"Meditations, Part 2"
By: Sirra Xanye, Jedi Knight

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Eos 27, 4ABY

***

Deep breath. She could feel the Force flowing into her every pore, could almost smell the electric energy of the universal energy as it bled into her. Her ears heard, her nose smelled, her skin felt, but her mind ignored all the minutiae in the forest that surrounded her. There was nothing but the breath, nothing but the Force.

The sun warmed her silky fall of black hair and the fine scales of her skin through the gossamer fabric of her wrap. The Force warmed her from within. She felt the eddying currents of the Force all around her, the Force as it flowed in, around, and through everything in the forest, in the Temple, in the air, and in the earth beneath her. The Jedi could have pointed right at any number of creatures, large and small, as they lived out their lives in the depths of the forest.

The Jedi Knight meditated on the Force, on the elusive nature of that energy that suffused all things. Random association led, not surprisingly, to the nature of life and the nature of living. From there to the Code of the Jedi. Meditation wasn't for specific problem solving - at least that wasn't her aim at the moment - but thoughts on the Jedi Code led her to consider the situation here at the Temple for a moment.

What should they do? Go to Coruscant to deal with the New Republic? Stay here to teach, to learn, to deal with their own problems in the Temple? And there were serious problems in the Temple. Circumstances aside, there were several padawans here who showed signs of falling from the path.

Even here, alone in the forest, she could feel the turmoil that plagued many of them. It roiled. Their inner pain, their doubt - it churned the Force so much that it was difficult to feel past it. So many problems here.

But this wasn't the time for her to deal with these problems. There were Jedi Masters here who surely saw the same problems she saw. These were their students, to teach as they saw fit. It was their place to correct their students, not hers.

Nothing but the Force.

She could feel the Force, extended her feelings out along the energy into space. The Force was infinite, and in moments like this she had an inkling what infinity truly meant. She was everywhere and nowhere, riding on currents of the Force.

Everywhere and nowhere, the insignificant being sometimes known as Sirra Xanye was in and of the Force itself.

She spent the entire morning sitting motionless in the clearing in meditation, eyes closed, breaths barely moving her chest under her sheer garment. Her eyes opened slowly as she came back to herself. After deep meditation she always felt chastened, small. This was no exception.

---

"Home Coming"
By: Korva and Chowe

Location: Kashyyk (Wookiee Homeworld)
Date: Eos 27, 4ABY

***

She came out from hyperspace appearing like a shooting star across the night sky appearing suddenly out of nowhere; she peeled off to the right, heading for a forest planet, the fourth from the system's sun. A safe haven from Imperial Forces and Rebels alike, they needed a break and his friendly companion had been itching to get back home.

It brought a welcomed smile to the Corellian at the sight of his friend when he told him where they were heading; he almost crushed his lungs as he hugged him from the excitement.

It had been a long while since Chowe was last seen on his home world, seeing his friends and family, his wife or in Wookiee terms 'mate,' his children, he even had a new son he'd never seen. From the last message he'd received telling him of his son he wore a grin for weeks; he was now five months old, or was it six?

The ship came down, entering the planet, gliding effortlessly, puncturing through the upper layers of the atmosphere. She cut through the high clouds floating over the huge forest below that seemed to cover the ground in a green blanket. The planet was hot on most days but this time of the seasons it was stifling.

Moisture in the air only made it worse for humans but the changes in weather didn't seem to affect the Wookiees that lived here, much to Korva's annoyance as whenever he visited, Chowe was too busy having fun to care about him. But this small trip was worth it. His ship had taken a beating from all the Imperial ships attacking them; the last battle had damaged his stabilisers and the power core needed adjusting.

All tedious but necessary work. Being a technician in the Imperial Navy it was policy to fix the problem before it arose. 'Preventative maintenance' was what they called it but whatever the name it still meant the same thing: if there was a problem fix it before it grew worse and if you could catch it before it became a problem, even better.

The Wraith lowered down into a canyon with trees on either side. It was the same route Korva had used hundreds of times in the past; it was a secret route to hidden chambers deep in the forests hidden from Imperial ships doing passive scans of the planet. The Wraith turned slowly on its side as it passed through a tight gap in the canyon, missing the walls by mere inches. That part always gave Chowe the frights, his huge hairy hands grabbing the arms of his large seat as they flew through.

Korva only smiled, enjoying the feeling of flying at the edge of his seat. He could do that manoeuvre blind folded but it still brought a faster beat to his heart, getting the adrenaline flowing. The canyon broke off into three directions, straight, left or right. The Corellian piloted his modified freighter down towards the right, not his usual landing site but it still led to hidden landing sites. Large curtains made of vines and vegetation were drawn to the side, revealing a huge cave.

Lights were imbedded in the ceiling, shining enough light to engulf the whole cave. Machinery was everywhere from manual robotic arms and machinery to automated droids. A smaller transporter was at the rear of the cave but was half way through major repairs. Half the insides were spread out over the ground around the main hull; several droids were working on the ship from small R2 units to the large factory droids.

Not one of the droids stopped to look at the YT-1300 freighter as she came down, turning on the spot as she lowered to the ground, the landing struts coming out of her underside, locking into position before touching down on the ground, taking the weight when the vertical thrusters were finally cut.

"Well we're down..." he said. He raised an eyebrow as Chowe jumped off the seat like it was on fire; he turned, vanishing out of the cockpit, the thuds of his large feet echoing behind him bringing a soft smile to the Corellian. "You're welcome..." he whispered, finishing the shut down.

When he finally stepped down out of his ship, with Isia following closely beside him, he saw Chowe standing with his family and friends. Sixteen Wookiee in all stood in front of him a few metres from the base of the access ramp. If he hadn't known better he might have thought this was a lynch mob, but the moment he was down three of the Wookiees came up to him, each giving him a huge hug. The eldest, a large Wookiee with grey hair who was Chowe's father, picked the poor Corellian up off the ground, squeezing the air out of his lungs; Valkier had to endure the harsh treatment for several minutes as one by one the Wookiees welcomed their friend.

He was almost like part of the family. Sadly Chowe's father didn't understand basic so there had to be another Wookiee present to translate whatever Korva said. It was only a one way problem as the aging Wookiee was too old to learn new tricks, or so he said, but Korva thought differently. He was clever and sharp; even with his age he was as alert as some Wookiees half his age. Korva suspected it was just a show to keep the youngsters in check.

Once all the friendly reunions were all over and done with they were off heading up out of the cave through one of the many tunnels carved into the rock itself, they came out on a ledge looking out into the forest. The trees stretched out for hundreds of miles far to the horizon where two mountains stood. Whispers of clouds clung to the walls of the mountains like flies to a corpse. The largest of the mountains was almost half covered with snow and ice; the sister mountain only had white snow on its peak, signifying the differences in size.

A sound caught his attention. His eyes focused on the six bat like birds flying through the air above the tree tops in perfect formation. He watched as the lead bird dropped down, allowing another to take its place while it took up a new position at the rear. Korva had seen the same on other planets. The members of the flock each taking turns at the lead, giving the others time to rest on long journeys; they were heading east but Korva knew they would turn north to their nesting grounds.

The Corellian followed the party of Wookiees up a small trail from the ledge, stopping at vines that vanished out of sight high above; Korva looked down, losing the long thick vines in the thickening mist below forming in the late afternoon. One by one the Wookiees made their way up the large vines. Korva followed the first with his eyes who disappeared within a few seconds quickly followed by a second Wookiee and then Chowe climbed up.

Korva was damned sure he couldn't make the long difficult climb to the top and then proceed across to the other trees. They were two kilometres from their homes and it was a long trek through the forest among the trees. It seemed the company of Wookiees had known this as they produced two large baskets, one for Korva and the second for Isia who reluctantly climbed inside the smaller of the two baskets.

Korva was slightly dubious about getting inside, not knowing what had been in there before and by the smell he didn't want to know. Seeing that his friend had gone on without him, as he'd predicted, Korva was left with a choice: Refuse and dishonour Chowe's family or rough it out and hold his breath for the two kilometres.

It didn't take long for them to travel the two kilometres from the caves to the large huts built in the tops of the huge trees. Now he was inside; it was one of the most uncomfortable things he'd ever ridden in, he didn't want to fuss over trying to find a comfortable spot if there was one, knowing he may inadvertently distract the Wookiee carrying him and they'd both fall, so he was content to try and relax inside. But the boredom overcame him and he peered out, looking down. The shock at how high they actually were was incredible; hundreds if not thousands of metres separated him from the ground.

The tree they were climbing was dozens of metres wide with huge growing plants running up and down the trunk. Korva looked across and saw a hole in the side of one of the trees beside them. There was a ship resting inside which showed how large the trees were. The entrance was hidden by plants hanging down but the Corellian could still see the ship beyond because of the short distance separating them.

When they finally arrived at their destination Korva was relieved beyond words, beyond sense, but not beyond his aching bones which he moaned gravely as he stretched once out of the basket. Isia shook herself after climbing out of her own basket, back to her old self within seconds, much to Valkier's annoyance.

"What the hell do you put in those things?" he asked stretching. He'd asked the question before realising it and the soft growl he got from one of the Wookiees stopped him dead. He was frozen in place half in a stretch as he stared down at the basket he'd just crawled out of. "Babies...?" he asked, colour draining from his face. Getting a low grunt in reply Valkier nodded almost to himself whispering a single word. "Baby..."

He looked from the basket to the Wookiee who had answered him and back again, when his eyes settled on the Wookiee for what seemed the hundredth time. The Corellian seemed to snap out of his shocked horror. "Never again..." he whispered. He was certain those that were in earshot were sniggering as he followed. He took one last look back at the basket he was forced to use and shuddered.

That night Korva was welcomed as a brother. There was a large celebration of Chowe's return. The Wookiee spoke of their incredible tales. Korva wasn't listening but he was sure the Wookiee was putting on a good show, exaggerating certain parts. He looked down at the mug in front of him half full of the strangest liquid he'd ever tasted. He didn't know if he liked it or not and after nine mugs he was still no closer to deciding. But whatever it was it was having an affect. The world was starting to spin, the ginger coloured Wookiee groaned, responding to the statement. "I know the planet's continually spinning..." he said. "That's not what I meant..." After that his attempts for sympathy fell on deaf ears so he went back to his drinking, after all this was a celebration.

***

The sun was shining and far too brightly in his opinion. Moans escaped from him as his head rolled on the table. His eyes opened half way and that was as far as they would open. "My head feels like a sun's just exploded..." he whispered but no one was around him. He was alone on the large hall, the remains of the celebration all around him, his own mug was beside him turned over lying on its side. Korva's hand came around, hitting the mug, sending it flying off the table.

It was a bad mistake as the sudden movement made his headache ten times worse. "Agh!" he moaned, his hands coming up to his head. "Whoever's idea it was to come here should be shot..." Korva turned, this time very slowly, as he heard a Wookiee's growl close by. He saw Chowe walking towards him with his new son in his arms; the young Chowe Junior was fast asleep snoring quietly. "Yes I know it was me who thought of it, so go find a gun so I can shoot myself..."

He turned away from Chowe, letting his head fell forward, hitting the table. He heard the soft thuds of Chowe walking away, sniggering to himself. It was another annoyance that Wookiees could handle their drink; he'd never in his life seen a drunk Wookiee. He couldn't help but laugh at the thought despite the pain coming from his head as he did. Watching a drunken Wookiee might be worth seeing.

The day dragged. It was probably because of the continuous headache, but he wasn't a hundred percent sure. He'd taken twice the normal dosage of pain killers and still it persisted to torment him. So he'd decided to keep his mind occupied and try to fix his ship. Without much success.

---

"Spit and Polish"
by: Major Adam Edwards - New Republic Soldier/Smuggler

Location: Lusankya
Date: Eos 27, 4ABY

***

The ranks of New Republic troops was an impressive sight. Each one was perfectly still, like statues. All of them were in uniform, staring straight ahead.

Adam entered. He looked at the rows of men. His XO, Captain Adrino Lax stood there.

"Major on the deck," Lax yelled. His voice rang through the large room.

The troops stood straighter. Many of them were older than Adam himself.

"I have heard many rumors of people disliking the fact that I will be commanding this mission because of my lack of military experience," Adam said to the gathered soldiers.

He turned to the other soldiers on the other side of the room.

"I'm here to tell you that I know what we are getting into, and I will not waste the lives of the men under my command. But I expect every soldier to do his duty. Is that understood?" Adam asked.

"Sir, yes sir," was the response.

"We're going into a battle with an entrenched enemy. The Imps aren't gonna go down without a fight. Captain Lax has your squad assignments. Let's get to work," Adam ordered.

The men snapped to action, hurrying around the room.

