"The Invasion of Thanatos, Part 1"
by Liam Zaneth
Laedra Vorrel
Koran Darr
and Kael Selrid

Location: Jedi Temple and Thanatos, Tae'Karada
Date: Niothe 22, 4ABY

***

Liam Zaneth frowned at the crackling voice coming through the communications unit. It was Kael for certain. The problem was all the static, as if the transmission were being jammed.

"Kael," he said into the unit, "this is Liam. Go ahead."

"...in Thanatos...there...everywhere...got...Walkers... Ships...blasting...five minutes or so. ...doesn't look... ...looks like-- ....like...a siege."

"Kael, I didn't copy that. Repeat."

The second time was even less intelligible than the first, but Liam had picked out enough to know that it wasn't good. Walkers and siege were bad. He made a copy of the message and rushed out of the room. He found Laedra and Koran meditating together in one of the sun-filled side rooms near the main training area.

"We have a problem."

Laedra snapped out of her tranquil state and gazed up at Liam. One look at him was enough to evince that he was concerned about something. "Liam? It's not Yelara is it?"

"No," he said with a shake of his head. "However, it seems like Kael's run into something in the desert. First off, his transmission was being jammed. Second, he mentioned ships, Walkers, and siege. There's something happening in Thanatos. I am sensing a disturbance, but nothing too great yet."

Koran lifted his head higher as he stretched out with the Force. "I sense it too," he said. "The Empire."

Laedra rose from the mat upon the training room floor and moved towards Liam. "What is Kael doing in Thanatos? An even better question: What is the Empire doing there?"

"I have a feeling Kael was going back to visit that girl there, or maybe his friends. As far as the Empire, it sounds like they're going to occupy the area. But why? It's desert. The only thing they could possibly want is to break the people there. Unless the desert is planning to organize, and the Empire heard about it."

"But what could they possibly do against a legion of Imperials?" Laedra shook her head. "I don't think they would have much trouble overthrowing the Kir'Thana if they did organize a coup, therefore dispatching a force of stormtroopers as a preventative measure is illogical. They must have something else in mind."

"It makes no sense," Liam said. "The Kir'Thana may have a violent past, but they have nothing to compare with the Empire's forces. They'll be slaughtered. There's no way around it."

"What could the Empire find so desirable about the sands of Thanatos? There is smuggling activity there, and some of the crimelords have operations running there. But is it worth this? Perhaps this is something the Jedi should investigate."

The Jedi... Laedra was no longer included in that grouping, and knew she would not be accompanying them on this mission to the desert because of it. She bowed to Master Darr. "I shall gather Masters Kal'Aran and Vos so the four of you may discuss the matter further."

Liam cast a questioning glance at Laedra, feeling he was missing something as he did.

"Five of us," Koran said, with a pointed look to Laedra. "Gather them quickly. I do not believe we have much time in this."

Laedra smiled at Koran in silent gratitude, then bowed and fled from the room to retrieve Kal'Aran and Quinlan.

Koran and Liam were silent for a moment as Koran watched after Laedra's departure. Once she was gone, he looked up at Liam and nodded slowly. "Let's get ready."

***

Liam was piloting the airspeeder across the hot sands of the Tae'Thana Desert. In the distance, the small speck that was the area known as Thanatos: part town, part province.

"We should be there in another five minutes," he said. "I'm picking up a large concentration of vehicles. Most likely Imperial. I'll have to set us down outside of town and we'll have to move in on foot. If they are planning on a siege, they won't be letting anyone in or out. And, I don't want us getting shot down before we can find anything out."

"But after that, we're fair game, correct, Liam Zaneth?" Laedra retorted.

Liam chuckled softly. "I'd rather take my chances out there where I have my lightsaber in my hand and can defend myself than sitting in here an easy target. Besides, I'm the only one piloting the speeder, and I wouldn't wish to deprive you or Koran the chance of having to evade these things. I know how helpless I feel when left to watch someone else defend my life." At her look, he grinned. "Okay, so I don't, but I can imagine what it'd be like."

"At any rate," Laedra digressed, deliberately turning her head and attention away from Liam before he grew to relish it too much. "Where do we meet up with Kael? He did have the sense enough to keep a low profile until we arrived, I hope."

"I hope so," Liam said. "That message I played at the meeting was all I got from him. After that, everything was too scrambled to tell. We'll find him though. I'm sure he's keeping himself safe. If we don't find him initially, we might try to track down the Feltreys."

"Liam, do you think that's wise?" Laedra asked. "We don't have time for a confrontation with them."

"If nothing else we observe from a distance to see if Kael is with them," he said. "If we don't see him, we find new places to search. However, it is a likely place for him to be. It may not be wise, but chances are good we'll find him there."

Laedra nodded slowly as her eyes turned to the dunes of sand drifting by them in a blur. "Should we split up? We might have better luck finding him if we separate. Of course, I will go with you, Master Koran Darr."

It was subtle, but the airspeeder lurched slightly with Liam's reaction. He glanced at Laedra, but quickly pushed his attention back to piloting the small craft.

Koran nodded. "A good idea. We'll try to keep in contact with each other. If our communications are jammed, we will need to select a meeting place."

"One that, preferably, is not rife with Imperial soldiers." Laedra looked directly at Liam's reflection in the canopy, attempting to catch his gaze, but his eyes were focused firmly on the path ahead. "I don't know the desert very well, Liam. Where would be the best place?"

"How about the Rhack?" Liam asked. "It's not quite central, but I would hope it'd be clear of Imps. I think avoiding any confrontation is going to be the best course of action...at least at this stage. I just hope Kael thinks that way too."

"What will we do after that?" Laedra looked instinctively to her Master and directed her question to him. "We are only equipped to watch from a distance. How do we discover what the Imperials are up to?"

"We will find Kael first," Koran said. "And, then we will attempt to get closer to the Imperial forces to find out what they want. This may be our first opportunity to approach them on diplomatic terms. If we are lucky, that will settle the matter. If not, then we will have to decide on a course of action. I would rather wait to decide on that until after we know what the Empire's goals are."

"And until after we are greater in number. We are the last of our kind. It would be a shame to cause the extinction of our Order because we acted rashly." Laedra sat up straighter and pointed ahead to a spot appropriate for setting down the speeder. "I believe that area looks secluded enough. Next time, we should consider bringing a rental instead."

Liam chuckled under his breath as he banked the speeder around to give him a better approach on the spot Laedra had selected. He gave her an impressed look, and glanced back to where she had just pointed. Then as he brought the small craft down, he flashed her a grin. "There should be a camouflage tarp back in the cargo area. We can toss it over the speeder once we land. It'll make it a little more difficult to spot. Once we have an idea of what we're up against, we can contact the..." He looked at Laedra. "How about the Red Dragons? You suppose they'd be up for something like this?"

Laedra shrugged in an unequivocal show of affirmation. "I believe Mr. L'Ygr might be amenable to the idea. We--" She flashed a looked to Koran, remembering her duty to him first, which, in her mind, meant she could not act without his express permission, and that meant no meetings with Raxis L'Ygr unless he approved. "You...you should perhaps visit him and discuss this issue with him. I am certain he will offer his support."

Liam gave Laedra an incredulous look, and then turned his attention back to landing the speeder.

Koran glanced up at Laedra and nodded. "Perhaps I should meet with this man. Though, first I must ask who he is, and what sort of help he may offer us."

"He is an ex-Imperial officer. He has a desire to mend his ways and redeem himself for his past actions. A noble endeavour," Laedra commented. "I believe he can be trusted, and helping in this cause may be the perfect opportunity for that, but you will have to make your own assessment of his character, Master Koran Darr, and then decide whether you wish to have his aid."

"He's the leader of a para-military group called the Red Dragons," Liam continued. "The Jedi aren't warriors and we aren't equipped to fight a war out here. L'Ygr's people, however, are."

Koran thought about it briefly and then nodded. "After our scouting, we will try to arrange a meeting with him. The only problem I see is...does he have enough to go up against what the Empire has here? I don't believe we can do this with one, single decisive combat. I have a feeling it will be a protracted battle that extends over a longer period of time."

"That sounds almost disheartening and daunting," Laedra sighed. "We are only just getting our new Order off the ground, and now we could all perish in this. We will need as many allies as we can get, and perhaps even rally the people of Thanatos to fight by our side. Though, we are as foreign to them as the Imperials, and just as unwelcome. Maybe Kael can help us in that area."

Koran smiled. "A very good idea," he said. "He can act as the bridge to bring peace between those of the desert and those of the wetlands. At some point, it may be necessary to take a plea for help to the New Republic. We shall see what our reconnaissance turns up, and decide accordingly."

"And we would be able to begin this reconnaissance mission if Liam Zaneth would land the speeder." Laedra smiled at him, but received nothing in return. He's concentrating on the road ahead, she told herself, although she knew something else was not right.

"Scanner's clear," Liam finally said, and brought them down behind a low dune. "I just wanted to make sure we weren't going to be announcing ourselves to the Empire." Once the speeder settled to the ground, he shut down all the systems. "Okay. Let's go see what we can find."

Once they all had emerged from the speeder and Liam had draped the vehicle for camouflage, the three gathered and briefly discussed the plan again. "How long should we search for Kael before meeting at the Rhack?" Laedra asked.

"Two hours," Liam said.

Koran nodded. "Two hours is good. Meet at this Rhack in two hours then. May the Force be with us."

"May the Force be with us," Laedra repeated. "And you as well, Liam Zaneth."

Liam's eyes widened in surprise. What in all the hells was going on? "Gee thanks," he said, and then with a shake of his head, turned and started off toward the section of Thanatos he would be searching.

Laedra watched Liam storm off, almost succumbing to the compulsion to chase him. She had to reveal everything to him or, judging from his present reaction, she would lose him. She swallowed down her anxieties and followed Koran as they began their own search. It would do her no good to give Koran the impression she was unfocused and emotional; he would regret allowing her to come along and never do so again if he sensed her melancholy.

