"Turn Around"
By: Jack Black
Robin Black [NPC+]

Location: Tae 'Karada Airspace
Date: Eos 25, 4ABY

***

The shuttle rushed over the trees of the forest. Jack got up, drawing out his gun. He turned around and looked at the two Jawas. Robin looked up at his brother.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm getting us a bigger share. These two are our only way to escape that fleet of ships chasing us," Jack stated calmly. He looked over at the two droids that hid the Jawas.

Wobble, wobble beep, chirped one of the R2 units as its dome twisted a quarter turn.

"I'm sorry but perhaps you will learn never to trust anyone. They will eventually betray you." He glanced across at his brother. He signaled with the weapon, 'Move'.

The R2 unit didn't respond, staying near its assigned station. Robin removed the restraining bolt and hoped for a better response.

Jack fired the weapon against the wall. "I have no qualms about killing you. My brother is testament to that, it just makes it easier for both of us. Make your way to the escape pod."

A holographic picture formed on the side of the droid. It was a small green guy with elongated ears. Jack didn't know who it was, but the smaller-than-Jawa sized man had an air of serenity and trust.

Failed already this plan has. How you kill what no life held? No Jawas contain these empty shells.

What? The Jawas suspected a trap and sent decoys! There was no one to betray if this were true. Thinking quickly, he aimed the blaster towards his brother. "Remove the head of the R2 unit and see if Jemul is inside it."

The ship shook violently again as another blast from a turbo laser smashed into the side of the ship.

Robin dropped a wrench when the ship evaded its pursuit. It took a few minutes, but when the droids were opened, there was nothing inside them but normal electronic components.

Jack twisted the blaster on his own brother. "Since there are no Jawas to man the escape pods, you must go, brother."

Robin stammered, "And if I refuse?"

"Droids don't have life signs and can't be used as decoys in this case. Had I been less intent on escape, I would have seen through the Jawa's ruse. But if you fail to cooperate, I might point out that a corpse will register as a life form on Imperial sensors if it is still warm," Jack lectured.

"Jack." It was Robin, Jack's version of a conscience. "You don't have to do this brother. I'm sure the pair of us can come up with a better plan."

The ship shuddered as a blast scored on the hull. "There's no time. Get into the pod now unless you want to lose a limb!"

With a scowl pasted on his face, Robin entered the pod which was launched towards the planet. Some of the Imperials broke off to pursue the smaller craft, but enough were still on Jack's tail...

Where were the Jawas? What happened to the escape pod... Oh no! That last blast hit the engines....

As the shuttle hurtled toward the ground, Jack gave up fighting with the controls. He didn't have the skill at flying that his brother had acquired. He grasped the control board to steady himself. The shuttle seemed to glide for an extended period of time, barely skimming the tops of the trees. The shuttle hit the top of one tree, smashing it apart, then a second, then a third leaving only shattered splinters in its path. Then the shuttle ducked below the green treeline, sending up a shower of flaming sparks and splinters. The shattered remains of trees littered the path as the ship hurtled through the forest. Finally the ship came to rest in a small murky pool ,behind it half a mile of decimated forest. Trees, mud, splinters and flames.

Inside most of the control panels had shattered, the front view screen was little more than a hole. Jack's eyes slowly opened as he tried to shrug off the crash. Finally he managed to release the safety harness and get up. He would have to move quickly just in case the Imperials would follow up on the ship as well as the escape pod. He looked back. The R3 and R2 units were still functioning. He picked up the R2's memory core.

"Come on," he snarled. "We've got to keep moving."

At first they refused, their loyalty to their previous owner. Jack pulled out of one of his pouches a pair of restraining bolts and placed them on the droids. "Now come!" he ordered. They complied.

***

Two speeders dodged through the forest jungle. Trees and plants whizzed by, only a blur. Through the black visors they could see everything in shades of heat. They were just coming up to the pod. They had orders to be alert. It was unknown who the hijackers might be but it was known that someone had left the shuttle. An aerial surveillance had shown its heat signature moving away. One human, male. That had been the description. The two scouts felt uncomfortable in this forest alone. It was rumoured that there were Jedi on the loose. While they may been a well trained fighting unit they were still mere punching bags compared to the Jedi.

Robin remained crouched. He had come around. He had no weapons; he did have his armour and his knife. He could see the two speeders and they began to slow down. One Imperial trooper Robin was sure he could probably take out, but two and with only a knife... They would detect him soon. He had camouflaged himself but his right leg was bleeding badly. It was not a debilitating injury but it was going to get him into trouble.

There was a small voice in his head telling him to surrender, but Robin didn't consider that an option. He had seen what they had done to his brother when Jack had been held at the Emperor's pleasure. He winced. His brother had thrown him to the wolves... Jack had his reason, probably a plan to help him... Robin paused. Did he? He then wondered what had happened to the shuttle. He hoped that his brother was okay.

He betrayed you, the voice was telling him. He had his reasons.

One of the scouts disembarked its speeder. The other was patroling around, securing the perimeter. Robin would have to act quickly or he would be discovered.

Through the scout's visor he could see the blood. He would follow it but he had to secure the pod first. There was no one in it. He looked over to where the blood trailed off. He pulled his blaster out.

Robin didn't fancy his chances. His personal shield was still low on power and he didn't want to have to fight them both together. It looked like he would have no choice. He picked up a large length of wood. It felt light, probably rotten to the core but with any luck it would help him bring down one of the scouts. The one on the bike was slowly circling around to his position. Robin waited as the bike passed. He brought the branch around to connect with the scout's head. Sure enough the branch exploded into a shower of rotten fragments but the stunned scout had fallen off the back of his speeder. Robin was on him quickly, pinning his arm with his knees. He reached forward and with his combat blade quickly and efficiently sliced the man's throat. The second scout had begun firing. The infamous accuracy of the Stormtroopers were showing. Two of his shots smashed into Robin's personal shield, depleting what remained of its power. Robin rolled and grabbed the man he had just killed's weapon and began to return fire.

The two warriors danced around each other in a deadly fire fight. Both were survivors. They ducked and dodged each other's shots while they sprinted around trees for cover. Tired with this game they both charged at each other, firing

"Yarrrrgh!" raged Robin as they were soon locked in hand to hand combat, each gripping the opponent's weapon arm. However the man was a military born fighter trained in stricken combat against his foes. Robin fought with something else, something much more powerful. It was a kind of fighting that didn't look much but it worked.

Bringing his knee up he stunned his opponent, then with a cool calm mind he pulled his blaster free and aimed it at the man's head. Sweat drenched Robin's light combat wear. The wounded scout didn't look much better.

"I'm sorry for having to do this." And Robin shot him.

---

"Unbridled Darkness"
By: Dani
Nieme Yaresh-Selrid
Maeren Shivral
Neron Tregat [NPC+]
Qual Tregat [NPC+]
Turg [NPC+]

Location: Palace of Stars - Yesdol; Tregat Residence - Yesdol, New Plouton
Date: Eos 25, 4 ABY

***

Qual sat in his assigned seat, his mouth a hard slash as he read over the flimsiplast sheet once more. In bright, happy letters it announced that Maeren Shivral's understudy would be performing that night. He glanced at his brother, his anger clearly displayed on his face, and bit back a comment he would have snapped. Instead, he shook his head. "She's screwing us over, little brother. Our night of debauchery meant nothing to her, and now she's run back to dear Zale and his whoring wife. I must say, this is going to get very ugly. We can't let such insolence go unpunished. We will have to do something drastic, I fear. I really do hate to play the part of the bully, and you do it so much better than I, but I'm afraid this time it may be necessary."

Neron finished tossing back his third drink, and grinned ferally at the pleasant warmth stinging his throat as he slammed the empty glass down. "Do we act tonight?" He shook his head in reply to his own question. "She'll have told Zale by now, and his guards will be on high alert. We'll need to plan this so we can strike once and strike hard, giving our brother dear no chance to defend himself."

"We'll need to strike soon, and I think the little duplicitous whore's wedding will be the best time for it. When we leave here tonight, my brother, we take our slave bitches with us, and while they entertain us, we make our plans for Maeren and the others. They will pay for this, all of them."

Neron sighed as he took in the sight of Dani and Nieme performing on stage. Their gazes were directed at he and Qual; they were dancing for them, only for them, just as the obedient, devoted sluts they were. "They're coming along nicely, at least. Maeren's far too headstrong for her own good...and ours."

"Yes, I believe we will have to write her off as a failed endeavour. She will suffer with the rest. And, Dani and Nieme, those sweet little nymphs will do wonders for us, my brother. I think we chose well with them. Very well, indeed."

With a chuckle, Neron leaned forward for a closer look down below at their gems. Their costumes were especially revealing this night, with nothing concealing their supple breasts and the jewellery affixed to each nipple; even from where he sat he could see them sparkling in the bright lights of the stage. "We can make Maeren a present for our girls," he said. "I think they deserve something to play with."

"They do certainly seem to enjoy her. Yes, I think that's a very good idea, my brother. Maybe we can make the musician a present for some of the boys. And, if you'd like, we can share Kaysa between us."

"She's a little old for me," Neron drawled. "Though, if I take her from behind, her appearance won't matter." He grinned at Qual and clapped his brother on the back. "So, what do you have planned for her then? How are you going to make her fulfill her deal with you?"

"With Zale dead, she'll have no other choice," Qual answered. "And, we had a connection. I think she and I won't have much trouble on that front. And, I have a feeling I might be able to get our girls to loosen her up a little too."

"Or just drown her in liquor. It worked the last time."

"It did, didn't it? Though, I want her functional. Nothing worse than having a drunk woman with no clue going down on you."

Neron laughed, feeling his spirits lifting despite their thwarted plan. The dance routine ended and all the crowd cheered. Dani and Nieme waved excitedly at Neron and Qual, and the two simply grinned like lechers in return.

"Come, brother," Neron said, already rising from his seat. "We need some fun, then...we plan."

"Indeed we do, my brother. Our bitches await." He led the way out of their private box, and down toward where Nieme and Dani would be meeting them. The mental image of their writhing pierced and tattooed bodies was exhilarating, and he wanted to make it a reality right then. He didn't mind that they were in public, and had a feeling Nieme and Dani wouldn't either.

Still clad in their daring costumes, and absolutely beaming, Nieme and Dani bounded through the crowd towards Qual and Neron. Nieme squealed with delight as she threw herself into Qual's embrace, kissing him with desire and yearning the moment their bodies met. Neron too wrapped Dani in an embrace when she was near enough, and chuckling deeply, ground his hips into hers. "Miss me?"

"Oh goddess," Dani rasped, "when you do that, definitely yes. And, I really want to show you just how much I missed you."

"We're going home now, so you'll get your chance," he whispered, affectionately stroking her cheek with one finger. "Your friend didn't show up tonight. We're very upset, so you two will have to console us."

"We saw that she wasn't here," Dani said. "We were very worried. Nieme and I will have to talk to her to find out what happened. It wasn't nice of her to not come. She promised."

"It wasn't nice at all," Neron replied, brushing his lips against hers. "She'll need to punished for upsetting our girls. Don't worry; she'll learn her lesson soon enough."

"Learning lessons is very important," Dani said as her hand slowly slid down toward his crotch. "I like the lessons I've learned from you."

Neron's fingers closed around the hooped earring pierced through Dani's nipple and tugged with enough force to pull the knob of flesh taut. "Let's get to the limo and I'll teach you a few more," he purred into her ear.

A playful growl came up from the back of Dani's throat as she gazed up at him. "Can we hurry?"

Neron leaned over and hefted Dani into his arms. "As you wish, my pet." Then, he slipped away, carrying her off with him.

"Did my dancing please you?" Nieme asked Qual breathlessly as his hands worked beneath her skirt. "I tried so hard to be perfect for you, Master."

"Your dancing pleased me very much," he said. "You impress me very much, Nieme. Very much indeed. And, I see that you are very excited too, like Dani." He brushed his fingers between her thighs and smiled. "Is this excitement for me?"

She nodded briskly, and even moaned to emphasize her response. "All for you. No one else, Master."

"Let's get outside so you can show me how devoted you are to me," Qual said. "Come, my little slave. Let's go see what trouble Neron and Dani have gotten into, and then get into some of our own."

Nieme giggled and coyly slipped past Qual as she skipped towards the exit. Neron and Dani were nowhere in sight, but the sounds of their carnal, boisterous lovemaking led her easily enough to them. She jerked open the hatch of the hoverlimo and with a laugh thrust herself into the tangle of writhing bodies and limbs.

Dani's groping hands quickly helped to relieve Nieme of her scanty dance outfit. She was writhing in ecstasy with Neron inside of her, but still had enough presence of mind to give Nieme the attention she deserved before Qual got there. "Neron was saying that they live on Coruscant and want us to live there too," she rasped.

Nieme managed to slip her hands between Dani and Neron's bodies and found some flesh to fondle. "I think I'd like that," she whispered. "We could even convince Maeren to come with us."

"We'll have to talk to her about it when we see her," Dani said between moans. "I think she would for us. She loves us very much, and she'll go with us."

Neron grunted his approval as he continued thrusting into Dani. "Maybe we'll even pick up another girl to accompany Maeren. You two could have two playmates."

"Oh," Dani gasped, "we'd like that very much. We love playmates. She told us about her friend, Lerrah, and she's--oh--beautiful. I want her as a playmate. I think you'd really like Lerrah, Neron."