---

"Survival of the Fittest"
by Robin Black [NPC+]

Location: Jungle North of New Plouton
Date: Eos 27, 4ABY

***

Eyes in the jungle peered everywhere. The animal grazed gently by the clear blue pool of water. Its fate was already sealed. The hunter approached quietly. In his arm he held a long sharpened staff of wood. His face blackened with dirt and grime, his arms scratched and scarred. His eyes locked on to the animal. The staff flew across the air, slamming into the side of the beast, knocking it down. The beast didn't die instantly as the hunter had hoped. The hunter got up from his hiding place and walked over to the dying creature. He then calmly and humanly broke its neck.

Robin looked down at his hands at the animal he had killed; the food would be good for a few days. Robin hadn't eaten for two, and his hunger was beginning to set in. He brushed his hair back and scratched his face; his stubble had gone unchecked for too long; he was starting to look like a crazy wild man. Only his two blasters and combat jacket showed that he had once been civilised. He bent down and pulled the spear out of its place. He then knelt by the animal and began to prepare it. It had been four or five days since he had seen any sign of pursuit. The Imperials had clearly given up on him. No sense sending good soldiers after dead ones. Robin knelt by the pool and wiped his arms and face clean. He needed to get back to civilisation, but what awaited him there? A price on his head and that was it. In the jungle he was safe, for the moment.

Robin cut open the animal and started a fire; both of his pistols only had minimal charge in them so he used sticks to start a fire. It was a long way but it was quieter. He wondered how Jack was doing. Surely he had gotten away? Robin didn't know, he told himself he didn't care, but he did. No matter what his brother did he was still Robin's brother and Robin couldn't give up caring so quickly. The betrayal had hit him harsh, but Jack knew that Robin would survive.

Night was creeping in, and it was beginning to get cold. It got cold every night in the Jungle. Robin had begun to get used to it. He cut off a large section of meat and stashed the rest in a tree for tomorrow. He then knelt by the fire and began to cook the meat. Despite his love of food Robin had never been anything more than a mediocre chef and the meat he cooked was burned on the outside and raw on the inside, but it was food. Robin ate it like a Rancor.

After the meal Robin reached a decision: he would begin the trek back to civilisation. He could probably get back into New Plouton; surely he would be able to. Jack had seemed to get in and out with no problems. However that had been Jack, Jack was smart. Robin wasn't dumb, despite constant accusations, he was just slow. He would spend hours pondering a problem and eventually come up with and answer. People tended to overlook that it was often the right answer.

After sating himself on the meal Robin leaned back and looked up at the stars. Tomorrow he would begin to head back to civilisation. He was drifting to sleep as the fire burned to its embers and eventually burned out.

"Good night, brother," he whispered as he drifted to sleep.

---

"Darker Purposes, Part 1"
By: Dargus Kandran
Yelara Zaneth
Va'Lesh (aka Forty-Seven) [NPC+]

Location: Dargus' Cruiser
Date: Eos 27, 4 ABY

***

Yelara's tired eyes glanced listlessly up at the wall chrono, then fell closed again. She was too exhausted to care what time it was, and it wouldn't change anything to know. In a short while, more of Dargus' loyal, horny soldiers would come to ravage her; she would resist, of course, as she had done since her torment had begun, but it only made them hungrier and rougher.

They enjoyed taking her more than one at a time, and in different combinations. Sometimes it was one in front and the other behind; other times, one would take her from behind while she was forced to orally pleasure another. She complied the odd time, when she was too weak to fight; even when she didn't struggle, however, they revelled in slapping her around and otherwise mistreating her. Before the old bruises and cuts could heal, fresh ones were administered, and no one ever came to tend to them.

Yelara groaned and weakly rolled herself onto her back. At least Dargus had allowed her to keep the silk sheets on her bed, and they still felt wonderful against her naked flesh, but it wasn't enough to detract from the seriousness of her situation. He was trying to break her, and would eventually succeed, especially when he refused to let her see Leshie. She cried herself to sleep - when he allowed her to sleep - just thinking of what was happening to her child. At times, she wasn't even certain he still lived. And Liam... She had no doubt Dargus would let him live, if only to force him to witness the violations being inflicted upon her. He would break Liam too, if he could, though upon realizing he couldn't, Dargus would likely murder him for the pure enjoyment of it all.

Despite all her disheartening thoughts, Yelara refused to cry now. She knew Dargus was watching and listening, and she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of knowing she was weakening. Instead, she made it a point to burst into laughter at times, mocking, jeering laughter directed only at him. Coincidentally enough, no sooner did she start than a cohort of men would file into the room to silence her. It was fulfilling knowing she could still torment him.

"Come on, Dargus," she called out hoarsely. She chuckled languidly and dragged her hands down her torso, passing them over the odd bruise, but not wincing at the pain elicited. "Or do you just prefer watching, listening.... Hm?" Yelara dipped her hand between her legs, moaned quietly, then drew them back up along her sides. "I promise I won't call out Liam's name." She snickered.

It was only a few moments of silence, with only the sound of Yelara's ragged breathing filling the room, before the door opened and Dargus and one of his black-clad guards strode into the room. It was one of the clones, one of the males. So far, it had been all of Dargus' other men who had ravaged her, the clones seeking no pleasure in such a thing. The guard took up a position near the door, and Dargus filed further into the room. "My dear sweet wife," he said in a mocking voice. "I must say that my men speak very highly of you. Since Maeren and Lerrah left us, they said we haven't had a good slut on board."

Yelara shot him a feral grin as she turned onto her stomach again to face him. "Only the best for your men, Dargus," she replied sardonically. "In fact, my time with them has been far pleasurable than any I've ever had with you. And to think, I've been getting second best all this time..."

"Well, that's very good for you then," Dargus said. "Though, I've got something new for you today." He turned to the guard and nodded. The young man diligently began removing his armour, starting with the helmet. A tumble of red hair fell to the youth's shoulders as he set the black helmet aside. He moved to the rest of his clothing, paying no mind to Yelara or Dargus. Dargus smiled. "A fine specimen, isn't he?"

"Of course he is," she replied smugly. "He's got his father's eyes." She chuckled lowly and summoned the young man over. "It must kill you," she said, "that I would choose my own child over you."

Dargus laughed and hoped the shock in his eyes didn't betray him. He wouldn't have thought she would willingly go with her own son, clone or no. "It doesn't kill me," he said. "Though, I imagine with the doctor's help, I could rid of my child and you could carry his." He indicated the clone with a nod. "His name is Unit 47, but you can call him Leshie if you'd like."

Yelara sat up slowly, causing her tangled hair to fall limply upon her shoulders. She couldn't help smiling tenderly at the dashing young man nearing her, a vision of what her child would be in the future, and he was beautiful. "Come," she said softly to him, and opened her arms to the man.

He did as he was bid, and easily slipped into her embrace.

Dargus took a step back, and found himself wondering if this was a mistake. He hadn't expected her to be so accepting, but should have known better. She would do anything to spite him, anything at all. But, he wouldn't let her get to him...couldn't let her, not and hope to retain his hold.

"What's your name?" she murmured to the young man, while tenderly stroking his mane of red hair. She buried her nose into the silky strands and sighed contentedly at the scent that would belong to her son when he was a man.

"I have no name," he said. "They...they just call me Forty-Seven."

"No," Yelara whispered. She cradled his face in her hands and raised his head towards hers. "You're name is Va'Lesh. Isn't that a pretty name?"

"It is," he said. "It's a noble name." He smiled. "Va'Lesh. I like it."

"And do you know what that means?" she asked, cradling him against her chest, much as she did her own Leshie. "It's Corellian. That's where we're from, you know. It means 'freedom.' Wouldn't you like that, someday?"

"I am here to serve," he said. "I...I don't need freedom. I wouldn't even know what to do with myself... I...what is it like?"

"It's wonderful," Yelara breathed. "The things you can do, Va'lesh...they're amazing! Have you ever seen a lake?" She smiled. "Of course not. But you can, someday. You can swim in real water, feel the sun on your face... And there's grass and trees and the most beautiful flowers... Oh, Va'Lesh, wouldn't you want to experience that?"

"I would like that very much," he said, eyes wide with wonder as he gazed up at her. "Someday...yes, I would like to see that."

"Well maybe someday," she said softly, "I can show you." Yelara smiled tenderly at the boy and lightly kissed his brow. Staring into his breathtaking blue eyes, she added, "My son."

He looked up at her and smiled. "Mother?"

Yelara laughed softly and kissed Va'Lesh's cheeks and brow happily. "That's right," she told him. "That's exactly right. And you have a father too, you know. You have his eyes..."

"His eyes?" the youth asked as he gazed into her eyes. "I...I have a father?"

"Forty-seven," came an irritated voice from behind them, "you are supposed to be having sex with her. Get to it, and Yelara, you know what you're supposed to do."

"I know," she replied all too cheerfully. "I just wanted to introduce myself to my son." She caressed Va'Lesh's cheek fondly and reclined him onto the bed. "Just remember," she whispered, brushing her lips against his cheek, "he made us do this. Remember that, Va'Lesh, and hate him for it."

Yelara gazed down into her son's eyes - or what would be her son in eighteen years - and kept smiling, even when she was forced to sit atop him and pleasure the boy. She derived no enjoyment herself from the act, but the surprise and twinge of arousal she identified in Leshie's face indicated that he was. Yelara didn't mind, however. This was her son, and living aboard Dargus' vessel, he would never get an opportunity to experience the joys of life, including making love to a woman. This was her gift to him, and in the process, she gained some time with her son, clone or not.

"Are you pleased, Dargus?" Yelara asked casually. She shot him a shrewd smile over her shoulder, while she swayed against Va'Lesh. "You got what you wanted, isn't that right?"

"To have your son get you with child would be an amusement," Dargus said. "But, you're already carrying mine. You appear to be enjoying him so much. Perhaps you'd like to bear your son's son. Or, would you like to spend a night with Kallia's daughter? Wouldn't that be a delight?"

"As long as it vexes you," she replied. She chuckled and returned her focus to Va'Lesh. The boy seemed completely at a loss for what to do, as clearly shown by the look of confusion in his blue eyes. Yelara smiled warmly at him and lightly dragged her fingers down his arms until they came to his hands. "It's alright," she whispered. Yelara clasped his hands and brought them to her waist. "You can touch. Go ahead."

He did. Slowly at first, sliding his hands over her smooth skin. His eyes showed fear and doubt, but there was something more beneath the surface. The young man bit his lip and held back the emotions turning beneath the surface; he would only experience the pleasure. None of the other, not now...not yet.

"Isn't it wonderful?" Yelara whispered. She laughed gently at Va'Lesh's uncertainty, but saw that it was quickly fading. She placed her hands atop his and slowly slid them towards her breasts, the one area he seemed apprehensive to go near. "Touch them, but be gentle," she told him. "That's what women like."

"Nice," he whispered. "Very nice. And, smooth. You are very kind to me... I...I think I like you. You are different from the others." He smiled. "I like difference."

"That's because all your brothers are the same," Yelara explained. "But in the real world, everyone is different. There are thousands of women, many nicer than me. I bet you'd like them too."

"My sisters are pretty," Va'Lesh said. "I don't see them out of their battle armour very often, but they are. They have long dark hair and dark eyes. I think they'd be as smooth as you."

Yelara nodded slowly, and cast a dark gaze in Dargus' direction. His malignant smile all but validated her assumption: he'd cloned Yara as well. When she looked upon Va'Lesh again, her face brightened, and she smiled at him once more. "Do you talk to them?" she asked. "Do you talk to Yara? That's their name, you know. Yara, and I bet they're just as beautiful as their mother is."

"They are beautiful," Va'Lesh said. "They're nice to us too. They're our sisters."

"You know," Dargus said with a laugh. "Funny story. About Kallia. Did you know she had a little operation? Keeve wanted a woman who didn't already have others she was devoted to like his little bitch. So, he had the doctor make a few adjustments. She was quite obedient. And, all Keeve needs to do is give her a command, and she does it. His favourite is 'Spread your legs.' "

Yelara's sensual motions halted and were replaced by a violent trembling of her body alluding to the fury being contained within it. It all erupted, however, in a wailing cry as she flew from the bed and launched herself at Dargus. "You bastard! You son of a whore!"

Dargus only laughed while he fended off Yelara's attacks. "What? No witty comeback? No attempt to turn it against me in some sharp turn of phrase? You disappoint me, Yelara. Such a brutal, violent reaction...so unlike you."

Yelara growled as she attempted to drive her nails across his cheek, but he easily deflected her hand. "My reaction is the logical one," she spat. "You lied to me. She didn't want to see me because she didn't care; she didn't want to because you screwed around with her head!" Yelara shrieked and threw herself at him again.

"I did not screw around with her head," Dargus said. "The doctor did it. Now, stop trying to hit me, Yelara, or I will have to punish you. Though, perhaps I should punish that husband of yours."

Yelara laughed cruelly and stood back, with arms no longer thrashing at him, to peer up at her husband with clear hatred. "Go ahead, but you'll suffer far worse when he does kill you. Everything you do to us makes us stronger, Dargus. You will lose and die in the process."

