Location: Various
Date: Lythe 25, 5 ABY

***

Liam Zaneth stood at the window, looking out over the rooftops of the warehouses surrounding the Jedi safe haven. In the distance, he could see the sea stretching to the horizon. And, somewhere beyond, he knew the city of Arcadia, the planetary capital, sat with the alien aggressors sitting upon the throne. Somewhere beyond, he knew Yelara waited for him.

He turned from the window with a wince, the lingering pain of his injury reminding him he wasn't fully healed. Occasionally, he still felt the burn of the injury. Occasionally, he saw through the fog that hid so many details from his mind's eye.

Kael's skills as a healer had been remarkable, but even so, without the proper resources, the injuries had taken much longer to heal. Soon, Liam told himself as memories of that day filtered back to the forefront of his memory, soon he would be well enough to search for Yelara. Soon, he would be able to put all that had happened behind him.

***

"Come on," Liam called, waving his two companions down the hall to him. "Exit's just ahead."

Looking ragged and tired, Kael Selrid gave a nod and firmed the grip on the lightsaber he held in his hand. The young Jedi bore none of the injuries Liam did, wounds caused by the torture at the hands of Magnus Kresk, but had many of his own. His clothes were a mess, and his face bruised, one eye swollen shut from where he'd been struck. The bleeding had mostly stopped from the knife wounds inflicted by Kresk, but Liam had no illusions that they would fully close until he could rest somewhere.

"You two look like the walking dead," Kaylee Soras said. She had discarded her dress and high heels for her traditional attire. Comprised of leather straps, the outfit hid her private areas without restricting her movement. Instead of the leather pants she normally wore, she now just wore a leather loincloth. "Let me take lead."

"I can manage," Liam said, then moved out into the corridor. He could sense Kael and Kaylee moving behind him. He held his lightsaber, unignited, in his hand.

The coast was clear as they moved, the secret exit that would get them out of the palace just ahead. They reached the section of wall that would fold back into the hidden passage behind. As Liam searched for the activator, Kael took up a defensive stance before them. It took several moments for Liam to find the recessed button.

The door opened soundlessly before him, revealing the darkened passage. He motioned for them to head into the tunnel. Just as he was about to turn himself, danger flared in his mind. The wounds had taken their toll, and his turning was slow. An assailant, hidden in the secret passage, fired twice. One blast took Liam in the side, while the other ravaged his back. The unlit lightsaber tumbled from his hand as he sank into darkness.

***

The darkness slowly peeled back and light filtered in. A womanly form stood on the other side of the room, watching him instead of the window she stood next to. In her hand, the thin cable responsible for opening and closing the blind. As Liam focused his eyes, he realized she was wearing a sleeveless top that laced up the front and a pair of closefitting pants. It took him a moment to put name with form.

"Kaylee?"

"You're safe. It's a good thing Kael was with us." She nodded to the side, and Liam turned his head to find Kael Selrid asleep on a cot. "How do you feel?"

"Like someone shot my back off," Liam said.

"Very nearly did," she said. "It took everything he had, and he exhausted himself. You'll probably be weak for awhile."

"How do you feel?"

As Liam looked, Kael was sitting up. He looked tired, and his eye was no longer swollen shut but still looked pretty bad. The concerned look on his face was an indication that Liam wasn't out of danger yet.

"I feel like I'm not dead," he said. "Where are we?"

"We're in an old office building on the edge of Arcadia," Kael said. "I don't know how we managed to get you here, but we did it. I had to acquire enough supplies to fix you. Thankfully, the hospital had everything I needed. I'll pay them back when the government pardons us. Things have gotten really bad, Liam."

"How bad?"

"Aliens have taken over," Kael said. "The Jau."

Liam closed his eyes. "It's been in the works for some time."

"Yes," Kael said. He got up and retrieved a water flask and brought it back to Liam's cot. "Drink. They managed to take the planet easily. They knew right where to hit, and had the entire planet within a couple hours."

"Have you heard anything from the others?"

"Nothing," Kael said as he set the flask beside the cot. "I've got my comlink set to monitor, but not a peep. I haven't broadcast anything because if they track us here, we can't get away."

Liam sighed. "We can wait until I'm stronger, and then go."

Kael nodded, but said nothing. Something in his eyes told Liam that his hopes were higher than they should be. "How long?"

"If I can get to more advanced medical facilities, not long," he said. "With enough bacta, I think I could get you back to normal in a few months. With what we have here, probably six months. I'm going to need more bacta soon. We only have enough for a few more days. I need to find a tank. That'd accelerate the healing considerably. Though, meditation trances would also help." Liam winced as he tried to move. "I'll see what I can do."

With a lopsided grin, Kael picked up the water flask for Liam again. He stopped, flask hovering just before Liam's face, as a crackling hiss sounded from the small device set on the table near the door. All heads turned toward it, waiting, hopeful. The comlink hissed again, then fell silent.

***

The transport was larger than the aethersprite he'd flown to the Temple to rescue Lani in, and a much larger target to any Arcadian defenses. Still, anyone viewing the ship's profile from the ground wouldn't immediately recognize it as a Jedi craft, and that was the benefit.

Koran Darr was at the helm with Laedra at his side. Both were stretching out through the Force to search for the two wayward Jedi. The palace grounds sprawled below the ship as they made another pass, wide of the restricted airspace they'd sure catch heat for flying in.

"I can't sense them there," Koran said. "Perhaps they have some means of dampening the Force in their dungeons."

"It is possible," Laedra allowed. "Or they are no longer there...in one form or another."

"I'm certain they have not passed on," Koran said. "Liam is strong enough in the Force I think we both would have felt his passing. If they're no longer in the palace, they could be anywhere."

"Then we must search everywhere until they're found." Laedra's hands moved across her controls. "I'll notify Dani and Raeila that we'll need to broaden our search."

"Dani here," came the voice from the speeder flying alongside the transport. "Go ahead."

"Dani," Laedra began, "we have found no sign of Liam and Kael at the palace. We will need to branch out and expand our search to the entire planet, if necessary. They are still alive, we believe...they are somewhere."

"Roger that," Dani answered. "If we split up, we can cover more ground. We'll head north--"

Another voice cut in on the channel. "Dani? Laedra? It's Kael. We're alright. We're safe. Liam's wounded, but we're safe."

"Kael!" This from Raeila, riding with Dani and excited beyond restraint upon hearing from her husband. "Kael...where are you? Oh gods, you're alive!"

"Raeila!" There had been a weariness in Kael's voice before, but at the sound of his wife's voice, there was nothing but elation. "I don't have the coordinates, but I'll set my comlink to transmit them to you."

On the display before Dani, a blip appeared. She was already turning the speeder toward the location. "Got it!"

"Come and get us," Kael said. "I'll be waiting for you, Rae."

"We'll be there soon," she whispered tearfully. "I love you. I've missed you."

"I love you too," Kael said softly.

***

As Dani brought the speeder down, Kael Selrid and Kaylee Soras appeared in the main doorway of the office building they'd been taking refuge within. When the speeder touched down, Dani was already opening the hatch and Raeila was scrambling out. Kael surged forward to her.

"Kael!" They closed the distance between one another and were thrown into an embrace, Raeila's feet lifted clear of the ground by the strength of Kael's hold. She kissed him ardently.

When their kiss finally broke, Kael held Rae out far enough from himself so he could take a long look at her, to see her fully once again. Once the memory had been augmented by her presence, he kissed her once again. Words could not convey the feelings he felt.

Overhead the transport descended quickly, and settled onto its landing struts. The hatch in the side slid open and a ramp unfolded toward the ground. Kaylee hurried forward toward where Jedi Master Laedra Vorrel now stood. The young woman motioned toward the office. "Liam's hurt and will need help moving," she called.

"How badly?" Laedra inquired. She followed Kaylee to the small structure that had once contained the fugitives. "He will survive?"

"He will," Kaylee said. "Kael has been caring for him, but he's still weak. He'll need another bacta treatment again soon. I am Kaylee Soras."

As they entered the office the three had been using, Liam Zaneth was standing unsteadily using the bedframe for support. He gave them a smile. "I'm glad you're here," he said to Laedra. "I don't think I can stand too much more of Kael's cooking."

That he was not too weak to joke reassured Laedra. With a relieved sigh and welcoming smile, Laedra went to Liam's assistance. Kaylee joined her, and the two woman conveyed Liam out of the building.

Koran Darr appeared in the hatch. "We need to move quick," he called. "It's not going to take them long to wonder what's going on here."

Raeila stayed close to Kael as they hurried towards the transport. "Were you hurt badly? Was it scary? Gods...I'm so glad you're back."

"That makes two of us," Kael said.

"Three," Dani called as she hurried up beside them and gave Kael a quick hug that he returned happily. "I'm so glad you're safe, Kael."

With a smile, he gave Dani a kiss, then another to Raeila. "I could use some sleep, and some food, but my only injuries are just some bruises. I'll be fine, I promise."

"I'll see you two back at the base," Dani said. "I'm going to get airborne and make sure no one's coming."

