is a computer which holds credits and funds for the Imperial's Star Navy and for other unofficial supporters of the Empire. With this computer are several tons of diamonds and jewellery. I need an able pilot to get me out if trouble comes. A simple yes or no..."

She picked the glass up again and took a sip, staring at the woman in front of her. She waited for her response while feeling the liquid slide down her throat, warming her insides.

"Simple? I'm not sure it's that simple at all, " Karma replied. For a moment she just looked at the colored liquid in her glass before taking a sip. She had no love for the Empire but it wasn't going to be easy conducting any sort of getaway from that type of heist.

"Trust me when I say I can get in and out without anyone seeing me, but the computer system has built-in security programs and without the correct password you'll have the building's security down on me. I have a way to fool the security programs but only for a short period of time. That's why I need you, someone to cover the exit in case something goes wrong and to provide a means of escape when the Imperial guards finally realise what's happened. Exciting, is it not?" Iyika smiled, taking a sip of her drink, finishing it off.

A waiter came over, taking her empty glass, placing another in its place. The waiter looked at Karma's glass and saw it was still just over three quarters full, so she turned and walked away from the table.

She contemplated the comment briefly as she sipped her drink. "Yes, I'd say so. Now what's the incentive?" Karma needed to know if taking this type of risk was ultimately going to be worth the effort.

"Money, what else?" She took another sip before answering fully, "Revenge for another. A few of those Imperial supporters I mentioned have caused me grief in the past and this is a good way of getting even with getting richer at the same time. Perhaps this could be the start of things to come?"

Karma nodded. "Perhaps it will be." Her expression transformed into a brief smile. A complicated stream of thoughts filled her mind: revenge always worth the price. That single night the Empire changed everything still haunted Arien as if it was only yesterday.

"The job will commence tonight. Will you be able to acquire a mode of transport by then, fast and preferably with a retractable room? Bring it to my address..." Iyika slid a small piece of paper along the table. "Be there 9 pm sharp and we'll get this ball rolling."

"I'll see what I can come up with," she replied, picking up the piece of paper discretely. It would take some ingenuity but that could easily be achieved. There were still other things that quietly bothered her about the whole idea but the thought of a solid chance to pay them back for what they had done was a bit stronger.

"Great, I'll pick up supplies from..." There was a brief moment of hesitation as Iyika was about to say something but looked off to the right as if something caught her attention. "See you at nine sharp." Iyika rose from the table after finishing off her drink and nodded over to Campbell who was looking in her direction.

Karma simply nodded as if it was a casual conversation. Waiting until it was safe, she finished off her drink. Then quietly got up from the table and covertly exited the club as if nothing had happened.

---

"Closing In"
By: Shrezade Anoran
Lerrah Breijal [NPC+]
Rilanna Kir

Location: Riga
Date: Eos 22, 4ABY

***

Lerrah Breijal had been startled when she woke up that morning to find Rilanna Kir there in her room, wrapped in only a towel. The former Drogen security chief had told her it was time to wake up so she didn't sleep the night away. Lerrah couldn't deny that Rilanna was very attractive, and wrapped in that towel...

There had been a look in Rilanna's eyes though, and as they gazed at each other, something unspoken passed between them. Rilanna then closed the door, and the next twenty minutes had passed in a blur of frenzied passion. It was obvious that Rilanna had never been with a woman before, but Lerrah didn't mind. They both ended up quite pleased. They lay together for another several minutes before Rilanna gave her a very passionate kiss that sent tingles running all throughout her body. Then she'd slipped out the door in her towel again.

Lerrah dressed in the clothing she'd been wearing the day before, and headed out to the main room, her body still tingling. She'd found Shrezade Anoran sitting at the table, going over the data chip she'd brought. She smiled at the woman as she took a seat in one of the other chairs. When she looked up and found Shrezade watching her with a knowing look, she felt her face grow warm. "Good morning," she finally murmured.

"For you, I'm certain," Reza teased. "Did you sleep well?"

"The bed was very comfortable," Lerrah answered. "Thank you."

"I'm sure it was." Reza deactivated the padd and slid it aside, then folded her hands atop the table. She regarded Lerrah with an amused smile, then gestured for her to help herself to the small meal at the center of the table. "Will you be returning with us to Tae'Karada, Ms. Breijal?"

"Thank you," Lerrah said as she began assembling breakfast for herself. "And, I will if you'd like me to. I've got my ship ready, and Elf has been keeping it prepped for me. He's my astromech droid."

"Does he do anything special?" Reza asked.

"He's got the best astrogation programming available," Lerrah said. "And, he's actually a fairly decent cook. The one odd bit is that he whistles a song all the time, which isn't normal droid behaviour."

Reza nodded slowly and reached across the table to pull a juba fruit from the bowl. "While we're on the topic of cooking, we'll need to purchase supplies before we depart. I imagine you'd have no qualms about accompanying Rilanna?" she asked, a glint of mischief in her eyes.

This time, Lerrah didn't blush, but instead grinned broadly. "I have absolutely no qualms," she said.

"Well...if she deigns to grace us with her presence, we may ask her."

Lerrah grinned and felt her face blushing. "I think she was going to get dressed when, uh, when she left my room."

Reza peeled back a strip of rind as she watched Lerrah. "So...you like her then?"

Lerrah thought about it for a moment and then smiled. "I don't know her very well, but she seems like a very nice person. And, she's very giving too. Not to mention that she's extremely attractive and..." She sighed happily and giggled. "Oh my...she's very fun."

"Is she now?" Reza chuckled lowly and tossed a layer of peeled rind onto the table. "She is a very loyal friend, Lerrah. And a dangerous enemy if you betray her...so don't."

"Oh, I would never do that," Lerrah answered quickly. "I would never do anything to betray her, or you...or anyone fighting against the Empire. I couldn't do anything like that."

"Couldn't or won't?" Reza inquired.

"Both," Lerrah said. "You're good people doing the right thing, and...and doing something I believe in. To betray you would be to betray myself, and I can't and won't do that either."

"I'm so very glad." Reza tore off the final bit of rind, then bit into the succulent, red fruit inside. She chewed it pensively for a moment, while her eyes glossed slowly over Lerrah's seated form. "How old are you, Lerrah Breijal?"

"I'm twenty-two," Lerrah answered.

"Ah, so our dear Rilanna likes younger women." Reza smiled knowingly. "I think I always knew that."

Lerrah giggled and looked away. "She was a very quick study," she said. "And, yes. Oh definitely yes."

"Well, you seem like a very nice girl, Lerrah," Reza said, "so I'm giving you permission to court my dear Rilanna if you so choose. She deserves a little happiness."

The deep blush returned and Lerrah could only grin at Reza. "Thank you," she said. "I-- I guess I'll have to find out what Rilanna wants to do."

Reza took in a deep breath and let it out in a sigh. "Well, you keep eating, dear, and I'll find out for you. I must have a word with our Rilanna before you two head out." She vacated her chair and bowed her head slightly at Lerrah. "Take your time with the meal. You'll experience little comfort such as this once we're en route to Tae'Karada. It will be a rough journey, though I'm certain with Rilanna in close quarters, it shouldn't be too unpleasant."

Reza grinned inwardly as the girl's cheeks flared to a shade of red Reza hadn't quite seen before, then she departed in search of her apparently very busy friend.

***

When Reza found Rilanna, she was in her bedroom going through her meagre assortment of clothing. She'd already selected a pair of pants, but couldn't decide on which top to wear. She laughed at herself for making such an effort to look nice, and sighed. A sound at the doorway, caught her attention, and she grabbed one of the shirts at random to cover herself. She turned with it pressed against her chest, and grinned at Reza standing there. Her modesty dissipating, Ril returned her shirt to the others on the bed and chuckled. "I'm trying to decide which of them to wear," she said.

Reza glanced at the scattering of shirts that littered the bed and raised an eyebrow. "Do you normally have such difficulty?" She grinned at her friend knowingly and paced casually into the room. "But then again, we've never had a houseguest, especially not one as obviously taken with you as Lerrah is. I gather you're just as taken with her?"

Rilanna tried, but couldn't stop the smile that appeared on her face. "She's very pretty and...and she's fun to be around." She turned to face Reza. "It's not a problem, is it? If I am somewhat taken with her?"

Reza crossed her arms over her chest, and leaned herself sideways against Rilanna's cabinet while she watched the girl intently. "Why would it be? As long as you don't get distracted from your duties to me, you're free to be with whomever you choose."

"As long as the other person wishes as well," she said with a knowing smile. "And, I know. Lerrah's impossible not to like. She's happy and free, and good. She wants to do the right thing in all things, and...it's nice to find another person like that. I think all of us together can succeed at this, Reze. I think we'll get through this alright, and we'll get you your station back."

"Our station, my dear." She reached out and lightly brushed Rilanna's cheek with her long, delicate fingers. "Our station, always."

"Our station," Rilanna answered with a smile. "I just hope the Empire hasn't damaged my ship. I'd be really upset if they did, though perhaps Lerrah would console me if they did."

Reza's hand fell away from Rilanna's cheek as she chuckled lowly. "Considering she blushes upon even mention of you, I'm sure she'd be more than willing to."

Rilanna grinned. "She does? She's the first woman I've ever been with. It was strange at first, but...with her it felt so right. She...I really do like her, Reze. She's so happy and full of life, even in the middle of all this. She's a good person to have around. But, we'll need to find someplace to keep Hajne and Cham safe during all this."

"I doubt Cham would agree to leave your side, and Hajne would easily follow Cham through whatever we are about to face. I believe, my dear, we may be stuck with them."

"I'll have a talk with Cham," Ril said. "I know he won't want to leave my side, but I'll make him weigh the chances of me getting hurt with the chances of Hajne getting hurt. I want to give Lerrah a little extra training as well, just so she can protect herself."

Reza winked subtly at Rilanna and grinned. "Oh, I'm sure you do. I imagine you'll enjoy training her much more than you do me."

Rilanna laughed. "Probably very close," she said. "Though, I must admit that I think I'll like the rewards of training her better than training you. Though, it was training you that led me to her, and probably will continue to do so...so yes." She grinned at Reza and pointed to a vest on the bed. "What about that one?"

Reza regarded the garment, then pulled it out from under the small pile covering it and laid it against Rilanna's bare chest. "It's a fine vest," Reza said softly, following the curve of Rilanna's breasts as she smoothed one hand over the material. "It suits you well, dear Rilanna."

Ril moaned softly at Reza's touch and then laughed softly. "It does, doesn't it?" she asked. "And, I really wish I knew where you learned to tease the way you do because you are masterful at it. I have a feeling you will really make Lerrah a happy girl if you keep doing that."

Reza leaned her head in towards Rilanna's, giving her the impression she meant to press their mouths together, but instead, she brushed her lips across Rilanna's cheek and stopped at her ear. "My dear," she whispered, still lightly caressing one breast, "whatever makes you think I'm teasing?"

Rilanna reached out and brushed a hand along Reza's arm. "The part where you usually get me all worked up, and then you pull back, leaving me in a horny mess."

"Can I not show affection to friend?" Reza asked with affected innocence. "We've been through so much together, Rilanna. I simply thought you would appreciate it if I were not so cold towards you, if I could express some semblance of human emotion to you." She pressed in closer to Rilanna, Reza's hips brushing against hers. "Do you wish me to stop then?" she whispered.

"No, I don't," Rilanna whispered, and slipped an arm around Reza's waist, resting it loosely there. "I happen to really like what you're doing."

"I know, Rilanna, dear. But do you like it because I'm doing it, or simply because you've been so alone for so long that you yearn to feel a warm, tender touch no matter whose hands administer it?"

"Because you're doing it," Rilanna answered with a sly smile. "As you've said, we've gotten close here. You have very nice hands, Reza."

Reza grinned as she firmly squeezed one of Rilanna's supple breasts in her hand to emphasize the point. "Does Lerrah have good hands too?"

"Yes, she does," Rilanna said. "Though, she's got an amazing tongue too."

Reza chuckled huskily. "Well...enjoy her while you can. The upcoming battle will be a dangerous one, and not all of us may come out alive. Now's not the time to pass up opportunities," she said significantly.

Her warm lips rested against Rilanna's ear for a moment, then all at once, Reza's hands dropped away from Rilanna's body as she stepped back. The unsupported vest dropped to the ground, revealing Rilanna's flushed chest and swelling breasts. Reza found she was pleasantly amused.