Koran led the way around the small, desert city to the opposite edge from where Liam would be entering. As they slipped unnoticed through a pair of buildings, he glanced at Laedra. "Do you have any idea where Kael might be here? Or do we just begin here and make a thorough search?"

"If I knew why he was coming to Thanatos in the first place, I would be able to assist you, Master, but I hadn't realized he was gone until Liam interrupted our meditation session. He's not my Padawan anymore," Laedra said quietly, ruefully. "I am not responsible for him any longer, therefore I am the last person he would tell about his intentions."

"I only thought you may have some additional knowledge since he was your student, and you helped to bring him and the girls back from the desert. Forgive my assumption. We'll start here and work outward. We'll start with wide circuits that narrow with each pass. That should give us the most effective coverage in our search."

Using their eyes and the Force, Koran and Laedra began their hunt for Kael, and soon after, they would seek out information pertaining to the Empire's annexation of Thanatos and hopefully find a way to extract them.

***

Their search had turned up nothing, though there was still hope that Liam could have found Kael somewhere within Thanatos. They approached the building that had once been the Rhack, now it was just the burned out husk with only a single wall still standing. Koran frowned and quickly darted forward to blend into the shadows of that single wall. There was no sign of Liam or Kael nearby, but both could have been masking their presence.

"We'll wait here for fifteen minutes," Koran said. "If Liam does not show, we should return to the speeder."

"And if Liam is not there, I believe we should look for him. I don't especially like the idea of leaving Liam alone in the desert very long while the Imperials are lounging about."

"That is where things get tricky. We will make a search if he is not there, but if we are unable to find him, we may need to bring in others to help us."

Laedra didn't feel like arguing with Koran, and besides, she didn't want to arouse his suspicions about her true relationship with Liam, so proclaiming that she refused to leave Thanatos without Liam appeared not to be a very good idea. Instead, she simply nodded her head pensively and propped her back against the sole wall of what used to be 'The Rhack.' "It's hot," she murmured as she passed a hand over her brow. "It only leads me to believe that for whatever reason the Empire has encroached upon Thanatos it must certainly be an important one to subject themselves to this heat."

Koran chuckled. "I imagine they're quite comfortable in the cockpits and troop areas of their vehicles," he said. "Though, if they offload soldiers, then I'm sure they'll be subjected to the heat. However, I wouldn't be surprised if their battle armour wasn't adapted for this terrain. I have a feeling they have decided they want this area, and will take it no matter what hardships they may face. And, I have a feeling the people of Thanatos won't last long against Imperial vehicles. I'd surmise those Walkers could level a block with their blaster cannons...and we don't even want to speculate what they could do if they just walked through the town."

"But why?" Laedra asked impatiently. "Why Thanatos? I'm not very good with military tactics, but the desert just doesn't seem a very suitable place to hold a battle, if that's what they're planning."

"There must be something here they want," Koran said. "Whether it's a passive population in the desert, or something more substantial. Hopefully if we can speak with their leader, we'll find out what they're looking for. Until then, we must gather all the information we can and--" The sudden crunching of boots in sand cut him off and his hand quickly dropped to the lightsaber at his belt. He glanced at Laedra.

She gave a sharp nod to Koran and stealthily crept along the wall toward its far end. Laedra pushed back the fold of her robe and rested her hand upon the metal hilt of her weapon as she peeked past the edge of the wall to spy upon whoever it was who approached. The glare from the sun, however, was all she could see. Laedra looked to Koran now, as any Padawan would their master, and awaited his nonverbal instructions.

Before Koran could say a word, a soft laugh broke the silence. "You can come out now," Liam said. "The area is clear for now."

Laedra suppressed a relieved sigh and emerged from behind the wall. "Did you find--" She did sigh this time, finally able to express her relief as the subject of her question came into focus. "Padawan Selrid. It is good to see you're safe."

Kael smiled. "It is good to be safe," he said. "The gangs are planning to unite against the Imperial forces, but they won't stand a chance against any of their vehicles. They haven't moved at all since I've been here, though I don't think they plan on waiting much longer."

"And you have some idea of why they're here?" Laedra asked.

"The only thing I can think of is the spaceport," Kael said. "I thought of something else, but I don't really want to think about it too much. But...I've done some reading on the Empire since I started training, and they would commonly subjugate a planet, and turn its people into slaves." He looked around at Thanatos. "My people used to be slaves."

Laedra frowned as her gaze slowly travelled to Liam, then Koran. "If this is so, I imagine the number of Imperials currently here will increase dramatically upon implementation of their objective. We will certainly be in over our heads."

Koran nodded slowly. "We're going to need to gather a larger force capable of fighting against what the Empire has here," he said. "We may need to appeal to the New Republic after all. However, I would like to try the course of diplomacy first. If a war here on Tae'Karada can be avoided, then I would like to do what we can to ensure that."

"Then you must organize the Council, Koran Darr, and together, you can assemble a diplomatic party to dispatch for negotiations with the Empire." Laedra chewed her lower lip in concern. "You would not be greeted with open arms, Koran. This could turn out to be even more dangerous than an outright conflict."

"But we must search out the peaceful solution before we decide on the openly aggressive one."

Laedra nodded her head, admiring Koran for his commendable, yet most likely unattainable goal of dissuading the Empire from its course of action. "So we return to the Temple then?"

"We will need to move quickly," Koran said. "I don't know how much time we--"

An explosion sounded off in the distance, causing the small group to quickly come around to search for the danger. In the distance, a communications tower drooped in a twisting tangle of wires and supports. One of the Walkers had moved forward.

"They're taking out the communications now," Liam said. "They've only been jamming so far, but I think they're ready to start something. We must hurry."

"My speederbike is just over that way," Kael said, pointing a short distance away.

Koran nodded. "Good." He looked back in the direction of the speeder. "We'll all need to go together, and they won't want us to leave. Hopefully we won't have to fight our way out of here. Are we ready?"

"Whether we are or not," Laedra replied promptly, "I believe we have been left with little choice."

"Kael, go for your speederbike," Koran said. "We'll start toward the airspeeder. You should be able to catch up to us easy enough. If you run into any trouble, try to avoid it."

"Yes, Master," Kael said.

"Go," Koran said. "May the Force be with you."

With that, Kael dashed off down the street with his robes fluttering behind him as he ran.

"Now," Koran said, glancing to both Liam and Laedra. "It's our turn. Straight down this street. The difficult part will be when we get into the open. Use every skill you possess for speed and evasion. Let's go." Without another word, he leapt forward and sprinted in the direction of the speeder.

Laedra was left behind with Liam and the two stared at each other for a long, silent moment. Her mind reeled with all the things she wanted to tell him now in the event they didn't come through this alive, but there was no time. "I love you, Liam. May the Force be with you," she declared before speeding away after Koran.

Liam watched Laedra racing after Koran, and felt his heart ache at the thoughts that raced through his mind. Yesterday he seemed to be included within her life, and now he seemed to be set apart and outside. What had happened? She'd said she loved him, but after everything else... He forced himself to stop thinking. Now wasn't the time. He could fall to pieces later, but now he needed to get back to New Plouton. He needed to stay alive to be able to be with Yelara again. He needed to be alive to find out what was wrong with Laedra.

He loped off after Laedra and Koran, and in the distance thought he heard the start of a speederbike. Don't think, he told himself, just do it.

Laedra and Liam arrived at the speeder together and without incident while Koran awaited them. Laedra waved down Kael before she slipped behind the dune, then jumped into the speeder as Liam fired it up. "If the Imperials have closed down the border, what will we do?"

"We go through it," Liam said as he checked all the instruments. "Hold tight; I'm gonna push this thing as fast as she'll go."

The speeder lifted up into the air and shot forward over the sands. Below them, Kael's speederbike sped over the dunes as it kept pace. Ahead, their way back to New Plouton looked clear.

"It looks like we may be able to avoid them," Liam said with a grin.

"I would feel much better if Kael were here with us." Laedra looked down through the canopy and watched Kael's speeder streaking across the sands. "If he runs into trouble, we might not be able to help him."

"And, it looks like we're going to have trouble," Koran said as he looked out into the distance.

A pair of TIE fighters had broken off and were breaking toward the fleeing Jedi.

"Damn," Liam muttered. "I don't think we can outrun them, but I can out-fly them. Can you contact Kael? Or are they still jamming us?" A quick check told him there was no chance of using comlinks to get ahold of Kael. "Damn! Please tell me he sees them coming in."

Laedra shifted around in her seat and almost pressed her face to the transparisteel canopy to gauge where Kael was. "I don't know. I don't think he does, Liam. We have to warn him!"

---

"The Invasion of Thanatos, Part 2"
by Liam Zaneth
Laedra Vorrel
Koran Darr
and Kael Selrid

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

***

As the TIE fighters screamed in toward the fleeing Jedi, it was obvious that Kael had not seen them. In their airspeeder, they had a chance against the fighters. Skimming across the sands below on a speederbike, Kael didn't.

"I'm going lower," Liam said, and then took the airspeeder closer to the ground, careful of the repulsor coils that could do serious damage to Kael if he came down on top of him. "He's not below me. Can you-- Wait, I sense him! He's slipped to the side over that dune." Liam's blood ran cold when he noted which vector the TIE fighters were taking. "They're going for Kael!"

Laedra stifled a gasp and slid forward in her seat to get a better view of Kael through the front of the canopy. "Master..." Laedra turned her head to Koran, seeking guidance from her mentor instead of the man she loved. "What should we do? We have to do something. Now."

