"Intruding On Happiness"
By: Dani
Nieme Yaresh-Selrid
Raeila Mullerin
Zion "The Worm" Xandler
Karo Moran [NPC]

Location: Trancemania - Yellvin, New Plouton
Date: Niothe 26, 4ABY

***

The last light down the hallway had gone out and it brought a smile to Dani's lips. She glanced behind her at Nieme and nodded. "Everyone's either asleep or in their rooms. We're safe." She turned around to face her love and almost pounced on her then and there. It didn't help that she loved the feel of leather against her skin and was wearing a leather bodysuit that left only her arms bare. They both were heavily clad in leather this evening, admittedly their favourite fabric for clothing with the only exception being nothing at all.

"We can sneak out to the swoop and be off," Dani continued, "and then be back in bed before anyone even has a chance to miss us." She held a hand out for Nieme. "Are you ready to see if all our practice dancing has paid off?"

Nieme slid her hand into Dani's and drew up alongside her. "I really would like to see if we move as well on the dance floor as we do in bed." She nuzzled her lips to Dani's ear and purred softly. "Frankly, I like how we move."

Dani drew a hand along Nieme's back and kissed her chin and throat. "I've never moved with anyone the way I move with you." She gazed into Nieme's eyes for a moment, her lust-filled smile not hiding anything. "Let's go dance so we have enough time for bed before we're supposed to wake up. My beautiful star, have I mentioned how absolutely sexy you are? Especially in leather."

"My flower, the look in your eyes right now conveys that clearly enough." She pressed her lips to Dani's then giggled at the sound of their leather outfits rubbing together. "We're going to wake the whole Temple if we're not careful."

Dani put a finger to her lips, despite the giggles still pouring out. She reached out and took Nieme's hand and quickly led them out of their room and down the hall. Despite the giggling from earlier, they were quite silent in their egress from the Temple. Once outside with the doors safely closed behind them, the giggles started again as they sprinted to their swoop. "Let's go," Dani squealed as quietly as she could.

Nieme frolicked to the swoopbike with Dani trailing behind, and emitting a whooping cry, she bounded onto the seat of the bike. She pulled Dani up behind her, then thumbed on the repulsors. "By the way," Nieme said as she looked back at her lover. "I'm driving." The swoopbike rocketed forward into the forest and through the trees, leaving behind their boisterous laughter and a hurricane of fallen leaves as the only sign of their departure.

***

Hand in hand, they approached the club that seemed to be throbbing with energy. The area surrounding the club was full of people dressed in a wild array of clothing styles. There was a large line trailing around the side, but it didn't concern Dani and Nieme. They walked straight up to the man guarding the door, the one with the power to admit or deny any prospective trancer. Dani had no plans for being denied entrance tonight. She gave the man a disarming smile and pointed to the door.

The bouncer gave her a large grin, shook his head, and pointed to the long line waiting to get inside.

Dani took a step closer. She fanned her fingers in front of his face. "You will let us inside now," she said in a hypnotically musical tone.

The man grunted. "I'll let you inside now."

"You're very good at your job," Dani added.

"I am very good at my job," the bouncer said as he opened the velagret rope barring their passage.

Dani grinned at Nieme, and then strode through the now open door. The music was pounding out a heavy dance beat as they entered. Dani could feel her body reacting to it immediately as she began to move slightly with its pulse. "Want a drink?" she shouted to Nieme over the blaring music.

Nieme nodded her head and swayed with Dani towards the bar. Her lips nuzzled Dani's neck and her body moved rhythmically against her lover's as they waited to catch the bartender's attention. Once they had it (and with as lasciviously as they were moving it didn't take long) Nieme raised two fingers and shouted their drink order at the man. Within moments, two Steaming Passions - one extra steamy for Nieme - were in their hands. "We've got to moderate our alcohol consumption tonight, my love. Tomorrow Master Darr is testing us, remember?"

Dani nodded as she took a sip from hers. "Not too much, but enough to have fun," she said. "We need to do this more often, you know. I need my dancing time, and my time away with my girl." She kissed Nieme's cheek and then throat. She gave her love a playful growl while slipping an arm around her waist. "I love getting away from everyone we know so we can just be you and me without any worries. We don't have to be all stiff and proper, even though Master Darr never demands us to be."

"We're definitely not stiff now," Nieme said as her hips gracefully undulated against Dani's. "It's fun not having to be so quiet and reserved. And it's even better not having Kael watching us. He does that sometimes, but I think it's just because he's happy for us. Still, though, it's unnerving."

Dani grinned. "It is, isn't it? I do think he's happy. He knows that you and he couldn't be happy together, not now. But, I think he's very happy knowing that you have found happiness with me. Sometimes he smiles. Have you seen that? He'll be watching us in the training room, and he'll just suddenly smile. I do get uncomfortable kissing you in front of him though. I know part of him misses being with you, a large part. And, I just hate reminding him."

Nieme stared into her drink, then regarded Dani with an inquisitive frown. "He does? How can he miss me when what we had was so horrible, Dani? It was frightening and unhealthy... Why would he miss that?"

"There were parts that weren't horrible though, right? I think it's for the best that you're not together anymore...because of the horrible parts. But, it's hard not to miss what was good. I think he's smart enough to know that it wouldn't work now. We've got each other and I don't think I would want to share you with anyone. I'm not a jealous person, but we have something very special." She kissed Nieme then, a need to be close as their thoughts threatened to go back to Kael. They'd talked about him from time to time, mostly worry about whether he was alright. "Maybe he just likes how you look in that leather." She drew a hand over Nieme's bare navel and smiled. "I think you're the sexiest girl in the whole place."

"The second sexiest," she corrected, then pressed her mouth to Dani's and fed from her sweet lips. "Let's go dance, my love. If we do anymore of this... Well, you know where that will lead."

Dani giggled and finished off the rest of her drink, and then took Nieme's hand as they made their way to the dance floor. They were moving in time with the music by the time they reached the edge of the floor. As they slipped their way onto the floor, Dani turned around and slid her hands to Nieme's hips. "Oh baby," she purred. "I thought you moved really well our first time here. You have a natural grace. But, now...oh, I think I'm going to need something to cool me off soon."

Nieme laughed and brushed her hands over the soft leather of Dani's jumpsuit until they were resting upon her lover's rear. Their bodies swayed like gently rolling waves and their hips interlocked perfectly as if they were two pieces of a puzzle coming together. They molded seamlessly with one another physically, as seen by their hypnotic, erotic dance, but emotionally as well, which was apparent whenever their eyes met. Nieme might have been naive about love and made a grave mistake by marrying Kael, but with Dani, everything was right.

She pressed her cheek to her lover's and sighed happily into her ear, content simply holding her and smelling her flowery scent. "We're going to be together for always, Dani. Do you feel it too?"

Dani closed her eyes and let her feel of the music and Nieme so close guide her movements. "I do," she whispered. "I feel it with you in my arms and I feel it through the Force. We will be together for always. Forever, Nieme. We will be together forever."

"Oh, Dani," Nieme sighed. "Can you imagine us going through all of life together? Getting older, maybe even having little babies of our own? Gods...I can't wait, Dani. I want to experience everything with you."

"Me too," Dani said with a smile. "We'll do everything, and always together. We can go to the stars together. And, we can visit Zeltros. That will be wonderful, and you'll meet my parents. It'll be so much fun. I never felt this complete until I met you, Nieme. I never thought I could feel this much in love."

"I didn't think I'd ever have anyone, Dani. I thought I'd be alone forever. With Kael, I know he was with me, but it still felt so lonely. But with you," Nieme said as she gazed up at her lover and smiled warmly, "I never feel that way, even when you're not in the same room. You always feel near and just thinking about you fills me with such joy. I love you, my arozeil. I love you."

Their dancing had nearly ceased as Dani wrapped her arms around Nieme and kissed her passionately. They still swayed in time with the music, but seemingly as one single body. Finally, needing air, they pulled their lips from each other. Dani was breathing heavily, but her lips were curled up into a very happy smile. "Oh gods, Nieme," she whispered. "I think I need another drink and a quiet corner with you."

"You get the drinks, and I'll find the corner." Nieme kissed Dani again passionately and fervently, then stumbled backwards with a giggle. "I'll be on the other side of the dance floor. Don't be long."

"I'll hurry," Dani said with a giggle as she rushed back through the crowd to the bar.

Nieme watched her lover weave her way through the knot of trancers and smiled at the smooth curves of her hips sinuating almost fluidly. The strobe lights reflected off the sleek black leather she wore and gave Dani an ethereal glow that elevated her to goddess-hood. She was truly divine.

Finally tearing her eyes away from the woman she loved, Nieme pushed her way through the writhing, dancing mass of bodies in her struggle to traverse the dance floor. The crowd was thick and all but impenetrable, but Nieme moved easily through it while swaying and drifting with the music. Trancemania was a fitting name for the club indeed, for Nieme felt absolutely entranced now.

She made it at last to the edge of the dance floor and managed to procure a table for herself and Dani. Her body moved lightly to the beats, but her tranquility combined with the alcohol consumed contributed more to it than her desire to dance. She closed her eyes and sighed deeply, then opened them again, hoping to see Dani had arrived. Instead, she saw something that drove a cold, durasteel rod through her spine and made her entire body rigid.

The smile hadn't changed and was just as twisted and frightening as it had been the last time she saw it. Her loose hair flung about wildly as she danced, just as it had when the beatings had been dealt to Nieme, by her very hand. Nieme began to tremble violently, but could not look away from the creature in her dazzling blue jumpsuit, gyrating and twisting her body expertly in accompaniment to the music. Why was she here? Why did she have to come here and bring back the memories she had thought locked away forever?

Nieme winced as the reminiscent sound of the whip cracking upon her bare flesh echoed from deep within her mind, and instead of the sweet remnants of Dani's lips, she tasted only the distinct flavour of blood in her mouth. "No," she whispered fearfully. "No...go away. You're not really here. You're not!" Nieme whimpered and wrapped her arms around her head, rocking back and forth restlessly in her chair. She refused to go back to the desert. She wouldn't. So, she closed her eyes and hoped to drive away the hallucination before it drove her mad with fear.

Skirting the edge of the dance floor saved Dani some time, and she made quick progress back to the table where Nieme waited in torment. Dani had her eyes closed, moving by the feel of people and through the use of the Force. She slipped into the chair next to Nieme and set both glasses on the table. "Two more Passions," she said. "Extra steam-- Nieme? Nieme, what is it, love?"

The voice only barely penetrated through the blaring music from the Dj and quiet jabbering she herself was engaged in. Nieme muttered continuously and repeatedly, while rocking faster and more compulsively in her seat. The dark cave in her mind was looking appealing compared to what awaited her in Thanatos if she was forced to return. "I'm not going back," she declared through gritted teeth. "I won't let her take me. I won't!"

The drinks were suddenly forgotten as Dani wrapped Nieme into her embrace and kissed her hair as she held her love close. "It's alright," she whispered as she looked around to find the source of Nieme's distress. It wasn't hard to find and her eyes narrowed as they fell upon the lithe form of Raeila Mullerin. Rather than using her pheromones, she let her touch and her voice calm Nieme. "She can't touch us, my star. We are stronger now, and she can't touch us. We are safe together. We're ready this time, and if she tries anything, she will be sorry. My love it will be fine." She kissed Nieme. "I promise."

