Star Wars - Tales from the Outer Rim

"Two Minutes to Midnight"
by Rylaa Lyssander - Crimelord and Freedom Fighter
Lorgal - Bodyguard Rashid - Assassin
Lani Vissip - Padawan

Location: Resistance Base, Thanatos
Date: Vadris 24, 5ABY

***

"Get those people out of here before we're all vapor!" Rylaa screamed to one of the New Dawn regulars ushering people through the underground tunnels. Sparks flew from pipes around the fat man's head as Jau flechettes ricocheted from them. He returned fire, spraying the passage with useless blaster bolts. He could see the Jau warriors walking through the hail of energy, simply absorbing the shots. "Absorb this," he growled and tossed the pair of microgrenades he had been hiding in his other hand.

The Jau commander seemed amused as the tiny metallic spheres glanced off his chest but the significance dawned on him with far too little time to change his face. With a loud CRUMP the microgrenades detonated, sending pieces of dismembered Jau bouncing down the corridor. Of course that wouldn't stop their implacable enemy and even as the crimelord smirked at his minor victory, more projectiles whined through the air. Several sputtered and flashed in nothingness as they struck Rylaa's shield. He sent a small prayer to Lani every time his failing shield absorbed another shot, blessing her for the foresight to require her then-boyfriend to wear one.

"Boss!" Lorgal called through the smoke, "We need to leave, everyone else is out." The massive black-scaled barabel was hunched in the human-sized undertunnels. Rylaa nodded and jogged towards his bodyguard, who readied another pair of microgrenades. "Where is everyone?" Rylaa demanded.

"Already through the bolthole into the defense tunnels. Our boys have already rigged the explosives and as soon as we're through we'll collapse these tunnels along with whatever Jau are still in here."

"Good, bastards deserve it." They rounded another corner at a jog as more flechettes sparked and clattered. Lorgal tossed his microgrenades behind him before breaking into a dead run after his boss towards the heavy blast door that would seal off the undertunnels from the defense network. A pair of submachine gun armed regulars urged them on, one of them slapping the door control panel as soon as they were through. "Charges ready sir."

"Blow them," Rylaa replied with a certain amount of satisfaction.

***

Lani sat in the lotus position and meditated. Since the raid, something had begun to pull at her. She wasn't sure what it was, but she knew she had to follow it. Was it the Force, or just some strange intuition? She had yet to take it to the Masters, fearing what they might say if their newest Padawan suddenly took interests outside the system.

Lani knew that the temple had problems with runaway Padawans before, and she really hated becoming a statistic, put she would not give the Master a chance to even say no.

"I'll leave tonight," she said out loud to herself. "Though where, I don't have any idea."

"The Glory of the Jau"
by Sa'Taka Gal'traq - Supreme Commander
Raek'a Sheeva'ash - Aid to the sa'taka
Taka Mun'daq - Military Adviser

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

***

Sa'Taka Gal'traq looked up from the report he had been reading as Sheeva'ash entered the throne room. Setting the datapad aside, he gestured for her to approach. She was typical of her species, intelligent and resourceful. For her people, she was quite attractive, though it was a feature the sa'taka had no interest in. She was a Jau thrall, and despite her beauty, it would be unseemly for him to even consider any sort of liaison with her.

She prostrated herself before the throne, as was custom when approaching him.

"Report," he commanded.

She rose, raising her eyes only just enough to give her report, but never meeting his gaze.

"We have successfully inserted a spy into the resistance movement," she said. "Our first report is forthcoming, but our other intelligence sources have given us enough information to stop a resistance raid before they were able to put their plan into motion.

"A cell was to raid one of our armory depots outside of the desert settlement the natives refer to as Thanatos. They were staging their operation from the settlement. We have taken most of the operation captive, though there were some casualties. Theirs, not ours. Taka Ma'ska has been installed in Thanatos as governor to keep watch over the settlement. He was the commander responsible for breaking the enemy cell.

"A battalion has been stationed in Thanatos. The prisoners taken in the raid have been put to work building barracks for our people." As the report ended, she gave him a bow.

Gal'traq nodded as he pondered her report. The news was good, that was certain. Every defeat given to the resistance broke the people's spirit just a little more. He had his doubts that the people of this wretched world would ever submit completely, but he would happily break them as far as was possible.

"Tell me of our new mine."

Sheeva'ash bowed once more. "Progress is going well," she said. "One week remains before the mine will be fully operational."

"And the defenses," the sa'taka demanded.

"The size of the walls have been increased," the thrall woman answered. "Patrols outside the walls monitor with the best scanning equipment at our disposal. And the Sha'frak sits in stationary orbit above the location of the mine. The fighters from the ship monitor the location continuously while the ship monitors all activity on the planet below. Just last night, a group of enemy soldiers sneaking close with stealth suits was captured. They now work to build the facility they would have infiltrated."