Liam banked the speeder hard before Koran could answer. Ahead of them, the TIE fighters spat out green spears of energy that sought to vapourize Kael. The speeder had no shields, and a direct hit from one of those fighters would turn them into slag. If he had the Kestrel, he'd be able to take care of them easily. But, the speeder had no weaponry, and they'd be forced to do this the hard way.

"Remind me when we get out of this to arm and shield this thing."

Laedra's head whipped around as a TIE screamed past them and arched back around for another run towards the speeder. "We have to land somewhere. They won't be able to follow us into a darkened alley. But we need to get Kael out of the open first."

"I'll put you two down, and then go distract the TIEs to give Kael a chance to get free of them. Once they're paying attention to me, I don't think they'll bother with the speederbike. Fortunately, this crate was designed to work in an atmosphere; those things weren't."

Laedra wedged herself partway between the two front seats and gazed stricken at Liam. "No," she whispered. "Liam...what if you don't make it to the atmosphere in time? That option will do you no good if you're dead."

Liam glanced at Laedra and his gaze softened. "I don't plan on getting killed," he whispered in response. "I just want to distract them long enough to give Kael a chance. And, if something happens to me, I want you and Koran still around to take care of this." His love for her shone in his eyes. "I promise I'll stay alive."

Laedra nodded unsteadily and held Liam's gaze for a moment longer, before slowly sitting back against her seat. She wanted to express her love for him verbally and physically, especially if it was to be the last time, but she still hadn't the courage to divulge to Koran Darr her relationship with him. "Just...be careful, Liam Zaneth. Be careful."

Liam quickly brought the speeder to the ground, watching Laedra in the canopy as he did. "I'll stay safe," he said. "There should be shelter from them over near those buildings there. The alley will eventually lead us toward a street heading in to the heart of Thanatos. I'll see you soon."

Koran pushed the hatch open and quickly hopped out onto the sand.

Seizing the opportunity, Laedra reached out her hand and pressed it to Liam's cheek. "I love you. Stay safe, and I will too." She pulled her hand away reluctantly and smiled at Liam's reflection in the canopy, then jumped out of the speeder before she gave in to the overpowering urge to kiss him.

Once they were both clear of the speeder, it shot up into the sky where the two TIE fighters were getting dangerously close to Kael. Opening the throttle to full, Liam shot straight toward them. One had a perfect shot lined up, but pulled out as Liam burst through his path. Below, Kael broke away, and, as expected the two fighters, altered their courses to follow Liam. They blasted away, but Liam's reflexes kept him just ahead of their fire.

He paid close attention to Kael's position and let out a sigh when the young man slipped between a pair of buildings near where he'd set down Laedra and Koran. He began angling around to return to where they were all gathered when the speeder lurched. Alarms screamed within the speeder as thick, oily smoke trailed behind.

"Koran Darr!" Laedra pointed to Liam's erratic speeder hurtling through the sky. "We have to do something, Master. We have to help him!"

Koran put a calming hand on Laedra's shoulder. "There is nothing we can do to help him from here," he said. "It is up to Liam to save himself from this ordeal. Have faith in his abilities, Laedra."

She shrugged off Koran's quelling hand and watched the fiery trail of smoke billowing from the rear of Liam's speeder. The TIEs were closing in on their easy prey and preparing to finish it off. Laedra choked on an anguished cry and darted forward out of their secluded hiding area. What she was planning on doing against two TIE fighters, she didn't know, but her heart belonged to Liam and it demanded that she go to him now.

"Laedra! No! Wait!" Koran swore under his breath, and started out after her, lightsaber in hand.

The speeder couldn't stay aloft. It had lost one of its engines, and the other had caught fire. It wouldn't be long until the repulsors cut out completely. Of course, it would hit the sandy ground before that happened. Slowly, imperceptibly, the nose came up higher and higher. Finally, the craft smashed into the ground, sending a gout of sand skyward, obscuring the TIE fighters' view. Thick smoke coiled up into the sky, mixing with the sand as it did.

Laedra staggered upon sight of the blossoming gray cloud with red and orange flames piercing through to lick the blue sky. Her heart battered against her chest and her stomach physically ached at the possibility that Liam was dead. She shook her head wildly and summoned the Force to enhance her speed. If he still lived, there was a chance she could save him. She only needed to get there in time, but the sand beneath her feet kept giving and provided no traction.

Laedra grunted as she fell forward onto the yielding ground, at least grateful that it cushioned the impact, but bitterly resentful towards it as well once she felt the rippling waves of pain that coursed up from her ankle. Still Laedra attempted to regain her footing and reach her lover.

Koran had caught up with her, and as she tried to push forward again, he caught her arm and pulled her back. "Laedra, no! They're circling around, and when they return they're going to start shooting again. We can't go in there. If we do, we only make meaningless what Liam tried to do by putting us on the ground."

"No!" she shrieked. "I'm not leaving him there!" She jerked her arm free of Koran's grip and stumbled backwards. "You can give up on him if you so choose, but I will not abandon him!" Although he was her Master and obedience was typically demanded, this was one instance Laedra felt she could not obey. "I'm going after him!" she hollered back, once again rushing away from Koran. "If you're not, be damned, Koran Darr!"

Koran started forward, but then he saw the flash of cobalt from within the cloud of sand and smoke. TIE fighters screamed above them as the fighters came in on a vector that would destroy the speeder and Liam with it. They fired!

Time seemed to slow to a stop as verdant bolts seared the air and impacted the smoking ruin of the speeder. The explosion threw Koran off his feet despite the shroud of the Force he had surrounded himself with. He saw Laedra topple only a few meters from him from the concussion. In the air above them a dark shape twisted around as it plummeted toward the ground, a single shaft of cobalt held defensively in its grasp. The dark form resolved itself into Liam Zaneth as he landed lightly on his feet, tumbling slightly to ease the impact. "Change of plan," he said. "Remind me to get a new speeder when we get out of this alive."

Laedra coughed violently to clear her airway of the sand that had found its way into her mouth as she rolled onto her back. It was then she saw the dark-robed figure in her line of sight with his back to her. "Liam?" The cobalt blade he held erased all doubt and with a cry, Laedra sprang to her feet. She barely winced at the pain that shot through her ankle and hobbled towards him as quickly as she could manage. "Liam!"

Liam turned at the sound of his name, and grinned at Laedra. He moved to her before she could get very far and hurt her leg more. "I told you I'd come back," he said. "Can't say the same for the speeder, but Kael got clear I saw." He looked up as the TIEs made another pass. "Come on, let's get to shelter before they start shooting at us. Our lightsabers won't be very effective trying to deflect their lasers."

Laedra embraced Liam tightly and briefly, and continued to hug herself close to him for support as they made their way to the alley. "Liam...I tried to come for you. I wasn't going to leave you. I swear."

"Thank you," Liam said softly, and then smiled.

"Please," Koran said as he motioned toward Thanatos. "You can express your love for each other when we are safely out of this immediate danger. And, I'm sure that we shall have a few words together. Now, let's go!"

With Liam bearing most of her weight for her, Laedra hastened her limping pace to keep up with Koran's demands. They made it to the seclusion of the darkened alley just as the TIEs blasted across the sky over them. Laedra hoped the pilots had lost interest. "What do we do now?" She grimaced, then closed her eyes to focus the Force upon her injury.

"We find shelter," Koran said. "And, then we need to form a new plan for either getting out of here or approaching the Imperial forces to parley."

"If I could make a suggestion..." Laedra opened her eyes again and looked to Koran. "We should do nothing until nightfall. And I do not suggest diplomacy at this time either."

Koran nodded his assent. "Let's get somewhere safe, and preferably indoors."

Kael glanced between them. "I know a place we can go. It's on the other side of town, but if we're careful we should be able to get there without being seen."

"We should stick to the alleyways just in case," Laedra said.

"Then let's go," Koran said. "Kael, take the lead. If we run into trouble, we try to avoid it. If we can't, we finish it as quickly as possible." He and Kael started ahead, with Kael riding slowly on the speederbike, leaving Liam and Laedra alone behind them.

Laedra released her hold on Liam, determined to make the trek without aid, but she did slip her hand into his and squeeze it gently before starting off after Kael. "Don't scare me like that again," she said quietly to Liam. "It wasn't nice of you."

"It wasn't nice of them to shoot me down either," Liam answered with a grin. "Besides, I was trying not to get hit. They're lucky they blew up the speeder though because I would have been really upset if they'd forced me to cut my way through the canopy without good reason."

"I would have done it for you if I'd have gotten there in time." Laedra glanced up at Koran walking ahead of them and behind Kael. She was certainly in for a scolding once Koran had her alone, if he was merciful. If not, she would be looking for a new residence. "I disobeyed Koran. I had to get to you, Liam. He wanted to leave you-- I just had to."

"I understand," Liam said. "The logical thing would have been to leave me. You could have been cutting into the canopy when they blasted the speeder. Fortunately, everything turned out for the best this time. And, I'm glad you're safe...though, I think I'll need to see to that ankle of yours."

"It's fine," Laedra assured him. "It doesn't matter. As long as you're safe."

Liam laughed. "It does matter though," he said. "And, I will take care of your ankle. Or I'll try to. And, I'm glad all of us are safe. And, hopefully we can make it out of this alive."

"We will. If you keep pulling stunts like you did back there, though..." She scowled playfully at Liam and crushed his hand in hers. "I won't be a very pleasant lover."

Liam chuckled softly. "Don't worry," he said. "We're out of speeders anyway, and I don't think Kael would let me wreck his."

Laedra loosened her grip and brought Liam's hand to her lips. "We should try and catch up. I have a feeling Koran would like to have a word with me very soon."

Instead of hurrying, Liam slowed his pace slightly. "Laedra, what's going on?"

Laedra sighed and shook her head. "Can I tell you later, Liam? Tonight, when we're alone? Seeing you standing there, alive, made me so happy... I don't want to ruin that by telling you what happened."