Kael watched her go as he and Raeila paused before the transport. "The scariest part was knowing that I may never see you again, and you had no idea what was happening with me. I never want to be apart from you again, Raeila. Life's too short, and life without you isn't worth it."

"Then next time," she teased fondly, "you'll listen to me when I ask you not to go."

"I promise," Kael said. "From now on, just you and me. And, Dani, I guess."

Giggling, Raeila kissed his cheek, then gripped his hand tightly as they started into the transport. She was determined not to let him go again.

Laedra and Kaylee exited the office, with Liam supported between the two of them. "We have medical supplies at our safehouse," Laedra was assuring him. "I will treat the rest of your injuries there."

"That sounds very nice," Liam said. "Thanks for coming after us, Laedra. With me injured, I'm not sure if we could have gotten out of here."

"We couldn't very well not search for you," she told him in gentle admonishment. "The planet has become a dangerous place for the Jedi. Now, more than ever, we must band together. It is the only way to survive."

"Laedra...has there been any word of...of Yelara?"

She shook her head regretfully. "Once you're healed, we can begin searching for the truth. If she still lives, we will find her, Liam."

"She lives," Liam said. "The woman killed in the palace was an imposter. Someone wants everyone to believe she's dead, but she's definitely not."

"Then," Laedra told him softly, "we will find her."

"Thank you," Liam whispered as Kaylee and Laedra helped him up into the transport. "It means very much to me."

"That's what we're here for," Kaylee said with a smile.

Koran appeared at Laedra's side. "Let's head home."

***

Liam Zaneth could still feel the pain of his wounds, the memory of that return to the Jedi's hidden safehouse so strong. The bacta treatments had helped, but the loss of Yelara was too great, and his physical wounds seemed a manifestation of that loss. He'd done what he could from the Vendra hideaway, but there was still no sign of Yelara. Distantly, he could feel her through the bond they shared, but it was not enough for him to know where she was.

He turned away from the window and returned to his bed, his thoughts, as they had been for so long, turned back to Yelara. Soon, he would be healed enough to leave the warehouse, and search for her. He only needed the opportunity, and he would find her.

Yelara, he thought. I'm here...and I'll be there soon.

***

"I need more," she pleaded, voice thick and pain-tinged.

The nurse continued to work her left leg, extending it, then folding it back to stimulate the muscles and prevent atrophy. She sighed, injecting practiced sympathy into her tone. "We cannot, Ms. Jor. The doctor says too many pain-killers will only inhibit the regeneration of your nervous system. You must be patient."

"Patient?" Yelara Zaneth, known as Vaela Jor to her care-givers, emitted a brief, hoarse laugh. "I've been patient for months and I still can't feel my legs! All I can feel is never-ending pain, day and night and you won't do a damn thing to ease it!"

If she had had the ability to, Yelara would have thrust her leg forward and slammed a foot into the woman's face, stamping out the insincerely pitiable frown there. She could do nothing, after months of surgeries and agony, but lay on her back and berate those tending her, all strangers and pretending to be invested in her recovery, if only because their salaries required them to be.

Tears of frustration, grief, and resentment revisited her face, as they had innumerable times before. She was reduced to a blubbering, bitter remnant of the once confident woman who had inhabited her now frail body, and it shamed Yelara. Still, amid sobs, she shrieked at the woman, assailing her with vicious, censorious insults.

The pain was as an entity, possessing her and working from within to torment her endlessly, creating this venomous beast few nurses wanted to tend to; as nerve endings regenerated and the web of intricate connections began mending, the restored sensation registered itself as intolerable, stabbing pain throughout. Death now seemed far more favourable than this excruciating existence. And there was no one whom she loved to comfort her through it.

Deciding to end her physical therapy session prematurely, the nurse assured Yelara she would return later with her evening meal, but Yelara was deaf to her insignificant reminder. Weeping disconsolately, Yelara turned her head aside, seeking to bury her face into the pillow and instead pressing her cheek to the thick, disheveled sheets of raven hair covering it. It had grown noticeably since her arrival, reminding Yelara of how long her arduous journey had become, with no end in sight. That Liam would prefer her hair that length further disheartened Yelara, for he might never see it.

"Where are you?" she whispered chokingly. "Don't you feel me? I'm here. I'm waiting."

But she held no hope that he would come to her that night, or the next. Yelara was beginning to hold out no hope at all that she would ever be rescued from her desolate hell. She had ceased to live months ago, and now only existed because medical science dictated her survival. She wished it would fail her and grant the release Yelara longed for.

"Progress Report"
By: Meer'esh
Sa'Taka Gal'traq

Location: Arcadian Palace, Arcadia
Date: Lythe 25, 5 ABY

***

"The mines are being functioned at optimal efficiency, Master. It has been made clear to any being defiant, that it is not being tolerated." Meer'esh, obedient aide to Tae'Karada's current ruler, Sa'Taka Gal'traq, lifted his pale violet eyes from the padd from which he was reporting. "Thus far, we were having to execute ten. The rest are being fallen into line, and we are having new arrivals each to be replacing the dead."

"Very good," the Sa'Taka said. "The people of this world seem to learn well from example. See that they do not forget." His military adviser nodded and made a note. "The resistance group that emerged from the desert settlement near the arena, what has become of that."

Meer'esh was always uncomfortable with the Sa'Taka's morning briefing - such grim news as that which he was ceaselessly required to deliver unnerved the timid man. The planet was slowly becoming like his own, and soon all would be enslaved. He simply hoped Yelara was able to escape such a fate. Swallowing hard, he continued, "The resistance cell is being destroyed, Sa'Taka. Their base was being discovered and" --he glanced briefly at his report to search for the word used-- "obliterated. No survivors were taken. All put to death on the spot."

"Most excellent," Sa'Taka Gal'traq said. "Announce a new policy: For each Jau attacked by resistance fighters, five citizens, chosen at random, will be sent to the mines. For each Jau killed, five random citizens will be killed. Perhaps that will offer them incentive to live under the peace we have created."

A chill swept over Meer'esh, but he bowed his head nonetheless. "It is being done, Sa'Taka. Such a step may, as well, be luring more Jedi out of hiding. We are being progressing, but we have only three executed over these months. I am thinking you want more, Sa'Taka."

"I want all of them removed," the Sa'Taka growled. "They are as bad as those infernal huntresses. Those who turn over a Jedi to us will be greatly rewarded; make it known. Those who ally with us and lead us to the Jedi, we will allow to choose their reward."

Meer'esh bent at the waist in a deferential bow. "The announcement will be broadcasting," he assured his overlord.

The Jau leader nodded. "You serve me well, Meer'esh. And you serve well the cause of the Jau. Know this. You may go."

"Thank you," he murmured, and with eyes lowered, Meer'esh turned to depart. He was uncertain what came over him as he halted unexpectedly and faced his master again. Sa'Taka appeared both curious and irritated, especially when Meer'esh chose to speak out of turn. "If I may be asking, Master...my people. I am being concerned with their well-being. How is being my world?"

"Your world is fine," the Jau leader said. "Your people live prosperous lives with little to no violence. When we found your people, they were fractured and lost, but we gave them a purpose and place."

"Then they are being happy?" Meer'esh asked expectantly.

"They work efficiently and gain by that work. Their needs are provided for and they are protected from harm. I would hope such would make them happy."

"As I am knowing it does, Sa'Taka." Meer'esh meekly dropped his gaze again, hoping to allay any rage that may be inspired in the Sa'Taka as he asked, "And...when am I becoming free, Master? I am knowing our work here is not being done...but will I become free?"

"It will happen soon, Meer'esh," Sa'Taka Gal'traq said. "Though, I do hope once you gain your freedom you will continue to help us here. Your help has been invaluable."

"And I am being forever grateful and honoured to be your aide, Sa'Taka." Sensing he was teetering on a very precarious edge, Meer'esh decided to prematurely end his line of questioning, despite the many issues yet to be resolved. Those would have to wait for a more appropriate time, one where the Sa'Taka's mood was far better. Perhaps after a Jedi was captured. Bowing once more, Meer'esh said, "I thank you for your time, Sa'Taka. I will now be doing your bidding."

With a gruff nod, the Sa'Taka turned back to his work while Meer'esh departed. It would take time, but they would achieve their goals here.

"Brewing Chaos"
by: Rylaa Lyssander
Rashid al-Hyu al-Hamad
Lorgal

Location: Deep under New Plouton
Date: Lythe 25, 5ABY

***

A thin figure danced between the shadows the fell between the massive buildings of New Plouton. The figure ran at full speed, much faster than an ordinary human. It leaped, grabbing an exposed pipe and flipping its body into a hole hidden from view by the casual observer. The room it landed in contained only an old stained couch and a door. Pressing a shoulder against the couch exposed a cutout in the mustard carpet. A foot tapping in the right sequence and the trap door opened. The figure jumped down as a fat Herglic came in from the other door to move the couch back into position.

Rashid fell into the dank tunnel system that ran under New Plouton, one currently owned by the thieves and murderers of the New Dawn. Even though he couldn't see them, he knew at least three sets of eyes were upon him the second he dropped from the safe house above. A voice came from the darkness, "The dawn reveals..."