Dargus smiled as he reached down and pulled the comlink from his belt. "It's Kandran," he said into the device. "Castrate the Jedi."

"No!" Yelara lunged forward for the device and grappled for possession of it. "Don't do this... Don't! Punish me, not him. I did all of this!"

"Aww," Dargus cooed. "So you like that thing your husband has slung between his legs. Return to Forty-seven and finish making him a man. I imagine he's feeling rather deprived right now."

"Promise you won't touch Liam," she said. "Promise me, and I'll do what you say."

"Very well," Dargus said. "I promise."

"For whatever that's worth," she replied disdainfully. With a scathing glare, Yelara walked back towards the bed and knelt upon it beside Va'Lesh. "I'm sorry I kept you waiting, my sweet boy," she murmured and brushed her lips against his.

"It's alright, Mother," he said softly. "While you were away, I was thinking about what I will tell the others."

"Oh?" Yelara smiled curiously at Leshie and gracefully lay down, pressing herself to his side. "Tell me what you'll say," she murmured and moved her hand to his groin.

"I'll tell them that I met a most wonderful woman, and that the Master told me to be with her. She was most gentle and caring, and...and she was my mother. I'll tell them that you are extraordinarily beautiful and compassionate."

"And that she does love you," Yelara reminded him. She saw the young man flinch, then relax as her hand began caressing his phallus. She imagined he would have plenty to report to his friends after this. "I do love you, Va'Lesh," she continued. "I don't know you well, but you are my son and I love you. Will you remember that?"

"I will remember," Va'Lesh said. "I will remember for always...Mother."

Yelara smiled affectionately and again kissed her son's lips. It was a tender, chaste kiss, nothing like what she was doing to his phallus. "And tell Yara," she whispered, "that her mother loves her too...as does her Aunt Yelara. Will you tell her?"

"I will tell her," he said. "I will tell all of my sisters. And...and I love you, Mother."

Yelara nestled her cheek to Va'Lesh's chest and sighed contentedly. "Thank you, my son. You don't know how happy I am to hear that."

"What does it take to get through to you," Dargus growled. "Forty-Seven, get your cock inside of her, and make her scream. If you can't do it that way, take her from behind."

Va'Lesh looked up at Yelara, sorrow clear in his eyes. "I am sorry," he whispered.

"It's alright," Yelara assured him. "I know it's not you, my love. Dargus is an evil man. Remember that." She caressed Va'Lesh's cheek soothingly as she shifted onto her back. "It's alright, son," she said softly. "It won't hurt me. It's alright."

"I'll be good," Va'Lesh said softly. He leaned in and kissed her cheek gently. "I like how you touch me."

"That's how you touch the people you love," she explained. Yelara opened her legs for Va'Lesh and pulled him down onto her. "This is my gift to you, my son," she murmured. "I'm happy to give it."

Dargus watched as the two of them began making love. He didn't let his reaction show, but he was beginning to hate her, her and her attempts to spite him. The fact that she was successful probably added fuel to the fire she was fanning. He flung out a hand, and used the Force to activate the camera. If he had to "enjoy" this show, then he wanted Liam Zaneth to enjoy it as well. See his wife going at it with his own cloned son. That should at least fill him with some despair, Dargus thought.

Va'Lesh cried out with the pleasure he was sharing with Yelara. He loved how she made him feel. He loved how her words made him think. He knew there was more to what he was, to what everything was, than when he'd come into the room. She had helped to open his eyes. "I love you," he whispered.

Yelara nodded quickly and embraced her son to her more fully. Her body swayed in time with his, attempting to slow him down and train his motions to become less frenzied and desperate. She kissed her son's cheek and languidly brushed her fingers through his long hair, all the while watching Dargus. She would make certain he knew it was going to take much more than this to break her. He always had underestimated how strong she was. "Enjoying yourself, Dargus?" she asked.

Dargus smiled, berating himself inwardly for not having the smile in place before. "Of course," he said. "The two of you are marvelous together. Quite a show. I must say, I am impressed. Perhaps I can use you to help train up a few male pleasure clones."

"Of course," she agreed readily. "This way I can turn them all against you." She chuckled derisively.

"It's a shame I can only castrate Liam once," Dargus said. "Though, I could clone him as well, and let you watch him die a million deaths."

"It would still change nothing," she told him. "It still wouldn't make me love you."

"Oh, this isn't about love," Dargus said. "This is about suffering."

"Because I scorned you," she pointed out. She rubbed Va'Lesh's back gently as he cried out into her ear, then kissed her son's cheek. "I wanted to love you, Dargus," she continued. "I did. I wanted to believe I could make you a good person...but you never wanted that."

"I would have welcomed it," Dargus said. "But, I am who I am...I am a Sith Lord. But, did you really care? I don't think you did, Yelara. I don't think you were interested in anything but your revenge!"

"I loved you," she snapped. "When you were tender, and you treated me well. You're a Sith because that's what you choose to be." Her toned softened as she whispered, "But you don't have to be. I can help you, Dargus...if you'd only let me."

"You'd give up Liam for me?" Dargus asked, his manner changed completely from a moment before.

Yelara sighed softly, then nodded. "If you return him to the planet...with Leshie, I would, Dargus."

"Very well," Dargus said. "And, if I do this, you will be mine?"

Liam would never allow her to sacrifice her freedom for his, but being Dargus' wife was far better than having to worry whether her husband would live or die. I'm sorry, Liam... "I will, Dargus," she whispered. "Once Liam and Leshie are safely on the planet."

"They will be safely on the planet by tonight," Dargus said. He gave her a wolfish smile.

Yelara narrowed her eyes at him and added sternly, "Alive, Dargus."

"Of course alive, my dear," Dargus said. "I figured that was what you'd wish, so that is what shall be done."

"I know you're hiding something," she told him. "But I don't know what...and I can't pass up this opportunity."

"What ever would I hide?" Dargus asked as he moved forward to her. "Would you like me to take your little darling's place, my dear?"

Yelara stroked Va'Lesh's hair and kissed his cheek, tasting the salty perspiration there. "Let him finish," she said to Dargus. "This might be his only chance ever."

"Very well," Dargus said. "I will leave you alone with him. Come to me when you are finished; I shall be in my room."

"Of course you will be," she replied, a hint of disgust in her voice. Yelara turned her face into Va'Lesh's cheek, seeking to look anywhere but at Dargus.

Dargus turned away, a smile filling his face. He left Yelara with her cloned son to make arrangements for Liam and little Va'Lesh's departure from the ship. There was still much to do.

"He's a bad man, Mother," Va'Lesh said softly.

"I know, Va'Lesh," she replied. "That's why you have to help me."

"I will," Va'Lesh answered. "I will do whatever I can to help you. I love you, Mother, and I do not wish to see you unhappy with him. I do not wish to see you hurt by him."

"Then you must find a way," she murmured into his ear, hopefully low enough that Dargus' eavesdropping equipment couldn't detect it. "You have to find a way to free Liam. He's a powerful man, Va'Lesh, and if he has your help, I know he can defeat Dargus."

"I will help him," Va'Lesh whispered back. "I will help free...my father."

"Thank you," she whispered and kissed her son's cheek. "And please...make sure little Va'Lesh is alright. He's your brother, in a way, and we can't let anything happen to him."

"I will make sure they are both safe," Va'Lesh whispered. "And, I will try to gain the help of my brothers and sisters without rousing any suspicion."

"Oh, thank you, my son..." She kissed Va'Lesh's lips tenderly, then embraced him. "Thank you... And in gratitude, I will allow you to experience the bliss of reaching your manhood." Yelara brushed her hands down his strong back, and smoothed them over his rear. "It's alright," she whispered. "You can finish."

"Thank you, mother," Va'Lesh said. And, with increasing cries of passion from both of them, he did.

As they lay together afterward, he looked up at her and smiled with affection. "Thank you, Mother," he said. "I...I wonder if One Twenty-Three would like to share those feelings with me. I think she is my favourite. We share our meals together. She has a...a funny sense of humour."

Yelara glanced down at her son with mild wonder, then chuckled and kissed his brow. "You have a girlfriend? That's so wonderful, Va'Lesh! And if she feels for you as well, she'd want to be with you."

Unable to control it, Va'Lesh blushed. "Is that what she would be? My girl friend?" He smiled. "I think I like that very much."

"I think she'd like that too. You should try and get some time alone with her," Yelara suggested, then smiled slyly. "And show her what I just showed you."

As his grin widened and Va'Lesh blushed again, he said: "I think she would like that too."

Yelara snickered and caressed her son's cheek affectionately. He was bright, handsome, and charming...just like his father, and Yelara was glad she'd had the chance to associate with him. She doubted Dargus would ever let her see him again after she began her services to him. "In case we don't speak again for a long time," she said softly, "I want you to remember that I love you, and that I'm proud of you. You'll remember?"

"I'll always remember, Mother," Va'Lesh said. "I'll try to see you as often as I can. Perhaps I can even bring One T-- Yara to meet you."

"I would like that." She held her son close and brushed her lips against Va'Lesh's chin, chuckling softly to herself at the hint of stubble she felt grazing her skin. "You've grown into a noble man, Va'Lesh. Your father will be proud."

"Thank you, Mother," Va'Lesh answered. "I am the man you and my father made me." He was silent for a moment, then blushed. "Mother, was I...good?"

Yelara refrained from laughing and looked into her son's brilliant, blue eyes to reply, "For a first timer...you were perfect. I imagine you'll only get better after practicing with Yara."

"I think she will enjoy that very much," he said. "Especially if she makes sounds like you did. We don't have much time to be together, but we will find our time together...if she wants. What of Master Kandran? Will you be alright with him, Mother? I do not like the way he treats you."

"I can handle him," she assured her son. "He will mistreat me if I'm not docile...but while I carry his child, he won't kill me."

"Please be careful mother," Va'Lesh said. "I will rescue you and take you and Father and little Va'Lesh and Yara to safety. Together we will be a family. We should not be here."

"You're right," Yelara said. "None of us should. But...we will prevail, my love. And we will be free again...my Va'Lesh."

"Freedom," he whispered. "We will have our freedom again, Mother. I promise."

She smiled wistfully at her son, then sighed and held him tighter. "You're just as brave and determined as your father. You should visit him if you can, Va'Lesh. You'd really like him."

"I will try to get to him, though Master Kandran keeps him well-guarded. Perhaps I can get on the detail that brings him his food."

"Clever boy..." Yelara chuckled and kissed Va'Lesh lightly. "Just be careful, alright?"

"I shall, Mother," he whispered. "And, I hope we can see each other again. I...I would like to get to know you...to...to be your son."

"But you are, Va'Lesh. You already are." Yelara held him to her, making the most of the short time they had left. "I love you, Va'Lesh. But you should go now. Dargus will be expecting me, and I shouldn't keep him waiting."

"I will save you from this mother," he said. "I will save all of us."

"Just don't lose your life in the process," she urged him. She held her son-to-be for a moment longer, then reluctantly pulled back. "I have to go. I wish I could stay."

"I will miss you, Mother," Va'Lesh said as he stood, then offered her a hand up. "I will think of you often, and hope to see you soon. Perhaps I will have a plan to get us safely away the next time I see you."

Yelara accepted Va'Lesh's hand and slipped off the bed. He was slightly taller than she, but still at a height where she could gaze directly into his eyes. Yelara sighed and raked a hand through his hair. "You're beautiful, Va'Lesh. I'm so glad Liam and I could bring you into this universe."

Va'Lesh gave her a smile that was nearly identical to Liam's. "I am too, Mother," he said. "And, I am very grateful that I had this time with you, to know you and know that I love you."

"And maybe soon, you can discover the same about your father." She smiled fondly as she kissed each of Va'Lesh's cheeks, then held him in an embrace for a lingering moment. "I'll see you soon, son."

"Goodbye, Mother," Va'Lesh said as he watched her. He gave her a warm smile and then waved. "I'll tell Yara about you. And, I'll show her the things you showed me!"

"And I know she'll love you for it!" Yelara called back. She blew her son a kiss, and waved vigorously at him. She felt her heart lurch with a yearning to follow the young man, but she had hopes that they would see each other again soon.

He gathered up his belongings, waved once more, and slipped from the room. He kept his eyes on hers as long as possible, but in the end he knew he must leave or else he would get in severe trouble. For himself, he didn't mind...but for her, he couldn't do that. He needed to save her from this place, and couldn't do that if he angered the Master. "Goodbye, Mother," he called as he disappeared down the hall.

Yelara sighed heavily and felt a shiver run through her upon Va'Lesh's parting. She'd given him a moment of warmth and comfort in what was to be a future filled only with suffering and loneliness; she missed her son already, as well as her baby, and especially her husband, who she was unlikely to ever see again. No matter how arduous the times ahead were, she still refused to shed a tear. Instead, she smoothed out her dishevelled hair, pushed her shoulders back, and strode out of the room with the regal airs of that empress she had once been. If Dargus thought she was intractable before, he was in for an even more difficult time now.