Dani's words provided more comfort than she could have otherwise imagined. She remembered the gifts Jae Dyn had given her during their joining, and now she used them to banish her fear and gaze at the woman who had tormented them both for days and who now deserved to be tortured in return. "She can't hurt us," Nieme muttered as she stroked Dani's back. "She can't...but we can." Fire sparked in her eyes and an impish smile quirked her lips. "We can," she repeated. She pulled back and looked intently into Dani's eyes. "And we will. We can make her pay, Dani. Now."

"No, Nieme," Dani whispered. "Please. She hurt us, but it's wrong to hurt her back. She did terrible things to us, to you. But, to do them back to her...it'll make us like her. I don't want us to be like her." She held Nieme close, and then finally smiled. "But, she can't hurt us anymore." She lifted her eyes to gaze into Nieme's. "I think she should know she can't hurt us anymore. I don't want to do to her what she did to us, but I want her to see that we survived and we're stronger now."

Nieme sighed and reluctantly nodded her head. "Fine. We won't hurt her...not physically. But, we will not let her get away from us unscathed, Dani." Raeila was still performing a sultry dance on the dance floor, grinding herself against her partner, a tall, dark-skinned man with garish coloured hair and tawdry clothing. "We'll confront her, my flower, and I don't care who hears about what she did to us."

Dani looked at the creepy man and shuddered at the steel piercing so much of his flesh. "We'll make sure that she knows she can't do that to people," she said. "But...I think we should wait until she doesn't have that...man with her. He's...he's scary, Nieme."

"We can handle him," Nieme said confidently. "We're almost Jedi, after all." She rose smoothly and straight-backed, then held out her hand to Dani. "Let's go now. We're talking to her one way or the other, and no one is going to stop us, not even that multi-coloured buffoon."

Dani nodded and slipped her hand into Nieme's. She smiled at her love as they watched Raeila dancing, oblivious to their presence. "Let's go pay her a visit. Oh my god, we're not even that touchy-feely while dancing, and we're pretty touchy-feely. If we don't hurry, I think he's gonna have her naked before we get over there."

"Well, at least she's kissing him now. That gives us a distraction. She won't even see us coming."

Nieme and Dani stalked over to Raeila, through the colony of trancers who seemed to part and give them an unobstructed path towards their prey. Nieme gripped Dani's hand tightly, hoping to find from her touch restraint to keep her from throttling Raeila. She might risk thrusting herself into the dark side, but at least she would have retribution. But hurting Raeila wasn't worth losing Dani, and for her, she would draw on all her self-control to keep herself from the abyss. No amount of reservation, however, could keep her from clasping Raeila's arm roughly and jerking her around.

"What the hell!?" At first, she didn't appear to recognize either of them, but from her quickly changing expression, it was apparent cognizance was setting in. "What is this?" Raeila whispered, the fear in her inadequately masked.

Dani smiled sweetly. "We were enjoying a drink, and we thought we saw you. And we were right. So, we thought we'd come over here and say hello to the woman who tried to ruin our lives. I bet you never thought you'd see us again, didn't you? I bet you thought you were free of us. Well, that's what we thought too before you soured our fun here tonight with your presence. Why are you here?"

"Get away from me," Raeila hissed. She turned her back to them and slipped her arm through Zion's. "Come on..."

"Hey!" Nieme grabbed Raeila's arm again, and this time whirled her around so forcefully she almost fell over.

"Leave me alone!" Raeila growled.

"And why should I?" Nieme narrowed her eyes at Raeila and smiled viciously. "What did you do to me and Dani when we begged to be left alone? You beat us, whipped us... You cut me with a knife!"

By now, many of the trancers had turned their interest towards the commotion, yet still, the music played.

"You lying, bitch!" Raeila looked around nervously at all the eyes upon them and hoped no one could hear Nieme's accusations. "I don't know why you're saying these things, but you're deluded."

"Your lies will only make it worse on you," Dani said calmly, as she reached into the small pouch at her hip and pulled out the cylindrical shaft that would emit a blade of purple energy on command if she wished it. "You tried to ruin us. You tried to destroy us. But, you only made us stronger. You only brought us closer together." Where the insight came from, Dani would never know...though she attributed it to the Force. "And, if Kael knew the truth he would hate you forever."

Raeila frowned at Dani and stepped away from her and the hilt of the weapon pointed at her. "He already knows. I told him and he doesn't care." Seizing this as her opportunity to find her lover, Raeila hazarded to approach Dani, putting herself within the range of her weapon. "Tell me where he is. Kael will want to see me, and if you keep from him knowledge of my whereabouts, he'll hate you forever." She shifted her gaze to Nieme and smiled slyly. "He's to be my husband and a husband should be with his wife. Don't you think, Rat?"

Nieme laughed jeeringly at Raeila and shook her head. "Marry him if you want, Raeila, but I just thought you'd like to know before you did that you won't be his first. That honour went to Nieme Yaresh-Selrid."

"You lie!" Raeila leapt forward to claw at Nieme's face, but her dance partner held her back. "You're a liar," she shrieked. "He proposed to me! He never said anything about you. You lie!"

"Oh really?" Nieme grinned smugly at Raeila and shrugged. "Believe what you will, but just remember that he left the desert with me, instead of staying behind with you. Now ask yourself if you still think I'm lying."

"Why are you this way? Why are you full of so much hatred and anger? You tried to kill us. You made us your slaves. I really don't see how Kael could ever love anyone so dark and cruel as you, but that's his business." Dani gave Raeila's date a glance, curled her lip in disdain, and then looked back at Raeila. "I'm sure he will be sorry he missed you here grinding against Shiny."

Zion was watching this whole scene. He didn't have anything to do with this discussion but Raeila did and it was creating a spectacle now. Either a stop to it was put or they would have a catfight. He placed his arms over Raeila, standing taller than her and looked at both Nieme and Dani. "Girls, this is not the place to do this! C'mon, lets take this somewhere else, huh?" he said, even though knowing that he and Raeila had the protection of the security bouncers inside the club. It didn't seem they were listening to him...

Raeila lunged forward with a grunt, but was once again pulled back against Zion. "I should have killed you both," she spat.

"And you would have if we hadn't been saved," Nieme said. "That's the kind of malevolent person you are. You have no soul, Raeila, which makes me wonder how you could have given it to Kael as his arozeil. You're a fraud."

"And you're a dead rat if you don't shut up!"

By then they had a circle of people around them. The security bouncers showed up from nowhere and grabbed both Dani and Nieme with their strong arms. "OUT!" one of them shouted. "No brawling or fighting and no weapons!" he said, as it was obvious that none was strong enough to subdue either of the bouncers.

Zion felt a hand in his shoulder and turned around. It was Trancemania's owner, Karo Moran. "What the hell happened?" he asked.

"How the hell should I know?!" Zion replied. "These girls just started it! I have no fuckin' clue why... I guess spirited beverages aren't for the lot!" he concluded wrapping his arms around Raeila.

"Oh no, Mr. Colourful," Dani said, ignoring the hands holding her in place. "She and her brother started it. We're just here to finish it. Maybe she hasn't told you how they grabbed us, raped us, used drugs to make us willing, and gave us to their gang for abuse. She was laughing while she cut Nieme's face with a knife. But, maybe that kind of brutality turns you on...which would explain why you're with her. Oh no, Shinyman, we're here to end what she started by trying to destroy our lives."

"And no one will be able to stop us!" Nieme hollered. She twisted and wriggled aggressively to free herself from the hands restraining her. "Raeila Mullerin, you'll pay for what you've done!"

"Just try it!" Raeila spat. "I'd like to see you try!"

Dani smiled sweetly, though her eyes flashed with the danger of the situation. She turned her head slightly so the bouncer holding tight to her arms would hear her better. "You will release me now," she said.

"I will release you now," he droned, and dropped his hands to his sides.

Freed of his grasp, Dani ignited her lightsaber and faced Raeila. "Would you still like to see me try?" she asked.

Raeila cried out and sought escape by attempting to scramble up into Zion's arms. The hum of Dani's purple blade maddened Raeila and amplified her fear. Trancers bolted to make certain they didn't become targets of the incandescent, thrumming weapon, but Nieme's bellow cut through all the confusion and hysteria now sweeping across the dance floor. She stepped forward and gripped Dani's wrist, then tore the weapon from her hand. Master Darr had yet to give her a lightsaber of her own; she had yet to become proficient in using one without risking injury to herself, so she was left with the force pikes until she acquired the necessary skills to advance. Now, however, she held Dani's close to Raeila, prepared to strike at any part of her tormenter that came within reach.

The terror in Raeila's wide, gray eyes excited Nieme, and the tears dribbling down her cheeks almost sent her over the precipice. She wanted to slice into Raeila's face as she had done to her; she wanted retribution and was willing to kill to achieve it. "Ready to die, Rae?" Nieme asked coldly, quietly.

"Not like this," Dani whispered. "Please, Nieme, not like this."

"She deserves it," Nieme snapped. "She's hurt us and she can't just get away without paying for it!"

Raeila choked on her sobs and turned her head away into Zion's chest. She was afraid to die, but paradoxically, too afraid to run in order to escape that death. "Please," she shrieked into the glittering fabric of Zion's shirt. "Please..."

"She has to live with herself," Dani said. "Maybe she won't feel guilty over what she did to us, but I know I'd feel guilty for hurting her. If we do to her what she did to us, it'll make us just like her. We can't be like her, Nieme. We can't do this. Please, not like this. I think we'll hurt her far worse by telling Kael all about this. About how she was clinging to Shiny, and the way she still isn't guilty over what she did. We'll make Kael see her for what she really is. We'll hurt her by taking his love away from her."

"No!" Raeila wailed. "You can't! You won't!"

"I will!" Nieme threatened. "I'm his wife. Who do you think he'll believe when I tell him all this?"

"Fuck you, Rat!" Raeila overcame her fright and once again struggled against Zion's protective embrace. "I should've killed you. I should've slit your throat!"

"Would've, should've," Dani sang. As quickly as the sing-song started it was over and Dani's eyes darkened. "But you didn't. We're here, and now you're going to pay for what you did. Now you're going to pay for the guilt and regret that you've never felt over what you did. Now you'll pay by having that little, black heart of yours trampled when Kael finds out what you've done. It would have been so much easier if you'd been contrite. It would have been so much better if you'd felt guilty for hurting us. And, now we will feel no guilt or regret as we destroy all your hopes at a future with Kael."

Raeila screamed in rage and jerked forward violently to attack them, to do something to silence them. "He loves me. He promised me we'd be together! He loves me and nothing you can say will change that!"

"ENOUGH!" the owner burst as he clapped his hands, only to see a large dark man with metallic arms and a body that would strike respect into any living being show up. It was his personal guard. As the attention was turned to him, Karo Moran shot a stun shot from a concealed weapon on his wrist that sent Nieme down unconscious.

Before Dani could turn, Karo's personal guard slipped one arm around her torso and the other grabbed her wrist. A little pressure just above the wrist opened her hand, and the lightsaber clattered to the ground. He clung to her ear as he applied a neck choke on her. "Mind tricks won't work on me, missy, and I assure you that they won't work on the boss either!" he said as he began dragging her out.

Before he could get two steps, he suddenly faltered as his senses were flooded with Zeltron pheromones. An elbow to the ribs sent him off balance, and as Dani slipped from his hold, she gave a hard shove that sent him sprawling on the floor. He wouldn't be of much use to anyone but a whore for the next several hours.