"...what best remains hidden." Rashid finished the last of the code phrase and heard a click as the automatic defense were shut off.

"Welcome brother," the voice said again as a cloak and cowled human emerged from behind several thick pipes.

"I have come to speak with the Boss," Rashid explained. The religious fog surrounding the New Dawn cult had thickened, now even most of the die-hard critics within the New Dawn believed it heart and soul. Of course, preaching to do what you wish is one thing that brings a tear to a criminal's eye.

"He has been expecting you," the human says and sweeps his hand. "I believe you know best where to find him."

The assassin said nothing more as he darted into the maze that was New Pluoton's underground. The three-dimensional map was burned into his memory so in very little time he reached the second, and much more deadly, of the security checkpoints. All that could be seen was a single holocam in the corner, but Rashid knew of at least three hidden turrets as well as much more devious ways of disposing people.

"The Boss is expecting me," he said, staring directly at the holocam in the corner. His only acknowledgment that his statement had been heard was the single thin pedestal that rose from the ground. Rashid scrapped his thumb across the rough pad that made up the top of the pedestal, depositing a few skin flakes for DNA testing. If it came back against him, nothing would be left but a black smear.

A green light clicked on above what was previously a section of duracrete wall that slid open to reveal stairs downward. This led to the forgotten defense tunnel system that ran between New Plouton and Tae'karada's capital Arcadia. Another quick dash brought him to one of the many bunker that dotted the tunnel system. Inside sat a short heavyset man with long greasy hair and a short moustache. Dark eyes peered out from bushy eyebrows, quickly scanning over the datapad in his had.

"Boss," he said to make his presence known.

Rylaa looked up at the mysterious assassin. "What have you found out so far?"

"The Jau run every aspect of the government with a ruthless efficiency. Other than that, nothing. They are extremely secretive about their operations and even I could not get close."

"Whatever this, whatever it is, that protects them from blasters."

"It appears to be a natural property," Rashid explained. "And it's not just blasters, they seemed to be able to absorb most energy blasts. A story on the streets says that one even soaked a concussion blast by one of the Trandoshan rifles."

"Yes, I'd heard that too. No way to prove it, however. Have you found a weakness?"

Now Rashid grinned, though it was hard to tell through the wrapped cloth around his face. "Apparently. The story goes that up on Drogen, during the invasion, one of the security guards figured out that the aliens were absorbing his blaster fire. He apparently liked to keep around an old chemical slugthrower that's damn near a hand cannon in itself and it was putting holes in the Jau big enough to stick an arm through. He was a giant of a man by the name of..."

"...Walker," Rylaa finished. "We've met. He seemed like the competent sort, not really a complement I like to give security officials but I'm glad he at least made it out alive." The crimelord leaned back in his chair. "Slugthrowers huh? Primitive weapons instead of the most advanced. I like the irony. Lorgal," he glanced at the mountain of a Barabel that leaned against the far wall of consoles, napping. The reptilian alien opened one eye to regard his employer. He had managed to sneak down to the planet aboard a freighter the pirates "liberated" and met back up with Rylaa. Dirge, or rather what was left of him, was delivered in a large plastic bag... along with a thick grilled steak the Rylaa wisely chose not to eat.

"What happened to those slugthrowers Ares was developing before we took over?"

Lorgal thinks for a moment, "There is a box or two of them in storage, I think," he replied in his sibilant accent.

"See about getting them, and then see about getting more made. For all intents and purposes Ares no longer produces weapons so we can't use those facilities." Rylaa sighed and ran and hand through his hair. "Rashid, I want you to study the various community leaders, see which can be trusted. The Jau are bad for my business and they are starting to piss me off. First they deny me my chance at grabbing Thanatos for good, then they shut down my most productive company, not the mention the vast disruption they have done with the New Dawn." He slammed a meaty hand down on the table, making the few trusted techs in the room jump. "I will not stand for it, these 'Liberators', as they seem to style themselves, are stepping on my toes in more ways than one and it's time they were removed."

He stood and regarded the deadly assassin and hulking bodyguard. "I need competent men and women to help run this resistance, that's what you're going to be looking for, Rashid. Loyalty to Tae'karada, and competence. Like that singer, what's-his-name? Merrick Braston, he seemed like the type. There's a few others, I'll get back to you about it." Rashid nodded but remained silent.

"Lorgal start skimming through the ranks and choose the best and brightest for an elite unit, to be trained by yourself and certain elements of the Dawn Seeker cult. A famous warrior and tactician once wrote, 'Kill one, frighten ten-thousand.' And that just might be what we have to do. Terror tactics. Bombings, raids, assassinations, propaganda. All by a random anonymous hand."

He smiled slyly and clasped his hands behind his back. "Tonight we begin our brew of chaos. Soon the streets will run red, or blue, with the blood of the Jau and perhaps they will realize their folly and leave."

"And if they don't?" Lorgal asked.

Rylaa tilted his side to one side. "Then we simply kill more. Make no mistake, this is a war. One that will be fought from the shadows with our soldiers blending in with the general population while theirs lie dead in the streets."

Lorgal grinned, showing a row of needle-sharp teeth. "Works for me."

Rylaa turned to look at a bank of monitors that showed the streets above. "The only problem I see... is that we may have to bring in the Jedi in order to win."

"Back At Pirate's Nest"
by Chun Li - pilot
and R2-X1 (Axon) - droid (NPC)

Location: Pirate's Nest, System M45879
Date: Lythe 25, 5 ABY

***

"Ten seconds to reversion," Li said to Axon. The droid beeped mournfully and Li looked at the datapad she had installed to her right.

"I know it's not comfortable, but it's not long anymore," she said. The droid chirped at her, a signal which Li had learned to interpret as 'okay'.

She had to admit that the droid had a point. Due to the fact that Li was so small and her chair was moved as much forward as possible there was some space behind her. That space was now occupied by the R2-unit, but it only fitted just. And since it wasn't a designated socket it couldn't really move. but it was the only way to get the droid on the ship. It also meant that on most stops they hadn't been able to get him off. Li had told him to stay powered down as much as possible, but she thought the little droid would be happy to get out of the ship.

She had done some other upgrades on her ship during the repairs. The lambda class shuttle had also held an IFF unit with four settings which she had managed to reprogram and install in her fighter. While she could only just reach it in flight, she could set it before going into a system and then leave on that setting. The concussion missiles from the TIE-bombers had turned out to be more advanced models then hers, so she had taken them all out and put in the advanced ones.

The computer beeped again and she pulled the hyperdrive lever back. The stars became points again and she saw the system she had visited some months before. Now she only had to find the pirate base and see if it was still usable. While Chimaerian troops had blown it up she knew from experience that you never could blow up a full base like that without some of it surviving. She only had to see how much of it there was.

Her reasons for coming here were two-fold. First of all she didn't want to barge in on Chimaeria as Rylaa and his pet barabel thought she was dead. They had to keep thinking that while she gathered intel on them. The second reason was that the aliens that were now the masters of the planet were rumoured to be not all that friendly. She had gotten a first hint of the invasion from tapping into holonet connections while still healing on the station, and during her trip back she had made several stops where she had gathered more intel. It seemed that they were indeed not all that friendly, although Li liked the fact that they put convicted criminals to work.

She moved towards the asteroid carefully, as you could never know who or what would be there. Her sensors didn't register anything, but the asteroid held enough metal in its perimeter to confuse sensors. Ten minutes after coming in system she landed in the partially destroyed landing bay of the base. Unfortunately the magcon field was blown up as well so there was no atmosphere in the bay. Li put on her own life support unit before opening the canopy of her fighter. Her personal magcon field switched on and she got out of the fighter. First of all she took out the vacuum suit she had bought and put it on over her fighter gear. While the magcon field of her normal pilot suit would keep the air in, it didn't keep the heat in, so to keep working she needed better protection.

With that done she powered up the magnetic crane she had put the fighter next to. Luckily it still worked and she could use it to hoist her droid out of the ship. Together with Axon she moved into the base. They quickly found a set of blast doors they could fix and use as airlock. It took then about two hours before their improvised airlock was ready. Now they only had to find power and air to put in the portion behind the airlock.

It was Axon who found a bunch an extra room that the searchers hadn't found. In it were emergency supplies, like life support units and small power generators. While it wouldn't be enough to power the base, Li could now walk around and have power in the small portions she needed. For now she would have to abandon the base again and move to Chimaeria. While the base could be made habitable, she couldn't do it with the supplies at hand so she had to move to somewhere else. With the Jau on the planet, Rylaa's attention would probably be on them instead of on a lone assault gunboat entering the system.

"C'mon Axon," she said, "let's go back to the fighter and then to Chimaeria." Axon chirped a low tone at her as they made their way towards the bay. There she lifted the droid back into the fighter, making a mental note to put something in her fighter for the droid. With the droid in place she got in as well and five minutes later they were on their way to Chimaeria.