"Don't be long," she said casually. "Lerrah is expecting you to accompany her in a supply run. Be sure and put on the vest." With a sultry smile, Reza turned and sauntered towards the door.

"Tease," Rilanna called playfully as she retrieved the vest. "And, I'll be right down."

Reza regarded Rilanna from over her shoulder in the doorway and grinned. "Never a tease, my dear." Then she slipped out.

Lerrah was reading a datapad while sitting, curled up with her legs tucked under her chin, in one of the chairs near the table where she'd been eating. She looked up at Reza's approach and smiled. She quickly set the datapad down on the table, wondering whose copy of Knight's Romance it was. She'd heard stories of the series about Jedi Knights involved in all sorts of romantic and erotic situations, but had never actually read a copy. It was page three before the protagonist managed to have her robes ripped off while a dark warrior had his way with her. "Interesting story," she said with a laugh, indicating the datapad.

"It's Hajne's," Reza explained. "She's a very...odd sort of woman, though Cham likes her well enough." Reza returned to her seat at the table, where her datapad was still resting, and promptly resumed her research. "Rilanna should be right down, since you were most likely wondering."

Lerrah grinned. "Actually, now that you mention it... You don't mind, do you? I mean, Rilanna and me?"

Reza sighed wearily and gestured dismissively at Lerrah as she was forced to answer the same question again. "Oh, what do I care? Do I look like her lover to you?"

"Sometimes it is really hard to tell those things," Lerrah said with a grin. "But, okay."

"Morning everyone," Rilanna said cheerily as she entered the room. Her face brightened when she saw Lerrah watching her, and made a quick detour to her friend. She gave Lerrah a deep kiss that nearly had the girl sliding out of her chair. When the kiss broke, Ril stepped breathlessly back and smiled. "So, what's on the agenda for today?"

"You two are going out for supplies," Reza told her without looking up from her padd. "We'll need food, weapons if you can manage it, and whatever else you feel we'll need for our trip." Her hand disappeared beneath the table and came up again with a credit chip held between her fingers. "This should be enough for whatever you need."

Rilanna accepted the credit chip, and slipped it into a vest pocket. "I'll make sure to get us some good weapons. Any special requests while I'm out?"

"No, my dear," Reza murmured. She glanced sidelong at Rilanna and held her gaze. "I have all I need."

Rilanna gave Reza a smile, lingering for just a moment, and then she turned and headed toward Lerrah. Lerrah slipped out of the chair and moved to Rilanna's side. Together, they started toward the door, hands linking almost unconsciously as they walked. "We'll be back in a little bit," Rilanna called.

"Take all the time you need," Reza replied.

"Oh, we will," Rilanna answered. "We'll bring lunch back for all of us."

Reza smiled tightly. "I won't be hungry, but do pick up something for Hajne and Cham." Lifting the datapad from the table, Reza slipped out of her chair and disappeared into the living room without a backward glance at Rilanna and her new lover.

Rilanna said something else, but the rooms separating them ate up the sound. Ril glanced at Lerrah and her lover shrugged. With a sigh, they both slipped through the door and out for their shopping. It would be nice to use that time to get more acquainted. As they slipped happily away, hand-in-hand, Ril's thoughts touched briefly on Reza, and then returned to the woman she was with. She knew she cared about Reza, but she knew that Reza either wasn't ready or didn't want anything with her. For now, Lerrah was a perfect partner, and who knew what the future would bring.

---

"Old Alliances"
Rear Admiral Jason Tallen
Major Adam Edwards

Location: Tae'Karada Nebula
Time: Eos 22, 4ABY

***

After Adam had hit the hyperspace levers the ship had been in hyperspace maybe 30 seconds when it failed. They were now on impulse and Adam was in the cockpit trying to figure out the problem.

"Found anything yet, DB?" Adam asked.

The Droid's metallic voice came back, "No, sir. Nothing yet."

Adam checked his instruments again and seeing as how they didn't show him the problem, he sighed. He considered returning to Tae'Karada but he didn't want to risk the change of the Imperials offering to "help" and possibly search his ship. Still he didn't like being out in the open for any pirate to come across.

"DB get back up here. We going to hide in the Chimaeria Nebula until we can figure out what's wrong," Adam told him.

DB returned to the cockpit and together they moved the Elusive into the nebula.

Adam checked his readings. "It's cutting down on our sensors, we won't be able to see much of anything until we're on top of it."

For another 15 minutes they sailed through the nebula until they detected a power reading.

Suddenly, a massive shape appeared before them. It was over 17 kilometers long, dark grey and black, and shaped like a knife with an oversized blade. A super star destroyer.

Against the background of dark purple mixed with bright orange streaks in the interior of the nebula, Adam could almost sometimes catch a glimpse of other ships in formation around the super star destroyer. He could see their motion, barely, with his peripheral vision, but when he tried to focus on them directly. He saw nothing.

"Unidentified vessel," came a sudden burst over the com. "Identify yourself immediately."

Then, just as suddenly, a squadron of A-Wings appeared out of the mist, only much closer, and from either side of the Elusive.

Adam considered powering up the engines or trying to run but that might be seen as hostile and the squadron of A-Wings would surely obliterate his ship.

"This the freighter Elusive, commanded by Adam Edwards. May I know who I am talking to and what this ship is?" Adam told them.

The reply came back almost immediately. "No you may not. Set your course for zero-two-zero mark zero-three-eight mark. Do not deviate from this course or you will be considered hostile and fired upon. Once you are within range we will lock onto you with a tractor beam and pull you into one of our landing bays. I repeat, do not deviate from the given course or you will be fired upon. Over and out."

With that, the com clicked, signaling the communication link had been terminated. Then the part of the control board that gave readouts on the communication systems lit up like a Cornelian meteor shower. There was far too much interference for any signal to be transmitted or received. The Elusive was being jammed.

Adam sat back in his seat. Damn, he thought. Didn't give him many options. The Elusive could try to run, but with so many fighters and a malfunctioning hyperdrive, it probably wouldn't get too far.

Adam sent the Elusive on the course as told and the tractor beam took hold. The Elusive was pulled into the docking bay. Inside rows of troops were lining up next the Elusive, but at least they weren't Imperials. He sighed.

"DB, get in one of the secret compartments. They won't be able to detect you. I might need you to get me outta here if things get nasty."

Adam opened the ramp and was met by a squad of troops with blasters trained on him. He made sure he didn't make any sudden moves with his blaster.

A Lieutenant Commander came forward, his uniform contrasting sharply with the New Republic marines' uniforms who were pinboard weapons at Adam.

"Hello, welcome onboard the Lusankya," the Lieutenant Commander said, placing his hands behind his back. "You realize, of course, by telling you just that once sentence, you will not be allowed to leave here alive."

He motioned to the marines. "Take him to the brig. The Admiral will question him later."

As they led Adam away, one marine on each arm, two in front, and two behind, he heard the Lieutenant Commander begin to bark orders about scanning the small freighter and making sure it wasn't booby trapped or explosive laden.

***

The depressingly gray cell they had thrown him in wasn't, obviously, designed to give any route of escape. The cell was fairly good sized, for a prison cell anyway. Adam had calculated it to be about five meters by five meters, with plenty of space between his head and the ceiling. Evidently, this cell was designed for not just humans, but creatures much taller as well.

The walls were smooth and bare, with the only feature in the room being a small toilet and a stiff unused mattress on a small shelf that came out of one of the walls. There was also a small yet comfortable pillow.

He had been here for many hours now. Adam really didn't like being locked up in here. He was claustrophobic and this cell seemed to be getting smaller every moment that went by.

Then he saw motion through the small viewport on his cell door. It had been several hours before he had seen any motion at all.

Now he could view a face next to the door, peering through the small viewport. Whoever it was, he was studying Adam closely.

Then, suddenly the door opened and a tall, well-built and healthy man with very dark brown hair stepped through. His eyes were a deep ice blue and, if you were to meet them and focus on them, they looked as if they could pierce your soul. But there was a kindness to the eyes as well, Adam noted; he couldn't find a hint of evil in them anywhere.

"Hello. My name is Jason Tallen, Rear Admiral and commander of this fleet. Sorry to keep you waiting for so long. We ran a check of the computer system," he said, looking closely at Adam. He smiled. "And found your file. You used to work with the New Republic, no?"

"Well I guess at that time," Adam said, "it wasn't the New Republic. But yes, I did some jobs for the Rebel Alliance in the late parts of the civil war. Mostly transporting spies...but I did carry intelligence at one time or another."

The Rear Admiral just nodded, and looked at Adam in a way suggesting that he should continue.

Adam leaned forward. "Most of my jobs included weapons transportation, mostly hand held weapons. I helped deliver a lot of supplies to Echo Base. Believe me, I have no love for the Imperials."

"That is well noted in your file," the admiral said, holding up a datapad and looking at the screen closely. He had the back of it facing Adam, so that there was no chance he might be able to read any of it.

After a few moments, the admiral looked back up at him. "Okay. We've cleared you and your freighter, you may leave at your own convenience. However," the Admiral said, looking up, "you cannot tell anyone we were here, and if you ever come by this nebula again, you'll be space dust." He paused. "That is, unless you want a piece of the action."

Adam thought about this for a minute. He also noted the small smile on Admiral Tallen's face.

"What exactly does a piece of the action mean?" he asked.

Tallen's smile grew larger. "For starters, you'd get a field commission in the New Republic military, say to...Major? Then you'd be on our side officially and fighting the Imperials. We are currently scaling up for a major attack on the Drogen shipyards, and I figured you could rally your fellow traders and smugglers to help us. From what I'm hearing, you guys don't like having the Imps in control of the shipyards any more than we do."

"Looks like you have it all figured out. Sure I'll do it," Adam said.

"Very well," Jason said, becoming serious. He reached into his pants pocket and pulled out a small device. He tossed it to Adam, who caught it easily. "That is a data chip with two subspace codes on it. Hook it up to any short range com relay and it will send out a transmission burst that we will pick up."

Adam studied the device.

"There are three buttons. Red, green, and blue. What does each one do?" Adam asked?

"Good, you're observant," the Admiral said, his smile reappearing. "When you have successfully made it back to the shipyards or the planet from here, hook it up to a relay and press the green button. That will let us know you are in position, and we will be able to tell where the burst originated, giving us your location. If you need to be picked up or need New Republic aid, press the blue button. We'll send a few fast ships to jump in, pick you up or give you supplies, and then jump back out before the Imps know what happened. The red button--" He paused. "Is for when you have gotten the smugglers in place and ready for their own assault or covert operations against the Imperials in the shipyards. The red button will send us an 'attack' message, which I will carry out."

Adam stood up. "I'll have to get my ship ready."

"Oh, and one other thing before you go," Jason said, looking Adam directly in the eyes. "If you are ever captured by the Imperials, destroy that remote. If you let it fall into their hands, it'll take them only a few hours to realize what it is, and they could pull my entire fleet into a trap."

---

"New Hate"
By Kyra Ronso
Aeris Strife [NPC+]
Jadda The Hutt
And Vorgoth

Location: Arcadia & New Plouton
Date: Eos 22, 4ABY

***

Kyra slowly got out of the room and made her way to the hangar. As she got there she saw Aeris overlooking her craft, the new Alpha Class XG-1 Star Wing. Kyra made her way towards the other girl.

"So what are you looking for?" Kyra asked.

"What? Oh, it's you Commander Ronso!" Aeris answered as she looked at Kyra.

"Just call me Kyra, since we are going to work together. Besides, on the field we won't use our rank to call each other because it will only alert our target..." Kyra grinned as she put her bag on the floor.

"Sure! Glad to work with the best," Aeris said. She knew that Kyra could tell she was lying.

"So, this is the new Model Alpha Class XG-1 Star Wing?" Kyra asked as she took a look at the starfighter.

"Yeah...I called it 'The Wild Cat,' " Aeris said.

"The Wild Cat...?" Kyra paused. "Did you hear the name somewhere?"

"No. It came to my mind," Aeris told her as she ducked to pass under the Assault Gunboat. "Why?"

"It's just strange. The unit that I was on when I was with the rebels was called the Wild Cats," Kyra answered in a tone so low that no one but Aeris could hear.