Neron nipped at Dani's throat, then grinned up at her. "If that's what you want, that's what you shall have."

"Oh, thank you," Nieme breathed, and kissed Neron fully on the lips while trying to wedge her way between them.

Dani tried to ease herself back as much without losing the delirious contact she shared with Neron. Her lips found the back of Nieme's neck and her bared shoulders, greedily kissing them as Neron sent waves of pleasure through her with every thrust. "She showed us a picture of her, and I get all tingly just thinking of her here with us."

"Who here with you, my purple slut?"

"Maeren's friend, Lerrah. Oh gods, Maeren says she's beautiful and amazing, and Neron said we could have another. We want her, don't we, Ni?"

Nieme moaned in response as Neron's hand slipped between her thighs to deliver the same pleasure he was bestowing upon Dani. "When can we have them?" she said huskily. "Soon?"

"Very soon," Qual answered. "If that's what you wish. All we'll need to do is find her. Did Maeren say where she was?"

"She went home," Nieme groaned, turning her cheek to meet Dani's kisses. "She had to go see Keeve...or something. Th-They had to finish planning...a-a wedding, I think."

Qual chuckled as he eased his hand down to Nieme's backside, caressing and fondling her. "My silly little girl," he said affectionately. He slipped a finger inside of her, delighting in the moan it brought out from her. "We have heard about the wedding, and are sad we didn't get an invitation. But, we need to know where to find this new beauty you desire so strongly. We need to find this darling Lerrah for you."

"W-We don't know," Nieme replied unsteadily. She arched against Neron, just as Dani arched against her, and the two girls emitted perfectly timed moans. "She's on a mission," Nieme continued. "Something important... B-But Maeren didn't know where."

"Well, we may not get her for you right away, but we will get her for you, my little sluts. She will be yours to do with as you please, I'll promise you that. Perhaps next time we see Maeren, we can ask her."

"Maybe we can go to the wedding," Nieme suggested, fighting back a cry. "She wouldn't mind. We're her friends!"

"That's exactly what we were thinking," Qual answered. "I am certain she would be sad if her two best friends and lovers didn't come to her wedding. Perhaps you could give her a special present, something unique that she'll remember always."

Nieme sucked in a sharp breath as Qual penetrated deeper, and Dani's shrill moans assailed her hearing. "Like what?" she managed to ask, shouting above the sounds of Neron and Dani's carnal union. "W-What kind of present?"

"What kind of present would you like to give her? I think the two of you have a very unique gift you could give her, and one she would enjoy very much. We saw how much she loved your bodies and I think, before she marries her little toy, she should be tingling from the gift her two friends can give her. And, she really seemed to like your new adornments, perhaps our new friend, the one who gave you those, could give her a present as well."

"Oh," Nieme moaned. "We could take her on a little trip after the wedding and give her the surprise." She clawed at Neron's back as his thrusts into Dani hastened, and his crushing weight bore down on her. "We could wear special dresses for her," she cried out, overwhelmed by the hands roaming over her, and the pleasure coming from every part of her body. "Or wear nothing at all," she added.

"Oh, I think she would like that very much," Qual said as he freed himself from his pants and positioned himself to enter her from behind, and quickly replaced his finger with his erection, earning a loud cry from Nieme. "Though, do you think she would enjoy some pretty jewellery like yours and Dani's before the wedding? Where we're from, it's important to give the bride some of her presents before the wedding. And, I have a feeling her husband will be very happy with the added pleasure they would give him when they have sex."

Nieme whimpered and reached back to clutch Qual's thighs. "I-If that's how it's done, Master, then that's how it shall be. Perhaps we could go to her tonight," she said.

"Oh, very smart girl," Qual said. "So, how good are you at sneaking into places you shouldn't be? Do you think you could sneak into her bedroom tonight?"

Nieme shuddered with excitement and ecstasy, and nodded decisively. "We can do that. For you, we can."

Neron and Dani let out a unified cry of elation and satisfaction, then he collapsed upon her, partially burying Nieme between them. Considering the pleasure Qual was inspiring in her, she barely noticed.

"When do we leave?" she asked breathlessly. "Oh please, can we go soon? We do so miss our Maeren."

"Oh, I think it should be very soon," Qual said. "Though do you think you can sneak our friend the artist in with you? He only has to stay long enough to give her her new adornments. Though, if you wished to keep him around for some fun, I'm sure he wouldn't mind. He was a fairly attractive young man, and Dani certainly enjoyed her time with him."

"We can do anything you wish, Master," she gasped. "We did used to be Jedi Padawans, you know. We're powerful."

"My little darlings," Qual said. "I am certain you can do anything you or I set your minds to. I can't wait to see our little Maeren all delightfully adorned."

Nieme giggled deliriously at the delicious pleasure Qual provided, and at the invigorating sensation she felt growing within her. It was a mixture of power and hunger she hadn't experienced during her stay at the Temple, something else the stifling Jedi Masters had no doubt suppressed. Now, it was free to blossom under Qual and Neron's care, and with it she would give them anything they desired, despite the looming darkness that threatened to consume her in the process.

***

They stood outside of the mansion Qual and Neron had directed them to. Dani glanced once more at the darkened building and then looked to Nieme. "I can sense her in there. She's alone, but not for long." She glanced at the skin artist they'd brought, and could sense his excitement as well. "Are we ready?"

Nieme smoothed her hands over the bodice of the black one-piece suit Qual had purchased for the occasion and moaned happily. "Definitely ready." She smiled silkily at Dani, who looked irresistible in her own suit. "Maeren will be so happy to see us."

Dani turned to the artist and gave him a seductive smile. "Now, just stay quiet. We'll make sure to keep you hidden from anyone who would want to find us, but don't make our jobs harder."

The man nodded. "I'll just...be quiet and do what you say."

"That's what we like to hear."

"Now," Nieme cut in, barely containing her excitement, "you take Turg here through the back. You're better at masking than me. I'll go through the window and make sure to clear the way for you."

Dani gave Nieme a kiss before pulling Turg off with her. As they neared, she centered herself in the Force and pulled it like a shroud around them both. "Now is the point where we have to keep quiet." She cautiously approached the back door and let them inside, using a little of the Force to manipulate the lock. It's so easy now, she found herself thinking as she slipped inside and started in the direction she felt would lead her to Maeren.

Nieme, too, had little difficulty sneaking inside. Drawing on the power she'd felt summoning her, she made easy work of scaling the wall and prying open the window that led to the top floor. She was but a shadow as she drifted through the hallway, scanning with her eyes and her Force-enhanced senses for anyone who might be about. She called out to her lover through the Force, telling her the way was clear, then waited for her at the top of the stairs.

Dani sent a silent acknowledgement along, and quickly sped up the stairs toward where Nieme was waiting for her. She could feel both hers and Turg's bodies tingling with the excitement of what was to come.

Nieme kissed her lover briefly, then led the two towards the room where she had felt Shiv's life force emanating. With the Force shielding them, not a sound was heard, not even when they eased the door to Shiv's bedroom open. There she lay upon the bed, her face wearing a gentle smile and her aura pulsing with an array of warm colours. Nieme smiled and made her way towards the bed with Dani and Turg. "Our beauty," Nieme whispered, lightly settling down upon the mattress. "We must have her, Dani."

"Should Turg do his part first," Dani asked as she gently brushed a hand over their lover's brow. She sent soothing empathic emanations out, using her pheromones. "Or should we have her before he decorates her?"

"He should do his work before someone wakes up," Nieme said, running a hand over Shiv's chest. "Though, it doesn't mean we can't play while he does it."

"Yes," Dani breathed. "I'll help keep us quiet in here. Let's get her out of her bedclothes. A beautiful woman like Maeren shouldn't be obscured by clothing. So beautiful, my precious dear."

As Dani began to work Shiv's nightshirt off, the young woman shifted and her eyes fluttered open with a start. "Who's there? Oh gods, please-- No, you have to go!"

"Shh..." Nieme kissed Shiv's lips tenderly, while her hands slid the covers back further. "Don't be afraid. We just wanted to give you a nice present for your wedding." She glanced back at Turg and motioned him forward. "You'll like this. I promise."

"No, please. You have to go. I can't do this anymore. Please. I'm getting married. I can't betray Keeve anymore. I can't do this. Please, you have to go. I care for you both very much, but I can't. Not anymore. Please? Please, just go. Please, don't ruin what I have with Keeve."

"If he really loved you," Nieme whispered, working her hand into Shiv's flimsy pants, "it wouldn't matter to him. You want to do this, Shiv. Why are you fighting it?"

Shiv squirmed away from Nieme's touch. "No! Don't do this to me. Gods, I love him, and I can't betray him. Go! Just leave. If you do this to me...how can you even say... Gods, no!" She tried to surge up out of the bed, but Dani quickly placed a hand on her chest and firmly held her in place.

"You are being ungrateful," Dani said. "Our friend brought a wedding gift for you, and we wish to give you a gift of our own. Now, stop struggling before you make us think you don't love us anymore. Come, Turg, help get her pants off so you can see what you have to work with. Both nipples, her pussy, and--" She glanced at Nieme. "Her nose? I think yours looks very sexy like that. Oh, and one in her eyebrow too."

Nieme ran her tongue over Shiv's left eyebrow then chuckled throatily. "Definitely there. Now don't fight us, Shiv. It'll be fun."

"No!" Shiv opened her mouth wide to scream, but no sound came out. Her eyes went wide and she looked up at both Dani and Nieme, frantic.

Dani shook her head and sighed. "Now, that wouldn't be nice, would it, Maeren dear? We told you...you can't escape this. It is...fate."

Nieme smoothed a hand over Shiv's golden hair as Turg jerked down her pants. She struggled again and Nieme tightened a fist around a handful of her hair. "Stop fighting!" she hissed. "You want this, you little whore! You've always wanted this!"

"Not anymore," Shiv sobbed. "I don't want it anymore. I want Keeve. I want to be Keeve's wife, and I can't do this. Stop! Please stop! Oh gods! Go! Kay--"

Nieme's palm struck Shiv's cheek roughly, squelching her cry, then placed a hand over her mouth to keep her from attempting another. "Do it," she rasped to Turg. "Dani...hold her down."

Dani reached out the Force, and then wrapped Shiv in it, essentially forming restraints out of the Force. "She won't move now," she said.

The artist quickly slipped down between Shiv's thighs with his instruments and set to work. Shiv was crying, tears falling down her cheeks, but Dani was keeping her from making sounds as well. "One or two?" Turg asked.

Nieme grinned as she traced circles around Shiv's exposed nipple with her free hand. "One for now. We'll work her up to two."

"Very well," he said. He looked up at Shiv and gave her a leering smile. He then leaned down and ran his tongue along her slit and smacked his lips. "Very sweet. One, coming up."

"See, Shiv," Nieme whispered into her ear, "you want this. Keeve will be really, really happy." She giggled and added, "And so will we."

Shiv shook her head, or tried to, frantic to make them understand. How could she make them understand? There was fear in her eyes, and she didn't know what she would do. She had to get out of this, but they were using some kind of magic on her. She tried to plead, but there was nothing she could do. A sharp, flaring pain blossomed between her thighs, and a strangled cry was lost in her throat. Tears began to fall once more, and she knew she was losing hope.

"Beautiful," came the voice of the man between her legs. "Simply beautiful."

"Absolutely exquisite," Nieme agreed. "We're taking her with us, you know," she told Turg. "You should come too. Oh...it's going to be wonderful. Our beautiful Maeren, Lerrah, Kaysa too," she said, smiling down at Shiv. "Wouldn't you like that?"

Shiv's eyes held panic as she struggled to respond, but couldn't. The pain she felt was forgotten as her mind raced to find a way out of this for her loves. They couldn't do what they claimed. It was...it was wrong. Based on what she'd seen so far, she knew it wasn't impossible. She then felt fingers probing at her right breast and a voice murmuring "lovely."

"Very," Nieme purred, and closed her mouth around Shiv's left nipple while Turg proceeded to pierce the right one. Her hand slid down between Shiv's thighs and her fingers played with the metallic loop affixed to the nodule of flesh within her slit. She heard Shiv groan, a sign of her friend's enjoyment. "See? Not so bad, Shiv. Why did you have to fight us? Why did you have to make us get mad?"

At least he'd used bacta, Shiv thought. She felt the bubbles of pleasure pulsing within her, but she fought against them. She tried to turn her head away, but couldn't. Instead, she closed her eyes, sobbing within herself.

"For his exceptional good work, I think Turg should get first after she's all finished. I think the two of them would look very nice writhing together, don't you, Ni?"

"Simply beautiful," Nieme replied with a serene smile. She sighed, then, and while twining Shiv's hair around her finger, mused, "We should just take her with us tonight. She doesn't need to marry him. She has us!"

"I think Qual and Neron would be proud of us if we did. We should. I think they'll be very proud of us and they'll do really good things for us. I bet we'll get special things from them. And, because we love her, we'll share special things with our beautiful Maeren too."

"Then let's do it!" Nieme kissed Shiv's cheek firmly then looked down into their friend's eyes. "You'd like that, wouldn't you, Maeren? We'll have so much fun!"