"Okay," Liam said with a gentle smile. "Tonight will be fine. Now, come on before Koran Darr insists on punishing us for our tardiness."

Laedra laughed even though their situation called for a little more sobriety. It was, however, better than fretting over what punishment Koran Darr would be dealing out to her, and she had the initial impression that it would certainly be severe.

Kael guided them through darkened alleys and deserted streets until they finally arrived at a nondescript ferrocrete building without even a roof to cover the top. "Looks...comfortable," Laedra commented.

"It's more comfortable than it looks," Kael said with a smile. "This was Nieme's special place, but I don't think she'll mind us staying here until nightfall. There should be plenty of room inside for us."

Koran led the way inside and, after a moment, nodded. "This will be perfect for our needs."

"But there is nothing here to fend off the cold this evening. We'll need to stay close to one another." Laedra knew precisely how Koran would take that, especially from the sudden twitch of his eyebrow.

At her words, he was at first startled, but then he smiled. "Well, I would rather use each other for warmth here than find another place where we could potentially endanger lives of civilians. We'll manage. And, possibly we can find a way to escape during the night."

"It could be a long trek to the border, but without transportation, it looks like we have little choice." With Liam's arm slung around her waist, Laedra limped into the dwelling with him. "I think we should set up watches," she added, loud enough for all to hear. "In case we have unexpected guests."

Koran nodded. "Good idea," he said. "Kael, take the first watch. Liam make certain our perimeter is secure." He looked at Laedra, his gaze hard, yet still caring. "Laedra, we need to talk."

She had been expecting as much since she first disobeyed Koran, but she still feared what was to come. "As you wish, Master Darr." Laedra slipped away from Liam, giving him a tight smile as she moved towards Koran. She bowed her head meekly and waited for Koran's chastisement.

"If you want privacy," Kael said, "you can use those crates to get to the second floor."

Koran bowed to Kael. "Thank you." And, then he led the way up to the upper level. Once they were there, he turned and regarded Laedra. "You and Liam are involved in a relationship."

There was no denying it, so Laedra knew to not even attempt deception. She sighed and sank down onto the ledge of the window embrasure. "We are, Master."

"Thank you for your honesty," Koran said. "Everything worked out for the best today, but another time it may not. Your rushing back after Liam today is one of the very reasons that the Jedi are forbidden attachment. What would have happened if you and Liam had died under that attack? I would be trapped in the desert with a barely trained Padawan. You need to be able to separate your feelings as Laedra Vorrel the woman from those of Laedra Vorrel the Jedi Knight. It may seem very harsh, very unforgiving, but it is for the best. There are times when our duty must come first, and we must put our own personal needs aside. It is painful and difficult to do, but it is something we must do."

"Forgive me for saying this, but you're wrong, Master. My going after Liam had something to do with my love for him, but it had more to do with the fact that I am trying to be a Jedi, and in my mind, a Jedi would never abandon a person in need. I would have done precisely the same thing for you, Master, and I don't love you." Laedra cleared her throat uncomfortably. "Well...you know what I was getting at."

"And, what if one of those fighters had fired while you were helping Liam? The Jedi Order would have lost two Jedi today, and I would have lost two people whom I would consider my friends. We cannot afford to cast aside our duty like that. It is not an easy thing, but the Force will guide you if you are open."

Laedra lowered her head knowing, as a Padawan, anything her Master said was to be accepted without argument. The fact was, however, that she did agree with everything he was saying. "My duty is to the Order, but what about my duty to aid and protect my fellow Jedi? How do I decide which is more important in any particular situation? There wasn't time to think about that, Master, so I acted."

Koran smiled and put a hand on her shoulder. "That is why you must keep yourself open to the Force. The Force will guide you where you need to go. And, then you do not need to think, but to be guided, and then act."

"There wasn't time in this case, Master. I had to act on instinct or it would have been too late. I'm sorry if this is near blasphemous, but you can't always depend on the Force to guide your actions. Sometimes, you just have to act."

Koran frowned. "Really?" He shook his head sadly and stepped away to gaze off onto the horizon. "You will have to excuse me as I disagree with you then. What do you suppose I was doing while the speeder was crashing? What do you suppose was my motivation for not going after Liam? Do you believe I hadn't bothered to assess the situation, that I was giving up on him prematurely, that I had a callous disregard for life and on a whim decided to let Liam die?" He shook his head again. "There wasn't time."

"You didn't even try," she said quietly. "What harm could there have been in trying?"

Koran turned. "I didn't come to Liam's aid because there was no need for me to. There was no need for me to open myself to an attack from those fighters. There was no chance of my involvement hindering Liam's escape. I did not go to help Liam because my trust in the Force and in his abilities assured me that he did not need my assistance. It isn't because I didn't want to, Laedra. It's because my help was not needed. The harm in trying could have been the deaths of three Jedi Knights, leaving Kael alone in the desert with an Imperial army gathered at the edge of this city ready to slaughter any who tried to get free."

"Fine," Laedra said between clenched teeth. "I screwed up. I await your punishment, Master."

"Control your anger, Laedra," Koran said, and took steps back toward her. "You didn't screw up. You misjudged, and you acted on impulse. In the future, remember the Force will guide you...even if you think there isn't enough time."

She nodded stiffly. "I will try, Master." Laedra turned her head to Koran and finally regarded him without being filled with frustrated annoyance. "What shall I do to redeem myself in your eyes, Master? I accept any punishment you may have for me."

Koran crossed his arms over his chest as he regarded her. "First off, stop sulking." He gave her a smile and approached. He placed a hand on each of her shoulders. "You didn't do as bad as you think. You are a compassionate woman, and that is very good. Now, since we are secluded from the Temple, I would say that to redeem yourself, you should go find Liam and make sure he understands that what he did was foolhardy, but it did save Kael's life. And, make sure he's aware that you're happy he's still alive."

Confusion cross Laedra's features, and a sense of wariness accompanied her uncertainty. "That's all? And...if we were in the Temple? What would your punishment have been then?"

Koran smiled. "I would have either made you meditate for around six hours, or I would instruct you to take Liam down to the caves to search for signs of previous habitation. Quinlan and Kal'Aran may not propose leniency or allowance for relationships, but I will admit that as long as those relationships do not interfere with duty to the Jedi Order, then I am willing to allow it."

"Then you will allow Liam and I to be together? You won't forbid our relationship?"

"As long as you give me no reason to forbid your relationship, then I won't."

Laedra sprang upright from the sill and with a squeal, threw her arms around Koran's neck. "Thank you, Master! You will not regret this, Master."

Koran returned a quick embrace and then laughed. "I hope not," he said. "Now, go ahead and go see where Liam is. I'm sure he's dying to know why you've been deferring to me all day."

Laedra pulled back and smiled demurely as she adjusted her robes. "For a while, I believe he was worried I'd decided you were much more appealing to my tastes than he."

Koran laughed softly. "Well, I'm sure you'll straighten out his misunderstanding. Though, keep wary. We never know when the Empire might find us here."

"I will pay attention to what the Force is telling me," Laedra promised. "And thank you again for your leniency, Master. I will not fail you." Laedra bowed, then hugged Koran again briefly before rattling down the make-shift stairs leading to the ground floor.

Kael looked up from where he'd been watching out the door. "It looks pretty quiet out there," he said. "They destroyed the other communications tower, but they still haven't advanced on the city. Do you suppose they're waiting for someone in charge to approach them?"

"I really have no idea what they're waiting for, Kael." Laedra propped her shoulder against the doorframe and sighed. "At least they have halted for now. It gives us more time to come up with a plan."

Kael nodded and continued to watch. A part of him wanted to say they'd stop the Empire, but he wasn't sure if the four of them could do it alone. They may be Jedi, but there were still many more Imperial troops. "I think Liam's outside securing the speederbike."

Taking that as a hint, Laedra smiled kindly at Kael and emerged from the crumbling dwelling to seek out Liam, leaving Kael to his thoughts. He was concerned about his home and his friends, and just as she had, he might eventually be confronted with a conflict of duty. She wouldn't blame him if he chose his home over the Order, and, in fact, would aid him in whatever course of action he pursued.

As the sun emitted the last of its light for the day, Laedra watched a squadron of Imperial fighters rocket across the sky. They had made their presence known blatantly, but they would regret not remaining silent. Soon, the Empire would have the entire Jedi Order against them - not much, but enough to do some damage. But it was the Kir'Thana they really had to worry about, for if the fire that burned in Kael's eyes raged within theirs as well, the Imperials wouldn't stand a chance in all Hells.

---

"Small Treason"
By: Maeren "Shiv" Shivral
Oot Kovan
Zale Tregat
Lerrah Breijal [NPC]
Keeve Zenarr [NPC]
Cadrel [NPC]
Tiala [NPC]
Elf [NPC]

Location: Yesdol, New Plouton
Date: Niothe 22, 4ABY

***

Keeve looked down upon his two girls and smiled. They hadn't shown a hint of insolence for days and he required less of the drug to maintain their servility. He was beginning to think they would make perfect wives after all.

Shiv moaned gently and shifted on the bed. The covers slipped off to reveal her naked, lithe form, which was made imperfect only by the purple and black blotches that remained after the punishment she'd required. She had complained yesterday that her nose was unbearably sore, and Keeve couldn't tolerate her temerity in asking to see a doctor about it. After the beating, she never mentioned it again.

Lerrah, however, was proving to be the better behaved of the two. She never made a sound except when addressed directly or when he made her moan. She was quickly becoming his favourite, but no one could ever replace Shiv in his mind. He enjoyed subjugating her. It was soon becoming a game for him and he found immense pleasure in dealing out punishments, especially to her. She was the prize he had struggled so long to win, and now he had her.

As she opened her eyes to gaze up at him, Keeve grinned and brushed the hair from her face. "Wakey, wakey, Auntie. You sleep too much and I don't like it when you do that."