While the sa'taka was pleased with the progress, he knew not to underestimate the resistance his force now must battle. They were diligent in their rebellion, but the Jau response would be brutal.

"Very well," he said finally. "You may go. Your reward is ensured."

She bowed low, nearly touching her lips to the floor, then withdrew.

Sa'taka Gal'traq was left with his report, to which he turned his attention once more. The turncoat had come through on his promises, and Gal'traq now held the means by which his people would dominate the entire galaxy.

Using the comm built into his throne, he opened a secure channel to his flagship in orbit.

Taka Mun'daq's face filled the small screen set into the arm of the throne.

"Great One," the military adviser said, "you honor me."

"Mun'daq, the information we have been awaiting has arrived. You will oversee the production personally. I am transferring the relevant data to you. You know where to begin. See to it, Taka Mun'daq. There will be nothing to stand in our way this time."

"Tesseract"
by Alexi Malachi, Crime Lord

Location: In Space, Tae'Remok System
Date: Vadris 24, 5 ABY

***

From the bridge of the Dauntless-class heavy cruiser, Black Damnation, Alexi Malachi looked out the expanse of space before him. He could not see them without ordering the images before him magnified, but there were ships there. He could see them, but they could not see him. He suspected nothing in this entire system had a sensor suite capable of seeing him.

The system was Tae'Remok, of the sector with the same name. The blue planet that appeared as no more than a point of light was the leader of the consortium of planets banded together like a small version of the Republic.

The ships he could not see but knew were present belonged to the Jau. He had little information on them, other than what his spies had told him. His spies had arrived here weeks ago to spread some money and generate some goodwill toward Malachi's organization. Before him, Alexi Malachi saw a challenge. He would provide for the basest needs of these people under the thumb of the alien oppressors. The odds weren't good, but he preferred a challenge. It made life interesting.

Alexi Malachi was a former Black Sun vigo, one of the nine lieutenants in the criminal empire. With the fall of Xizor, Malachi started out on his own. He brought his most loyal with him, and had been actively recruiting since. Tae'Remok was new territory. In the past, the world had been under the control of the crime lord Dargus Kandran. After Kandran, a Hutt had tried to move in before a Jedi lightsaber ended his reign.

Jedi. Malachi had not come up against Jedi in his time with Black Sun or his own organization. But he had read the reports from his people. He had heard the rumors before he even turned his attention here. The current rumors had the Jedi in hiding, fighting against the Jau from the shadows. He couldn't fault them for it. Hell, he couldn't even fault them for their existence. Their philosophy was anathema to his way of thinking, but he did desire their power. Who wouldn't?

He turned toward the communications station at the edge of the bridge. "Kriegof?"

"Nothing yet, my lord," the man said.

The man's name was Andov and had been with Malachi from the beginning. He wore a uniform, as all those on the bridge, midnight blue jacket and black pants with silver stripe running up the leg. Not all of Malachi's people were as polished, but he maintained a strict dress code aboard his ship. He wasn't a common thug and he was better than any Hutt. His people would look smart and efficient.

"Carry on," Alexi said. From the raised seat in the center of the bridge, he could easily see every station. When sitting there, he felt as if he were seated on a throne. He wouldn't deny that he enjoyed that feeling. A man did not rise to his place without desiring power, and Alexi Malachi desired it more than most.

One of the sensor techs turned from his station. "Jau patrol approaching our position."

"Keep a close watch," Alexi ordered. "If their sensors break through our shielding, sound the alert and ready for battle. I suspect they will be unable to break through the cloak."

"Their vector will bring them closer than previous patrols to our position."

Malachi mused on that for a moment. "Navigation, once the patrol ship has moved on, take us to four-seven by eight-eight. Three thousand kilometers."

When the Jau ship finally moved away, the navigator brought the ship around and moved them to the coordinates Alexi had specified. It felt much as a military commander might feel, he surmised. Though, he was the top in the chain of command. In the military, there was always someone else giving orders.

"My lord." It was Andov. "Kriegof's message is coming through."

Alexi nodded to him and Andov routed the information. Taking a few moments to look through the data, he gave Andov to a confirming nod to send back to Kriegof.

The data was as he expected. There were some other smaller crime rings present on the planet. The New Dawn also appeared to have set some roots as well. Definitely a challenge.

The lift doors opened at the back of the bridge. A tech entered followed by Addic, a man who Malachi had no doubts would soon be a lieutenant. Alexi had been looking forward to this business.

"Your report," he said.

The tech bowed quickly, nervously. "It's a Lambda-class shuttle, like it appears. Navicomp reports origin of last jump was a planet called Evanar. It's a day out in hyperspace. Ore mining and such. Rather poor."