---

"Darker Purposes, Part 2"
By: Dargus Kandran
Yelara Zaneth

Location: Dargus' Cruiser
Date: Eos 27, 4 ABY

***

"Ahh," Dargus called as she came through the door of his private rooms, "my beautiful wife. I hope your time with your son was enjoyable, even though he was a clone of Va'Lesh."

"Yes," she replied tightly, "quite enjoyable." Yelara stopped a distance from the bed, where he was reposed casually and with the look of a man who knew he was in complete control. She resisted the urge to sneer at the sight of him, and instead smiled. "So...I'm here. I think we should talk."

"Very well," Dargus said as he shifted in a position more conducive to talking. He gestured her closer. "If you'd like to sit on the bed, you may. Or, I can have a chair brought over for you."

"I'll stand...for now," she answered. "I don't much feel like sitting. It's far too uncomfortable after what you encouraged your men to do to me."

"It didn't have to be that way," Dargus said. "If you hadn't been so defiant and willful, it would have been easier on you. It doesn't have to be that way now, not any more."

"Until the next time?" Yelara chuckled wryly and moved slowly closer to him. "You showed me how vicious you are, Dargus, and how weak your love for me is. Did you even ever love me at all?"

"I've always loved you, Yelara," Dargus said. "I've never stopped. It's just...you know I've got a difficult, complex life. And...it's just difficult. I've...I've never had someone like you, Yelara. I've never been able to...to express love in that way. Will you help me? Help me to express my love for you?"

Yelara sighed wearily and sank down upon the end of the mattress. "I've been trying," she told him. "I thought...I'd turned you away from the darkness. I thought you were happy and the future bright... Then you just...reverted, Dargus. I thought my love was enough...but it wasn't."

"It was...it was...Liam returning. And, your grandfather's reaction to me. They...they pushed me back toward the darkness. The feelings were too strong. You'll be my strength, won't you Yelara? You'll help me stay strong?"

"I don't know," she said quietly. "I just...think that I can, but then I remember what you've done to me, and allowed others to do to me... What happens the next time you get scared, Dargus? Will you kill me?"

"I couldn't kill you, Yelara," he said. "I could never do that, no matter how evil I am. My feelings for you, despite everything, are too deep." He reached a hand out to her. "I need you, Yelara. I need you."

Despite all of Yelara's apprehensions, a small part of her existed that yearned to give Dargus the chance he asked for, that still believed she could change him. But she wasn't prepared to surrender to it fully yet. "I-I don't know, Dargus..." she said, turning her eyes away from his outstretched hand. "I think we need time. Once Liam and Leshie are on the planet...we can just try and start over again."

"Of course," Dargus said. "We will be in a position to send them to the planet in just a few hours. I have a ship already being prepared for them."

"Thank you," she murmured. "At least that will be a good start. Though...a better one would be to call off your men." She gazed up at him with a stony stare and said, "The more frequently you send them to torment me, the more I hate you, Dargus. Is that what you want?"

"I don't want that," Dargus said. "From now on, you will be off-limits to them. Will that be acceptable?"

Yelara chuckled weakly. "What the hells do you think, Dargus? Do you take me for some whore who revels in what those bastards do to me?"

"From what you've said to me about them and my own skills in bed," Dargus said, then let the words trail off, allowing Yelara to fill in the rest. "But, perhaps that is not so."

"Of course it isn't," she muttered. She gestured to the purple and blue splotches covering her flesh and added, "Do you think I enjoy this? Do you think I enjoyed allowing strange men do this to me? I'm not sure how much you were, but I was not particularly excited about any of it." Looking down at her hand resting atop the red sheets, Yelara sighed. "Things were good for a time," she admitted. "I just...I realized I couldn't hate Liam anymore." She hesitated for a moment, then slid her hand across the smooth sheets and brought it up to Dargus' knee. "I'm sorry. We both hurt each other...and it has to stop now."

"It will stop now," Dargus said. "And, once Liam is no longer around to torment me, I'll be able to treat you as you deserve, as I should have from the start. I am so sorry, Yelara. It was very wrong of me to do what I did. I hope you can find it within you to forgive me, but I know if you can't, I understand."

She nodded slowly, uncertainly. "I'll try, Dargus. We both will."

"I'll do whatever it takes," Dargus said. "I don't want to lose you...as I've lost so much else. You're the only source of good in my life, Yelara. You are what has kept me from turning completely to darkness. You can save me."

"But it won't change anything if you don't alter your lifestyle, Dargus. I mean...you still associate with your Master, allow him to dictate your actions. If you want me to help you, you'll distance yourself from him permanently."

"I will try," Dargus said. "He's...he's a powerful man. I don't know how easily it will be to break away from him, but I will. I'll do it for us, and for our life together. For our future." He placed a hand over her abdomen. "For our child."

Yelara resisted the urge to shrink away at his touch, but it was his child, and she was determined to accept that. "The child you were so willing to dispose of a short while ago?" she reminded him. "Gods...do you even realize the things you say and do half the time, Dargus? Are you that possessed by the darkness?"

"I was upset," Dargus said. "I couldn't have carried through with that, not even at my darkest."

Yelara sighed and gently covered his hand with hers. "Well...let's hope not. If you do harm this child...I don't think I could ever forgive you."

"Our child will be completely safe," Dargus said. "I will do everything I can to keep both you and our child safe."

"And Liam and Leshie?" she asked with a raised eyebrow. "You will keep them safe, won't you, Dargus?"

"After I send them to the planet, you wish me to watch over them?"

"No," she said slowly, "I wish to watch over them...to make sure nothing happens to them. I think you know what I'm getting at, Dargus."

"I think I do," Dargus said. "You don't trust me. Will you ever trust me, Yelara? Is this just a foolish charade we're enacting now? Where you pretend to love me, all the while watching after them, pining for them? How can I truly give myself to you knowing that you won't allow yourself to trust me?"

"I said we'd have to build that trust again," she replied softly. "And we will. In time."

"Very well," Dargus said. "But Liam cannot return to the Jedi. If I return him to the Jedi, he'll only raise them against me. No matter how much I love you, I will not endanger myself in that way."

Yelara frowned. "So he will not be free to go where he wishes?"

"He can go and do as he wishes," Dargus said. "Though, I do not want him coming back against me. He could easily organize the Jedi against me, Yelara, and they will come and kill me. I will not bare my throat for them."

"I wouldn't expect you to." She cradled his cheek in one hand, and said softly, "But you'll already have his wife. At least let him have his Jedi Order."

"I wish you to be my wife, Yelara," Dargus said. "Not my hostage. If he does try to raise them against me, I would be forced to use you as leverage. I do not want to do that."

"Then don't," she whispered. "Dargus...make peace with him," she pleaded. "Talk to him...work something out. Please."

"Do you think I'll ever be able to make peace with him while I send him away and keep his wife here in my bed? Do you truly believe Liam Zaneth will just let you go like that?"

Yelara sighed. "No...but if you made peace...maybe we could work something out. You could be a good man if you tried, Dargus. I know Liam would accept you if you turned from the darkness, like he did."

"You're so certain of that?" Dargus asked. "So certain he wouldn't want my blood for what I've done to you, for what he's been forced to watch done to you?"

"He's a Jedi," she said quietly. "He wouldn't...not and risk being consumed by the dark side again."

"So, because he's a Jedi he'll be willing to allow his wife to stay here with me? He'll just go off and be a Jedi while you and I stay here and raise our children? He'll be willing to accept that?"

"No," she answered flatly. "But if he sees you can be a good man...things could be different. Don't you want that?"

"I want you," Dargus said. "What if he doesn't agree? What if he would rather be with you himself? What do you do then? Do you still choose me over him?"

Yelara closed her eyes wearily and sighed. "I don't know. I'm too tired to think. I don't know what to do."

"How do you think he would take it that you would choose me over him? Perhaps that could be what drives him away, and makes all of this that much easier."

"And destroy him in the process?" Yelara pulled away, shaking her head slowly. "You'd like that far too much. I won't do it."

"And you think seeing you go off to be with me will be good for his mental health?" Dargus asked. "You want me to make peace with the man, and then send him off while I stay here with his wife."

"Maybe you wouldn't have to send him off," she said. Smiling, she shifted closer to Dargus and looped her arms around his neck. "Maybe we could work out an arrangement of sorts."

Dargus slipped his arms around her and drew her even closer. "An arrangement? Me, you, and him together?"

Yelara shrugged while brushing her lips against his chin. "It could work. But I'd have to speak with him...and you'd have to change."

"I will try, Yelara," Dargus said, shifting his eyes to look into hers. "I promise I will."

"And that's all I can ask of you." She smiled up at him, then motioned her eyes towards her bruised and sullied body. "Do you think I could get cleaned up?"

"Of course," Dargus answered. "If you need help, I can send for someone."

"I can manage. Though...do you think I could get something to wear?" Chuckling, she added, "I know how much you like me this way, but I'd prefer clothing."

Dargus reached into a pocket and pulled out a small square of silky material. He held it out to her with a questioning raised eyebrow with his lips curled into a playful smile.

Yelara rolled her eyes and laughed as she snatched the fabric from him. "Thank you for your generousity. I'll remember that tonight when I'm lying in your bed." She grinned slyly at him and slid backwards off the bed. After a cursory glance at the cloth graciously supplied to her by Dargus, she daintily positioned it over her crotch and began moving back towards the refresher. "Works perfectly."

Dargus laughed. "I'll have some clothing brought in for you," Dargus said. "Would you prefer the leather or the sandsilk?"

A broad smile stretched her lips and Yelara couldn't help purring as she said, "Leather, please."

Dargus smiled then laughed again. "I do like it when we get along," he said. "I'll see you soon, Yelara."

With a wink, she turned and padded towards the refresher. Just before getting too far, she glanced over her shoulder at Dargus and tossed him the patch of silk. Her sultry gaze as she disappeared into the small room indicated it was an invitation to join her. She hoped he would take her up on it; she almost had him fully wrapped around her finger, and would need to if her scheme was to prove successful.

Dargus wasn't long in following, and soon appeared in the doorway, regarding Yelara with a lustful look. "It is a crime to hide such a beautiful body under even one layer of clothing."

"Well...a woman does enjoy her privacy sometimes," Yelara pointed out, while sampling the falling water's temperature with one hand. "Besides...I would think you wouldn't want your wife exposed for all unworthy eyes to see."

"I like the unworthy eyes to see what they are unworthy of," Dargus answered as he brushed a hand over her hip, then tracing the outline of her tattoo with a finger. "I gave Maeren a tattoo identical to that."

"I know," she replied. "Maeren showed me. Why did you do it?"

"To remind me of you," Dargus said. "You left me with so little, and...and I needed something."

"You drove me away," she said. "If you had nothing, it was because of your own deeds."

"I know," Dargus said. "But...but I still needed something of you...something to remember..." He looked up at her. "I know I've done so many things that were wrong, but...but...but you have to admit the tattoo did look very nice on her."

Yelara smiled and shifted around to face Dargus, with her back pressed to the wall. "It did... She was very skilled, too. It's too bad you had to send her back."

"It was," Dargus said. "Though...I haven't been able to experience the pleasure of her charms for quite some time due to my devotion to you. However, if I wanted to...I still could."

Yelara raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Really? And how would you manage that? I don't think Keeve would agree to bringing her on board."

"The woman with Keeve...she is Maeren for all intents and purposes. However...however she is a clone. One of the first actually."

Yelara chuckled weakly. "You...you cloned her? Keeve doesn't know a thing?" She laughed again, attempting to contain her rage. Though, she imagined Keeve's anger would be far more intense if he found out the truth. "So," she said, "where is Maeren? It'd be nice to catch up."

"She's still on my moon base," Dargus said. "With Keeve here, I felt it best if the clone and the real Maeren weren't in the same place...just in case Keeve ended up somewhere he wasn't supposed to be."

"I see..." Yelara turned her back to Dargus, seemingly testing the water again, but really attempting to conceal her disgust. "Well...as long as you haven't cloned me, what do I care?"

"I haven't," Dargus said. "And, I haven't cloned Kallia either. I am not that wicked."

"But wicked enough to remove all memory of me from her?" She chuckled coolly, then stepped into the shower.

"The idea was Keeve's," Dargus said. "He wished for a woman to love him and no other. Besides, you know she didn't approve of us. It was a kinder thing to give her no memory of the love she bore for the woman who had just married yet another."

"You were doing her a favour?" Yelara snorted at him. "You weren't. You were doing it so you could have me all to yourself."

"I did it for Keeve," Dargus said. "Maeren had nearly broken his heart with her love for Kaysa and Merrick, and nearly everyone else she encountered."

Yelara turned beneath the raining water to face Dargus. "But she still loves them - the clone. How did it change anything?"

"Kallia was to give him someone who would love only him," Dargus said. "But, he couldn't give up his love for Maeren. So, now he has both: Maeren who loves him among many others, and Kallia who is solely devoted to him. Of course, she's also devoted to her children."

