"Enslavement, Part 1"
By: Talara Sorenne
Deven Exan [NPC+]
Sathis Exan [NPC+]
Reinrich Tas [NPC+]

Location: The Exan Apartment, New Plouton; Reinrich's Office, New Plouton
Date: Lythe 27, 5 ABY

***

"So," Talara was saying as she idly doodled on a flimsi, "I think we should go to the coast again. I really want to try waveboarding again."

Dev, who was leaning against the bed that Talara was lying upon, glanced up at her. "I'd have to see you in a bikini again, won't I?"

With a grin, Talara nodded. "You will."

"Oh alright," he said. "The things I do for my girlfriend."

Before Talara could answer, the door opened and Dev's father stepped in. He seemed almost surprised not to see Dev and Talara on the bed together in a compromising position.

"Dad," Dev growled, thoroughly scandalized, "how many times do I have to ask you to knock?"

"You're locked inside your room with a beautiful young woman, Deven," Sathis Exan said with a paternal frown. "One with a rather hedonistic past, I might say. I had every reason to be concerned for my son. The two of you haven't had sex, have you? With each other, of course." Dev shook his head. "Well, not for wanting, I'm sure. You don't know much about your girlfriend, do you, Deven?"

Sathis removed a device from within a pocket and set it on the edge of the bed. He pressed a recessed button, and a holographic image hovered into view above the bed. In it was Talara clearly having very passionate sex with the musician, Merrick Braston. There was no doubt that she knew what she was doing and was thoroughly enjoying what Braston was doing to her.

The hologram vanished, and Sathis frowned. "She probably also hasn't told you she's one of the Jedi. Though why the Jedi are behaving in such a manner, I honestly couldn't say. In any case, she is a criminal."

"Dad, why don't you just leave--"

"Be quiet, son," Sathis said calmly. "Here is the way it will be. My colleague has use of beautiful Miss Sorenne, and she is going to cooperate fully without any hesitation. If she fails to cooperate and do every little thing we ask of her, then her loved ones will suffer the consequences. Do you know what the authorities are doing to those harbouring Jedi fugitives? It isn't pretty."

"You bastard," Talara snarled.

Sathis put on a frown for effect. "Now, now. That could get that young man in some trouble, my dear. What's his name again? Oh, yes. It's Keeve. Now, will you cooperate fully? Oh, and before you think about hurting me, I want to let you know that my partner is fully aware of this plan, and your loved ones will still be in deep trouble. So, will you cooperate, my dear?"

Talara glared at Dev's father, while Dev silently pleaded with her. Finally, she cursed herself and nodded. "Alright."

"Very good," Sathis purred. "Now, there is someone who would like to meet you. Come with me."

With that, held out a hand for her to take. It took her several moments before she finally placed her hand in his. With a delighted laugh, he helped her from the bed, and then lead her from the penthouse. Reinrich would be quite pleased.

***

The door to the office swung wide open. Standing in the doorway was Talara Sorenne with Sathis Exan just behind her. She was wearing a wraparound top cropped just below her breasts and a pair of low-cut leather pants that tucked into a pair of black speeder boots. She walked into the office without being pushed. Her attention was drawn to the man standing behind the desk, watching her entrance with great interest.

The door closed ominously behind them, and Sathis let out a low chuckle as he stepped past Talara. "Reinrich Tas, may I present to you Talara Sorenne. Or, perhaps the future Mrs. Reinrich Tas." Talara shot him a fearful look that caused his smile to grow even larger. "Talara, my dear, this is Reinrich Tas, and your new boss, master, and what else he is to you will soon be determined."

The seething comments were almost out of her mouth, when Sathis gave her a scolding look, tsked softly, and then looked sadly away. The thought brought her to Zari and the man's threat against her. The images were terrible and brutal, the ones of Keeve worse. She swallowed the comments, and turned to Reinrich and bowed. "I am pleased to meet you, Mr. Tas. I look forward to the time we will spend together."

"Then," he rumbled deep in his chest, "why not begin now?" Reinrich moved in front of his desk, his gait measured and grin wolfish. Leaning his rear on the edge, Reinrich summoned Talara forward. "None of those Jedi tricks," he warned with a pleasant air, though his hardened gaze betrayed a cold, vile interior. "We only want to have a little fun. You like fun, don't you? Toying around with our boy Dev.... You must like to play."

Talara approached, a shiver running through her body at the thought of what was to come. She glanced around for a way out, but knew that even if there were one, to use it would be a death sentence for Keeve, Kim, Kal, and Zari. Not to mention the babies.

She stopped before Reinrich. He was taller than her, and so she was forced to look up to meet his gaze. "I haven't been with Dev. We've kissed, and he's touched me." She indicated her breasts. "We haven't...done more than that yet." Sathis cleared his throat, and Talara winced. "I like to play, but I haven't for a long time."

"Really?" Reinrich leaned forward to peer into Talara's dark eyes. His lips curled hungrily. "Then why not come closer? Or are you afraid you'll prefer my touch to your little boyfriend's?"

"I'm not afraid," she said, though her voice said otherwise. She moved until she was standing right before him. She reached out to the front of his pants and found him ready.

As she sank to her knees and eased Reinrich out, Sathis made a noise of delight. "Oh, she's a natural," he said as Talara took him into her mouth. "She didn't even need to be told what to do. Though, I do admit she should have gone straightaway to that, rather than making you ask her closer. Still a very good start."