"Really... That's strange!" Aeris said as she thought about it.

They entered their ships and blasted off the hangar. They made their way towards Jadda's palace in New Plouton. Landing on the spaceport, they took the speeder that Kyra had rented while she stayed last time in New Plouton and made their way to the Hutt.

As they were let in, a Gamorrean approached them and grunted something in a tone of question.

"We are here to see Jadda. We are from the New Empire in the service of Grand Admiral Tarkin," Kyra responded to the Gamorrean.

The Gamorrean grunted and frowned. It was unclear if he had understood them, but that was when a beautiful Twi'lek appeared. She had pale green skin and wore a white garment that showed most of her body. "Please, come this way..." she said.

The two agents of the New Empire follow the Twi'lek to the room were Jadda was. Kyra and Aeris approached the Hutt, scanning the room for a quick exit in case of trouble.

"Greetings, noble Jadda. We were sent by Grand Admiral Tarkin himself," Aeris spoke.

"Bonchaaba doos noob ib tangoo Hutta Jadda?" the large Hutt asked. The droid next to him translated. "Master Jadda asks what business the Empire wants with him."

"We want information..." Aeris said, being cut off by Kyra.

"Noble Jadda. If I were you, I would call your guards and tell them to back off. We are not stupid enough to come here and not be prepared for a confrontation. We only want some information and we are willing to pay for it," Kyra said as she grabbed her twin blasters but never taking them off, while looking to a few guards that were pointing at them. "If you wish not to join the late Jabba..."

Jadda laughed outloud. "Batoo leeda boosha mee?" he asked, not being translated this time. In less than a second, Vorgoth was standing in between Kyra and Aeris and pushed them apart, igniting his Sith lightsaber, so that the blades were scarcely two centimeters apart from their throats.

Finally the droid translated. "Master Jadda states that you would die before an attempt..." he said. Jadda then puffed on his pipe. "Ichyoo dousa ib nool banta tangoo?" he spoke while the girls stood still with their lives hanging by a thin line. The droid gave an immediate translation. "What information do you seek?"

"If you'll have your Sith turn off his lightsabers we might pay you for the information that you may know and that we need," Kyra said while looking to Vorgoth's eyes. She looked deep in his eyes. "Kill me if you want. You are only making a favour..." she told him in a whisper.

"And me!" Aeris stated as she was fast enough to draw her blaster, aiming at Jadda's head, without Vorgoth having the chance to react.

Jadda's eyes widened with how quickly Aeris had drawn her blaster.

"Call off your guards and we will lower our weapons. We need information and in return you will receive a lot of money. What would you gain in this situation? If you just called off your guards and we can do business," Kyra said as she continued to look to Vorgoth's menacing eyes.

Without Jadda even having to say anything, Vorgoth turned and spun his weapon, cutting off the barrel of Aeris' weapon. He then kicked her and Force pushed Kyra. He was about to slaughter them when Jadda raised a hand and shouted. "Shootaa!" Immediately Vorgoth stopped and safeguarded his lightsaber.

"Balooor id chunga noos unta mee..." the Hutt said. The droid translated once more. "What is it that you want?" he asked simply, the guards still with their weapons and blasters locked on both girls.

Kyra got up and her eyes were red as if they were on fire. Even Aeris was amazed how red they were. "Grand Admiral Tarkin will not like this, Jadda. We want to know what you can tell us about the initials LA?" Her eyes never broke contact with Vorgoth. "You're lucky that you have sissy powers, because if I had them too I would kick your butt!" Kyra said as Vorgoth approached with anger in his face.

"Noble Jadda, just answer the question and we are on our way. And here are 500 credits," Aeris said as she was amazed by Vorgoth's power, although she was not afraid of him or Jadda.

Jadda laughed. "Bonta tchunga noos LA hutta ab dangoo tchi 750 credits..." he said. The shiny droid made once more the translation. "Jadda states that he will gladly tell you the meaning of the initials LA for the reasonable price of 750 credits..."

"One thousand credits and you tell us everything you know about the LA. Everything that you know," Kyra said as she continued looking into Vorgoth's eyes.

Jadda laughed. This was getting well paid for some information he would never have guessed important for the Empire. "Jantoo LA bollaa desoo taa ob Liberation Army... Bontaa too ib nulagoo chaku doos balloopa ib Outer-Rim huttu talloo," he said.

"Master Jadda states that LA stands for Liberation Army and that they are a full army-like group that performs mainly beyond the Outer Rim territories," the droid translated.

"And?" Aeris waited, while Kyra continued to look deeply into Vorgoth's eyes. It seemed that they were in some kind of contest. "We want to know everything. Who is the leader? What kind of weapons do they use? Where are their bases stationed? In which planets?" Aeris asked.

"Toola dangoo oob nuya doo Gallor... Tachunga noos ib bellaapa bantoo Spira huttee," Jadda added. The droid looked from Jadda to Aeris. "Master Jadda states that the leader is from Gallor and that perhaps you would want to search the Spira system."

"The name of its leader?" Kyra asked, looking at Jadda and looking again into Vorgoth's piercing eyes.

"Garnet Seifer..." Jadda said simply, not needing any translation for it. He then puffed on his pipe. "Ooba natoo toola ib credits," he added. This time the droid translated. "Master Jadda states that he expects his credits now as he has no more information for you."

"Here are the credits," Kyra said as she threw the credits to Vorgoth when she was some distance away from him. Vorgoth caught the credits.

"Noble Jadda, thank you for your time," Aeris said as she tried to pull Kyra to her side by force.

"We will meet again!" Kyra said as she got out from the room pulled by Aeris.

The guards escorted the girls outside and made sure the large blast doors closed behind them, after they left. For Jadda this had been easy credits. And maybe even a good thing. If the Empire wanted to know about the Liberation Army then perhaps a war between the two would unleash itself, and if so then perhaps he'd have more space to commercialize and expand his business.

---

"Dealing With The Past, Part 1"
By: Master Koran Darr
Master Andro Ki'Ayalin
Ferrig Mullerin
Padawan Laedra Vorrel

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Eos 22, 4ABY

***

The speeder glided to a stop outside of the Jedi Temple, and Koran Darr slipped out of the passenger side. "Let's get him inside," he said. "One of the beds in the infirmary should be comfortable enough for him. At least here we'll have the proper tools with which to help him." He slipped his arms under Ferrig's to help Laedra get the youth out of the speeder.

"I imagine the other masters will want to know what we've been up to," Laedra replied as she slipped out of the vehicle. She took her place on one side of Ferrig, slipping an arm around his waist and slinging his arm across her shoulders. Koran stood on his other side, doing just the same. "While you do that, Master, I will tend to him."

"Very well," Koran said with a smile. "I'll help you get him to the infirmary and settled in. I'm certain the others will want to visit him. We'll have to figure a way to contact Raeila if that's possible. She'll want to know her brother is safely with us."

"They are not scheduled to return for another day or so. I'm sure it can wait until then. Besides," she added, "I would prefer if she didn't see him in his present state."

Koran nodded. "I understand," he said. "We'll have him looking like his old self before she returns. You...you do remember what his old self looked like, don't you?"

Laedra smiled. "I'll see what I can do."

They made it to the infirmary and Koran helped Laedra get Ferrig onto one of the beds. Once the young man was settled, he glanced at her. "I'll be back soon," he said. "No one will visit him until you say he's ready to be seen."

"Try telling that to Orn," Laedra said with a humourless smile. "It might be best if he doesn't hear about this until the boy is strong enough to defend himself."

Koran nodded. "I'll keep that in mind," he said, and then started out of the room to inform the rest of the Jedi Council of their recent activities. He stopped in the door and turned back to her. "If you need me at all, just comm me."

Laedra smiled at Koran and bowed her head. "I will."

Koran did slip out the door then, leaving Laedra alone with Ferrig. The young man looked badly beaten up, but his spirit was still strong. That was one thing that could be universally applied to those who had grown up in the desert of Tae'Karada: their spirits were some of the strongest Koran had ever seen in his life. He was certain that Ferrig would fully recover from his ordeal, and be stronger for it.

***

The thermal scanner told Laedra precisely what her own medical knowledge was telling her, and it was that Ferrig's fever had subsided. She set the instrument down upon the tray and took up the sterilization probe, humming softly to herself as she went about passing the tool over Ferrig's wounds. She soon found a rhythm of sterilizing, then covering the cuts and bruises with bacta patches, and finally checking his vitals infrequently, until she'd sufficiently mended the wounds to his head and bare torso.

As she folded the sheet back to expose his groin, Laedra was filled with a sense of disgust directed towards the Imperials. It seemed no part of him had been spared during his torture. She could clearly see the markings left behind by the electrodes they'd used to electrocute him; she'd seen many more of them covering his body, but she imagined the ones covering his phallus had hurt far worse than any other wound inflicted upon him. No matter what Ferrig had done in his past, he was undeserving of such cruelty. For him and all the others like him who had suffered at the Imperials' hands, she was devoted to ridding the planet of them.

Laedra pushed thoughts of revenge aside and focused on tending to her patient's injuries. She sterilized the wounds and patched it, then examined the organ more fully to seek out any others she'd missed. She hoped no one decided upon an impromptu visit while she was still handling Ferrig's shaft, no matter how innocent her intentions truly were.

A soft moan escaped Ferrig's lips. He shifted slightly on the bed, his body protesting how it'd been handled. Well, except for the new sensation originating... His eyes snapped open and he looked. A woman -- and an extremely attractive one at that -- was busily examining and fondling him, and if it weren't for the pain that still remained, he would have let her keep looking. Though, he realized, the pain was less than he remembered it. He moaned again and forced a dry, cracked laugh. "Don't you think. Know your name first," he managed.

Laedra withdrew her hands abruptly and gave a startled chuckle. "I was-- Forgive me. I was simply--" She cleared her throat and covered Ferrig with the thin sheet again. "Are you feeling better?"

Ferrig smiled. "Much," he said. "Thank you. I-- I don't remember much...but, I...I remember you saving me. Thank you."

"We could not leave you there," Laedra told him as she set about organizing the tray of instruments. "Despite your past, no one should have to languish in an Imperial prison. Besides, I doubt Raeila would have forgiven us if we'd left you there."

"Raeila? Oh gods! Oh Thana, where is Raeila?"

Laedra gently lay Ferrig back down before he re-aggravated his injuries and sent penetrating waves of the Force into him to calm his excitement. "She's not here right now, Ferrig," she said softly. "She's with Kael, but they'll be back in a day or so. You'll see her then, Ferrig. I promise."

Ferrig nodded and felt a serenity he couldn't remember ever feeling in his life before. "She's...she's alright, right? She's--? I-- We fought the last time I saw her, and--" Tears brimmed in his eyes. "I need to see her. I need to say...say I'm sorry. I need my little sister back. I need her to know it's alright."

"She will come back to you, Ferrig," Laedra whispered soothingly. "Kael is taking very good care of her. Don't worry about that. Just concentrate on getting well again...for Raeila."

"Thank you," he said with a smile for her. "Thank you for...for helping me. After before...I didn't know if you'd be willing to help someone like me."

Laedra smiled sagely and replied, "We are Jedi, Ferrig Mullerin. We are not perfect, but we do believe in compassion and forgiveness. You are welcome here, no matter what your past. This temple is your home now for as long as you wish to stay."

"What about the desert? My friends? The Feltreys and the others? Do you--? Do you know what's happening there?"

Laedra sighed. "I'm afraid not. The desert is still under siege is all we know. I'm sorry I cannot tell you more than that."

Ferrig nodded. Inside, he was torn. His brothers were suffering in the desert, but his sister was returning to him here. The decision was a difficult one. To go to those in the desert, his brothers bonded through their strife, or Raeila, the sister he was bound to by blood and more, for whom he would do anything. He offered a sorrowful apology to the gods for those suffering in the desert, fully accepting that he could not leave until he saw her again, until things were set right.

Laedra watched Ferrig in silence, noting the haunted expression tensing his features. She could only imagine how what'd he suffered was affecting him. "I'll go and see about getting you something to eat," she said gently. She gave him a warm smile and, respecting his obvious need for solitude, took her leave.