Yelara's breathing stopped, but resumed once she overcame her initial shock. "Children? What are you saying?"

"Oh, I guess you hadn't spoken with her before she found out. She's pregnant actually."

"Pregnant?" Yelara hadn't realize no sound had left her mouth, until she noticed Dargus squinting as if trying to hear whatever her moving lips had said. "I...I didn't know that. Does she?"

Dargus nodded. "Yes," he said. "She does know. And...and I believe the child is Liam's."

Of all the possible reactions, Yelara found that laughing was the first thing to come to mind. She continued laughing, even as she carried on with her shower and finally said, "It figures... She can't even remember who I am, yet she's having my husband's child. I imagine you're enjoying this."

"Tremendously," Dargus said, though his tone implied the opposite. "Keeve's not as upset about it as I expected him to be. I believe he wanted to be the father."

She looked sidelong at him, still wearing her smug grin. "And you?"

"I truly have no stake in who the child's father is," Dargus said. "And, it's not as if I was in a position to give her a child."

"Oh no?" Yelara nodded thoughtfully and pushed her hands through her sopping hair. "If she'd let you near her, you would've given her one. I know you would have."

Dargus shook his head. "Not now," he said. "To give her a child since you returned to me...I made a vow, Yelara."

"And you really plan on keeping it?" she asked with a note of skepticism. "I mean...you refused to before, the first time we were together. I was just a concubine to you then. And now?"

"You're more than that to me," Dargus said. "And, I've kept my vow to you. We do have something special, my love. Something unique and...and rather amazing. We're good together when we're not fighting...very good."

Yelara smiled tenderly and extended a wet hand to touch his cheek. "We are... And we'd be better if you got in here with me."

Dargus smiled, an expression of pure mischief. "You want me to be...good? Come, come, Yelara, you know that when I have the naked body of my favourite woman near me, I am...quite naughty."

She chuckled throatily as she turned fully to face him, her body glistening with the water washing over her curves and dripping from the tips of her breasts. "I wouldn't have invited you in if I didn't know that," she said. "Now...are you coming?"

"Fairly close," Dargus said as he feasted his eyes upon her body. He quickly removed his clothing, a lustful smile curling his lips as he kept his focus on her body. "Definitely close."

Yelara grinned and directed a splash of water in his direction. "Stop being a fool and get in here. I'm getting a little chilly."

With a laugh, Dargus slipped into the water with her. "You know," he said as he pressed his body close to hers, enjoying how nicely their slick skin moved together, "I don't think we've ever done this before."

Yelara frowned pensively. "Really? That's strange... Is there anything else we haven't done?"

"Made love in zero-g," Dargus said with a smile. "I think there are a few things, and if you're up for it, I'd like to try them. It's been awhile since we've gone out shopping together. Would you like for me to spoil you rotten, my love?"

Yelara was genuinely surprised and especially when she nodded readily. "I want to. I want you to take me shopping."

Dargus laughed. "Then we shall go shopping," he said. "We can go to Tae'Karada, or we can go somewhere else entirely. Sometimes it's very nice to find new places for things like that."

"Then tomorrow." She pushed her hands over Dargus' chest and leaned up to kiss him. She didn't know if she'd be overcome with disgust at having to touch a man she despised, but when their lips met and she felt nothing but a slight passion building, she felt only fear that she was allowing him to pull her in again.

"I love you, Yelara," Dargus whispered once their lips parted. "I know I haven't shown it, but I do. You're the only woman I've ever felt this way about, the only person I've ever cared this much about."

"And maybe in time," she answered softly, "I can grow to love you too, again. But I'm here now, so let that satisfy you for the time being."

"As long as I can make you smile," Dargus said. "And, as long as my presence doesn't repel you. We'll figure out how to make this work, Yelara. We'll make it work; I promise."

"I know," she whispered. "And then everything will be perfect." She closed the distance between their lips and kissed him again, initiating the start of their shower-time activity. They didn't speak again for the entirety of the shower and simply physically reconciled, but Yelara was certain they were both playing a ruse on one another, that their expressions of love were empty and a darker purpose lay behind them; the only thing left to be determined was who would come out victorious.

---

"Suitable Lodgings"
by Alex "Zero" Stalker - Slicer

Location: Thanatos, The Aftershock
Date: Eos 27, 4ABY

***

The bar was half empty, and the half that wasn't didn't look at all friendly as Zero made his way into the room. Every eye seemed to appraise the expensive clothes and the trunk he was carrying with the trained gaze of professional predators. They noted the blaster and turned back to their drinks, to wait for the idiot with the fancy boots to get drunk enough to make the blaster less of a risk.

Zero knew what they were thinking, at least in so much as he had the common sense to figure it out. But, he'd come up in some of the worst areas of his homeworld on less than he had on him now weaponry wise. He set his eyes on the bar tender, a thin Twi'lek female with long tentacles and approached her.

"So, where can a guy get a glass of cirrus ale and a place to hang his hat around here?" he said, planting himself at the bar.

She looked at him for a long moment, nothing less than hunger in her eyes as she added up how much the man's wardrobe alone must have cost. "Ale I've got, and rooms as well, stranger. Assuming you can pay the price."

Zero gave her a half smile. "Well, let's see the room and then we can talk about price, I guess."

Moments later he had followed her up the stairs and down a narrow hallway into a sand littered room overlooking the street. He made a circuit of the small room, peering into the closet and the poor excuse for a bathroom and sat his trunk down. "Alright, how much?"

"Two hundred credits a week or Six hundred for a month, in advance," she replied, knowing that the price was absurdly high.

Zero chuckled. "I'd love to haggle prices with you for the rest of the day, but I'm tired. Imperial credits good enough for ya?"

She shook her head. "Imperial Credits are worthless. Four hundred a week, One thousand a month."

Zero shrugged and produced a sack of Imperial coin credits and tossed it to her. "Great. Get out and let me get some sleep."

The Twi'lek hefted the bag a moment and nodded. "Sleep well, and be sure to lock your door." With that she bowed once and hurried out.

Zero closed the door behind her and slid the lock into place. Opening his trunk he pulled out a motion detection array and aimed the beam under the door of the room, plugging it into his slave board and programming the sweep. Then he wired the slave board into the uplink unit on the back of his wrist. If someone moved anywhere near his door he would be awake in an instant.

What he would do with that instant he wasn't overly sure, but it might be enough of an edge to let him get a few shots off. He had a feeling this neighborhood was going to be a little tougher to survive in than he'd expected.

"I better make myself real useful to someone, real fast," he muttered as he lay back on the bed. "Or hire a bodyguard of some sort."

He drifted off to sleep with his mind still weighing the options of protection.

---

"Distance, Part 1"
By: General Shrezade Anoran
Captain Dresh Kano [NPC+]
Captain Rilanna Kir

Location: The Lusankya in Hyperspace
Date: Eos 27, 4 ABY

***

Rilanna Kir braced herself against the bulkhead as blaster fire rained through the opening, spattering against the far wall. The resistance by the Imperials was strong here, but they expected less the further they went in. This would be the test...getting through this pocket of Stormtroopers. Reza was pressed against the wall to her side, matte black combat armour nearly invisible in the darkness of the bay.

Killing the lighting had been one of the first tasks, and one easily accomplished with a well-placed blaster bolt. Ril checked the charge on her pack, and frowned. She only had another thirty seconds of fight time left, and the recharge was going slow. It always seemed to go slow when she needed it most.

She glanced at Reza, her own face hidden behind the helmet she wore. "You said there was another way out of here," she said through the helm's comlink. "It'll be easier than gunning it out with the Imps. And, if it puts us out in a good position, we can eliminate that group of Imps while we're at it."

"There is another way out," Reza replied, "but it will require us to get into the corridor. Do you see that narrow passageway directly in your line of sight?" At Rilanna's affirmative, she continued. "There is an opening into the air ducts. Conveniently enough, it should bring us into an outflanking position. Is that what you had in mind, dear?"

"It is," Rilanna said. "Getting into the corridor will be a risk, but I think we can make it if we have a big enough diversion."

"A smoke grenade would only panic them," Reza thought out loud. "They'd bolt and rush in here."

"True," Rilanna answered. "If we lay down cover fire, we only expose ourselves, and a stray shot could hit any of us in there. And, there's too much space between us and them. What about a different type of grenade down there? I've got a sonic concussion one that should give us around ten seconds of time to get in."

"That should be enough time." Reza sent an order to their team to provide cover fire on her mark, then gave a nod to Rilanna. "Make it good, Captain."

Ril attached the canister to the end of the launcher. She gave a nod to Reza. At the answering nod, she spun into the open, levelled the weapon and fired. Bolts of blaster fire started, searing the air as they sped past. Then they just stopped.

"Got 'em," she called.

"We'll contact you again once we're on the other side," Reza told their troops. Then she dashed into the corridor and slipped into the side passage. "Over here, Rilanna!" Reza dropped to her knees by the panel concealing the duct and holstered her weapon. "I have to get it open. It might take a while."

Rilanna dropped down on the other side of Reza to shield her from when the troops came out of their stupor. "I've got you covered," she said.

"I would expect nothing less," Reza retorted, then produced an energy cutter and set to work slicing through the durasteel panel.

"No time for banter now, Reze," Rilanna said as she kept her eyes open for any Imps aiming a weapon in their direction. "We can spar later if you'd like."

"Spar? What do you mean, Ril?" The helmet she wore shielded her face from the showering, blue sparks emitted by the plasma beam cutting through the metal panel; it also proved efficient in hiding the cruel smile curling her lips sharply. She always did enjoy tormenting Rilanna.

"How did you ever get to command a space station if you're too dull to understand what I mean?" Rilanna snapped back.

"It's not that I don't understand," Reza replied. "It's that the idea is so ridiculous, I was momentarily surprised that a woman of your intelligence could think of such a thing." She chuckled inaudibly. "Perhaps I've overestimated your mental prowess."

"Take your fucking station back on your own," Rilanna spat, and then stalked back in the direction from which they'd come.

"So be it," Reza muttered. She jammed the energy cutter back into her artillery belt and got to her feet. One powerful kick was enough to break free the panel, and no sooner than it had fallen into the duct did Reza crawl inside. She always knew she would be alone in this, and Rilanna was proving her right.

"Good luck with Dresh," Rilanna said into the private channel she shared with Reza. "Though, I suspect that acidic tongue of yours will drive him away before long." And, with that, she was gone.

Reza cut all comm connections, including the link to Rilanna's. She wasn't in the mood to listen or speak to anyone, especially Rilanna. Though, she was doing well in driving the girl away. "You'll thank me, my dear. You will." Then she pushed all thoughts aside and hastened her crawl through the duct.

The sound of blaster fire grew louder the further she went, indicating the Imperials were near. As she settled onto her knees before the grate leading directly to the enemy troops, Reza wished she had waited a little longer before pushing Rilanna away. She had one blaster, and even with the element of surprise on her side, she could manage to take down only a couple before they subdued her. But, she wasn't about to ask for help.

In one hand, she held her blaster, and in the other she reached for her energy web disruptor and set it for a wide dispersal. It would reduce the weapon's efficiency, but at least it would be effective in stunning many soldiers at once. Hopefully it would provide her with enough time to take the majority of them down.

Not requiring her energy cutters for this grate, Reza sat back, aimed her weapons for the opening, and kicked her legs out. The grate skittered across the deck, alerting some of the closer troopers to her presence. Before they could turn fully, Reza fired her disruptor. A small group of the Imperials were enshrouded in a tangle of electricity. The blue-white forks crawled over their armour and immobilized them, but she hadn't gotten them all. Those on the opposite side of the doorway turned their weapons onto her. Reza couldn't remain long in the open, so she pushed herself out of the duct and came out firing. Two of the troopers went down, while the others opened fire. She rolled behind the crowd of crippled soldiers still caught in the energy web, and used them as her cover.

"Move out!" she shouted into her comm, and continued assailing the Imps wildly with blaster fire.

Aim was proving difficult considering the opposing fire sailing at her from the Imps. The energy web wouldn't hold out for much longer, and she would soon lose her shield of troopers, as well as gain a few more enemies.

Only one of her many shots managed to connect, and upon seeing their comrade go down, the other Imperials seemed to become more aggressive in their attack. One spear of blaster fire nicked her shoulder and another came dangerously close to her head. Reza ducked back behind her barrier, but continued firing blindly into the group of soldiers before they could decide to advance.

A glimmer of hope came soon after as the distinct sound of booted feet and New Republic blaster fire drew nearer. Help was on the way, and already were the Imperials diverting some of their weapons fire towards the oncoming Rebels.

Aid, however, proved a little too late for Reza. Without warning, an armoured foot struck the blaster from her hand, and she watched it briefly as it slid away from her. She looked up at the soldier coming free of the electric webbing's snare, just in time to see a knee slamming into her helmet. It was knocked clear from her head, which became even more obvious when her unprotected skull struck the deckplating as she fell back. Reza's briefly blackened vision cleared, only to see four white-armoured soldiers standing above her with blaster rifles aimed at her. She sighed and raised her arms above her head in surrender.