"I'm sorry, master," Shiv said as she quickly sat up to face him. "I was very sleepy, but I didn't mean to sleep so long. I won't do it again. I don't want to displease you anymore. Is there anything I can do for you, Keeve? I will do anything to make you happy. Please, let me make you happy."

"Then get up and go make me lunch. I'm hungry." Keeve turned on his heel and started forward, but abruptly stopped and looked over his shoulder at Shiv. "And don't wake up Auntie Lerrah. She's been a good girl and because of that, she gets to sleep in." He then marched from the room.

Shiv quickly scurried off the bed and out the bedroom door. She knew not to make Keeve mad, even though she seemed to do it constantly. But this time, she was going to please him. She quickly set to making his lunch. She knew that under normal circumstances he would never get food like this, but now he was the master and she his slave. The only thing he hadn't done yet was give her a collar.

It wasn't long before she'd completed the meal and then hurried with it, careful to spill nothing, to his room where he sat waiting with Elf.

"I have your lunch, master," she said.

Keeve sat with legs stretched out along the bed and motioned Shiv over. "Good. Put it on my lap."

Shiv eagerly approached him and then carefully placed the tray on Keeve's small lap. She looked up at him and smiled. "I made your favourite," she said.

Keeve glanced down languidly at the food prepared for him and shrugged indifferently. "You forgot to give me my kiss, Auntie. I can't eat without my kiss."

Shiv smiled, and then leaned forward and kissed Keeve the way he liked to be kissed.

"Very good, Auntie," Keeve said in praise. "You can sit beside me now and feed me."

With a warm, happy smiled, Shiv quickly settled herself beside Keeve. She sat close to him, with one of her breasts pressed against his arm like he liked, and then began feeding him.

"Mmm..." Keeve slowly chewed the eggs Shiv had made, then opened his mouth for more. Once again, he sighed contentedly and savoured the food in his mouth. "You're a good cook, Auntie. You'll make the best wife ever...along with Auntie Lerrah, of course."

"I will be happy to be your wife," Shiv said as she prepared another forkful for him. "And, me and Lerrah, we will spend all of our days doing everything we can to make you the happiest man ever."

"Good, because I really hate hitting you, Auntie." He pulled the eggs off of the fork with his teeth, then added quickly, "My hand gets all sore when I do."

"I am sorry for making you make your hand sore," Shiv said, setting the fork down and bringing his hand to her lips for a quick kiss. Once it was suitably kissed, she began to massage it gently. "I hope this will make up for the soreness."

"Well..." Keeve sighed and nodded his head. "I think that is much better, Auntie. I wish I could massage you to make you feel better, but that's not my job."

"It may not be your job, master," Shiv said softly, "but you are the master and therefore you can do anything you'd like."

Keeve looked down at his plate pensively, then grinned up at Shiv. "You're very smart, Auntie. It makes me proud of you."

"Are you finished eating, master, or would you like some more?"

"I think I'm nice and full for now, Auntie. You can take my tray away."

"Should I come right back to you, Master? I will do anything you like for you. I just want to make you happy."

"If you want to make me happy," Keeve said as he pressed a finger into Shiv's breast, "then you'll put the tray down on the floor and play with me like you did last night."

Shiv quickly pulled the tray away and set it down next to Keeve's bed. When she climbed back up on bed, she looked at Keeve with a seductive smile as she climbed toward him. "Just like last night," she said as she pulled his shirt off and began kissing his small chest.

Keeve brought his hands to Shiv's chest and squeezed her breasts, just as Cadrel had instructed him to do. He'd learned a lot from his new friend, and had only an hour ago visited him to replenish his drug supply. He was certainly glad to have a friend like him. "You have to do it just like last night, Auntie. Just like it."

And, so she did, kissing him, touching him exactly as she had the night before. She paused only long enough to slip his pants down over his slender hips.

As she moved herself lower, trailing kisses as she went, a shadow darkened the doorway. "What the hell is going on here?" it bellowed. It would have been a much more intimidating moment if there hadn't been a gentle, feminine giggle from behind.

Keeve gasped, instilled completely with fear as he gazed up at the towering figure with the glower upon his angry face. He yelped and pushed Shiv away, then scrambled off the bed and sought cover before the unexpected visitor decided his backside needed a few welts. Keeve dropped to the ground and frantically tried to squeeze himself under the bed.

Shiv only managed to cower on the bed as Zale charged in and grabbed Keeve's ankle before he could disappear completely under the bed. In the doorway, the Twi'lek woman stepped forward to watch, casting an appraising glance over Shiv before turning her attention back to Zale.

"Come on," Zale growled and then hauled Keeve out from under the bed. "What the hell is going on here?"

"Leave me alone! I-I was only playing!" Keeve squealed and squirmed along the ground in another escape attempt, but to no avail.

"Shiv," Zale barked, "what the hell is going on here? And, put some damn clothes on!"

Shiv narrowed her eyes at Zale as he tried to pick Keeve up from the floor. "My master doesn't like me wearing clothes," she said. "And, he'll punish you if you hurt him. Leave him alone. I was making him happy. It's what a slave does for her master."

Zale nearly lost his grip on Keeve at Shiv's words. Instead of trying to pull up, he instead pushed down, pinning Keeve in place. "Oot, two doors down the hall is Shiv's room. Go get her some damn clothes while I get some answers out of this one."

"Oh, a little darling like that is too beautiful to cover up," Oot said. "With that tattoo, especially."

"Just go."

"I'm going," Oot responded with a sing-song voice, and then started down the hall.

"Now, Keeve, you will tell me exactly what's happening here, and I'll spank you twenty times for every lie I think you tell me."

Keeve clawed at Zale's cybernetic hand, but his grip held firm. "We were playing. I told you! She was making me happy. She's going to be my wife and she has to make me happy, so that's what she was doing!"

"Shiv go get some damn clothes on!"

Shiv glared at Zale. "No! I won't disobey my master. I won't put clothes on unless my master tells me to."

Zale looked up her and then back to Keeve. "Tell Shiv to go put some clothes on, Keeve."

"No! I like her that way." Keeve emitted a high-pitched scream, then called out: "Elf! Help me! Toot, toot!"

Zale growled and managed to get enough of a hold on Keeve that he yanked him off the floor and got him onto the bed near Shiv. He brought his hand up to bring it down upon Keeve's bottom, but suddenly found all the muscles in his body stiffen as a jolt of electricity filled him. He let out a strangled cry, and then toppled to the ground.

Elf managed to roll back out of the way before the human fell on top of him.

Keeve sat upright and stared in bewilderment at the fallen Zale. "Oh...Elf! Wow! Tweet, tweet. What a good boy!" He swung his head towards Shiv and shoved her roughly. "Get up! We have to get out of here before he wakes up."

Shiv scrambled off the bed and toward the door. She turned and looked back toward Keeve, and then rushed out into the main room to wait for him.

"Elf, you stay here and guard him. If he wakes up...do something!" Keeve bounded off after Shiv and hollered at the top of his lungs for Lerrah. He couldn't leave without his other slave and he had to get them both to Cadrel's immediately. "Shiv! Wake her up!"

Shiv quickly ran to her bedroom where Lerrah still slept. Except, when she got into the room, she realized that Lerrah was awake with her face buried against the Twi'lek woman's bosom and one hand working furiously between the woman's thighs. "We have to go, Lerrah," she said. "Our master wants us to leave now."

The Twi'lek turned and looked, and then gave Shiv a smile. "Oh I do wish you didn't have to leave," she said. "Your friend here is very talented."

"We have to go. Our master is already upset."

Lerrah pulled herself away. "Bye, Oot," she said, and then kissed her. Once the kiss ended, she ran to Shiv's side, and they rushed back to Keeve.

"Bye girls," Oot said with a lazy smile. Oh what she wouldn't give to live in this household. She sighed, still savouring the feelings and sat down on the bed to finish the job Lerrah had started.

"Oh, finally!" Keeve ushered the two out of the open door, while still keeping his eyes wide open for any sign of Zale. "Elf! Come on! Toot!"

There was a zapping sound from within Keeve's room, and then a moment later Elf rolled through the doorway. He beeped and tootled as he moved toward the door.

Keeve let out a deep breath. "Oh, I'm glad Zaletregat didn't get to you. Now, let's go!" With his friend and his two slaves, Keeve sped down the corridor towards the elevator to seek out Cadrel, and hopefully gain some advice that would solve his present predicament.

***

The door to Cadrel's apartment opened, and Tiala stood there smiling at Keeve and his lovelies. "Why hello, young master," she said, her voice almost a purr. "Please come in. Cadrel will be very happy to see that you've brought your girls with you."

Keeve pulled Tiala down by the arm and kissed her upon the lips in greeting. "I had to bring them, Tiala. We've got trouble." He herded them into the room and directed them to the long sofa in the living area. "Don't speak and don't move. Just sit."

Shiv and Lerrah quickly did as Keeve instructed them, and sat on the couch. Neither said a word, and both kept their eyes lowered.

Tiala rushed off and returned a moment later with Cadrel walking behind her. "Keeve," he said. "Tiala tells me that there is trouble."

Keeve sighed and strode forward to meet Cadrel. "Zaletregat came home. He was asking questions and I didn't want to answer! But Elf helped me and we got away. I didn't know what else to do, so I brought my girls with me. Don't be mad."

Cadrel looked at the two young women seated on the couch and smiled. "You did the right thing, Keeve," he said. "Bringing them here where we can protect them together was the right choice. However, Zale Tregat is a powerful man. We may not be able to stay here for long. I have someplace we can go for safety though, and he'll never find us." He put a hand on Keeve's shoulder. "You did the right thing, my friend."

"So we're leaving? Forever?" Keeve hesitated for a moment, then remembered the spanking he'd get if Zale found them and quickly nodded his head. "We have to leave now. Zaletregat will be looking for us."