"Thank you," Ferrig said softly as she left, and then turned his thoughts inward once more. It was nearly fifteen minutes later when she returned with food. He hadn't realized, until he'd started eating, just how hungry he was. He finished off two servings before he finally had to stop. She watched him the whole time, but he couldn't tell what was going on from the look on her face or in her eyes.

With another offering of thanks, Ferrig sank back against the pillows of his bed, and was soon drifting off to sleep. "Thank you," he whispered again before the depths of his exhaustion finally claimed him. As he slept, the haunted look had disappeared and he seemed to be at peace.

Laedra smiled gently at the young man and carefully swept back the lank, brown hair covering his brow. "Sleep well," she whispered. She observed him for a moment longer to ensure he would be alright alone, then Laedra picked up the serving tray piled with bowls and plates, and started for the door. She halted in mid-step and regarded quizzically the aged man standing in the doorway, watching her with an inscrutable smile. "You're Master Ki'Ayalin, are you not?"

"That is correct," Jedi Master Andro Ki'Ayalin answered with a comforting smile. "I had heard that there was a wounded young man, and came to offer my services if necessary. Though, I see that you have everything well under control. It's Laedra Vorrel, is it not?"

Laedra moved forward towards the man so that their conversation would not disturb Ferrig's rest. "I am. It is an honour to meet you, Master Ki'Ayalin. I'm sorry that we did not have a chance to do so before now."

"Things have been somewhat hectic of late," Andro answered. "It is understandable. However, we have now remedied that unfortunate circumstance, and it is an honour to meet you as well."

Laedra bowed her head to the man as they slipped through the infirmary door together. "So, how are you enjoying your time here, Master?"

"It is a fascinating place," Andro answered. "My Padawan is enjoying it as well. This morning, we had to go walk in the forest before we could begin her exercises. It'd been awhile since she'd been able to walk freely in a forest. She appears to be quite an adept climber as well."

Laedra laughed fondly. "I was the same, as a child. I simply refused to sit still. How old is young...Talara, is it?"

"Yes, Talara is correct," he said. "And, she is currently a very precocious thirteen years old. Full of curiousity and life, and fortunately saved from Dani and Nieme's unfortunate influence. Though, Talara does admit to having some fun with the other girls on her first day here. Thankfully, I can continue to train her without...improper influences on her development."

"Dani and Nieme are sweet girls," Laedra began, "but they are misguided, though that is no fault of Master Koran Darr. I believe they are a novel example of why the Order set an age limit on training Force sensitives. Some behaviour is difficult to correct after a time. I believe Nieme and Dani suffered from a prime case of insatiable sexual appetites...if you'll forgive me for being so frank."

"Apologies are not necessary," Andro said with a smile. "And, I agree with you. However, it seems to me, from my own observations and from talking to others, that they placed a higher priority on exploring their sexual appetites than the way of the Jedi. As long as they are happier where they are right now, then that is for the best. They can follow the path they have chosen. I have nothing against sexual contact between consenting peoples, but I do believe there is a point where it can become such a dominance in one's life that all other details pale."

Laedra found she could, unfortunately, relate to Andro's words as she thought shamefully on her time with Liam, the negligence of her duties to pursue him, and also her time with Koran. She simply nodded to Andro slowly in agreement.

Andro regarded her for a moment, studying her profile and then stepped to where he could more fully see her. "You seem very familiar to me, Laedra Vorrel. There is something...a feeling..."

"We have never met before," Laedra said quizzically. "I do not see how..."

"Who was your teacher, Laedra?"

Her brow knitted briefly, but Laedra succeeded in keeping her expression and thoughts neutral. "Master Ina Galean," she replied quietly. "But we always remained isolated. I doubt there would have been an opportunity to meet you, Master."

Andro nodded and then smiled. "Ahh, so that's it. I was the one who taught Ina before the purge, before we were driven to hiding, and then again driven apart. I knew the feeling was familiar."

Laedra shielded her emotions from Andro, but her expression still conveyed her dismay. "You were Ina's master?" she asked in disbelief. "You taught him all he knew?" Laedra's mind returned to the many beatings she'd suffered at Ina's hands, his attempts at rehabilitating her. Just as she resented Ina for it, she felt the same resentment towards the man who had trained him. But, she admitted none of that to Andro. "We were together a long time," was what she did say. "I will not forget the moments we spent with one another."

"We were separated when he was nearly eighteen years old," Andro said. "I looked for him, but...but by then the Empire's reach had grown too wide, and so I retired to Naboo. He was a good student, though there was an undercurrent of anger in him. I tried to help him reverse the anger, to allow it to dissipate, but when he was younger he seemed to have little desire for meditation. I only hope my teachings were enough. Was he a good teacher, Laedra?"

Lines of tension formed around her mouth and eyes, and Laedra quickly turned her head away from Andro's gaze. "He taught me all I know," was her vague reply.

Andro nodded. "I have not seen him for many years, though I do sense that he still lives." He glanced around, taking in walls, ceiling and floor, then back to Laedra. "Talara will not reveal it to me, and I have not pried too deeply into her privacy, but I do believe that she may have joined Nieme and Dani at least once. She is young and impressionable."

Laedra was grateful for Andro's sensitivity to her obvious discomfort, and readily jumped into the new topic at hand. "Would you like me to speak with her?" Laedra asked. "I imagine she must have many questions, must still be very curious. Perhaps she will feel more comfortable speaking with a woman about it."

"I would be very grateful," Andro said with relief. "I have some understanding of how it all works, though no practical experience. I do not know if you have, but as a woman, I am certain there will be a closer chance at getting her to open up to you."

Laedra sighed as all discussion of Ina seemed to fade, and smiled pleasantly at Andro. "I would be honoured to speak with her. I'm free now if you wish me to see her."

"That would be perfect," he said. "If you would like to go, I can go back and keep an eye on the boy."

"That sounds acceptable. But you mustn't let Orn know he's here," Laedra warned. "They aren't...the best of friends."

"I understand," Andro answered. "I will see that the boy isn't disturbed."

"Thank you." Laedra bowed to Master Ki'Ayalin, and with slight haste took her leave to seek out Talara.

The man who had trained Ina, had failed to correct him of his cruelty and apathy was here now to taunt Laedra with memories of her master. She was too emotionally frail to deal with this now, she knew it. After disposing of the tray, and before going to Talara's room, Laedra made a quick detour to Koran's chambers. She needed guidance and reassurance, she needed his comfort to keep her from crumbling again.

Her anxieties exhibited themselves in the brisk, desperate raps she assailed upon Koran's door, and her silent pleas that he was there. When the door finally opened, Laedra let out a gasp and sank into his embrace. "Oh gods...help me, Koran," she sobbed. "Please...please help me."

Koran edged back inside the room, and allowed the door to close behind them. "Laedra, what is it? What's happened?"

She took in a choking breath to calm herself, but it made no difference. "Did you know?" she asked him thickly. "About Master Ki'Ayalin. Did you know, Koran?"

"Know what?" Koran asked, doing his best to recall every detail in regard to the aged Jedi Master. "I remember very little about him other than that he was a fine Jedi Knight before I...had my accident."

Laedra stared up at Koran with glazed eyes and whispered, "He was the one... H-He trained Ina. Oh gods..." She pressed her face to Koran's chest again and wept silently.

"He trained--? But-- He doesn't seem to-- We will have to watch him closely, Laedra. If what happened with Ina was due to him, who knows what he's doing to Talara. We will be careful."

"He ruined my life," Laedra rasped. "Ina ruined my life, and that man could've stopped it." She pulled away from Koran abruptly and wrapped her arms tightly around herself. "He's dredging up all these memories.... I can't handle it, Koran. I can't!"

Koran had his arms around her again, letting the Force flow from him to her. "With my help," he said softly, "you can, Laedra. I'll help you get through this."

"How am I going to face him everyday knowing what Ina did to me?" she asked weakly. "Koran...tell me what to do."

"The first thing to realize is that Andro is not Ina," Koran said. "Regardless of the circumstances, he may be blameless of Ina's behaviour. It is impossible to determine which influences led him on the direction he took. For the time being, learn what you can from Andro. Watch him with Talara, and see if you recognize patterns. If he has the same pattern of behaviour, we will see it evidenced in how he treats his current Padawan."

"Well...he does wish me to speak with her. I could ask her questions, carefully probe her and see what I can find out." Laedra sighed and nestled her cheek to Koran's chest, finally feeling the calm she always found with him enshrouding her. "And if he is like Ina...what do we do?"

"If he is, then that will be a matter for the Council to handle," Koran said. "Hopefully, for all our sakes, he's not. We need all the help we can get right now, but whatever desperation we may feel won't allow us to overlook things such as that."

"So wise, and rational," Laedra said fondly. She turned her face up towards Koran's and lightly passed a hand over his cheek. "I knew coming to you was the best thing to do."

Koran smiled. "And, I am always here for you, Laedra. Always. So, how are you feeling now? More confident and able to stand in the same room as Andro?"

Laedra grinned at Koran and nodded. "Knowing that you'll be here to guide me if I ever lose my confidence again, I think I can do it." The serenity emanating from Koran's soft green eyes eliminated any residual anxiety Laedra was feeling, and in her immense gratitude, she pressed her lips to Koran's briefly, then lay her cheek upon his shoulder. "Thank you," she whispered.

"Anything I can ever do for you, Laedra," Koran said, "it is my pleasure."

"I know...and I love you for it, Master." Laedra smiled demurely as she pulled back. "And now I think I should go visit Talara. I hope I can help her as you've helped me...if she needs it."

"I am certain if she needs help, she will find it in you," Koran said. "And, if not that, then perhaps a friend."

Laedra bowed her head and took another step back, putting more necessary distance between she and Koran. "Then a friend I shall be. Thank you again for your comfort, Koran. I hope someday I can repay you for it."

"Your smile and presence in my life is all the repayment I need," Koran answered.

"Careful, Master," she teased, "you'll flatter your student. Can't have that, now can we?"

"Of course not," Koran said with a chuckle. He bowed to her. "The chance to train you in the Jedi Arts is all the repayment, I require, young Padawan."

"Then I will not disappoint you." Laedra opened the door wide and stepped out, but before closing it behind her, she looked back at Koran and smiled softly. "I do love you. I meant that, Koran." Before he could make his reply, Laedra chuckled softly to herself and pulled the door closed.

Koran's profession of love was muffled by the door. Once she was gone, he smiled and returned to the meditation couch in the corner of the room. He settled onto it, and began the preparations for a deep meditative state. The Force would open up to him about Andro, and he would know for certain if they had anything to worry about.

---

"Dealing With The Past, Part 2"
By: Master Andro Ki'Ayalin
Padawan Talara Sorenne
Padawan Laedra Vorrel

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Eos 22, 4ABY

***

Blue blade flashed against the darkness in her vision as Talara drilled against the remote hovering above her. She wore a training helmet that blocked her vision. She'd mastered this technique nearly five years ago under Andro's tutelage. Her blade was fast and accurate, easily intercepting the stinging bolts fired by the training device. A presence entering the room caught her attention, and she gave the remote the command to go into standby mode. Once she was safe, she shut down her lightsaber and removed the helmet. She smiled at the woman watching her, and then offered her a bow. "Good morning, Jedi Vorrel."

"Ah, so you've already heard of me," Laedra replied, returning the girl's gesture. "I have heard of you as well, Padawan. You performed that exercise remarkably well. Congratulations."

"Thank you," Talara answered. "I've been practicing that one for awhile now, so it's getting easier and easier for me. I can do up to three remotes now, but the fourth always gets me." She returned her lightsaber to her belt. "Master Andro tells me I show much promise, both with a lightsaber and as a Jedi Knight."

Laedra crossed her arms over her chest as she leaned against the doorframe in a relaxed pose. "Judging from what I've seen, I have to agree with him." She paused and looked down her feet, thinking of how to broach the subject of her time with Dani and Nieme. "Padawan, are you well-versed in the Jedi Code? I presume Master Ki'Ayalin has drilled you extensively in its intricacies."

Tala nodded. "Yes," she said. "He's made sure I was very familiar with the Jedi Code. It's what guides us as Jedi, both in the Order and in our lives."

"Precisely," Laedra replied with a smile. "Since you are so well-versed, Padawan, would you mind if I asked your opinion on a certain topic that has been the subject of much debate among the Council? I believe the fresh, young mind of a Padawan would serve us well in resolving the matter."