"What more can you tell me of the ship?"

The tech smiled as only an man who was good at what he did and had solved a tricky dilemma could. "At some point, the computers were wiped. The girl didn't do it. We caught her by surprise, and there wasn't enough time. But, whoever wiped the computers wasn't a computer expert. I know where the ship came from before it went to Evanar. A place called Kaidaga on Tae'Karada."

"Can the ship return to Tae'Karada without issue from the Jau?"

The tech frowned. "The Jau are unpredictable, so it's hard to say. It has one of their tags, and I can alter that so it appears to work normally for them. But, we'll have control."

"Armament?"

The tech shook his head. "A laser cannon, nothing more. Hyperspace capable, of course. No frills to speak of, but it's pre-approved on the Jau list. Few questions asked, I would think. Again, there's no way to know for certain."

Alexi nodded. It was a start. He would build a new base of operations here. No better place for a man like him to exist than in the middle of chaos.

He turned his attention to Addic. "The girl?"

"No change," he said. "She refuses to talk. None of our interrogation techniques have worked. We'll break her eventually, but it will take time."

Alexi flipped one of the screens to his side to show him the prisoner. She was very pretty, dark-haired and with a body that would grab any man's attention. She was also very dangerous. He'd lost over a dozen men when they tried to take her. "You have the creatures in place?"

"One built into every wall," Addic answered. "Given the range, we should have full coverage. She's received training to resist torture, I think."

"Keep at her," Malachi ordered. "Rest of the day cycle, then stop. I will visit her in the morning to try another tactic."

"Of course, my lord," Addic snapped. Both he and the tech bowed and withdrew.

Turning back to the viewscreen, Alexi Malachi wondered if Tae'Karada were ready for him. He was ready for them. This world would become the new base of operations for Tesseract.

"Return"
by Chun Li, Pilot
and Zale Tregat, Entrepreneur

Location: Antorial Shipyards
Date: Vadris 24, 5ABY

***

With Axon in his socket, Li strapped in. She had received a message to get to Antorial shipyards, together with a route on how to get there. Her fighter was back in business, except for the vertical stabilizer. But as she had normally 5 stabilizers, flying with one less wasn't that much of a problem. Also the back-up engine wasn't installed, but that could all be done at Antorial shipyards. She powered up her engines and soon she was in space. They were still not far from Tae'Karada so it wasn't long to the location of the shipyards.

She reverted to realspace an hour later and at first she didn't see much. But even moderate size spaceyards are not easy to hide and soon enough she found it and changed course.

"Unknown fighter, identify," she heard through her comm. On her sensor board she spotted a number of ships taking of on an intercept course.

"This is Fa'Rong," Li said as she gave the code she had received, "transmitting clearance code now."

"Clearance granted," she heard a minute later, "follow present course."

Five minutes later she was parked in a hangar. A man was waiting for her.

The man was tall with dark skin. His hair was coiled into slender braids and pulled back into a knot at the back of his head. He moved forward with purpose, moving as a jungle cat might. He gave her a smile and slid a ladder to the side of her ship himself.

"Glad you made it out of the hairball back in the desert. Lots of others weren't so lucky, but we haven't given up the fight."

"Having a hyperdrive helps, Mr. Tregat," Li said. She had a very good memory for faces, even if she had only seen the person once as was the case here. "But I still have some repairs to do. Those fighters packed a very big punch for something that small."

"That they do," Tregat answered. "We can get your ship patched up for you. Admiral Kano took up your suggestion and the Resistance is now setting up in that old asteroid base. Should give a pretty viable platform to strike anywhere in the sector, including the Jau bases on Riga, Dara, and Varset."

"I'll head out that way as soon as my fighter is repaired," Li said, "by the way, do you happen to have some spare concussion missiles. I only have two left and that's not enough."

"I'll see what we can spare," Zale answered. "Our munitions supplies are limited here. If we can't find them for you here, I can have a supply ship rendezvous with you on the way back to Tae'Remok if you'd like."

"That would be very nice," Li said, "I do know a supply of missiles and I'll give you their location as payment. It's just quite a long way off and sitting all that time in a cockpit of a fighter is not possible; There might also be other useful things on that station, like droids and stuff. I've never done a full inventory."

"If you need a ride back, I've got a cruiser set to return from here in about six hours," Zale said. "You wouldn't be sitting in a fighter the entire time and we should be able to get you a full stock of missiles too."

"The station I'm talking about is about a week travel from here," Li said, "to far just to jump over. But you have more ships and might be able to spare a smaller one to make the trip. Also, how did it go on the surface after I left?"