"End simulation," she said, her voice tinged with pain and disappointment. The simulated soldiers distorted then vanished, leaving her with a troop of Rebels, people she was to lead and be respected by, coming to help her from the ground. Reza slapped away the offered hands, and returned to her feet. "I'm fine," she muttered, even though she was swaying perilously.

With one hand covering the back of her head, Reza strode unsteadily off towards the bay doors. They'd failed, and under her command. She wasn't certain they would ever be ready.

***

"Where are you going?" a voice behind her asked.

Rilanna spun and found herself facing Dresh Kano. In her battle armour, she was taller than him, though not by much. "I'm leaving," she said.

"I can't let you do that," Kano said. "You're a necessary part of this operation, and I can't let you just walk out."

"I'm not one of your troops, Captain, and you can't force me to cooperate."

"Can't I?"

"So we've replaced one oppressive regime with another?"

"It's not like that and you know it." He scrubbed a hand through his hair and growled with frustration. "Shrezade needs you, Rilanna."

"Shrezade Anoran needs no one but Shrezade Anoran. You should write that down and make sure you refer to it often; it'll give you less headache and heartache that way."

"Look, I'm sorry about what happe--"

"No you're not," Rilanna snapped, her anger flaring. "Her forcing me out only helps to strengthen your standing with her. Hell, without me around, you may actually get to spend your nights in her bed. Then again, without me around, you may become her target to play her teasing games on."

"It's not like that," Dresh said. "Look, Rilanna, I know--"

"You don't know anything, Captain," Ril said, her voice a menacing echo from within her helmet. "I can't stay here much longer. She won't admit it, but she's a petty, jealous bitch who can't stand the fact that I'm with Lerrah, but she won't come out and say that. Instead, she tells me it's perfectly fine for me to be with Lerrah, and then does every possible thing she can to make mine and Lerrah's life an utter hell. So, thanks to Reza's petty, spiteful nature, I'm leaving. You're welcome to her, Captain Kano. I'm out."

"I'm afraid not," Kano said. "Because of the sensitive nature of this operation, I can't let you go."

"You don't trust me?"

Kano sighed. "I don't trust anyone. Lerrah's ship is grounded, and you can't leave the Lusankya, except to participate in the mission."

"To hell with that," Rilanna snapped. "I'll be on Lerrah's ship if you need me."

"We can provide quarters for--"

"Lerrah's ship will be fine, Captain," Rilanna said. "I've had enough of New Republic hospitality." She turned on her heal and stormed away, leaving Dresh Kano to watch, slack-jawed, as she left.

***

Reza adjusted the compress held to the back of her head and took a sip of her brandy to dull the pain. She would have succeeded if she'd had back-up, if she'd had Rilanna. It was an irksome admission, both in that she realized she couldn't win her station back without her, and in that Rilanna had abandoned her when she'd needed her most. She wasn't certain she could trust her any longer.

"May I come in?" a voice from the doorway asked. Dresh Kano stood there, leaning against the frame watching her. He wore a lopsided grin, but there was concern filling his eyes. "You look like you could use...a refill."

Reza sighed. "How did you get in? And I thought I said I wanted to be alone."

"Yes, I do remember you saying something along those lines," Dresh said. "Though, I wasn't sure if that extended to me as well. But, I'm here and I've got another bottle of brandy if you've still got room. And, we need to talk."

She relented, being far too tired to fight, and motioned him inside. "Talk about what?" she asked wearily. "We failed miserably. I'd really rather not discuss it."

"You will need to do one of two things," Dresh said. "You'll need to either get Rilanna back onto the mission, or you'll need to assign a new second-in-command for your team."

"Rilanna will not rejoin the mission," she answered. "Therefore I will be scouring this ship for a new second-in-command." She smiled wanly and added, "However, I don't trust anyone else on this ship, therefore I will not require a new second-in-command." Reza sighed and relaxed back against the chair. "I will succeed without. Don't worry."

Dresh raised an eyebrow. "Are you certain?" he asked. "You don't have half the combat experience she does. You are far more temperamental under pressure than she is. And, the two of you are acting like children. Will you at least talk to her, Shrezade? If not for you, then for the mission?"

Reza abruptly sat up straight again, sending a spike of pain through her skull. She winced and tossed back the last of her drink to numb the insistent throbbing, then slowly closed her eyes and settled back against the chair. "I won't," she said quietly. "She's asking for things I cannot give her yet, and when I deny her, she throws a tantrum. There's no time for immaturity from her, Captain, and no time for me to deal with it."

"No," Dresh said. "You're too busy being immature yourself to deal with hers. You taunt and tempt her at every turn, and then quickly shut everything down as soon as she responds. You've got her spinning in circles, and then quickly step back and pretend you have no idea what's happening. I heard your conversation, and you did know exactly what she was talking about. Since I met you, all you and Rilanna do is circle each other looking for an opening...her to your heart, and you to hers. Of course, you're looking for an opening where you can slip a vibroblade through. How long before you start to put the same distance between us, Shrezade? How long before I get too close and you have to drive me away?"

"That's not going to happen," she snapped, regarding him again. "Did you ever think that I'm behaving as I am because I wish to spare her feelings? She wants to love me, Captain, and she wants my love in return. I can't offer that yet, and it isn't right to keep leading her on. She has Lerrah, and I have you. She should just let me go, but she's not ready to yet. I'm forcing her hand, that's all!"

"You may have told her that she has Lerrah, but according to her, you lash out at both of them. Do you really want her to have Lerrah, Shrezade? Is that what you want? Or are you just stifling your own jealousy because you know you can't commit to her the way she wants you to?"

"No, I'm not jealous," she said. "I could have her if I wanted to. If she wishes to have Lerrah, she may. But I want no part of either of them."

"You're a bad liar, Shrezade," Dresh said. "I've seen the way you look at her and Lerrah together. I can see you don't like it. But, it's your own business. However, I strongly believe that this mission requires Rilanna Kir's presence. She's good in a fight and you need her in there."

"So what? You'll have me beg?" She chuckled and leaned in towards him. "I thought you only preferred that when I did it to you."

"Oh, I do prefer that very much," Dresh said. "And, I never said anything about begging. Shrezade, I want you to be completely honest with me for a moment. Do you really want to lose Rilanna? And, are you certain you are completely fine with her relationship with Lerrah? Please trust me in this...and trust in yourself."

Reza let out a long sigh and looked down upon the compress, now resting in her lap. "She's dear to me, Captain," she answered quietly. "And no, I would rather she was not with Lerrah while professing her love for me. But she's so young, Captain, and I'm so...confused." Reza's gaze shifted to Dresh's as she continued, "I don't want to hurt her, but I know this is best. She's asking for so much, and I know I won't be able to give her what she deserves. Lerrah can, and for Rilanna's sake, and because I do care for her, I want her to be with someone she can be happy with."

"If you're going to allow her to be with Lerrah, you need to allow her. You can't hold it against her, Shrezade. That isn't fair to her either."

"She's only with her because I can't be," she pointed out. "It isn't fair to Lerrah that she's second choice. So...I'm making her first choice by driving Rilanna away. I call it an act of goodwill."

"It's not goodwill if you continue to punish her for that decision," Dresh said. "Shrezade, if you're going to let her go, you need to let her go. I don't mean disassociate yourself from her...but you need to be okay, inside."

"But it's hard," she told him. "I don't want to lose her, Captain. I just...I don't want to hurt her, that's all."

"Which do you think hurts her more? Being honest with her, or what you've been doing to her with your own affections and with Lerrah?"

"I know," she admitted reluctantly. "I just... I'm afraid, alright? I'm afraid of having to face her and know I'm about to hurt her. Is that so wrong?"

"No," Dresh said gently. "It's not wrong at all. As long as you are honest with both her and yourself, it's fine...and that you're scared says good things about you."

Reza smiled quizzically at Dresh. "It does? Like what?"

"That you are compassionate and do care about her. If you weren't scared about facing her, that would mean you didn't care."

"And that wouldn't bode well for us, would it?" She smiled tenderly at Dresh as she reached a hand out to brush his cheek. "I do have a heart, Captain... It just sometimes gets buried beneath all the worries and insecurities. But it is there, I assure you."

"I know," Dresh said, and brushed his hand over hers. "I care for you deeply, Shrezade. I didn't want you to do something to hurt her, because it could end up hurting you as well."

"I had a feeling concern for my well-being was involved in this somehow," she said playfully. "But...I thank you, Captain. Though, I really could have used your help when I had a troop of Imperial soldiers ganging up on me."

"I know," Dresh said. "But at the point you'll have Imperial troops ganging up on you, I'll be out in my fighter making sure the Imps don't get any reinforcements into the station. You'll need someone you can count on in there...someone you can trust."

"And can I really trust Rilanna when she turns her back on me without a moment's notice?" Reza asked.

"Because you pushed her away," Dresh said. "She cares for you very much, but you keep pushing at her. Of course, she should realize what she wants can't happen...but, it's hard to get those new concepts into your head sometimes. You must admit, you haven't exactly been kind to her about this. Your acid tongue has been working overtime at her."

"I know," she admitted grudgingly. "I don't even realize it sometimes. So...I'll apologize." Reza smiled slowly at Dresh, while shifting closer to him. "But...my head's a little sore. Can't you do something about that?"

Dresh smiled and slid up behind her. He brought his hands to her temples and began rubbing gently. "Better?" he asked softly. "She went down to Lerrah's ship, I think. After we get rid of this headache, did you want to go talk to her?"

Reza sighed and leaned back against Dresh. "After. Unless you're trying to get rid of me now."

"I'm definitely not trying to get rid of you," Dresh said. "I happen to like you here with me, my dear. I think...well, I think it's rather nice, actually. Me and you, together. Me trying to help you get rid of a headache...while we sit close together. Your hand on my knee, playfully teasing me with your fingertips."

Reza chuckled. "So...what are you saying, Captain? You like having me around?"

"You know," Dresh said with a smile, "I think that's exactly what I'm saying. I hope you don't mind me saying that...but it is the truth."

"I don't mind," she answered, finding herself smiling broadly. "In fact, I like being here with you." Reza glanced up at him, and said, "I hope you don't mind."

He brushed his lips against hers. "I don't mind one little bit," he said. "I think this is the perfect place to be. So, how's your head feeling, my dear?"

She shrugged coyly. "A little better... Though, you've got some other ways of healing a headache, don't you?" she whispered.

"I know of a few that have a good chance of working," Dresh said. He brought his lips to her temple, kissing one side and then the other. "I think I know of one other, but we're sadly...overdressed."

Reza chuckled and shifted around to face Dresh. "We can fix that," she said, and proceeded to undo the buttons of his shirt. "Quite an easy fix, actually...especially if we resort to tearing."

"Oh, tearing," Dresh said. "I've never...never had the chance for that. It sounds...sinfully wicked. May I?"

Reza paused to regard Dresh and assess his sincerity. The mischievous smile he wore was convincing enough. "Why, certainly, Captain Kano," she replied, spreading her arms wide. "Let the tearing begin."

---

"Distance, Part 2"
By: General Shrezade Anoran
Lerrah Breijal [NPC+]
Captain Dresh Kano [NPC+]
Captain Rilanna Kir

Location: The Lusankya in Hyperspace
Date: Eos 27, 4 ABY

***

With a laugh, Dresh grabbed hold of either side of Reza's shirt and pulled it apart, sending little fastenings flinging off in a variety of directions. He then forcefully removed her bra, tossing it behind him as he lowered his face to her breasts, taking one nipple into his mouth while his hand found her other breast.

Reza's reaction was to snicker, adding in the odd moan, at Dresh's attentions. "Are you always this enthusiastic?" she inquired, while trying to blindly force open Dresh's pants.

"Not always," he said. "Just sometimes...like now. It isn't too much, is it?"

Reza dipped her hand into his underpants and answered, "What do you think?"

"Oh, I think it's about perfect right now. I never knew you had such a wild side, Shrezade. I hope you don't think poorly of me if I say...I kind of like it."

"I...I don't mind," she said with a note of uncertainty. "I just didn't know I could be this brash and bold with a man... It certainly wasn't like this with Vraner."

"Do you like it?" Dresh asked softly as he moved his mouth up to her throat while he forced open her pants, earning a boisterous laugh from her.

"I think I do," she replied breathlessly. "It's a very liberating feeling." Giggling, she added, "As is how frantically you're attempting to remove my clothing."

"Rather nice, isn't it?" he asked as he slid up toward her lips, while his hand slid down between her thighs. "I like this side of us, my dear."

Reza sighed unsteadily as her hands smoothed over his bare chest. "I think I like it too. I feel good with you, Captain. I feel so calm and sure. I don't quite know what that means yet...but I imagine it's something good."