"Of course," Talara said, her eyes brightening eagerly at the prospect of being asked by a Jedi Knight for her option.

Laedra gestured to the center circle of the training room as she moved towards it, then the two settled down cross-legged across from each other. "Recently, the Council has discussed lifting the ban on relationships, which are strictly forbidden in the Code. It is a very controversial topic and there have been allowances, but no solid decision has been made. What think you of this, young Padawan?"

"I believe that forming attachments can breed diversity and conflicted interests," Tala answered. "That is why the ban was created in the first place, so that a Jedi could not be forced to choose between her duty to the Order and to the person they have involved themselves with. If we are able to overcome the possible conflicts generated in those situations, then it is possible that the ban may not be a problem. However, as long as the choice between loved one and duty creates problems, then the ban should still be in place."

Laedra disguised her surprise with a thoughtful nod. Andro had certainly done well with Talara's education. "And if the choice was yours, would you participate in a relationship with another? Would you engage in sexual relations with another?"

Talara looked down at her feet. "I-- I didn't really know. It...it was so nice though. And, they said it was alright. I haven't...not done. I haven't done anything since it though. It was when we got here, and...and they said... It was so nice though..."

Laedra closed her eyes briefly to mask her disappointment, then reached over and patted Talara's knee comfortingly. "You don't have to go into detail...but did they...penetrate you, Talara? I just want to ensure there are no after-effects, especially for one so young."

"No," she whispered. "It was just touching and kissing. They had a...they called it Kimra. They touched me with it, but...but they knew I was nervous, so they said we could work up to that."

"But...you did consent, did you not, Talara?"

"They were so very nice," Talara answered. "And, Dani, she was very gentle and caring. It felt really nice, and...afterwards, I thought of it as an educational moment. To learn what it was that I am banned from, and to help achieve understanding of why that ban exists. I think it worked to an extent. Maybe."

Laedra laughed gently. "It's okay to have enjoyed yourself, Talara. You shouldn't be ashamed. But...I believe you are far too young, even as intelligent as you are, to engage in such activities. Do you understand?"

Talara nodded. "I wasn't going to do it again. I see the dangers, and I don't want to interfere with my training. Master Andro has worked so hard to teach me; I don't want to let him down."

"Well, I can understand that," Laedra said, shifting slightly closer to Talara. "I have a master too, now, and I know I would do everything to remain in his good graces. But...Talara, I'm afraid I've been sworn to inform Master Ki'Ayalin of this. I wish I could keep this to ourselves, but I cannot risk disobeying his orders."

Tala lowered her head and then nodded. "I understand,"she whispered. "I am certain it will be alright. I will have to meditate on it, and then I will have to re-read the Code. But, it is what I deserve for what I have done."

Laedra furrowed her brow and gently draped her arm across Talara's shoulders. "You must never be ashamed, Talara, not for that. Some day, you may find someone you love and want to be with, and sharing yourself with them will be one of the greatest gifts you can offer. It will be beautiful, and passionate, and uplifting.... You must never think of it as a mistake that needs to be corrected. Yes, perhaps you should not have allowed Dani and Nieme to do those things to you, but in the future, when it's with someone you love, you must never look upon it with disgust or regret. Do you understand?"

Talara gave Laedra a smile. "Thank you," she said softly. "I do understand. It makes sense, but...you're right, I'm not ready yet. Thank you, Laedra Vorrel."

"It is my pleasure, Talara. In fact, I wish I'd had someone to confide in like this when I was a young girl." She smiled ruefully. "It would have saved me a lot of heartache." Laedra regarded Talara with a scrupulous gaze, remaining observant to her body language, and to her emotions as she asked, "Talara? What methods does Master Ki'Ayalin use to...correct your behaviour? Does he always simply make you review the Code or..."

"Usually I meditate on what I have done wrong, opening myself to the Force and life around me. When I do something that violates some aspect that has been documented in some manner, he will have me read it. He believes strongly that our mistakes will help us learn if we are accepting of them and given the opportunity to grow."

Laedra nodded distractedly, wishing Andro had passed on his method of disciplining to Ina. "And nothing more than that?" she asked shakily. "He doesn't...work you harder or...physically harm you, Talara?"

"Oh, no," Talara said, wide-eyed with surprise. "He never does anything like that. My physical workouts are very rigourous, but it's never used as a punishment. To punish me in that manner would be under the influence of the dark side."

Laedra looked away abruptly and fought back the terrifying memories of her time with Ina. She'd never felt darkness in the man, or perhaps she had been so blinded by her love for him that she couldn't see it. Taking in a deep breath, Laedra pulled away from Talara and rose. "Forgive me, young Padawan. It was a foolish question. I shall go speak with Master Ki'Ayalin now about your indiscretion." She managed a smile for the girl and added, "Don't worry. I will speak in your favour, Talara."

Talara smiled up at Laedra and then stood. "Thank you," she said. She bowed respectfully to Lae.

As Laedra too bowed low before Talara, she smiled at the girl and held out a hand to her. "I hope that we can be friends, Padawan."

The smile that was already curling Talara's lips brightened. "I would like that very much, Jedi Laedra."

"Padawan," Laedra corrected her with a wink. "But you can simply call me Laedra."

Talara's eyes widened and then laughed softly. "Laedra then. I'll see you soon, Laedra. I'll be here for awhile, in case you wanted to come back. I'll also be going to the forest later for a walk. It's so very beautiful."

Laedra straightened up and slipped her arms into the sleeves of her robe, smiling at Talara still. "It would be an honour if I could join you, Padawan. Shall I meet you in the courtyard, then?"

"Yes," Talara said. "The courtyard will be perfect. I want to go visit the lake. I saw it yesterday, but I had already been out for a long time already."

"We shall visit it today then," Laedra announced. "And bring a swimming outfit. You certainly can't visit the lake without taking a dip in the beautiful waters." She laughed fondly at Talara, brushed a hand against the girl's cheek, then turned to depart. "I shall see you in two hours, Talara!"

"Bye," Talara called, waving after Laedra. With a large smile on her face, she returned to her training, though a new hope was bubbling within her. Growing up, she'd had few friends. Now, here she was, making a new friend already.

***

"Master Ki'Ayalin," Laedra whispered from the doorway of the infirmary. Ferrig was still resting, with Andro seated on a stool by his bedside. She smiled at him as he turned his head to face her. "I can relieve you now if you wish."

Andro nodded and offered Laedra a smile. "Ah, yes," he said as he stood. "The boy woke up once, but went immediately back to sleep."

"Good. He needs his rest to allow time for his body to recuperate." Laedra moved soundlessly into the room, watching Andro with an enigmatic smile as she went. "Talara is a wonderful girl. You've trained her well."

Andro returned her smile, though not quite as enigmatically. "Oh, very good, you spoke with her? Yes, she is a delightful girl. It has been a joy and a pleasure to train her and teach her. There are times when I find myself thinking about her as if she were my own daughter."

Laedra's smile wavered and a knot of despair caught in her throat. She and Ina had never been anything but teacher and student, no matter how much she always wished it were more. Talara had what she never received from Ina: love, even though she doubted Andro would call it that; no master would, but it didn't keep them from feeling it. Laedra concealed her regret by meticulously arranging the tools upon the instrument tray by Ferrig's bed, buying her time as well to think of a way to broach the subject of Talara's encounter with Nieme and Dani. "She is obedient and devoted to the Order," Laedra said uncomfortably. "She's an intelligent girl, and I believe she will make a fine Jedi some day soon."

"That was my feeling as well," Andro answered. "If Jedi such as Talara and yourself are what the Order's future will be, then I believe we are in fine hands."

"Oh, not me, Master Ki'Ayalin," Laedra said with an awkward chuckle. "I'm far from the best example for a girl such as her." She set her hands flat on either side of the cart holding the tray and looked down at them. "It would seem...neither were Dani and Nieme."

Andro sighed. "So...they did influence her. At least she seems as if it hasn't affected her too strongly. Thank you for talking with her, Laedra."

"It was my pleasure, Master. She is a wonderful girl. But...please don't be too harsh with her. She's sorry for what happened, and I'm certain she will not be doing it again."

"I will speak with her. And, it sounds as if she's already come around in her thinking on this, so I doubt there will be much for us to speak about. She's very talented, very surprising. And, she exhibits none of Ina's stubbornness."

Laedra's hands reflexively gripped the sides of the hovercart and her eyes clenched shut at merely mention of his name. "Master Ki'Ayalin," she said shakily, "I would prefer it if we did not speak of...him. It is uncomfortable for me."

One of Andro's bushy eyebrows raised. "I do not understand," he said as he regarded her. After a moment of silence, he then nodded. "It was not a pleasant experience for you. I will not speak of him again. I apologize, Laedra."

She glanced briefly over her shoulder at him, and emitted a weak, strained chuckle. "He was far more stubborn than you think, Master Ki'Ayalin. And I know this might sound disrespectful, but I believe you released him from your tutelage far too early. He still had much to learn."

"If I had a choice in the matter," Andro answered, "I would have continued training him. We were separated by a group of Imperial Hunters. I tried to find him after that, but I never did. I am sorry to hear that he proved unworthy of the title of Knight."

Laedra sighed and shifted around to face Andro fully. "No...he was a good Jedi Knight, Master Ki'Ayalin. I don't wish to disrespect his memory. I believe I simply proved to be...too difficult a student for him to handle. He just wasn't equipped to cope with my...tendencies."

"I see," Andro answered. "If he handled your tendencies poorly then he was not suited to teach. Though, from what I can see you are doing well now."

"I am managing," she said quietly. She smiled tightly and added, "With Master Darr's help, of course."

Andro put a hand on her shoulder. "Koran Darr is doing very well then. And, I can sense a great fondness for him in you."

"He...is a good friend," Laedra explained, nervous that Andro would see more beneath her surface emotions, that he would know the extent of her relationship with Koran. "I was fond of Ina too, Master Ki'Ayalin, and...he was a good man at times. But...like us all, he had some flaws, that's all."

"That is too true," Andro said. "So, tell me, did Talara convince you to walk with her in the forest?"

The haunted look in Laedra's eyes dissipated and at once a bright smile touched her lips. "She did. I'll be going with her in the next hour or so. Do you wish to join us?"

Andro laughed, happy to have the tension lifted. "No thank you," he said. "We walked earlier this morning, down the road and back. I am sad to say, I'm not as young as I once was. You and Talara go. She does love all the trees. They remind her of home, I think."

"I don't remember my home," Laedra said distantly. She remembered her parents' cruelty well enough, but had no memory of Muunilinst or its landscape. "I imagine the Temple will seem like a new home to her eventually," she muttered.

"I am certain it will." He placed a comforting hand on her arm. "And what about you, Laedra. Do you feel comfortable here?"

She shrugged, moving her arm away from Andro's touch as she did. "It is difficult at times, but I am persevering."

Andro nodded, and clasped his arms behind him. He could sense her distress and the distance she was trying to quickly put between them. "Well, the Force is strong within you, Laedra. You will do well. Now, I shall leave you with your charge. Good day to you, Laedra."

She bowed stiffly to Andro, then hastily turned away from him and pressed her hands firmly to edge of the hovercart while she attempted to regain her breath and composure. He seemed to instinctively know everything that was going on in her mind, even if her emotions hadn't been betraying her. Forcing back a shuddering sob, Laedra busily set about arranging and re-arranging the medical instruments. Anything to keep her mind pre-occupied, anything to prevent her anxieties from overwhelming her. Again, the past had returned to torment Laedra, and as much as Koran believed in her, she wasn't certain if she was yet strong enough to withstand its unmerciful assault.

---

"New Friends"
by Ellemiek Vermolen
Auron Ronso
Kal'Aran
Aurra Sgall
Quinlan Vos [NPC+]
Alisson Blair
Koran Darr
and Laedra Vorrel

Location: Chalkyon Canyons
Date: Eos 22, 4 ABY

***

Ellemiek and Auron shot out of the secret underwater base in two separate starfighter units. Incredible as it would seem, they were perfect underwater and moved at a rather incredible speed. A really good plan for the Royal Family as an escape plan, had not the Empire come at a rather incredible force and speed when they invaded.