"The Jau brought in some heavy cruisers, in orbit above where the mining facility was. They were outfitted much as Imperial Star Destroyers, and began bombarding the area from orbit. Both sides took heavy losses on the ground, but we did get some of the prisoners away. The situation got a little worse after that, with the Jau cracking down hard on any infraction, but we're making guerilla strikes where we can. I believe the strength of their reprisal is an indication that we hurt them pretty bad. Admiral Kano agrees. And, I meant that I'm heading back to Tae'Remok. Did you want to have your fighter loaded aboard my cruiser--" he gave her a disarming smile "--or would you prefer to be confined to your tiny fighter cockpit for the whole trip?"

"While I wouldn't mind traveling in a bit more luxury, I think it's best if I go on my own. I think the Jau would be pretty annoyed with you if you unloaded a fighter that turned out to be heavily involved in the destruction of one of their destroyers a couple of days ago. I'll head straight to the asteroid base from here. Unless of course you also head that way, then I'll gladly accept the lift."

"I'm not," Zale answered. "Though, we could let you out before we hit Tae'Remok, and we then jump into the system separately. We'd probably need to space the jumps. Either way, just trying to help you get through the rest of the ride in a little bit of comfort. That fighter can't be too comfortable."

"It can be more comfortable," Li said, "even though it's not too bad for me. I'm small, so I have more room, even with the droid. But I gladly accept your offer."

Zale smiled. "It will also give us more time to work on repairs to your fighter," he said. "We've got a number of berths available on the cruiser I'll be taking back, so you'll be able to sleep in a real bed for a night or two before you're back in the cockpit."

"Very nice," Li said, "now just some companionship to warm the bed and everything would be perfect."

Zale chuckled as he watched her. "I'm certain something can be arranged." His smile was charming, but his eyes followed her every curve.

"Tempting," Li said with a smile as she checked him out as well, "and without having to use my TRX-7. Nasty stuff, but useful at times."

"TRX-7," Zale asked. "I'm not familiar with that."

"It's a Bothan chemical," Li explained, "it induces raging sexual desire in most species when they breath it in. The Bothans use it to gather intel, by giving it to subjects and then denying them release. It's also sometimes used in low doses in brothels to make the girls more willing. I was subjected to it during one of my assignments and afterwards I managed to get my hands on some. You never know when you can use things like that."

"Ah," Zale said nodding. "I've heard of it. Though, I think it was being called Euphoric at the time. Never experienced it myself. I spent a long time mastering the art of Shac'Tae, which I guess could be considered as similar, though with a bit more control." He shrugged. "I think I know a few women who may have a little for breakfast every morning."

"Why would anybody want to do that," Li wondered while her mind was working in overdrive. A Shac'Tae master, that should be fun. She had heard some rumours about them. "So," she said, "is there a Mrs. Tregat?"

"She goes by Zenarr-Tregat," Zale answered. "For a time, I had to share her with two others, but circumstance have left the two of us together. The circumstances of our marriage are a story in and of themselves. Some of my associates on Tae'Karada are baffled that someone with as much influence as I have has only one wife and no mistresses. There have been few that have tempted me, and those that have been inaccessible for a number of reasons or--" he gave her another appraising glance "--or I'm still getting to know them."

It was tempting, but Li didn't feel like dealing with angry wives at the moment. On the other hand, it had been a long time. "What would you like to know," she asked, putting her hand on his arm.

"How long have you been flying fighters," Zale asked. "I know Admiral Kano used to be a fighter pilot before he got his promotion. I've never even been in one. The idea of being out in space with so little between you and hard vacuum just makes me nervous."

"I went to the Academy on Corrida when 10 years ago," Li said, "after 2 years I was recruited by intel, and I left them after Alderaan. It's always good to have a way to escape, which is why I kept up flying. And I defected with my gunboat, so as long as I have fuel I don't have to rely on shaky passenger services and I can go wherever I want."

"In the Core, passenger service isn't quite so shaky," Zale said. "Fortunately, I haven't had to rely on commercial transport out her in the Outer Rim. I'm surprised anyone could get to their destination. We can take a shuttle to my cruiser for the return trip. If you trust my people, we can transfer your ship over and you can get some sleep, if you feel the need. Or, you can supervise them getting your ship aboard the cruiser. Your choice."

"I'll fly myself," Li said, "I can give your shuttle some extra protection that way. And no offence meant, but my ship has been sabotaged once and I'm not taking any more chances. Sitting in a spinning fighter with your oxygen low and on a collision course with a gas giant is not my idea of fun."

"Never being able to let down your guard or always looking over your shoulder isn't mind either," Zale said. Then he sighed and added, "But, I guess that's the nature of things now. Let's get your ship moved over then, and we can start back. I suppose, since you fear sabotage, that you'll want to observe all repairs to your ship?"