Reinrich bared his teeth in an aroused, fierce grin. He nodded his approval to Sathis and lowered his hand to the top of Talara's bobbing head. "She's a whore, alright. Too easy. It's no wonder your son chose her." Next, Talara was sprawled on the ground, thrown there with a vice-grip of her face. Reinrich's finger marks showed red upon her cheeks and brow. Before she could roll over onto her back, Reinrich was straddling her waist, his knees pinning down her wrists. He clutched a tangle of her hair, jerked her head back, and placed his lips to her ear. "Don't think you're in control," he rasped. "Not for a second. You're a puppet. You'll do what I say, when; speak only when you're addressed. Otherwise, keep your mouth shut, and legs spread. That's what all good wives do, understand?"

Fearful eyes met his and she nodded. "I understand," she rasped.

"Oh good," Sathis said. "Shall I begin making preparations for the official ceremony? I believe we can have it done today if you'd like. I'm sure you'd love to enjoy your honeymoon with her."

Reinrich thought deeply on the matter, remaining firmly planted atop Talara with little consideration for her discomfort. "No," he finally decided. Having released her hair, Reinrich smoothed the flat of his hand down the curve of her back and grew increasingly pleased with his acquisition. "I want to parade her around, first...get a reaction from Analesse. If Ms. D'vrishay comes to her senses and chooses to accept me as her husband, I'll have no use for your son's tramp. Patience seems the best course of action."

"Very good," Sathis said, obviously pleased. "There are a number of parties happening this week, and you can be sure that Analesse will be at them. One tonight even, if your schedule is clear. I thought it best not to allow her to return to gather her own clothing, so she will need a new wardrobe. I'll leave you to choose her wardrobe. My people can make any of the acquisitions and have them delivered by the end of the day. I'll have the catalogues loaded into the database within an hour, and once you choose, I can have her measured for orders. Oh, we should determine if the girl can sing, if we still want to go ahead with placing her in the club to compete against Braston. We can certainly bleed off some of their patronage. Though, I think I would like to see his reaction at spotting her at your table in the audience in one of his shows. Why, I bet he might even just stop singing."

"He just might," Reinrich mused. His fingers idly stroked the small of Talara's back. He focused his eyes there, admiring the smooth, flawless skin, taut and lustrous as youth had so gifted it. "Make the arrangements," he murmured to Sathis. "I'd like some time alone to speak with my prize."

"At once, my friend," Sathis said. After one lingering look at Talara, he left the office to leave Reinrich alone.

Beneath him, Talara trembled slightly, but she kept her silence, not wanting to speak until he allowed her. His fingers were dexterous and practiced, but her fear kept any pleasure his touch might give away for now. She wasn't certain how long that would last, until her body betrayed her to him.

"You're a Jedi," he mentioned. "I imagine they don't teach you how to please a man, do they? So" --his hand dropped lower to cup her rear-- "where'd you learn to suck off like that?"

"I learned from Nieme and Dani," Talara said, gasping softly at his touch. "They made me a slave and they also gave me to Qual and Neron Tregat, and they taught me how to please to men."

"Forced into it" --he drove his hand between her legs for emphasis-- "yet you show a surprising aptitude for it. You were made for this, I think."

Her body writhed beneath him as she tried to force herself to stillness. In the end, Sathis's threats were too real, and so she was forced to give over to her new fate. His hand continued to work at her until finally a telling moan escaped. "I'm made for it," she whispered.

His guttural laugh resonated to Talara as he bent forward, laying his chest against her back. "You're a slut. I like that. It means you can move...but can you sing?" In a swift motion, Reinrich sat up and tugged at the waist of Talara's pants. At first they didn't budge, but another strong pull and they gave with a tear. He dragged them down to her knees and positioned himself between her legs. "Go on," he whispered, brushing his tip teasingly against her opening. "Sing for me."

Not exactly in a position to sing well, she still did as he demanded. She picked a song she knew, one she could remember, and thankfully not one of Merrick Braston's songs. Even without accompaniment, she was good. Very good. The distraction of him brushing against her put a quaver in her voice, but she managed to keep herself from pushing back as her body ached to do. She kept her gaze straight ahead, trying to focus on the song. It took her a moment to realize the song she'd chosen was quite naughty in its allusions, about a girl in a situation very much like her own.

"You're a natural," he praised, still caressing her with his rigid organ without penetrating. "You've got talent - would you like to perform on stage? If you're just as good on stage as I know you'll be in bed, you could be a star. Do you want to be a star?"

"Really singing on stage," Talara asked as she looked back at him. She hated herself for asking, for wanting what he could give her, but she'd often dreamt of being a professional singer. She moaned as he brushed against her again, a shudder working its way through her body. "I want that, yes."

"And do you want me?" Reinrich grinned viciously as he pushed himself into her, then just as quickly pulled out. Delighted by his own cruelty, Reinrich laughed. "Do you?"

In her mind, Talara could see the troops from the palace, crushing the front door to Keeve's home, barging inside. She could see Keeve, moving to stop them, to resist. The soldiers raised their weapons and fired. She saw Keeve's body jerk as each bolt of energy burned through his body. She couldn't let that happen. To protect those she loved, her only hope was to give herself over fully. And, as a single tear splashed away from her eyes, she gave herself over.

"Yes," Talara moaned, pushing back toward him. She looked back at him, at once fearful and desirous.

He tilted his head to one side, studying Talara with scrutiny and pondering the sincerity of her appeals. She would be the perfect pet. "You'll learn to crave me until it hurts," Reinrich told her, smiling. Then, he lifted himself off the ground, towering over Talara as she writhed gently, unfulfilled. He tucked himself back into his pants. "You'll dance and sing...but for tonight, you and I are going to a little party. Get up and clean yourself off in the refresher. I can't have my whore looking a mess."