When they reached the surface the small fighters stood as if nothing had happened and started to fly as any other regular ship would. "Auron, set your coordinates to the Chalkyon Canyons... We should have the path clear all the way, since our route isn't over known Imperial zone or route," she said.

"Yes. Setting the coordinates for Chalkyon Canyons," Auron said.

The small fighters glided near the ground, as so not to be detected by Imperial forces. In no time they would be in Chalkyon Canyons, a vast number of canyons that would make any species be marvelled with.

"The coordinates point to a small cave entrance near the edge of the canyon," Auron said as he watched when they overflew the place.

Setting down both crafts, Ellemiek and Auron got out of the craft. There was Alisson Blair along with the others. Ellemiek took off her helmet and walked by to the cave entrance, followed by Auron. "Hi there! This is Auron. He's with the New Republic also!"

Alisson bowed ever so slightly. "A pleasure to meet you, Auron. I am Alisson Blair. Let me introduce the others to you. Masters Kal'Aran, Quinlan Vos and Koran Darr, and Laedra Vorrel and Padawan Aurra Sgall," she said. "I see you have some very peculiar crafts. I thought those were only existent in a secret underwater base..."

"They were... We found them by chance!" Ellemiek said with a smile. "Lucky that we did too, or we'd be dead by now, or caught by the Imps which would be pretty much the same."

"Because of some wise guy that decided to destroy an AT-AT walker in the surroundings of the Palace," Auron added.

"The people are revolting against Tarkin's tyranny." Alisson nodded.

Quinlan stepped up a few paces. "Indeed... I believe they never liked him, except a few dozen people, if we don't count his men..." he concluded.

"Perhaps our new friends would enlighten us in what the New Republic tends to do?" Kal'Aran asked. "You do speak for the New Republic, do you not?"

Ellemiek sighed. "I do..." She nodded. She looked at Auron, but had confidence in the Jedi. After all they had served the Republic once. "We have a fleet not too far off from this system and are preparing to make Tarkin stand down. I and a small team are here to make reconnaissance and see the best way to fight Tarkin's regime and get allies if possible," she explained.

"And you mean to take him down by the use of force? Through battle?" Quinlan asked.

"I don't believe that Tarkin would have it any other way... He's powerful even with the downfall of the Emperor," she said. "If you met him, you would know what I mean..."

"He is power mad and thinks too much of himself," Koran answered. "He is also cruel to those he captures, employing a variety of torture techniques. He believes, however, that his place is ruling the galaxy, and all of us who are not him, are only here to accept his rule. There will be no way other than a direct fight to defeat him. Negotiation will not work.

"Laedra and I liberated a young man who had been Tarkin's prisoner. The boy was badly hurt, though we are aiding his recovery. If there are others who have fallen into similar circumstances, then we owe it to the galaxy to get rid of this man as quickly as possible."

"Luck favors the prepared minded, Master Jedi." Auron paused. "The palace is extremely heavily guarded. In the outside it has a large number of AT-AT and AT-ST walkers, not counting the several Stormtroopers and the laser cannons that are placed in strategic points. Even if we are able to turn off the Palace shields we would probably lose, because of the heavy number of stormtroopers, AT-ATs and the AT-STs that are inside. And this is not counting that we have to attack the Tae'Morad headquarters that has a large number of Stormtroopers."

Ellemiek sighed. "We can get several men from the New Republic to aid us in this attack, but we still need to smuggle them in, due to the blockade. We have been talking to an entrepreneur called Zale Tregat who may be of assistance in this matter..." she said.

"All the help we can get seems welcome at this point," Kal'Aran stated. "But we mustn't act too fast, but rather think our way through this. If we commit a mistake, then everything might fall against us..."

"Perhaps the people would be willing to help as well. Nobody seems to like him, so maybe we can unite them all!" Aurra mentioned.

Quinlan gave a brief smile and placed his hand over her shoulder. "That would be good indeed... If we can make it happen. Perhaps this boy Master Koran Darr and Laedra Vorrel have saved can tell us about the current inner situation at the Palace? Perhaps his knowledge along with Alisson's may prove useful for planning a ground attack..."

"From what we can determine," Laedra began, "he spent most of his time in the detention area which, I am certain of after our infiltration, has most likely been sealed off entirely this time. But, I will discuss it with Ferrig and see if I can gain anything useful from him."

Alisson nodded. "Then, when we know more we might plan this better..." she said. "As for the shields I may be of assistance. I don't think they changed the location of the generator, so if I can get in I may be able to shut it down, if I can pass unnoticed."

"That would be quite helpful, I'm sure..." Kal'Aran agreed. "Although, going alone may be much too hard even for someone with the skills of a Jedi."

"Then perhaps I should go with her," Quinlan said.

Alisson smiled gently. "Master Vos, although I am most thankful, I cannot ask you to come along. It will be most dangerous..."

Quinlan raised an arm. "And you should not carry this task on your own. I promise not to slow you down, and this way, in case of a perilous mission, you will not stand alone..." He bowed to her gently. Quinlan then turned to the others. "Any advice you might want to give us? Anything useful from when you and Laedra were inside the Palace?" he asked Koran.

"The only information we would be able to provide is in regards to the location of the prisoners and the area around that location. We didn't get a chance to look more deeply than that."

"We need more information than that! We are expecting to confront a certain number of stormtroopers and if we are able to get inside the palace, it may be a greater number than we are thinking. It could be the shortest offensive attack in all times," Auron said as the Jedi looked at him.

"Even if Master Blair is able to shut down the shield generator, she might be trapped inside. Tarkin will do whatever is in his power to put that shield back online," Auron said as he looked at Alisson. "If Master Blair is going, I'm going too. You will need extra help to hold off the fort."

Alisson shook her head. "Negative," she told Auron. "It will be best if just Master Quinlan Vos and myself go. We will be able to stay unnoticed that way... The more the worse!" she said.

Quinlan nodded. "I agree. It will be better. Besides, we are just the tip of the iceberg. Once we complete our part we will need for you to be ready to strike at once," he told Ellemiek and Auron.

Koran frowned. "This operation is going to require much more coordination that the Jedi currently are able to logistically manage. We will undoubtedly require a larger planning session with those leading the New Republic assault. No offense to Ellemiek and Auron, but we really should meet with their superiors." He glanced at Laedra, the memories of betrayal from their former New Republic contact all too fresh in his mind.

Kal'Aran took a small step forward. "I agree with Master Darr," he nodded. "It would be unwise to act much too fast and unsteady, and we are too few to be able to assure success. But perhaps Ellemiek could speak to her superiors? It would be a start..."

Aurra Sgall touched her Master's cloak softly. "And perhaps we can do something about Thanatos as well... I am sure they would be more than glad to help us get rid of this regime led by this tyrant. After all, they do live in terror because of him."

"Wise words, my young Padawan." Kal'Aran smiled gently as he looked at Aurra. "And I'm sure you are right. Still, Thanatos is currently under siege and very much impossible to get into..."

"Then perhaps it would be time for planning its liberation also..." Quinlan suggested. "Also in a most meticulous and well studied way, of course. But first and foremost, we ought to speak to the New Republic high officers... With all due respect to Ellemiek and Auron, who represent them here in this meeting..." He bowed.

"None taken, Master Jedi," Ellemiek replied as she took a small bow with her head. "I will contact my Superior Officer and arrange it. I believe it possible for you to go and meet him in our main ship which is stationed nearby this system... Is this possible for you?" she asked.

"I believe so." Kal'Aran nodded. "Even if not all of us may attend, a selected group will be sent to speak in our behalf..." he answered with a short bow.

"Contact me through the comm you gave me..." Alisson told Ellemiek. "I will be sure to get back to you as soon as possible with an answer."

Ellemiek bowed respectfully to the Jedi group. "It was a pleasure to meet you all, and I hope to see you soon once more," she told them with a smile. She then turned to face Auron and gave him a nod, turning back to the Jedi. "We must depart then... Farewell," she said as she made her way back to the ships.

"Master," Laedra whispered once the Jedi began filing out of the cave after the New Republic operatives. "Do you really believe this is a wise idea? If all the Jedi depart to battle alongside the New Republic, it will leave the Temple defenseless. Is that so wise?"

"I do not believe this is a wise course of action," Koran answered as he stretched out through the Force. Through half-lidded eyes, he sought the future, their future. Images coalesced and then vanished, as steam rising on a cold morning. Shapes formed and melded into other shapes, always shifting but still forming a vision of what was to come.

He saw a precipice upon which all balanced. One wrong step would plunge them all over the edge, into the darkness that lay beyond. The Jedi were not warriors. Their involvement in this, while not a dark act, was aggression that could lead toward the dark side. They could not wage this war for the New Republic, no matter how dire. How many would they lose in the upcoming fight?

"We cannot become warriors," he said finally. "If we engage in this battle as soldiers for the New Republic, we will fall into darkness."

Laedra nodded slowly. "What do we do then, Master? Call a council meeting and express our concerns?"

"I think that will be best," Koran said. "This will need to happen privately, without New Republic witnesses involved." As they turned and started slowly toward the exit, Koran shook his head. "I would like to know who's idea it was to bring Padawan S'gall along on this."

"I as well," Laedra muttered. "Forgive me if I am speaking too disrespectfully, Master...but I do not trust their judgement. They have many very strange ideas... Dare I mention Master Vos' death trap again?"

Koran nodded. "Their eagerness to join in the conflict is troubling," he said. "And, while we should always be testing our abilities, we should not spend so much time allowing ourselves to be tempted by the darkness. We will require a meeting, and we will hopefully be able to step back from the obligations the others are so willing to accept, despite the consequences. I believe they are only seeing as far as the liberation of this world from Imperial rule, and not the longer-lasting ramifications."

"Is such short-sightedness a vice of all Jedi Masters?" she asked, smiling.

Koran smiled. "Are you accusing me of being short-sighted, my Padawan?"

Laedra laughed gently. "Oh, never, my Master dear. That would be impertinent of me. Are you accusing me of impertinence, Master?"

"I would never do such a thing," Koran added as they approached their speeder. "There are troubled times ahead for us all, Laedra. Together, however, we can rise above the shadow."

"Of course, Master," she replied, feeling suddenly anxious about the future. "Though, I wonder of the others' fate." Shrugging lightly, she added, "Only time will tell, I suppose."

"The Force is with us," Koran said. "If we can keep from descending toward violence and aggression in this conflict, we will emerge in the light."

"I thought that was the point of conflict, Master?" Laedra sighed and shook her head as she pulled open the hatch. "I don't know if it's just me, but everything suddenly seems so complicated."

"I believe life is complicated until you learn to truly see life as it is, and then it becomes less complicated. Most people, including most Jedi Masters, spend their entire lives searching for that. There is an order to much of life."

"We just have to find it." Laedra winked at Koran, then ducked into the speeder, chuckling softly to herself.

Koran climbed into the other side of the speeder, and returned Laedra's wink. "Let's go home," he said.

"Home," Laedra murmured. She wondered, when all was said and done and the New Republic clashed with the Imperials, if they would even have one left in the end.

---

"Operation Stinger"
By Garnet Seifer
Gengis Zibel [NPC+]
Introducing Tifa Alexandros Lionheart [NPC+]
Lieutenant Waldin of the Side Blades [NPC]
and other minor NPCS

Location: Grand Admiral Thrawn's Space Station in the frontier of the Corporate Sector
Date: Eos 22, 4 ABY

***

The small space station was there to develop Grand Admiral Thrawn's secret weapon. It was a calm space where a few Star Destroyers were protecting the facility, and a few TIE fighters passed by, making the characteristic howling sound.

Inside the space station, the new assault ship was being developed. The most recent acquisition to Grand Admiral Thrawn's forces. And the space station was the sole place where it was being built...

Tifa was there for almost two months, working as a pilot that made patrols in the area around the space station. She had even been promoted to Lieutenant for an excellent job there, but she was patient. Every single night she explored a little more of the space station, trying to not be detected as a spy working for Garnet Seifer.

She now knew where to find the blueprints for the final model of the assault ship known as the 'Stinger.' She had to move fast. In an hour or so the Necron would be near the space station.

Tifa entered through a door that was signaled as 'Restricted Area'. There, she saw the TIE Advanced being built. She hid behind some containers near the wall as an officer exited through the door she had used to enter. She looked briefly and with caution to see if the path was clear before making her way. As she came near to the other room she took one of the twin blasters and took out from one of her boots a small tube, which she placed in front of the blaster. She also took a small comm and turned it on. From where she stood she could see everything that happened.

