"What's Happening With Me"
by Chun Li - PI
and Laszlo Esik - Crewmember of the Altdorf

Date: Selene 24, 5 ABY
Location: Corellian Corvette Altdorf, en route to Bothawui

***

Li was reading the datapads she had gotten from Fenn. There had been security on them, but she was slicer enough to get through it. She had let Lorgal check it out as well, to see if there had been more layers then she could find, but there were none, or at least none that he could find. As the cabin she had was very small, she was sitting on her bed to read, or better, lying on it. While she was reading, her free hand was wandering over her body, ending up on her crotch. Just one touch there and she was aflame again. She sighed while her hand moved into her pants. She had lost count of how many times she had gone through this today. For some reason she always started rubbing herself, and it always got down to bringing herself to a serious orgasm, often even more then one. Just one touch was enough to get going lately. She had tried to fight it, but it never worked.

Sighing again as her hand got down to business, the put the datapad on the little nightstand next to her bed and took the item that was on there. Wriggling out of her pants, she spread her legs and placed the item, a large vibrator she had bought on Commenor on her clit. She wasn't wearing any panties at the moment, as she had decided not to put them back on after the 3rd time she had taken them off. While her other hand went to her breasts, she switched the thing on and exactly nothing happened.

Frustrated, she thumbed it of and on again. Still nothing. Throwing the thing to the side, she put her pants back on. She had to control herself, and first check what was wrong with her new toy. She dug in her closet for the box with the manual, and started checking things, while one hand kept rubbing over her body, paying particular attention to her breasts. Her nipples were standing out, as they had the whole day.

"Oh crap," she said to herself as she read that the first thing you should do is charge the batteries. Clearly they had held some charge, but Li had been using the toy quite intensively. Now she would have to wait for 12 hours before the batteries were recharged.

Li took the datapad again, but her mind wasn't really into it. She was far too aroused at the moment to concentrate on her reading. She needed something inside her, and her fingers wouldn't do, she could feel that already. So she stood up and left her quarters. Even though there was no real day-night cycle in starships, there were moments when there were less people in the corridors, usually dependent on the day-night cycle of their home planet. And this was such a moment.

It took her a while to find a crewmember, and it was one she recognised. Laszlo something, an engineer, and a very young one. That was good, as she had a good excuse to get him in her room. "Excuse me, Laszlo" she said. He stopped and turned around.

"Yes, miss," he said. He wasn't sure where she was in the ship's hierarchy, but definitely higher than him. He was only 17 and it was his first trip on the Altdorf.

"You're an engineer, right," Li asked, trying to play it out. It was good exercise in keeping herself under control, although some parts of her wanted nothing more then just pounce on the young man.

"That is correct, miss," he said.

"And you know something about small equipment," she asked next.

"Of course, miss," he said, "I repair all the datapads and blasters on this ship. You have a problem?"

Although his shift had already ended, he wasn't going to say no to this woman. You never knew what trouble you could get into. "A small one," Li said, "Come on, let's see."

"I'll get my toolbox," he said.

"It won't be necessary," she said, "I have a lot of tools. It's just that I don't know how to do this."

"Okay," he said, as he followed her. She looked very nice, he thought, even though he couldn't see much, as she didn't wear those very tight form-fitting clothes some other women wore.

Arriving in Li's quarters, she locked the door behind him. He hadn't seen that she had locked the door, and was now looking for the device he was supposed to repair.

"Here it is," Li said, giving him the vibrator, "see, it doesn't work anymore."

She flipped it on and after a couple of seconds back off again. Laszlo was blushing. "C'mon," Li said, putting her hand on his shoulder, "don't tell me you've never seen one of those before. But you can see that I have a problem now." Her hand moved over his back towards his ass, where it stopped. He didn't move, but she could see that she had an effect on him. And judging by what she could see through his pants, it was going to be fun. He might be inexperienced, but as he was very young, he should have great stamina.

"Don't worry about that," she said, putting her toy away, "it's just a question of dead batteries. But I think you can help me otherwise, don't you?" Her other hand joined the first on his body, but at the front, feeling him up. It definitely could be a very nice night. She pushed him on the bed and straddled him. In a quick motion she lifted her shirt, leaving her topless as she hadn't bothered with a bra. Her breasts weren't big so she didn't need one, although on her petite frame they looked very nice. They were also extremely sensitive, specially the last couple of days.

"Don't be shy," she said as she took his hands and placed them on her breasts. Even the touch on its own was enough to make her moan, and she rubbed her crotch against his.

This seemed to bring him out of the hypnosis he had been under, and he started to massage her breasts. As he was inexperienced, Li guided his hands and was quickly moaning non-stop. She leaned over so he could add his mouth to the stimulations, something she greatly appreciated. Again she had to guide him a bit, but he was a quick learner and it didn't take long for her to experience her first orgasm of this session. Her cry of passion had to be heard halfway through the ship, but she didn't care.

She moved of him and quickly got rid of her pants. The next move was to start undoing his, which were also quickly discarded, underwear and all. His member stood already straight up, and Li gasped. It was big. She crawled back on the bed and placed a kiss on it.

"I'm going to take good care of you," she whispered to the head, before taking it into her mouth. The young man was quite aroused already and after only a short period he moaned and came in her mouth. She just kept sucking until he was spent.

"I'm sorry," he said, "but..."

"Don't worry," Li whispered to him, "I'm sure we can go a couple times more. You're still young, but you'll last longer next time."

"Next time," he asked.

"Of course," Li laughed, "as many times as we can."

"But I have to be on duty..."

"You silly man," Li said as her hands moved over his chest, "I'll simply tell the captain that you were helping and that it took longer then we expected. And we wouldn't be lying, right?"

As a grin spread on his face, she moved herself in a classical 69 position. "Now, let's get started for round two," she said to him as she took him in her mouth again. He was a bit startled but soon followed, and while he was a bit clumsy, by moving her body a bit now and then she could teach him what she liked. He was again a quick study and it didn't take long for Li to orgasm again.

"You're wonderful," she said, "a couple of years to learn some extra tricks and you're a super lover. Now I want you inside me."

She moved to straddle him and guided him inside her. As she sank down, another cry escaped from her lips. He was rather large and she stretched to take him in.

"I didn't hurt you," he asked.

"No silly," Li said, "on the contrary. Now just relax and enjoy." She started to move up and down on him, and soon he started meeting her trusts. Li smiled as his hands moved to her breasts and her moans only grew louder.

Ten minutes and three orgasms later, Li decided it was time for something else. She moved of him, and gave him a deep kiss before he could protest. Then she moved on all fours.

"Take me from behind," she said. He moved and entered her again, hesitant at first, but with more force as he gained confidence. He started massaging her breasts again, pinching her nipples. Li moaned and started to push back against him. It didn't her long to reach yet another orgasm, and this time it was too much for him too.

Five minutes later they were lying snuggled against each other, Li's head on Laszlo's chest. One of her hands was on his tight, softly stroking his leg, and one of his hands was doing the same with her. Her other hand moved between her legs, feeling their combined liquid between her thighs. They were silent, and Li was thinking. Thinking why she had done this, why she hadn't been able to control herself, why she could orgasm from even the lightest touch.

"I never thought it could be like this," Laszlo said dreamily, "I mean, I've only had sex a couple of times, but this is something special."

"I liked it too," Li responded, "you might need a little more experience, but you're very enthusiastic and you have great stamina. And that experience will come."

"You know what I really found surprising," he said as he moved his hand to the top of her mound, "that it feels so smooth."

"I like it smoothly shaven," Li said as she felt the urge build in her again now he was moving his hand so near her entrance. She moved her hand as well, and quickly felt him reacting as well.

An hour later, Li was looking at Laszlo, already half asleep. He hadn't been able to fight of the sleep any longer. She was not yet panicking, but she didn't like the control she normally had slipping away. Sighing, she rested her head on Laszlo's chest. She knew she would be sore tomorrow, but it would be a good sore, and she would recover quickly anyway. Five minutes later she was asleep.

---

“Return to an Old Way, Part 2”
Kylen Muston – Engineer/Smuggler
Heelan (NPC) - Smuggler

Location: An Unknown Space Station, Space, and Drogen
Date: Selene 24, 5 ABY

***

Again, Heelan woke him a few minutes before coming off the jump. This time, the world looked more hospitable. The side Kylen saw was about half water and half land, not nearly enough information to try and determine where he was. Heelan directed the ship to a space station above the planet, and docked without a problem. When they exited the ship, Kylen was amazed to find himself surrounded by Imperial stormtroopers! They were standing at the ready, and it looked like they were going to receive the cargo that Heelan had brought.

Kylen’s feelings for Heelan immediately turned from mild dislike and disappointment to hatred. He couldn’t believe that anyone would help the people who had destroyed his planet. He quickly realized he should not betray his origins, and was glad that he hadn’t told Heelan of his heritage. He masked the emotions on his face and quickly decided to be a Corellian if anyone asked him. No one ever questioned a smuggler who said they were from Corellia. He watched, trying to both remain and appear calm, as Heelan met with an officer. The two men talked briefly, then the officer left. Heelan came over to Kylen and began speaking to him.

“We’ll be here overnight. I’m staying on the ship, they want to talk with you, then you’ll be put up in a guest room. This is their standard practice for newcomers, so don’t worry, you’ll be fine. I’ll call you on the comlink again when it’s about time to leave.”

Kylen was led away by a pair of stormtroopers to a rather spartan room a good distance away from the docking bay. The troopers took up positions on both sides of the door, and another officer entered. Kylen knew nothing of the marking he wore on his uniform, but guessed that the man was from Imperial Intelligence. The man never introduced himself, but he led Kylen through a series of questions:

“What is your name?”

“Kylen Muston.”

“Where do you hail from?”

“Corellia.”

“What is your business here?”

“I’m with Heelan, we brought you a load of cargo.”

“You do not know the contents?”

“No, he pays me to work, not ask questions.”

“Have you ever served in the Imperial Armed Forces?”

“Never have.”

There were a number of other questions following these 5, but Kylen answered them all as void from emotion as he could, while trying to stick to his story of being Corellian. The Intel officer finished his interrogation and released Kylen. The troopers marched him down the hall, about halfway back to the docking bay, and put him in a ‘guest room,’ which really meant a prison cell with a window to the corridor. The door wasn’t locked however, and he was told where the nearest refresher was and where a messhall was, that he could find food at.

They left him alone for the time being, and Kylen visited the ‘fresher and the mess to both check them out and pass the time. He found that no one would talk to him, so he just returned to the guest room and slept, hoping to pass the time as quickly as he could. He woke and checked his chronometer, finding that was 0330. He needed to use the refresher, and started to walk down the corridor as he oriented himself. He thought he heard footsteps behind him, and he turned around to find a lone stormtrooper about 10 meters back. He decided that it was nothing and continued on his way to the ‘fresher station.

He used the spacious, public refresher and just as he was about to step back out into the corridor, the stormtrooper entered. He still thought it was a coincidence, and tried to step around the armored figure. He was met with a rifle butt to the gut. The trooper took off his helmet and sneered at him.

“There’s no way you’re a Corellian. I am, and I’d never believe that you are. Too bad my superiors didn’t believe me, because now I’m going to take it out on you and make them rethink it in the morning,” he stated. His lashed and kicked Kylen a number of times in the stomach and chest. Kylen tried to think about it, but his reflexes took over. He reached out, grabbed the booted foot, and twisted his entire body from the hips, sharply bringing the foot with him. The trooper started to go down, and Kylen heard a crack when the back of the man’s head hit the wall. In a flash, Kylen was on top of him, with a vibroknife at the man’s throat. He expected to have to force the man into submission, but oddly met with no resistance. He waited a moment, then checked for a pulse. Nothing. He ran through the events in his mind, and slowly rolled the man over and felt the back of his head. There it was. A sharp fracture at the point where the skull met the spinal column. The man had died instantly.

Kylen stood up and sheathed his knife. What would he do now? A dead body and no good explanation because the man had tried to bully information out of him. Kylen suddenly had a bright flash of insight. The man was almost the same size as him. Kylen quickly stripped the armor off him and pieced it all together back on himself. He found a datacard with the man’s name and bunk location on it. He didn’t even bother with the name, but as soon as he was ready, he stuffed the body in a small storage area in the ‘fresher room. He left the refresher and quickly found his way to the man’s bunk. He found a large black bag, designed to hold the armor in place for cleaning. He took it with him and made his way back to Heelan’s ship. In a stroke of luck, the gangway was down. He glanced around, saw that there was only one trooper on duty, all the way across the docking bay.

With minimal waiting, he got to the ship and up the gangway without being seen. He quickly got into his room, as quietly as he could to avoid alerting Heelan. He removed the armor and packed it in the bag, stowing it out of sight. He made his way back to his guest room a few minutes later, and laid down. He knew that he wouldn’t be able to sleep again, partly because a man had just died, and partly because he was both hurt and nervous about being discovered.