Shiv's body strained against the invisible bonds, but it seemed to be doing her no good. Turg once again praised his latest work, and moved over to the other side of the bed. "Oh, I think she's going to look quite delightful, I do. So beautifully delightful."

"You will come with us, won't you, Turg?" Nieme asked, moving behind him so he had access to Shiv's left breast. She nuzzled her lips to his ear and whispered, "Oh, please say you will."

"I'll definitely come with you," Turg answered. "The two of you and this lovely? I'd be delighted. Perhaps you girls can become my canvases, upon which I can create a true masterpiece."

Nieme giggled as she drew her hands up the sides of Turg's thighs. "So much flesh...so little time. I'm sure Maeren would just love that. Wouldn't you, Maeren? Now don't be shy!"

"Oh, she has beautiful flesh. And, I must say that I really like that tattoo she has on her hip. I was thinking that I could take that design and work it into something bigger. Perhaps tell a story with her body."

"A story of how we liberated her spirit," Nieme breathed. "Oh, she has a beautiful soul. I can see it vibrating within her. I can hear it singing!"

"Me too," Dani whispered as she snuggled closer to Shiv. "Oh, can you feel her arousal? It's ready to burst. I think if we were to release her...oh the tension. It's exquisite, beautiful."

"Ah yes," Turg said as he licked Shiv's nipple clean. "Beautiful."

"Then let's." Nieme looked between Dani and Turg, and grinned. "Qual and Neron won't mind if we're a little late, will they?"

"Oh, I think they were expecting us to take our time," Dani said as she slowly began edging her way down Shiv's body. Turg had finished with Shiv's breasts and had moved up toward her face.

"Ring or stud for the nose?"

Nieme ducked under Turg's arm and peered up at Shiv from where her face hovered over Shiv's bare breasts. "Stud... Ring for her eyebrow. Oh, you're going to look like an angel, Maeren." Nieme kissed her chest tenderly and repeated softly, "A beautiful angel."

Dani giggled and patted at Turg's crotch as she came around the bed. "Oh, it looks like someone's just a little anxious. Don't worry, our beautiful, artistic Turg, you will soon be able to taste her pleasures. Oh such beautiful pleasures."

"But for now..." Nieme chuckled huskily as she moved her head down the length of Shiv's torso until her lips were hovering over her mound. Without delay, she buried her mouth within and familiarized herself with Shiv's new piercing.

Even with Dani holding her in place, Shiv's body tensed. The invasion was both blissful and despairing. How could she face Keeve after this? Though, the way they were talking, it sounded like they never intended to let her see him again. Unlike the times before, she didn't relish this sexual encounter. How could her friends be so malicious? She wanted to cry, but feared there were no more tears.

Feeling Shiv's discomfort, Nieme radiated calming waves of the Force to settle their friend's nerves. She would enjoy this if Nieme had to force her to; it was wrong of her not to. As she continued administering what she hoped was pleasure to Shiv, Turg emitted a triumphant chuckle once the final earring was slipped into place. Nieme pulled back and passed the back of her hand over her lips to wipe away the viscous fluid there. "Your payment, dear Turg," she said breathlessly. "I've gotten her prepared for you. Don't let us down."

Turg kissed Shiv once, and then quickly move down along the bed to where Nieme was. As he moved, he quickly got his pants opened. It seemed as if they were specially constructed for just that purpose. But then again, he'd never had a single customer who he hadn't fucked, and having a quick way out of his clothes just seemed logical. Without much preamble, he quickly plunged himself inside of Shiv, crying out with ecstasy as he did. "Oh, she's definitely a sweet one. When I come with you, I get more, yes?"

Nieme trailed a hand down the length of his spine and replied, "Oh definitely more." She chuckled lowly and glanced up at Dani over Turg's bobbing form. "Everything's perfect. Imagine if we'd stayed at the Temple. Never would--" Nieme's smile vanished and her body stilled as an alarm sounded in her mind and through the Force. Slowly, her gaze shifted towards the door, where the glow of another's life force was emanating and getting brighter by the moment. "My love...do you see it?"

"Someone's coming," Dani answered. "I believe it's Kaysa, since she's the only other female who lives here. Oh, my darling Nieme, we could bring both of them to our masters. Wouldn't they be so very happy with us?"

"Absolutely ecstatic," she purred. Leaving Turg to his business with Shiv, Nieme rose to her full, deceptively insignificant height and grinned at the figure approaching outside. The darkness within her flared and throbbed with renewed strength, filling her veins with a fire she hadn't experienced before. She glanced briefly at Dani and said impishly, "Let's go catch us another pet, my love."

Dani uncoiled from her position at Shiv's side, moving like a cat on the hunt. "Oh, I like what I feel from her, my love. She'll be a lot of fun. Oh, our masters will be so proud of us." Dani slipped toward the door, a dark thrill surging through her. She'd never felt such power before, such pure, raw fire. She liked it.

With Nieme and Dani flanking either side of the door, the two girls grinned at one another eagerly. And as the door slid aside to reveal their new arrival, they both stepped out of the darkness, before the doorway, and welcomed Kaysa Zenarr into their unrelenting snare.

---

"Coming Apart, Part 1"
By: Merrick Braston
Dani
Maeren "Shiv" Shivral
Zale Tregat
Nieme Yaresh-Selrid
Kaysa Zenarr-Tregat-Braston

Location: Tregat Residence - Yesdol, New Plouton
Date: Eos 25, 4 ABY

***

Kneeling before the toilet and purging her last meal reminded Kaysa quickly enough of what it was like to be with child. When she was pregnant with Keeve, that was all she did for the first two months, but at least this time around she knew what to expect. All of it, however, was worth it.

As she made her way back to Shiv's room, Kaysa reflected fondly on the months to come, how this time she could enjoy the trials of pregnancy and feel pure happiness at the sight of her child for the first time. She'd missed out on that with Keeve, but this time, it would be perfect.

Caressing her stomach affectionately, Kaysa blindly walked through the doorway to Shiv's bedroom...only to feel hands gripping her roughly and flinging her into the room. Kaysa barely had time to cry out before she crashed to the ground, and before one of the shadowy figures straddled her waist. Whoever it was was using their legs to pin her arms to her sides to keep them restrained, and one hand came up to cover her mouth. Still, she screamed, but it was a muted, muffled sound neither Zale nor Merrick would have any chance of hearing.

Kaysa writhed and struggled to throw her attacker off, but was surprised to find that she could barely move, and it wasn't because of the weight bearing down on her hips; it was some invisible force encompassing her body, holding it in place, and unfortunately squeezing the air from her lungs as well.

"Look, Dani," Nieme purred. "She's a fighter too. I kind of like them when they fight."

"Oh, it is delightful, isn't it," Dani said. "I can hold two of them at the same time. Though, I imagine Maeren wouldn't fight too hard if I release her, especially not with Turg giving her his special kind of attention."

Kaysa fought more desperately at the thought of her Shiv in danger, and in her struggles managed to give Nieme's hand a painful bite. She pulled her hand away with a gasp, giving Kaysa enough time to emit a cry for help. Nieme ended it abruptly with a brutal punch to the jaw. "What is wrong with you bitches!" she raged. "We're trying to be nice, and all you can do is be mean!"

"Oh, they just don't appreciate us," Dani said as she climbed forward to help pacify Kaysa. "Oh, but we'll make them appreciate us. We'll give them lots of reasons to appreciate us, lots of very pleasurable reasons. Though, if they're not nice, we may have to give them some painful reasons too. I think we should take them home now, Nieme. Unless you want to have some fun with this one now. She feels very...ripe and perfect."

"Ripe," Nieme cooed, dragging a hand down between Kaysa's breasts, towards her belly. She moaned at the sensation of her palm sliding so easily over the fabric of Kaysa's silky nightgown, and began swaying her hips sensually against Kaysa's waist. "So ripe," she whispered. "So very--" Nieme halted all movements abruptly, her hand hovering above Kaysa's stomach. A low, disturbing chuckle rose in her throat, and a slow smile spread her lips. "Oh, she's ripe indeed, my love. So, tell us, Kaysa dear, when is the little darling due?"

Kaysa shook her head desperately. "No...please, don't. Don't hurt my child."

"Oh, we would never do something like that," Dani cooed. "We'll help you be a very good mommy for your baby, but you'll have to come home with us. Oh, you'll like that very much, you will. We'll show you pleasure like you never knew existed. Just give in to us, and the pain will never touch you again." She brought her lips down and pressed them to Kaysa's forehead. "We promise."

She jerked her head away and hissed, "Get away from me! You're sick...deluded! What the hell do you want with us?"

"We just want to love," Nieme replied. "And our masters would be very disappointed if we didn't take you home. They've been waiting for this for a long time."

"It will really be much better," Dani said as she slid her hand down between Kaysa's legs, "if you stop fighting it. Just let go and enjoy, and you won't be disappointed. Maeren wasn't, and she's ours now. From the cries of desire she gave our beautiful Turg, to those beautiful new piercings. You'd like some too, I imagine. They would look very beautiful on you, just like her. Just accept this, and it will be more amazing than you could have ever imagined."

Kaysa's mind fought against their advances, but as Dani's sweet, intoxicating pheromones drifted up her nose and weakened her will, Kaysa's body began giving in. She moaned quietly at her touch, but continued telling herself to resist. She understood, now, the struggles Shiv went through, and how easily one could become helpless to fight against such pleasure. "Stop," she breathed, though it was a feeble, unconvincing protest.

"You don't really want that," Nieme whispered. She pulled down the thin straps of Kaysa's nightgown and exposed her heaving chest. Kaysa cried out softly as Nieme's mouth closed around one of her erect nipples and fed ravenously from it.

"Oh gods," Dani rasped. "I want a taste." She began sliding down Kaysa's body, pulling up the skirt of her nightgown as she went.

"Get away from my wife," a pair of voices growled in unison.

Nieme turned her head slowly in the direction of the two imposing figures standing over them, and smiled. "Don't worry...we won't bite." She slid her hand up Kaysa's chest, then snapped it closed around her neck. "But I will kill her if you don't mind your own business."

"She is my business," Zale said as he took a step forward. "And, if you don't leave here right this moment, no matter what you do, you won't get out of this alive." There was a popping sound, and he was suddenly holding a two meter staff that looked like it would really do some damage if it hit.

Nieme found she could only laugh at the sight of Zale's pathetic weapon. "I don't think you know who we are, Mister. You won't get a swing off before we have you pinned against that wall, and two seconds later, she will be dead. I swear it!"

"That's just the chance we'll have to take, isn't it," Zale growled. "You ready?"

"I'm ready," a voice from behind Zale answered.

"Now, this is going to hurt all the way around," Zale said. "Let's see who hurts the most."

Nieme growled and angrily sprang to her feet. It was obvious, now, who the pest was; Qual and Neron had warned them about the infamous Zale Tregat. "Your brothers are right to want to kill you. You really are annoying."

Zale's eyes narrowed. "So, you're working for my brothers? Figures they'd hire a pair of sluts to do their dirty work. They don't have it in them to do their own shit. Come on then, slut. Do what my brothers are paying you for! Bring it, bitch, and let's see if you're worth it!"

"Zale," Kaysa groaned, slowly returning to her senses. "Don't--"

"Shut up," Nieme snapped. "Your husband wants to be a hero." She giggled. "A dead one." With one flick of her wrist, the Force siezed Zale's pike and sent it hurtling across the room. Even before it landed, Nieme's foot was connecting with Zale's jaw.

"Zale!" Kaysa surged upright, but was thrown back down by Dani.

As Zale crumpled backwards, Merrick surged forward. He'd developed an image of being unable to fight, earning more pain for himself than anyone else. Not long ago, the truth of Merrick's fighting prowess was revealed. He was quick, agile, and had a good instinct for where to hit. He spun and a foot snapped out hard, connecting with the side of Nieme's knee.

From where he'd fallen, Zale rolled back up to a crouch, obviously dazed. He dropped into a crouch of readiness, prepared for whatever happened next, though knew he was at a serious disadvantage now. "That all you got? You hit like a girl."

Nieme pouted as she rubbed her sore leg, but managed a glare for Merrick. "You two are obnoxious, you know that?" Drawing from the roiling darkness within her, Nieme launched a dense wall of the Force at Merrick that tossed him back into the hallway. Almost simultaneously, she was advancing upon Zale again and threw a rapid succession of punches at him.

Zale couldn't withstand much more of her assault, but had to give Kaysa a chance to get free. "I really think you should leave now," he said. "Though, you don't seem bright enough to get it...most whores aren't."

Merrick was up again and advancing, though not as quickly.

Dani stood up and approached where Nieme was. She lifted her hand and pointed it at Merrick. With a slow smile, black lightning leapt from her fingertips, slamming into the musician and driving him to the ground, ripping screams of agony from his body as she threw back her head, laughing in delight. She could feel his life slowly ebbing and it was glorious. "I think we have them all here, my love; we can make them a perfect offering for our masters."

Kaysa agonizing cries barely registered above the hiss of electricity dancing through the air. She clambered towards Merrick with one hand outstretched, but one swift kick in the ribs from Nieme had her crumpling to the ground again. Nieme regarded Zale once more, this time smiling jeeringly at him.

"Can mere whores do that, Mr. Tregat?" Nieme drawled. "Your problem is you underestimate people, and it's going to get you killed."