"We have a little time," Cadrel said with a smile. "And, he won't find us here. I'll have my ship prepared, and we'll slip out of here after the sun sets tonight. Don't worry. Zale Tregat won't touch you, and if he wants to, he'll have to get through me first."

Keeve sighed and sank down onto the couch between his two girls. He rested each hand upon one of their thighs and found that caressing them calmed him immediately. "My girls can stay with me, right? I have to have them, Cadrel. And Elf too. I just have to."

"Of course you do," Cadrel said with a smile. "And, they will stay with you. Though, I was thinking it might be fun if we share our girls. Not all the time or anything, but more of a free exchange between friends. They are very lovely, and I'm sure I could help break them in for you. And, I was thinking earlier this morning. I have an idea, my young friend, that would eliminate your little problem of always being told that you're too young."

"Really?" Keeve asked warily. He looked beside him to Shiv, then to Lerrah and thought of all the pleasure he had given them, but was incapable of receiving. He was tired of being too young. "How?" His gaze shifted to Cadrel. "You'll show me how you can make me not too young anymore. Then you can play with my girls. But I'm marrying them! You can touch them, but they're mine."

"Just as Tiala's mine," Cadrel said. "And, when we get to my other home, I will show you the preliminary information on the procedure. But, through a series of injections and genetic adjustments, we would accelerate your age. How old would you like to be, Keeve?"

"I don't really know, Cadrel." Keeve scrunched up his face as his tiny mind submerged itself in deep thought. "How old do I have to be to exercise with Auntie Shiv and Lerrah? I want to be big and strong too. I want to be that old."

Cadrel scrutinized Keeve for a moment. "Well, how about early twenties? That will make you still in your prime and old enough to be taken seriously."

"As long as I'm old enough. You'll show me this when we get to your other home. If it works, you can play with Auntie Shiv and Lerrah." He thrust out his tiny hand towards Cadrel. "Deal?"

"Deal," Cadrel said, and then shook Keeve's hand. "As soon as we get there, I'll show you. And, by the end of the week, no one will ever mistake you for a little boy again."

Keeve giggled and squeezed Shiv and Lerrah's thighs firmly as he bubbled over with excitement. "I think this is gonna be fun, Cadrel."

Cadrel's smile took on a wolfish quality. "Oh indeed it is," he said. "Now, I'll need to gather some things here, and as soon as the sun sets, we'll get into a speeder and go straight to the spaceport."

"Okay. Me and Elf will take care of the women for you while you pack."

"I knew I could count on you, Keeve," Cadrel said. "You know, I could use a loyal lieutenant. After you're older, I'm certain you'll be perfect for the job."

Keeve's face lit up. "You mean it?" His toothy grin formed and with a cheer, he sprang off the sofa and flung his arms around Cadrel's legs. "Maybe I can call you 'daddy,' Cadrel. Would you like that? I could be your lieutenant and your son."

Cadrel smiled. "I think I would like that very much," he said. "You're a good kid who will soon be a good man. And, I would be proud to call you my son."

"Then that's what I'll be." Keeve stepped back and gazed up at his new father. "Now, hurry, daddy. We better get moving."

Cadrel ruffled Keeve's hair and then strode from the room. It was indeed a good day.

***

Cadrel looked out the front door of the apartment. "He's still got his people looking," he whispered to Keeve who stood directly behind him. "I believe it will be best to clothe the girls for now. They'll draw less attention to themselves that way."

Keeve looked disappointed for a moment, then grudgingly agreed. "Tiala, give them some clothes. And Auntie Shiv, Lerrah...you better be quiet or I'll hit you some more."

Both girls nodded quietly from where they still sat on the couch.

"As soon as we're in the speeder, we should be able to undress them again. But, The two of us and three naked women rushing out of the apartment and into a waiting speeder will look far too suspicious, especially with Tregat searching out there."

Cadrel glanced back and saw that Tiala was helping the two girls into large, dark cloaks. Once they were covered, she covered herself and gave Cadrel a smile.

"Just another minute while this one gets farther down the street, and then we go." He pulled out a comlink so he could signal his driver."

Keeve looked back at his droid friend and chewed his lip. "Elf, are you going to be able to keep up? Toot?"

In answer to Keeve's question, the casings on Elf's legs slid back, and a pair of rocket packs extended out. He tooted an affirmative response.

"Good," Keeve said, "because I didn't want to leave my best friend behind, tweet, tweet."

Cadrel finally nodded. "Let's go," he said, and then pushed the door open. As Tiala started through, he tapped his comlink to signal the driver. "The speeder will be right down at the door. Go out and climb in. No delays, and we'll make it out of here fine."

"Don't be long, daddy." Keeve slapped Shiv and Lerrah on the rear as they scurried out into the corridor behind Tiala. "Come on, Elf!" Keeve marched out regally with his arms swinging and his head held aloft. He was going to be a man soon, and he wanted to begin practicing his adult mannerisms immediately.

The speeder was waiting for them as Cadrel said it would be and once they were all safely within, Keeve waited anxiously for his new father. "Tiala, is where we're going a nice place?" he asked absently. "Will I like it there?"

Tiala smiled and nodded. "I think you'll like it very much, Keeve," she said. "There are lots of naked women there whose only purpose is to serve Cadrel's every whim. I'm certain, being his son, your whims will also be theirs to serve."

"I only want Auntie Shiv and Auntie Lerrah." He glanced over his shoulder at Tiala and added, "And you too, if I'm in the mood."

Tiala smiled. "Well, I hope you do find yourself in the mood," she said. "And, you may re-think your stance once you see some of the others."

Keeve shrugged and squinted at the doorway of the apartment complex, waiting for Cadrel to emerge. "What is he doing? Tiala, we have to go! What if Zaletregat finds us? He'll take me away from my daddy!"

A moment later, Cadrel slipped into the speeder. "Go," he ordered the driver, and then smiled at the others. "Now we are safely on our way. It won't be long and you'll never have to worry about them again. Just you, me, and our girls."

Keeve crossed his arms over his chest and sighed. "It's about time, Daddy. I thought Zaletregat was going to come and steal me."

Cadrel narrowed his eyes. "Are you trying to tell me that you're helpless?" he asked, disdain dripping from his voice. "One of his guards came back, and I had to dissuade the man from searching around here. But, everything is alright now."

The speeder zipped away from the curb, leaving only the crumpled form of a body in its wake.

"I was beginning to like Zaletregat," Keeve muttered. "All until he started asking questions. Why couldn't he have just let me have my fun?"

"He's gotten soft and doesn't think this is fun anymore," Cadrel said. "He has lost the true view of women, of their place in the scheme of things. But, you can know the truth when you're with me, Keeve. You won't ever have to worry about not being able to let a woman know her proper place in my presence. None of them would understand, but I do. We are so alike. One day, I plan to rule this planet, and you will be my right hand."

Keeve frowned, then cocked his head to one side and gazed inquisitively up at Cadrel. "What's that mean?"

"It means that soon you and I will run this planet together," Cadrel said with a smile. "And, if we're really good at it, then maybe we can rule some other planets too."

Keeve bounced in his seat and whooped excitedly. "I'm good at pushing people around, Daddy. I think I'd be good at running a planet!"

Cadrel smiled at the boy. "Oh, I'm sure you'll be perfect at it," he said. "And, we can make up all kinds of laws together. I imagine that could be great fun. Whichever laws we want, we could make them."

"Can we make it so the women have to walk around naked? They really shouldn't be wearing clothes, Daddy."

"That was going to be my first law," Cadrel said with a wide smile as he glanced at the three young women in the speeder. All three had shed the clothing they'd donned to get out of the apartment. "Women are beautiful creatures, Keeve, but they certainly aren't meant for being in charge or making decisions. They are better off letting the men take charge. Their sole purpose in life should be to please men."

"It's all they're really good at, Daddy. They're too stupid for anything else."

Cadrel nodded sadly. "Yes," he said. "It's really quite maddening sometimes. Especially when you try to speak with one. Sex, making babies, and looking beautiful. Am I missing anything?"

"Uh..." Keeve tapped his chin. "Bathing us?" he offered.

Cadrel's grin widened at Keeve's suggestion. "Oh yes," he said. "Perhaps when we reach our destination, we should have our lovelies give us a nice, warm bath. And, the spaceport is right up ahead, so it will be happening very, very soon."

Keeve grinned impishly, then turned his gaze to the scene outside the canopy. He refused to admit to himself that he would miss Kaysa, or Merrick, or Zaletregat. Cadrel was offering him one of the things he most wanted in the universe, aside from Shiv, whom he already had. With the manhood Cadrel would give him, he would be able to fully experience Shiv's love for him, emotionally, but more importantly, physically.

Keeve sighed and propped his elbow on the hatch, with his cheek cradled in his hand. He tried to imagine what he would be like as a man, and in the end, hoped he turned out to be just like Cadrel, his idol and his new father. "Let's go home now, Daddy. We have a lot of work to do."

The speeder pulled into the spaceport, and Cadrel was the first one out to make sure the coast was clear. As his eyes scanned the area, his hand slipped inside his cloak. Finally, he was satisfied. "Okay, let's go. It's the one straight ahead there. Make sure the girls make it inside, Keeve. We don't want to leave anyone behind."

As Keeve rushed off with Elf and the girls, Tiala slipped out of the speeder. "How do you do it?"

Cadrel smiled at her, a wide, wolfish smile. "I'm me. Let's go. Tregat's just behind us." He started for the speeder where Keeve was already climbing up the ramp. The whine of a speeder broke through the normal sounds of the city. It was clear that Zale Tregat was behind the controls. "Move!"

Keeve stopped at the top of the ramp and gazed out at the commotion arising. "Daddy! Hurry!"