He stared off for a long time, but eventually, sleep did come. When he woke in the morning to a knock on the door, he only groaned a little bit, and he did it quietly to himself. He dragged himself up and tried to disguise his movements to keep it unknown that he had suffered a beating last night. He answered the door, and was greeted by the same Intel officer from yesterday and a pair of troopers. They didn’t immediately aim their carbines at him, and the thought that he hadn’t been discovered flew to his mind. The officer handed him a stack of forms and led him through filling them out. After he finished, he was marched back to Heelan’s ship, and released to Heelan’s custody. The cargo had been unloaded and exchanged, and Heelan was looking impatient, so they didn’t waste any time. Once they were off the station, Heelan relaxed a little and before too long they were in hyperspace. Only then did Heelan return to normal, or at least to the state that Kylen thought was normal for him. They didn’t talk at all on the trip back, and when they returned to Drogen, Heelan unceremonially handed Kylen the cred chips and then walked into Kylen’s cabin and came out with the large black bag and practically threw it into Kylen’s hands.

“Here, now don’t ever put my life on the line again! If you want to take on stormtroopers, do it on your own time, not while I’m paying you to help me. Now get out of my sight!” Heelan exclaimed.

“Wait! It wasn’t like that! The stormtrooper attacked me!” Kylen tried to exclaim, but Heelan had already pushed him down the open gangway and walked back, closing it as he went.

With no other options at this point, Kylen carried the bag back to his quarters. He opened it up to check the contents. The full set of the armor was still there, as well as the E-11 blaster rifle that was common issue to almost all stormtroopers. The utility belt was there, but some of the compartments were opened. Kylen guessed that Heelan must have found it and helped himself, since he was angry and probably felt like he needed to get something out of the deal. He wasn’t too worried about it. He repacked the bag and stored it, taking extra care to keep it out of sight.

With nothing else to do, and it being just after noon, Kylen took the turbolift up to 401 and reported in for a half day of work. He put on a little show to make it look like he was still grieving, but what he really needed was to take his mind of Heelan. The man had unsettled him, first by not turning out to be the fatherly figure, and then by exploding at him on the trip home. Kylen worked out his frustrations with a hydrospanner, and started to settle back into life on Drogen.

---

"What's This"
by Vincenzo Lapenta - Neurosurgeon

Location: New Plouton Institute of Neuroscience
Date: Selene 24, 5 ABY

***

"Dr. Lapenta."

Vincenzo looked up from his datapad to see a nurse coming into his office. He had already send a message to Sarah that he couldn't come the following days with his new patient.

"I have some results from the lab for you," she said, putting another pad on his desk, "more will come in an hour or so."

"Thank you," Vincenzo said, picking up the pad and reading it. He immediately noticed that his mystery patient had a very interesting history. When he had checked up on her in the morning, nothing had changed since last night. With help, she stayed alive, yet still only barely. The blood results hadn't given anything special, but these, taken on the neural cells themselves, yielded many questions, but also provided some answers.

On the datapad it showed clearly that his patient's nervous system was commiting suicide. This was normal, but not on a scale like this, and not only in the nerve cells. He took the pad with the blood results which had been on his desk in the morning. There was no sign of hightened white blood cell count, so that ruled out auto-immune disease. He also hadn't found more then usual numbers of white blood cells in her spinal column, so that was also counter-indicative for auto-immune disorders. He took his comm and called the lab.

"Dr. Lapenta here," he said, "on those tissue samples you got for patient 04-23-123, can you also do a neutrophin test."

"It's already set up, doctor," the lab tech said, "results will be in soon."

"Okay, thanks," Vincenzo said, "and the receptors?"

"The same," came the reply.

"Very good," Vincenzo said before closing the comm.

***A Couple of Hours Later***

Vincenzo had just finished another budget meeting, and before going to his office, he went past his mystery patient. The nurse who had called him yesterday was also there.

"And," he asked, "any more identification except Vaela Jor?"

"Nothing yet, doctor," she said, "but I don't get much cooperation from the police forces."

"I'll get the bureaucracy moving," Vincenzo said, "and as last resort we can always ask a 'missing person' report to be put on the holovid news."

"More results, doctor," another nurse said as she entered the room, handing him a pad.

"Anything special," the first nurse asked.

"As I thought," Vincenzo said, "she doesn't seem to make neutrophins anymore, or only very tiny quantities. Without those, her nerve cells die. Can you check if we have any neutrophins in our pharmacy."

"Immediately, doctor," the nurse said, moving out of the room.

Now they had at least something to start with. They would support her with neutrophins so her central nervous system wouldn't degenerate any further while he would try to find something to reverse the damage. He would also have to talk to the cybernetics group about an implant with these growth factors, so she could have a supply of them, should it be necessary. That would depend on the type of treatment, but it was always good to be prepared.

He commed his secretary and asked her to check the regulations concerning finding the identity of mystery patients, and while he was doing that, the nurse came back.

"We still have some NGF and NT-3, but no BDNF," she reported.

"How much of the first two," Vincenzo asked.

"Enough for a couple of days," she said.

"Order enough for two weeks," he said, "I'll sign the forms once you have them."

---

"Judgement, Part 1"
Rylaa "Boss" Lyssander - Crimelord
Morgal - New Dawn Agent
Lerrah Breijal - Pilot
Cirran Tyris - Pilot

Location: New Dawn Headquarters, Tigris III
Date: 24 Selene, 5ABY

***

Cirran awoke to an all over body ache, his face pressed flat against cold metal. He groaned and rolled over to a slightly more comfortable position on his back, and a nondescript and entirely unfamiliar ceiling came into view. He let out a sigh. The way some of his wakening-ups had been going lately, he wondered why he continued to bother with them.

What had happened this time? He sat up, eyes closed. The last thing he remembered was a blue light. Well, you didn't need to be CorSec to work this one out - someone had stunned him, that was clear enough. It was a first for Cirran, and he wouldn't recommend the experience. But what had he been doing before that? He remembered trying to pull someone out of the way...who had it been...

The rush of information that arrived when his brain caught up to events was a lot more unpleasant than anything the after effects of the stunner produced. He shot bolt upright. "Lerrah?" he called out, but the muffled and hollow sound of his voice only somehow served to confirm he was alone in some kind of dimly lit cell. And there was little doubt about who the cell belonged to.

This was bad. Very bad. Not so much for himself, since this would have probably eventually happened anyway, Cirran thought - although certainly it wasn't great news - but for Lerrah. Cirran swore at himself again for chasing ghosts to the Rim, for vaporizing that godsdamned canister, and at the Universe for bringing her to his ship moments before he was set to leave the station for good. "Lerrah?" he tried calling again, waiting uselessly for an answer, a faint knock on the other side of a wall, anything. He strode over to the steel door and pounded his fists on it. "I want to talk to someone in charge," he bellowed. Nothing happened. "Hey!" The only sound was a flickering hum from the inadequate overhead lighting. "If you hurt her, you bastards, I'll..." You'll what, Cirran? Bleed on them? With a final hammering on the door that was more out of frustration than any hope of an answer, Cirran miserably sank to the floor to wait. There seemed to be little other option.

***

Darkness lined with pain.

Slowly, Lerrah Breijal opened her eyes and ended up wishing she hadn't. The lighting in the...cell? The lighting in the cell was dim, filtered in from somewhere above her, but even the thought of turning to look was painful. Closing her eyes, she tried to put the pieces of what had happened together.

She remembered going to Cirran, of telling him how she felt, and just as he was about to throw her off his ship...something bad had happened. The fight came back in brief flashes, and she was a little miffed at how quickly both she and Cirran had fallen. She groaned, partly with memory and partly with pain. Her eyes opened again, and this time she forced herself to sit up. Flares of pain sparked through her body, but she managed to keep both from passing out and throwing up. Lucky me, she thought.

After a moment to let pain subside, Lerrah looked around. A droid stood watch in the corner, and she didn't like the look of it. There was no one else, and the slight shimmer in the air ahead of her indicated that there was probably a ray shield blocking her way out. She was trapped.

"Hey," she called to the droid, pain lancing through her mouth. Split lip, she thought with a moan. Her voice didn't sound that great either, hoarse and weak. "Droid, hello."

She thought she saw the quirk of a photoreceptor, but there was no answer.

"Cirran?" she shouted weakly. Then more softly, "You'd better be alright."

She fought back a sob, but the hot trail that burned down her cheek indicated the inability to stop the flow of tears. What kind of mess had she gotten herself into?

***

They had been collected. It was the best word to be used as the hulking war droids used to fetch Cirran and Lerrah from their respective cells simply walked in and snatched them up without saying anything. Deprived of food or water for over a day had done a number on the two and any attempts at resistance were futile.

It was the first time the two had seen each other since their capture.

Too tired to struggle, Lerrah let the droid carry her wherever it was going. As soon as she saw Cirran, however, she felt her heart leap. Vigor seemed to flow back in and she struggled to get free. "Cirran," she called. Her lip was split open, as she'd suspected and one black eye was sore. At least those were the only wounds that were visible. Her ribs were sore, and she felt like someone had stomped on her hand. "Oh, you're alive!"

"Lerrah! Thank the gods! Are you alright?" Whisked from his cell, it had quickly transpired from the appearance of his friend from a door on a left only a few seconds into the journey that while he had sat in his cell driving himself crazy about what might have happened to her for what seemed like an eternity, in reality they had only been a few meters away all that time. Cirran got a closer look at Lerrah's bruised and bloody face. He swore under his breath. "What have they done to you?" he said angrily, struggling furiously but ineffectually against one of the two hulking war droids that were frog-marching the two of them down a metal corridor.

"They were kind enough to give me a makeover while I waited," she said, trying to smile. "I tried to tell them I'm really not into that whole being made up thing."

"You two will be silent," a voice said from the shadows. It was followed shortly thereafter by a massive figure wearing old fashioned black robes. The New Dawn sunburst was stamped in gold both on the front and on the shoulders. Though the hood was up, the two pilots could hear a soft hiss, like air escaping from a tire. The robed figured joined in step with the droids, heading the only destination that seemed visible, a massive set of doors that looked forged from a single piece of bronze. Light was being provided by dull orange and red orbs that hung from the ceiling.

Without warning Lerrah and Cirran suddenly found themselves being unceremoniously dumped in the middle of the corridor by the war droids. The walls had gone from smooth metal to natural rock that was very warm to the touch. The robed figure stood behind them while the droids moved to either side of the doors. "Announce yourselves," the figure said with a sibilant hiss.

"Announce ourselves?" Cirran incredulously asked the imposing figure. This was pretty imposing all round, in fact, but he'd be damned if he'd whimper in front of these people before they put a blaster bolt in his face, not after what they'd done to Lerrah. "Certainly," he muttered. "I'm former Emperor Palpatine, mistakenly assumed dead, and my dinner companion this evening is Princess Leia Organa Solo. We'll be looking to try and put aside our differences over the appetizers. I'd like a table by the window if you've got one, please," he finished.

Dull light glinted off of polished scales as a fist the size of a dinner plate shot out to cuff the pilot on the side of the head. "Sssarcasssim will only prolong your pain Mr. Tyriss." The blow was much akin to getting hit by a speeder and it sent him to the floor where his head hitting the rock made an impressive cracking sound. It was a fight to maintain consciousness. "Either announce yourselves, or I will do it for you."

"Stop!" Lerrah shrieked, though it only came out as a croak. Freed of the droid, she was at Cirran's side instantly. "You already know who he is, so why do you even bother asking? Just so you can hit him? I'm Lerrah Breijal, you bastard. That a good enough answer for you?"

Cirran tried to shake his head clear. "Whoa...anyone see who was riding that bantha that hit me?" he muttered. He gave Lerrah a weak smile. "Let's have Vader bring the speeder around, Princess. The service at this place is terrible." His bitter grin quickly faded, and groggily he climbed unsteadily to his feet, Lerrah helping him up. "Cirran Tyris," he snarled at the hulking alien figure. "I'm Cirran Tyris. Does that clear everything up?"

No answer emerged from the robe the huge double door swung open with a great deal of groaning. A wall of darkness that the dim light couldn't penetrate met them. "Enter," a deep rumbling voice said from the gloom.

Allowing Cirran to put his weight on her as they moved, she mumbled, "Pretentious jerks. When we leave this place, let's remember not to tip."

"Agreed," Cirran murmured, the grogginess - if not the pain - from the blow he had taken slowly starting to fade now.

As they entered the room the walls illuminated in a soft orange light. The outline of several different alien species could be seen sitting around a long table. At the head of the sat was an ambiguous figure with the golden starburst of the New Dawn above its head. Lights positioned around the high-backed chairs shone on the two pilots and prevented them from seeing who they were speaking with. "Cirran Tyris," the same deep voice intoned. It seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once.

"You were contracted to deliver a simple package to Coruscant, one that you were told was very valuable. Instead of completing your task, you turned coward and ran, but not before destroying what was rightfully New Dawn property. One of our associates, Ares Macrotechnology, was able to collect enough of the container that our reputation was not severely harmed. I cannot say the same for you two."

Cirran gave something of a snort. "They have to be bluffing. We vaped that sithspit in open space in the middle of nowhere," he said quietly to Lerrah.

"That wasn't just a simple package," Lerrah said. "I don't care whose property it was, but it was dangerous and would probably killed a lot of people. Maybe you don't care about people or the harm you cause, but we didn't want that sort of thing hanging over our heads."

Lerrah got the feeling that the short silhouette at the end of the long table turned its head towards her. "So you opened the package?" the voice asked. "How very un-professional of you Ms. Breijal, our reports say that you've dabbled in smuggling a time or two yourself. Do you believe that load of weapons or shipment of Spice or whatever you might have carried would have done any less harm that what you were carrying that day?" The figure huffed in amusement. "If you were worried about your conscience you never should have looked into the crate, then you never would have known what was inside, and you two wouldn't be here right now."