"Unexpected Discovery"
By: Liam Zaneth
Tralesha Zibel
Orinth Neerou
Leshie Zaneth

Location: Orinth and Tralesha's Apartment, New Plouton
Date: Lythe 25, 5 ABY

***

Finding the apartment hadn't been too very difficult for Liam Zaneth. Thankfully, the address had been listed on the local holonet, and finding his way to it had been quicker than he'd originally thought. While he was certain that the Jau wouldn't be able to detect what he was on sight, he avoided them where he could. And, so he found himself outside of the door with his hand on the chime. Within, he heard the tone reverberate.

Just a moment later, the door opened. Tralesha Zibel's eyes went wide when she saw him. "Liam, come in," she said, stepping back and motioning him forward. "I know Orinth will be so happy to see you."

Liam followed her inside to the living room, where Orinth sat reading through a flimsi.

"Orinth, it looks like the visitor is here for you," Tralesha said with a grin.

The old man glanced up and his eyes shined with a sad joy. His willowy frame appeared more frail than Liam last remembered, and his weathered face more haggard, but the sight of Liam injected the man with vigour. He smiled and crossed the room towards his granddaughter's husband. "I've been trying to reach you," Orinth told him with a sense of relief. He embraced Liam.

"I was injured," Liam said as he returned the embrace. "It took me some time to recover, but I came as soon as I could, as soon as I knew this was where you were. I've just come from Yelara, Orinth. She's alive. She's to have an operation soon, and that should make her better, but she's alive."

Tears trickled from Orinth's eyes in moments, and any trace of lingering sadness vanished. He laughed with sheer elation. "It was difficult to keep hoping...but I had to, for Va'lesh."

"You've...he's..." Liam turned, and the elation that Orinth had just expressed bubbled up in him as well. "He's here. I can sense him. He's here!" He turned back to Orinth, the sheer joy visible on his face. "He's been safe all along."

Orinth seemed confused. "I...I thought you knew. The man who delivered him, he said you had sent him. I don't understand."

"Did he have pale skin and light coloured hair? He spoke with an odd accent?"

"Yes..." Orinth remained puzzled. "So you did send him."

"No, but I know him," Liam said. "He's a friend of Yelara's. It's a long story, but he helped her when things were really bad and I couldn't get to her."

"He was a nice fellow - a little quiet, shy," Orinth explained. "He brought Va'Lesh to me some time before Yelara was to have been killed. I wasn't to tell anyone he was here. I never did." The elderly man smiled kindly. "Would you like to see him? He's grown so much!"

"Very much," Liam said, his smile beaming. "I don't think the doctor will let us visit her today, but I know she'd love to see both you and Va'Lesh tomorrow when she can have visitors again."

Orinth frowned. "What doctors? What's happened to her?"

"I don't know how to describe it exactly," Liam answered. "I think it's some sort of nerve deterioration, but the doctor is very confident he can reverse whatever's happened."

"Where has she been all this time?" Orinth asked, taken aback.

"In a New Plouton medical clinic," Liam answered. "The man who brought Leshie here brought her there. She's been recovering under the care of a neurosurgeon there."

Orinth sighed incredulously, having trouble taking in all the discoveries. Nonetheless, he was happy. "I must thank that man. He's saved two of my treasures. You know him well?"

Liam scratched his head and frowned. "Not as well as I thought," he admitted. "He's a servant of the Jau, but he took a liking to Yelara. He's done everything he could to try to get me out of the way, but he's helped Yel and Leshie whenever he could."

"Sounds like a rather jealous fellow." Orinth smiled wanly, "Still...he deserves some gratitude." He winked encouragingly at Liam and gestured him to follow. "I'm sure you'll agree with me once you see your son."

Liam followed along behind Orinth as he was led into a room toward the back. The room was obviously a bedroom and dark. At the far end was a small bed that enclosed a small, sleeping form. The surge of recognition as he stepped into the room nearly stole Liam's breath away. "Leshie," he whispered.

The child had changed much in the time since they'd last encountered one another. His cheeks, once plump with baby fat, were beginning to shrink and take shape, leading his face to resemble Yelara's even more now. But when the young boy's sleepy eyes opened, and Orinth switched on the illumination, the brilliant blue of them struck Liam. Va'lesh was no doubt his son - the eyes spoke that plainly enough. It was also clear, nearly immediately, that the child had not forgotten him. Grinning with dimpled cheeks, Va'Lesh sat up and grasped the rails of his crib to stand. He giggled boisterously. "Dada!"

"Leshie," Liam said and rushed forward. He scooped the little one up into his arms and held him close. "You've gotten so big. I've missed you so much, Va'Lesh. Tomorrow, we're going to go see mama. Would you like that?"

With big, shining eyes watching him adoringly, Leshie shrieked with laughter and flapped his arms. Orinth chuckled from behind. "I think that's confirmation enough."

"I think so," Liam said as he gazed into Leshie's joy-filled eyes. He planted a kiss on his son's forehead. "I'll never be far away again, my little Jedi."

"Dada," he gushed, stroking his father's cheek and smiling.

"You can stay the night if you wish, Liam," Orinth offered. "I'm sure Va'Lesh would love it if you did."

"Thank you," Liam said. "I'd like that very much. I will need to step out to make a secure comm to a friend who happens to be a healer. I'd like for him to go in and see Yelara tomorrow too."

"I'll take Leshie while you do so, then I'll speak with Tralesha about setting up a place for you to sleep."

"Thank you," Liam said, his gratitude plain on his face without any need of words. "It's good to see you again, Orinth. Yelara will be very happy to see you tomorrow too."

"And I," he replied warmly, "will be truly happy when I see you three finally together once again." Patting Liam's shoulder companionably, Orinth stepped forward and relieved Liam of his bouncing child. "Go and make your call. We'll have time to speak after."

"I'll be back soon, Leshie," Liam said, and gave the little one a kiss.

Tralesha came in with some blankets. "I overheard," she said with a smile. "I'll set up a spot near Va'Lesh."

"Thank you again," Liam said. "I'll be back in just a few minutes." With that, he slipped out of the apartment to send an encrypted message to Kael.

"Narrow Miss"
by: Brenna Hennely
Marsar Tilimit
Mordous Krull
Random NPC Bounty Hunters

Location: New Plouton Yelldon District near Spaceport Hangars/Brenna's Apartment in New Plouton
Date: Lythe 25, 5 ABY

***

As the two looked back over there shoulders Brenna let out a sigh. The past meeting with A'kin had put the two on edge especially when he informed them that Mordous had been spying on there meeting and was heading to there apartment to cut them off. He hadn't arrived that night but the girls weren't going to take anything they would need from there apartment that night and headed to The Butterfly. For all the bad things people were saying about the Jau they didn't seem that bad, sure they had the world in a strangle hold but they didn't take there ships and impound them. Which was great because they didn't have to worry about any bounty hunter slipping in and attacking them in the Spaceport. Not only would they be going up against the Butterfly's cannons but the Jau for that matter.

"Mar you look tired you just need some well deserved sleep," she insisted, "and to lay off the drink, your having more than is health for Sith sake," she stated as she helped her up the ships loading ramp to the bed. The little Sevie pup moved aside as Brenna laid its owner on the bed next to it and patted the little creature on its head.

"Now sleep it off," she ordered. Marsar rolled over removing her jacket and dropping it and the shoulder holster to the floor. Brenna glared at her then shook her head. "Again with the blaster, you know what would have happened if we got caught with that." Marsar propped herself up and looked at her.

"Do you know how to fight a Storm Commando in hand to hand unless you do." Brenna looked at her and nodded.

"Touch�," she stated. "Just try not to shoot me, and don't take up the whole bed or Carbuncle will be pissed," she stated as she unfolded the second cot that they kept onboard and smiled. "I'm going to lock up the gear in the weapons locker, lock down then get some sleep," she said.

"Remember we are 100 percent safe on our ship," Brenna lied. Marsar clumsily pulled her boots off then pulled a blanket up over her.

"Fine fine, just shut up I need to sleep," Marsar urged. Carbuncle walked up to Marsar then walking in a circle curled up and dosed off next to the drunken copilot. Brenna looked at her and laughed again.

"She is going to be so hung over it's not even funny," Brenna said as she set her security system to alert status and proceeded to lock down her ship. She closed the blast shutters over the view port then sealed them and the hatch. She clicked in the cool air and let out a sigh of relief as she sat down on the cot next to Marsar's. She pulled her boots off then her jacket and straightened her hair out before she switched off the light. "I'd hate to be at that apartment right now."

***

Mordous finished sliding the skeleton key through its reader as he waited a few seconds. He had left his jacket as well as a change of clothing down in the alley incase he had to change his appearance, minus the boots, he was stuck with those. "Maybe these guys don't look at shoes," he joked as she pulled his gas mask on and entered the room. The place was simple apartment, with a bed room, a wash room and a small kitchen, that looked as though it was rarely used. "Alot of ordering I bet," he stated as he stepped into the bed room and checked the surroundings. There was nothing except for a bed that hadn't been used in weeks. "They knew I was coming." All at once something caught his attention causing him to slowly draw his Slug thrower and primed it. Someone else was inside the room and judging by the voice it wasn't the girls.