Cadrel slowly started backing away, keeping himself between Tiala, Keeve, and the ship and the approaching speeder. His grin was feral as the vehicle stopped and Zale Tregat exploded out of it.

"You're a dead man, Kandran," Zale shouted as he brought up a large blaster. "I don't care about your mystic bullshit. You're a dead man!" With that, he opened fire.

Keeve yelped and dropped to the deck. He curled up into a ball and wrapped his arms around his head for protection. "Daddy!" he hollered, but he himself wasn't certain for whom his plea was.

As Keeve was curled in on himself, he didn't see Cadrel's hand emerge from his cloak holding a steel shaft that ignited into a blade of crimson. He whirled it around his body, deflecting the bolts of energy Zale was firing, sending them elsewhere. One of them slammed into the speeder next to Zale, and Cadrel cursed his aim.

"This isn't over, Dargus," Zale shouted. "This isn't over by a long shot. I'll hunt you down and I will kill you myself!"

And, then Cadrel was next to Keeve in the entry of the ship. "It's alright, Keeve," he said. "Everything is okay now. We're safe, and soon we'll be free."

Keeve peeked up between his shielding arms at Cadrel, then brought a trembling hand up and accepted Cadrel's. Once he was on his feet, he stared out across the spaceport and saw Zale. Doubt and uncertainty began filling him, even as he raised his hand to wave at Zale, the man he had accepted as his father. He even thought he loved him, but as Cadrel encouraged him into the ship and the ramp began receding, he realized his choice had already been made. "Bye, Zaletregat! Tell Kaysa and Merrick I said 'goodbye'!"

On the ground below, Zale stood helpless. The blaster fell from numb hands and clattered to the ground. He'd failed. He'd worse than failed. Not only had he lost Shiv, but he'd lost Keeve too. And Moril, he reminded himself. Suddenly the world around him seemed to grow that much more impressive. It wouldn't be until later that he realized his legs had given out and he was on the ground.

---

"One Step Further"
by Kal'Aran - Jedi Master
and Aurra Sgall - Jedi Padawan

Location: Jedi Temple and New Plouton, Tae'Karada; Ilum
Date: Niothe 22, 4 ABY

***

She had held one before, but never with the intent to use it. Now she was being tested in a certain way. Both rather eager to start and rather nervous at the same time she ignited the blue blade of her master's lightsaber. At that same instant the small seeker drone started to move, turning and moving above her head.

"Focus and block all the shots fired upon you, Aurra," Kal'Aran said. "Feel your moves and the Force flowing around you..."

She breathed and focused as she had been taught in the past days. She knew now more than ever about it and was able to focus faster and concentrate to much higher levels as well as excel in the physicals so far. But she had never been shot at before.

Without warning the seeker drone fired a couple of shots and turned to move to another direction. Aurra had been fast enough to block the shots and turn to defend the next ones. After more than a dozen shots successfully parried, her Master told her to safeguard the weapon, which she did.

"Very well, Aurra. Once more you surprise me..." he told her with a warm smile.

"Thank you, Master." She bowed, offering his lightsaber back.

"Oh no... Not yet. First we will take a step further and try another lightsaber practice," he said as he held a blindfold and placed it ao as to prevent her from seeing. "Now you will ignite the blade and do as you just did once more."

"But with the blindfold I can't see!" she complained.

"Your eyes may deceive you. Don't trust them. Feel your way," he said simply. "Trust your instincts."

The girl breathed deeply and ignited her blade. She did as told and focused as well as she could. She could hear the moving sound of the drone and her blade as it moved. She tried to follow that as she opened her feelings to clear her covered vision.

She could feel the cutting on the air and just before the shots were fired she could anticipate them and defend all the ten shots afterwards, fired into her at different points of her body. She then safeguarded the weapon once more and took off her blindfold. She could barely believe in her skills.

Kal'Aran smiled and nodded. "You did well. I am proud of you, Aurra," he said. "This means you are ready to build your own lightsaber. We must go to Ilum so you may choose you crystals," he told her.

"I will build my own lightsaber..." she told herself outloud. She then smiled widely and looked at her master.

He nodded gently to her and placed his hand on her shoulder. "Come, we should get ready for our small departure..." he told her.

***

Getting off the planet proved to be harder than expected. It seemed the New Empire was not letting any ship pass by without clearance codes. Kal'Aran had his ship there still, but he wondered whether it would be easier to pay to board a freighter. It was then that he overheard two pilots discussing a quadrant that was cleared of Imperial sweeps.

Kal'Aran decided not to lose any more time and they boarded his Corellian transport and went off the planet via that same spot he had heard of. As it was, it was clear and once the computer locked on the destination coordinates Kal'Aran pressed the lever for the jump.

***

The trip to Ilum had taken about three hours. Aurra had taken the time to catch some sleep and Kal'Aran had merely dozed off for some few minutes. Eventually he woke her up and took manual control of the ship. He had not been there for quite some time but he knew the place still and it reminded him of when he had gone there to get his own crystals.

He landed the ship near the cavernous entrance where he had been taken as a Padawan. The icy look about Ilum was recognizable to him and it brought back memories of the old days. The more civilized age...

The ramp descended and out came Kal'Aran and Aurra with their cloaks on. They stopped at the cavernous entrance and the Jedi Master turned to the young girl looking into her eyes. "Inside you will find many different crystals. You will know which one is yours when you see it. But you will also see many visions. Of things past and things to come or things that may or may not come to be... I will be waiting here for your return."

"Yes, Master Kal'Aran," she replied with a nod. She went inside and disappeared from sight. There was some sort of a mist that filled the cavern inside and Aurra could not tell whether it was from the ice or the air itself. It seemed somewhat surreal but at the same time she could feel the Force converge there...

She turned to see her old master. She smiled and began towards him but the image disappeared. She then turned to see a figure in a dark cloak. The cloak fell and it was the assassin who had murdered her former master. "Not even a lightsaber yet... I will kill you one day too..." she heard.

The huntress had moved near and had a lightsaber in her hands. Aurra ducked to escape the strike but just before it would strike upon her, another blade could be heard. She had been saved by another lightsaber. Looking back Aurra saw an image of herself older. A made Jedi. Could this mean she would confront the huntress still? The images disappeared and she made her way.

She stopped at the sight of a shining purple crystal amidst blue and yellow and green ones. She picked it up and knew that it was hers to have. She made her way back and got to the entrance once more. "Master Kal'Aran, I got my crystal..." she told him. "And I saw some visions, although I'm not sure what to think of them..."

"They will become clear with time..." He smiled. "And your crystal seems more than well. Come, let us go back before we freeze!" he said warmly.

They went back into the ship and made their way back to Tae'Karada through the same spot on the planet.

***

By the day's night they were back at the Jedi Temple and Kal'Aran gave Aurra a toolkit to make her own lightsaber. With his help she constructed it. She was one step further to becoming a Jedi.

---

"Keeper"
by Rilanna Kir
and Major Dane Weyland

Location: Drogen Shipyards
Date: Niothe 22, 4ABY

***

With her shift finally over, Rilanna was free to go to one of the few places she actually felt relaxed on the station anymore. Since the fight with Shrezade nearly a week ago, her nights with Weyland had become a solace. She'd spent nearly an hour down with Cham at the ship, but when the Wookiee told her he wanted to keep working, she decided to head for the freedom offered in the sanctuary she and Dane Weyland had made together.

With a heavy sigh, she straightened her shoulders and touched the key to open the door. She slipped inside and tossed her duty jacket onto the chair next to the door. "Hey," she called out with a laugh. "Where's my welcome home reception?"

"In here," Weyland called from the kitchen, the smell of strong coffee filled the air like smoke in a burning building. Weyland, today, was in a somber mood as he sat at the kitchen table reading over reports.

Rilanna worked her way through the apartment until she found him. "Are you burning coffee-flavoured taza sticks in here?" She gave him a smile and approached, making her mood even brighter to make up for his. "Wanna talk about it?"

"No, I'm actually drinking the coffee for a change. I've just made a lot of it today," he said as he rose to pull her into his arms for a slow kiss. "I've just had a lot of work on my hands. How is everything on your side?"

"Slow," she said. "But, sometimes slow is good. At least they're not barricading themselves into the bars downbelow again. I thought we were going to have to bring in heavy artillery to get rid of them. Mainly today was filling out reports, taking care of a docking dispute, and watching over the turbolaser battery refits. So, are you able to take a break from your work?"

"Sure," Weyland said, setting his datapad down. "Where to?"

Rilanna laughed and took his hands. With a grin, she started pulling him out of the kitchen and towards the main living area. "How about somewhere with a breathable atmosphere?" she said. "And, I think the couch out here is a good place, don't you?"

"Ah we've always liked the couch." Weyland smiled, spinning and pulling her down onto the chair into his lap. He gave her a slight squeeze and stretched to nuzzle his face into her arm. "Ugh....I need a break from time to time you know? Everything just seems to be driving me crazy."

"You were looking fairly tense in there," Rilanna said. "I think it's a good thing I came along when I did. I can give you that break you need. So, interested?"

"Sure. Where are we going?" Weyland said, looking up to her.

Rilanna looked at him and laughed. "I just told you," she said. "We're going to the couch. Pay attention, my dear."

Weyland laughed and shook his head quietly. It was clear that there had been a lot on his mind due to recent events, and it showed in the way he stirred as he slept. He let out a soft breath and pulled her closer to him, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"Paperwork and more paperwork," Weyland said quietly. "Will there ever be an end to it?"

Rilanna grinned as she settled into his embrace. "Oh, I'm sure there's an eventual end. Maybe you should requisition an assistant who can file all your paperwork for you."

"Ah, no can do," Weyland said with a chuckle. "This is the sort of stuff that demands my attention and would only be proper to be coming from me. How is your Wookiee friend?" he added quickly, changing the subject.