"We wouldn't, but I bet there'd be a lot of people very unhappy that we existed," Lerrah said. "At least they got some relief from our actions. But, you don't care about them, do you? You just care about your credits, no matter who gets hurt in the process. As long as you're safe in your dark little room, pretending to be your own little dictator, where you can feel important in bullying others around."

"But New Dawn is not without mercy, as we realize it is valuable to keep certain people on retainer with the threat of certain death hanging over their heads. It's those sorts of people that will do things for you would have to pay others greatly for."

A different voice picked up. "This is what we had planned for you Cirran Tyris and Lerrah Breijal," it said in an exotic accent. "But since you admitted that you had opened the package, a punishment must be delivered. One that fits the crime." The hulking robed figured that had greeted them earlier stepped up behind them, a gleaming curved sword resting on one shoulder. "We equate opening that crate with theft. Far in the past, thieves paid with their hands, so that they may never steal again. Today we resurrect this practice, specifically for you." The mocking tone of the voice could not be mistaken.

"Technically," Lerrah said, "it was my droid that opened it. But, I doubt you'll let a thing like that bother you." Trying to be brave was difficult with the prospect of having her hands lopped off. "This is insane. What sort of sick twisted person do you have to be to actually do this to people?"

"Sick?" the first voice ask. "Twisted? Well to get along in this line of work you do have to be a little bit of both. I'll tell you what, Ms. Breijal, I'll give you a choice. Your hand, as it was your droid, or Tyris' hand. Choose carefully for there will be no going back."

"Why does it have to be anyone's hand? I'm not choosing. Cut off your own hand. You're the thief here! You're the real criminal!"

Cirran stood up straight. "I'm not sure anyone who trades in that stuff we dumped has any kind of a right to be applying much of a moral code," he said. "Lerrah's right - if we chopped off something for everything you lot had stolen, this room would be waist deep in limbs. But if you insist on going through this ritualistic Council of Elders wank, then I'm the guy you want. It was my ship; it was my decision to open the cargo, and my decision to blow it to hell. And I'd probably do it again." Sure Cirran, say that now when you've still got two hands, he nevertheless thought to himself.

If any of the insults had gotten through to the silent figures sitting around the table it didn't show. They sat as uncaring gods, masters and overlords of the two humans sitting before them. It wasn't until Cirran's announcement that a third voice joined the other two. "And who are you to judge us, Cirran Tyris and Lerrah Breijal? You who have both done your share of evil even though you allow yourself to sleep better at night by saying it was for the greater good. You may have even balanced it with acts of kindness, saying that it must surely cancel out what was done in the past. I've got news for you; We are the same! No matter what you may think and no matter what you may do we are the same in body and mind. We both commit evils, and we both do good deeds."

The first voice joined in. "But enough of that. You chose, Tyris, you chose your penalty. Remember that." A spotlight from somewhere overhead shone and a previous unnoticed stone altar. "Place your arm on the altar, and our agent will make this quick."

Cirran gazed in horrified fascination at the stone, trying to come to terms with the reality of this situation. This was mad. "Oh yeah, we're the same as them all right," Cirran muttered to Lerrah. "Look at you, Lerrah, You're a regular monster. Bet you've chopped 3 or 4 hands off today already - probably working on a toxic bioagent in your bathroom." He gave a bitter laugh, but there was no point trying to trade any more comparisons with their captors, who had clearly all made peace with their no-doubt heinous list of misdeeds many years ago, in whatever deluded ways had served them best.

Was there another way out of this? He tried to look around the room. No telling how many crack shots with blasters they had up there, and behind them on the floor, the enormous figure in the cloak waited patiently with the sword in a manner that very much suggested that he knew what he was doing with it. No escape. His gaze met the face of the girl next to him. "I don't think I'm getting out of this, Lerrah," he said quietly, a hint of fear now definitely noticeable in his voice.

"We'll find a way out," Lerrah said. There was definite anger underlying her voice, and her eyes seemed to shine with an inner light as she turned to their captors. "What will it take to get you to stop this sadistic insanity?"

"Nothing," the deep voice said with a tone that would brook no argument. "Payment must be had. Tyris has made his choice and he can either go willingly," the massive robed figure behind them placed a scaled claw on Cirran's shoulder, "or he can be forced."

Cirran weighed his options. They seemed to be: 1) enter unarmed hand to hand combat with what appeared to be a Barabel - a Barabel with a sword no less - defeat him, grab the sword, get Lerrah, and fight his way - with a sword - past the numerous heavy battle droids he had passed on the way in, and Gods knew what else. 2) have a hand removed by said sword. It had to be said that neither appealed. It suddenly occurred to him, raising what was in the situation an incongruous smirk, that either option would be a lot easier if only he was Luke Skywalker.

---

"Judgement, Part 2"
Rylaa "Boss" Lyssander - Crimelord
Morgal - New Dawn Agent
Lerrah Breijal - Pilot
Cirran Tyris - Pilot

Location: New Dawn Headquarters, Tigris III
Date: 24 Selene, 5ABY

***

"So you cut off my hand, and I bleed to death in agony, is that it?" he asked the assembled anonymous figures. "Because if that's the plan, I'd maybe prefer that he just took off my head now - maybe."

"If you want the medical answer," the third voice spoke again, "your human body will close the wound itself on a clean cut. We are not monsters, Tyris, despite what you may believe. Our agent behind you is carrying an extremely sharp sword."

"Oh, the sword's sharp? Why didn't you say so earlier? In that case, this whole thing is PERFECTLY OK, then." Cirran was still having some trouble believing this could all actually be real, but he had also dropped into the sarcasm that always emerged almost as an armor in times of emotional stress. He was shaking slightly now. He still couldn't bring himself to just walk up and lay his hand on a stone for someone to chop it off with a sword. He looked around again, desperately. Nope, he was still stuffed. "So, I don't suppose there's any chance I can convince you turn on them, kill 'em all, and then lead us the hell out of here?" he tried on the extremely solid figure immediately behind him. "Go on, I'll buy you a drink."

The only response he got for his wit was a shove forward and a deep growl from beneath the cowl of robe. The dim light in the room reflected not only from the wide blade of the sword, but also on the row of needle sharp teeth from the robed alien's grin. "You have one minute, Mr. Tyris, to decide. The easy way, or the much more painful way." It was a fourth voice that spoke, this one much more cordial than the others but held a dominant tone. There was no mistaking the source of the voice at the figure at the head of the table, as it spoke clearly from that direction. "Your associate chose the painful way."

Another light shone from somewhere overhead on another stone alter opposite the first. On the altar was a gruesome sight. Mirrasa Colemain, the contact who had originally gave him the mission, lay there. Or rather, simply her head, floating in a large jar of sickly green fluid, the face twisted into an eternal scream. "The price of failure," the voice said again.

Cirran turned pale. He had hardly known the woman - well, he'd known her in the Lanteshi Scroll sense, of course - but from what little of her, she had seemed nice. She certainly hadn't deserved this. Who did? Fear mixed with guilt and anger gripped him. "OK, that's me out of jokes," he said to no-one in particular. He thought back to the burning cockpit on Hoth, his legs trapped in the red hot metal...would this hurt as much? More? He tried to take a step towards the altar, and only managed to sway slightly. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, and then turned to Lerrah. "Don't go anywhere, OK?" he said. "I have a feeling I'm going to need you around pretty badly soon."

"Do you really think they'll let me stay with you," Lerrah said, venom in her voice as she glared up under the cowl of the beast who'd been pushing Cirran around. She turned to Cirran, and her voice softened considerably. Tears glittered as she met his eyes. "If they let me, I'll be there with you." She leaned in and kissed him, not caring what their captors thought.

She finally pulled away. "When I get out of here," Lerrah seethed, "they will all pay. I'm going to hurt them ten times over for what they do to you, Cirran. I will hurt them."

Cirran nodded, and smiled, the kiss still tingling on his lips. He gave Lerrah a last look, hoping that somehow the two of them would see each other again outside of this room. This was exactly what he hadn't wanted to happen, but right now he was glad she was here with him.

He walked slowly towards the stone altar, trying not to look at the floating head of the girl he'd slept with. Behind him came the beweaponed alien, shadowing his footsteps like a mobile wall. How did one decide which hand to lose? He was right handed, so logically it should be his left. But he liked his left hand. It had many fine qualities. Have I tried mentioning how insane all this is? he thought. Yes, he had. Slowly he bent down and laid his left hand on the stone, where a manacle emerged to lock it into place. A sort of expectant hush came over the room. Cirran looked around, looked at the lights, the unfeeling figure in the cloak preparing his sword, the figures above in all their affected solemnity, and then across to Lerrah. Gods, she was beautiful. He smiled, and although his legs were trembling, the sight of her couldn't help but produce one last piece of defiance.

"So, it'll grow back, right?" he queried the room casually.

"Perhaps," came the reply as the huge curved blade hovered just millimeters above Cirran's wrist. The pilot held his breath and tensed up as the robed alien steadied himself and slowly raised the sword in both hands. Steel flashed and fire shot up Cirran's arm. Tendons in his neck strained as it was all he could do not to scream in agony. Mercifully his brain decided he had had enough and shut down. He collapsed to the floor, his severed stump spurting blood for only a few seconds before the body's self defense system kicked in and closed the veins.

Lerrah did not turn away or close her eyes as the sword came down, but as it sliced through Cirran's wrist, she flinched. However, the term convulsed may have been more appropriate. As he finally did pass out in a pool of his own blood, Lerrah did shut her eyes. Something inside, something she could not say exactly what it was, snapped. A grief-stricken, keening cry was torn from her lips, and she rushed to Cirran's side. She pulled him into her arms, protectively.

The movement jerked Cirran back to a world of pain. Pale as a sheet, and not being able to bring himself to look at where his hand should be, he instinctively clutched his left arm - his stump, that's what he had now, Pelor's Teeth, he had a stump - into the armpit of his right, smearing blood everywhere. An involuntary body twitch, a pocket zip caught on something and this time the cry of pain was truly irrepressible. Cirran gazed about numbly - he was probably in shock, some still functioning part of his brain decided. His gaze found Lerrah's. "Hey, you're still here," he said weakly. "This hurts."

"I know," she whispered, pressing her lips to his forehead. "I'm not going anywhere, Cirran, and when we're out of this, we'll get you a brand new hand. We'll find a way out of this, I promise."

The grinning beast with the sword placed the blade to his lips and licked the blood off with an evil smile. He leered at Lerrah as his forked tongue ran up and down the edge. With the sword now cleaned, he leaned against the side of the stone alter and picked up the pilot's hand. As the two horrified humans watched numbly, the beast bit off a finger and began to crunch.

"The Bosss sssaid I could have your fingersss when we were done with you," it hissed.

The double doors opened an older human in a medical lab coat walked in with a large needle and a first aid kit. Two large claws held Lerrah in place as the needle was jabbed into her neck and half the fluid pumped in. She seconds later. "What the..." was all Cirran could get out before the same needle was jammed into his own and what felt like molten metal pumped into his vein. He passed out again.

***

Rylaa Lyssander was sitting around a table with his lieutenants in a room on the other side of the station. They had been watching the entire proceedings on the massive viewscreen the covered one entire wall. A thick cigar was clamped firmly between his teeth and a thin haze of smoke filled the room from it. When Cirran's hand was removed by Morgal's sword he winced.

"Ooooooo, that looked like it smarted," he commented good-naturedly to his men. Most of them were drinking, smoking, and playing Sabaac whiles the ones whose voices were being used for the mockup sat with microphones in front of them.

After the doctor had come in and injected the two with the knockout drugs, the crimelord spun his chair around to face his men. "Well that was a bit of fun. The information we were paid for their lives is well worth it." He puffed on his cigar as he looked at the human in charge of his scientists and medical staffing. The ancient man looked as though the only thing holding him together was the hatred that burned in his breast after being kicked out from his professorship the Imperial Medical Academy. "Make sure the pilot won't die and that the droids on board the Lambda have enough juice to keep them in La-La land until it lands."

Five minutes later a coded pulse went out over a secure frequency into the far reaches of the system. Seconds later a coded packet of information was received on a second frequency with coordinates for a drop-off location. The information was loaded into the droid brain of a Lambda-class shuttle waiting in the planetoid's docking bay which activated itself. Clearance was granted and the droid piloted shuttle left to deliver its package.

---

"The New Dawn"
by: Rylaa Lyssander - Crimelord

Location: Enroute to Tae'Karada
Date: Selene 24, 5ABY

***

It had been a tough few days. The chubby crimelord ran a hand down his face and blinked his eyes open again. Sleep was something his body needed. Put paperwork was something else.

It was tough work making a religion out criminalistic ideals, but he and his lieutenants had persevered and it was swiftly on its way to become exactly what they wanted. The only bright star what that the quasi-mysticism that they had already instilled into the syndicate fed directly with what they wanted.

But first... paperwork.

One report from a man on Coruscant itself caught his eye.