As some trancer was bending over to pick up the fallen lightsaber, Dani held out her hand and the weapon jumped into her waiting palm. As her fingers closed around the shaft, she ignited the blade. Her gaze snapped back to Raeila. "Whether your friends here intended it or not, they just lost you Kael. You should thank them, Raeila. You should have told the truth. You shouldn't have fought us. Now, I will make sure that you lose Kael. He will see you for what you are, for what you truly are."

The lightsaber flashed through the air until it was pointed at the throat of the guard stooping to pick up Nieme from the floor. "Touch her and you lose your hands." He jumped back quickly, hiding his hands behind his back. With a sheepish look to his boss, he shrugged with defeat.

"You were wrong to do what you did to Nieme and I in the desert," Dani said as she lifted Nieme's small body over her shoulder, using the Force as Master Koran had taught her. "Tonight, justice is served." She pointed her blade at the club owner. "You can thank him, since he gave the orders."

Raeila felt her legs melting away beneath her, and if Zion hadn't been holding her so firmly, she would have collapsed. As she watched Dani striding confidently towards the exit, she knew she was about to truly lose everything.

Karo nodded to the guards still remaining. "Escort them outside! And I don't want to see them in here again! Ever!" he ordered, only to see him leave. He then turned to face Raeila and Zion and made a gesture for them to follow him. Once inside his office he turned to Raeila. "Can you perhaps explain to me what happened? This is not the kind of thing I seek for my club!" he told her with a most serious look.

Raeila hung her head low and watched the tears splattering onto her lap. "I don't know," she whispered. "Can I please just go? I promise never to come here again if I can just go home."

Karo sighed and Zion stood still. Could Raeila be the woman that those young girls had said she was? Could she really be so mean? And if so why? "You can come here, but I never want to see this kind of commotion here... If I ever do again I'll hold you responsible as well," Karo warned. "Zion, I think you should take her home..."

"I think so too..." Zion agreed. "C'mon, Raeila," Zion said as he offered her his hand to help her get up and take her home.

Raeila placed her badly shaking hand into Zion's and rose unsteadily. She'd lost her brother and now she was about to lose Kael. Very quickly, reasons to live were becoming scarce. "I'm sorry," she murmured, to Kael, to Ferrig, to Zion, to no one in particular, but for the time being, the only person she felt sympathy for was herself and the heartache to soon befall her.

***

Nieme bolted upright and emitted a reverberating cry as pain ripped through her skull. She had no recollection of how she'd ended up unconscious or what she was now doing in a dank alley, but she did know that her mind was in agony. The only consolation in her entire predicament was that at least she hadn't been lying in a puddle.

She swayed precariously on the narrow seat of the swoopbike, but was steadied by unseen hands from the darkness gently gripping her waist. "My head," she groaned. She pressed her hand to her forehead, but found no release from the pain. "Dani? Ow..."

"You're alright now," Dani said softly. "That club owner guy shot you with some kind of stunner. They tried to throw us out, but I wouldn't let them. I didn't want to take us back to the Temple until you were awake."

"I'm awake now, but I still don't feel so good." She looked over her shoulder at Dani, seated behind her, and winced at the slight movement of her head. "Did we get her? Did we get her, Dani?"

Dani shook her head. "That club guy was protecting her. I would have had to kill them all to get to her. We'll talk to Kael though. We'll make sure he knows what she did to us. We'll make sure he knows about tonight. She wants him, and we'll make sure she doesn't get him."

"How can he want her? She's evil, Dani. He training to be a Jedi. How can he love someone like that?"

"I don't know," Dani said. "Maybe she's not that way around him. We have to make sure he knows she's that way though. If he doesn't care...then there's nothing we can do. But we have to make sure he doesn't make a mistake. We are still his friends."

"And I'm still his wife." Nieme smiled gently at Dani and brought her hand up to her cheek. "But my heart belongs to you now. My point is that as his wife, I'm still bound to protect him and I have to protect him from ruining his life. If he goes to Rae, she could pull him down, Dani. She could push him to the dark side."

"We can't allow him to go to the dark side. They're still in the club for now. When they come out, we can follow them to find out where she's staying. Then if we need to we can come back for her if she persists in ruining Kael's chances."

Nieme turned around fully in the seat and faced Dani. "And we can finish her? Dani, I wanted to kill her in there. I wanted so badly to just make her pay."

"I couldn't do that, Nieme," Dani said. "And, I'm afraid to think what doing that would do to you. I don't want to lose you to anger and hate. She'll suffer far more if we turn Kael against her than she would by being killed. With this, killing her would be merciful."

Nieme sighed and rested her cheek upon Dani's shoulder. "I don't want to lose you either. That's why we have to use Kael to destroy her, although I think she's quite capable of destroying herself."

"Just to be sure, we'll want Kael's help. It's better that way." She watched a speederbike race down the street. "There they go."

"Are we going to follow?" Nieme asked. "I don't feel so well, but I think I can withstand the discomfort to track down that witch."

"We're just following to wherever they go," Dani said. "We'll have to confront her later, when we're both strong. Come on." She kicked the swoop into gear, and pulled out after the disappearing figures up ahead. "We'll also have to tell Kael where he can go tell her off."

Nieme laughed and forced back a groan at the headache it induced. She recovered momentarily and kissed the back of Dani's neck. "We'll finally have our vengeance, my love. And Raeila Mullerin will regret ever laying a finger on us."

"I want to see the look on her face when Kael tells her it's over," Dani said with a grin. "I hope he'll let us watch."

With the wind rushing past them and the whine of the engines, Nieme's wild laughter was easily drowned out among all the noise. She would see Raeila pay, even at the cost of Kael's happiness, but for what he did to her, he too deserved to be punished. There was retribution to be had, and if it wasn't given to them freely, Nieme and Dani would take it any way they could.

***

Zion took Raeila home and, even in spite of having grown closer together and having had sex over the past few days, he just kissed her and held her in an embrace to make her feel safe enough. "Maybe this Kael isn't really worth you anyway..." he told her.

"He is," Raeila whispered, still fighting back more tears. "He is worth it...but I don't deserve him. Those things they said I did... I did them, Zion. I did them all and I enjoyed it. I hope that's not too frightening for you."

"We all do things that we are ashamed of later in life, Raeila..." Zion said. "And I believe you would not hurt me like you did them. Perhaps they deserved it, perhaps it was just plain cruel of you. You ought to be more careful though. We were pretty lucky they didn't kill you!"

"Yeah," Raeila replied ruefully, "lucky for me." She looked up at Zion and managed a smile for him. "I only hurt those who are a threat to me. You're not, Zion, so you're safe. Besides, after all you've done for me, I couldn't hurt you. Believe that."

"I do believe that..." Zion said truthfully and then kissed Raeila fondly on the lips, tangling his tongue with hers. "Now let's try to get some sleep," he whispered.

Raeila nodded morosely and shifted onto her side with her back to him, seeking what little privacy she could achieve while sleeping in bed with another person. His arms encircled her and pulled her into the shelter they provided, but still Raeila felt alone and even more inconsolable. She had no way to contact Kael before Dani and Nieme could poison his mind against her, but from what she heard, he had already chosen Nieme over her.

It wasn't her fault she was cruel and vicious; it was a consequence of her upbringing and of the violent environment in which she had lived for almost twenty years. She couldn't change that, so she wasn't to blame for her actions. Yet, how could she convince Kael of that, someone who had lived in the desert all his life but had managed to deviate from the path of violence he had once tread upon? Did he truly expect her to change as he had? She couldn't, especially when the only support she had was a customer who needed a pretty creature to hang off his arm.

Unable to return to the desert where she would be accepted for what she was, and unable to convert to an acceptable member of the New Ploutonian society, Raeila was truly lost. Not even the desert gold bracelet dangling from her wrist could give her hope. It didn't even gleam as it used to; somehow, exposure to water had reacted negatively with it, and its lustre had begun to diminish. Nothing Kir'Thana belonged in the Wetter lands, not if they wished to thrive, and thrive was what Raeila no longer desired to do.

Silently, her despair chose to express itself in the form of burning tears that warmed her as only the desert sun could manage to do. Not even the arms around her could fight off the chill New Plouton's damp, cold air gave her. She missed home, she missed Ferrig... The anguish was too much to bear and she refused to bear it any longer. For now, she would weep and pity herself, and tomorrow, she would discover whether she would truly be missed when she was gone.

---

"The Palace of Stars"
by Weibran the Hutt
and Arrista Faeg [NPC]

Location: New Plouton, Tae'Karada
Date: Niothe 26, 4ABY

***

"What is that?"

The man stared at it for a moment. He scratched his head. He thumbed his nose. He scratched his head again and then crossed his hands over his chest. "Looks like a giant bantha," he said.

"Well, I know it looks like a bantha, you senile, old fool," the woman snapped. "But what is it? Who in their right or wrong mind would make a fifty meter tall bantha and stick it in the middle of the city?"

"He's got some big saddle on his back," the man added. "With a picnic table on it. And, he's got windows."

"I'm old, not blind. What's it for?"

The man shrugged and looked around. "Maybe it's part of that building right over there. Looks like there's a control tower. And, there's lots of lights. Maybe it all goes together."

The woman looked around, her fists set at her hips while she glared. "Well, maybe that fat man knows."

"What fat man?"

"That fat man, you blind nerf," the woman said, slapping at his arm. "The fat man with the blonde trollop on his arm and the little, cute doggie at his side."

"Oh," the man said. "That fat man."

The woman threw her arms up in disgust and turned away. The old man followed. Neither of them saw that fat man at the front of the large building giving them a wave.

***

"Oh, Weibie, this is all so wonderful!"

Weibran the Hutt smiled. It was a satisfied smile. It was the smile of a man who had accomplished a goal. It was the joyous smile of one who had done something right. It was the smile of the man ready for another breakfast.

"Yes," Weibran said. "And, you will be my star, my little chippin." Though, she wasn't his first choice. Arrista Faeg talked too much. She didn't have much intelligence. But she could dance; at least she could do that. But...she couldn't dance like her. He had to contact Membrick again and see if the man would sell. He needed his star. She would make the Palace of Stars the grandest place to be on the entire planet, in the entire galaxy. It would rival Trancemania as the best nightclub in the city. But it offered so much more. It would be a dance hall, with nightly shows, featuring his star. For now it was Arrista, but soon it would be the beautiful dream that danced for him the night of his party. It had a seedier side to cater to the tastes of this planet's populace. New Plouton had no other established brothels, and his would be the first. His girls would be desired, loved, and revered.

"We open tonight?"

"Yes, my pet," Weibran answered. "Tonight will be the grandest of openings. Tonight we will make history. Tonight we will shine like the stars."

"Did you really name it for me, Weibie? The Palace of Stars? I'm your star?"

Weibran nodded. "Yes, of course," he said. "This all is for you." This is for her, he corrected. This is all for her. "Come, my dear. Let's go check on your costume."

"Arf, arf," Rancor said. "Yip, bark!"

"Yes, yes, my little Rancor," Weibran said with a happy, content smile. "We'll go check on your costume too." With that, he led them both away. Tonight would be the grandest of openings. Tonight, history would be made. And, soon, she would dance for him again.

---

"Unification"
by Ferrig Mullerin

with Moff Albren Seare [NPC]
Tiban Vraga [NPC]
Murtree Vraga [NPC]
Rethric [NPC]
Yanick [NPC]
Feltreys and Razors [NPC]

Location: Thanatos, Tae'Karada
Date: Niothe 26, 4ABY

***

"We've shot down another speeder breaking away from the spaceport, sir," Lieutenant Hayalla said with a snap salute.