"I'll check it out afterwards," Li said, "I can't stay with my ship all day long, so there's no use in trying. I have some training in starfighter repair and also sabotage, so I know where to look. It's not that I don't trust you, but after being tricked once, I don't feel like having it happen again."

"All of the people on this ship, I trust implicitly, otherwise I wouldn't keep them so close to me. I've thrown into the ring against the Jau, and that puts my family, business, and friends in terrible risk. It is necessary to surround myself with people I can trust at my back. That said, if I wanted to kill you, I wouldn't be doing it by sabotaging your fighter. If I want you dead, I'll be in front of you where you can see me. But, you need to do what makes you feel safest."

"I'll still check," Li said. While she felt she could trust this man, she had learned the hard way that you couldn't trust everybody. And she had learned from the best how to infiltrate organizations just like this one. "And I'll fly cover until we go in hyperspace," Li said.

"Good deal," Zale said. "I'll be on the bridge until we make the jump to lightspeed. So, until then, fly safe and may the Force be with you."

With that, Zale left her to handle her ship, while he transferred over to his cruiser. It was a dangerous game they were all playing, and if Kaysa knew the extent to which he was involved in the resistance against the Jau, he was certain there would be words exchanged. But, in the end, he couldn't sit by while the aliens subjected the planet and system to their slavery. It was only a matter of time before someone he cared about was enslaved and put to work by the Jau. He would do all he could to ensure they left before that ever happened.

Li took off after a quick refueling and followed the cruiser out. Just before jumping to lightspeed she came onboard. Accommodations were quite luxurious, much more then she was used to, but the only thing that mattered right now was to get a decent night's sleep. Everything else could wait until tomorrow.

"Guerrilla Warfare"
by Brayton Val - Former Tae'Morad Officer

Location: Arcadia
Date: Vadris 24, 5 ABY

***

An explosion devastated the front entrance of the Tae'Morad HQ. Since the invasion occurred the Tae'Morad had been exiled and left without a purpose, and the aliens had posted their own men and security forces to deal with the populace. There was little that could be done to fight the aliens in an upfront attack, but an entirely different thing was to fight them with guerrilla tactics. If one man could pass unnoticed and create a pinpoint attack on the aliens, he could then disappear without a trace. Of course he had to know the place like the palm of his hands, but that was the easy part... After all, the Tae'Morad HQ had been his home for quite some time.

He knew that if he was caught the aliens wouldn't grant him mercy. He would probably be killed just to set an example. But small pocket resistance cells were arising to fight the aliens, and Brayton Val decided that it was about time he left the underworld life he had been leading as of late and get in on the action.

So, now he watched the explosion occur, after having gone inside the entrance of the Tae'Morad building through an underground passage. He was at a safe distance and it had been done remotely, so there was no chance of anyone seeing him run off to safety. Brayton Val smirked and thought of how he had used a underground tunnel to get inside. Usually the Tae'Morad would use it when transferring a dangerous prisoner to a prison facility, to avoid repercussions from the prisoner's associates, but Brayton had never thought of using it to go the other way around. Of course, he had to prep things up, because it was supposed to be an exit only, but with the right tools and knowledge he had managed just fine.

He didn't enjoy watching the entrance of the building explode, but it was certainly better than having it be used by the aliens.

"Your time is up..." Brayton said.

"Back Again"
by Jeron Kes-Allia - Jedi Padawan

Location: Jedi Hide-Out, Vendra
Date: Vadris 24, 5 ABY

***

The last few weeks, he had commited himself to his training. Since he had joined up with the Jedi he had come into contact with a new life and with newly found abilities, things that he would never have experienced in the harsh life back in Tatooine. However, with the insurgence from the aliens and with all the hostility towards the Jedi afterwards, he had found himself using his life-long training as a Tusken, hiding out in the dune sands of the Tae'Sollar desert.

The Jedi had been all but lost to him for quite some time, and even more so after his appointed Jedi master, Gideon Kherris, had dissapeared while on a trip to find some provisions. Being the good hard working type, Jeron had kept his training regime to the last exercise that he knew, trying to harness all that he had learned and become stronger and faster. However, since he had experienced more meditation techniques rather than lightsaber skills so far, he knew that he could only go so far. So, Jeron had decided to keep his training a mix between the training of a Tusken warrior and what he knew of the Jedi.

As it were, he had been found by a new Jedi master, one named Fayla Sedoa. The two had set out to find the other Jedi in hiding, and had managed to track down Ferrig Mullerin in Thanatos. In turn, Ferrig had managed to get them to the new Jedi hide-out in Vendra, away from all the turmoil that was engulfing the planet. Many questions remained unaswered for Jeron, but he knew that the answers would come in time. Besides, he wasn't the talkative type anyway...