***

ZNR UUUUU ZUI RHHMMCB 7635 1571943 O I 062129Z KUN 06 PSN 760155K24 FM NEWREPINTEL DET ONE TWO SEVEN TO ALL DEPARTMENTS BT PART 01 YUWDHLP0470 TOP SECRET TOP SECRET//N03123// MSGID/IDENTIFICATION REPORT/JEARL// SUBJ/CRIME SYNDICATE - NEW DAWN// POC/KANKE, FORD F./T3E/NRID127-N32M2B/-/HOLONET:15-1233-100375 X295// RMKS/ 1. OVERVIEW: A) FULL REPORT TO FOLLOW. AT FIRST IT APPEARED THAT THE FLEDGLING CRIME SYNDICATE OF THE SELF STYLED "NEW DAWN" BASED, IT APPEARS, OUT OF THE TAE'REMOK SYSTEM WOULD QUICKLY DIE FROM INTERNAL FIGHTING AND SO WAS PLACED ON THE BACK BURNER UNTIL SUCH A TIME AS RESOURCES WERE AVAILABLE TO ALLOCATE TO INVESTIGATION. AN AGENT OF OURS WHO RECENTLY HAD CONTACT WITH A MEMBER OF THE NEW DAWN BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION THE FACT THAT THIS ORGANIZATION WARRANTS IMMEDIATE INVESTIGATION. INDEED, OUR AGENT WAS CORRECT. IN THE SHORT TIME THAT WE HAD LEFT THE ORGANIZATION ALONE, IT PRACTICALLY EXPLODED ACROSS THE OUTER RIM. THE FOLLOWING PRELIMINARY REPORT OUTLINES THE NEW DAWN AS IT IS BELIEVED TO EXIST NOT. 2. LEADERSHIP: A) THE LEADERSHIP OF THE NEW DAWN APPEARS TO BE HELD BY TWO ENTITIES. THE FIRST IS A COUNCIL WHOSE IDENTITIES ARE UNKNOWN BY ANY BUT THE CLOSEST OF MEMBERS OF THE ORGANIZATION, THAT APPEARS TO RUN THE EVERYDAY OPERATION OF THE ORGANIZATION AT LARGE. THE SECOND ENTITY IS A MAN KNOWN ONLY AS "THE BOSS" WHOSE WORD, IT APPEARS, IS FINAL. THE IDENTITY OF THIS MAN IS KNOWN ONLY BY THE COUNCIL AND HIS CLOSEST ADVISORS. B) SYSTEMS THAT HAVE AT LEAST ONE NEW DAWN CELL ON A PLANET ARE RUN BY POWERFUL MEN AN WOMEN KNOWN AS DUKES. THESE ARE RUTHLESS, AGGRESSIVE INDIVIDUALS WHO ANSWER ONLY TO THE COUNCIL AND THE BOSS. MANY OF THEM HAVE BEEN IN THE CRIMINAL UNDERWORLD FOR DECADES WITH OTHER SYNDICATES BEFORE BEING BROUGHT INTO THE NEW DAWN FOLD. ALL ARE FIERCELY LOYAL TO THE IDEALS OF THE NEW DAWN. C) INDIVIDUAL PLANETS WITH NEW DAWN CELLS ARE RUN BY MEN AND WOMEN OF MODERATE POWER CALLED VISCOUNTS. IN THE EVENT THAT A SYSTEM ONLY HAS ONE PLANET WITH A NEW DAWN CELL ON IT, THEN THAT PLANET IS INSTEAD RUN BY THE DUKE OF THE SYSTEM. VISCOUNTS ARE ALMOST AS RUTHLESS AS THEIR DUKES AND ANNEX OTHER CRIMINAL ELEMENTS WITH AN ALMOST BORDERLINE FANATICISM. ON PLANETS WITH WELL ESTABLISHED CRIMINAL ELEMENTS, SUCH AS CORUSCANT OR CORELLIA, DEALS HAVE BEEN STRUCK BETWEEN THE NEW DAWN AND THE EXISTING UNDERGROUND. ALL VISCOUNTS SO FAR IDENTIFIED HAVE BEEN FANATICALLY LOYAL TO THE ORGANIZATION AND INTERESTED ONLY IN FURTHERING THE GOALS OF THE COUNCIL. D) BANDS OF CRIMINALS ARE RUN BY A CHIEFTAIN. EACH PART OF THE CRIMINAL NETWORK HAS ITS OWN CHIEFTAIN ON THE PLANET. I.E. THE CHIEFTAIN OF SMUGGLING, THE CHIEFTAIN OF SLAVERY, THE CHIEFTAN OF DRUG DISTRIBUTION, ETC. CHIEFTAINS ARE USUALLY SMALL TIME THUGS WHO HAVE MANAGED TO SHOW SOME GLIMMER OF INTELLIGENCE IN THEIR CHOSEN FIELD AND HAVE BEEN APPOINTED THE RUN THAT SECTION BY THE PLANET'S VISCOUNT. THE CHIEFTAINS ARE ALL PROTECTED BY A STRONG-ARM DIVISION KNOWN AS THE "DAWN PROTECTORS". DESPITE THE LOFTY NAME, THIS DIVISION IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS ANY GUARD DIVISION FOUND IN ANY CRIMINAL SYNDICATE. E) A FEW REPORTS HAVE COME IN ABOUT AN INDEPENDENT SECTION OF THE NEW DAWN KNOWN ONLY AS THE "DAWN SEEKERS". FROM WHAT WE CAN TELL, THESE DAWN SEEKERS ARE THE INTELLIGENCE ARM OF THE NEW DAWN. THEY ARE EXTREMELY SECRETIVE AND USE TOP-OF-THE-LINE TECHNOLOGY TO AID THEM IN THEIR TASKS. NOTHING MORE IS KNOWN ABOUT THEM THOUGH REPORTS CONTINUE TO FILTER IN. 3. TRADE: A) THE NEW DAWN HAS SET UP SMUGGLING RINGS FOR ALMOST EVERY COMMON VICE THAT CAN BE FOUND IN THE UNIVERSE. SLAVES, SPICE, DRUGS, LIQUOR, ARMS, ETC. THEY DABBLE IN EVERYTHING BUT APPEAR TO HOLD NO ONE THING HIGHER THAN THE OTHERS. CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE ORGANIZATION, HOWEVER, APPEAR TO BE HIGHLY INTERESTED IN TRADING ONLY IN CRAFTED GOODS SUCH AS JEWELRY AND ART AND HAVE SET UP BLACK MARKETS DIRECTLY RELATING TO SUCH GOODS. B) NEW DAWN MEMBERS APPEAR TO COLLECT INTELLIGENCE AT EVERY TURN. INFORMATION APPEARS TO BE THEIR TRUE BREAD AND BUTTER AND THEY BROKER IT ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY THROUGH THEIR MYSTERIOUS "DAWN SEEKERS". 4. SUMMERY: A) THE NEW DAWN CRIMINAL ORGANIZATION HAS SPREAD LIKE WILDFIRE THROUGHOUT THE OUTER RIM. THEIR AGGRESSIVE, STRONG-ARM TACTICS IN ANNEXING OTHER SMALLER ORGANIZATIONS AND ABSORBING THEM INTO THE FOLD HAVE MADE THEM MANY ALLIES AND MANY ENEMIES BUT APPEAR TO ONLY STRENGTHEN THEIR RANKS. IT IS EXPECTED THAT THEY WILL HAVE A CELL IN EVERY MAJOR SYSTEM IN SEVERAL GALACTIC MONTHS. EVERY EFFORT SHOULD BE TAKEN TO KEEP AN EYE OUT ON THIS UP-AND-COMING SYNDICATE FOR AS THEY GROW THEY ARE CEMENTING ALLIANCES WITH THE MORE POWERFUL ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE SMUGGLER'S ALLIANCE. B) MUCH OF THE NEW DAWN IS CLOUDED IN MYSTICISM AND RITUALS. EXAMPLES FOLLOW: DUKES OF SYSTEMS RARELY APPEAR IN PERSON, AND THEN ONLY CLOAKED AND COWLED SO AS TO BE MAINLY UNIDENTIFIABLE; THEY NEVER SPEAK THEMSELVES, ONLY THROUGH AN ADVISOR KNOWN AS "THE SPEAKER"; THE MODE OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE TWO IS UNKNOWN. THE COUNCIL ITSELF HAS ONLY EVER BEEN SEEN BY THE MOST POWERFUL MEMBERS OF THE NEW DAWN, AND WHAT RUMORS FILTER DOWN TO THE LOWER RANKS ARE FILLED WITH AWE AND MYSTERY. IT APPEARS THAT THE NEW DAWN USES THIS MYSTICISM TO KEEP ITS MEMBERS IN LINE AND TO PROMOTE AN ALMOST FANATICAL LOYALTY TO THE ORGANIZATION. 5. SOURCE: A) RELIABLE SOURCES WHO HAVE INFILTRATED VARIOUS OTHER ORGANIZATIONS. HOWEVER, CONTACT HAS BEEN LOST SINCE INITIAL REPORT. BELIEVE THEM TO BE LOST AND COMPROMISED. FURTHER CONTACT WILL NOT BE ATTEMPTED. // BT #0470 NNNN

***

Rylaa could only smile. The New Republic's intel certainly was good. He wondered what they would say once they saw that the religious overtones of everything. But that was for another day. The intelligence report was separated from the pile. It would be framed later and hung in the main office on Tigris III at some other date.

---

"Intrusion, Part 2"
Adam Edwards
Cailin Fawkes
DB-7(NPC+)
Colonel Murphy(NPC)

Location: Drogen Shipyards
Date: Selene 24, 5 ABY

***

Trying to find an individual on a crowded space station was a difficult task, to have to find that person through the Force was even harder. Cailin Fawkes had been tasked with such a job, and she certainly hoped she was leading the small team following behind her in the right direction. She glanced at Adam who strode along at her side.

She couldn't allow herself to get distracted, so she renewed her focus on finding their target. She had to admit that his presence was comforting, but she really wasn't sure if she should thank Nieme and Dani for the added complication they'd introduced into her employment with him or not. She allowed a slight smile and let the back of her hand brush against his. No regrets.

"I think he's directly below us," she finally announced. "I'm guessing he's down about ten levels below us. I think that makes it a residential level."

Considering his options, Adam smiled at her. He was extremely fond of Cailin, even if he sometimes felt awkward over events that had taken place. He also sometimes worried about her. Having read histories of force sensitive people, it amazed him how many of these force users started using their power for their own means. And if Nieme and Dani had been so powerful as to manipulate Adam around as they did, who's to say that it couldn't happen to Cailin.

Adam tried to push the thought from his mind.

"Alright, we'll head down and check it out."

The team found the nearest lift, and headed down ten levels. Cailin had said "about" ten levels, so it was possible that the man could be one or two above, or the same below.

"What do you feel now?" Adam asked, his eyes scanning the corridor.

"This level," she said. "Toward the end. There are some men inside, armed with blasters."

As they approached the door. Adam drew his blaster. He put his ear against the door, and could hear the muffled voices of people talking inside.

DB cocked his head to the side. "The amount of vibration indicates at least 4 beings inside. One of them appears to have a Bothan accent."

Colonel Murphy was busy watching the groups rear. "What's the plan sir?"

Edwards regarded the group. "I'd hate to say the plan is to bust in and surprise the bad guys, but I suppose that's the only thing to do. Everyone ready?"

They neared the door. "Cailin, go in first. See if you can't deflect some of that blaster fire if they want to put up a fight," Adam said, as his hand moved to open the door.

Cailin removed her lightsaber from her belt and nodded. Her thumb touched the activator plate and the blade snapped to life with a hiss. It's glow filled the corridor with light. As the door opened, she moved forward, lightsaber coming up. There was a brief pause as those inside reacted to what was happening, and then the blaster fire began.

Blade moving in a dizzying dance, Cailin managed to deflect those bolts that would have injured herself or those behind her. As she felt them coming into the room behind her, she edged forward, her blade whipping dangerously close to those inside. One thug pulled back a cauterized stump as he tried to sneak a knife in between her ribs, leaving behind the twitching hand that still held the blade.

Adam watched Cailin cleave through the guard's arm, as he brought his weapon up and tried to sight in on the nearest man. It was a Bothan, and the alien was moving across the room. Set for the stun, the blastech pistol discharged, and missed. A second shut down the bothan, and he slumped to the ground.

Colonel Murphy's rifle, also set for stun, cut down two humans trying to pull blasters to help their friends but it was two late. Three occupants of the room lie stunned, and the fourth one lie clutching his severed arm. The man clutching his arm was the same man who had been caught back at Adam's base.

Motioned to DB, Adam ordered them tied up. While DB was trying the four men with flexi-cords, Adam turned to Cailin. "Can you and Colonel Murphy watch the door? Once the rest of the these guys wake up, I'm gonna get some answers?"

"Of course," Cailin said as she moved. As she took up a position beside the door, she sensed a tremor run through the Force. "Security's been notified and a team has been dispatched to our location."

Adam looked back at the four men, now all tied up. Three of them were awake. The one with the amputated arm was the same man who they had caught at Adam's base earlier.

"We meet again," Adam said, smiling.

The man spat out a few curse words. "How did you find me?"

Adam nodded back to Cailin, who was standing in the doorway, watching the corridor. "I didn't find you, friend. She did." He turned to the next one over, a Bothan man. "Which one of you is in charge?"

The group remained silent. Adam sighed. "Look, I'm not gonna torture you. I'm really bad at it. I could shoot you," he trained his blaster on the group," But where would that get me?"

"I'm a business man," Adam said, "so I'll make you a deal.

"I know it wasn't you," Adam told the man with the severed arm. "I know that because you where the one who showed up on my cozy planet."