Talara picked herself up off the floor, and gathered up the tattered remains of her pants. As she moved to the refresher, she held them up so she didn't trip, but didn't make an effort to cover herself. She disappeared inside and did as he commanded.

Reinrich and Sathis were working at Reinrich's desk when she finally emerged from the refresher. They were going over a computer screen and paid her no mind as she approached. With her only outfit torn beyond her skills to repair, she had opted to just remove her clothes, and she figured he'd prefer that anyway. As he looked up at her, she could see the approval in his eyes as he looked over her body. Sathis's mouth curled into a wolfish grin.

"I'm all clean," Talara announced softly.

"You certainly are," Reinrich drawled, scanning her up and down. "We have a party to attend. You know how to behave in civilized company, do you not?"

"Yes, I do," Talara answered. "Etiquette is an important skill for a Jedi, and I received extensive training when I was living on Naboo."

"As a high-priced hooker?" Both he and Sathis shared a chuckle. Reinrich tapped his comm and spoke to someone on the receiving end. "Send them in now." Moments later, a pair of Rodians scampered into the room, one carrying a case of supplies and the other holding a box with a miniature projector inside. They headed straight for Talara. "They'll fit you for a dress. I'll give you one allowance: you can choose the style and colour...but remember not to cover up too much."

Talara swallowed, then nodded. "Alright," she said as the two Rodians set to work. "What is acceptable for a dress, sir? For the party we are going to, what will be acceptable?"

"Anything," Reinrich replied, "save for an exposed nipple. That'd give Analesse a heart attack, and I'd like to have her breathing for the night I finally take her to my bed."

Talara shrugged. "Alright," she said. "So, no equadis either since that's basically see through to show everything. No nipples and I assume not down there either." She looked up at the Rodians who were busily working at her measurements and inputting them into a small device strapped to the darker complected one's forearm.

Sathis leered at Talara, his grin revealing the lurid thoughts whirling through his mind. "We'll make sure you have an assortment of outfits that bare nipples, breasts, and that delightful piece of joy between your legs, but not for tonight."

Talara nodded, and pointed at a couple of the samples one of the Rodians were showing her.

"Oh, she's good," Sathis said. "And she seems already both very devoted and willing to do as she's told. A real treasure, and one to be held onto."

"And one that won't be so easily broken," Reinrich added to Sathis in low tones. "If she gives me trouble, don't think I won't take it out on you."

"If you want to keep her, you will want to marry her," Sathis said. "I don't know how long the threat against her friends will be able to hold, but as your wife she is legally yours. You will be the only one able to break the marriage, by law. If she resists you, she can be arrested, and the authorities will have no qualms about doing so, even if she is a Jedi. You have enough clout to avoid any ramifications of any discovery that she's a Jedi. For now, she will play along, the perfect companion as long as she fears that her family will be hurt. I believe it is the young man she fears for the most. Keeve Zenarr. You saw the way she went to her knees before you. She's been broken before, Reinrich. I believe this is all familiar territory for her, and by the looks of it, where she is most comfortable. She's completely yours, my friend."

Admiring her nude figure as she stood in the centre of the office, Reinrich grinned hawkishly. "If she performs well tonight, I may just keep her. Just ensure your son doesn't get in the way.... I don't want anyone from her past in contact. It might make her...unruly."

"I've already begun the preparations to move our residence," Sathis said. "Dev will have no more contact with them. I have my assistant monitoring his tracking chip continually. I'll be alerted if he gets within a kilometer of our old residence. I have people standing by to pick him up and teach him the error of his ways if he doesn't behave. She will be with you constantly, so you will have complete control over who comes near her. If it comes to it, I can make another son; I doubt we'll find a girl like her again. Shall I have a room prepared for her at your residence? I can't imagine you not wanting her in your bed every night, but there may be an occasion where you are entertaining another and don't want Talara with you."

"Don't worry yourself." Reinrich appeared wholly pleased as he elaborated. "If I require solitude, she can find a corner to curl up in. She is just an animal, in the end."

"Sweetest looking animal I've ever laid eyes on, that's for sure," Sathis said.

Before he could continue, Talara approached the desk with a holodisplay in the palm of her hand. Hovering above the projection plate was a holographic image of Talara wearing the dress she and the Rodians had devised. "Do you approve?" she asked hopefully.

Expression inscrutable, Reinrich regarded Talara. "Do you think I should? Is this something you could pull off or will you run off and hide the moment you're seen in it?"

"If you wished me to, I would go as I am and be comfortable," Talara answered, drawing his attention to her nakedness. "But, I will be able to wear this without embarrassment or a need to run away. I wish only to please you." While the words were well-intentioned, there was no heart to them.

Reinrich emitted a scoffing chuckle. "Right you do..." Waving her off, he said, "Then that's what you'll wear. Inform the tailors you'll need it by this evening."

"Yes, sir," Talara said, then returned to the Rodians to relay the order.

---

"Enslavement, Part 2"
By: Talara Sorenne
Sathis Exan [NPC+]
Reinrich Tas [NPC+]

Location: Reinrich's Office, New Plouton
Date: Lythe 27, 5 ABY

***

"If you need any help breaking her, just let me know," Sathis said. "Though, I have a feeling you're more than up to the task, and she doesn't stand a chance."

"I'll break her," Reinrich insisted dismissively. "But it's Ms. D'vrishay I want. If I go through all this trouble without securing her, I will not be pleased."

"After Analesse finds out about the past between the girl and Merrick, I can't see them lasting the night. I imagine when Braston sees her there, dressed in that outfit, he won't be able to control himself. Oh, if you don't mind, I'd like to have your time with Talara recorded for my son. I can't imagine the torment he'll go through seeing her thoroughly enjoying being with you. It'll break his heart, for certain. Did she really beg you and try to ride back onto you? The slut is amazing, that's for sure."