"A whore is a whore, no matter how you cut her," Zale answered. "Now, for the last time, get the fuck out of my home!" He charged her then, intent on breaking her concentration if nothing else.

Dani raised her hands once more. "I want to kill this one," she said. "He's pretty, but I don't like how he hurt you, my love." The black fire erupted from her fingertips again, but had only barely touched Merrick when it suddenly vanished. Dani let out an agonizing cry and dropped to the ground, the hilt of a blade protruding from her back.

Nieme emitted a scream and rushed to Dani's side, cradling her lover's head in her arms. She looked up at the culprit upon the bed, her blonde hair falling over her narrowed eyes and her bare body trembling with rage. "How could you?" Nieme rasped. She blinked away her tears and cried, "I thought you loved us!"

"I did," Shiv answered with a hiss, "until you broke into my home and started hurting me and the ones I love. How could you!? Get out and have Dani tended to; she's still alive for now. Now go...please. You've hurt enough tonight."

Nieme passed a hand over her stinging eyes to disperse the tears, then surrounded Dani in the Force to relieve some of her lover's weight as she scooped Dani up into her arms. As she made her way towards the door, her eyes caught a brief glimpse of Turg lying lifeless on the floor with the hilt of a knife protruding from his neck. He was expendable, but Dani wasn't.

Before slipping out of the room, she turned back to them all, passing her piercing gaze over each of their faces. "If she dies, you all will. I will make certain of that. This isn't over." And with Dani cradled to her chest, Nieme disappeared into the darkness of the hallway.

"Oh gods! Merrick!" Shiv leapt from where she was on the bed and hurried to Merrick's side. "Oh gods, be alive!"

Zale pushed himself up onto his knees and crawled forward. "My brothers will pay for this," he rasped.

Kaysa was struggling to make her way towards Merrick too, fighting with tears and the pain in her side. "Oh gods... Is he okay?" she groaned.

"He's alive," Shiv whispered. "We have to get him to the hospital. We have to get him to help! Oh gods...I...I don't know. We have to get him!"

Zale reached Merrick at the same time Kaysa did. "We have to get him to the speeder," he said. "I think I've still got enough strength..."

"We can do it," Kaysa said. "Zale, get Shiv some clothes. We'll get Merrick to the speeder." She staggered to her feet, but remained upright, then bent low to slip her arms under Merrick's. "Shiv...come on, grab his feet."

Heedless of her nakedness, Shiv grabbed Merrick's feet and lifted with Kaysa. "Oh gods, Kaysa," she whispered. "I'm so sorry. I didn't...they...oh gods. I tried to make them go away, but they had powers. They wouldn't leave...and...oh gods..."

"It's okay," Kaysa replied. She swallowed back a sob at the sight of Merrick's battered and burned body, and was forced to look away. "They won't hurt us again, Shiv. Not ever."

"I just wish...I wish we could do something. Gods, they make me feel so helpless. They can't keep doing that to us, to me. We have to stop them, especially now that they have Dani and Nieme. Oh gods, how could they do that? Why? It's going to be alright, Merrick. We're taking you to help."

"Stop, Shiv," Kaysa pleaded. "Stop blaming yourself. None of this is your fault."

They began descending the stairs sideways, and at a slow pace, giving them far too much time to focus on what had happened. Kaysa couldn't keep back the silent tears that escaped, ones of fear and pain and sorrow. Zale couldn't keep them safe, and more than ever that's what she needed to be. "Oh gods," she whispered. "What are we gonna do?"

"What about those Jedi people who saved you from Dargus that one time," Shiv offered. "Maybe they could...I don't know. Asking them to help us might be too much, but we should at least ask. I can't imagine they wouldn't want to know about something like this. One of their kind gone insane is bad, but two? They have to want to know."

"We'll contact Oot," Kaysa said thickly. She watched a tear plummet from her cheek and splatter onto Merrick's. She sobbed again. "What is happening to us? Why can't we just be happy?"

"Maybe we should leave," Shiv whispered. "I've heard that Riga is very nice. Maybe we could move to Riga for awhile. Somewhere where they can't find us."

"They'd just follow us," Kaysa replied. "If we all went..." She sighed. "But...but if it was just the two of us, Shiv, maybe. I-I can't be here, not when it's like this, Shiv." She glanced briefly at her stomach, where her baby was growing. "I need to be safe, and I can't have that here."

"I heard," Shiv whispered. "What Nieme said, I heard. I know Keeve wouldn't like it, but tomorrow...after, I'll talk to him. I have to tell him what happened tonight too. Oh gods, Kaysa. I don't know what he'll say. I don't even know what to think. I want to go with you, if I can. You can't go alone, and I'll go."

"But if you can't," she said, "I will understand, Shiv. I just need to make sure my baby's safe. Please don't tell Zale or Merrick. If they find out..." She sighed. "It's just easier if they don't know."

Shiv nodded. "I understand. And, I'll talk to him as soon as I can. I'm sure he'll understand, and Riga will be easy for him to get to. It's close by, and we can find somewhere safe there, somewhere they wouldn't find us. Maybe...maybe Keeve can help us. He said that he has lots of money now...and, to keep me safe, he'd help; I know he would."

"With Dargus controlling his every move, I wouldn't keep my hopes up, Shiv."

They reached the bottom of the stairs and continued struggling to carry Merrick to the door. Kaysa was scarcely able to believe what had happened, and what they were considering, but she knew she'd do anything to protect her child, even if it meant leaving her loves behind.

"Whatever it takes," Shiv said, "we'll make it. And, nothing will happen to the baby. We'll figure a way out of this, and when it happens we'll have our happiness." They managed to get out the front door and started toward the speeder. As they hurried, Shiv found herself thankful that Merrick wasn't as big as Zale. She didn't know if she and Kaysa could have carried Zale this far. "Almost there, Merrick. Just...just hang on."

"Shiv, who were those girls?" Kaysa asked. "They knew you... How?"

"They danced at the Palace," Shiv answered. "They seemed like very nice girls, but...I didn't know they were like that. They were very hedonistic and sexual and all that, but I never...I didn't know they were so...so cruel."

Kaysa nodded slowly, staring at the metallic hoops affixed to Shiv's nipples and glinting in the moonlight. "They came here to be with you? To give you...those? But Zale's brothers sent them.... Why didn't they just kill us all?"

"They're deranged," Shiv said. "They wanted to take us all back to be sex slaves. They don't want to kill us, they want us to be...like them, I guess. They gave me these because...because it's probably fitting for a slave. They also got my nose, my eyebrow, and my clit. Then they let the tattoo person...have sex with me."

"The...the one you..." Kaysa sucked in a shuddering breath, and released it as a sob. "They're tearing us apart. We can't go on like this." She looked down at Merrick again and wept silently. "They're killing us," she whispered.

Shiv felt tears on her cheeks as she thought about what she'd done. "I had to, or they would have...oh gods, Kaysa. We have to get away!"

"I know. We'll...we'll leave, after the wedding. Or...or soon." Kaysa felt so tired and so confused, but what was clear was she needed to leave Tae'Karada, and she needed to quickly. "S-Set Merrick down," she told her. "I'll open the hatch..." Kaysa sobbed once again and gently set Merrick upon the ground. Once he was released, Kaysa took one step towards the speeder before sinking to the ground and weeping convulsively. "Oh gods... Oh gods...why? Why can't we just be left alone!"

Shiv rushed to Kaysa and wrapped herself around her. "Oh gods," she whispered. "We'll be alright. We'll get through this, Kaysa. I promise we will. We'll make it, and everything will be perfect and fine. We just have to get away where they won't find us. Oh gods..."

Kaysa clung to Shiv desperately, weeping into her bare chest. "I thought after Rennor was dead, and after I got better, that we could just be happy... But it's never going to happen. My baby's going to be born into a world of violence, and sadness... I don't want that, Shiv! I can't do that!"

"Then we have to go somewhere else," Shiv whispered. "We have to go away, far away where they can't find us. We'll find a planet where we can be alone and just be ourselves. And, if they come, we'll have to...we'll think of something. But, we can go away and be safe. We'll find a safe place, Kaysa. We will!"

"Then what?" she rasped. "Raise my child without a father...again? I want to live my life how I want to, not how others force me to live it!"

"We'll find a safe place together," Shiv said. "Then we'll bring Zale and Merrick to us. We'll find the place, and then we can make our family again. The only other choice is to fight back against them, and we can't do that right now."

Kaysa pulled back from Shiv and stared at her lover with fierce defiance. "Oh no? And why not? Hm? Why can't I track those bastards down and kill them? Why not! It's my right!"

Without saying a word, Shiv only turned her head to regard Merrick. All of their injuries should have been a convincing argument.

Kaysa understood Shiv's tacit statement entirely, and it heightened her sense of defeat, which also exacerbated her rage. "Even more reason they should die, Shiv. If only I could do it...."

"We need people to help us, Kaysa. We need powerful people who can stop them, but they're too strong for us. They can move things with their mind, and shoot lightning, and...oh gods. We need those Jedi people to help us. We need them to help us stop those witches!"

Kaysa regarded Shiv in silence for a long moment, then, of all the reactions she could think for herself to give, she laughed softly. "Witches? Is that the worst you can think of?" Her laughter grew louder, and after catching her breath, she added, "Even when you're trying to be insulting you're polite!"

Shiv gave a sheepish grin and looked away. "Well, there are worse things I could think of, but...I don't know. Witches seems appropriate for them."

Kaysa continued laughing softly and finally took Shiv into her arms again. "I love you. And knowing that, I know we'll get through this. We have to."

Shiv allowed herself to curl into Kaysa, welcoming the warm touch of her lover and closest friend. "When have we ever not been able to get through something? We may come out a little shaken, but we always make it through." She suddenly shivered and glanced up at Kaysa. "It's cold out here, but in your arms I'm definitely starting to warm up."

"Hopefully Zale will be down soon with some clothes for you, but until then, my arms are always here for you." She kissed Shiv's brow, then held her love closer. As she did, her eyes wandered towards Merrick's unconscious body. She tried to fight off the fear of seeing him in that state, and succeeded marginally. She had to be strong for Shiv, and for the child she bore. Once again, she'd make sure to carry them all.

"He's just left the front door," Shiv whispered. "I don't think I've ever seen him run like that. Remind me never to get him upset at me."

Kaysa chuckled weakly. "I have, many times. He grumbles a lot, but other than that he's a reisakit--"

"Hope! Oh gods! I gotta get Hope! Get Merrick in, I'll be right back!" With that, she scrambled out of Kaysa's embrace and raced for the house, pausing only long enough for Zale to shove a bundle of clothes at her.

Kaysa had already thrown open the hatch by the time Zale made it down the steps, and was now trying to heave Merrick into the back seat. She tried to keep from crying as she did it, tried to focus only on making certain Merrick was alright, but she couldn't help shedding a few tears.

"If she's not down here with that kitten in two minutes, we're leaving without her," Zale growled as he moved in to help Kaysa with Merrick. "And, I'm sure if the neighbours are watching, they'll love watching our little nymph running around the courtyard naked." He shook his head and sighed. "Hang on a little longer, Merrick. You can't leave me to Kaysa alone, right? I can't handle her all on my own."

As much as Kaysa appreciated Zale's humour, her anxieties prevented her from sharing in. "Zale...how did this happen? You...you keep saying we're protected, that you can keep us safe... I don't...think you can."

"I don't have the resources to protect against that," Zale said, though it was obvious admitting that was taking its toll on him. "They...how do you fight that, Kaysa? How can I protect myself against that, let alone my whole family? How do you fight against someone who can pull your weapon from your hand and then toss you across the room with only a twist of their mind?"

"You can't," she whispered. With Merrick laid out comfortably upon the back seat, Kaysa closed the hatch, but remained with her back to Zale. "We...have to talk," she said quietly. "And you're not going to like it."

Zale felt his hopes sink even farther, and the pain within throbbed more vibrantly than that without. "Go on," he said.

Kaysa took time to collect her thoughts and words. With a sigh, she began. "I know you're trying, I know you'd do anything to keep us safe... But I think it's out of your hands this time and..." She sucked in a steadying breath, but it did no use. "I can't," she sobbed. Kaysa whirled around to face him, though she could barely see him through the tears. "Look at us, Zale! Merrick could've died tonight...you could have! This can't go on, but it is, and until you end this..." She hung her head low and wept softly. "Oh gods...I have to go away, Zale. Until you can fix this...I can't be here."

Zale steadied himself and was silent for several minutes before he finally nodded. "It's best that way," he said. "If you're not here, they can't get to you. I'll make it safe for us, Kaysa; whatever it takes to do it, I will. I promise."

Kaysa fought back another sob and only half managed it. Soon, she was clinging to Zale tightly and weeping bitterly into his chest. "I don't want to leave you," she whispered. "But I have to. You'll understand one day, but right now, just know that it's for the best."

"Me and Merrick," Zale said, fighting back his emotions, "we'll make everything safe here. And, I'll get Oot and her Jedi to help us. We'll be safe, Kaysa. I'll do whatever I can, no matter what I need to do. I'll make it safe for us again. You go where you need to, and...and I'll do what needs to be done here for our family."

"You'll have Merrick... That's good. You won't be alone." She whimpered. "That's good..." Kaysa smiled as she looked up at him, hoping it would console him at least a little. "But we still have some time together. Shiv has to get married, after all. And she has to convince Keeve to let her come with me. We'll make the most of the time we have left."