"Looks like this place hasn't been touched in weeks," the first person said, "if the bounty wasn't 10000 Credits I wouldn't have bothered trying to get to this world." Mordous slowly screwed the silencer to the tip of his slugthrower and waited until the pair stepped farther inside, he didn't want there deaths to cause him problems, that could be bad for both him and his bounty. The second voice sounded very rough, he didn't even have to look around the corner to known it was a Twi'lek. From what he could understand it was complaining about the bounty too. As soon as they got far enough into the room Mordous made his move. Acting quickly as to take quick control of the situation Mordous spun around the corner weapon raised.

"Hold it right there," he ordered. Both thugs turned towards him attempting to raise there blasters but Mordous shook his head. "Try me by the time you level that weapon in my direction I'll have a set of metal slugs in the center of your skulls," he jested. The Twi'lek muttered something to the human and the human lowered his weapon.

"You must be Mordous Krull, we were expecting to find you on the streets, this is going to make our day a whole lot better." Mordous looked at the two then shook his head.

"What nonsense are you boys spitting," he stated. "There's not bounty on me." The thug laughed then looked at him.

"That's right there isn't, just a hit contract, for you and your bounty....as well as your daughter, for the bonus if we wanted a extra 5000 Credits," the man snorted then laughed. Mordous clicked the hammer back on the slugthrower and pointed it at him.

"I'm going to give you five seconds to tell me who put the hit out on my family," he ordered. "1....2....3...." All at once out of the corner of his eye he spotted a slight shadow passing in front of the window. Without even hesitating he dove to the floor zeroing in on the shadow and firing three slugs. He heard the spit of the pistol followed by the splintering of glass as the slugs penetrated the glass and bit into flesh. He heard a scream followed by sporadic blaster shots as the dying thug attempted to hit Mordous as he took cover. Both thugs opened up on his location decimating a chair and a sofa as he waited for them to leave him a gap.

"This 10000 credits are going to be great, not to mention the 5000 for some snot nosed brat." Those were the last words that thug ever uttered as Mordous popped up with his Ripper in one hand and the Slugthrower in the other, both weapons blazing. The Twi'lek took five shots from the ripper while the human took two shots from the slugthrower. there was a brief silence then Mordous ran out the front door, reholstering his weapons at the same time. He pulled the gas mask off then tossed it into a near by recycler as he exited the building narrowly missing a group of Jau that rushed into the building to check what the commotion was.

"That was too close," he uttered as he headed in the direction of the nearest cantina to get a well deserved drink.

"Next Time Fly Commercial, Part 1"
By: Klaista (Klay) Volaris - Intelligence Agent

Date: Lythe 25, 5 ABY
Location: Tae Remok, Space/Planet Side

***

Klay raised the visor on her helmet as the lines of hyperspace faded away into nothing and changed the background back into normal space. She smiled always loving the transition. "Ok, remember Klay keep off the radio and try to slip in undetected they won't notice you unless you talk first." As the planet and it's station came into view the alarms in cockpit sounded. "What the....." Klay looked frantically as a pair of fighters swooped passed her cockpit. There make and design was none that she had ever seen before. The fighter looked like it was a living creature that was covered in scales and looked as if it was a sentient being. She could make out some kind of laser cannons on the ship and what looked like a missile dispenser

"Unknown craft please transmit your Transponder code now," one ordered.

Confused she clicked on her com and spoke slowly. "My apologies my transponder has shorted out, I'm just passing through this sector," she lied. "Just give me a minute to recalibrate and I will be out of your hair," she insisted as she attempted to set up in a course that would allow her to jump out of the system so she could try to enter again. The unknown fighters on the other hand didn't seem to want to give her that chance.

"I here by order you in the name of the Jau to stand down and be escorted to Drogen shipyards where you and your vessel will be taking into custody, please respond."

Klay was about to type in her course then stopped. If these guys were going to escort her to the station she could easily out run them. She smiled and was about to reply when her fighter rocked from the a sudden impact and warning lights started to ignite the entire cockpit.

"Aww for frick's sake!!!" she yelled checking the damage. She didn't know what they hit but she could easily guess, her hyperdrive was hit. "What's your problem I'm willing to cooperate," she insisted.

"Our sensors are picking up weapons on your ship, you plan to attack, therefore your life will end, like the others who try to take back what is ours."

She didn't even hesitate. Acting quickly she rammed the ship's throttle forward and pulled to the left hard enough to evade the second attack from the pair of fighters.

"Don't make me shoot you down," she said pulling her visor down. She set her ship into a holding position and waited for there reaction. All at once her alarms started going mad as her radar picked up a second pair of enemies joining them. "What the heck." All fighters formed up in a delta formation and slowly approached her. "Forget this I'm making a break for it," she stated as she made a snap turn and shot towards the planet full afterburners.

"Stop. You will not escape, you will surrender to...."

She clicked off their frequency on her com system then switched it to a New Republic one as she attempted to escape but received nothing but static.

"I'm probably being jammed." All at once she felt the fighter shake and glanced back to see that all four of the fighters were on her tail. "I have to shake these guys if I'm going to make it." She spotted what looked like debris from other ships and smiled "ok boys lets see how you enjoying flying up close and personal with fast moving debris," she yelled into her comm as she shot towards the debris field.

It took her a second to realize that this hadn't been a good idea either since her piloting wasn't the greatest but it was enough to keep her alive. She could still hear them over the radio, following her through the field and she was running out of space to hide, she needed a diversion. After a few seconds she spotted it a large mass of debris. "Ok let's see how you like this," she uttered as she switched on the missile rack and targeted the debris. "Missile away!" She fired the missile into the debris then rammed the throttle all the way to forward trying to outrun the missile's concussion. All at once the com picked up the reaction for the fighters.

"She fired something from her fighter. All craft break!"

She felt her fighter shake and heard the missile detonate, tossing them around.

"Score one for the good guys," she stated. Her ship's computer buzzed, showing the entry vector she needed to take. She adjusted her fighter then looked behind her. "Ok opening wings to slow descent into the Starviper, if she went in too fast there's no telling what could happen. "Second I see the planet I have to keep to the deck and find a place to stash the fighter," she told herself. "It's my only way off this crazy rock and I do not want to..." All at once warning alarms went mad in the cockpit and she glanced back in time to spot the shadow of one of the fighters.

"This is Vigilante 1, your death is assured," the pilot told her. All at once she received word of a missile lock. The fighter peeled off and Klay closed the ships wings in order to accelerate into the atmosphere. She checked the distance between her and the missile and watched as it continued to gain on her. All at once the missile exploded sending shrapnel flying into the ships rear thrusters. Once again the ship lit up with warning lights on her engine, thrusters and several other systems. She grabbed the braking engines and pushed forward hard trying to open them.

"Come on. Come on!" She gripped the wing release and pushed as hard as she could on it till it gave and pulled back hard on the stick trying to level herself out. She could feel the g-forces ripping at her body and she knew she was on the verge of blacking out. She started feeling light headed and her vision was beginning to blur...not good signs. She hit reverse thrusters hoping it would slow her down enough to keep her conscience but that was impossible. The last thing she remembered before blacking out was the water rushing up to meet her ship.

"Next Time Fly Commercial, Part 2"
By: Klaista (Klay) Volaris - Intelligence Agent
Mordous Krull - Bounty Hunter

Date: Lythe 25, 5 ABY
Location: Lake in the Forests Around New Plouton

***

The first thing that Klay felt as she came around was the pain in her head. twice and looked forward at the deep blue of her surroundings.

"What where am....oh no." She pulled her visor up and looked around, It was clear, the ship was currently at the bottom of the lake she had crashed into. "Oh no oh no." She felt something cold by her feet and looked down to see the cockpit filling full of water. "Oh man." She shook her head and looked back at where her gear was, she spotted her duffel floating around behind her. "Thank god for water resistance," she said grabbing the bag and fumbled around for the artificial gill she used for some missions, it wasn't there. The water was now at her stomach and she was running out of time. She looked up and couldn't see anything, pure blackness above her. "I gotta chance it." She braced herself for what was to come and pressed one the hatch release switch, hoping it would work.

There was a hiss as the pressure equalized on the outside and watched as the rest of the cockpit started to fill with water. She pushed on the cockpit as hard as she could but couldn't force it open. The water was up to her chest now and rising faster and faster. "DAMN." She fumbled around in her bag and removed the standard issue blaster from it and pointing it up at the cockpit glass. She zipped her bag up, took in one last breath...then fired three times shattering the glass. Water poured into the cockpit like a icy water fall into the cockpit. She let out a gasp then used her feet to push against the floor of fighter and pushed up breaking through the remaining shards of cockpit ceramic trying to break free. After a split second she pushed through the gap and shoved her bag out allowing it float towards the surface as she swam as hard as she could towards the surface of the lake.

***

She reached the surface faster than she figured but her strength was fading. She knew if she didn't get to dry land soon she would suffer from hypothermia and probably go into shock. further more she was in the middle of a almost black lake in a bright orange flight suit, she stood out like a Wookiee in a crowd of gands. "God so cold," she uttered as she looked around her surroundings. She spotted the trees closest to her and towing her bag along started to paddle towards them. She could hear fighters screaming over head, probably looking for her crash site. "Good luck on finding the owl," she coughed.