Crossing his arms over his chest, Reinrich smiled with self-satisfaction. "I may use her if there is a need.... Otherwise I'd truly prefer to torment the girl. She's too...eager."

"I like my women eager," Sathis said with a low chuckle. "So, how's her voice? Will she work in the club?"

"She'll work. When do you plan on debuting her?"

"Tomorrow night," Sathis said. "We'll have to get a costume for her tomorrow, and record some footage for the marquee outside. Probably something similar to what she'll be wearing tomorrow, but we can take it further. If you bring her in with you tomorrow, I can have my people work out a set for her performance. Can run some rehearsals with her before the performance, and then put her live. And she'll be on stage the same time as Braston. I can already smell the scandal. I'll need to find a way to put off that Faeg woman once Talara's public. One nipple and she throws a fit, and I fully intend to have both nipples and that beautiful box of hers very visible through the show. At that point, no one will care what she sounds like, they'll just wonder what it'd take to get her into their beds."

"And she may just be up for rent," Reinrich muttered thoughtfully. "We'll need bodyguards as well. Don't want her even thinking of escape."

"I'll make the arrangements," Sathis said. "Renting her out would be profitable. We'll gauge the reaction and see how many are interested. If there are enough, we've got a room in the club with full surveillance set up inside. That way we don't need to be overt in the fact that we're watching for her to escape."

"I'm liking this." Reinrich laughed deeply. "Whoever thought we'd be branching out into the prostitution business, hm? Much more lucrative, I say."

"Indeed," Sathis said. "And, I'd say it's something this city needs more of. Once we see how well Talara does, we can begin recruiting other girls. Shouldn't be too hard to accomplish. If we have anyone young and nubile who can't pay us, we can also allow them to work it off for us."

"You've been thinking about this a long time, haven't you?"

"I've always thought it would be a lucrative field to enter," Sathis said. "There are other organizations that utilize similar situations for their gain. When I first saw the recordings of Talara, the ideas really took hold. When I realized she was living in the apartment above us, it was a quick jump to this plan. If you're willing to share her with strangers for profit, it melds nicely with my plans."

"And my bank account," Reinrich reminded him. "You haven't forgotten about my cut, have you?"

"Definitely not," Sathis said. "I am fully aware of putting lots and lots of credits in your bank account, both with our little slut's whoring and her sexed up show at our club. I think with her on your arm at the party, she'll make an impression. Though, be careful of the impression you make. Are you going to be bringing a whore with you? Or is this someone you care about and want to have seen on your arm, someone to drive Braston mad as a wedge is driven between himself and D'Vrishay, and she turns to you as she sees your caring and loving side with the girl, of whom who you had no idea of her past liaisons with Braston. You need to be the man you believe she wants, and you can display those qualities toward Talara. When things fall apart with Analesse's relationship, you can be there to help her with her emotional burdens. At that point, Talara can be relegated to the club and making us lots of money."

"So...I need to lie," Reinrich interpreted. He shrugged. "Should be easy enough. I can play suave and charming better than the next man. You just focus on getting our whore her own stage show and I'll worry about the future Mrs. Tas."

"I'll go begin the preparations," Sathis answered. "I'll need her tomorrow before the party so we can work. I'll have her fitting for her outfit for tomorrow night as well. Do you want to pick her up from the club before the party?" At Reinrich's nod, Sathis gave him a quick salute. "Very well, I'll see you tomorrow." With that, he departed, taking a final, long look at Talara before passing through the door.

Watching Talara for a time, as well, Reinrich finally whistled at the Rodians and shooed them off. "You have enough to clothe her, do you not? Make sure the outfits arrive on time, or I won't be pleased."

The lead tailor gave Reinrich assurances in his native tongue, then the two bowed out of the office. Reinrich sighed wearily and summonedTalara forward as he sank into his chair. "Preparing for parties is so tedious, isn't it?"

"Yes," Talara said as she came to him. "I haven't been to any parties here, but I used to go to them all the time on Naboo. The party will be fun, I think."

Grinning wolfishly, Reinrich pulled her down onto his lap. He took the liberty of exploring her breasts as he spoke. "You're experienced enough that I won't have to break you in - you can start making us money right away. Of course, if you behave, I'll cut you in on the profits. Would you like that?"

"I've never made money before," Talara said, her breathing growing heavier under his touch. "I think I'd like that. What will I have to do?" She couldn't help it as she leaned back against him, giving him fuller access to her body with his roaming hands. As much as she hated him, he had very nice hands, which made her hate herself even more for actually liking his touch.

"Perform on stage - lewdly, and pleasuring men afterwards...for a very large price, of course." Reinrich dragged his lips against her throat and whispered, "Would you like that? It's what you're meant to do. I just...know it."

"Ever since I was Qual and Neron's prisoner, if someone touches me, it drives me crazy," Talara whispered between moans. "I can't control... I want to give pleasure. No one's touched me like this for six months, and I'm on fire." She turned back to look at him. Her face was flushed. The purple gem affixed to her nostril sent a dazzling array of sparks across Reinrich's face. She reached up and kissed him, finishing by dragging his lower lip through her teeth. She could feel a shudder go through his body. "I'd like that very much, I think." She turned again so she was laying against his body once more, savouring the feeling of his hands and lips upon her. For as much as she hated him, he was the only one to touch her like this in a long time. Maybe Keeve was right. Well, he'd better appreciate what I'm doing to keep him safe, she thought, though she knew she shouldn't be enjoying her captivity as much as she was. She'd find a way out. "You're not going to marry me, are you? Dev's dad said you might."