"We will," Zale started to say, as Shiv---now clothed in a large shirt and leather breeches---flung herself into the speeder. "I found her! She was hiding in my closet, but she's safe. Oh gods, how is he?"

"Alive," Kaysa said thickly, still gazing up at Zale. "Everything's gonna be okay. It will be."

Zale glanced away long enough to program a route from their home to the hospital, and set the speeder in emergency mode. "We'll get you there, Merrick," he said. "Come on, let's get him some help, and we can comfort each other on the way."

Kaysa nodded somberly and moved past Zale to embrace Shiv. The two slipped into the front seat together, with Hope already sleeping soundlessly on Shiv's lap the moment they settled in. Kaysa didn't want to believe this was happening, that their world was crumbling again, but she'd have to face it when she left behind Tae'Karada, and Merrick and Zale. She hoped she was strong enough to cope with it when the time came.

---

"Coming Apart, Part 2"
By: Merrick Braston
Maeren "Shiv" Shivral
Zale Tregat
Kaysa Zenarr-Tregat-Braston

Location: Yesdol Medical Center - Yesdol, New Plouton
Date: Eos 25, 4 ABY

***

In the waiting room of the hospital, Shiv was curled against Kaysa's side, protectively covering Hope as the reisakitten slept in her lap. On the other side of Kaysa, Zale sat holding her hand, not looking at anything but providing his presence for Kaysa. "He's a strong person," he finally said. "He'll pull through, if for no other reason than so that I don't get you all to myself."

Kaysa let a weary smile escape and leaned her cheek against his shoulder. "You're wrong," she whispered. "He'll make it so you two can finally consummate your relationship."

"Oh right," Zale answered, then his expression turned thoughtful. "I'd forgotten about that. I guess all those long looks he's given me will finally pay off."

"No need to jump right in just because you feel sorry for him," she told him. "There's time." Kaysa was silent for a moment, then she turned her face up towards Zale's and whispered fervently, "I love you. No matter what, remember that."

"And, I love you," Zale whispered back. "We'll get through this, Kaysa. I know we will, and we'll come out of this on top. We'll make it, Kaysa."

She smiled tenderly at her husband and lightly kissed his lips.

"Excuse me?" All eyes turned to the doctor standing before them, watching him expectantly. "Are you the family of a Mr. Merrick Braston?"

Zale looked up and nodded. "We are," he answered. "Is he alright?"

The man sighed and made a noncommittal gesture with his head. "He'll need to remain here for a couple days at least. His electrolyte balance was severely upset by the shock he received, and we're still trying to stabilize his heart rate. He should be fine, but it would be better if he remains under our care."

Kaysa sucked in a shaky breath, but it did nothing to suppress her tears. "Can we see him?"

"Of course," he replied. "But one at a time. We don't want him to get too excited."

Zale put a hand on her shoulder and nodded. "Go," he said. "I'm sure he'd love to see your face first."

"Okay. I won't wear him out." She kissed Zale briefly, then turned to do the same to Shiv, and rose from her seat.

With Zale's jacket securely closed to conceal her flimsy nightgown, Kaysa was escorted through the corridors barefoot. The doctor paused before the door to Merrick's room and gestured Kaysa to proceed. She thanked him with a wan smile, and after gathering her resolve, she stepped inside.

The moment she did, she was struck with the recollection of the hospital room she'd occupied not so long ago. The beeping equipment and pungent smell of bacta lingering in the air made her shudder, but for Merrick she kept her beaming smile firmly planted.

She approached his bedside slowly and quietly. Once she was close enough to see the bruises and ruddy burn marks streaking his chest, arms, and face Kaysa could do nothing to keep back a sob. "Merrick? Oh gods..." She sank down into the seat adjacent his bed and lightly brushed her fingers against his cheek. "My love? I'm here. You're gonna be okay. Merrick? Do you hear me?"

"I hear you," came his weak reply. "I don't feel so good. Now I know what the bantha steak feels like. What-- What happened to those girls?"

"Shiv drove them off," she replied. "Oh gods...we were so scared, Merrick. We didn't know if--" Kaysa clenched her eyes shut to hold back the flood of tears filling them. They escaped at any rate, and Kaysa lay her head upon Merrick's chest, weeping silently. "I almost lost you," she whispered. "Promise me you won't do anything like that again."

"I promise," Merrick said. "Do we know who they were? And, why they chose us? What the hell is happening? We're not even safe in our own home anymore."

"Zale's brothers sent them," she said thickly. "Shiv says they were...Jedi or something... I think she killed one of them, though, so maybe they won't even try to come back again."

"I should unleash Weibran on them," Merrick growled, and then winced. "He'd at least keep them busy for awhile."

Kaysa caressed his cheek soothingly and lightly kissed his lips to calm him. "Zale's taking care of it, Merrick. You have to rest and get better. Okay?"

"Bacta works wonders," he said. "You should have seen how quickly my hand healed from Keeve." He was silent a moment, then shook his head. "It's amazing how quickly things change. But, we can do this...especially if we have plenty of bacta."

"Yeah," she murmured absently. "The only problem is...I can't be around to face it. I mean, I won't leave yet; I'll wait till you're better, but I have to go, Merrick, just for a little while."

"Where are you going?" Merrick asked, trying to sit up and then deciding against it. "Where would you go?"

Kaysa shrugged. "Away... Somewhere Qual and Neron can't get us. Shiv and I haven't decided yet, but it'll be somewhere safe."

"You and Shiv are going together? Good. You both need to be safe, as far from them as you can manage to be. I'd offer to come with you, but I don't think that would work, not yet. There's too much to be done here."

Kaysa regarded Merrick inquisitively and finally asked, "You're not going to demand we stay? You're okay with this?"

"I was nearly killed in my own home," Merrick said. "One of the two women I love more than anything was raped in her own bed. I'm not going to demand either of you stay here. As a matter of fact, I insist you go so you can find some place safe."

"I knew you'd understand," Kaysa whispered. She kissed him gently then embraced him, careful not to aggravate his wounds. "You have to promise to watch out for Zale. Without me around, he's bound to do something stupid."

"I'll keep an eye on him," Merrick said. "I'll do everything I can to keep him from doing stupid things. Trust me."

Kaysa smiled. "I do. I trust you, Merrick. And trust me when I say I will come back to you. But...I'm not leaving until you're out of this hospital bed and well again. Though, I imagine while you're in here, you're going to enjoy being pampered."

"I always enjoy being pampered. Would you mind...sneaking the others in? At least Maeren. I want to see both my girls together."

She chuckled. "Sure. Though I hope you don't mind Hope joining in on the fun. Maeren couldn't bear to leave her home alone."

Merrick chuckled and shook his head. "Do you blame her? And, I think I can accept Hope coming too. I think we all need a little hope right now."

"Then let me go get you some." She pressed her lips to his brow, then made for the door. A few minutes later, she was hurriedly pushing Shiv into the room, then Zale, and quickly yet quietly sealed the door behind them. "I don't think the nurses saw," she whispered.

"I don't think so either," Shiv whispered. She glanced over at Merrick and gasped. "Oh gods, Merrick." She rushed to his side, an ache welling in her gut at seeing him so weak and vulnerable.

Merrick regarded Shiv and felt everything brighten at her presence. She was wearing an overlarge t-shirt that didn't hide that she wasn't wearing a bra, or that both of her nipples were now pierced; her leather breeches only came down to mid-calf and Merrick, as he always did when she wore them, found a fluttery feeling building inside of him. As was usually the case, she was barefoot. Getting Shiv to wear shoes was like teaching a bantha to tend bar. "Hiya, Starshine."

Shiv grinned and brought a hand to his cheek. "You're looking great," she said. "You'll be out of here in no time."

"How are you doing?"

Shiv shrugged and then laughed. "It's sad that the rape wasn't the worst part of it. I couldn't do anything at all...they just." She brought a hand up to the small stud embedded in her nostril and the one in her eyebrow. "Because of Kallia, I'd really been wondering what it would be like...but...I don't know. How do I look?"

"You look like my beautiful princess, and it doesn't matter that your nose and eyebrow are pierced, or elsewhere. Do you like them?"

Shiv looked down at her hands. "Am I a bad person if I say yes?"

"Not at all," Kaysa replied. "They're very...fashionable, actually. Besides, you look cute in anything."

Shiv blushed and looked away. "You're just saying that because I'm me," she said. "I don't know what Keeve will say, but...but I guess we'll find out tomorrow. At least, if he doesn't, you guys still do." She was silent for a moment before she finally said: "I'm so scared. I'm doing the right thing, right?"

"If you find out it's a mistake," Kaysa said, "just find another husband." She grinned at Zale and quipped, "I did."

"I could marry Merrick too," Shiv said with a grin. "Or, I could be very different, and I could marry you. We could be unique and really throw a twist into the stodgy, naked-woman-loving, oppressive nature of Tae'Karada."

"You really want to alienate Keeve, don't you?" She smiled gently and kissed the side of Shiv's head. "Come on. Get your Merrick loving in. He needs to rest."

Shiv grinned and slipped up to Merrick on the bed. With another large smile, she slipped the tiny white fluff from her purse and set the mewing bundle on Merrick's chest. "She's missed you," she said.

Merrick chuckled and reached up to brush a hand through Hope's soft fur. As he did, Shiv snuggled in as close as she dared. "I don't want to alienate him," she said. "I'm just scared that he will want me to be on Dargus' ship with him. I...I really don't know what will happen, and he always has to leave just when we're getting settled and close. I don't know what to do."

"You do love him, don't you?" Kaysa asked softly. "If you do...you won't let anything stand in your way." She glanced between Zale and Merrick, and smiled. "I almost did, but I learned my lesson before it was too late."

"I do," Shiv said softly. "I love him very much, and I guess...I guess I'm just scared. But, it'll be fine. Keeve loves me and I love him, and we'll do whatever it takes to make our marriage work...not even Dargus always needing him for something."

"And if you want to be able to get up for the wedding in question, my love, I think you should go," Kaysa suggested. "Don't worry; I'll stay here and watch out for Merrick."

Shiv sighed and looked between both Kaysa and Merrick. "Fine," she whispered, and scooped Hope up into her arms. "I'll see you tomorrow, I guess."

"I know what that pouty lip means," Kaysa called back. "Now tell me what's wrong, Maeren Shivral."

"Nothing," Shiv whispered. "Just feeling like a spare repulsor jet. I'll see you at home." She slipped away from Merrick and Kaysa and started toward the door.

Kaysa sighed. "Don't be this way, Shiv," she replied. "Not now. You can stay if you want to, but I just figured you'd want somewhere comfortable to sleep so you can be refreshed in the morning."

Shiv nodded slowly. "I'll go back to the house," she said. "I'm sure my bed will be comfortable, and Hope can keep me company." With another sigh, she slipped out the door and started toward the exit.

Kaysa exhaled slowly and turned back towards Merrick, sinking down into the chair again as she did. "Why does she have to be this way?" she whispered. "Especially now." She placed her hand atop Merrick's and squeezed it gently. "I should probably just go. It'll make her happy."

"You just sent her away, Kaysa," Merrick said. "Two girls broke into our house, raped her, pierced her body, and we're trying to brush past it like it never happened. Go to her and don't let her be alone, especially if she's going to the house."

"I know," she muttered. "I'll go talk to her. I'll be back, one way or the other, okay?" She kissed him delicately, then hurried to catch up to Shiv, leaving Merrick and Zale alone in the room.

"You came very close you know," Zale said.

"To what?"

"To pushing her. You know how much she loves to be pushed. I guess she's too out of sorts to really worry about you blaming her for sending Shiv back into the rancor's den."

"It's the truth though," Merrick said. "I don't know why she sent Shiv away from the safety of all of us, but she did. I don't understand why she'd want to send Shiv right back into that, especially when it was obvious Shiv didn't want to go. I can see where she feels like a spare repulsor. I can see where she might feel taken for granted, and I can see why she would have fallen so hard for Keeve."

"Yeah."

Merrick sighed. "Yup."

***

"Shiv!" Kaysa held Zale's jacket closed as she rushed towards Shiv. Giving everyone in the hospital a view of her nightgown wasn't something she was too eager to do. "Dammit... Shiv! Can you please stop! I'm not used to running in barefeet."

Shiv stopped and turned back to Kaysa, Hope still clutched to her chest. As Kaysa drew near, the little reisakitten mewed and batted a paw in her direction. "I was just going to grab a hovertaxi," Shiv said.

"No you weren't," Kaysa said, slightly breathless. She came to a stop before Shiv and smiled tenderly. "If you wanted to stay, why didn't you just say so?" she asked. "I just... I wasn't thinking. I'm sorry. If you want to stay tonight or if you want to go home...I'm with you either way."

"I want to stay here with you and Merrick," Shiv said. "I...I don't want to go home yet. Me, you and Zale can go home tomorrow when I have to get my dress, but I want to be with you and Merrick until then."

Kaysa sighed and pressed a hand to Shiv's cheek. "Then why didn't you just say that?"

"Because you really seemed to want me to go," Shiv said.

"No, I didn't," Kaysa replied insistently. "I just...didn't think you'd want to spend a night in the hospital, worrying about Merrick." She smiled at her love and added, "Next time, feel free to correct me."