Moff Albren Seare turned from where he'd been watching through the large transparisteel window overlooking the desert and small town below. "Any survivors?"

"One, sir," the lieutenant said. "He's been taken back to the city. We'll get what information we can from him. He won't last long in an interrogation, that's to be sure."

Seare nodded slowly. "Good," he said. "It won't be long before this area falls. There is no help for these people."

"Once the spaceport falls, what will we do with the people living here in Thanatos?"

The moff smiled and moved to take his seat. "When the spaceport falls, then the people will resume the role they held so long ago. They will be moved out of the desert. They will have the choice to work freely for the Empire, serving Grand Admiral Tarkin in the capital, or they will become slaves to the Empire, and be forced to work wherever they're needed."

"Is that wise, sir?"

Seare raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms over his chest.

"What I meant was...well...many view slavery as something abhorrent, and enslaving these people could generate unwanted sympathy for them. As it did...previously..."

"I am aware of that," Moff Seare said. "Thus, the choice. This way, we do not appear completely heartless. Our main objective is the spaceport. Admiral Tarkin wishes for the smuggling in Thanatos to end. Our presence here is also a show of force. Those living in the city, and on the other continents can watch us from afar, see our might, and know that they could be next. Fear will keep them in line. Fear will keep them from speaking out."

"And, Thanatos will become an example?"

Seare smiled. "Of course," he said. "They are far too strong-willed anyway. It'll be good for them." The smile he offered the underling was full of the malevolence he felt. With these actions, he would free up the pestilence of the desert, consolidate Imperial rule, and clean out the vermin smuggling goods to the desert. It wouldn't be long until he held the rank of Grand Moff. It was a good day, to be sure.

***

"Your papers?"

With trembling hands Tiban Vraga pulled his identicard from inside his tunic and offered it to the white-clad trooper. He glanced to his wife standing next to him, his heart pounding in his chest. How had it come to this? How had his home, their life come under such times? How would they survive against such a foe? The desert they could fight. The gangs they could fight. But they barely held their own against the gangs. And, these stormtroopers, this Empire...it was overwhelming. "We'll be home soon," he whispered.

His wife, however, was more annoyed than intimidated by the stormtrooper, unlike her cowering husband. She pursed her lips and tapped her foot impatiently, but it didn't have the same effect on sand as it would have had on a surface more conducive to sound production. "We've never had to submit our identicards before," she muttered irritably. "And those walking beasts of yours," she added, waving her hand in the air at invisible AT-AT Walkers. "They make the ground quake and they stir up all sorts of dust and sand! It isn't good for my allergies. It isn't good at all."

The stormtrooper returned the identicard to Tiban. "You're clear," he said, then turned to the woman. "Your identicard."

She raised her chin stubbornly aloft and folded her arms across her chest. "I am Murtree Vraga. I am Kir'Thana and have been for fifty-six years. My word is enough and better than any identicard, so I suggest you take it."

"You will submit your identicard to me, or you will be detained."

"Please," Tiban rasped. "Please give him the card before he takes you away from me. Please don't make him hurt you."

"Oh, he won't hurt me," she said dismissively. "I haven't done anything to warrant that."

"Your identicard," the stormtrooper said, an obvious edge limning his voice. He took a step back and raised his blaster rifle.

Murtree gasped and stepped partially behind her husband, but her initial dismay didn't stifle her courage. "How dare you!? You think you can come into our lands and push us around? You put that weapon down right now, young man!"

"Step away from your wife, sir," the stormtrooper ordered. "She will be taken into custody. Failure to present an identicard at an Imperial checkpoint will earn her six months in a penal facility. Resisting her arrest is a much harsher punishment."

Murtree, enraged, stepped away from her husband and ground her fists into her hips. "It's not my fault you Impies placed a checkpoint on every corner. My husband and I are on a nice stroll and don't need to be hassled by you Wetters every ten steps we take."

Passers-by slowed to take in the scene as Murtree's speech became more impassioned. Some stopped to watch, others continued on their way out of fear, but soon enough, a modest sized crowd had gathered.

"Why don't you Impies leave our desert alone?" she continued. "Why don't you just leave? You're not welcome here. Not any of you!"

With a growl to himself, the trooper squeezed the trigger on his blaster rifle. The shot slammed Murtree in the chest and flung her back into the sand. He would have to fill out a report for that, but Moff Seare would see the necessity of the action. Besides, she was far too high-strung and wouldn't have worked well for the eventual outcome of this desert-bred lot. Better like this, than in the middle of some Imperial governor's home.

"Noooo!" came the anguished cry from in front of him. Tiban fell upon his wife, his sobs echoing around the square. His words were unintelligible, but the intent was clear. Pure grief. He should have been more forceful in getting her to cooperate. Eventually, this scum would learn their lessons.

"Everyone move on about your business," he shouted. "There is nothing to see here."

Gentle murmurings stirred among the crowd, susurrations that grew in volume and in ferocity as the indignity of one of their own, a fellow Kir'Thana, murdered by a foreigner struck a chord deep within each of them. The oppression of their ancestors came to mind and this one incident served to imbue them with visions of a future that was closely coming to resemble their past. Their freedom had been earned long ago, and no outlander was going to take that from them.

As if a silent command had been given and agreed upon by them all, the crowd of stunned and angry Kir'Thana rushed forward with a resounding cry. The stormtrooper, in a futile, desperate effort to deter them fired off numerous shots from his rifle, but all missed their intended targets in the man's frantic attempt to back off to a safer distance. Primal cheers of triumph erupted as Murtree's lifeless body dealt its own vengeance upon the trooper by obstructing his path and sending him tumbling to the desert floor. An inconsolable Tiban seized the rifle from the trooper's hand and jammed its butt into his armoured stomach. It resulted in only minor discomfort for the trooper, but he was about to contend with more than a feeble thrashing by an old man.

The crowd collectively pounced on the trooper and relentlessly dispensed upon him a savage Kir'Thanan beating. Even above their shouts and the sound of limbs battering and buckling the trooper's armour, his blood curdling shrieks were clearly heard. It served as a warning, much as his broken, dead body would, to the other foreigners to keep out of Thanatos, and if they did intend to stay, they would have more to contest with than a primitive, defenseless people. They would be fighting the spirits of generations of persecuted, enslaved Kir'Thana, along with their progeny who had gained their freedom, but now lived in squalor. It was an enraged, indignant people they were now up against, people who had nothing more to lose, and if the Empire refused to retreat, they would soon learn that those were the most dangerous kind of people one could ever oppose.

***

Pain. That's all his life had been since Raeila had left. And, again since Kael had left. He sent up a silent prayer hoping that his sister was safe. He didn't know how he would manage without her, without knowing she was safe. But, he had to. Otherwise, he'd just have to roll over and die.

Something struck him then. Something from outside. Sound. He pushed himself up and looked around. "What's that sound? What are they shouting?"

Rethric rushed to the window and poked his head out through the opening. He squinted his eyes, looking across the large distance to the swarming group of gangers and listened closely to the commotion. "Sounds like somethin' went down, Ferrig. They're sayin' somethin' about an Impie..." Rethric swung his head back around to Ferrig and beamed him a grin. "I think they killed one of 'em!"

Ferrig barked out a laugh. "Good. I really like the sound of that. Come on, let's go see. Help me up." He still hurt, but not quite so bad. At least he could walk around now. "We need more good news now."

Rethric supported Ferrig's weight as they made their way out of the Feltrey dwelling and towards the rival gangers. Many of the other Feltreys not out on the supply run fell into place behind their hobbling leader, to provide protection and to satisfy their own curiousity.

"His helmet was crushed?" Rethric heard one of the gangers ask as they drew nearer. "Aren't those things made stronger than durasteel?"

"They're supposed to be," another snorted. "He must've really pissed some people off."

"I heard he killed some guy's chick. They say he snapped and took the Imp down."

"You idiot, I was there!" The older ganger swatted the boy's head. "It was a mob that killed the Impie after he killed some old woman." He laughed with deranged glee. "You should've seen his body. All mangled and bloody and shit. The carrion birds are feasting off him right now."

Ferrig smiled and pushed himself upright. "They've been parked out there, trying to make us afraid," he said, loud enough for the crowd to hear. "Now it's time for them to be afraid. Now it's time for these Imps to fear the rage of the Kir'Thana. We've fought each other for so long. It's time to fight them. We have to work together, join our strengths, and beat these Imperials from our lands. We must become what they fear most: a unified force, hardened by desert fires, sharpened by the sands. Together we will rise up and defy them, we will return onto them the fear and pain they've inflicted on us. The desert must unite!"

A jeering, derisive laugh arose from somewhere within the crowd. The knot of gangers parted to clear a path for Yanick, the leader of the Razors, who approached Ferrig, still ridiculing him with laughter. "You can barely stand, Feltrey. You expect us to listen to a cripple?" His gangers snickered and chuckled behind him.

Ferrig sneered at the young man. "Are you telling me I'm wrong? That we should keep fighting amongst ourselves? If we stay at each other's throats, how long before the Imps obliterate each of our disparate groups? We have to unite." He stood up straight and took a couple steps forward, and any pain he'd been showing had seemed to melt away. "We're dead if we don't. All of us."

"And who do you suppose we choose to lead us?" Yanick narrowed his eyes at Ferrig. "You? Don't listen to him, boys! This is just his attempt to seize power for himself. I always knew you were an enterprising bastard, Mullerin."

"If you don't want in, Yanick, the Razors can mix it up with the Imps on their own. We'll miss your strength, but we'll survive without it. If you don't want in, then go. If you don't want to watch the Imps shoot down all of your friends, then open your eyes. We can determine the leader the old fashioned way: beat the shit out of each other and whoever's still standing leads. Or we can let those who we'll be leading decide. What'll it be? Run it on your own? Or take the fighting chance you'll get with us?"

Yanick frowned and slowly brushed his fingers through his thick black hair. He'd already gone over this in his mind many times, and knew they couldn't go at it alone. It was pride that forbade him from approaching Ferrig and offering him his hand in friendship. Now, there was desperation encouraging him to act. He left the protection of his gang and walked aside. Once he was a good distance away, he looked over his shoulder at Ferrig and waved him over.

Despite the pain that seemed to be throbbing within him, Ferrig approached the Razor gang leader. Outwardly, the signs of his injuries were invisible, and he knew as soon as his concentration waned, the illusion would shatter. Once he was standing beside Yanick, he nodded.

"The boys hate each other," Yanick said in conference with Ferrig. "If we do join efforts and merge the gangs, how are we gonna keep the guys from targeting each other instead of the Impies?"

"We lead by example," Ferrig said. "We make them see that the enemy is the wetters, not each other. We're of one blood here, regardless of the differences we've had in the past. We have to make them see it; we have to make all of them see it."

"But despite uniting them in theory, in practice you know they'll still remain two separate gangs, mine following only me, and yours, you." Yanick laughed. "I've done a good job of building up a sense of strong enmity towards you. They despise you, Mullerin."

Ferrig shrugged. "What do you suggest?"

Yanick searched the ground, seeking inspiration in the grains of sand that made up his homeland. With a grin, he slowly raised his eyes and gazed at Ferrig. "How about I apologize for kicking your ass in the last brawl? And you, in return, beg forgiveness for stepping on Razor territory."

"You apologize and I beg? Either we both beg or we both apologize. And, I won't rub it in that Pack stomped your ass when he and the rest of the Feltreys arrived."