"Wouldn't you like that?" he asked, voice thick with arousal. "I'm a rich man. You'd never have to worry about a thing."

"I would be able to always give you pleasure," Talara whispered, as her hand slipped between their bodies to massage him. "It scares me. I...I wanted to marry Keeve, but he already has Kim. I don't want Keeve to be hurt. I'd do anything so he won't be hurt. If you married me, would I still perform and make lots of money?"

"Of course," he groaned, sliding his hands around her thighs to draw her hips back. The heat of her crotch transferred to his groin, stimulating his organ to further rigidity. His lips suckled on her throat as he murmured, "This Keeve...he won't be a problem for you anymore. Forget him. I doubt he even notices you're missing."

"He might notice," Talara said while deftly opening his pants for him. "But, he gave up his claim to my heart yesterday. So, that means I'm all yours if you want me. And it definitely feels like you do."

Reinrich grinned fiercely. "And I'm sure you want me. You're my prisoner...that must be truly appealing to you. Or you're as good a liar as you are a whore."

"What choice do I have," Talara said as she ground against him. "I'm a prisoner and I have no choice. I might as well make the best of it, right? If it keeps Keeve and the others safe, I'm happy to be your whore or your wife or whatever you want me to be." She turned back to look at him. "And, I like the way you feel against me."

"I bet you do." Grunting, Reinrich surged from his seat, one arm secured around Talara's waist. He roughly bent Talara over his desk, holding down her head firmly with one hand while the other completely unfastened his pants. "Beg," he growled through clenched teeth. "Do it. Beg me, whore. This is what you want, isn't it?"

"Please," Talara said, her voice a hoarse rasp. "Please fuck me. I need you inside me. Fuck me. Oh gods, please. Fuck me hard! I want it so bad!"

Reinrich laughed gruffly, still taunting her by brushing himself against her opening. "Show me what you can do, my pet. And," he added, "don't forget to call out my name." Then, he plunged into her, wasting no time building up to an even rhythm, and instead driving into her at a blistering pace.

It took her a moment to work up to the pace he was setting, but she started working him the way he was working her. Talara was as good as Reinrich had anticipated, and quite a bit better. After her time with Qual and Neron, with Nieme and Dani, and then at Jadda the Hutt's Palace, she had enough experience and skill to rival a Zeltron. And she turned all of that talent and skill toward Reinrich. "Oh yes," she cried. "Gods yes! Oh Reinrich! Yes! Fuck me, Reinrich! Yes!"

Reinrich laughed hoarsely. "You're quite the actress, too, aren't you?" he rasped. Objects once resting undisturbed upon his desk had tumbled onto the ground with each forceful buck of his hips. The glass still half full of liquor crashed, his padd containing the day's appointments skittered under the sofa, all making space for Talara laid flat upon the desktop.

"Who's acting," she asked in a husky voice. With her hands grasping the edges of the desk, she gave herself a little leverage to work at him as he thrust inside her.

"You," he said with an emphasizing thrust. "So fearful at first...and now you can't contain your excitement. A show just for Sathis?"

"I was afraid," Talara rasped. "I still am. For myself and my family. But...but I like this. You feel so good... Like you said, I'm a slut." She looked back at him. "So, do you want me meek and afraid, Reinrich? Is that what you want? I can try to be if you want me that way."

"Not necessary," he grunted. "If I want you meek...I'll just beat you down. Now shut up and perform, animal."

Talara gave him a lustful smile, and then did as he commanded.

Ignoring frequent calls through the intercom by his meddlesome secretary, Reinrich carried on with Talara's initiation, until he reached his climax and pulled out. Roughly clutching her hair, Reinrich jerked Talara's head back and spat, "Get cleaned up. We're leaving." Availing himself of Talara's long, black tresses, Reinrich cleaned off the discharge remaining on his organ, then turned away to straighten out his clothing. "Make it fast. I don't have time to spare."

Before he could put himself away, Talara dropped to her knees before him and took his now-flaccid organ into her hand. With a look up at him, she pulled him into her mouth and cleaned him completely. She helped him tuck himself back away, then stood. With a slight smile and swallow, she turned away to the refresher.

***

Cleaning herself didn't take long, though she did have to pause briefly to throw up. Once clean and settled, she emerged from the refresher and came to him. Her hair was still wet and trailed down the center of her spine next to her tattoo, a remnant from her last time as a sex slave. She had been quick, as he demanded. "I'm ready, Reinrich," she said.

His face twitched briefly as he informed her tautly, "Don't...ever call me that. When in public, you will not address me. Privately...call me" --he smiled arrogantly-- " 'Master.'"

"Yes, Master," Talara said. "I am sorry, Master."

With a derisive chuckle, he told her, "No you're not." He nodded towards a trench coat laying across the sofa. "Wear that...just until we get home. Clothes will be of no use to you there."

"Yes, Master," Talara answered, then picked up the trench coat. She pulled it on, and found that it only pooled around her feet slightly. Once her nakedness was hidden, she turned back to him. "I don't mind not wearing the trench coat. But if you want my body hidden."

"You're supposed to be masquerading as my lover, not my slave," he told her rudely. "If you're seen running around naked, that'll raise suspicions." He held out his elbow for her to take. "Now...act like you don't despise me."

I could ask the same of you, Talara thought. She placed her arm in his, and looked up at him with a genuine smile. There was a little fear and a bit of hesitation, but she stayed on his arm as a young lover might. There was no hate in her expression, and anyone looking would have thought that she loved him truly. And, for the sake of Keeve and the others, Talara would.