"I'd rather spend it anywhere in the galaxy with you and Merrick near me, than alone...especially in the house." Hope meowed her agreement and batted a paw at Kaysa again. "Hope thinks so too."

Kaysa laughed softly and affectionately stroked Hope's head. "Come on... Merrick's expecting us." She looked down at Hope and added, "All three of us."

"I'm scared, Kaysa," Shiv whispered as they started back toward Merrick's room. "I hate feeling scared, but I am. But...I know when we get away, I won't be anymore. I just hope Keeve will be okay with me going somewhere else."

"If he's sensitive to your feelings and needs," Kaysa replied, "then he will be. If not... Well...you'll have to decide what you want to do."

"I want to bring him with us," Shiv said with a smile. "We have to go together, Kaysa. I won't live on that ship with that monster, and I can't stay on Tae'Karada...not after tonight. Keeve has to see that...or...or I'll figure something out."

"The first thing you have to figure out is how to get him to leave Dargus," Kaysa reminded her. "He's bad for him. He's feeding his rage and violent tendencies...and sometimes, I get afraid for you, Shiv. I don't want him to hurt you."

Shiv nodded slowly. "He's been very gentle so far," she said. "I don't think he'd hurt me, but...but I want him to get away from Dargus too. I won't go near that man. Ever again! Oh gods, Kaysa, how can Keeve be so blind to what he is?"

"Because," she answered gravely, "Dargus gave him what he wanted, including you. Wouldn't you be devoted to someone who gave you everything you've ever wanted?"

Shiv thought about it for a moment before finally nodding. "I guess I would," she said softly. "Still, I wish he wouldn't be so devoted to Dargus. Sometimes I think he thinks Dargus is more important to him than I am."

"If he does think that, then I have a fool for a son." Kaysa kissed Shiv's cheek tenderly as they stepped through the door of Merrick's room. She regarded both Merrick and Zale with a smile, and brought Shiv forward. "Found her. I think we'll need to invest in a leash for her too."

"A leash," Zale said with a grin. "Now, that sounds very kinky and fun...especially with that new look of hers."

"Great," Kaysa muttered, "now I've given him ideas."

Zale grinned. "Don't worry, my love," he said. "I know she's off-limits to me, so all I'll do is look and admire."

A pang of anxiety hit Kaysa, a relic of Zale's previous infidelity. She could be gone for months, perhaps a year, but would he be able to "just look" for that long? "We need to talk," she said. She smiled to lessen the seriousness of her tone. "I mean...soon. Just...about things."

Zale caught the look she gave him and smiled. "Don't worry, my love," he said. "Only you." He glanced at Merrick and waggled his eyebrows. "And, Merrick once he gets his health back."

Kaysa laughed wryly and lightly swatted her husband's chest. "Leave him alone. He's weak and frail." She grinned suggestively at Merrick. "Though, I think I can get him well soon enough."

"As only you can," Merrick answered with a lecherous grin.

"Hey," Shiv said as she slid onto the side of the bed with him. "What about your other love? Your little blonde nymph?"

"My little blonde nymph who's going to marry the brat who painted and bit me," Merrick said with a smile. "I wish I could give you the send-off you deserve, but that'll have to wait until later."

Maeren smiled and brought her lips to his. "I understand, and I'm going to hold you to that. I may be marrying Keeve, but you and Kaysa are still my loves. I will never give you up." She glanced back at Kaysa and grinned. "How could I the way you guys make me feel? I've never felt so loved in my life."

"Neither have I," Kaysa whispered, glancing in turn at her three loves. "We're not losing what we have, no matter who tries to take it away. I won't let them."

Merrick smiled. "I fear for anyone who dares to try," he said. "Though, hopefully they'll wait awhile before they consider it."

"Which reminds me," Kaysa said. "You need to sleep and get better. So..." She kissed his forehead gently and smiled. "Sleep."

"If you didn't have that wonderful odour of bacta," Shiv said with a giggle, "I'd crawl in there with you. So, instead I will have to curl up with Kaysa."

"And Zale can curl up with Merrick," Kaysa quipped, shooting her husband a sweet smile.

Zale's eyebrows raised and he glanced over at Merrick. "Really?"

Kaysa snorted and replied, "Yeah...I'd like to see you try. Or, rather, you wouldn't dare!"

Zale smiled and stood. "Roll over, Merrick," he said. "Let's get comfortable, and prove our woman wrong."

"Stow your proton torpedo there, Cap'n," Merrick answered. "You're on the chair tonight."

Zale laughed and shook his head. "I guess I'm just too much of a man."

"Of course, my love." Kaysa patted his chest patronizingly and smirked. "That must be it."

"Perhaps we should have a mirror brought in for you, Zale," Shiv said with a grin as she settled herself next to Kaysa. "You're not going to be all noisy and stuff all night, are you? You can snuggle up on the other side of Kaysa if you want, but only if you're good."

"And just maybe you can give me a kiss goodnight." She grinned. "Maybe."

"If I sleep, our little white terror isn't going to play with my hair all night, is she?"

Shiv grinned and then giggled. "I'll make sure she's good," she said. "Don't worry."

"I'll protect you," Kaysa told him impatiently. "Now, get onto the empty bed over there. Merrick's getting tired."

"My hero," Zale said with a grin as he moved across the room and slid atop the other bed.

Shiv set Hope up onto the bed then urged her up toward Merrick. "Go say goodnight," she said. "Say goodnight to Merick, Hope." The little kitten wandered up the bed until she found Merrick's hand. Shiv smiled at them both and nuzzled her face both into Hope's fur and against Merrick's hand.

"Go get some sleep," Merrick said. "We have a big day tomorrow."

Kaysa stroked Shiv's hair affectionately, then kissed the top of her head. "He's right. Go on. I'll join you in a little while. I'm just going to sit here for a while and make sure Merrick gets to sleep alright."

Shiv scooped Hope into her arms and then padded her way across the room to where Zale was laying on the other bed. She crawled up beside him, and he folded her into an embrace as she stretched out on the bed with him. He gave Kaysa a long, loving stare as Shiv closed her eyes and quickly drifted to sleep. "Come to me soon," he mouthed to her.

Kaysa smiled warmly back, then focused her gaze and attention fully on Merrick. She took a seat upon the edge of his bed and leaned forward to kiss his cheek softly. "Are you in any pain?" she whispered.

"I'm doing fine for now," he said. "A little sore, but the pain is faded. Bacta is amazing stuff, my love. I think with another couple hours in a tank, I may be able to move around."

Kaysa chuckled. "Even injured you're feisty."

"It's part of my nature, I think," Merrick said. "And, you know me and sitting still. Stuck in a bed like this is going to drive me insane, especially if I can't jot down song notes."

"I can do it for you," she volunteered readily. "Can't have all that creative energy go to waste, now can we?"

"Definitely not," Merrick said. "And, maybe as we do that, I can teach you a little about music. Won't be long, my love, and we'll be writing songs together. Though, the unwritten songs we've written together are pretty amazing."

"And I promise we'll write more." She sighed and gently brushed a tangle of hair from his brow. "When this is over, everything will be normal again, Merrick. I'll even come to a show the first day I get back."

"I like the sound of that," Merrick said. "When you're gone, I'm going to have Shiv try to teach you music. She's got a good ear for it." He was silent for a moment, then smiled. "I think I'm feeling well enough if you wanted to slide up here for a bit."

Kaysa sighed gratefully and with great care climbed up beside Merrick. She cautiously pressed up against his side and lay her head upon his chest. "This okay?"

"This is good," Merrick said after a slight sigh. He smiled lazily then as he shifted one arm to almost embrace her. "Yes," he said again, "this is very good."

Kaysa squeezed in closer to Merrick and found that being in his arms was worth having to smell the strong odour of bacta all night. "So...shall I sing you to sleep then? It's only fair that I return the favour."

Merrick grinned. "I think I'd like that very much," he said.

Kaysa chuckled. "How many pain killers did they load you up with?" She sighed softly and nuzzled her cheek to his chest. After a moment of silence, she proceeded to hum one of his recently composed songs, one he'd yet to give a title to. She surprisingly recalled the entire tune and hummed it in perfect pitch. It was the least Merrick deserved. "Is this okay?" she whispered.

"It's perfect," Merrick whispered. "Absolutely perfect."

Kaysa continued with the soothing melody, even after Merrick had fallen asleep. She, however, stayed awake and stared distantly into the darkness of the room. This might be the last time they were all together peacefully and, frighteningly enough, alive. Everything seemed to be going to hell, just when things were so positive and perfect. But despite all the conflict they'd found on Tae'Karada, at least her child would be born in a place where there was nothing to fear. She hoped, however, that its father - whoever it might be - would be alive to meet his new child. The thought instinctively caused Kaysa to cling to Merrick tighter.

She would only find comfort if she believed all would be well, if she was as optimistic as Shiv, but it was difficult considering all the heartache they'd suffered. They'd make it right, though; Kaysa vowed it. They'd find peace again and maintain it for once. Then, perhaps, they could be the family they'd strived to become. And in that future, she hoped to include Keeve. She wondered how he would react to a new sister or brother; it might soften his heart enough that he'd dispell his hatred for them.

That was the future Kaysa wanted and she was determined to have it. And considering how tenacious she'd always been, Kaysa had a feeling it was definitely something she could easily attain.

---

"The Awakening"
by: Vicks Mason
Jerek Welder [NPC+]

Location: Cargo Bay onboard the freighter Majestic
Date: Eos 25, 4ABY

***

Vicks opened his eyes to see a bright light. He closed his eyes quickly for they hurt after not opening them for almost a year. He tried to lift his arm, but was quite unsuccessful, but he did manage to get a sigh out. His memory was somewhat blank as well as to who captured him. He did remember a dark figure. He grunted as he tried to move his arm again, but once again, he was unsuccessful.

"Awake are we?" asked a strange voice.

"W-Where am I...?" asked Vicks as he managed to squeeze a few words out from under his breath.

"You're safe, that's all that matters..."

Vicks managed to force his eyes open and squinted at the light like waking up on a weekend morning. He began to sit up but collapsed back down. Vicks felt the man's arms help him sit up and slowly turned his head toward the strange man. He was scruffy looking, short buzzed hair as well as stubble growing on his face.

"The name's Jerek Welder," said Jerek, reaching out a hand.

"Vicks, Vicks Mason," said Vicks as he managed to gather enough strength to shake the man's hand.

"I found you left behind a few storage containers that I picked up at the Drogen Shipyards. I figured I'd pick you up and see what was up..." said Jerek.

"I was fixing up my ship...the Star! Where's my ship?!" questioned Vicks.

"You had a ship? What make was it?" asked Jerek.

"YT-1300 called the Tae'Karada Star...it's a very important ship to me, we have to find it. My droid Deebo was in it too..." said Vicks, a little overwhelmed with his predicament.

"Easy, easy! You need some rest, as funny as that sounds. I know where I can possibly get some information. There's a bed in the next room, use that one and get some rest while I plot the course."

"Where are we headed?" asked the somewhat dazed smuggler and Rebel sympathizer.

"Tae'Karada...specifically Thanatos. I know someone who might know some information about your ship and who captured you. If all goes well, we should have your ship and your droid back very soon," said Jerek as he nodded and left the room.

Vicks stood up and grabbed onto the side of the cryo tube as he began to walk for the first time in a long while. He stumbled a few times but managed to get it right again. Just like riding a swoop. He walked to the next room and collapsed on the bed and fell asleep immediately.

***

Jerek entered the cockpit and sat in the pilot's chair and plotted the course for Tae'Karada. He turned the ship around and went to lightspeed once again, destined for Thanatos...

---

"Eye to Eye"
By: Loga Tasker [NPC+]

Location: Thanatos
Date: Eos 25, 4 ABY

***

This area of the desert city was a cobbled mishmash of adobe and prefab dwellings, all with several years of grime where there weren't any blaster burns. Loga passed several decrepit beggars and hurried away as some of them stood and exclaimed at his non-Imperial military battle uniform and weapons. It didn't take him long to escape them and find a deserted hovel, where he hid his gear behind some stones in a collapsed fireplace and got dressed in one of his civilian disguises.

Now dressed in pants and a loose fitting grey shirt, he buckled his blaster pistol onto his hip and pulled his "Shrikes" cap on. After standing up and stretching tired muscles, he realized that a bit of rest would probably do him good. So, he sat up against the wall next to the ruined fireplace and pulled his pistol, which he placed under his coat, in his hand should he be rudely awakened. And then, he fell into a light sleep.

An hour or so later, Loga woke from his sleep to the sound of someone rummaging through garbage on the other side of the building he was in. Tense, he stood slowly, draping his jacket over his shoulder, slightly obscuring the blaster in his hand from view. Loga walked to the front of the dilapidated house he had just woke up in and peered through a crack in the shutters. He saw a couple of the homeless misfortunates talking and a third searching the next door garbage pile for something. Loga strained his ears to hear the whispered conversation.

"Rikka, <mumble...mumble> soldier. I'm serious, this guy was one of the rebels, I swear!" One of the shambling piles of rags had begun getting excited. "Look, <mumble...mumble...grunt> hundred creds for anything we find out about 'em, right? Hand it over! This guy was the real deal. I saw him. So did Herv there, didn't ya Herv? Huh?" The excited one was turning from his companion in the conversation. The rummager stopped, looked up and shrugged before digging even deeper into the pile.