"He's doing fine," she said. "Though, he's getting ready to rebuild my ship out of boredom. He says that the repairs coming in over the last week haven't been anything challenging. I think he just wants to rebuild someone's hyperdrive or replace the repulsor coils. Then, after a hard days work, to just go down and have a nice drink without being attacked by a maniac with a thermal detonator."

Weyland couldn't help but laugh. Personally, he'd found the idea of a Wookiee for a mechanic as absurd yet strangely humorous at the same time. "And Director Anoran?"

Rilanna shook her head. "I have no idea," she said. "We haven't really spoken to each other since our dinner the other night. It seems that her foul behaviour is all her way of coping with her husband's death. She figures she'll be better off if she makes everyone else miserable. I just hope if I die in service to her, that she doesn't mourn me. I'd rather be forgotten than to have anyone spreading misery in my honour."

"Well that's not really a healthy attitude to have about it, Rilanna," Weyland said. "Sooner or later she'll realize that her husband is dead and that if she wanted to truly be alone she would have killed herself long ago. It's along the same concept that someone who's serious about committing suicide will rarely threaten it...it will just happen, and the ones that threaten it are just looking for help."

"She doesn't want to die though," Rilanna said. "She wants the rest of the universe to bear the same pain she's endured since his death. She feels that it's her right to torment everyone she meets because she's in torment. She scoffs at the thought of happiness, and you can be certain that anyone who is happy will become her target. She's a plague."

"Well a very poor one at that," he said, removing his wristwatch and setting it beside the chair. "Misery and having to deal with a stubborn widow doesn't kill. It doesn't move mountains. The woman might as well be a ghost."

Rilanna gave a bitter laugh. "She is my boss though, and I don't know if I can have a civil conversation with her without her either going psychotic or depressing. I don't think I'd survive if I didn't have you to take out my aggressions with." She gave him a flirtatious grin and nuzzled her lips against his neck.

Weyland grinned and gave into her embrace, gently sliding his nails over the clasps that held her uniform close to her body. "You know," he said with a smile, as he lifted her face into his hands and gazed into her eyes, "I really like that arrangement." With that, he brought his lips to hers in a slow and passionate kiss, closing his eyes slowly. Desperately, he wished he could tell her of the message that he'd received from the Grand Admiral, but even in love there were some things he could not afford to ignore.

Rilanna slowly started pushing his shirt up over his chest while they kissed. "I think I really like this arrangement too," she said. "No, I know I like it. Fortunately Cham isn't the jealous type though. You know that we're in trouble if he ever starts staking out the door to your quarters." She grinned and kissed him again.

Weyland gave Rilanna a sly smile and unhooked the clasps over the front of her uniform with a grin, as he slid beneath her to allow her to straddle his waist. "Two constant Elite Troopers and a Wookiee seems unfair odds for even a Jedi," he murmured, sliding his hands inside of her tunic to cup her breasts.

"We can always sneak off for a vacation together," she said with an alluring smile. "I've got a ship and we can go anywhere we want. We'll probably be in for it when we get back, but just think of the fun we could have while we're away."

"I'd like to, but that's impossible. Your boss would be at least five-hundred times less severe with the punishment," Weyland replied, trailing his kisses to her jaw.

Rilanna laughed softly and slipped her hands under his shirt. "Oh, that's true, but we'd have fun doing it. So, do you ever get time off, or are you always on duty? Maybe we could arrange a day away sometime. The planet has some nice places, or so I've heard."

"We'll see what happens," Weyland said as he tilted his chest into her hand and pulled her tunic off of her. "I have to be ready and available here at all hours of the day, so we might have to decorate a cabin to look like somewhere else."

Rilanna laughed softly and kissed him while she worked at removing his shirt. "Maybe we could get Cham to wear a little white jacket and serve us fruity drinks."

"Somehow I think that would get me removed from duty." Weyland laughed, and spun her around in his lap, unclipping her bra.

Rilanna laughed as she slipped one of the straps off her shoulder and cast a glance back at him. "That may not be such a bad thing," she said. "It'd give us more time together."

Weyland pulled her back against his chest and cupped one of her breasts. Kissing her neck softly from behind, he fumbled with one hand on the clasp over her belt and writhed against her. "Yes, but then Anoran would have me escorted off of the yards. Are you meaning to tell me you'd quit?"

"She hates me," Rilanna said with a smile. "And, besides, I've got some pull around here. I'd be the one she'd make escort you off, and I don't think she'd have the guts to go against me if I didn't. You wouldn't have to leave. I'd make sure of it."

"Turn it all around, Rilanna," Weyland said. "Anoran's not exactly playing nice with Imperial personnel which is going to put her under scrutiny."

Weyland slid his hand beneath her loosened belt and rubbed her over her panties quietly, whispering in her ear. "Besides, if the Republic ever decides to attack, I'll be in charge of making sure this station doesn't get blown to pieces."

Rilanna moaned softly, and then laughed. "Oh, my valiant protector," she whispered. "Maybe we can work together on that...the not getting this place blown up part. But for now, just keep doing that, and your girlfriend will be very happy. Something else that would make me very happy is annoying Shrezade when she sees us together. She can't stand seeing other people happy, but seeing us happy together will really get to her."

Weyland grinned and used his feet to shrug his pants down to the floor. "Oh, is that a fact?" he said with a grin, biting down softly on her earlobe and pulling her towards his hips. "Then she'd better not have cameras installed in this cabin for more than one reason." Then, with a grunt he pushed her forward softly to straddle his hips facing away from him and ran his hand down her naked back, exposed to her.

"I think if she did," Rilanna said, "she'd have them removed before we offended her delicate sensibilities with what we do in here. I imagine just the thought of anyone having sex drives her into a frenzy, actually seeing it would probably put her into a madhouse."

"Then perhaps we'll see if she can hear us from her deck," Weyland said with a grin, pushing her lithe body to kneel over the coffee table, deftly running his hands over her back.

Rilanna grinned as she braced herself against the table. "Oh, I'm sure we'll be very good at trying," she said. "It would be a shame if one of us were wearing a comlink with an accidentally open channel. I wouldn't be surprised if she didn't send a security detachment after us." She glanced back at him, with a hint of mischief in her eyes.

Weyland fell silent for a moment. Slowly, his eyes lifted as his mouth spread into a feral grin. He slightly ground his hips against her bent form, rubbing himself against her lightly as his hands rummaged through the remains of her clothes for his comlink. "This could get you fired, you know," he said with a grin, setting the comlink upon the arch of her back as he ran his fingers over the smooth skin of her hips.

Rilanna laughed. "Only one way to find out," she said. "I guess we'll find out just how badly she needs me as her security chief."

"We'll just to have to disavow all knowledge of such an incident," Weyland said diplomatically with a cheesy grin. "And then have to retrieve it from a trash pile in the incinerator room. I really can't stand some of these prankster spacers."

Rilanna laughed as she glanced back at him. "You know, I really like the way you think," she purred. "So, shall we give her a show she'll never forget? If nothing else, maybe she'll decide her memories of her dear, departed husband aren't enough."

Weyland grinned and leaned up against her, reaching across her back to flip on the comlink with a wink.

"We are so very naughty," Rilanna giggled. "She's going to kick us both off the station for this. And, I'm sure we'll both love every minute of it. Then again, how could we not love this part?"

Slowly, Weyland rubbed himself against her. Urging her on a little bit. He smiled and muted the comlink. "She can't kick me off of this station, and you're off duty." Then, with a grin, he slid himself slowly inside of her and engaged the comlink's transmitter.

Rilanna closed her eyes and moaned at his exquisite touch. In her mind's eye, she saw Shrezade in her office as the comm went active, listening to the sounds of their carnality. She felt something clutch in her breast, and a lump form in her throat. She'd called Shrezade her friend, and even if they weren't now... Still gripping the table Weyland had her pushed over, she reached back with one hand and fumbled for the comlink. It seemed to take forever to find it before her hand finally closed around the device. She was on the verge of crying out when she finally managed to disengage the device. She couldn't do that to Reza.

From behind, Weyland lifted an eyebrow slowly while urging himself into her and out again with his hips. For a moment, he clutched her sides a bit tighter and began to think to himself about Rilanna. Tarkin was suspicious of Reza, and although he trusted Rilanna she was also suspect of treason. Perhaps he was being a fool, he thought to himself. Either way, the pleasures that Rilanna and him shared nightly were quite the experience, and he found himself becoming sad for the first time in years.

Hiding his thoughts from her, he began to rock into her a little faster, and vowed that he would ensure that Rilanna was his for all time.

Rilanna cried out as she braced herself against the table. She looked back at him and smiled. There was mischief in that smile. They moved so well together. She was about to say something, but found herself unable to speak as a wave of pleasure rolled through her. When it finally passed, she gave him a drunken smile despite the lack of alcohol in her system. "Oh gods you're good, Dane."

Dane's boyish smile formed slowly on his face as he stared into her eyes. "I'm keeping you, you know that right?"

Rilanna couldn't help her giggle, but she finally managed to nod to him. "I was kinda hoping you would," she said. "Anyone that can make me feel like you do is a keeper."

Closing his eyes slowly, Dane flared his boyish smile and envisioned himself twisting a knife into his arm as he gripped her hips harder and began moving slightly faster against her naked form. He didn't want to think any longer about her possible betrayal, and suppressed the rage that he felt brewing at that thought of the concept.

Eyes half lidded, he grinned at her with eyes darkened by his overwhelming lust and unpleasant thoughts and felt the words slip through his lips like drool.

"Then you have nothing to worry about till the end of your days, darling."

Had she been looking back at him when the words were spoken, Rilanna would have shuddered. As it was, all she could concentrate on was the pleasure he was giving her. She'd scold herself later for allowing the pleasure to dull her senses and incapacitate her, but who could not lose focus in moments like this? Who could keep their wits when presented with such sublime bliss?

---