"So that makes one of you," he looked at the other two humans and the Bothan, "his superior. Right?" Adam smiled. "Which brings us back to the deal. The first one of you that tells me what the hell is going on...lives. I shoot the other two."

The three glanced at each other, sweat starting to form on their faces. One of the humans, a tall man with a short mustache and dark features was the one to crack. "The men that arrived at your base, were my employees. But I'm not in charge. I was hired by someone, a human, or near human. I only met him in person. He told me to contact him again when the mission was successful and then, to head back to where I'd first met him. We'd receive payment there."

"Where were you going to meet him?" Adam demanded.

The man started to say, but then held back.

"WHERE?"

"Nar Shaddaa. A warehouse on Nar Shaddaa. The information is on a infochip in my pocket." The man was really sweating now.

Adam put the blaster against the man's temple, and switched the weapon back to the blast function, off of stun. "I want you to answer this one very, very carefully, because if you don't, someone's going to be scraping your brains off the wall. Have you contacted this man to tell him the mission status?"

"No! No I swear!"

Adam grinned. "Then why don't we call him together?"

Adam marched the man to the holonet console. Stepping out of the way, he aimed his blaster at the man's chest. "Well?"

The man typed in a code, and the holonet sprang to life. The image of a man shrouded in shadow's appeared, only the bottom of his face visible. Adam didn't recognize the man, but then, he could barely see him. The face started to speak.

"I hope your not wasting my time. What is the status of the mission?"

Risking a glance to Adam, the man turned back to the holonet. "A success, sir. Everything went according to plan."

"I want his head on Nar Shaddaa in two days. Don't be late." The image of the man vanished.

No sooner had the holonet transmission ended when the man exhaled loudly, glancing over at Adam. With a swift blow to the temple, Adam knocked the man into unconsciousness. Moving quickly, he stunned the other three, and went to the door.

Cailin glanced down the hall. "I guess this means we're going to Nar Shadda," she said. "If you want to avoid security, we're almost out of time."

The heavy booted feet coming down the corridor indicated that a security detachment in heavy armor was on its way, and would be there within the minute.

"We're going to have to sweet talk them to get out," Cailin amended. I can't mind trick our way out of here against that group, and they're pretty much blocking the whole corridor." She grinned and pulled her lightsaber from her belt. "Though, we could always just go down a level to slip past them."

Adam looked back the way they came, to the lift that had brought them to this level, then back the other way, where Drogen Security was bound to show up any moment. He turned back the group. "Let's go."

They jogged down to the lift. Adam pressed the button to open the lift doors, but nothing happened. Idiot. Of course the lift would have been called to a different area. They, were, in essence, trapped.

"Time to start thinking up a interesting story," he said with a smirk.

With a hiss, Cailin's blade emerged. With a smile for Adam, she proceeded to cut a hole into the floor at their feet. As the plate of decking dropped to the lower level, she turned to the door just to the side, and waved a hand. It slid open. "In there," she said.

They all dropped through the hole and went for the door. It turned out to be another corridor, but this section of Drogen looked abandoned. The lights were low, making it hard to make things out, except for the dull red glow of DB's eyes. Hearing the sounds of the security team still outside, Adam fished a glowstick out of his vest, and activated it. The dull glow gave the team just enough room to see the ground in front of them as they ran.

The corridor turned right, and turned into an old lift tube, with no lift car in sight. The lift tube stretched up into infinity, but somewhere up there was the hanger where the Elusive sat, so up was the way they had to go.

Adam reached out and grabbed the ladder that transversed the vast tunnel. He turned back to his friends. "Only way to go, unless you want to have a talk with station security."

"That sounds pretty boring," Cailin said. "Let's get on out of here. We've got a visit to Nar Shaddaa to plan."

One rung at a time, the four traveled up the ladder. Considering Drogen was a huge station, it would take some time for the group to make it up to be even close to where the Elusive was docked.

Not sure which level to climb out on, Adam finally picked a opening about thirty levels up from their original point. They were still well within Drogen's lower levels, so with any luck, the odd inhabitants of this part of the station wouldn't pay any mind to three humans and a droid crawling out of a lift tube.

After fiddling with the control panel next to the ladder, Adam finally got the hatch to open, he pulled himself through. He reached his hand back down to help the others up.

Like Adam had hoped, the poor and ramshackle inhabitants of the lower levels didn't seem to care as they emerged from the tube into the poor living quarters. It saddened Adam to know that he had helped chase the Imperials off this station not to long ago, but for these people, not much had improved.

Now to find a lift that worked, Adam thought as him and his party made their way through the matching hallways of this level, until finally, by chance, they found another lift that could take them back to the Elusive.

The lift did, in fact, put them within walking distance of the Elusive's docking port, and they made good time, although, that might have been because the still present threat of security trying to locate them. Adam didn't feel relief until he had closed the ships hatch and was sitting in the cockpit.

He pressed some levers and activated the engines, as the ship moved away from it's docking port, into the relative safety of space. As the navicomputer punched up the route, Adam leaned back in his seat.

Everyone in his profession had been to the smugglers moon. Hell, Adam's little smuggling corporation commonly ran cargo through Nar Shaddaa. That didn't make it a great place. Still, Adam had friends in the Corellian sector, and with luck, he could get to the bottom of this.

---

"Gathering for the Hunt"
Anamaghera Zek, Bounty Hunter (NPC+)
Zarrak, Bounty Hunter
Omri Kenemoth, Vigilante
Selena Rellik, Death Dealer
and The Pale Woman (NPC)

Location: Palace Courtyard, Arcadia, Tae'Karada
Date: Selene 24, 5ABY

***

Anamaghera Zek surveyed the other Hunters assembled in the Palace courtyard. The call had gone out the previous day, silently and swiftly. He'd been halfway through his second ale when the news reached him. Most people would have had some fear at the thought of trying to nab a rogue Jedi, but not Zek. Some would have called it foolishness or perhaps stupidity. Zek figured he had an edge though, and the pay was more than he could turn down. So, here he was, amongst others who had also answered the call to go after a Jedi.

The woman facing them had extremely pale skin and sharp blue eyes. She held herself with a regal bearing, but seemed to flinch just a little when she met his eye.

"The pay will be fifty thousand credits for this job," the woman said. "You may work together or separately, but whomever brings her in will receive fifty thousand, whether one alone or all four as a team." She pointed a small device at the holoprojector between them, and pressed the activator. A holographic image sprung up from the ground. The former empress stood there, dressed in black leather with her hair falling free over her shoulders. Even captured in a hologram, her allure pulled at the viewer. "The former empress, Dani, harboured by the Jedi Knights. We have learned of her location, in the desert settlement of Thanatos. I know each of you is very skilled, however I must warn you to use caution against someone trained as she is." She looked between each of them.

"You will receive ten thousand credits just for meeting with me here," the woman said. "When you walk out of those gates, whether you accept or not, you will be paid that sum. Upon arrival with the prisoner, you will receive the additional forty thousand credits. Walk away now if you wish. Stay, and I will give you the details we know of her location."

Zarrak scratched his chin. Part of him didn't want to betray Dani. After all she gave him his payment that one night at the Jedi Temple. But this was too much credits to give up.

"I think I might remember where she is," Zarrak replied after a while. "But I'll let you give me the details in case anything has changed."

Omri stood silent. He weighed the pale-skinned woman's words while considering the others with a wary eye.

Selena looked at the woman who was addressing them. She had never seen someone from her species. In fact, she wasn't sure what species she was... But that was of no consequence. As much as Selena disliked the idea of being amidst the bounty hunters that she despised, she had heard of this former Empress. One of the two who had seized the throne by force and who had acted as tyrants for quite a while before they were taken down. They had, however, disappeared and were wanted.

As much as Selena wasn't keen on working with governmental agencies, she shared the idea that the former Empresses, Dani and Nieme, should somehow pay for their transgressions on others. There were simply too many stories of people who had died at their hands, or as consequence of their actions. Innocent people. She didn't want to work with the bounty hunters, for she thought them to be no better than the scum they preyed upon, so that meant that she was looking at competition.

"So talk..." She nodded to the woman. "Might as well tell us where she is. Unless you want to go get her yourself."

The woman regarded Selena with a weary expression. "If I had wanted to get her myself, do you really think I would be wasting my time speaking of it with you." She shifted her gaze to the others, and brought up the next holo. Before her, a holographic representation of the desert shimmered into view. "This is the desert settlement of Thanatos."

An indicator flashed, directing attention to a small two-story dwelling. The holograph adjusted until it was displayed vertically, allowing the hunters to gaze down upon the settlement. The area around the dwelling was enlarged.

"This is the house in which she is staying. There are others residing there, but they are of no consequence. Desert dwellers who pose no threat to the government. You may do with them as you like, punish them for their transgressions or leave them in peace. There is no additional reward for them. The reward for Dani is only good if she lives. Her body is to be intact, but we will not be displeased if she is ill-treated before her arrival."

Selena watched the holo-recordings and made a mental note of them. It seemed fairly easy...almost too easy to be true, if not for the fact that there were Jedi guarding her. In fact, the former Empresses were known to have Jedi training. "What can we expect on protection around them? Other than the Jedi, that is..." she asked.

Zarrak glanced at the human female hunter. He gave a snort and shook his head, chuckling. The tiny bounty hunter turned his chair around and glanced at her.

"Trust me, pretty one, you shouldn't be making plans so early," the Dug replied. "If we prepare for one thing completely then they may have something else in store for us that we won't be prepared for. Therefore I suggest we prepare ourselves for whatever those bastards can throw at us." He then tossed her a wink. "Besides, I don't think you should go. You're far to lovely to be doing something like this. If anything you should be waiting for us men here in something skimpy and wait on us."

"Careful Dug," Omri warned. "You may wake up with her pretty little vibrodagger sticking out of your throat." Omri had learned from his wife, beauty and swift death can come in the same petite package. "You are right, however. We should be prepared for any contingency."

Selena looked at the Dug. Tough as they were, they always seemed to think themselves far superior than their capabilities allowed. Besides, she had killed Dug before. The other man, however, seemed far more professional and thorough. Still, working with bounty hunters was not her idea. Given the chance, she would probably set justice upon most of those who were present... "You may have to prepare for whatever you think you need to do... I, however, have my own means. So, I suggest you mind your own business and think on what is best for you, rather than what I should do. Make no mistakes, there is no we in this equation."

"Ha. Full of yourself, ain't ya," Zek said. "Woman just spends a spell sputtering on about how this purple slot is dangerous and all heck and how we're best to work as a team. As soon as her mouth is shut, you're yammerin' on about how you're not part of we. Your funeral and all that rim, but I like the odds of a team going after the target. Just make sure you stay out of our way." He gave a nod and smiled. "And if we happen by your corpse, we'll make sure to say some pretty words over it."

"In case you're too slow and missed the point, there was no saying on how each of us work. It was left up to each one present to decide that for themselves," Selena pointed out. "But unlike you, I'm not doing this for the money. So, there will be no need to work with you, since there is nothing to share, money or equipment or otherwise. That much being said, I think there is little else for me here. The more time I spend here verbalizing ideas, the more time spent and the more time this former Empress is on the loose," she added as she turned away and left.

The pale woman regarded Selena as she departed. Once the other woman was gone, she turned back to the others. "If you have no other questions, I will leave you to make your plans and put them into action. Good luck to you in this, and I wish you success." With that, she turned and departed the courtyard.

---

"Passing Muster, Part 1"
By: Talara Sorenne
Kallia Brael
Zari Zathmir
Keeve Zenarr
Kimara
Dev [NPC+]

Location: Keeve's Apartment, New Plouton
Date: Selene 24, 5 ABY

***

Talara kicked her hoverboard up into her hand and glanced over at Dev as he did the same. She smiled as he fumbled slightly before fimrly taking hold of the board. He was cute with his mop of brown hair and large, expressive eyes. She was glad they'd met and seemed to be becoming good friends. She knew she couldn't tell him about who she really was, or, rather, what she was.

"You want to come up and have dinner with us tonight," she asked as they started inside.

He pondered a moment, then grinned. "Sure," he said. "I'll just need to make sure it's alright. We can stop at my place on the way up."

They took the lift up, stopping first at Dev's where he asked his mother, who had to contact his father. In the end, they allowed Dev to go, but not before her father got a good look at Talara over the holo-link, and then finally acquiesced.

"She's really young," Tala was saying as they got into the lift. "She can't be much older than Kimara."

"She's not my real mom," Dev answered. "Dad married her about four months ago." He shrugged. "She's nice though. And, it's nice when she's around and dad isn't."

"You don't like your dad much?"

Dev shrugged again. "He's a bit...overbearing, but he's still good to me."

Silence remained between them until the lift doors opened again.

***

Dev followed Talara into the apartment as she sought out Kallia who was busily preparing dinner before Keeve and Kim got home. Zari was helping by slicing up vegetables. Due to interruptions by the babies it was clear dinner wouldn't be quite ready. As Talara got to the kitchen, a white missile seemed to rocket off of the space above the cabinets. With a grin, she caught the little fluffball and gave it a kiss. "Dev, meet Hope. She's quite a handful."

The boy laughed and reached out to ruffle the fur atop the reisakitten's head.

"Kallia, is it alright if Dev stays with us for food tonight?" Talara asked. "I know I should have asked earlier, but we were downstairs on hoverboards."

Kallia surveyed the fixings they had available, then nodded. "We'll have more than enough for a guest," she said. "In the future, make sure you ask first...in case we don't have enough."