Loga had begun to dread coming into the city at all. He knew that this poor misfortunate being was about to be given his reward and in the Imperial eyes, his "just" reward. Loga cringed as his fears were realized. The excited hobo turned suddenly to loudly protest at the stiletto knife protruding from his throat but he couldn't vocalize. The slender knife had penetrated his larynx and severed one vocal cord. As quickly and unexpectedly as it was delivered, it was taken back and the killer moved on the oblivious rummager. As the gurgles from his lungs grew louder, the wounded one tried to feebly attack his killer only to slowly run out of energy and slump to the ground. By that time, the killer had expertly placed the point of his stiletto directly behind the ear and buried it to its hilt in his second victim, killing him instantly.

Loga could feel the rage boiling up and was doing his best trying to resist shooting this ruthless individual in the back over and over again. However, his training took over and he remained still as the killer paused slowly as if sniffing the air and turned to face the building Loga was in. As the individual scanned the front of Loga's hiding place, he pulled the hood from his costume back and Loga saw what he really feared. A rather thin, almost gaunt face with a strong jaw line stared back at him. Loga could see the distinctive resolve and mindless obedience in the eyes of an Imperial Security Bureau agent. And a good one at that.

The two's eyes met. Loga began fingering his blaster, still trying to remain as still as possible. The agent narrowed his eyes but did not move. For a long moment, the sign of a slight grin broke the stoic ice of the agent's face and he slunk backwards down the alleyway. Two bodies slowly ebbed their life out into the grainy sand of the alleyway, and in the house, Loga Tasker was picking his gear back up out of its hiding place. When he had everything, he left the abandoned house behind and went searching for another place to hole up.

---

"Personal Quest"
By: Karma Arien
Kal'Aran
Aurra Sgall

Location: New Plouton
Date: Eos 25, 4ABY

***

Recent events had set Karma on a quest she hadn't imagined. As she was going about her daily business, someone caught her eye. It didn't take her long to identify him as a Jedi, and perhaps a route to finding out more about her own past, particularly that of her parents. Quietly and in an unthreatening manner she approached.

"Excuse me. I'm hoping you may be able to help me."

The man turned and looked at the girl, calmly. "What may I help you with?" he asked simply as a girl peeked at them while choosing some fruits off a stand.

"Perhaps we should find a less open place to talk in more detail, but let's leave it at I know who, or shall I say, what you are. For me that is not difficult to identify. Overall I'm attempting to find some answers about my past."

Kal'Aran folded his arms calmly and looked at Aurra. He looked back at Karma. "Perhaps we can leave our groceries shopping for later. But I am curious, where would you have us go?" he asked.

Karma left it open for him to decide. "I will leave that up to you. It was just a suggestion."

"Then let us take a walk," Kal'Aran said as he started to walk with Aurra by his side and Karma on the other side. "You had questions you wanted to ask?"

"Perhaps the name Arien is familiar to you," Karma inquired.

Kal'Aran thought about the name. "I believe I recall something about it. A Jedi who became a ruler... It was stated as contrary to the Jedi Code at the time. Brought quite a few arguments. If I recall correctly they were eventually lured to the dark side, but I am not sure."

Karma nodded. "Then your memory is correct at least from what I know. That Jedi you speak of was my mother. The larger question surrounding the ruling line on my home planet was very limited, as we were a small planet."

"I see..." Kal'Aran nodded. "But I sense this was not the question you wanted to ask, nor why you sought me and my padawan."

"I realize this must be a strange request. Recently memories, dreams, images have been surfacing that I don't understand. Yet I know they can only be part of my past. And if I am to be successful in my larger quest then those must be understood."

"We all have dreams. Some theories suggest that they are but a reflection of our most inner feelings and desires. Like a gateway to the subconscious that we do not control," Kal'Aran stated. "I can grant you no promises of answers to the questions you may have, but I will try to answer them still."

Karma smiled, "Promises are hard to keep. An attempt is all I'm looking for. These recollections emerged on their own, when the time was right."

"And you want my help to better decipher them?" the Jedi Master concluded.

"I appreciate your assistance in this matter," she responded with sincerity.

"Very well then." He nodded. "Perhaps you can specify a little bit more about these dreams and memories you have been experiencing... It would help me form my own opinion of them, should they have any meaning to me, or recall anything I might know or remember."

"I will do my best," Karma admitted. "Many of them are still very jumbled. Things like standing in my room and seeing or think I see images of my mother after she'd left. Watching my planet torn to shreds. Then there are the more nebulous dreams of me during various points... Some of them I know are just things I'd like to see but may never come to be...such as standing on the open aired dais overlooking an outdoor meeting place...very similar to the one I knew as a child on Oceana."

"Seems much too vague..." Kal'Aran said. "And I take it you are talking about your homeworld. I have never been to Oceana, and since it is gone, I'm afraid that I never will..."

At that point it was Aurra who spoke. She had been quiet the whole time, simply listening as they walked along the streets. "Can you make anything out of them at all?" she asked. "Like a message, perhaps..."

Kal'Aran nodded. "Death does not mean the end. And a powerful Jedi may appear even after his or her death through the Force. Also, visions of past and future may appear to a Jedi. Have you ever experienced this before?"

"Yes, I was talking about my homeworld. But something is telling me the events are more important than where they actually occurred. And perhaps for some reason or another they must be linked or related in some way like a message I have yet to uncover. As for have I experienced this before... Hard to say for sure, but I think so," Karma admitted, curious since she never acquired her parents' abilities.

Kal'Aran stopped walking. "Well, things are difficult to see when one has no knowledge of them, and I can make very little from what you have told me thus far," he said.

"Part of me is inclined to interpret the dreams as the future that had yet to be written. A path that I'm uncertain if it will ever come into existence. Starting over and rebuilding on a new planet what remains of Oceana or creating its successor." Karma really didn't know herself.

"The future is hard to see..." Kal'Aran stated. "It is always in constant movement. I think it would be best for you to follow your heart and do so with reason."

"Follow my heart?" Karma was almost certain it had led her on this path and perhaps into some of the trials she'd experienced so far in life.

"I can grant you no better advice..." Kal'Aran nodded.

She smiled, "That sounds so much like something my parents liked to remind me of."

"I am sure that they loved you, even if lured by the Dark Side." Kal'Aran nodded. "I wish you luck."

"It has been enlightening to talk to you. Thank you for your assistance." Karma added, "I won't take anymore of your time."

Kal'Aran bowed his head slightly and walked away with Aurra at his side.

---

"Old Life, New Life"
By: Iyika

Location: New Plouton
Date: Eos 25, 4 ABY

***

With Karma out on her errands, although she never said what sort they were, it gave Iyika a chance to do some work herself. She was walking along the back alleys of New Plouton on her way to meet with a soon to be ex-client. She came to the corner and looked down the alley; two guards were standing at the entrance, both large humans probably with more muscles than brain cells.

She looked up to the roof of the building. Crouching down she jumped up to the window several metres above her, grabbing the windowsill, pushing off. She grabbed the metal pole sticking out of the wall, swinging herself up onto the roof landing silently.

Looking down, she watched the two guards for a moment, making sure they hadn't spotted or heard her. Seeing she had gone unnoticed Iyika moved towards the access door onto the roof. Opening the door she stepped inside.

"What are you doing?!" he shouted at seeing the blaster pointed at him.

Iyika had got inside with surprising ease. Now she stood with her blaster trained on her client. "It's quite simple. I've come to give your money back. I've changed my mind."

"You can't do that!" Kelin shouted, stepping towards Iyika but was stopped at the blaster rising, aimed at his face. He was one of the fattest men she had ever seen; the top four buttons of his shirt that he was wearing were undone, showing off his hairy chest. He held a burning cigar in his right hand. The smell was everywhere.

"I can and I am... I've had enough, I'm retiring."

"The hell you are!" Kelin nodded as he looked behind her. Iyika turned and saw a fist coming at her; she dropped her blaster as she ducked under the attack, coming up, bringing her arm up to block another punch.

Her left hand connected with the guard's stomach. Her leg kicked his back leg before her right hand hit up into his face, whipping his head back, almost snapping his neck. The guard crashed to the ground dazed, blood seeping from his mouth and nose. He turned, looking up at Iyika who was about to finish the job when an energy bolt struck her in the side, sending her crashing into the glass window of a cabinet. The expensive ornaments and dishes were smashed as she slammed into them.

She fell to the ground, glass falling around her. The cupboard slowly tilted to the front, stopping for a split second before falling down, crashing down on top of her, pinning her to the floor. She had a split second to look around before falling unconscious.

***

When she woke she was seated on a wooden chair. She looked around her slightly dazed. She could feel the warm blood running down the back of her neck. She looked around. She was in the same room, the smashed up cupboard standing up against the wall to her right. The two guards then appeared from behind her, both holding blasters in their hands. Kelin then appeared. The fat pompous human with more chins than six men put together; he still held the thick cigar in his hand, smiling down at Iyika.

"Well how nice of you to rejoin us," Kelin said, smiling, taking a drag from his cigar letting the smoke seep out from his nose and mouth.

"Always willing to please," Iyika replied sarcastically, looking at one of the guards. "How's your face?" she asked him. It was the guard she punched earlier, breaking his nose. It was bent at a slight angle to the right; dry blood was still around his mouth. So I haven't been out long, she thought.

The guard was about to hit her with his blaster but Kelin stopped him. "Now, now that's no way to treat our guest. We have a contract, Iyika. You will kill him or...your lovely lady will die in his place!" Iyika was then handed a small electronic pad. She saw Karma walking along the streets of New Plouton.

Iyika looked up at Kelin, dropping the electric pad. She stood up with remarkable speed and was about to attack him when she heard the whining of the two blasters heating up, readying to fire. She looked at the two blasters then her gaze returned to Kelin, growling at him "We have a contract and if you have any plans of killing us I have to warn you a very skilful sniper is currently following that slut of yours." Kelin took another drag from his cigar as he continued. "If I don't call him every ten minutes he'll kill her."

"If he's so skilful have him kill your target!"

"No...! If he's caught he'll be traced back to me. You are a hired assassin with no links to any one faction or crime lord. I want this man dead! Now!" He looked at his watch before looking up at Iyika. "Time is ticking away, 30 seconds before I have to make the call. What's the answer?"

Iyika looked at the human to her left, holding the blaster with one hand, aimed at her face. She burst into action, grabbing the blaster, tilting it to the side. The blaster fired, sending an orange bolt of laser hurtling out, impacting with the other guard in the chest, sending him crashing back into the wall, his blaster firing up hitting the ceiling.

Iyika twisted the wrist of the guard, bringing her knee up into his stomach, knocking the wind out of him, driving him to his knees. Iyika moved around behind the human, twisting his arm around to his back, pointing his blaster at him. Iyika never hesitated to fire the blaster, the orange bolt hitting the human in the back, exploding out through his chest, spraying burnt flesh and blood out in front of him. Before the smoking corpse touched the floor as it fell forward Iyika aimed the blaster, pointing at Kelin; the look on his face was priceless, blind numbing fear.

"Ten seconds..." he whispered, his whole body shaking as he looked away from his watch to Iyika. "Are you insane...five seconds!"

Iyika stepped forward towards him, placing the hot barrel of the blaster against his forehead; she heard his skin burning before he screamed, the smell of burnt flesh filling her nostrils. The blaster came away and a ring of burnt flesh was left in its place in the centre of his forehead. "Make the call...and you'll live..."

She was playing a dangerous game, she knew, but even if she did the job she knew she wouldn't see Karma alive again. It was the game she played whenever she took on a job. And she was tired of it. Tired of being constantly on the alert looking for dangers, looking over her back whenever she walked along the streets, tired of her life.

"Do it...!" she said, her voice ice cold.

Kelin opened the com-link with the sniper watching Karma, his hand shaking as it held the communications device. "Drak... It's me...everything's in order."

"Roger, she's still in my sight. She's quite the looker, a little flat-chested for my tastes but other than that... She can keep me company anytime--"

"Enough, Drak!" Kelin shouted, seeing the look on Iyika's face, hearing what Drak was saying. "I'll contact you in ten minutes." He quickly closed the communications link before Drak could reply. "See... I did what you asked..."

"Yes, so you did," Iyika replied, stepping back away from Kelin, lifting the blaster at him, her teeth clenched together from anger.

"Wait you said you wouldn't kill me!" Kelin shouted, lifting his hands up, going down onto his knees. "Please...you said...you did..."

"Yes... Well... I lied..." The blaster fired without warning, the orange energy hitting the fat human in the chest, passing right through him, exploding as it struck the wall behind. The fat lifeless body fell to the side, hitting the floor motionless. "No one messes with my girl..." Iyika whispered softly.

Turning away she grabbed her gear left in a pile in the corner before shimmering out of view. For a brief moment there was a distorted outline of Iyika moving towards the exit but she quickly faded away like a ghost in the night.

***

She was walking with what appeared to be a Jedi. It wasn't hard to tell them apart and the two were followed by a second following the Jedi like a lap dog. "Fucking Jedi..." he whispered looking through the scope of his rifle trained on Karma. He zoomed in on her, looking up her legs to her waist then up to her breasts. "I bet you're an animal when you're alone..."