Now, once more under the tutelage of the Jedi, Jeron was learning more of what it was to be a Jedi. His skills were increasing more and more with each training session. Still, he wondered where all the others were... especially Lani Vissip.

"Errant Errand"
By: Minn Starcrash (a.k.a Minn Dakara)
Analesse D'vrishay
Merrick Braston

Location: White Noise, New Plouton Date: Vadris 24, 5 ABY

***

"Can I help you," asked the man behind the bar. Minn looked around the club. It was nearly empty at this time of day, with only herself and the man just across from her. He was in his thirties, not unpleasant to look at, but just an employee and no one important here.

"My name is Minn," she said. "I'm from Mrs. D'vrishay's office, and I have some papers Mr. Braston needs to sign."

The guy looked her over, then nodded. "He's in the back. His dressing room. You know the way?"

Minn gave a nod. "Yes, I was there the other night."

He looked almost surprised. "Really? You? He never seems to want the comapny of anyone but his woman."

With a grin, Minn sauntered away.

Let him think what he wanted. The rumors needed to start flying, so why not him? Besides, if Minn had her way, his suspicions would be truth. Though, it wouldn't be nearly that easy. If Analesse were just the woman Minn had seen at the office, or the one Reinrich had described to her, it would be easy. But Minn had seen the woman behind those masks, and that woman lived for Merrick Braston.

She found the White Noise's star's dressing room. The door was closed and she heard the soft sounds of music from within. Knocking softly, she only had to wait for a moment before the door slid open.

"Miss Dakara?" Merrick seemed surprised to see her. She was dressed in pants and jacket, with a longer coat covering it all. Her hair was pulled up and pinned behind her head. Anyone who did not know her might mistake her for Analesse D'Vrishay's sister.

She gave him a smile and held up the leather case she carried in one hand. "I have papers that need to be signed. Mr. Tregat already signed off on his part, and so did Mrs. D'Vrishay. We just need yours to get approval on the next stage of renovations for the kitchens."

"Perfect," Merrick said. "Please, come on in. Take off your coat if you'd like." He went in search of a stylus. "By your coat, I'd say it must be cold out."

"It's snowing again," Minn said. "Nearly four centimeters since sunrise. I don't think our alien overseers like it much."

Merrick chuckled. Good, she thought, he doesn't like them here. She couldn't blame him, but it made a nice angle from which to pursue.

Jotting his name quickly in the spots where she pointed, he gave the project authorization to proceed. Minn wondered if she could just wave any papers under his nose to sign. Probably not, she surmised. He was very sharp. And Analesse D'Vrishay didn't deserve him, that was certain.

But did Minn Dakara deserve him? Or even Minn Starcrash? Minn had no delusions she was a bad person. She had done wicked things for her whole life, forced to it by her master, Jax D'Amara. But she hardly objected. It was the only life she knew. And now she was here with the intention of destroying Merrick Braston and Analesse D'Vrishay's relationship.

"All set," Merrick said as he returned the flimsiplast forms to her. "Now, while you're here, if you don't need to run back to the office, I was wondering if I might ask a favor."

Minn looked up at him, suddenly curious. She gave him her most innocent look, questioning and open. She saw a smile in his eyes, a slight curling of his lips. She sensed that she was drawing him in. "Of course," she said in a tone filled with sweetness.

"I have some new songs I want to add to my act, but I want an honest opinion from someone who doesn't know all of my work backwards and forwards."

"I think that would be me," she said with a grin. "I had never had a chance to hear your music before Mrs. D'Vrishay let me listen."

"Perfect," Merrick said. "Come on. Did you want a drink? Anything you want, on the house."

"I really shouldn't," Minn said as she followed him to the door, "I am still working."

Merrick chuckled. "I'm sure it will be fine. And it's for a good cause."

They emerged back out into the main part of the club. Merrick contemplated for a moment, then chose a table near the center. "This one looks good. Sit here, if you could. And, I want your honest opinions, not flattery. I want to know what you think of the music, honest and truly, not to hear how wonderful I am. Deal?"

Minn laughed. "Deal."

"Bic," Merrick called over to the bar. "Bring over some of the red, the stuff from Bespin. And tell Chric that I'd like that new case we got from Vendra opened for tonight's show."

"Will do, though Da's not going to be in for another couple hours."

"Where is he? Not loafing again, I hope."

Bic shook his head as he brought over a pair of classes and a bottle. "Trouble down at the port again. The shipments coming in from the Mid-Rim are being held up again 'cause of the Jau. He's trying to get them clearance, but the guy the Jau have at the Authority is worthless."

"Make sure he's careful," Merrick said. "I don't need him carted off to the new mine the Jau are putting together."