"I will, Kal," Tala said.

"Thank you," Dev echoed as she led him away from the kitchen into the other room.

As she was settling onto the floor with Hope, the front door opened, and the reisakitten was off like a ship jumping to hyperspace. Talara laughed and shook her head. "Every night..." In response to her words, from the other room, Kimara's voice could be heard welcoming the little white ball of hyperenergy. Talara reached out and took Dev's hand and indicated the front area again. "Come on, I'll introduce you to Keeve."

As they both got up and started to the door, Tala glanced down to where their hands were linked and couldn't help thinking about how nice it felt. She smiled as she led the way until Keeve and Kim came into view, giving Hope all the loving attention she demanded.

"Hi Kim, hi Keeve," Talara said. "I want you to meet Dev, Keeve. He lives below us."

Shifting his gaze away from the reisakitten, Keeve studied Dev severely, noting his proximity to Talara, and the meeting flesh of their hands. "What's he doing here?" Keeve grunted.

"He's my friend and he's having dinner with us," Tala answered. "Kallia said there was enough."

"Well, Kallia's gone a little insane after giving birth," he retorted. "We have no room for strays."

Talara looked aside at Dev as her cheeks flushed noticeably. She crossed her arms under her breasts and glared at Keeve. "He's not a stray, he lives downstairs. He's my friend and we've been riding hoverboards downstairs. I asked Kallia if it was alright, and she said yes. If you don't want him to eat here, then maybe his mother will want a guest at their table."

Lowering his voice, Keeve reminded her, "You're not supposed to talk to strangers, Tala. I know I don't have to go into why. You should have told me about this."

"I know," she said. "But, he's a nice guy. Kim met him and she liked him." She gave Kim a pleading look. "It's okay, Keeve. Let him stay for dinner and you'll see."

He looked between Kim, and Talara, one piteously beseeching and the other glaring threateningly at him. With a frustrated sigh, he threw up his arms and marched past the trio. "Why do I even bother? Invite the whole damned neighbourhood next time! Whoopee!"

Kim handed Hope to Talara. "Entertain her and I'll go talk to him," she said, then strode off after Keeve.

With Hope in hand, Tala and Dev returned to the living area, both not quite certain what had just happened.

***

"Keeve," Kim said as she approached her hopefully soon-to-be husband. "Talk to me."

"What's the point?" He tossed his jacket across their mattress in exasperation. "No one listens to me anyway. I'm not wasting my breath any longer!"

"Of course we do," Kim answered. "Do you really expect her to just hide inside here for as long as it takes someone to clear the Jedi name? She's growing up fast, but she's still young."

Keeve whirled on Kim, hissing, "Doesn't she get it? She's being hunted, Kim! I'm trying to protect her, but I can't do it if she's running off with strange boys. What does she even know about him? Can he be trusted?"

"I'm quite sure she knows more about him than you do," Kim said. "And, she hasn't run off anywhere as they're out in our living room entertaining Hope. He also lives on the floor below us. I figured you'd be happy, Keeve. The way they were holding hands out there, it looks like she may actually be moving on from you."

Keeve laughed incredulously. "You think I'm jealous? I'm not! If you've both forgotten, the Jedi are being hunted, and she's one of them! If she gets too comfortable with this boy and let slips what she is, who knows what'll happen, Kim."

"Something or nothing is my guess," Kim said. "What would you have us do about her, Keeve? Lock her in her room and not let her out? Tell her she's not allowed to leave the apartment for anything? I know there are dangers, but do you really want to just make her a prisoner? It's easy for you since you get to leave whenever you want, do whatever you want. At least a friend is going to take her mind off the people who are hunting her and the friends who could be out there dying right now."

"What's so wrong with spending all her time with us?" he asked gruffly. "Aren't we fun?"

"Because you'd freak out if we brought her along to work," Kim said. "Since that's where we've been all day, while she's been here. We're plenty of fun, but most of the day we're away doing other things, which leaves her here with Kallia, Zari, and the babies."

Keeve sighed, some sense beginning to penetrate his thick skull. He sank defeatedly onto the mattress and pouted. "I'm supposed to protect her, Kim. If this boy does something, how guilty do you think I'll feel?"

"There's a saying," Kim said with a smile. "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. They haven't ventured far, but he is a neighbour and they just ride their hoverboards out in the park across from us. You can see them if you stand out on the balcony." She leaned in and kissed his nose. "And, you have to remember that she does know how to protect herself."

"But she's too easily fooled by charm, Kim. For all we know, that kid only wants to get her into bed."

"Perhaps, Mr. Doom and Gloom," Kim said. "Or he could actually like her and enjoy spending time with her. So, did you just want to get me into bed? Is that it?"

He grudgingly smiled and nodded as he pulled Kim down onto his lap. "Is that wrong? Because if it is, I could always say I didn't know any better. Would that help?"

"It might," she said. "All we can do with Talara is watch out for her as best we can, Keeve. We can't put her in a box and store her on a shelf. I wouldn't want that for myself, and I know you wouldn't for you. I think just as long as you don't get too jealous because she's not fawning all over you, we'll all be okay."

"I'm not jealous," he informed her peevishly. "Why would I be?" Cracking under Kim's scrutiny, Keeve rose abruptly, nearly throwing Kim to the ground. Her reflexes were quick enough to save her, though she still wasn't fast enough to keep up with Keeve, who was now rushing towards the door. "Let's eat. It's time we get to know this boy, isn't it?"

"You are," Kim called, her voice full of laughter as she struggled back to her feet to race after him. "You are! I knew it!"

As the two came racing out, both Talara and Dev stared open mouthed. Hope leapt straight up into the air, re-corrected when she figured out what was going on, then raced after Kim.

"Kal!" Keeve hollered across the room. His eyes flashed towards Dev and Talara, expressing displeasure over his presence, then he disappeared within the dining room, Hope still loping behind he and Kim. "It's dinner time. This is a family dinner, and I want everyone here to meet Talara's little boyfriend."

"Keeve," Zari said as she watched Hope leap up into Kim's arms, "you're the only one who hasn't met him. And, he's not her boyfriend yet."

"Yet," Kim said with a giggle.

He scowled at the both of them in turn as he took his place at the table's head. "Zari, why don't you help Kallia bring in the food. I'm sure she'd appreciate the help more than I appreciate your teasing."

Zari gave him a big grin as she skipped in to help Kallia. Kim leaned in and gave Keeve a kiss on the cheek as she deposited Hope on the floor. She then took a seat at his side as Dev and Talara wandered in.

With the table configured with two chairs on each side and one chair at each end, Talara led Dev to the side opposite Kim and they sat.

Keeve watched him with a keen eye, bordering on predatory, though his tame smile showed an attempt at civility. "Dev...what a name," he commented. "How old are you, then, Dev?"

"I'm sixteen," Dev said with a glance at Talara. "I'll be seventeen in two months. You run one of the shipping companies in the city, don't you?"

"Temporarily," was Keeve's brief response. "Do you work, Dev? Go to school...do much of anything?"

"I go to school," he answered. "Sometimes I work at my dad's club, just cleaning up and stuff. I'm not allowed in while it's open."

Eyebrow shooting up, Keeve inquired, "What kind of club? And why aren't you allowed in? You haven't dragged Talara there, I hope. She's just a kid, you know."

He shot another panicked look to Talara.

"Keeve, it's a club where alcohol and stuff is served. We're not allowed in. And, because we're not allowed in, no we haven't gone there."

"Then where have you gone?" he pressed. "And why haven't you asked permission" --Keeve's intense gaze skewered Dev now-- "either of you?"

"We've just been riding hoverboards across in the park," Dev said, his voice indicating his defensiveness.

"Kallia," Talara called. "Hurry with the food so Keeve has something to shove in his mouth."

"Almost ready," Kallia answered back. "Zari, don't try to juggle that! Just take it out to the table."

A moment later, the blonde girl arrived carrying three bowls filled with parts of their meal. She set the bowls into the center of the table and moved to sit in the chair beside Kim.

Kallia arrived a moment later, carrying a pair of platters filled with meats and breads as well as a pitcher of blue milk. Once the platter was on the table, Zari set a large piece of the flat bread onto her plate and began filling it with meats and vegetables, as well as the lentils that filled one of the bowls.

With an angry glance at Keeve, Talara began to do the same.

He made no move for the food, instead still watching Dev probingly. "So, did Talara tell you?" Keeve inquired. "Her birthday's coming up. Her 15th," he stressed. "Still young in our eyes." At this he feigned a nostalgic sigh and wistful smile. "Our little girl."

"She told me," Dev said as he tried to manage getting food onto his plate, even though it was difficult under Keeve's stare. "She also said you were a great guy."

"I take that back," Talara said between bites.

"If I weren't a great guy," Keeve informed them, his pointed stare now on Talara, "I wouldn't care so much about who she was associating with, but she can't seem to understand that."

"Yes, but a great guy wouldn't try to completely alienate my friend and thoroughly embarrass me," Talara added. "All the wicked, evil things you think we've been doing aren't being done, Keeve. All we've done is ride hoverboards and talk about stuff. Your opinion of me hasn't changed at all, has it? I'm still just wicked Talara who only has a one-track mind."

"No one's saying that," he informed her with barely restrained frustration. "I'm supposed to be watching out for you, and I can't do that if you're running around befriending strangers and not telling me about it."

"Well, it doesn't really matter when you seem to fully intend on chasing away anyone who might possibly want to be my friend," Talara said. "And then, once you've driven everyone off, you get to be here all nice and cozy with Kim, snuggling and kissing at every opportunity you can get. And you do half of it right in front of me to help remind me that you want me all alone. You don't care what I feel, Keeve. You just tell me what I'm supposed to feel or not feel, and then claim it's for the best. Do this, do that, don't do that. Easy for you to say since you're not the one who has to live my stupid life!"

Keeve threw up his arms and replied just as explosively, "Then do what you want! I won't care anymore if you get hurt or worse! Is that what you want - me to let you go off and fend for yourself?"

"You know I don't," Talara said. "Why does it have to be all or nothing, Keeve? Does Dev seem like a bad boy to you? Did you have to be so mean to him? Kallia didn't freak out. Kim didn't freak out. Why did you freak out? He's a nice boy and I like him. He hasn't hurt me and has been so nice at a time when I needed a friend. I really wish you could be more of my friend than an overprotective guardian who has to try to drive everyone away from me to keep me safe. Can't you see?" She looked at Dev who looked like he'd rather be anywhere else than sitting at the table. "You're trying so hard to protect me and keep me at arm's length, that you're not the one thing I want...I want most, and that's just being my friend."

"I am your friend," Keeve explained, "but I'm also your guardian, Tala, which means I have to protect you and be overprotective. You waited this long to tell me about Dev - how did you think I would react?"

"I figured you'd react this way if I told you the day I met him, so it doesn't really matter. And, I figured I'd protect him from having to go through the ordeal of how you'd treat him. But, when he finally did meet you, you did exactly what I expected. You were mean and nasty, you embarrassed me so completely. There's a difference between being overprotective and treating people like bantha dung." Talara sighed, but felt slight relief as Dev's hand slipped into hers. "I just wish you weren't so mean, Keeve. You treat everyone like your enemy."

"He doesn't treat me like the enemy," Zari said. "Just people who do things he doesn't like or who aren't Kim and want to have sex with him. Merrick dumped Kaysa, so he hates him. Kaysa did everything wrong, so he hates her. And, then you and Maeren wanted to have sex with him, so he gets to be mean to you too."

Kim snickered. "Not entirely accurate," she said. "But, but close."

Dev gaped. "You want to have sex with him?"

Talara blushed. "When he's not being a pain in the neck, he can be very nice. It's just been awhile."

"Everyone has a huge crush on Keeve," Zari added with a grin. "Well not me."

"Because you know he's not interested in you, Zee," Talara said with a frown. "Besides, you've already got your boyfriend, as well as being preggers."

Dev blinked. "You're pregnant?"

Zari nodded. "If you and Tala have sex, Dev, make sure you use protection." She patted her belly. "We've got enough babies around here."

"Zari," Keeve grumbled under his breath, "you talk too much." Sighing ponderously, Keeve regarded Dev, who was still gaping. "We've got a...less than ordinary family, as you've now heard, but I...I don't want to scare you off." From Keeve's clenched jaw, it was apparent the admission came with much difficulty. "If you want to be Talara's friend...you and I need to have a chat - in private."

Dev nodded slowly. "Sure," he said. There was a moment's silence, then, "Now?"

His grin was tauntingly mischievous. "If you're brave enough."

At the squeeze Talara gave his hand, the boy smiled. "I'm brave enough," he said, then stood up, reluctantly letting go of Talara's hand.

Rising far more abruptly, with rousing the boy's fright in mind, Keeve motioned towards the balcony. He started for it first, slipping outside as Dev hesitantly poked his head through the doorway. Once his courage carried him onto the balcony, Keeve reached past Dev to close the sliding transparisteel door. He delighted in the boy's flinch as his arm brushed against the sleeve of his shirt; despite the pleasure he derived from Dev's torment, Keeve stepped back to lean against the rail, elbows propped atop it. "So...have you kissed her yet?" came Keeve's forthright question. "And if not...do you plan to?"

Dev blinked and wished there were farther he could step back away from Keeve. Swallowing, he knew he had to answer. "I-I haven't...but...I don't know if I would say I plan to...but...but I...I'd like to."