A smile crept over his face, thinking of Karma tied to his bed struggling to get free. He loved them to struggle; made it more enjoyable. He zoomed out, looking at her whole body in her tight clothing. "When this is all over we're going to get acquainted..."

"Don't fucking bet on it!"

Drak turned, grabbing the blaster at his side. Bringing it up he looked all around the roof. There was no one there. The steam coming out from the vents around him slowly dissipated as it rose up into the cool air.

"Who's there...! Who's there?!" he shouted, looking around the roof, aiming his blaster wherever he looked. The cloud of steam suddenly parted as if something was running towards him but there was no one there. He felt a hand grip his wrist, twisting it around. He cried out, feeling the pain as his wrist was twisted almost snapping it; he dropped his blaster before he was thrown away, slamming into the ground, sliding into the wall that ran all around the edge of the roof.

He quickly got up, drawing his knife, spinning it around in his hand until the blade was sticking out to the side; he looked around, his eyes fixing on his rifle as it suddenly moved. He was stunned into silence, watching as the rifle was lifted up. He watched as the rifle was quickly dismantled, the parts falling discarded to the floor. Then she appeared.

Shimmering into view, Iyika looked at the man who was about to kill Karma, her Karma. She growled at him before she charged, running at full speed, roaring as she came at him.

His screams echoed from the roof of the building. The city's police responded to the screams within minutes only to find the remains of the rifle in the same place where Iyika had left them. The police also found blood, lots of blood with parts of internal organs lying in pools dotted all over the roof, but no body. No sign of Drak.

---

"Change of Heart, Part 1"
By Auron Ronso
Ellemiek Vermolen
Garnet Seifer
Kitana Gellar [NPC+]
Tifa Alexandros Lionheart [NPC+]
Admiral Aknor - CRS Concordia CO [NPC]
Second Lieutenant Vandross [NPC]
Lieutenant Commander Waldin of the Side Blades [NPC]

Location: CRS Concordia
Date: Eos 25, 4 ABY

***

Auron couldn't rest at all. He looked at Ellemiek and thought to himself that she was the most beautiful girl in the Galaxy. He couldn't even think about that Kyra woman, or how well she seemed to remember him and even apologise for what she'd done.

He got up and looked at Ellemiek and things started to get confusing. He didn't tell Ellemiek what he remembered because it would only make it worse than what it was... Auron approached Ellemiek and kissed her on her cheek. He looked once more into her eyes and walked out of the quarters, making his way to the hangar.

Once there he saw the X-wing. The last of his former squadron. He approached the ship and touched it. It wasn't his own former ship, but he could tell that it meant something really important to him.

He climbed the stairs and outside it read: "Lieutenant Kyra Ronso of the Wild Cats" and right below it: "The Force is strong with the Wild Cats."

Auron sat down in the cockpit and there he was glancing at the controls. "Ker'ght Utan, So'lek Weq, Ghyra Wet'rea, Auron Ronso and Kyra Ronso," Auron said, pausing. "Those are the five that constituted the Wild Cats squadron..."

At that point Ellemiek showed up above the staircase that was just beside the X-Wing. "So you remember the names of those who were in your squadron..." she said, somewhat surprised, but with a sigh. "You do know of the last mission, don't you?" she asked, seeing that he could remember names but little more.

Ellemiek raised her eyebrows. "I guess I should have told you before... Those names, those people, they all died in a mission where you were ambushed. Only you and Kyra survived, and you were presumed dead for a long time..." she explained. "Kyra was charged with betrayal and fled. She was the one who hurt you with the blade in your shoulder," she said, then looking at Auron into his eyes. "And there's one more thing. She is your wife..."

"I know, Ellemiek. I found out a lot of stuff when I had my last headache on the hangar just after she stabbed my shoulder with this dagger." Auron paused. "It wasn't Kyra's fault. We were ambushed and for some reason she was the main target to be shot down. We put quite a fight to protect Kyra. You should have seen her fight that day. You would be proud of her! I know I am," Auron's said as a tear ran down his left eye.

"She was unstoppable that day. The main reason that my squadron was destroyed was because help never showed up. So I ordered Kyra to go and get help while my squadron and I tried to get their attention, but it was when I was shot down that my squadron was slaughtered. Kyra made it because she was half way from us and Hoth." Auron paused. "I can't think of a worse fate than to hear your own friends die and being helpless to do something to save them. Hearing them die must be painful." Auron looked to the controls and then at Ellemiek.

She sighed. "And then she was convicted of treason," Ellemiek said. "Are you sure about what you're saying now? I know Kyra also, and even I didn't believe in her innocence," she said.

"Look, Ellemiek, I know that you don't believe me either since I can't remember most of my past life, but I'm sure about this." Auron paused, looking deep into Ellemiek's eyes. "I may be talking about Kyra and stuff, but I only remember part of my wedding and this mission with her, nothing else. Getting my memory back is taking longer than the doctor said... You have no idea what it is like to have only a few memories, and you not being able to trust them until you are sure about them! You don't know what is for your memory to show you, so many mean faces and you not remembering who they are! Sometimes at night I see ghosts, and when I turn the lights on they disappear..."

Ellemiek closed her eyes and sighed. "You're right, I don't know... And even though she had no idea that you were alive, she still tried to kill us, and we used to be pretty good friends once, Auron. You can't ignore that! I gave her a chance to walk away back in the spaceport... I'm not so sure she's still the same girl I used to know. Sorry..." Ellemiek said as she placed her hand gently on top of Auron's.

Auron looked at Ellemiek. She had a point... He was going to say something when an ensign came. "Commander Ronso, Commander Vermolen you are asked to report to the medical bay at once."

Ellemiek turned back and nodded, stepping down the ladders. She and Auron made their way directly to the medical bay, where they found Second Lieutenant Vandross. "Lieutenant..." Ellemiek saluted. "You called for us?" she asked.

"No, I did, Commander," said a voice from behind her. It was Admiral Aknor. "It is about the woman that you brought in. I thought you'd like to know about her..."

Auron looked and saw that the woman was being taken off the bacta tank. She was placed on the table and the medical droid tried to wake her up, but the woman never did.

"Why doesn't she wake up?" asked Auron.

"Her internal organs are all functional and the heart rate is steady. She is in perfectly good health, I can assure you, sir," answered the medical droid.

"Then why doesn't she wake up?" Ellemiek asked.

"My database suggests that she is ok. I cannot specify why she does not wake up..." the droid said.

"What do you mean you can't specify?" Auron asked. By then Lieutenant Vandross approached her and examined Garnet's eyes.

"She is an state of Ursurr'ai!" Vandross stated.

"What is that? What does it mean?" Ellemiek asked.

Lieutenant Vandross pulled his hair back so that Auron and Ellemiek could see that he had pointed ears, just like the woman. "It is a state that every Gallorian goes by when his or her spirit is divided between good and evil. Basically, her good side and evil side are fighting to gain total control of the body, spirit and mind," he explained.

"But what happens to the side that loses?" Auron asked.

"The side that loses will be expelled from the body forever," Vandross paused. "Let's hope that the good side wins..."

"How long does the process take?" Ellemiek asked.

"It is not sure. It can take a few hours, but it could take days," Vandross replied.

"And is a draw between the two sides possible?" Aknor asked.

"It has never happened, sir," Vandross nodded.

"Are you absolutely sure of this?" Auron asked.

"Like I said, it never happens because it is an inner fight between her good side and her bad one, and only one can be victorious," Vandross replied.

All of them stayed there for a short while, not saying anything. All looked at each other, waiting for someone to say something...

"We have to wait and see which side wins..." Vandross stated, being interrupted by the ship's comm.

"Admiral Aknor, you are needed on the bridge," said a voice through the ship's comm. Aknor nodded to the others and made his way, along with the three of them. Upon arrival at the bridge the Admiral was informed of the situation. Apparently there was a TIE Aquatic and another ship incoming in their direction and they had hailed the CRS Concordia.

"Send a message back to them and ask to state their business," Aknor ordered.

"This is Hoersch-Kessel Delaya-Class Courier Angel I. My name is Kitana Gellar and I am the representative of foreign affairs from Gallor," Kitana stated. "I am here to request you to hand over our leader, Garnet Seifer. For that I request that my ship is allowed to come aboard along with my escort, the TIE Aquatic Fighter, Andros."

Auron looked and tried to figure things out. "Admiral, are you sure that there are only those two ships? Because I think that for a diplomat escort, only one ship is suicide."

"Admiral, we are detecting four TIE Advanced. They are a far, and they are not moving," the officer informed, looking at the monitor. "Admiral, Angel I sent us a Diplomatic Gallorian Imperial Seal. It's the genuine one, sir. She is a diplomat from Gallor."

Aknor pushed the comm button. "This is Admiral Aknor from the New Republic. Hold your position for scanners and await for our fighters to escort you and the TIE into our hangars, and have the remaining ships fall back," he said, not yet knowing what this was all about.

"We copy that Concordia!" Kitana said through her comm.

Tifa looked to the Angel I. "Commander Waldin, meet us back on the Necron after mission."

"Yes, sir!" was the answer given as the Side Blades withdrew themselves from the location, towards the Necron that was a few minutes further from their location.

"It seems that they did everything that you requested, Admiral..." Auron said.

"It seems so," Aknor acknowledged. "Have an escort meet them, scan their ships and bring them into hangar number two. Also, I want a small garrison of troopers ready on the hangar, just in case. I will meet them personally," he said, as he gave out the orders.

"Sir, perhaps we can be allowed to meet them as well?" Ellemiek asked.

"A most unusual request, Commander Vermolen... But you may attend if you wish to," Aknor said.

With that said, they made their way to Hangar 2, as an escort was launched from the Concordia and flew by the TIE Aquatic as well as the Hoersch-Kessel Delaya-Class Courier and scanned them thoroughly while sweeping past them. It took but a few seconds to get it done.

"Angel I, you are to follow Red 2, while the TIE will follow the Red 3. Also, you are requested to disable your weapons. Do you copy?" asked the group leader.

"We copy that, Red Leader," Kitana said.

The Angel I and the Andros followed the two fighters into hangar two. When the ship landed there was a slight commotion. The Hoersch-Kessel Delaya-Class Courier was quite a magnificent ship, not just because how fast it was or how many guns it had, but due to its complicated build, because of the capability to change the inclination of the cockpit and the wings for rapid change of speed. The TIE Aquatic fighter Andros was also a sight since the fighter had never passed the prototype level.

A small ramp appeared on the two ships. From there, Kitana walked out from the Angel I and Tifa out from the TIE starfighter. The two of them saw the small garrison and Kitana examined, one by one, the troopers from the garrison and saw the group of three people who had entered the hangar and made their way towards Kitana.

The group passed the garrison of troopers and stopped a few meters away from the ships. Kitana looked at them and couldn't believe her eyes. There he was, the man from the crash. Alive and well. She couldn't believe it, but he seemed not to recognise her. First things first. I will do what I came here to do. I will ignore him and when this is over, I'm going to have a talk with him, she thought to herself.

Auron looked at the woman that had walked out from Angel I, and felt that her face was quite familiar, although to a man that had amnesia, this was quite frequent. He looked to the other girl. "She is quite a professional if she has the balls to come here alone with a Diplomat..." Auron whispered at Ellemiek's ear.

"I am Admiral Aknor, Commanding Officer from the CRS Concordia. Now, you requested to land on our ship... What is your business here?" he asked directly.

"Kitana Gellar. I am the diplomat representative of Gallor and Minister of Foreign Affairs. I am here to request an extradition of a woman that disappeared yesterday," Kitana said.

"What makes you think that we have that woman?" Auron asked without thinking.

"Because, Auron, we followed the transmission that she had and it led us here... So, where is she? Where is Garnet Seifer?" Kitana asked, almost as if it was an order she was giving.

"I don't know how or why you know my name, but one thing I know for sure: we do not know anyone that goes by the name of Garnet Seifer!" Auron said, quite upset.

"Pardon for the interruption. She was last seen when entering Tae'Karada's atmosphere, inside an Imperial Shuttle that was..." Tifa paused. "What was the phrase used by the Imperials? Ah, yes, a huge ball of fire..."

"Ahh, at least she makes some sense!" Auron said as he looked at Tifa and back to Kitana. "Ellemiek and I found her on the crash site. She is in the medical wing."

"Ahem!" Admiral Aknor interrupted, giving Auron a gaze since he was delivering information that was not yet certain to be the correct thing to do. "She is under care of our medical staff. I am sure you understand that she cannot be moved at the time being, and that I am not allowed to release her. She stays until she is cleared and allowed to leave," he said firmly.

Auron noticed that he had talked when we was not supposed to, and had even given information to an outsider. He looked at Ellemiek but she seemed cold and calculative. But Auron had always been like that, talking when he was not supposed to speak and usually not following some orders from his superiors. But even though Auron didn't follow orders to the letter, there was also a good side, which was his impeccable skill to maintain those of his squadron as being some of the best and have a surprising sheet.

"Can we at least see Garnet?" Kitana asked more calmly.

"That much I can accommodate," the Admiral nodded. After all, he didn't want to raise enemies, and it seemed that the situation didn't recall for it anyway. He led the way, followed by Kitana, Ellemiek, Auron and Tifa.

"You're a quite rebellious fellow!" Tifa told Auron w