"Kid's got a powerful right," Yanick said, absently rubbing his jaw. "Fine. We both apologize, but none of that sentimental shit. We do it like men, like gang leaders, or we don't do it at all."

"Like Kir'Thana," Ferrig said with a smile. He then held out a hand for the Razor. "To the future of the desert and the fall of the wetters."

A wave of confusion and surprised chatter swept over the segregated groups of rivalling gangers as they watched Ferrig's peace offering. Yanick stared at Ferrig's hand, then up at him warily. There was nothing to lose, except their home, and he could always stab him in the back when they'd reclaimed Thanatos for the Kir'Thana. With a shrug, Yanick closed his hand around Ferrig's and squeezed it firmly. "To the future of the Kir'Thana."

"Spread the word," Ferrig called. "Thanatos will unite against the invaders. Together, the Kir'Thana will scour our sands clean of this new damp menace. Ki tirai Kir'Thana!"

First, there was only an exchange of befuddled glances and suspicious glares at those they had once thought their rivals, but who were now supposedly their allies. Yanick repeated Ferrig's exclamation with fervour he hoped would inspire his gangers into embracing the new partnership, but nothing. Rethric looked around at the perplexed faces around him, and met Pack's. "Well...what other choice do we have?"

Pack let his confusion run for a moment before reining it in. This was the only way. Join with them, and the desert lives. Continue their fights, and they would be Imperial slaves. The choice was simple. "Ki tirai Kir'Thana!"

Ferrig grinned even broader, but it faltered when he found himself thinking how much Raeila would have liked to see this. To see the gangs forming up, unifying. We'll save the desert for you, my little sister, he thought, and then you can come home once more. Please come home to me, Raeila.

"Well, looks like we got 'em," Yanick commented. He clapped Ferrig's back congenially and moved closer to speak to him above the roar of the gangers. "Now we just gotta convince the other gangs to do the same, then we've got a chance."

Ferrig grinned. "I think if they see you and me working together, they'll know the situation is bad and they'll sign on right away. We'll have them, Yanick. We'll bring them in, and free ourselves of that white-clad menace."

"But first, I think me, you, and our boys should go to Taralagne Square and pick up some chicks and ale for a little celebration." He looked down at the injured organ beneath Ferrig's pants and laughed. "If you're able."

"It's healing up nicely, thank you very much," Ferrig said. "And, kill the laughter unless you want me to have Pack show you what it feels like." He grinned. "Come on. Let's hit the square and see what we can make happen. And, I pity any Imp who tries to come and break up our fun."

Yanick and Ferrig, side by side, walked towards their respective gangs still divided down the middle by a physical chasm created by years of rivalry and petty hatred. But as their united leaders passed, the gangs swarmed in behind the two men to merge into a single cohesive mass, thus closing the rift between them. So, as one entity ready to fight together for a sole cause, they followed Yanick and Ferrig, prepared to go wherever they would lead them.

---

"Parley"
by Jedi Master Koran Darr
and Grand Admiral Tarkin

Location: Royal Palace, Arcadia
Date: Niothe 26, 4ABY

***

The Imperial destruction had to end. Too many people were still dying. Too many people were still suffering. He had missed the atrocities of the last thirty years, but he'd spent a good deal of his time reading about them. The galaxy didn't need to endure that for another thirty. It was still surprising that Senator Palpatine had been so vile and corrupt. The man had seemed too charming and kind.

The dark side clouds everything, he told himself.

His boots rang loudly on the cobbles leading up to the palace. He noted the placement of the guards around the place, and then turned his attention to the one who would gain him admittance into Tarkin's inner sanctum.

The guard was wary, and held his blaster in a way to suggest his superiority. For the time, he could keep his illusions.

"I am Jedi Master Koran Darr," the robed man said. "I am here under the banner of parley to speak with Grand Admiral Tarkin."

"Banner of Parley!?" the stormtrooper questioned as he called upon his fellow guard to bring a padd with all the admittances. He scanned it in an instant. "I have no appointment here. Be off!"

Koran looked the man over. "So, are you telling me that Grand Admiral Tarkin is not interested in speaking to his opposition about peace?" He leveled his gaze at the man. "If an appointment is necessary to see Admiral Tarkin, then how do I make one? And, I do hope you won't mind me waiting right here."

"Wait here!" the guard ordered. He walked away as the other guard watched the Jedi. "Gate One Stormtrooper to General Calindor. I have a Rebel here who wishes to see Grand Admiral. Please advise," the guard said over the comm. In a couple of minutes, the reply came back.

"The Grand Admiral has been informed and will see this Rebel. Have him scanned and deliver all his weapons and objects. A transport for escort is en route," the communications officer said.

The guard walked up to Koran. "Deliver all of your objects. After you are scanned, you will be escorted to see the Grand Admiral," he said.

"I will give up my weapons and objects when all of the weapons and objects are removed from the meeting location. I have no doubts that the admiral will be well-guarded, and will quite possibly be armed himself. If you will assure me that not a single object that can be used as a weapon will be present, then I will turn over my weapons."

"Do you take me as stupid?!" the guard retorted. "The only way you are going through that gate is if you deliver your weapons. When you are excused, they will be returned to you. Those are the conditions. You can be sure that there will be security, but unless you do something in a harmful way then you have nothing to fear."

Koran crossed his arms over his chest. His look was calm, serene, and casual. When he spoke, his voice was like a clear lake without a single ripple "I'll have nothing to fear...like the people of Thanatos, like the people of Alderaan, like the thousands and millions enslaved by the Empire in the last twenty years? The Empire's past does little to ensure its trustworthiness in the future." He glanced between the guards. "I imagine we will have quite a bit of time to get acquainted."

"Then you admit you intend to do harm? Like all you Rebel friends with their guerilla tactics and going against the rules?" the guard demanded. "Be off then! You were given your chance!"

"I intend no harm," Koran said. "I intend to discuss the matter of peace with Admiral Tarkin. However, I am unwilling to enter hostile territory if the person I am meeting with will be armed while it is demanded that I not be. How about we turn it around? It is your duty to go to the Rebel camp to discuss matters of peace. You carry a blaster at your side but are asked to relinquish it at the door, even though all the Rebels inside will remain armed. What would you do?"

"Easy. I would never go talk to Rebels. I would go for capture if they were to surrender. If not then they risk their lives as we do," the guard argued with a grin. "Your options have been given to you. Accept them or be off."

Koran nodded. "I believe I will continue to wait here," he said. "I do need to see, Admiral Tarkin. Perhaps after my force wipes out half of his in the desert. In any event, I'll just be right here." With that, he began singing an old Corellian ballad. While he did normally have a good singing voice, he decided to not use it just now. Besides, with singing as loud as he was, who could ever keep on key?

***

From inside the palace the Grand Admiral watched over the video unit what was happening on Gate One. He frowned as he watched the interaction between the stormtrooper and the man who wanted to see him. He reminded him of the old days Jedi. But could it be? Could the Jedi really be a reality? And if so, why did this man want to see him? It was all interesting, although dangerous, he knew. But worth to respect and maybe even worth the risk.

***

The guard at the gate placed his hand in his ear comm to hear better. "Please repeat, sir..." he asked. Once he was sure of his orders he approached the Jedi once more. "You are to meet with Grand Admiral. He will see you in the gardens, alone and unarmed. Please leave your objects here," he said, not sure why these orders were issued, but knowing more than to ask questions about the orders issued.

Koran nodded and placed his comlink where the guard had indicated his belongings should go. "Which direction to the gardens?"

"Wait, I still have to scan you first," the guard said as he took the weapons scanner. "Your weapons too, sir. I need you to let them here. They will remain here. The scanner indicates a metallic object..."

Koran waved a hand before the weak-willed stormtroopers. "You don't need to worry about the metallic object," he said.

"I needn't worry about the metallic object," the stormtrooper repeated. He let the Jedi go trough the gates and directed him to the gardens. Guards could be seen as well as AT-STs and even AT-ATs in the grounds. Tarkin was waiting for him in some gardens, well taken care of.

As Koran approached, Tarkin nodded cordially. "A Jedi indeed. I did not know you to be alive still. Do not worry. And you are Master...?"

"I am Jedi Master Koran Darr," he said. "And, I'm here to speak to you about the prospect of peace on Tae'Karada."

"Then it seems we seek the same goal, Jedi Master Darr. You see, I want peace as well. I have no liking in killing. I am not a violent man by nature. But those who oppose me must serve as an example to the rest. It was always thus, even in the Old Republic Days." He sighed. "Now, what have you come to propose then? What measures?"

"Before we get to that," Koran said, "I have a question. You say those who oppose you must serve as an example." He shook his head. "So, you plan to continue the same dictatorial regime that just fell? And, you believe the new government that has formed on Coruscant will allow that? A man of your stature and prestige allowed to re-form the Empire before it's barely been brought down. We may seek the same goal, however I do not believe our visions of what that goal entails is even close. My vision does not include an iron-fisted tyrant."

"Frankly, I feel offended!" Tarkin frowned. "I am not a tyrant, nor do I seek the same goal of late Emperor Palpatine. I have no desire to terminate you Jedi for one thing," he pointed out. "And the New Republic will be an utter failure as the Republic came to be. Powerless and bureaucratic, I'm afraid. One has only to see that those who compose it belonged to the Rebel faction. What does that teach us?! They will bring the downfall of the people as they did before, my Jedi friend," Tarkin sighed, as he gestured for Koran to walk with him.

With a nod, Koran fell into step beside the admiral. "While those who formed the Rebellion may have walked a path outside the law, the Empire left them very little alternative but to take such action. His actions were extreme and militaristic. He enslaved or destroyed entire planets. He closed down the senate, the only forum open to those who did not agree with his reign. Do you plan to model your new government after his oppressive and totalitarian one?" He glanced at the admiral and smiled. "And, of the entire galaxy are you certain that you are the only man who can do this?"

"Senate does not work. Truthfully it never has. It brought the Clone War, the war at Naboo, and many others across the Galaxy. You know this surely... Not even the Jedi knew of their doings that resulted in the death of many," Tarkin said. "But I am not Palpatine. I do not follow his line, although I do not believe in a Senate. I believe in the human behaviour. Man always strives for power and prestige. It would be better to have someone who is charismatic enough leading. And I know I am not the only one, but can you ensure the others want the best for the people?" he lied, only much too convincingly.

Most other human beings probably wouldn't have noted the lie. However, Koran Darr was far from most other human beings. As a Jedi Master he had a talent for reading people through the Force as well as through conventional means. "And, what is best for the people, Admiral?"

"A land in which rebellion and smuggling isn't allowed and where there is control over the guidelines that offer them security, of course. It may sound frigid when put in words, but the truth is such. Even in the old days the Jedi Council had rules for themselves and their apprentices," he replied sincerely.

"Rebellion was the only means to free an oppressed people from a dictatorial regime," Koran stated. "If you are going to outlaw rebellion, then you must provide for the people so that they will feel no need for such. Do you offer freedom from oppression, suffering, and extinction? Your stormtroopers swarm through the cities and now across the desert. Their white armour and helmeted faces are a reminder to what came before. Your continued use of them as your troops is only serving to heighten their fear." Koran smiled. "What if the people of this galaxy, of this planet, don't want you as their leader, Admiral? What then?"