Keeve's incisive stare remained fixed on Dev. "And what are your intentions beyond that? She's not a fool, boy - if you try anything, I won't have to step in because she'll take care of you herself."

"She...she won't let me kiss her, and she took my hand in the lift," Dev said. "I just like being around her. Sure I want to kiss her. A guy would be crazy not to. She's so perfect and cute and adorable. But, I'm not going to do anything she doesn't want to. I won't."

"She's younger than you are, and still not old enough to do those things your twisted little mind is imagining," Keeve warned. "You don't want to be responsible for taking away what's left of her childhood by giving in to your urges, now do you?"

"She's got way more experience than me, Mr. Keeve," Dev said. "She told me about some of it. It's terrible what happened, and I don't want to make her life any harder than it's been. I get what you're saying. You don't want me and Talara having sex, right?"

"That's right," he answered slowly. "But you're not going to listen to me, are you?"

"Sure, I'll listen to you," Dev said. "But will she? Does she want to listen to what you say? I'm definitely not going to pester her, but...but if she tries to...go farther, I'll try to resist."

"But not very hard, am I right?" The impulse to push off the rail and throw Dev over the side was strong, but Keeve held back for the time being. "If she sleeps with you, just remember that it will be to spite me, Dev. It won't be you she wants - it'll be to make me jealous enough to finally claim her for myself. Are you getting it, now?"

"Even if that's true," Dev said, "you never will, so what's it matter. She doesn't seem like the kind of person who would do that, but you seem like the type who would lie to keep me away from her. Maybe you do secretly want her, but are ashamed or don't think your wife will be happy about it, and you're just trying to keep me away from her. Still, I like her. She's a fun, wonderful person. She's full of life and fun and seems to like actually having me as a friend. You seem to just want to put her on a shelf and keep her away from everyone."

"And if you knew why," Keeve replied darkly, "you'd understand. She's not your typical girl; there are things about her you can't know, but one thing that's for certain is your relationship can't go beyond friendship, even she understands that. I'm just making sure you do."

"She's an amazing girl," Dev said. "Do you think you'd be able to resist Kimara if she wanted to get you into bed bad enough?"

"Kimara's not what Talara is - there's no comparison when it comes to that." Keeve advanced on Dev, slowly and menacingly, but he halted just before the tips of their shoes met and no longer displayed any hint of aggression. His eyes leered down at the young man. "Whether I like it or not, I have a feeling Talara isn't going to give you up, and I'd rather she not hide this from me. If I'm going to let this go on, as her guardian I need to know everything about you, because if you're hiding anything...." He smiled coldly, leaving his threat unspoken. "The best way to do that is by spending time together - alone. Drop by Zenarr Inc. tomorrow and I'll show you around. Then we'll see whether or not Talara is truly misguided."

Dev blinked. "Okay," he said. "I can come by after classes. Is that okay?"

Keeve nodded curtly. "Don't be late." Then, he brushed past Dev and slid open the balcony door. "Come on - dinner's getting cold."

"Good," Talara said when she saw Keeve come in behind Dev, "you didn't throw him over."

"It'd make too much of a mess," Zari said. "Big splat on the ground. People would notice. If he really wanted to get rid of Dev, he'd invite him somewhere private where he could dispose of him without big splatters. Like hiding him in a shipping crate at Zenarr Inc."

Dev went extremely pale as he was halfway back into his chair. "Zenn--"

"You better not do anything to him, Keeve," Talara said with a glare.

Keeve shrugged innocently. "It was Zari's idea, not mine."

"But I know how your mind works, Keeve, and I know you've thought it," Talara said.

"Keeve," Kim said, "please, don't do anything to hurt, Dev. We can't really get married if you're sent to that prison place down in the desert."

"I'm not going to hurt him," Keeve assured them all with a roll of his eyes. "Not as long as he treats Talara right."

"Is that your definition of right, or normal people's definition of right," Talara asked.

He spooned a dollop of mashed dega root onto his plate, smiling negligently. "I'm not normal? Is that what you think?" This, he posed to Dev.

"Keeve, stop that," Talara said. "Let him get to know you first. Once he has, I think he'll agree that when you're acting like this, you're a spiteful little troll with the mental capacity of an eleven year old."

Keeve's grin remained in place as he gave Talara an amused wink. "I'll tell him all about it tomorrow, hm? Then will I have permission to have fun with the boy?"

"You're insane," Talara said. "I can't even see why I ever cared for you, Keeve. You're as mean and manipulative as your mother." She pushed her chair back. "I'm sorry I brought you into this, Dev. I have to go. I can't stay in here anymore. You can stay and finish eating if you'd like."

"It's alright," Dev said softly. "I can come with you."

"Talara, it's late. You should stay inside," Keeve told her, his tone ringing with authority. "You know it's not safe out there after dark."

Zari almost opened her mouth, but a look from Kallia shut it again.

"No, it's not, but at least it's not oppressive outside," Talara answered. "At least I won't have to worry about you freaking out over everything." She shook her head. "You never should have kissed me, Keeve. Never. That's the meanest thing you ever did."

With that, she turned and ran from the room. Dev was too stunned to move.

---

"Passing Muster, Part 2"
By: Talara Sorenne
Kallia Brael
Zari Zathmir
Keeve Zenarr
Kimara
Dev [NPC+]

Location: Keeve's Apartment, New Plouton
Date: Selene 24, 5 ABY

***

Kim grinned. "You kissed her?"

"I promised I would," he explained through clenched teeth.

"And you probably ruined her for every man who's ever going to kiss her in her life," Kim said with a laugh. "I think she liked that kiss you gave her a bit too much. You don't know the power of your own lips, my dear."

"I thought she'd be immune!" he insisted in exasperation. "Because of her...you know...training." Careful not to give any more away with Dev present, Keeve shoved back his chair, legs grinding against the floor, and removed himself from the table. "Everyone stay where you are. We're clearing this up once and for all!"

"We'll be waiting right here," Kim said. "Might as well go ahead and finish up your meal, Dev. And while you do, you can go ahead and tell us about your school."

As the chatter from within the dining room began, Keeve had mounted the staircase leading to the bedrooms and stopped before Talara's. He rapped on it lightly. "Talara...open the door. This needs to be cleared up right now, and running off to hide isn't going to solve anything."

The door opened and swung open, though Talara was across the room on the bed. She was seated in a meditative pose as she watched him. "I don't see what needs to be cleared up," Tala said. "I think everything is very clear. I'm just stupid for wishing it weren't that way."

Keeve sighed, refraining from speaking just yet in favour of closing the door behind him as he entered her room, and perching on one corner of her mattress. He watched her in silence, noting how she maintained her focus in his presence instead of being flustered by it. She was disciplined in some areas of her Jedi teachings, but completely inept at others, those requiring sole devotion to the Order and abstaining from intimacy. That she still yearned for him was clear, yet Keeve had no idea how to dissuade her. "Talara," he began, his voice pleading, "this is happening too often. I'm not being stubborn because I'm jealous of you and this...this Dev boy. I'm trying to protect you, and you're resisting me."

"And you don't trust me to be a good judge of people," she said. "You don't think that I'm capable of choosing who my friends should be. Only you have the wisdom to know who would make me a good friend, and who is going to stab me in the back. His name is Dev, Keeve. Not that Dev boy, or this Dev boy, or whatever else you want to use to make him less than he is. That you can't just call him by his name shows that you don't like him. I don't know if that's because you still don't trust him or something else. I know it's not because you want any sort of relationship with me because you obviously don't. Or worse, you do, but you don't think I can handle it...and don't trust me enough to prove that I can."

"So you want a relationship, instead, with this--" He caught himself, and finished, "With Dev. Even though you're not supposed to? Even though you're a Jedi?"

"Being a Jedi is illegal now," Talara said. "And I know I can handle it, Keeve. I know it. Dev's a nice boy. He's really nice, and I like him a lot. He's been a friend for me in a time that's just...just very difficult because of what I am. I can go out and do things in the park, I can talk to someone, and...and it's nice to have a friend who isn't a Jedi or anything like that. I really do like him. And, if there's no hope at all for us, for you and me, then why shouldn't I move on?"

Keeve shifted closer now that calm had been established between them. He covered her knee with his hand and lowered his head until their eyes were level. His smile was apologetic. "I'm not keeping you from him because I want you all to myself. Dev's a stranger, and that's why I asked to meet him tomorrow. As much as you think you know about him, I want to make sure he's exactly who he says he is. Let me at least protect you, Talara, if you won't even allow us to be friends."

"I understand that, Keeve," she said. "But you were so mean about it. You said some mean things and weren't nice to him even though he's a guest. I want to be friends, Keeve. I really do."

"Then we will be," he decided. "And to help things along...how about we get you an early birthday present? Anything you want."

One moment she was grinning at him, trying to decide what present she wanted, the next she'd leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. As flustered as she'd been when he kissed her, she wanted to return the favour.

Keeve's surprise was paralyzing, until the kiss protracted, grew in intensity with Talara's bosom pressing into his chest. He overcame his initial shock and held Talara at arm's length, searching her eyes hesitantly. "I...haven't even given you your present yet. What was that for?"

"Because I wanted to," she said softly. "And...and I hope you don't mind. I just...I wanted to see...what would happen. I'm sorry, Keeve."

"Tala..." he murmured regretfully and drew her into his embrace, his lips touching her brow. "You don't know how this eats away at me - everytime you look at me I can see the sadness there. I'm not heartless, Tala; I feel guilty for all of this, and it's worse when we fight."

"But there's no hope for us ever, is there," Talara whispered. "You don't see me that way. I'm just a kid to you, and that's all. I'm more than that, Keeve. I really am. Because of everything that happened, I had to grow up. And...and I can't stop feeling the way I do, or wanting what I do. I'm not out of control like you seem to think I am. I don't let myself feel or want when I have to be a Jedi, but I'm still me when I'm not being a Jedi. Master Darr and Master Vorrel can have relationships and still be good Jedi. I know I can too."

"But why with me, Tala? What do I have that other men don't? You said it yourself - I'm spiteful, stubborn, mean.... How could you love someone like that?"

"Because I've seen the other side of you too," Talara said softly. "When you're not all that, you're very kind and considerate. You can be a great friend when you're not smothering me to protect me. I know you care, Keeve. I know you do. That's why you."

Her loose hair entangled itself around his fingers as he rubbed her back soothingly, now and then pausing to comb through the silky tendrils. "I don't mean to smother you, I just worry about you. You're too determined and impetuous - I never know what you're going to do if I'm not watching! Could you be happy with us as just friends? Tell me how to make you smile at me again, Tala."

"I don't know, Keeve," she said. "I want to. I want to be able to be friends, to be happy. But, then there's a part of me that wants you to hold me, to love me the way you love Kim. But...but I know it can't because you don't love me. You don't want to love me...and...and I have to get used to that."

Keeve leaned back and smiled wanly at her. "Is that what Dev is for? To help you forget?"

She shook her head. "He's just my friend," she said. "He's cute and fun, and I do really like him. I guess I keep hoping that you really do love me, and...and you're just hiding it, squashing it down because you're with Kim. It's stupid of me."

"Not stupid," he insisted fondly. "Maybe someday, Tala...when you're a little older and know what you really want, not what you think you want. Because in a couple years, you won't even remember what you ever saw in me, and all this grief you're feeling will seem silly to you. You have to just...be a kid, enjoy yourself, and stop worrying so much about love and sex. I never got that chance," he confided wistfully, "so don't waste it."

"And what if I do know, Keeve," Tala said. She looked up into his eyes, her own clearly reflecting her feelings for him. "If you think I'll forget you or stop loving you, you're crazy. I know you're just trying to push me off, to make me stop feeling what I do feel, what I know I'll always feel. It won't make a difference when I'm older Keeve, because you'll just find another excuse to push me off."

His charming, lopsided grin made an appearance, and he used it to muse, "We'll see, now won't we? Until then...what do you really want for your birthday?"

"I don't really know," she said. "Though, I guess we could just go out and see what we can find."

"And will I be able to make you smile again, if we do?"

"I think maybe you can," Talara said. "Especially if you give me a kiss."

"You've already had one," he reminded her with an admonishing smile. "Though, I do promise to give you one on your birthday, if you'll still want it by then, and if you're not completely gone on Dev."

"I promise you can kiss me whenever you want, Keeve," Tala said with a smile. "Always."

And he did precisely that, though with a far more innocent kiss upon Talara's cheek, rather than her smiling lips. "Now...shall we go back out there and try this again?" He rolled his eyes and added grudgingly, "And I might even apologize to Dev."

"I think he deserves one," Talara said. "You were very hard on him. And I do appreciate you making sure I'm safe. Just...try to be more subtle from now on. If you're good, maybe I'll even let you try out my hoverboard."

A brief glimmer sparked in Keeve's eyes, memories surging forth in his mind, but all just as quickly being set aside. He smiled faintly. "My hoverboarding days are over, I think. It'd look humourous, an old man like me flying around on a 'board."

"The current best 'boarder on the whole planet is twice your age, Keeve," Tala said with a smile. "Your apparent age, not your real one. I bet that's what your problem is. You just think you're this old fart who can't have fun anymore. You're definitely not old, and you deserve fun too. So you better start having some!"