---

"New Plouton Shuffle, Part 3"
By Brayton Val - former Tae'Morad Officer

Location: Yesrin District, New Plouton
Date: Lythe 27, 5 ABY

***

He stood in front of the door of a tall building, just across the Segrelat Tower. Having received the information he had required, Brayton had to smirk at the irony of it all. One time they were one with one another, and then they tried to kill one another. And they were living no more than a street's width away. And despite the two respecting each other mutually, none ever left respective tower of isolation for fear of what the other man might do.

Walking inside, Brayton already knew where to go to. He went up to floor 54 and chimed in. When the doors opened he was met by two individuals. Again, one was taller and fiercer looking than the other.

"I'm here to see the Elder," Brayton stated.

"The Elder doesn't know you," the taller man said, sure of himself.

"Well, I know the Elder. That is your only concern," the Kiffar answered.

"And so, you request a meeting with him. Do you honestly think that anyone can come here and request that which you seek?" the other guard asked.

"Honestly...no. But I think he'll want to hear what I have to say."

One of the guards left for a brief moment, only to return and escort Brayton Val to an office. Sitting down on a table was an old looking bald man, who had obviously just finished a meal.

"You must be Mr. Brayton Val," he stated. "Do you know for what true reason you're here?"

Brayton frowned for a second. "I guess I do. But for starters I'm unlucky."

"The unlucky are nothing more than a frame of reference for the lucky, Mr. Val. You are unlucky so that people like me may know that we are not. Most unfortunately, the unlucky don't realize that they are lucky until it's too late. Take yourself for instance. A few months ago you were better off than you are today, but it took you that time to realize it. But... today has arrived and now it's too late, you see?" the old man said. "People are never happy with what they have, they always want more, or what someone else has."

"Kind of like a holy man from the Circle of Elders who would rather be a crime boss, a crime boss who would rather be an Elder..." Brayton chuckled. "I mean, what is that? Some sort of grass is always greener on the other side of the fence thing? I mean, how do you justify being an Elder and a crime boss?"

"I don't. I'm a bad man who doesn't waste time wondering what could have been, when I am what could have been or not have been. I live on both sides of the fence, and my grass is always green," the Elder answered. "Consider, Mr. Val, there are two men sitting here before you, and one of them you should be very afraid of."

"I'll take that into consideration," the Kiffar nodded.

"Why are you here?" the Elder demanded.

"Big job."

"I was under the impression that you, being a former Tae'Morad, were out of employment..." the old man replied.

"Like I said... Very big job."

"And so you thought you'd drop in and see your old friend? There is only on problem... We're not friends, so why the fuck are you here?" the Elder asked now getting more impatient.

"It's because we're not friends that I'm here. Because if we were friends, I wouldn't have been hired to kill you and Jaalib Mereel. Because that is right at the top of list of things that friends do not do to their friends. The good news for you is that my friendship is for sale," Brayton explained. "You see, it seems to me that you value being alive more than you mean to the Boss dead. And more money means more to me than less money. And you are the guy who sleeps with all those creds under your mattress."

"I'm listening," the Elder stated simply.

"You will pay me double to kill the Boss what the Boss is paying me to kill you and Jaalib."

"You just made a lot of money. I want results soon," the Elder pointed out.

"Soon," Brayton nodded. He then turned back and walked away. He now had things right where he wanted them. There was less and less to do in order for him to pull it off.

---

"New Plouton Shuffle, Part 4"
By Brayton Val - former Tae'Morad Officer

Location: Segrelat Tower, New Plouton
Date: Lythe 27, 5 ABY

***

Back on floor number 54, the lair of the man known only as the Boss, Brayton Val was escorted into a fancy looking living room, where the older man was playing a game of chess against one of his guards.

"Mr. Val, come to talk more details? I know you haven't caught or killed the man I sent you after...yet," the Boss stated as he made his chess move. "But I know you have sense and that you'll do it."

"Sense is something that you have when you have a choice," Brayton answered.

"Sometimes..." the Boss agreed. "Sometimes it's when you know you don't."

The guard was about to make his own move when Brayton pointed towards the board. "Don't move that one! It's an obvious sucker bet. If you don't, you can have him in four moves. If you do, he's going to have you mate in one."

The Boss sat back and sighed, looking at the Kiffar. "He doesn't see it, wouldn't matter if he did. He lets me win...everybody lets me win," he explained, as if it were that simple. "Wait a minute. You know this game?"

Brayton Val nodded, so the Boss had his guard get up and give his chair so that the former Tae'Morad and the Boss could play. Setting up a new game, the Boss gave the first move to Brayton.

"You have three days," the Boss stated.

"I was thinking it would take me more, like a week."

The Boss chuckled. "Oh, you were thinking that, were you? I'll tell you what, you win this game you got your week," he said while making his move.

Brayton frowned for a while and played on. And for a short while none said a word, merely concentrating on the game at hand and trying to figure each of the moves the other would do.

"So, what's the plan with Jaalib Mereel?" the Boss finally asked.

"I was going to play it by ear."

Again, the Boss chuckled. "Well, if it's all the same, I'd write it down. It's a tough tune. And, by the way, he has shadows."

The Kiffar made his move on the board. "Shadows?" he asked.

"Bodyguards. With him all the time. The military type," the Boss explained while playing his piece. "They go where he goes round-the-clock."

"That doesn't sound good," Brayton answered while making his move.

"They live in the apartment next door," the Boss continued. "He wears a panic button on a chain around his neck. He presses that button and, well, we all know how that ends. Response time is between three to five seconds so you better hit him when he least expects it."

"Where?" Brayton asked.