"Rebellion has always been outnumbered. May I remind you that the Jedi Council was the organization that was responsible for overseeing that the laws of the Republic were obeyed? Is it so different now? I grant safety, and those measures you speak of are to ensure that safety," Tarkin said. "And as for the white armor that the stormtroopers wear. Well, they are not far off from the Republic's army design, are they? They are sophisticated and of good usage to me. And I don't recall asking for your opinion on leadership. Man recognizes leadership through force, whether they admit it or not!"

"And, how does the recent overthrow of the Emperor figure in to your calculations? Perhaps you failed to note the celebrations that happened around the galaxy at his fall. Perhaps you failed to note that the people were happy that he was gone, that the oppression would end. You claim that rebellion has been outnumbered, but it beat down and destroyed the Empire. The laws of the Old Republic were based on justice and freedom. How many planets did the Old Rebublic enslave? By my count, it is zero. You claim to grant safety, but it all appears to be a mask to grab for power. The oppression of Palpatine cannot be followed by the oppression of Tarkin. The people will not stand for it."

"Then how do you explain the great numbers of those that follow my line of vision? You speak of numbers that died by the Old Empire's hands? Care you to even mention those butchered by the Rebellion? Countless lives lost because they attacked strategic points by means of piracy? Innocents who died by their hands while standing in the middle?" Tarkin asked angrily. "Where were you the past decades if you could not see this?"

"There was a galactic civil war," Koran said. "People die in wars. And, the Empire's hands were far bloodier than any rebel's. How many lives were lost in the destruction of Alderaan, Admiral? How many Wookiees lost their lives in Imperial slave camps? The Rebellion's purpose was to wrest the galaxy away from the tyrant who was squeezing the life out of it through fear, hate, and suffering." Koran shrugged. "As to my whereabouts, I was adorning the wall of a crimelord as a carbonite tapestry. The details are not up for discussion."

"So you take their side without questioning," Tarkin concluded. "You were not given the complete facts. Yes there were lives lost. Horrible deaths indeed. But not one that has not started by the hands of the Rebellion at a starting point. Maybe they got out of hand. I am sure they did, in fact. But you are holding me under responsibility for something I did not do. What have you really come here for Jedi Master Darr?"

"To see if you are interested in what the people want rather than furthering your own agenda," Koran said. "Palpatine enslaved the galaxy first. In order for there to be a rebellion, there has to be something against which to rebel. Tell me, Admiral, what crimes had the Rebels committed that the destruction of an entire planet is justified? And, if I have read the histories correctly, your own brother pulled the trigger on that one. For what actions of the few rebelling against the might of the Empire did the planet Kashyyyk need to be enslaved? Perhaps you believe that tyrannical rule through fear is justified and acceptable. However, if you insist on continuing in the footsteps of the Empire, then you will face a rebellion of your own."

"The Death Star was an ultimate weapon to make sure there was no opposition. A weapon of fear indeed but one to make sure one's enemies stayed at large. The fact that my brother used it was to make the example. Personally I disagree with his usage on such a planet. An inhabitable one would do just fine..." he commented seriously. "As for Kashyyyk I have nothing to do with it. That was Palpatine alone. It is a free system now is it not?" he asked raising his eyebrows. "And yes, fear is justified. It helps to make sure that you do not have enemies attacking you all the time. Even the Jedi did so through their obvious demonstrations of exercising control over the Force you believe in," Tarkin concluded.

"The Jedi were peacekeepers," Koran said. "And, a Jedi doesn't exercise control over the Force. It isn't a domination, but a symbiosis. And, government through fear is never justified. Initially you can cow someone through fear, hold them back. But as the Emperor found out a short time ago, eventually people overcome their fear. You continue to try to claim that the Jedi are just like you. We act in the name of peace, guided through the Force. Your actions are personal, selfish. You do not want this for the people, you want it for yourself. You do not care about the people as long as your reign is unchallenged." Koran turned to face Tarkin fully. "I say to you now, your reign will be challenged. The people will not bend a knee to you. And, you can expect the same fate as Palpatine. The people will not stand for another emperor, no matter which title he has given himself."

Tarkin frowned in anger. He knew he could have this Jedi killed right there on the spot, but then again he knew better not to. Not yet, anyway. "Then our conversation is over..." he said simply. "Guard, take him back to the maingates!" he ordered. Immediately came an officer to escort Koran Darr back outside.

Koran didn't wait for the guard, and instead strode ahead. He would have much to report when he returned to the Temple.

---

"Confinement"
By: Jae Dyn (Kallia) Brael
Dargus Kandran
Yelara Zaneth
Yara Brael [NPC]
Leshie Zaneth [NPC]
Keeve Zenarr [NPC]

Location: Dargus' Cruiser - En Route to Tae'Karada
Date: Niothe 26, 4ABY

***

Kallia Brael slept peacefully, the two babies curled against her body. Leshie missed his mother she could tell, but with Yara there, it was almost as good. He'd been crying earlier, and it'd nearly broken Kallia's heart. She'd cried with him, and Yara had held Leshie's foot for him. But, now she was waking to the nightmare of Dargus's cruiser again. How would they get out of here? How would they get back to the Temple? To the Jedi? But, then there was Liam.

Leshie gurgled and nudged himself against her breast. She shifted for him and he began suckling. She and Yelara were close enough that it should be alright. He didn't seem to mind at all. She closed her eyes to the world and let her lover's child feed at her breast while her own baby snuggled close against her belly.

At least she had them. She'd go crazy if Dargus had taken her baby away, their babies. They needed mama, and she'd take care of them both while Yelara was gone. She'd protect them from any harm while her love protected her from Dargus.

She woke an hour later at the sound of the door opening. She opened her eyes and looked to see Yelara stepping through. She sat up on the bed. "Yel? Hi, my love. You look wonderful."

Yelara looked down at the purple equadi provided her by Dargus and smiled. "It's not much, but at least it's something." She leaned forward and kissed Kallia. "You didn't miss me much I hope."

"Every second you were gone," Kallia said with a smile. "So did the babies. We all had a good cry together before we went to sleep last night."

Yelara barely spared a glance for Leshie and instead watched Yara fondly. "Well, there's no need to be sad anymore, my love. Things between Dargus and I are going...well. In fact..." Yelara grinned, barely containing her excitement. "You're free to go, my love. You and the babies... Dargus said you can go."

Kallia looked down at Leshie and Yara lying together and then up at Yelara. "What's going on?" she asked. "I'm not leaving without you, Yel. I'm not leaving this place if you're staying here with that psychotic nerf. He'll destroy you, Yel, and I won't let him. I'm not leaving, not unless it's with you."

"I bargained for this, Kal. You have to go and be safe." She cradled her lover's face in her hands and gave her a reassuring smile. "Dargus won't destroy me. In fact...he seems to think he loves me. He's promised he wouldn't hurt me and as long as I don't misbehave, he'll keep his promise. Now please, don't fight me on this. Just...go."

Kallia pulled back, a look of shock and disgust crossing over her face. "You want to be with him," she whispered. "You want to be here with him." The light in her eyes dimmed and she looked away. "You want me gone."

"No," Yelara gasped. She grabbed Kallia's arm and jerked her forward. "I have no choice but to remain here. I might as well prevent my own suffering by giving in to him. As long as he doesn't hurt you, what does it matter?"

"He's ignoring us in here," Kallia said. "We're getting meals and time to ourselves. I don't want to leave you, Yelara. I lost you once. This time it could be forever. I don't want to lose you again. I need you, Yel. Leshie needs you. Please don't try to send us away."

Her mouth pursed as if she'd suckled something bitter, and as she looked upon her child, the expression worsened. "He doesn't need me," she whispered coolly. She shifted her darkened gaze to Kallia, and her features softened considerably. "And you won't lose me. This is just...temporary. He only wants to kill Liam and after that, we can be together freely again."

"Oh, and you're fine with that? Yelara, Liam is still your husband. And, you're going to help Dargus Kandran, the man who nearly enslaved you, the man who forced me into his bed practically at blasterpoint, and the man you tried to kill by blowing up his ship. And, do you seriously think he'll let you just run off with me after he manages to kill Liam? He'll keep you for his own. You'll send me away, and the rest of your life will be with him. Yelara, please, not like this. Please don't do this. We have to find a way out of here together. Me, you, and the babies. Please, Yelara?"

Yelara chuckled wryly and motioned languidly to Leshie. "You want me to care for that man's child? After what he did to me?" She shook her head firmly and rose from the bed, away from the disgusting creature suckling Kallia's breast. "As far as I'm concerned, he can die along with his cheating bastard of a father, and if I cooperate with Dargus, he can make it happen. We can be together after that, Kallia. Believe that I will make it so. Please."

Kallia's eyes darkened. "No," Kallia rasped. "If you send me away, Yelara, you will never see me again. If you go along with what Dargus is planning, then I've truly lost you." She held Leshie tighter and shifted her body protectively in front of Yara. "I'll leave. I'll go away with the children, and you can play whatever sick game Dargus has for you." She shook her head, and used a free hand to wipe a tear away. "He may have cheated on you, but how could you do this? With Dargus Kandran?"

"Because he hurt me!" Yelara shrieked. "He lied and cheated. He broke a promise to me, Kallia! How can you defend him? I want him to suffer. I want him to know that he drove me to Dargus Kandran, into the arms of his greatest enemy. Maybe then he'll know how it feels to be betrayed."

"How the hell will he know that when Dargus kills him? Or do you want to see that look of knowing on his face as he dies? Will that satisfy your lust for vengeance? He slept with that slut, so you kill him? You turn your new Sith Lord boyfriend on him? Fine, if this is what you want, Yelara, then it's over. If you're getting in bed with that monster, then it's over between us. Over!"

"You're the one who started all this!" Yelara hollered. "You confessed Liam's infidelity. You knew how I'd react! Now you judge me for overreacting? This is your doing, Kallia!"

"I didn't think that you'd immediately get into bed with Dargus Kandran. What's next, Yelara? Divorce Liam and marry Dargus?" Kallia shook her head and looked away. After a moment's pause, she continued, much quieter. "I thought it would bring us closer together. And, I couldn't have lied to you. You asked me if I knew, and I couldn't lie. And now...now because I was honest with you, I've lost you too."

"Only because that's what you want," Yelara said softly. She stepped towards Kallia and trepidly brushed her hand along her cheek. "I don't love Dargus. I'm only giving him sex, not my heart. You're the only one who has that now, Kal. Only you. Please don't do this. Please don't end it all. I love you. Kallia Brael, I love you."

Kallia squeezed her eyes shut and fought back a sob. "I can't be here to watch this happen," she whispered. "I can't watch you walk into Dargus Kandran's darkness. I can't do that, Yelara."

"Then don't watch. Leave, Kallia. Take your freedom and run. Don't grieve for me. I'm doing what I choose to do." She kissed her lover's salty wet cheek then gave her a comforting smile. "Know that I still love you, no matter what. Isn't that enough for you?"

"Then I'll choose too," Kallia whispered. "I choose the Jedi. I will stand against Dargus Kandran, and use all my energy to stop him. I will construct a new lightsaber to replace the one he destroyed, and I will use it to stop him."

"And what about me?" Yelara asked. "Will you cut me down too, Kal?" She narrowed her eyes. "Will you?"

"I couldn't do that," Kallia said. "However, I doubt that Dargus will extend me the same courtesy. But, we must all make our choices. And, I cannot choose to stand by while he steals the woman I love from me. I cannot stand by while he enacts his terror on the galaxy. He's a Sith Lord, and it's my duty to stand against him. I could never kill you, Yelara, but I can stand against him."