The look Bic gave was a clear indication the fear was not one with which he was unfamiliar. Minn remembered the older man from her first trip. Full of life and fire. He was one who could make trouble for the Jau, and the Jau would make far more trouble for him.

Merrick poured her out a glass of wine and one for himself. "Now, remember, honest critique, not flattery."

Taking a sip of her wine, Minn gave him a demure look, earning a smile from him as he started up for the stage.

Accompanying himself on the baitar, Merrick started in on the first of the songs. It was a lively number about a woman who discovered she had fallen in love with the exiled heir of a powerful empire, but filled with double meanings and mistaken identities. The next song was slower, a love song that was obviously written for Analesse. It was a sweet song, but perhaps a little too sweet.

The next songs, while good, lacked the usual flair that Merrick Braston's songs seemed to exhibit. The next, however, seemed to be about a young, dark-haired, doe-eyed beauty with the ability to enchant the hearts and minds of all who beheld her. The song was beautiful and yet haunting, and told the tale of a man pulled to the depths by the beauty and grace of the doe-eyed girl. In the darkness where Minn had lived most of her life, very little managed to move her. It was a shock that this song cut through everything and when straight to the heart she had long thought dead.

From the stage, Merrick's attention was so focused on her and hers on him, that she nearly felt an electric shock course through the gaze he had fixed upon her. In that moment, she wanted that look to be real and not just his showmanship at work. She felt a child again, lost to her emotions rather than a warrioress in complete control of her every thought and feeling.

Sudden applause from the back of the room shattered the spell, and Minn spun in her chair to find Analesse D'Vrishay standing there. She didn't think her boss looked happy.

Merrick, however, looked overjoyed. Whatever look he had been giving Minn paled next to the one he was giving his beloved.

"Lessa," he said as he leaped from the stage to approach her. "I didn't expect to see you until tonight."

"I thought I'd surprise you for lunch," she answered tautly and while accepting Merrick's kiss her eyes were fully on Minn, the glare quite obvious. When he pulled back, Analesse was smiling thinly, but not at Merrick; her displeasure was being cast upon Minn in force from her stiff, cross-armed pose to her cold, hard stare. It was the same demeanor Minn had witnessed days ago when she had taken the helm at the shareholder meeting during Analesse's absence. Analesse D'vrishay was certainly quick to anger, though the substance of her ire was more quiet, cruel menace than explosive rage, which Minn knew all too well and confirmed that she had very expertly staged the day's scheme. "I sent you out to complete a task," Analesse reminded her, "not to toss back a drink and enjoy a show. I expected you at the office an hour ago."

"The fault is mine," Merrick said before Minn could respond. "She brought the papers, I signed them. Then enlisted her ear on some new material. I thought it might be good to have an unbiased opinion on the new songs from someone who doesn't know my every song better than I do. She assured me she needed to get back and that she couldn't drink while working. I hope you'll forgive both of us for the indulgence."

"And you don't trust me to be impartial?" Analesse whispered for Merrick only before addressing Minn once more. "Please return to the office and leave the papers on my desk for review. I think your break is over, don't you?"

"Of course, Ms. D'Vrishay," Minn said as she stood and picked up her long coat." She placed the flimsis into a leather satchel and headed for the door. Fortunately, with her back to them, neither Merrick nor Analesse could see the pleased smile she wore as she slipped from the club.

"I wanted a fresh opinion, that's all," Merrick said. "If you'd like, I can perform the songs for you and you can give me your opinion. While I understand you wanted her back in the office, I really don't understand why you're so upset over this."

"I'm upset," she explained, "because you both showed me blatant disregard. Minn's responsibility is to me, not to idolizing you. You knew full well she had to get back, yet you obliged her to stay. Do you not take me or my work seriously?"

"Of course I do," Merrick said. "I meant no disrespect or disregard toward you or the work you do. She was here, and I didn't think you would mind. The way you were talking about her practically taking over the other day, I thought maybe it would help. I promise you, Lessa, it won't happen again."

Analesse nodded, stubbornly avoiding his gaze to convey her residual anger. "I guess I was just wrong in coming - you've found someone else to appraise your music. I can't be trusted to tell the truth, now can I?"

"Of course you can," Merrick said. "I trust you as I always have and I hope you will continue to give me feedback about my music. But, I hope you can see the value in having another person to listen as well. I'm sure you have situations in your own work where having someone else look at the work is valuable, like contractors who can give you feedback on how sound a building's structure is or how traffic patterns in an area might affect the people who will go there."

"I'm not a child - I know all that," she replied harshly. "I was being facetious and a little bitter, that's all." Analesse offered a wan smile. "I'm just offended that you'd let her hear your newest songs before even I have."