After a few minutes she pulled herself onto somewhat dry land and crawled into the trees. She propped herself up against one of the trees and let out a long breath. She could feel her body going limp from exhaustion and fought to stay conscious but couldn't. She just prayed that if she woke up, it wouldn't be in a prison camp. Slowly her eyes closed and she drifted off to unconsciousness.

***

"Hey...can you hear me?" Mordous asked the woman who was currently laying motionless in one of the beds on his ship. Selkis had alerted him to the ship that was forced the crash-land in the water he decided to see what he could find. However he hadn't expected to run into a New Republic pilot, and a pretty one at that. "Hey wake up," he insisted. Slowly the woman's eyes opened and she slowly tried to sit up but Mordous gently pushed her back down. "Save your strength, looks like you had quite a night, Miss." The woman looked at him then looked at what she was wearing.

"What...what happened," she stated, "where am I, where are my clothes!" She started to sit up again but Mordous stopped her again and kept her from sitting up all the way.

"Calm down, you what those answered in that order?" he asked. "Well here you go, I found you near the lake soaking wet and dropping into hypothermia, your on board my ship which is hidden out here about 60 miles away from New Plouton, the flight suit you were wearing plus everything in your bag was soaking wet so I have it hanging out to dry, your lucky I had a spare gi around." He watched as she looked over her clothes again and let out a sigh.

"Well I guess I should thank you....Whoever you are."

Mordous nodded at her then rubbed his eyes. "You're Mordous Krull aren't you, former member of the 8492nd Storm Commando Legion."

He looked over and her then looked down at the tattoo on his wrist.

"How did you known what unite I was part of?" he asked. The woman smiled at him then proceeded to try to sit up again, this time her let her. She moved the pillow behind her back and leaned against the ships wall then smiled.

"I infiltrated one of the worlds that was used for Storm Commando training, all the commandos had that logo tattooed on there wrists, made them easy targets or so we though," she explained. He looked at her and gave a little laugh.

"So you were a Intelligence agent for the Alliance," she nodded.

"Still am, how else do you think I got into this mess," she offered her hand. "Kalista Volaris," she explained. "And as of right now I think my mission was completed." Mordous gave her an uneasy smile then looked at her.

"Let me guess you were sent to check one or more of the Republic's assets in this system, to see why they stopped communicating, my only question is why no just pop in run." She let out a sigh then looked up at the ceiling of the ship.

"I took a hit near the hyperdrive I think, there was no way to jump out fast so I had to try and outrun them," she stated. "And you see where that left me, so right now I'm stuck here still going through my mission," she stated. "And now that you know that, there is probably a big bounty for republic spies." She looked at him. "What do you plan on doing with me now."

He looked at her and patted her on the shoulder then clamped a pair of binders on her left arm and hooked them to a bolted down object.

"For now I'm going to lock you up in here, just so you can get some sleep because dear you need it....and so do I," he stated. "And just incase I'm locking you in here so you don't wander around through my ship is that ok." She looked at him then shook her head.

"No problem at all...but there is something I need from my bag if I'm going to get any sleep." Mordous removed the small silver chain that held the gold ring and clipped it around her neck.

"Found it in the grass, figured it was yours." He stood up and pressed the button closest to him dimming the lights. "Your stuff should be dry by tomorrow morning, we can talk more then." He watched as she tugged on the binder and looked at him.

"Is this really necessary?" she asked. He smiled tossing the key to her and exited the room closing and locking it behind him. This was turning out to be a interesting trip after all.

"Arriving at Drogen"
by Chun Li - Escort Pilot

Location: Drogen shipyards
Date: Lythe 25, 5 ABY

***

Li reversed to realspace close to Drogen shipyards. The first thing she noticed was the large amount of ships present, including a couple that looked like the upper limit the shipyards could handle. She thought it would be best to wait for permission before moving closer. It took only one minute for two fighter type craft to converge on her position. A cruiser was closing a bit as well.

"Unknown craft, identify," she heard over the comm.

"This is Fa'Rong," Li said, "Chun Li piloting. I'm inbound for Drogen."

"Power down your weapons and follow," the voice said.

Li had seen their profile on her sensors and she had also seen their approach speed and she knew that she couldn't outrun them so she powered down her weapons. Her largest punch were her missiles anyway and while she shut down her targeting sensors she could still shoot them out without them. While they would be less accurate, hitting the cruiser wouldn't be all that difficult. Of course, she would be blasted out of space before she could escape, so she wouldn't do that just yet.

While she didn't run any active scans, her passive sensors were all recording, with a copy going to Axon. Five minutes later she was instructed to land in one of Drogen's many bays. Following the instructions to the letter she landed her fighter on the appropriate spot. A group of five aliens were waiting and Li decided not to try anything funny. They towered over her, specially since Li was petite herself.

"Identification," the one with the most cranial ridges said. Li assumed that he was the leader. She handed him her ID and then she helped Axon out of the fighter.

"Is that your droid," the question immediately came.

"Yes, sir," Li answered. Whatever she thought about the procedure, at intelligence she had learned to keep her true feelings for herself. And besides, there were worlds were it was even worse then this. Cooperate and they probably won't get annoyed and do things to you don't like, she had been told.

"You have documentation for it," he asked.

"I have bought it from a friend, sir," Li answered, "and I haven't been here for a while, so I wasn't aware that I needed extra documentation. But I'll fill out the forms if necessary."

He was clearly not used to this level of cooperation, but he said something in his own language to another soldier and that one moved off.

In the mean time two others had approached with a scanner. "We're going to scan your vehicle," he said.

Li didn't answer, as this clearly was no question. While they were doing that, Li got the necessary documentation for Axon which she filled out, putting one of her own aliases as the person she bought him from. If they would inquire, they wouldn't be able to get her on the holonet, but only be text messages. By the time they got that far Li would have put together a data trail for the droid.

"You have missile weapons onboard of your ship," the inspector suddenly said.

"That is correct, sir," Li said, "I provide escort services to freighters. But if you want I'll fly through this system with my targeting sensors down. That way I can't hit anything except the biggest ships, and I can't harm those with my ship alone without you killing me quickly."

Again it seemed that he wasn't used to cooperation. "This is acceptable," he said, handing her a datapad and her ID, "you are cleared. On the datapad is a list of regulations. Not following them will have severe complications."

"Thank you, sir," Li said, pocketing the datapad.

She first went to the technical staff to arrange for some maintenance and refueling. Then, followed by Axon, she went to her apartment. She hadn't been there for a long time and it showed, but after some cleaning it looked much better. After setting Axon up for recharging she did a search for a neurologist for her arm. There seemed to be only one good location and that was the New Plouton Institute for Neuroscience. She had already decided not to take her own ship to the planet but the shuttle service. After making the necessary arrangements with the shuttles and the ENPIN she started reading the datapad with the regulations.

"A New Player in the Game"
by Minn Starcrash

Location: Tae'Karada Orbit, Tae'Remok System
Date: Lythe 25, 5ABY

***

The sleek, J-Type 327 Nubian with its glossed midnight paint scheme hung in the middle of space as the trio of Jau scout ships surrounded it. From one of the Jau ships, an umbilical stretched to the hatch of the Nubian.

Other ships stretched out behind the Nubian, and before it lay the planet Tae'Karada. Surrounding the planet, Jau ships swarmed. Just coming over the horizon line of the planet, the Drogen Shipyards were visible. The cable connecting the station to the planet below flashed as the sun hit its surface. In reality, the cable was several hundred meters wide and made of ferrocarbon links. The lift within ferried people between the planet and the station.

Within the Nubian, six Jau searched for contraband while one questioned the lone occupant of the ship.

"State your name," Raek'kin Val'chik said.

"Minn Starcrash," the woman answered. She was attractive and young, qualities of which the Jau did not care. She was dressed in black leather. Dark hair was pulled back into a tail behind her head, leaving her hazel eyes unblocked. A single, thin braid was tucked behind her left ear and brushed against her collar.

"State your purpose on Tae'Karada."

Minn eyed him up and down. "Business."

"Elaborate."

"My employer is looking to expand his business interests to this planet," she stated. "I'm here to scout the region and report back to him."

The Jau conferred with one of his team briefly and turned back to her. "You will be granted access to the planet. A device will be attached to your ship. You are not to remove this device. You will provide a biological sample for our records."

As he indicated her hand, she raised it for him to inspect. There was a sharp stab of pain, and then he withdrew his hand and placed the device that had been concealed there to his scanner. A light winked on, indicating the sample had been successfully catalogued.

The Jau barked an order, and the rest of his team proceeded to the airlock.

"Stay out of trouble, and you will not be bothered. Even outworlders are sent to the mines if they do not adhere to the laws of the Jau."

"I'll keep that in mind," Minn said.

When he turned a way, she surreptitiously swept her hand over the scanner. She smiled as she watched him exit her ship and disappear across the umbilical. By the time he realized what she'd done to his device, she would be long gone and he would be unable to find her again.