Yelara smoothed out her features and nodded, accepting Kallia's sworn duty as a Jedi. She merely couldn't stand by, knowing what Kallia had in store for Dargus, and allow her to carry through with it. But she couldn't betray Kallia either. It was either turn her into Dargus for what she would do in the future, or let her leave with their love still intact. As much as she hated Liam, she did still love Kallia and couldn't hurt her in that way. "Then you'll leave, and you'll prepare yourself for a fight to the death with Dargus. But you won't miss me, will you, Kallia? Remember me as I am now, as cruel and vicious as I am, and hate me for it." She kissed Kallia upon the cheek then nuzzled her lips to her ear. "Please...for your sake, hate me, Kal. It'll be so much easier to let me go that way. Please..."

"No," Kallia said. "Know that I love you with all my heart and soul when the man you now share your bed with cuts me down. Know that it was our freedom I was fighting for. My love for you will never waver, Yelara. Remember that next time you give yourself to that beast. Remember that you will be the last I have ever loved, and that he will leave Yara motherless. I love you, Yelara."

Yelara's heart stopped briefly in the amount of time it took for the shock to hit her and her blood to drain away from her face. She staggered back from Kallia and shook her head slowly, dumbly. With an anguished cry, she slapped Kallia sharply with her open hand, then stumbled backwards frantically. "No! No, damn you! You won't die! Kallia Brael, you won't!" Yelara wailed and grabbed wildly at her elaborately styled hair, which was anything but now. "You'll live! You'll live if I have to lock you up in this room for the rest of your life! You will, damn you!"

"He tore us apart before," Kallia whispered, hardly even reacting to the slap. "And, now he's going to do it again. Dargus Kandran has a way of doing that to us, doesn't he?" She looked around the room and then back to Yelara. "I'll be alive, but this is hardly living. Goodbye, Yelara."

"Oh no." Yelara placed herself before the door, arms spread wide to cover it. "You're not going anywhere. Get comfortable, Kallia, because this is going to be your new home for a long while." She banged on the door with her balled up hand and hollered at the guard outside to release her. The door slid open moments later. "I'll come and visit from time to time, if you wish. And treat Liam's boy well. I know he'd want you to." Yelara backed slowly through the opening, still watching Kallia intently. "It didn't have to be this way, Kallia. You forced it to be."

"No," Kallia said, "it didn't have to be this way. Go back to Dargus. Go let him pull you further away from me. Go help him further destroy us. If you're so content to do so, then just leave me in here to rot with the children. I'll take it as a true sign of your love for me."

"I do love you, that's why I'm keeping you here, so you can't hurt yourself." Yelara pushed back her dishevelled hair, then smoothed out the twisted fabric of her equadi. "Do you hate me enough yet, Kallia? If you don't, you will soon. Then maybe you won't think anymore foolish thoughts like those. I really am doing this all for you. I wish you would see that."

She motioned for the guard to seal the door again once she was clear, and as the door began sliding closed, Yelara held Kallia's gaze and shook her head slowly. "I do love you. Give Yara a kiss for me." Then, she was blotted out from view by the thick, metal door of Kallia's longterm prison.

***

Dargus was looking over the information on his desk. Two days out from Tae'Karada. They'd have to be careful. He had no doubts that the Jedi would descend on him with a vengeance. He had no doubts that Yelara would help him though. After yesterday, he was certain she would play his victim to keep them at bay, at least until he was ready to carry out their destruction.

He looked up as the door to his office opened and smiled as Yelara stepped through. "So, did she and the children get off alright?"

"They're staying," she replied sharply. "That stubborn bitch is not going anywhere!" Yelara paced the room frenziedly, looking for something to smash or kick or throw against a wall. She settled for screaming and clawing at her equadi.

Dargus was on his feet and at her side in an instant. Once her screams lessened a little, he took her into his arms and whispered soothing words into her ear. "It's alright, my love," he said. "They're more than welcome to stay here and partake in our hospitality. Now, please tell me what happened."

Yelara clutched at Dargus' shirt to dispel the rest of her frustrations and managed to recount the argument evenly and calmly. "She's disgusted that I'm giving myself to you, and disgusted that I'd want Liam dead. She said once she's released, she will do everything in her power to kill you, even at the expense of her own life." Yelara released a sob. "If I lock her up, she can't do anything stupid. We have to keep her here, Dargus. It's the only way to keep her safe."

"You did the right thing," Dargus said with a smile, and then kissed her brow. "We don't want the Jedi unifying and coming after us, my dear. If they do, I'm not strong enough to withstand all of them. For now, their focus is on the Empire, which works right into my plans. It's best to keep Kallia here where she can be safe, where you can show her that you still love her."

"I didn't do that today. I don't know what's wrong with me. She reproached me for what I was doing with you. I hit her. But she doesn't understand... How can she understand what's going on between us?" Yelara gazed up at Dargus and brushed her hand against his cheek. "She doesn't know how you've changed, how you love me, and how you're willing to help me."

"She's blind to changes of that sort," Dargus said. "She only sees me for what I was. She only sees me for the monster who took her from the night and brought her to his bed. She doesn't see the changes. She can't see past the darkness to the light within. But you can, and that makes you better than them. You aren't blinded by self-righteousness and arrogance. You believe what you see and feel, what you can touch and taste. That's why I love you. Well, one of the reasons anyway."

"But...you do love me, Dargus. You do, right? Kallia--" Yelara sighed and shook her head to rid her mind of Kallia's doubt inspiring words. "She thinks I'm a fool for being with you, for wanting Liam and his child dead. All this is such an abrupt change. I'm just...I'm so confused right now, Dargus. Only the other day, I hated you with a passion. Now..." Yelara smiled wistfully. "I don't know how I feel about you."

"I love you, Yelara," Dargus said softly. "And, she thinks you're a fool because she's being foolish. It does surprise me that you'd want them dead, but that only speaks to how deep your pain goes. After what they've done, it's the right thing. Just like you and I. We're right together. We have fire in our hearts and souls. We belong together, burning bright in each other's arms. I love you, Yelara Neerou."

Yelara sighed then laughed softly. "I haven't been called that in so long. I don't want to be Yelara Zaneth anymore. Hearing that name makes me shudder. But it's my fault. I knew he was a cheating bastard before I married him. I should've known he'd do it again." She whimpered quietly and clung tighter to Dargus. "I was wrong to leave you. You were willing to give me everything, but I rejected you. I was immature and stubborn, and I'm sorry, Dargus."

"You are forgiven," Dargus said with a smile. "And, I will give you everything again. Anything you want, it is yours. Liam is an attractive man, I will give him that. But, he's still trouble. Though, not for much longer." He kissed her tenderly and held her to his chest. "If there's anything you desire, just say the word and I'll make it yours."

"Besides ending Liam Zaneth's existence? Oh, and don't forget about that slut, Laedra Vorrel. She has to go too."

"Gladly," Dargus said with a smile. "Perhaps you'd like the honours. I can present her to you to do with as you please. Would that make you happy, my love?"

Yelara's lips took on a feral, eager smile that waned only when one complication came to mind. "She's a Jedi. How will we keep her from using the Force on me? Or will my Emperor keep her subdued so I can exact my punishment?"

Dargus slid his hands down to Yelara's hips as they moved slowly, rhythmically together. "I will keep her docile while you punish her, my dear," he said. "No one lays a hand on my Empress, but me. And, I'll keep the Jedi bitch from stopping you while you do to her whatever you desire."

"Good," Yelara purred, "for it would not be wise to displease your Empress." She chuckled throatily as her fingers deftly unfastened Dargus' pants, and her eyes told him exactly what she had in mind to further raise her spirits after the confrontation with Kallia. "We can discuss all the particulars later, can we not? This equadi is chafing my delicate flesh," she whispered silkily, "and I would like you to help me remove it."

Dargus's hands flashed through the air one moment, and the next Yelara's equadi was fluttering to the floor. "Better, my love?" he asked. "I do like you much better this way. Your body is much too beautiful to obscure like that. And, all that clothing interferes with being able to touch you, to love you, to savour every beautiful wonder of you." He pulled her back with him to the large chair behind his desk, kissing her as he did.

Yelara wrapped her arms securely around his neck and slipped her legs around his waist to keep from tripping in her excitement to get into a position more suitable for ravishing. "The desk," she said quickly, then pressed her lips firmly to his again.

Dargus grinned. He brought her over to the desk, and before laying her on top of it, cleared it with a thought. He lay her down atop the large wooden structure, and then climbed up with her. "My son will no doubt wish to find out what my secret is," he said as he trailed kisses over her neck and breasts. "The woman he desires has spurned him, and here I am with you. Poor child was quite distraught." He positioned himself at her entrance, paused, and then slid himself inside. "Oh gods," he rasped. "To be here with you again. I would have done anything."

"But you did, didn't you?" Yelara slid up Dargus' shirt and kissed his chest, with accompanying moans, as he slowly and rhythmically thrust himself into her. "You wanted to kill me though. That was your plan, wasn't it?"

"No," Dargus said. "I don't think I would have killed you. I would have made you a slave and taken you to my bed occasionally. I had originally thought of taking Kallia as my alpha. I would have favoured her and driven you apart. I would have done everything I could to ruin you." He kissed her. "And, in doing so I would have killed a part of myself. I like it this way better. I like it with you here with me, with me loving you, and with us taking over everything together."

"You never liked sharing before. A new quality that came with your new face?" Yelara laughed huskily. "I really do like the new face."

"Thank you," he said with a smile. "And, you are the only one I'm sharing with. You and Keeve. You will have to meet him under better circumstances. And, I will share everything with you, Yelara. All that I am, all that I own. Much more than Keeve will ever get from me."

She closed her eyes and took in a sudden breath as Dargus proved his mastery by inducing a flood of ecstasy in her. "And I'm yours," she sighed, slowly expelling the air. "I want to love you too. Give me time to get over the pain." She moaned and clutched Dargus tighter. "Give me time to fully trust you again. You're a man. Liam was a man and he betrayed me. You'll have to prove to me you're not the same."

"And, I will continue to prove it to you until the end of our days," Dargus said. "Tell me what I can do to start earning your trust." He gave her a seductive grin. "Or am I already doing that?"

"Not as easy as that," Yelara said with a laugh. "Just love me and don't hurt me. Be there by my side when I wake up every morning." She kissed him deeply and fiercely then, breathlessly, added, "And kill Liam Zaneth."

Dargus returned her kiss with equal passion and desire. "You will never wake up without me again," he whispered, "and consider Liam Zaneth dead. You desire it, and it shall be done."

She lay her head back upon the desktop and smiled serenely. This bloodlust she felt, she had no idea where it had come from. She loved Liam still, but his infidelity had inspired such resentment within her that she was powerless against her need to repay him the indiscretion. Through her quest for vengeance, she was losing Jae Dyn, had rejected her child, but had a chance to claim Dargus' heart. From the look in his eyes now, she felt certain she had it, and soon, anything else she yearned for.

As his alpha, the galaxy's riches would be hers; as his lover, justification for the suffering she'd undergone at his hands would be received; and as his partner, she would become one of the most dangerous women in all of the Tae'Remok system. She hadn't considered such a role before, but Yelara Neerou was quickly growing to enjoy her newly acquired ruthlessness. And with a teacher as talented as Dargus, she would only grow better at it.