"I meant no offense," Merrick said. "It was a spur of the moment thing. She was here, she's a new fan, and I thought perhaps I'd get a critique of my music I might have a chance to hear otherwise. That's all. More than likely, she'll be too afraid to even look at me now to ever give me that feedback. Lessa, I am very sorry, and I will make it up to you however I can. I wasn't thinking and that was irresponsible of me."

"No it wasn't," she admitted with a defeated sigh. "You didn't do anything wrong. I'm just feeling a little...threatened, and I can't explain why." Analesse chuckled wryly. "Actually, I can. Minn's good - better than me, I think and it's nagging at me."

"I'm not sure why you say better," Merrick said as he reached out for her hand. "She's a very pretty girl, but she is just a girl. And the wonderfully talented Merrick Braston isn't in love with her. As for work, you're very good at what you do. I can't see how she could compete with that. You said she's barely out of school. But, if she's a problem, maybe you should let her go. Your field is extremely cutthroat, and she won't be able to make it on her own. Someone else would have to pick her up, and we know your closest competition is Reinrich Tas, and I can't see him taking on Minn. He'd put her in that vile club of his before he ever set her to working in his development business."

"I can't let her go - if someone does pick her up, she'll become my competition and I can't risk her stealing any of my clients. She's already impressed some of my most affluent and important - she could easily snatch them up."

"It's a difficult situation," Merrick said. "While my own experiences haven't been quite the same, I have had wintrella players and backup singers who didn't like being in the background. I guess the best course is to keep an eye on her, don't give her too much, and let her help as best she can. Even so, maybe you should get your clients together and wow them without Minn around. Show them that you're the best in the business."

"Sounds easy enough, doesn't it?" Smiling, Analesse slipped her arm through Merrick's and motioned her head towards the nearest table. "You think Bic will have the kitchen make a little something for us while we're here? It might help us forget that you think I have a terrible ear for music," she teased.

Merrick chuckled. "And that you are exaggerating the situation," he said. He called over to Bic at the bar and set him off to find some food. As they sat, he regarded her. "So, other than Minn trying to take over, skipping out on work to listen to me sing, and being far too good at what she does, anything else new going on? Nemyos still making a mess of things, or has he gotten better since the other day?"

"I just don't know what's wrong with him. He's just been so...clumsy lately." She sighed. "I wonder if Moril said something to him."

"Do he and Minn work together at all," Merrick asked. "I wouldn't be surprised if he's feeling threatened by her presence. I imagine he might be afraid she'll be so good you won't need him anymore. If that's the case, he's not helping himself, but I doubt he realizes that."

Analesse frowned in thought. "They do seem friendly...and Nemyos has no delusions about being anything other than a personal assistant so that can't be it.... You think something's wrong with him?"

"It's always possible," Merrick said. "An illness. You don't think he's gotten himself into trouble, gambling or some other vice? Probably best to talk to him and see what he says. Speculating is unlikely to help. You don't think he'd hide anything from you, do you? He's always been honest and forthright."

"He would if it would cost him his job." Shaking her head, she decided, "Maybe I should ask Minn. Those two have gotten close lately. I wonder if he's confided in her."

"That's very possible," Merrick said. "If they're friends, he may have. And, it can be very difficult to open up to your boss, especially if it's anything personal."

Pouting rather attractively but still conveying her discomfiture, Analesse muttered, "I hate all this drama. I'm a serious businesswoman - I deserve to work in a more professional environment with an assistant that isn't completely melodramatic...don't I?"

"Until Minn showed up, he was your right hand," Merrick said. "I think he's feeling a little threatened, but that's understandable given the circumstances. Minn seems to stir up a little trouble, it seems. Look at the trouble here today, and Nemyos. Very difficult when she's also good at what she does."

"Do you think it's intentional," Analesse mused, "or she's just a victim of circumstance? She doesn't seem to exhibit any ill will...does she?"

"She doesn't," Merrick answered. "She seems very innocent. She definitely looks innocent. I'd be very difficult to believe it of her. "

She smiled weakly. "It must just be Nemyos, then. I'll have to talk to him in the morning. For now, though...." Hand sliding across the table, she covered Merrick's and added, "Are you going to sing to me, too, today?"

"You'd better believe it," Merrick said as their food was brought out. He raised her hand to his lips. "First we eat, and then I will serenade you like you've never been serenaded before."

"That's an ambitious promise." She smiled coquettishly. "And if you don't succeed?"

Merrick chuckled. "When have I ever not," he asked as their meals were placed before them in usual White Noise style. "Now, eat your food. You'll need your strength for this."

She narrowed her eyes warily, wondering in amusement what precisely he had planned for after lunch and whether she would get back to the office on time. If the alluring expression on Merrick's face was any indication of what awaited her, Analesse was more than willing to saunter into the office late.

Merrick's eyebrows waggled enticingly before he turned his attention to his meal.