"The apartment. But I know what you're thinking, that you can't simply use the front door. So I was thinking that you could use the back door. And you do him and that's all there is to it."

"Yeah, that's all there is to it..." Brayton sighed as he made his move.

The Boss leaned forward, a smile on his lips. "I'm not such a bad guy, you know. Some folks have grown pretty fat off me."

"Some have grown pretty dead," the Kiffar replied.

"You're a hard act..." the Boss commented. "You walk in here shooting your fucking mouth off like you don't give a damn if it gets shot off."

"You can only kill me once," Val answered simply.

The Boss raised an eyebrow and looked at the board. He made a final move and looked back at Brayton Val. Sitting back he gave him a nod. "Checkmate. You got three days."

The Kiffar got up and nodded. "I'll take less than that, if I must," he said as he walked away. There was only one thing left to do...and it was time for him to do it.

---

"New Plouton Shuffle, Part V"
By Brayton Val - former Tae'Morad Officer

Location: Yelldon District, New Plouton
Date: Lythe 27, 5 ABY

***

The Pink Monga. Always a good place to sit down quietly and think on what to do and how to do it. Well, not actually a good place, but at least it was cheap and Brayton Val could afford it. He was about to leave when he noticed a fancy looking speeder pulling up near the entrance. He immediately noticed the two men coming out of the vehicle...the two goons who worked for the Boss.

"Sith-spit..." Brayton murmured to himself as he got up and walked outside. The two goons walked up towards him and nodded. One was carrying a bag of some kind. "Hey guys, what are you doing here?" Brayton asked.

"Now's the time," one of them replied, then shoving the bag into Brayton's arms. "The Boss says he wants you to look nice for Jaalib Mereel," he added as he motioned for Brayton to walk with them towards the speeder. As it was, they were taking him to the building where things were supposed to go down.

As he walked to the speeder, the kiffar took a glance towards a back alley were another similar speeder was parked. Inside were another two men - the two guards who worked for the Elder. Only they were dead, despite no one having noticed yet.

***

Fifteen minutes later, he was walking up towards the front door entrance of the apartment that belonged to Jaalib Mereel. He recalled what the Boss had told him, that he had better go through the back door entrance. And he knew about the bodyguards - apparently they were two. But going in through the back didn't sit well with what Brayton Val had planned, and so he was going in through the front.

Sighting, he looked at himself in his new fancy looking suit, and knocked on the door. Someone walked and opened it. It was Jaalib himself... A short man with a curly looking hair-do and a goatee, who didn't look capable of being menacing if he tried. Brayton also noticed his chain, where the panic button was.

"Can I help you?" he asked simply.

"I bring a message from the Elder," Brayton answered simply.

"Oh?" Jaalib raised an eyebrow. He walked away from the doorway, leaving it open for the kiffar to walk inside after him. "Why don't you come in? I was just fixing myself a drink," he stated as he walked towards a small mini bar in the living room. "You'll have to excuse the mess... I wasn't expecting the Elder to send someone. You want some wine?"

"No," Brayton answered simply as he rubbed his forehead.

"Is something the matter?" Jaalib asked.

"Somebody's trying to kill you."

Jaalib Mereel looked somewhat surprised. "Who?" he frowned.

"Me," Brayton answered as he pulled up a vibrodagger and threw it clean towards Jaalib's throat. The dagger hit him faster than he could react and the small man was unable to scream or cry for help, or even touch his panic button, for that matter. He simply fell down, dead.

Brayton then took two blasters and turned towards the far side wall. A wall that had nothing on it. He ducked and pressed the panic button on Jaalib's neck, and got back up. It took about five seconds before it happened. Just as he had predicted, two large looking guards came in through the wall, that was no more than a centimeter thick. Brayton gunned them down before they too could have a clean shot.

Ten minutes later the kiffar was walking out in the streets again, turning the corner, only to hear an explosion behind him. It had happened right where he had been, taking whatever evidence was left behind.

***

Back in the Segrelat Tower, floor 54, the elevator doors opened. Brayton walked forward and nodded towards the two guards who worked for the Boss. They turned to show him the way and Brayton took them out with his large vibrodagger before they even knew what hit them. He then made his way over to the Boss' office.

The Boss was there, standing up and waiting for him. But he was unaware of what had transpired in the corridor, just seconds before. "I hired you to do a job. It wasn't supposed to look like a job. So you take out the bodyguards and bomb the damn place, and now the job that wasn't supposed to look like a job is beginning to look very much like a job."

Brayton Val simply stood there, and said nothing.

"All right...fuck it," the Boss stated. "If the Elder wants a war, I'll give him a war."

"One he won't forget..." Brayton commented as he pulled out his blaster and shot the Boss.

***

The Elder was looking at a few old transcripts when the door opened. In walked Brayton Val. "Mister Val... I thought you were one of my guards."

"A lot of people been thinking that I'm somebody else these days," the kiffar replied simply.

"Well...is it done? I was thinking that you coming here meant that it was done," the Elder commented. "But I was expecting one of my guards to report in that it was done, and not you personally."

"Yes, well...they're dead," Brayton said before pulling out his blaster and shooting the Elder down. "They're all dead."

***

The Elder woke up to find himself tied up in a chair. He looked around for a few seconds and realized where he was. "Oh, I've been in this room before. Looks the same as it did 20 years ago," he commented aloud. "But somehow it seems different. Twenty years...two decades spent behind blaster proof glass due to a natural fear of high powered blasters and quiet rooftops in New Plouton. Twenty years locked away in my own paranoia, a prisoner in my own home. Only to be delivered to fate by a boy... Well, Jasper, it looks as though you've won, if such a term may be applied. If I were wearing a hat I would take it off," he continued. "Should we get on with it then?"