With the umbilical retracted, Minn returned to the cockpit, reactivated her sublights, and piloted the ship toward the spaceport on the planet below.

***

Minn Starcrash strode down the ramp from her ship. She took in the other landing berths around her. The ships present were a wide assortment of craft, and all had landing blocks in place. The pilots would be unable to take off until the starport removed them.

A pair of port workers approached carrying a set of landing blocks they obviously intended to use on her ship. Frowning, Minn approached them.

"You don't want to use those on my ship," Minn said.

Both men paused as their eyes unfocused slightly, then they stated: "These aren't for your ship."

"See that my ship does not get blocked."

The younger of the pair nodded. "Your ship will not be blocked."

"Go about your business," Minn said.

Without a backward glance, she left the spaceport behind.

***

"Report, my apprentice."

Minn Starcrash bowed before the holographic image of her master. "A group of beings known as the Jau have indeed taken control of the planet, my Master. They control all of the military and occupy the palace as well. Their control does appear to be complete. They have established a mine of some sort in the desert, and those who cause trouble are sent there. I have not yet determined the resources they are gathering through the mine."

"Very good," Master D'Amara said. "Continue."

"There was a group of Jedi Knights on the planet, but they appear to have disappeared. I believe they are hiding, but cannot yet confirm that suspicion. I have seen the beginnings of a resistance movement, but they are not yet strong enough to face the Jau."

"Continue to observe, Minn," D'Amara said. "And see if you can determine what their desert operation is. Good work, my apprentice. You have done well."

"Thank you, Master," Minn said, then bowed reverently. Before she could rise again, the holoprojector had gone dark.

With a self-satisfied smile, she closed up the device and began making plans to learn more about the Jau's plans for Tae'Karada.

"Family Reunion, Part 1"
by Vincenzo Lapenta - Neurosurgeon
Liam Zaneth - Jedi Master (in hiding)
Vaela Jor (Yelara Neerou) - Patient

Location: New Plouton Institute of Neuroscience
Date: Lythe 25, 5ABY

***

Had Liam Zaneth not been fully committed to his missing wife, he would have kissed Shaza Nightshade for the news she bore. The meeting had been sheer luck, but she'd managed to find him and directed him to the clinic he'd just entered. Upon finding that Yelara was here, new doubts had risen regarding his son's whereabouts. He'd hoped that Va'Lesh was with Yelara, but that certainly seemed less likely here.

He strode through the foyer and toward the registration desk. The young woman working the station looked up and smiled as he reached the desk.

"Good morning, sir," she said. "Welcome to the New Plouton Institute of Neuroscience. How may I help you today?"

"I'm here to see a patient," Liam said. "Her name is Vaela Jor. My name is... Kace Mordin."

***

Vincenzo was reading an article when the comm went off.

"Dr. Lapenta," the person at reception said, "I have here a mister Mordin for you. It's about Vaela Jor."

"Send him up," Vincenzo said. He didn't recognise the name, but he assumed that the Jau wouldn't announce themselves like this. Then maybe Shaza Nightshade had found the person she was looking for.

"Enter," Vincenzo said when there was a knock on the door.

When the door opened, a tall man with short brown hair and piercing blue eyes entered the room. He wore a pair of black pants that tucked into black boots. His shirt was white and he wore a long coat over it. He nodded a greeting to the room's single occupant.

"Good morning," Vincenzo said, "I'm Dr. Lapenta. Why don't you have a seat while we sort things out."

"Thank you. I'm Kace Mordin. I believe you may be aware of my other name, but that name is very dangerous right now." He took a seat at the table, positioning himself across from the doctor. "You have news of...of Vaela?"

"What is your relationship to Vaela," Vincenzo asked. He had to be very careful here, as he didn't know if this was indeed the correct man. He hoped that the other man would understand this.

"She's my wife," Mordin said. "We have a son. I had to go off-planet for a time, and when I returned I couldn't find her. A mutual acquaintance suggested that I might speak with you to find her again."

"Can you describe your wife, Mr. Mordin," Vincenzo asked next, "I'm sorry that I ask all these questions, but if you are who you claim to be you understand my reason to be careful." And if you're not, I'm dead anyway, he didn't add.

The description given was accurate including the tattoos that he was intimately familiar with. "She may or may not have an earring of a kestrel." Holding up the one that would be its match. "Like this."

"Very well, Mr. Mordin," Vincenzo said, getting up, "please follow me." He lead the way through the hospital. At the nurse station of the corridor Yelara was in he stopped.

"Just one moment, please," he said, while going in a back room. There he quickly took a holdout blaster from a secure locker, which he put in the pocket of his lab coat, where it was next to invisible. He also took a small hand held scanner.

"I have to do some scans anyway," he said as he came back to Kace, showing him the scanner. "I can just as well do them right now. Please follow me."

One minute later they were outside Yelara's room. Vincenzo took his pass and flicked it through the scanner at the door. All the rooms on this corridor were like this. Here they mostly put people with brain damage that made them dangerous, and Vincenzo had opted to put Yelara here as well. That way he could keep people out of her room.

"After you, sir," Vincenzo said as the door opened. He didn't know if Yelara was awake, but he would find out soon enough.

Kace Mordin stepped through the doorway and into the room, and upon seeing the woman on the bed became Liam Zaneth once again. His voice caught in his throat when he tried to speak, and the emotions that surged through him were nearly overwhelming. When he finally found his voice, he managed: "I'm sorry I'm late."

Pale from little sun exposure, and countenance haggard from nights of even less sleep, Yelara was perplexed, showing no sign of recognition when she looked aside. She squinted, to clear the hallucination from her hazy vision, but it grew more vivid as her eyes refocused. Even then, Yelara rejected what was before her. He hadn't changed - everything about him was as she remembered, as she'd dreamed. It couldn't be real...but Yelara had nothing else to cling to but the phantom occupying her sight now.

"Liam," she whispered, expecting no answer. "I wish...I wish you could be here. Just for one moment...only a moment." She smiled wanly and swallowed back tears. "So tired...so lost. Please be here soon."

The fact that Yelara recognised him, even though she thought it was just a hallucination on her part was at least one thing that spoke in his favour, Vincenzo thought as he entered behind Liam. He took his hand out of his labcoat pocket where the blaster was. For now he stayed in the background, ready should either of them have questions.

Ignoring the doctor, Liam moved forward. "I'm here now," he said as he came to her side. He reached out and took her hand into his, gently but with all the love he felt for her. "I'm right here, Yelara. I'm finally here."

Yelara would have flinched if her body was able to react to her surprise. Although having not fully reclaimed her tactile senses, the touch registered faintly, but it was Liam's presence in the Force that truly struck a chord. Their bond was still strong, despite the long separation, and even if she believed him an illusion, their spiritual link could not be mistaken. She sobbed. "Liam...please tell me I'm not imagining this. Please tell me I'm finally not alone."

He went to a knee beside the bed and smiled where she could see him without straining to shift her gaze. "You're not alone," he said. "I'm here, and I'm not going away. I promise."

"Liam...Va'Lesh. He took our baby...." Yelara's expression was seized by guilt and shame. "I'm sorry. I couldn't protect him...and he's gone."

"Who took him, Yelara," Liam asked softly. His outward expression was a picture of calm, but inside his anxieties were caught in a whirlwind. "I can find him. I'll get our little boy back, Yel, I promise."

She smiled sorrowfully. "Meer'esh...but I don't know where he sent him...or if he's still a--" Yelara was unable to finish her thought, refusing to believe the worst.

"He's still alive," Liam said quickly. "I can feel it. I'll bring him to you if it's alright with the doctor." He glanced back at Dr. Lapenta. "I do know of a few others who I'm sure would like to visit her if it's alright. Her grandfather would certainly like to know that she's here, and so would Kael. If that's alright?"

"I would like to keep the number of people limited," Vincenzo said, "I've put Yelara in this section of the hospital to limit the number of people that can see her for security reasons, and I'd rather not jeopardise this." It was clear to him that these two people had a bond, and keeping them apart would not be possible, but he'd rather not have too many others running around.

"I'll first have to do a scan," he said, taking the scanner. He ran it over her arms, which was where they currently were working on. After the scan he started pushing on various parts of her arm, asking her if she felt something. That would also tell him something.

"I'm...I'm feeling a little more than yesterday," she told Vincenzo. "I still can't move, though. Will it be much longer?"

"If the doctor allows it," Liam said, trying not to let his annoyance show at having been interrupted during his reunion with Yelara, "I can see if Kael can visit. I think he'll be happy to know you're safe and alive, and would wish to check on your condition. I'm also quite certain that the doctor wouldn't turn away your grandfather or your son from seeing you."

"It won't be much longer," Vincenzo said, "one more operation and during that we also put the implant in that I told you about. The one for the growth factors. And then a couple more treatments with stem cells. As for visits, son and grand-father is okay, as long as I know. As you've seen the door has a code. And this Kael, is he also family?"

"Kael is a Jedi Healer," Liam answered. "He performed a Force treatment on Yelara before the situation in the Palace turned the Jedi into traitors in the public's eye."