"I think anything that doesn't have us fighting against each other or wanting to kill each other is a good thing," he said. "We go well together, Shrezade. I don't know what it means yet either, but I do know that I am...enjoying it very much."

"I should hope so," she drawled. "You're the first man I've been with for ten years. All my sexual energies have been pent up for that long, and you're the first to experience them." She kissed him slowly and deeply, then pulled back and whispered, "Consider yourself lucky."

"I consider myself very lucky," Dresh said meaningfully. "I never thought to find another person I could feel so free and alive with...until you."

"Thank you," she replied softly, pausing a moment to gaze tenderly upon him. "Considering what I've been going through with Rilanna, that's something I'm grateful to hear. It means I may not be so cold after all."

"Definitely not cold," Dresh said. "Though, sometimes uncertainty can be mistaken for coldness. You're definitely not cold, Shrezade. And, anyone who says you are is blind."

"It's not people," she told him, and lowered her eyes to watch her fingers idly brushing along his abdomen. "I just feel it sometimes. I'm so reticent about my feelings, reluctant to share them, then I look at Rilanna, and she's so passionate... I just feel like I should be that way too, but I can't...and it just makes me think I'm wrong, somehow, that I'm cold inside. At least, that's how I think people perceive me."

"And, how they perceive you is a concern to you? You don't want them to think ill of you. You're very passionate with me, Shrezade. What stops you other times?"

"Because I have a job to do," she answered. "And...an image to uphold. When I get back to my station, they have to fear me, Captain. They have to think I'm cruel and unyielding. If they believe there is even an iota of compassion in me, my station will become overrun with criminals...not that it already isn't..."

"And is that what you want to be?" Dresh asked. "And is that the face you must show to everyone?"

She glanced up at Dresh with a crooked smile. "Is that the face I'm showing to you now?"

"Why, no," Dresh said with a smile. "Actually, the face you're showing me now is...quite nice. I must say that it is quite a becoming face."

Reza held her chin high and smiled proudly. "Why, thank you, Captain Kano. And for that, you will be given the honour of engaging in sexual intercourse with me...if you wish."

"Oh," Dresh murmured. "That is a very tempting offer, especially as I gaze upon your body. I do hope to honour you with our sexual union in ways that only you and I can find."

Reza chuckled and leaned in closer to Dresh, managing to wind her legs around his waist. "Well...then what's the hold-up? Not developing any doubts, are you?"

"No doubts at all," Dresh said as he positioned himself, and then slid himself inside. It was rougher than usual, but that seemed only to spur them on and heighten what had been building. He could feel her nails across his back as well as the gentle bites on her breasts that made her cry out. It was a beautiful feeling, a beautiful joining. He couldn't imagine it ever being better than this. For a moment, there was a doubt...a feeling of betrayal. Then one look into Shrezade's eyes and he knew this was as it was supposed to be. He kissed her fully as they whirled their way toward climax. This was perfect.

***

Reza smiled bashfully again and looked away. She could feel Dresh still watching her with that dreamy gaze he'd had since they managed to drag themselves from her cabin after a round of exhausting lovemaking. It was fulfilling and passionate, and at times painful, but in the end the bliss they experienced was the same.

Reza brought his hand to her lips and kissed it, then returned it to her side as they walked hand-in-hand. The initial surprise she felt in such voluntary displays of affection was rapidly passing; she wanted to express to Dresh how much she cared and appreciated him, and she didn't care who saw, not any longer. "Thank you for getting rid of my headache," she said. "You're very good at that."

Dresh grinned. "And, just so you know, you're the only one whose headache's I'm interesting in getting rid of. And, we were good, weren't we?"

Reza chuckled lowly. "Oh, we were. Though, I don't think we can do that everyday, not unless we plan on being bedridden for a week afterwards."

He gave a low laugh. "Not that being stuck in a bed with you for a week would be bad," he said. "But, yes. Too much of that and we'll be spending a good deal of our time in the infirmary."

"And with an upcoming war, we can't afford that." She laughed softly at Dresh, and leaned against him as they made their way into the docking bay. She had no doubts Rilanna would be with Lerrah, especially after their morning encounter. "I imagine she had an eventful morning as well," Reza quipped. "Lerrah can be very...generous."

"I guess we'll find out soon enough," Dresh said. "I just hope we can work this out. I know the two of you were close at one point, and I can see that this is hurting you both. I hope you can...can ease the tension to the point where you can be friends again. If that's what you want, of course."

"Of course I want that," Reza replied. "We've been through too much to just part ways. I just... I'm afraid to face her, that's all."

"I understand," Dresh said. "I can come with you if you want, you know. I'll be by your side the whole time, giving you strength."

"Thank you," she answered with a tender smile. "I should talk to her alone, though. I feel she'd react badly if I were there with you. She'd think I was only there because you forced me to be."

Dresh nodded. "I'll be close by then...in case you need me. Good luck with her, and I do hope it goes well."

"For my sake or the sake of the mission?" she teased. Then she chuckled and kissed him briefly. "I'll see you later. And...I'd like to spend the entire evening with you, if that's alright."

"Oh," he said, making a show of thinking about it. "Do you mind if I get back to you?" He then grinned and kissed her. "Of course. The whole evening is ours."

"Oh, what an honour," she said, rolling her eyes. She chuckled, then, and playfully pushed him away. "Thank you for the walk, Captain," Reza called out as she backed into the bay. "And of course the rest before it."

"It was very nice, wasn't it? We'll have to rest together again soon."

"I look forward to it, Captain." And shooting him a sultry wink, Reza turned into the bay.

Her high spirits waned, however, as she approached Lerrah's vessel. All she could think of was what acts the two of them were engaging in right then, and the thought almost forced her away. But, she persevered and continued forward until she was at the base of the vessel's ramp. "Captain Kir?" She heard her voice waver slightly, not realizing before how difficult this was going to be. After clearing her throat, she called out to Rilanna again.

Lerrah's dark-haired head popped out from one of the crawlspaces beside one of the landing struts. "Oh, hi, Shrezade," she said. "Rilanna's up top working on one of the particle scoops."

"Well...can't she come down?" Reza asked. "I'm not fond of heights."

"Rilanna," Lerrah called. She called again, and the high pitched buzz that had been filtering down from the top of the ship stopped. A moment later, Rilanna's head appeared over the edge of the ship.

"Reza," she said. Her eyes showed a type of pain, but there was something deeper below the surface. "I-- I'll be right down."

Reza found she couldn't reply, and simply nodded. While she waited, Reza regarded Lerrah. "I'm going to need to speak with her alone...if it's alright with you."

"Of course not," Lerrah said. "Did you want to go into the ship? There's more privacy in there than out here."

Reza smiled tightly. "Whatever Rilanna is more comfortable with."

"Go on inside," Lerrah said. "I'll let her know you're inside when she gets down."

"Thank you," Reza murmured, then started up the ramp. She decided to steer clear of the room Lerrah had set aside as the bedroom and headed, instead for the cargo bay, where she sat stiffly upon the nearest crate. She had no idea what she was going to say to Rilanna...but she knew it would either turn out badly or fix everything.

It was only a couple minutes before Rilanna appeared, wiping her hands on a towel. She tossed it aside and gave Reza a smile. "Hey there," she said.

Reza smiled weakly. "Hi..." She gestured to Rilanna's stained hands. "Are the repairs going well?"

"Fairly well," Rilanna said. "Though, every time we fix one thing, Elf finds something else that could use an adjustment. I never knew a droid could be so fussy. Though, at least he plays good music."

"He does?" Reza chuckled softly. "Odd little thing..." She remained silent for a moment as her features sobered, then Reza sighed and rose, only to pace slowly along the line of crates. "The simulation didn't go well today. We lost."

Rilanna nodded. "I'm sorry."

Reza shrugged. "No, you aren't. You were trying to make a point and you made it. No need to apologize."

"I shouldn't have acted that way," Rilanna said. "I should have held my tongue, but...but I didn't. I was...just frustrated."

"I could tell. But...you turned your back on me, Captain. If that had been a real battle..."

"The way you were sniping at me, and then denying it, you would have been lucky if I didn't go over to the other side," Rilanna said. "Why, Reze? Why do that to me?"

"Because it's what you need," she explained, then sighed and turned to face Rilanna. "But...it's not what you deserved. I'm sorry, Rilanna. That's all I can say to you."

"You're trying to drive me away," Rilanna said softly. "Why don't you just tell me you don't want to be with me, Reza? Why keep stringing me along?"

"I'm not--" Reza exhaled slowly and moved towards her. "Ril...you have Lerrah. Why do you even need me? You know this is a difficult time for me, and I'll only end up hurting you if you continue to remain so attached."

"I want to be your friend, Reza," Rilanna said. "I know we can't be lovers, but I want our friendship. But, we can't be friends if you tell me I have Lerrah, and then treat me like you have been. Whenever you find the two of us together, you turn into some vicious witch...and...and I can't deal with that for much longer. I don't want to give my friendship to someone who takes joy out of being cruel to me."

"Wait... I never said I didn't want to be lovers," Reza said. "I just haven't decided yet if I can take that step. Or...have you decided that's something you no longer want?"

"I haven't," Ril said. "Do you want me to wait for you, Reza? Do you want me to wait for you to make that decision if me being with Lerrah is going to tear us apart?"

"For your sake, I don't want you to," she replied. "I want you happy, Ril. If being with Lerrah will make you happy, I think I can handle being jealous, and learn not to take it out on you."

"It's handling you being jealous that I'm worried about. Do you really think you can handle it, Reza? Because I don't know if I can take much more of that."

Reza sighed, and again took a seat upon one of the crates. "I don't know.... I mean, I should be able to. After all, I've been with Dresh and I expect you to accept that. I should be able to do the same. But I don't know if I can." She smiled apologetically at Rilanna, knowing her next words would do what she was attempting to prevent, and that was hurting Rilanna. "You should be with Lerrah, Ril. And...you shouldn't wait for me. It's not worth it, and you're too young to waste your time waiting around for something that will never happen. So...just move on. Because as of today...we're only employer and employee. Nothing more."

If she'd been able to, Rilanna would have taken a step back. After a moment, she finally nodded. "Of course, Mrs. Anoran," she said.

Hearing those two words caused the knot Reza had been holding back to form in her throat. It was the hardest thing she'd ever done, but it had also been the most necessary. Unable to speak for fear her voice, thick with emotion, would betray her, Reza simply bowed her head in gratitude and hopped down from the crate. Without sparing her a final glance, Reza left Rilanna in the cargo bay and hurried for the ramp.

She kept one hand over her mouth to hold back her sobs and rapidly blinked away the tears, but she knew it would be no good in a few moments, especially if she didn't get away from the stifling atmosphere of the ship. Especially if she didn't get away from the woman whose heart she'd just broken.

Rilanna sank back, expecting a chair, but finding nothing. She slid down the wall until she ended up on the floor. The sob that met her ears was both alien and familiar, a sound she had not heard in many years. Rilanna Kir covered her face with her hands and wept. She'd felt a wide range of emotions in her life, but never the heartache that seemed to crush her now. "Oh gods," she whispered.

---

"Ground Zero"
by Alex "Zero" Stalker - Slicer

Location: Thanatos
Date: Eos 27, 4ABY

***

The sand swirled in a shower of rough grit across his face as he stepped off the gangplank of the ship and looked around. Sand, ramshackle buildings, clusters of people scurrying about, and more sand. The only thing that really stood out was the stark white of Stormtrooper armor as a group of them approached the ship, weapons at the ready, and being led by an official of some sort. Nothing overly surprising so far.

The pilot dropped a hand on his shoulder and muttered, "They're gonna want to check the ship and the cargo. They'll need to see your papers, kid. They always do when a new fish drops into their pool."

Zero shrugged, his black hair dancing in the wind. "Papers aren't a problem, pops. You take care of your end of things and I'll take care of mine. As far as I'm concerned you got me where I wanted to go, and you got your money, we don't owe each other a damn thing at this point. Agreed?"

The pilot chuckled and let his hand fall away from the big man's shoulder. "As you like it."

The official stopped at the end of the gangplank and waved a data pad with the imperious gestures of one whose entire day has been thrown off course. "What pray tell is your business here? We have no scheduled landings or deliveries. Explain yourselves immediately!"

Zero smiled, and the sun sparkled off the heavy silver ring in his lip. "Of course, sir, if you'll just take a look at my travel documents this will all be explained." With that he handed the rolled up tube of paperwork to the man as he eased himself down the gangplank, keeping his hands in plain sight at all times.

The Imperial opened the roll of paper and looked at the cred stick nestled in its center. The denomination window was flashing a sum. A thin smile snaked across his lips. "Well, mister Kortion, these all seem to be in order. I am sorry for the inconvenience of having troubled you." The roll of paper work, lighter by exactly one cred stick was passed back to Zero's outstretched hand.

"Not a problem at all, just doing your duty," replied Zero, smiling broadly. Turning, he picked up his trunk of belongings. "If you'd like to search my trunk I don't mind at all."