A small round house was visible with an officer sitting inside, although he was sleeping. There was a small wall about midway and one of the windows were open. She opened the door and quickly ran to a far side wall. She duck under the small wall and fired without a sound to the two cameras on each side, disabling them. The officer was still sleeping. She walked, continuing to duck so not to be noticed. She saw a door and knew that she had to be fast because once the door opened it was likely that the officer would wake up.

She took from one of her pockets a small security card that she had previously stolen and passed the card into the slot as the door opened. She climbed the stairs quickly as the officer woke up a little confused, realizing that the two cameras had been blown away. As she got near the officer he pulled his blaster, but Tifa fired her twin blasters at the officer, making him fall down on the chair he had been sitting on.

She searched the dead officer and found another security card. This opened another door that was on her right side. She inserted it in the slot and the door opened. Entering, she quickly climbed the narrow corridor, jumping and impulsing herself from one wall to the other, and spreading her legs, as to make the splits. Once steady, she fired, killing the light of the corridor. One of the two officers on the small room noticed that there was no light on the corridor and walked to see what was wrong. Tifa saw him approaching, and once he was near her, Tifa fired her twin blasters at the officer, killing him. The other officer approached, and saw the light coming off her blaster.

Tifa jumped to the floor and ran after the officer as he ran off. She fired two times at the officer and he fell over the controls. She walked to the controls and saw that he had punched the alert signal. She knew she had to move fast. She punched some buttons and closed the blaster doors of the three doors that she passed to get here.

She took a small datapad and connected it to the main central computer and searched for the sketches of the Stinger. With time she started to download the files. She took out another datapad and a small disk. The stormtroopers had already passed the first blast door by then.

She took the datapad with the files of the Stinger and put it inside a small compartment on the sole of her boot and inserted the other data on the computer and started to download every single information it contained about the Empire while it erased all of the Stinger files in the central computer.

As she safeguarded the second datapad in one of the pockets, she inserted the small disc inside the main computer and started to upload. The noises came from the door that connected that room and the room where the stormtroopers were. As she finished the uploading she safeguarded the disk in the other boot.

As the stormtroopers entered the room she already had her arms up in the air, surrendering.

The Admiral in charge of that facility approached her. "Tifa. Finally you made your move. You know, for a long time we knew that you are a spy. Spying to whom we did not know..."

"Well I knew that you already knew that I was a spy." Tifa paused. "You had your vultures monitoring me, but I was able to deceive them."

"Yes, you did. I did not anticipate that you would attack this soon," the Admiral said. "Search her!"

The stormtroopers took her twin blasters and they searched her, only finding the datapad that she safeguarded on her pocket. "We only found this, sir!"

The admiral saw the datapad. "So it seems that you are here to find information of the Empire, specially Grand Admiral Thrawn's New Empire."

Tifa said nothing. She glanced at the Admiral. "At least I enjoyed being a Lieutenant," she laughed.

"Take her to the Imperial shuttle! They will take you to a nice cozy cell!" the admiral laughed as Tifa was taken.

Everybody was shocked that Tifa was a spy. She was shackled and taken to one of the hangars. As she entered the hangar she saw her TIE Aquatic Fighter, the 'Andros'. Without noticing she punched a small button on the console that was in her arm.

Her TIE Aquatic Fighter fired upon the Imperial shuttle, destroying it. Tifa took the keys from one of the Stormtroopers and tried to free herself, while her Andros fired upon every single stormtrooper that fired at the TIE Aquatic.

Without the stormtroopers Tifa was able to free herself and seeing the TIE Aquatic pointing in her direction she quickly moved as the TIE Aquatic killed her foes. The starfighter fired upon the inner defenses of the hangar while Tifa took from one of the Stormtroopers her twin blasters and made her way to her ship.

She saw an elevator going up with some stormtroopers that were trying to make their way to the TIE Aquatic. She grabbed the elevator with one hand and climbed it, knocking down two stormtroopers and blasting another one. As the elevator got up she ran as fast as she could.

She entered the TIE Aquatic as the mechanism that was grabbing the starfighter released it. Tifa blasted off the hangar and out of the space station. "The virus will be online in two, one. The virus is online and killing every system of the Star Destroyers and the space station," Tifa said.

As she quickly passed the Star destroyers, she was almost home free when four TIE Advanced started to follow her. She knew the TIE Advanced would come after her. She turned on a small device that made a small red signal appear on her scan.

"Lieutenant Lionheart. Please slow down or we will be forced to shoot you down! This is Lieutenant Commander Waldin Of the Side Blades."

"Hi there, Waldin! I guess you just learned the truth about me. And now you have to shoot me down, right?" she asked.

"Wrong, Lieutenant. We're willing to follow you since the Empire is not what it used to be," Waldin said.

"I think I just heard that you are willing to join me..." Tifa said, surprised. "Why?"

"Let's say that for quite some time we knew about your true identity. That you are from the Liberation Army. And we are willing to join them..."

Tifa was amazed for the news she heard. She knew them quite well by now, but hadn't expected this. Still, she knew that if they said they were joining the Liberation Army, they were really joining...

"Ok the coordinates are 5-0-4-1. There is a Hapes Battle Cruiser," Tifa told them.

"There is nothing on my scanner..." one of the pilots said.

"That is because it has a cloaking device. It will show up in a couple of minutes," Tifa explained.

"Isn't that dangerous? If the battle cruiser shows up, the Star destroyers will come after us," Waldin said.

"No. I implanted a virus that disabled their scanning systems. Except for the TIEs... We should be fine!" Tifa grinned as the Hapes Battle Cruiser Necron appeared.

***Minutes after inside the Necron***

The TIE Aquatic "Andros" landed next to the other four TIE Advanced. Tifa got out of her starfighter and approached Admiral Zibel, who was there with some soldiers to arrest the other four pilots.

"Admiral Zibel!" Tifa said as she approached Gengis. "Tell your men to lower their weapons..."

"Commander Lionheart you are late. Queen Garnet is waiting for you," Gengis said as he looked to the other four as they delivered freely their weapons to the soldiers. "Who are they?"

"This is the unit I was assigned to, the Side Blades. They are freely joining us, Admiral Zibel," Tifa said.

Gengis looked to the other four, not trusting them, but still he gestured for them to follow him to the bridge. When he opened the door he allowed all the five of them to enter. Gengis was the last one to walk past the door, closing it behind him.

"My Queen. Tifa Alexandros Lionheart and four others are here to see you," Gengis informed.

"Tifa. I'm pleased to see that you are ok." Garnet nodded as she approached Tifa and looked to the others. "Who are they, Tifa?"

"They are the Side Blades, Garnet," Tifa answered.

"I'd really appreciate that you would call me Queen Garnet."

"You know very well that was part of the deal. I only do some time to time spying missions for you Garnet!" Tifa answered.

"You don't have to remind me..." Garnet paused. "So, these are the Side Blades... Some of the very best of the Empire..." Garnet said.

"We never liked the Empire much. We were obligated to fight on their side or they would kill our families," Waldin said, pausing. "We had been thinking of joining the New Republic."

"Are you willing to follow my leadership, instead?" Garnet asked.

"Yes, your highness!" Waldin and the other four bowed in front of her.

"Very well. Welcome to the Liberation Army. I don't question why the people decide to join me. I believe that they had change of hearts," Garnet said. "Who was the leader of this squadron?"

"It was I!" Waldin said.

"Tifa is now the new Leader of the Side Blades. Waldin will be the second leader of this Squadron when Tifa is doing other things. Welcome," Garnet told then, and turned to Tifa. "Do you have it?"

Tifa kneeled down and took the datapad from the sole of her boot, delivering it to Garnet.

"Behold Admiral Zibel. Admiral Thrawn's new fighter, the Stinger," she said as an image appeared on the screen as Garnet punched the datapad on the computer.

"Tifa, you may go," Garnet said as she continued looking to the Stinger. "Show your friends their new home in Gallor!"

"Yes." Tifa nodded as she walked out of the bridge, followed by her new companions.

***A few hours later***

Admiral Zibel knocked on the door of Garnet's personal chamber on the Necron.

"You may enter," Garnet said. She saw it was her main Admiral.

"My Queen." He bowed. "Are you still going to Arcadia?" Gengis asked.

"Yes, Admiral. I have to find Aeris Strife. It is something I have to do!" Garnet paused. "Tell Princess Kitana Gellar that soon I will arrive at Tae'Karada and will want to talk to her."

"Very well," Gengis said as he walked out of the room.

---

"Forgiveness"
by Daemor'rah
and Aurra Sgall

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Eos 22, 4 ABY

***

The past few days at the temple seemed marvellous. She enjoyed very much its surrounding and taking walks in the forests around and hearing the waterfall that was not too far off, as well as the teachings of her new Jedi Master, Quinlan Vos. They had focused mainly on her concentration techniques and focusing her energy as well as master her feelings, and through them, her fears.

A Jedi had to overcome fear, she had learned. And even though fear was just another feeling it was necessary for it to be tamed, for fear led to hate and hate led to the dark side. Once she had lingered close enough, although she had no recollection of it... But she was glad to have a chance to put those days behind her and glad to have been given another chance to put things right.

She stopped in the middle of the forest and closed her eyes. She could feel the soft breeze as it passed her by and hit the leaves of the trees, as well as sounds of animals that were in the nearby surroundings and filled the forest with life. It was as if silence had struck the place she was in and yet there was so many small sounds. The sounds of nature that Daemor'rah found to be quite relaxing. Suddenly she heard sounds of someone approaching her, but she could tell it was not her Master. She leaped onto a tree and concealed herself, using the Force to help her jump, as Master Vos had taught her. It was surprising that she was able to learn physicals so fast. But perhaps that was more of a reason to focus more on concentration.

From atop the tree she could see that it was Aurra, one other Padawan from the Temple. Daemor'rah jumped down and fell just a few meters across from the young Twi'lek girl. Aurra was startled and leapt back, as she grabbed her lightsaber, although not igniting it. It was clear that she was not giving too much confidence to the white-skinned woman.

Daemor'rah smiled and put her hands up. "No need to worry... It is just me. I am sorry if I startled you," she said in a friendly manner.

Aurra frowned at first and thought about everything being just a set up for the huntress to strike, but she had heard from her Master that she was showing to be sorry for her past and trying to make amends, so she decided to put her lightsaber away. "What are you doing here?" she asked.

"Oh, nothing really... Just walking and enjoying the friendly sounds of nature," Daemor'rah sighed.

"And are enjoying your new learning, Chani?" Aurra asked simply, trying to make a conversation, although it wasn't easy to talk to the person who had almost killed her, twice.

Daemor'rah raised her eyebrows. "The name by which I ought to be called is Daemor'rah. It was my name and still is, apparently. Changing it to mask my mistakes would just make me run from them, and that does not sound too honourable."

Aurra nodded. "Very well then..." she sighed. "I am sorry for my behaviour. Master Kal'Aran has told me of your developments here at the Temple and that you have proven a good student at the hands of Master Vos, but we confronted each other in the past and..."

Daemor'rah looked down, sad. "I know..." she whispered softly. "I even killed your Jedi Master and one other before, and almost killed you too. I am so sorry, and even though I deserve no pardon, I would still ask one from you," she told Aurra and kneeled down.

The young Twi'lek girl approached Daemor'rah. It was more than clear that she meant those words as tears could be seen strolling down her cheeks. Aurra helped the former huntress to her feet, and could see that she was much taller than her. "I would be wrong not to forgive you. I mourn my former Master's death and I do miss the small things in him, but his essence lives on still... He is one with the Force."

Daemor'rah wiped her tears and smiled at the Twi'lek girl. "You are most kind and gentle, Aurra Sgall. I hope I can become as grand as I can tell you will one day. I am off to the Temple. Perhaps you would like to join me on my way?" she asked.

"I would be glad to..." Aurra smiled back, as they both strolled down the path, back to the Temple.

---

"Reflection"
by Auron Ronso
and Ellemiek Vermolen

Location: Tae'Sollar Desert
Date: Eos 22, 4 ABY

***

Auron and Ellemiek blasted of from the Chalkyon Canyons in the former Tae'Morad fighters, gliding calmly towards New Plouton, as the path seemed clear of danger.