***

Dargus had never really thought his desk comfortable. However, with Yelara curled in his arms, it was quite possibly the most comfortable location in all of the ship. He sighed with contentment. "You know," he said. "I think we've gotten better. I don't remember it being quite that intense before."

Yelara moaned an acknowledgement as she languidly kissed Dargus' sweat-dampened chest. "You know why that is, don't you?" A mischievous smile touched her lips as she slowly massaged Dargus' groin. "It's because I wasn't entirely willing the first time around. Women don't like being forced into sex."

A smile spread over Dargus's lips. "So, by that, and using the last couple days as evidence, can I assume that you are much more willing this time?"

Yelara looked up pensively, then with a chuckle, she shifted down along Dargus' bare form, spreading kisses down his stomach and his thighs. "I'm certain I can sufficiently answer your question," she said before gripping the base of Dargus' penis and letting her actions speak for her.

Dargus let out a loud moan and quickly gripped the desk before he fell off. "Oh, very willing. Oh gods, I love you. So willing, so amazing. You will be well rewarded, my dear. Everything you desire, and then some. And, me and my heart for all eternity. Yelara, I've never asked this of anyone before, but would you--"

Before he could finish, the door slashed open and Keeve stormed in. Dargus bit back a curse and pleaded with whatever powers existed that this wouldn't take long because he liked Yelara where she was.

"She slapped me, practically dumped me, and now she acts as if she doesn't even want to see me!" Keeve threw his hands up into the air and marched towards the desk. He stopped before Yelara, bobbing her head rhythmically, and Dargus gnawing on his lip to stifle moans, and more than anything wished it was he and Shiv on that desk right now. "So this is the important business meeting, is it, Father?"

Dargus thanked whatever higher power gave Yelara the will to continue and smiled at Keeve. "This is a very important meeting, but I have time for you, Keeve." He closed his eyes, moaned and brushed a hand through Yelara's hair. Thank you Liam Zaneth for fucking up so big. "Shiv slapped you? How dare she! What do you plan to do?" He paled slightly. "Or have you done something yet?"

Keeve narrowed his eyes at Dargus' implication. "What the hell do you think I am? Do you think I fucking beat her and raped her? I love her!"

"Shh!" Yelara raised her head and looked over her shoulder at Keeve. "Can't you discuss this later? Your father's busy."

"Why don't you mind your own business and...get back to business." Keeve snorted derisively at Yelara.

"Listen, you little brat," Yelara spat. "It's not our fault you're having girl trouble...but as I see it now, it's very obvious why."

"Father," Keeve said between clenched teeth. "Why don't you keep you whore under control? She's getting far too insolent for a woman."

One instant Keeve was standing on his feet, and the next he'd slammed against the wall, rattling the painting hung there. "Maeren may be your whore, but Yelara is not mine. Now, in my presence you will hold your anger, or you will learn what my reputation was built upon. You will not yell at me, you will not yell at Yelara. You will show us the utmost of respect, or I'll make you wish you were a ten year old boy again." He turned to Yelara, cupped her chin and kissed her gently. "If you'd rather, we can finish this in a little bit." He kissed her again and turned his attention back to Keeve. He released his hold on the boy and nodded. "Now, tell me what happened."

Keeve's shock outweighed his anger, but he wasn't going to cower before Dargus and his bitch. Instead, he craned his neck to each side to loosen the sudden kinks and straightened out the sleeves of his coat. Yelara ignored Keeve after her own initial surprise and whispered calming word to Dargus. As Keeve pushed off the wall and casually moved to the nearest chair, Yelara kissed Dargus, slipped off the desk and ensconced herself in his chair. This was turning out to be an entertaining family squabble and she wanted to watch.

"I did everything you said, Father." Keeve cleared his throat and furtively massaged the back of his neck. "She wants to go home, I said she couldn't, and she snapped. She won't let go of her stupid love for Kaysa and Merrick. What am I supposed to do? How the hell can I get through to her?"

Dargus glanced at Yelara, and then back at Keeve. "Telling her 'no' straight out probably put a damper on things," he said. "I can't blame her for wanting to go home. You just have to convince her that this is a much nicer place to be. And, if she doesn't bite, play up the illusions for her. If she wants to go home, tell her she can. Unfortunately, you're working on my schedule, and you can only get her there when I take the ship there. You can't really give her what she wants, but you can make her think she's getting what she wants. It's a very difficult thing when the woman you love doesn't want the same things as you. Which is why I'm extremely lucky. Yelara and I want the same thing, and it's making it so much easier. You just need to convince Maeren that she'll get what she wants. Eventually yours and her visions will match, and then you'll find your bliss as I have."

Yelara grinned amorously at Dargus as she swivelled lazily in his chair. She glossed her eyes over his strong, naked form, thinking salacious thoughts of what she would do to him once Keeve left.

"So," Keeve said slowly, "I tell her she can go home...but you don't really expect me to tell her she can see Kaysa and Merrick again, do you? She may be gullible, but she's not stupid enough to believe that."

"Why don't you let me talk to her?" Yelara looked up from where her eyes had been studying Dargus' rear and smiled at Keeve. "I need an assistant to help me out, get my clothes prepared that sort of thing. I can talk to this Shiv and gently encourage her to give you a shot. I can be very persuasive when I want to be." She extended her long leg and lightly ran her foot along Dargus' back. "Isn't that right, my lord?"

"Oh, very persuasive," Dargus said with a grin. "She'll have Shiv back in your bed faster than you can get your clothes off. Also, remember that she's an optimistic girl. I have a feeling that if you told her you've thought about what she said, about the look in her eyes, and the way being away from her felt, and you'll do what you can to get her back with Merrick and Kaysa, she'll be all over you, tearing off your clothes, before you can finish speaking. Let Yelara work her magic on Shiv, and then you can work yours."

Keeve leaned to the side to get a clear view of Yelara, first admiring her beauty, then her cunning. "You can do it then? You can snap her out of this stupid depression she's in?"

Yelara shrugged and smiled sweetly at Keeve. "Sure. Just don't call me a whore again."

Keeve grinned sardonically and settled back against his chair. "Deal. When can you start?"

"Well, if you get lost and let me finish what your father and I started, then an hour."

"Fine." He sighed heavily and pushed himself to his feet. "I'm going to my chambers. Associating with stubborn women can really give a man a headache."

Dargus grinned. "Associating with Yelara gives me aches in other places," he said. "I'll see you soon, Keeve. Don't worry about Maeren. Yelara will take care of everything." He glanced back to her and smiled. "Now, my love, where were we again?"

Keeve made no other grievance or complaint about Shiv's treatment of him, and simply made his silent departure, but not before catching a final glimpse of Dargus pulling Yelara roughly onto his lap and doing with her what Keeve had been robbed of doing to Shiv that night. Amidst Yelara's cries and Dargus' grunts, Keeve left the office in admiration of his father, and envy of his fortune - that being the willing, beautiful creature writhing against him.

He'd have his own bounty soon, if Yelara succeeded; he only wished she'd satisfy Dargus sooner so he could have Shiv in his bed before the day was over. But as the corridors echoed with a shrill, resounding cry from the office, Keeve sigh defeatedly. He knew that wasn't the sound of a woman nearing exhaustion, and once again envied Dargus for the stamina of his woman. Keeve supposed waiting to be with Shiv until tomorrow would have to do. If Dargus and Yelara were even done by then.

---

"Search"
By: The Dark Man [NPC]
Lari [NPC]

Location: Corellia
Date: Niothe 26, 4ABY

***

The large throne room was dark and quiet, a relative norm onboard this ship. The floor was white marble, the walls and decorative pillars the same, all trimmed in the sliver chrome that was her master's favorite. There were tapestries depicting scenes from many galactic myths. From weavings of lovers in a passionate embrace to the slaughter of the Jedi Knights oh so long ago. It was just stone and fabric, but it still gave the human replicant a shiver down her artificial spine. It was times like these that she was happy that five minutes after the conversation she was about to have, her memory would delete all video of the event. A nice failsafe her lord put in at the time of her purchase. Why, she did not know. Nor would she ever ask.

She stepped forward, her steps light and cautious. "My Lord. I have the information you have required of me."

"Show me what you have done." The voice was smooth and deep. It weighed heavy, as if attached to it were the weight of the galaxy.

The round holo projector rose from the floor and hummed to life. The image of a tall dark-skinned man appeared, his facial expression one of complete seriousness and determination. It was a bounty hunter's expression.

"Syan Daywalker. Human, artificially enhanced. Bounty Hunter," she began, reciting the information from her perfect memory. "Works for the highest bidder. No ties to the Empire or the Rebellion. His sister, however, has just recently joined the Rebellion. Ship is an old Nubian cruiser. Some enhancements."

"Good taste." The dark man pointed to the projection. "What is the note at the bottom?"

"Ah yes," the droid continued. "Mr. Daywalker has already been in contact with the man you told me to check on."

"Really? Our luck seems to be changing. Let me see."

"Zen Wayland." The holo display shimmered to display a man with a goatee and beard, his face chiselled and the smirk of a smuggler displayed proudly. "Human. Spacer. Smuggler, mercenary, chauffeur for the pleasures of the flesh. Has worked for the Rebellion in the past, but to note it has been always directly under Mon Mothma herself. His weapon of choice seems to be a vibro-axe or a heavy repeater. Has an Ewok travelling companion named Salaab. Ship was a modified Corellian Transport called the Basilisk."

"Was?"

"Yes." She cleared her throat and continued. "Our sources state that he led an attack on Drogen Shipyards, blowing up his own ship to cover the escape of the Aesir."

"Attack? Why?"

"Unknown at this time."

"We'll find out soon enough. What about my Jedi?"

"Yes, my lord. I was just getting to that." The holo switched again, this time to show a heavily bearded and heavily muscled man. His face was stoic, his eyes serious. "Tal Sythe. Self designated Grey Jedi. Born on a world in the Unknown Territories, we have little information about him. He has shown immense Force adeptness."

"What has been recorded?"

"Speed, strength, absorption, swordplay, and ability to lift large objects as large as a boulder." The holo shimmered again, this time to a video feed. "Here we see him against a stormtrooper force. He was able to levitate and throw the large boulder to the left, but as you can see, his attempt to lift a skipray was unsuccessful, leaving him vulnerable to another attack."

"His leanings?"

"None, my lord. He truly does seem to be somewhere in the middle. While he does not follow the path of the Dark Side, he does not of the Light either. His ways are always on the line. Our past encounters with him have shown this time and time again. I believe this is a better choice than any of the Jedi at the Temple on New Plouton."

"Good," the Dark Man said, his fingers steepled in front of him. "What about the Prince you mentioned earlier?"

"Prince Shin Qhan." Once more a holo figured appeared of a short but noble man. "Former Prince of Concord Dawn. Planet was ravaged by the Empire, giving our dear prince a very anti-Imperial standing. Highly skilled in hand-to-hand combat. Ship is a modified Seniar star courier."

"Excellent. You have done well. When can you bring them onboard?"

She knew it wasn't a question. "Soon, my lord. We are en route to intercept the Aesir in a matter of hours."

She could just picture the predatory smile forming on her master's face, but all she could see were those eyes burning into her cortical interface.

"You are dismissed, my dear Lari," he said with his gravelly voice. A wave of a hand was the only gesture she'd seen from him in a long time. It meant he was happy.

"Yes, my lord." She turned and walked out of his throne room, hearing the doors behind her shut. As she ordered the less advanced droids around her to make preparations, her memory rearranged itself, and soon all she could do was remember his words. His eyes were gone.

---