The Imperial arched an eyebrow and walked closer. "Why, pray tell, would I want to do that, Mister Kortion?"

"I expect that when you search the ship I arrived in you may just find some items that are less than legal, and frankly I would prefer it if you knew I had nothing at all to do with that," said Zero simply.

Behind him the pilot cried out, "You lying bastard!" and grabbed for the blaster at his waist.

The Stormtroopers cut him down before he had a chance to clear the holster. Alex didn't bother to look over his shoulder as they moved to enter the vessel.

The Imperial official smiled a thin smile. "I think that we have little reason to believe you and the captain here were working together. You may be on your way Mister, Kortion was it?"

"Yes," replied Zero, picking up his trunk.

He was a few yards away when the Imperial called after him, "Mister Kortion!"

Zero looked back, his icy blue eyes narrowing to see the man in the glare of the sun. "Yeah?"

"Do try and stay out of trouble. We don't like troublemakers around here," warned the official.

Zero nodded and made his way into the thronged streets, tucking the trunk under one arm and letting the other hand rest on the blaster at his hip. He wasn't sure that he could hit anything with it, but the fact that it was there might lead others to believe he could. As he walked he reflected on his past few moments, corrupt officials ready to take bribes, the pilot that brought him wasn't going to be telling anyone about his passenger, all in all things were shaping up nicely.

"I love this place already," said Zero to no one in particular, a broad smile splitting his beard. "Now, I need a drink and a place to stay," he muttered and set his sights on a bar at the end of the street. Whistling a little tune to himself he set off.

---

"Ambush"
by Leija, the Bounty Hunter

Location: Yelldon Spaceport, New Plouton
Date: Eos 27, 4ABY

***

Leija was looking for someone. She was a Bounty Hunter, and so it seemed she was always looking for someone. Sometimes, to kill them. Sometimes to return them to someone to whom they owed a debt - usually a large sum of money. Sometimes a combination of both. It had been her lot as a Hunter to send people to their doom, even though she had first found her way into that sometimes dubious profession trying to avenge a death.

Two deaths.

But vengeance was now moot, because Leija was responsible for many more. And there were people who wanted her dead. People who wanted revenge on the tall, blue skinned woman who always swathed herself in black.

But some of her errands took a different form. Any form, for that matter. It all depended on who hired her, and why. And how much they were willing to pay.

And the errand she was on now was one of those "different forms." Though it did involve finding someone. And that meant Leija would use the same tracking methods she had used in all her previous hunts. She was a Chiss, after all. And methodical planning, and strategical overthinking were second nature to these mysterious creatures from a distant sector, whose skin was a soft azure, and whose eyes glowed red like two fiery jewels set amid their black hair.

Leija's hair blew freely, as she walked. Her gait was fast, and somewhat stiff, like a soldier. And her black cloak billowed behind her as she went, the hood pulled back, allowing her hair to catch the wind of Yelldon. The busy starport was the first step on Leija's hunt. Besides, if you were looking for someone, a starport was always a good place to start.

But, it was dark. And the streets of any city could be dangerous after dark. Especially a spaceport.

Leija's main concern was Imperial patrols. Yelldon was under the control of the New Empire. And the New Empire would probably like to get its hands on her. For several reasons that had once been posturing soldiers in Imperial uniforms.

So concerned was she with Imperial entanglements, that Leija did not watch her back, or even her front for adversaries of another nature. And, of course, that was when they found her.

As she crossed an alley, shrouded in darkness, a form suddenly leapt in front of her. Her gloved hand fell immediately to her belt, and the curved brassy handle that stuck out just beyond the trim of her cloak. The form was a man. A human. And he wore some kind of body armor that made him seem bulkier than he was. There was some kind of helmet on his head that did not cover his face, but had an antenna protruding from it. Communication device, the Chiss' tactical mind immediately registered.

She took a defensive stance. One hand out to her side, the other still gripping the brassy object at her belt.

"We've been looking for you, Sheal'eijan'danurinda, time to pay up on an old debt," the man said. He brought up a blast rifle, and aimed the barrel of it at Leija's forehead.

The Chiss moved, swiftly, dropping to one knee with one leg extended out to the side for leverage. There was a sound of metal on metal, and a silverish blade sprang from under Leija's cloak. It caught the light of a streetlamp as it sliced through the air, making an odd whooshing sound as the strangely curved shape cut its swath up towards the man's knee.

He screamed, and dropped his blaster, falling to his knee. His eyes went wide as they fell on the object that lay where he had been standing. His leg, severed from the knee down.

Leija moved, swiftly, turning, causing her cloak to swirl out and surround her. It almost appeared, for a moment, as if she had wings. She turned the handle of her sword over in her hand, and drew it up to take a firm grip on it with both hands. Pulling the blade up in front of her she held it parallel to her body.

"As far as I'm concerned, all my debts are paid," she said, "and I don't do my business in a dark alley."

Then she felt a sharp pain. Like someone had driven the trunk of a tree into her back, and she fell forward. Her sword rattled on the ground, making a loud ringing sound, as it fell from her hand. She fell forward, and rolled, immediately onto her back.

A rifle butt came down at her, again. She shifted quickly to one side. The rifle struck the ground. She shifted to the other side. It struck the ground where her head had been. The rifle was drawn up again, over the head of its wielder. A Rodian.

Leija kicked up, and her sharp-heeled boot struck the Rodian in the stomach. He doubled over, and she rolled out of his path as the butt of his rifle hit the ground offering him balance. Leija got to her feet. A blaster bolt hit the wall of the building against which she was now leaning. The man she had relieved of a leg had drawn a pistol, and was taking deadly aim.

Leija crouched, her hands in front of her in a defensive stance. The blaster fired again, and she dodged. She weaved, and dodged from side to side. Blaster bolts hit the wall, knocking out chunks of whatever material the building was made of. Leija dived to the ground, and turned a sort of cartwheel. Her body rolled into a ball, like some kind of animal, so that she could end up on her feet. Her back was to the blaster-wielding man, as she gained her feet.

He fired again, and his bolt went through her cloak. Leija turned, and leveled a blastpistol on him. Two lavender bolts shot forth, and seared some very painful holes in the man's chest. He dropped his own pistol, and moaned, as his breath left him. He slumped against the wall, and lay there with a blank face, his eyes half open.

Now she only had to deal with the Rodian. She reholstered her blaster. The Rodian had regained his breath, and was leveling his rifle. Leija scooped up her sword, twirled the handle in one hand, making the blade make a deep-toned swoosh sound. "Are you going to shoot?" she asked.

The Rodian squeezed off a round, and Leija dodged it, hitting the ground. When she came up on her feet, she was directly in front of the Rodian. She brought up a fist, and knocked his grip from the barrel of his rifle. With a sideways swipe of her arm, she knocked his rifle across the alley, and it made a dull clatter as it hit the far wall.

The Rodian struck out with a fist, catching Leija on the jaw and sending her reeling back. He moved forward, but she kicked, and caught him in the knee. He stumbled, and she took her blade in both hands. The metal seemed to glow in the reflected light of the streetlamp as she brought it down. "Alacer is dead," Leija said. "And now...you can join him."

And the sword put an end to the Bounty Hunting career of the Rodian. The body seemed to fall in some kind of slowed, suspended motion, as Leija watched. Her eyes caught a glimpse of the symbol on the badge he wore on his vest, as it caught the same light from the streetlamp that had given her blade its eerie luminance.

The symbol of the Azanti Criminal Syndicate that had been governed by one Serio Alacer...until the Chiss had ended his criminal career to avoid his personal advances that would have likely resulted in the Azanti draining her brain, or worse.

Leija smiled, grimly, as she watched the Rodian fall. She had taken a guess that they worked for the Azanti's organization. She had been right.

Revenge would not be served this night.

Leaving the bodies to occupy the Imperial authorities, Leija resheathed her sword.

And went on about her business.

---

"Being Briefed"
by Captain Dresh Kano
and Ellemiek Vermolen

Location: SSD Lusankya
Date: Eos 27, 4 ABY

***

"Ok, Black Hawks... The training session is over. Dock with the Concordia," she said over the comm link to her squadron who followed behind her in outer space. After the ships had been docked, she sighed. She was curious to know why she had been requested at the Lusankya and what they wanted to tell her.

She punched in the coordinates that had been handed to her. "Red, set us a course. We are expected at the Lusankya," she told her R2 unit.

The stars became almost blurs and she was on her way in lightspeed. From there it should take a couple of hours to reach her destination, so she relaxed. The past few days had been weird to say the least. Auron was more or less together with her, but had recalled Kyra, his wife. And Kyra had tried to kill them both in Tae'Karada. And then this incident with the woman who she had found along with Auron and was hurt badly and turned out to be royal, or something. It was almost as if normal things weren't so casual nowadays.

When she reached the destination and decreased back to cruise speed, she could see the Lusankya. Enormous as it was, it was hard not to see it if close enough for visual contact. "SSD Lusankya, I am Commander Vermolen of the New Republic. My presence was requested here, over."

"This is the Lusankya. Please transmit the clearance codes, Commander, over," came the reply.

Ellemiek did as requested and was then told to dock on Bay 12, where she would be met. Her R2 unit gave the location of Bay 12 and Ellemiek landed her X-Wing with a smooth landing. The cockpit opened and ladders were brought so she could descend from her ship. She had just set foot in the Lusankya when she heard someone approaching. Ellemiek turned and could see it was a Captain, by his uniform. "Sir!" she saluted.

"Welcome aboard the Lusankya," the captain said. "I'm Captain Deak Weddel, though not long ago I wore the same bars as you." He gave her a grin. "I hope you didn't have any trouble getting in. We're readying our assault, and are making sure word doesn't leak out to the Empire or Tarkin. It wouldn't do to have a surprise attack that everyone knows about."

"I agree entirely, sir," Ellemiek nodded. "It would be best to keep it in a need to know basis, although I would believe that Tarkin has his spies and informants in Coruscant," she said firmly. "You can count on my support and on the Black Hawks, sir," she added.

"Good," Weddel said with a nod. "We'll need all the help we can get in this. How many do you have in your squadron now? I believe we can move you in with Captain Aroas' command. He's already got the Blue Falcon squadron, and I think your Hawks will fit in nicely."

"The Black Hawks currently have seven pilots, all in active status," Ellemiek replied. "I'm sure we'll adapt well with the Blue Falcon squadron. May I request that training sessions are set for the whole group? Or I could just discuss tactics with Captain Aroas..." she suggested.

"I'm certain training with all wings will be available. However, talking tactics with Captain Aroas will also be beneficial. I am certain that it shouldn't take long to get everyone up to speed. Did you need barracks set aside for your people?"

"My men and I are currently on the CRS Concordia, sir. If we are to move in with Blue Falcon squadron then I would require barracks for them. That is, assuming the Blue Falcon is stationed in the Lusankya, sir..." She nodded.

"They are, docked in one of the port fighter bays. You can have your ships moved there, and Lieutenant Traga will see to arranging barrack space."

"Thank you, sir," Ellemiek said. "Will that be all for the time being?" she asked, expecting a more thorough briefing sometime soon.

"That will be all," Weddel said. "Good to have you aboard."

"Thank you, sir." Ellemiek nodded with a salute. And being dismissed, she made her way to take off her flightsuit.

---

"On the Second Day"
By Gerrick Streen

Location: Thanatos
Date: Eos 27, 4ABY

***

On his second day in Thanatos Gerrick awoke at dawn and went out into the back yard of the his new residence. Whilst there Gerrick performed his morning prayers and then practised his fighting techniques before finally doing some basic exercises to get himself going.

Upon returning downstairs he prepared an infusion of herbs from his pack and consumed some of the dried rations he had in his possession.

It was time to work and Gerrick needed to find some tools to fix the roof (from last night's encounter). After a good hour's search Gerrick managed to scrounge some spare material and tools and was able to begin fixing the roof. Whilst there he spotted several other problems with the roof that needed fixing and made a mental note to himself of what would be required to fix this.

Gerrick took off his top as the sun's heat increased and worked on toward his goal. A group of passing girls in their teens wolf whistled at him and Gerrick turned and waved back. They quickly turned and ran away, giggling to themselves as they departed. Gerrick smiled to himself.

"Still got the magic, old son," Gerrick muttered to himself. After this he carried on with his work and was eventually finished by (what he approximated to be) noon.

Gerrick went downstairs and saw the barkeeper bent over the bar working, Gerrick approached from behind. "Good morning," said Gerrick in a firm voice. The Bartender exhaled a quick burst of air from his lungs, sounding as if he had just been struck quickly in the diaphragm.

"You fool," he shouted. "You nearly gave me a heart attack, can't you make some noise as you walk, maybe cough or something."

"I'm sorry, it comes from years of trying to be unseen and blending in with my surroundings," apologised Gerrick. He paused, allowing time for his apology to sink in and then continued, "I require some money to purchase supplies from the town, your roof is in quite a state and I fear that without some urgent repairs it may become