"I don't know," he considered slowly, "I wasn't that good as a kid.... Maybe I should just watch at first. I don't need Dev watching me collide with a speeder - I'm sure he'd enjoy that far too much."

"After your interrogation, I think maybe he'd deserve a little enjoyment." She gave him a smile and took his hands. "I'll help you feel young again, if you want. Maybe not a bratty eleven year old young, but at least so you can unwind a little more often."

With a wary eye and knowing smile, Keeve accused, "You just want me to loosen up so I'll have sex with you. You Jedi really are crafty, aren't you?"

"That's not true at all," Talara said. "I just want you to loosen up so you realize you want to have sex with me." She gave him a big grin. "I just want you to be happy, Keeve. That's all. I want you to be happy with yourself and your life, and if something happens between us, it does. If it doesn't it doesn't. I won't deny that I want us to be together, but I don't want you to be unhappy. And, I want you to have fun with your life, like riding a hoverboard."

Keeve shrugged indifferently. "Well then...tomorrow, after I show Dev around Zenarr Inc. Kim's been begging me to take her to the beach, so why don't we go there - with hoverboards."

"Oh, that'd be great! I can't wait! It'll be so much fun! I can't wait to see the babies on the beach. You're the best, Keeve!" She flung herself into his arms again, though the hug was only intended to relay to him her excitement and glee.

"Oh, now you think I'm a nice guy." He sighed woefully as he patted Talara's back. "You women are fickle creatures. Now come on - let's get out there before they think we're killing each other in here."

"Or worse," Talara said with a grin. "Who knows what Zari and Kim have been telling Dev out there."

Keeve tensed, fully capable of imagining what was spilling from the girls' mouths. Releasing Tala, Keeve stood. "Let's go rescue your boyfriend, or you'll be looking for another one soon enough."

Talara giggled. "Or you could save me the trouble and volunteer," she said. "Oh alright." With that, she stepped back from him, and used the Force to open the door. She went through ahead of him, making sure he got enough of a show to let him know what he was missing.

Shaking his head, Keeve began understanding just how difficult this living arrangement would be, especially with Talara attempting to seduce him by any means. He still suspected Dev was nothing more than a pawn in her games, a tool to spark some reaction in him. Keeping his eyes above her waist he was glad for something else to look at when they reached the dining room. He smiled at Kim, a tacit signal that all was well. Resuming his seat, Keeve asked brightly, "Did we miss anything interesting?"

Kim grinned. "Just Zari giving all the reasons why she hates shoes."

"Don't forget the part where I told Dev how Talara likes to be kissed," Zari said with an impish grin.

Keeve's eyes grew as round as saucers, then he grinned jeeringly and asked Zari, "How would you know that, then? Is there something you're not telling Dev?"

"She's my best friend, Keeve," Zari said. "It's my job to know that." She rolled her eyes.

"Don't worry," Kim said, laying a placating hand on Keeve's arm. "She didn't say anything like that. While she and Talara do talk about such things, they haven't been revealed to anyone but me, Kallia, and the babies."

"So, everyone, you mean." Keeve snorted and gestured for everyone to continue their meal. As they tucked in, Keeve watched Dev, who was nervously picking at his steak, and gave Talara a furtive wink before saying, "So...are you joining us tomorrow for a trip to the beach? They sell beebleberry pops, you know."

"I...really? You want me...I'd like that."

"And Keeve even promises to be nice," Talara said with a grin. "Don't you, Keeve?"

"I promise to try," he answered, "and as long as I have no reason to be cruel to you, Dev, then I won't be. And as long as Talara's happy, then I'm happy."

"I'll do everything I can to make her happy," Dev said.

Keeve smiled mildly and nodded. "Then I'm fine with that. Tomorrow, then?"

"I'll be there," Dev said with a grin.

"This is so much better," Zari said with a big grin as she started back in on her food.

"Meddler," Keeve muttered to Zari under his breath, but his smile conveyed a fondness for her. As his gaze shifted back to his plate, he caught an approving nod from Kim in his peripheral vision, and to his right was Kallia, watching him meaningfully, though he wasn't certain if she was pleased with his turn-around or satisfied that he had ceased being an ass. Of one thing he was certain, and it was that Kallia would definitely have some words for him later, not all of them pleasant. At least Talara was smiling again and Kim wasn't glaring at him any longer.

For the sake of his sanity, Keeve hoped the truce between he and Talara wasn't as tenuous as the last or new living arrangements might be necessary. Though with Dev in the picture, she would have someone to run to during their next argument, and Keeve didn't trust her devotion to the Jedi Order enough to dissuade her from engaging in something foolish with her new boyfriend. Tighter reins were required for his recalcitrant charge, though she'd only rebel against him more fiercely, even though he cared only for her best interests. There was no winning for Keeve Zenarr.

Stifling a woeful sigh, Keeve propped his cheek up on one fisted hand and unenthusiastically ate his meal. Life was never this complicated as an eleven year-old.

---

"Assassination"
Jedi Master Liam Zaneth
Jedi Kael Selrid
Huntress Kaylee Soras
and High Princess Yelara Neerou

Location: Royal Palace, Arcadia, Tae'Karada
Date: Selene 24, 5ABY

***

The old secret tunnels to the Palace were mostly closed. Mostly. A deliberate few had been left accessible, but were guarded. It happened to be a bit of fortune that Liam Zaneth had been responsible for overseeing the security on those tunnels.

Now, as he, Kael Selrid, and Kaylee slipped unnoticed through the hidden passage into the heart of the palace, Liam was thankful for his involvement. While a frontal assault would have worked, stealth was his preferred means of getting Yelara back. Perhaps they could get Yelara out without even alerting Meer'esh, though Liam had his doubts. He suspected the pale man was never far from Yel's side. Yel wouldn't be far from Va'Lesh, and so getting his son free of the palace would be easier.

Liam stopped and motioned to the door in front of him. He reached out and touched a plate beside the door, and the wall before him slid noiselessly aside. With care, all three emerged into the hallway and allowed the secret door to slide closed behind them.

As they started down the hall, they began chatting amongst themselves. New policies implemented, latest fashions coming out of the New Plouton designers, and the results of the latest polling of the populace. A woman passed on the other side of the hall, and Liam gave her a polite nod. She smiled and continued on.

Liam adjusted his suit jacket, making sure the lightsaber still remained hidden within the inner pocket. The suit was the current fashion, and he and Kael both wore them. Kaylee wore a similar jacket, but a long skirt, split up either side to give her more freedom of movement. Their parts were played with perfection.

Their steps led them through the palace toward the private chambers of the High Princess. As they neared the hallway that would lead them down the final hallway before the doors to her room, Liam gave his companions an imperceptible nod. Their stride shifted subtly, positions altered minutely. Liam now led with Kaylee and Kael flanking him to either side and two steps behind.

They were in a foyer with multiple doors. To the far left was the one they needed, the one that would lead to Yelara's chambers. In the center was a conference room utilized for special announcements and briefings with the media outlets. Both Liam and Kael could sense the occupants within the room, and cast a frown in one another's direction. Unexpected, but not an issue that would foil their plan. To the other side, on the right, doors led to the meeting rooms on the lower levels and to the balcony from which the High Princess could address her people gathered in the courtyard below.

Before they could approach the door to Yelara's chambers, the center door burst open and a host of reporters filed out. Behind them came the royal procession with Yelara at its center. Questions were called out, desperately hoping for an answer.

"High Princess Neerou," called one journalist. "Is it true there are plans to reclaim the desert territories?"

"Why have there been palace speeders scouting the desert?"

"When will social reform reverse the decrees of the past High Princes? When will women be treated equally instead of as objects?"

"Why has the Equadi Statute not been reinstated? The identity of our planet requires the traditional attire of our women and families."

"Is there any truth to the rumour that corporate interests will be gaining a larger share of government attention than individuals?"

"Who makes your dresses?"

"High Princess Neerou," called a Tae'Morad guard, his rifle raised and aimed at Yelara.

Drawn to the voice artificially augmented by the soldier's the tactical armour, Yelara was facing him directly when the shot was fired. Screams rang out. The High Princess' eyes rolled back and her body crumpled to the floor.

In that moment, as Liam Zaneth watched her body fall, he felt as if a fist had reached into his chest to squeeze his heart. He felt himself moving, pushing through the crowd.

"NO," came the shout, and he realized it was his own voice.

"Liam! Stop!" The voice belonged to Kael, but it sounded distant and muffled. A hand gripped his shoulder, but he shrugged it off.

The cold metal of the cylindrical shaft of his lightsaber filled his hand. The world seemed to slow around him as he advanced upon the assassin. The man wore the battle armour of the Tae'Morad and he was struggling to escape. The snap-hiss of his lightsaber igniting was a roar of fury in Liam's ears.

The blade went up, and in his mind's eye, Liam could see it slicing through the armour and the flesh within. With a feral shout, he brought the weapon down, an indigo slash that burned its afterimage onto his retinas.

Just before it parted the armour, his blade struck something solid. A look told him that another blade, this one a paler blue than his own, had stopped his weapon, blocked his revenge.

Liam Zaneth pushed away and faced his new opponent. Something in his mind recognized Kael as he stood before him, shifting to a defensive stance. Kael was saying something, but again it was muffled and far off.

"Why did you stop me," Liam snarled. "Why did you get in my way? I had him! And you stopped me!" He lunged forward with a savage cut. Kael's blade snapped into place, and parried the attack away. A series of high and low cuts ended up against Kael's blade, the younger Jedi moving masterfully to keep himself from harm.

"I don't want to fight you, Liam," Kael said, and this time it seemed closer.

Perhaps, Liam thought, it's something with my ears. Or, another voice in his head suggested, you're blinded by your own fury. As he continued to battle against Kael, Liam couldn't help thinking that perhaps he was going slightly mad as two parts of his consciences had a war of words in his mind.

As he shut out the two voices, and continued his attack on Kael, the dark need for revenge growing stronger within. Some part of him knew it was wrong to fight Kael, that Kael was on his side. But Kael had stopped him from cutting down Yelara's killer. And for that, he would have to pay.

Kael had not attacked him yet. Instead, the younger Jedi was only using his blade for defense. And, Liam noted as he feinted to Kael's left and came around to the right, his defense was very good.

"This isn't right," Kael shouted. "Liam!? Can't you see?"

"All I see is you standing in my way." The next flurry of attacks did drive Kael back toward the far doors. Around them, Liam could see the onlookers, partially in disbelief over the assassination of their High Princess and afraid of the battle between the two Jedi right before them. Liam nearly had Kael against the wall, when the younger mean made a graceful leap right over Liam's head. A strike which should have sliced through Kael's legs only found the other blue blade. The clash of blades echoed Liam Zaneth's growing fury.

Liam spun, and relaunched his attack at Kael. The strike carried a power that would have propelled the younger Jedi Knight back if Kael Selrid were not one of the most skilled lightsaber combatants at the Jedi Temple. Kael parried the blade, then turned it into a lightning fast counterstrike, and it was then that Liam got a taste of what the Shien style, one he had mastered some time ago, was all about. The thing that cut through his fury was the realization that Kael Selrid was quite possibly more skilled in the saber style than he himself.

The counterstrike pushed Liam back several steps, and was quickly forced onto the defensive. He could see that the younger Jedi was not trying to strike to kill or wound, but was deliberately keeping him occupied and focused on his own defense.

"Look," Kael snapped as Liam barely managed to get his blade around in time. "Look around you. Use the Force!"

And it was then that Liam saw.

The body, crumpled on the ground, surrounded by aides and advisors. And, through the Force, he felt it too.

Lowering one's guard in a lightsaber duel one of the single most unwise moves a combatant can make. As Kael prepared for another series of attacks, Liam lowered his blade. The attack that would have wounded, or killed, him never came. Blue blade stopped within a centimeter of his body, and he met Kael's gaze.

"It's not her," he whispered.

Kael allowed a slight smile as his features relaxed. "Exactly."

Around them, the palace security seemed to realize that the two Jedi were no longer fighting each other, and raised their weapons.

Looking at the assembled crowd, Liam sighed. "I think I made things worse."

Kael chuckled. "Just a little."

"Surrender your weapons, Jedi," one of the guards said as he aimed his weapon at Liam's chest.

With a look to Kael, and then at the guards surrounding them, he knew they had no chance. The chaos began to rise around them, and panicked officials began to finally react to the death of the High Princess and the Jedi duel. Liam dropped his weapon to the ground, and Kael followed suit.

"I hope you have a plan," Kael said.

"I'm working on one," Liam said as the guards rushed in. Pain twinged his shoulders as his arms were twisted back to fit into a pair of binders. He took a blow to the chin, and a rifle butt to the small of his back.

Kael remained calm as one of the guards tightened the binders too tight. He asked "Where's Kaylee?" and another guard slammed his weapon across Kael's jaw. "No talking," warned the guard.

Liam looked around but did not see the Huntress anywhere. "Hopefully somewhere safe," he said. The rifle cracking across his temple sent a shower of sparkling lights across his vision before it was consumed by blackness. He definitely had made a mess of things.

And, in the depth of blackness, he realized they would be getting much worse.

The press had a field day as they recorded the palace security forces hauling the two Jedi away.

---

"Tranquility Under the Stars"
By: Ferrig Mullerin
Raeila Selrid

Location: Thanatos
Date: Selene 24, 5 ABY

***

The moon sat low to the horizon, bathing all of Thanatos in silver light. The nightsounds of insects and beasts could be h