Auron looked at Ellemiek's fighter that was on his side as they flew. He thought about the meeting they had just had and questioned himself if they would be capable of taking the Tarkin regime down. After all, although the Empire had been defeated, it still had a lot of forces, many of which seemed to join this new tyrant that was Grand Admiral Tarkin. It would not be easy.

The ships settled down about two to three miles away from the New Plouton region, behind some rocks in the desert sand, to prevent hassle with local enforcement due to the ships being Tae'Morad starfighters. Auron and Ellemiek took the walk without much said, although hopes were higher now that they knew that the Jedi did not like Tarkin either...

When they got to their apartment Auron went to tell Jubei, who had been left behind to look after things, while Ellemiek reported to her Superior Officer, Rear Admiral Jason Tallen. As she sat there she wrote it all down. How they had met the Jedi and that they were willing to meet the New Republic High Officers for a meeting to discuss about the Tarkin regime, and its possible downfall.

She sent the message encoded with the new codes and sat back. All they had to do now was wait for a reply and get back to Alisson for setting a date. Ellemiek sighed. Perhaps this was the beginning of peace for this system, for her home planet... And this made her smile.

---

"Revenge is Sweet, Part 2"
By: Karma Arien
and Iyika

Location New Plouton
Date: Eos 22, 4ABY

***

It was coming close to half eight at night and Iyika was walking the streets of New Plouton. She came up to a small downtown corner shop that appeared to sell second hand electronic equipment, from display screens the size of your hand to remotely operated hovering camcorders.

Pushing the door open, stepping inside, she looked around the shop, seeing the immense variety of equipment on the shelves. A smile crept across her face hearing the soft footsteps behind her; she spun around, her right hand grabbing the hand that was coming towards her. Her left hand struck the back of the man's shoulder, pushing into one of the glass cabinets. His face smashed into the glass but it was reinforced glass and didn't even crack.

"Argh!" the man shouted as his head crashed into the glass. "What is wrong with you?!" he demanded.

"That's for trying to sneak up on me," Iyika replied. "How've you been?" she asked when the man lunged at her, wrapping his arms around her. She hugged him back kissing his cheek before they parted.

"Not bad. I see you're as fast as ever..." the man replied, rubbing his face.

"Serves you right, Jack. You got the stuff?" The man only smiled, nodding his head towards the back of the store; the Acaran followed the human to the back of the store, stopping in front of a wall full of various equipment. "Well...?"

He shook his head, reaching under one of the shelves and flicked a switch and part of the wall suddenly moved forward before swinging open, revealing a huge white room behind. Iyika followed Jack through into the hidden room and was generally stunned. All across the walls, the tables, even the ceiling, was every kind of pistol, blaster, and weapon known to man from projectile weapons to heavy laser blasters.

"I'm impressed..." she said, looking around.

"Of course, you always are. There's always a new rifle, blaster, launcher, mine or explosive coming off the market and I normally have it before the military even knows about it. But then that's why you always choose me. The stuff you asked for is already packed and ready for travel."

"Excellent. You have everything, even the grenades?"

"Don't you trust me? I have the sonic grenades, ice grenades and all the other little surprises. The main shipment will be ready in a week. I've already put the order in. It's all been finalised. So what are you planning to do, go to war with a small moon or planet?"

Smiling, Iyika turned to Jack. "Something like that. The money has already been wired to your usual account. Let's get this show on the road..."

Karma was busy securing an appropriate mode of transportation. Contacts for that sort of thing were countless. After some in depth research and some deeper probing with trusted sources in person, she acquired exactly what they were looking for.

Outside a non-descript building with ample space behind it to shield the area from prying eyes, Arien surveyed the speeder with a satisfied smile. It would do nicely. Timing was excellent as well; there was still just enough to rendezvous with Iyika as the original plan called for. Silently she shoved any remaining doubts aside for the time being. No room to allow anything to interfere with her concentration once they had committed themselves to this foray.

The time was fast approaching nine and though Iyika wouldn't care to admit it she was getting slightly agitated. She was beginning to have second thoughts about calling Karma in on this little deal. There was the fair point the ex-rebel pilot trusted Iyika as far as she could throw her, which was understandable. But to stand Iyika up...that was just plain rude.

Just then she picked up the low hum of an approaching speeder. Looking off to her left she saw the speeder coming towards her. It was an impressive model and she glided through the air, welcoming the expert piloting skills of the driver. The speeder came down in front of Iyika and she quickly picked up the large leather bag, hoisting it up onto the very small back seat. Iyika then sat down on the passenger side, closing the door.

"Thought you weren't going to make it. Shall we?" Iyika asked, her hand reaching out in front of them, giving Karma the invitation to head off.

Karma piloted the speeder effortlessly away from its current destination. "I'm very particular about ensuring I have the right vehicle for the right job."

"Always like a professional..." Iyika said with a coy smile, looking Karma up and down. "Especially one as attractive as yourself. Turn right here..."

She made the turn as instructed, wondering briefly about Iyika's comment but dismissing it just as quickly. "Mistakes, even small ones, can be deadly," Karma responded calmly.

"Rules to live by..." Iyika said, placing a hand on Karma's shoulder. "We're here. Pull into that side street directly on our left."

The street they found themselves on was long and dark with various buildings on either side, some soaring high, vanishing in a blanket of fog above them. They were close to the surface of the planet and much like Coruscant, Arcadia had its pollution problems. Thick clouds of fog were common and one such cloud was roughly two hundred metres above them.

"I'll go in. Wait for my signal and keep your eyes out for Imperials. When I exit the vault all hell will break loose."

Karma simply nodded. The game would just begin as soon as Iyika had completed her work in the building. For now she would remain vigilant.

Iyika smiled, turning to Karma once the speeder was down and shut down. She looked Karma up and down once more before shimmying out of sight. There was no sound as Iyika left the speeder, vanishing into the large Imperial building on the other side of the street.

The lobby was larger than the holo-image Iyika had Oz pull up on the building, or at least it looked bigger once she was standing inside it. There was a front desk about ten metres from the front door. There were huge long pillars on either side of the lobby seeming to be more for decoration than support. They each had ingenious designs carved into them. The floor of the lobby was covered in shiny tiles almost having a metallic quality about them.

The lobby had two entrances from the back. The lift which led down to the vault, and the only access, the second entrance was off to the right which led both upstairs to the offices and downstairs to where most of the security personnel were housed along with the armoury. That entrance was situated one level up on the landing that stretched across the far wall in front of Iyika far behind the oval security desk where two security guards, both human wearing the usual dark gray Imperial Uniform, were on duty. One of the men had his feet up on the desk while watching a film on a display monitor; the other was reading a book, similarly not caring in the slightest that they were being watched not only by the building's security computer but also Iyika.

Looking around Iyika knew why they weren't bothered about intruders. There was almost a whole garrison of armed men living within this building and no one in their right mind would try and break in with all the security measures in place.

My thoughts exactly... said Oz over the comlink, causing Iyika to sigh heavily. The two security guards didn't even look up from what they were doing.

Amateurs, Iyika thought as she stepped around to the back of the oval desk, and taking two injection guns, she put them both into a deep sleep.

The only thing they felt were the pinpricks on the backs of their necks before blackness. Iyika took the time to lean the sleeping guards into positions so the security cameras would still see two guards still watching their film and reading their book.

"Child's play..." Iyika whispered, smiling as she made her way towards the lift, the only way down to the vault.

This is your friendly reminder: I will able to keep the security from seeing you for exactly six minutes. So don't dawdle.

Iyika looked up at the security camera, the red light showing that it was on, suddenly went out but the computer controlling the cameras was still registering the camera and all the security systems as being on. Iyika pressed the button on the lift, activating the door.

"Okay, Karma, I'm entering the lift heading down to the vault. I will be out of contact until I'm outside the vault. How's it looking out there?" Iyika asked, stepping into the lift once the door had opened. She stepped through and turned to look back into the lobby which slowly vanished behind the door.

"All clear so far," Karma responded. She just hoped it would remain that way until they began their get-away.

The lift came to a slow halt and the door opened, hissing as it moved, revealing a small corridor that led to the vault door in front of her. "Ok..." Iyika said, staring out of the lift. "Entering vault corridor. Contact you when outside in the lift."

Iyika stepped through the lift door into the corridor and the communications link with Karma was instantly cut. The vault door was huge, easily three or four metres in length and the same in height. The door was roughly circular in shape with the left side straight, connected to the wall by three huge hinges.

"Okay, Oz, do your stuff..." Even though the A.I. couldn't hear her there was a loud hiss as the suppression system was activated as if responding to her words. She could hear the thick metal bolts being retracted from the door, sliding out into the wall.

Within a few seconds steam escaped from the seal around the door as it swung forward an inch. The door then began to swing out, passing through the steam, opening wide, revealing the vault behind. Iyika's eyes grew wide at seeing the vault. It was huge. She stepped through while the door was still opening. There was a huge bang as the thick metal door came to a crashing halt. Iyika took a brief second to look at the door. It was over a metre thick and by its design it would take a considerably large cannon to break through it.

Inside the vault were rows of small doors, each holding valuables from jewellery to personal documents that the owners didn't want to become public knowledge. She ignored all the boxes, moving directly to the computer terminal. She opened the disk drive and slid the mini-disk, which she'd been carrying in her pocket, into the drive before closing it. The CD drive quickly sped up to full speed, reading the program stored inside. The monitor came to life, showing data files held within its database.

"Like taking candy from a baby..." she whispered to herself, smiling at seeing the money transferring to the accounts she'd pre-programmed on the mini-disk. While the program was running the Acaran turned and moved up to some of the boxes. Pointing at one of the boxes she started to say a rhyme. "Eenie meenie meinie mo, catch a bat by its toe. If it squeals let it go..." Ahe continued the rhyme, pointing to the next box with each word, finally finishing on number 1234.

Karma had been sitting quiet, vigilant and ready to move should it become necessary. Silence was suddenly disrupted by the first signs of movement. Iyika was still out of comm range so all she could do was wait and hope she didn't have to abandon the scene a bit early.

Iyika had opened seventeen boxes and was about to open her next when her alarm sounded within her implant. Her head whipped around, looking back at the computer monitor and saw the program was about to run its course. Leaving the box she was trying to open she grabbed the black leather bag, holding all the valuable items out of the other boxes and headed towards the vault door.

The instant her foot touched the ground on the first step the vault started to move. There was a loud noise that echoed throughout the vault and corridor as the door began. The bag was slowing her down. The door was becoming closer and closer. Once it was closed all the air within would be sucked out, creating a vacuum within. Iyika threw the bag through the closing door, which struck the ground on the other side, sliding along the floor. Iyika jumped through the small gap between the door and the frame around it. She rolled along the floor onto her feet and turned, looking back at the door just in time to hear it slam shut, the bolts slid down, locking into place and the suppression system came back online.

Within the vault a countdown was active, signalling the coming end of the program. 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... END!

Then all hell broke loose. All the security cameras returned to normal and they saw that one of the guards at the front desk was lying on the ground, the other leaning forward on top of the desk. Alarms sounded throughout the building, alerting the security droids and guards.

"This could be interesting..." Iyika whispered, looking up at the ceiling of the lift. "Oz, do not let this lift stop! I don't want to have to climb up to the lobby!"

No problem, but you should worry about the security guards and droids moving towards the lobby. They're about to stop your escape as I informed you before you started out on this suicide robbery.

"Bitch, bitch, bitch..." Iyika replied, shaking her head. "Karma, what do you see outside?" she asked through the com-link now back online. She waited for the response, undoing her coat, pulling out a rifle of her own special design. She switched the safety off and crouched down, placing the rifle beside her while reaching behind her, grabbing two blasters in holsters on her back.

"Things are beginning to heat up. We're about to have company," Karma responded. A quick and clean get-away was the only thing presently on her mind.

The door opened, revealing three security guards and an attack droid standing directly in front of her. Her arms came up from behind her as she sprang into action like a high tensile spring firing. Two of the security guards were hit in the chest, the lasers slicing through their uniforms out through their back. The droid fired on Iyika, hitting the third security guard as Iyika dodged to the right, caught in the cross fire.

Iyika jumped to her left, hitting the wall, pushing o