"Well, okay, he can come as well," Vincenzo said, "but that's it. And try to make an appointment up front. I try to keep a low profile here and having people barge in all the time will draw attention, which we don't need."

"Liam can protect us," Yelara assured the doctor with an amorous smile for her husband. "Is it alright if I speak with him alone? I promise not to let him tire me out too much."

"Okay, but not more than ten minutes," Vincenzo said, before walking out of the room. He would go and update her patient file with the new data before coming back.

Once they were alone again, Liam took Yelara's hand into his. "I'm so sorry it took me as long as it did to get to you," he said softly. "I was injured escaping from the palace, and my recovery took longer than expected."

"What? You were captured? What were you doing there!"

"Kael and I were there to try to find you," he said, then indicated her bed and her state. "They wouldn't let us in, and we feared for the worst."

She nodded slowly. "I think...Meer'esh got me out of there, somehow. I'm just not sure why."

"My guess is he knew what was coming, and wanted to get you away before you were caught in the middle of it."

Yelara sighed, wondering if her assessment of Meer'esh as a treacherous fiend had been correct. "He...he saved me. They would have killed me eventually. I only wish I had trusted him a little more...then we might not have been apart for so long." She smiled adoringly at Liam, the sting of tears causing her to blink rapidly. "I was so alone, Liam. I was so ready to just...give up."

"I'm glad you didn't," Liam said, his smile for her tender and loving. "All of that is behind us now, though, and we have our future ahead of us. I don't care what the doctor says, I don't plan on staying apart from you. Not anymore. Once I find Va'Lesh, we'll be a family again."

"If I start walking," she reminded him with an attempt at injecting humour into her voice. She failed. "It's been months, Liam...operation after operation, unbearable pain... I can't take much more."

"I know," Liam said. "Perhaps Kael can help the doctors here to find a permanent cure. I'll bring him later today if you'd like, or maybe tomorrow. Whenever I can get away."

Yelara was silent, her eyes gazing at Liam but looking inwardly. "Liam," she whispered quietly, "will things ever be the same? Or have they changed so much, we'll never find happiness again?"

"I don't know if they'll be the same," Liam answered softly. "But, I do think we'll find happiness again. Just being with you here, I'm feeling happier than I have in months."

"And I," she responded, "have probably looked better than I do now." She laughed weakly. "My hair's so long again. I...I'll need to get it trimmed when I leave here."

"Maybe we can see about getting it trimmed before you leave," Liam said with a warm smile. "Help you feel like yourself again. Though, I have a feeling Dr. Lapenta would object."

"I'm his pet project," she joked mildly. "But...I owe him much, Liam. He's helping to save my life."

"I know," Liam said as he stroked the back of her hand with his thumb. "And with the situation as it is now, being careful is a really good idea."

"What about you? Are you being careful?"

"I am," Liam said. "My robes are stored back at the safe house, my lightsaber is well hidden, and I'm avoiding all contact with those who could cause me harm."

"But what is to be done?" she whispered. "These aliens... Meer'esh was so afraid of them. How can they be defeated?"

"I don't know yet," Liam said. "But, in time we'll learn their weaknesses, and then they can be defeated. People used to think that Palpatine couldn't be defeated either."

Yelara sighed, unable to find optimism in the current situation. "We should've just left the planet, the three of us, with complete disregard for our obligations. I was a tool, Liam...and they used me. They used me to conquer this planet," she spat bitterly. "How could I have been so blind?"

"We were all blind, Yel," he said. "Even me. When we can, we will leave. Go somewhere we can be a family and not have to worry about all this."

"It's a nice dream..." She chuckled softly. "But I won't plan anything until I have my baby back in my arms."

"Well, the doctor will be in any minute to throw me out," Liam said. "How about I go see about making the dream a reality and find our little boy."

"Don't get into any trouble," she pleaded gently. "I won't lose you again so soon."

"I promise I'll be careful," Liam answered with equal gentleness. "I'll return as soon as the doctor will allow me. Yel, Kallia has been worried about you too, and...well, I don't know if the doctor would even let her in. Would you want to see her again?"

"That's a difficult question," she admitted. "I...I know what we shared, and I know the love we had was so strong.... I'm just not certain if I can cope with it right now. But I should see her. It isn't fair to Kallia to ignore her like this."

"I'm pretty sure she'll understand that you can't be involved with her like you were before, but if you want her as a friend, I'm sure she'll be happy for that. And, Leshie and Yara will get to be friends again."

Mention of her son reawakened a pang of grief in Yelara, but she refused to give into despair and weep. Her son would return. He must. "Tell her she can come. But please come back soon, Liam."

"I will," Liam said. "Let's see when the doctor will let me back."

"Kiss me first," she said hastily, her eyes beseeching him. "Don't leave ever without touching me one last time."

He leaned in and kissed her tenderly. "I promise, I'll be back very soon." He kissed her again, not wanting to leave. "We'll have to see what the doctor can do about allowing me more time here with you."

"Drop some credits under his nose and I'm sure he'll budge," she quipped.

Liam laughed, and took the opportunity to give her another kiss. "I'm not sure how he'd take that, but I'll try."

She grinned. "I'll see you soon." Had she the mobility, Yelara would have reached out to smooth her hand over his cheek, but she was forced to content herself with merely watching him lovingly, and knowing he would return to her this time.

Liam's steps were hesitant as he went to the door and knocked. He poked his head out and called for the doctor.

Vincenzo was on his way back when he saw Liam's head coming out of the door. He hastened his pace, wondering if something was wrong with Yelara. While she didn't know it and he didn't feel like bringing it up, during the operations it had been awfully close at times. "Anything wrong," he asked.

"No, nothing wrong," Liam said. "I need to go and check some things, find our son and talk to Kael. It was also at the end of the ten minutes you gave us. Before I do go, what's next for Yelara's treatment, and when can I expect to be able to spend more time with her?"

"Well, the next part is one more operation, and then some stem cell therapy," Vincenzo said. "We discovered that your neural cells don't produce certain growth factors they need. That's why I'm going to put in an implant which we fill with those factors. It will release these in your body. About once per year you will have to go to a hospital to have it refilled."

"Doctor, before you move ahead with these treatments, I suggest you speak with Kael. As I said before, he is a healer and may be able to provide insight and help in areas you are unable to see. His first treatment of Yelara allowed her to walk again for a time."

"If you can get Kael up here in tomorrow," Vincenzo said, "as the last operation is planned the day after and I have to keep to the schedule for optimal results and to keep the side effects to a minimum. I can assure you that your wife will recover completely as long as the implant is refilled every year."

"I'll make sure Kael is here tomorrow then," Liam said. "Due to this schedule, she may be receiving a larger number of visitors tomorrow."

"Try to keep it minimal," Vincenzo said, "the surgery is not major, so she will be recovered quickly. Better have some people come to see her after the surgery."

"Kael and Orinth will be here tomorrow then," Liam stated. "And our son as soon as I can locate him." Visions of storming the palace to find Meer'esh flashed through his mind. He would find his son, somehow. And if it meant tracking down that strange, demented alien, Liam wouldn't hesitate.

"No more then two," Vincenzo said, "the rest will have to wait until after the operation. And I think she's getting tired, so visiting hours are over."

"Do you plan on barring her from seeing her grandfather -- her only living relative -- her son, or the Jedi who healed her before the public turned against us, Doctor," Liam asked. "I strongly suggest you allow all three, if I can find my son in time, to visit her when they arrive. To keep her from seeing her family or the man who allowed her to walk again, at a time such as this...I hope you're not that unfeeling."

"Liam," Yelara called out gently, "it's alright. There's time for everyone to visit. We'll manage."

"I know, my love," Liam said, "but I want to make sure that if the doctor lets Orinth and Kael in to see you, he's not going to bar Leshie from seeing his mother. Or bar me from returning to you so that the others can see you."

"They can all see her," Vincenzo said, "just not all tomorrow. As Yelara is still weak, I want to limit the number of visitors until after the last operation. Then the recovery can fully start and she will be allowed more visitors at the same time. I'm only doing this for the good of the patient."

"Of course," Liam said, deciding not to argue with the doctor any longer. "I will return tomorrow as soon as I am able." He turned to Yelara. "I'll be back as soon as I can, my Kestrel. I won't be long."

She sighed and smiled fondly at him. "I'll rest up for you...and Leshie."

"I'll be back tomorrow," he said fondly, then turned and exited the room. Before slipping out through the door, he paused to wave back to her, then did depart.

Yelara was left alone with Vincenzo, at whom she smiled wanly. "Don't be too hard on him...he's just glad to see me. Please try to be more understanding when my friends come to visit tomorrow."

"I understand that," Vincenzo said, "but for me only one person matters, and that's you. Your health is more important here than anything else, including the pride of any visitors. I've not spent all this time to get you back to health to have it destroyed by overeager visitors."

Yelara smiled tiredly. "I understand. I promise to rest now, Doctor. Goodnight."

"Good idea," Vincenzo said, "I'll see you tomorrow. Good night." He walked out, going back to his office for more paperwork.