"You can keep your hat on, Elder..." the Boss replied. He too was sitting down and tied up to a chair, his back to the Elder. "Looks like we were sold a bill of goods by the same salesman. Nice speech though," he said. The two men tried to turn back to face each other. "I wish I was standing for it," the Boss added.

"You... You brought this upon our heads," the Elder stated.

"Me? You hired Jaalib to kill my son!" the Boss answered.

"I had no hand in that," the Elder commented.

"Like twenty years ago? I guess you had no hand in that either? Just a little finger perhaps... Time is up, Elder. Lying to a dead man's the same thing as lying to yourself."

"You were getting too big," the Elder replied. "You see, the problem when two men are standing in a room is you can only look at one of them and they were looking at you, and their backs turned to me. They called you the Boss. It was clear what had to be done."

"Well, now, after all this time and after you killed my son, I have taken your protégé Jaalib Mereel's life, because I know he was very much like a son to you," the Boss answered. The Elder simply looked at him, puzzled. "You haven't heard..." the Boss said.

"Will I?"

"Look at my face, Elder... Look at my smile. Jaalib is dead," the Boss said.

"Elder, are you familiar with the Goo?" Brayton Val asked as he walked into the room. The two older men turned to see him as he walked towards them.

"Mister Val... Listen to me," the Boss pleaded.

"Shut up," the kiffar answered. "How do you get to two men who can't be gotten to? You get them to come to you. You make them look left while you go right... A New Plouton shuffle."

"Whatever they're paying you..." the Elder stated.

Brayton chuckled. "There is nobody. I did this to you. For too long you have been polluting the city with your crimes against poor people, sucking them dry of what little they have left over illegal gambling debts. For too long you have had protection by paying corrupt officials to have the authorities out of your way. Men, women, even children have died under your orders just so you could collect your debts. Well, there's no one to bribe now, so when you came to me I knew I had the chance to make things right."

"So you take justice into your own hands?" the Elder asked. "You're nothing more than a fucking vigilante. You're dead! You killed all those people too. You're dead!"

"No... But you are," Brayton Val commented as he placed two bags over the elder men's heads and wrapped them up to choke them to death. "Goodbye," he said as he walked out. Perhaps it hadn't been the best way to act, but being things as they were, there was no system and there was no justice to act upon. There was only ways to get to the people who deserved what they had coming when the chances presented themselves.

Hopefully the Jau wouldn't take too long to be beat either.

---

"Observing Progress, Part 1"
By: Kaysa Zenarr-Tregat
Zale Tregat
Dr. Ut [NPC]

Location: Yesopol, New Plouton
Date: Lythe 27, 5 ABY

***

"Yes, I've been trying the exercises you suggested."

Kaysa Zenarr-Tregat, elbow resting atop the sofa's armrest and cheek propped against a fisted hand, sighed yet refrained from rolling her eyes. The man seated across from her narrowed his eyes slightly as if examining and classifying her emotional response to his question. The foot of the leg hanging over his left knee began jiggling, while the tip of his stylus made a repetitive, pensive clack against his data pad. She grit her teeth, but Zale placed a restraining hand upon her knee. Even that proved a point of curiousity for the dark-haired examiner, who tilted his head to one side as if gaining a better vantage for study. Of course, the inevitable question followed: "And...how did that make you feel?"

Kaysa quirked one eyebrow, clearly unamused, even though she detected a slight quiver of Zale's lips as he suppressed a chuckle. The therapist awaited Kaysa's response, stylus poised to commit her answer to writing. Zale gave her knee a squeeze of encouragement.

At first, she couldn't see the use in speaking with a psychologist, insisting her trepidations regarding intimacy would pass. But Zale was far more insightful than Kaysa ever believed, for after months of denial, and many nights of shying from his touch when they should have been relishing in their renewed love, she understood the motivation for his request. Zale missed his wife's touch, just as she missed his. And it agonized her to no end knowing she was the only thing standing between them now, she and her irrational fear.

Vrax's ill-treatment had impacted her far deeply than she was willing to admit initially; Kaysa realized now that the effects of his abuse persisted, even after his demise. She could not even embrace her husband without trembling uncontrollably. Though after weeks of treatment with Dr. Velad Ut - a man who seemed too young to give advice, let alone advice regarding sex - Kaysa felt little progress was being achieved. And, Dr. Ut irritated her to no end.

Had he even been with a woman before? How could he understand their situation? Yet, he counselled them, week after week, and upon Zale's insistence, Kaysa listened. It was the least she could do for him. In spite of the pain she had caused him, Zale remained by her side, devotedly. She owed him so much more than agreeing to see a counsellor. Rehabilitation to the point where she could share herself fully with him was one step towards repaying him. And that required answering the doctor's nettling, tedious questions.

Doctor Ut, sensing no response forthcoming, reiterated, "You left the door unlocked while you showered. How did that make you feel?"

Kaysa sucked at her teeth, taking a moment to gather her calm and moderate her sarcasm before granting him an answer. She glanced aside briefly at Zale, who nodded encouragement. "I..." Searching for words, Kaysa shook her head. "I felt...exposed. Vulnerable," she admitted reluctantly. "I kept looking over my shoulder. It was like...there were eyes just...constantly watching me." Kaysa sighed. "It was uncomfortable."

"I see...." He nodded thoughtfully, then speared Zale with his probing, blue-eyed stare. "And did you speak with her afterward? Did you allow her to express her insecurity regarding the situation to you?"

"I gave her the chance, and we spoke a little," Zale said. "I didn't press, and I gave her the time to say what she needed to. We spent time with Aria afterwards, and that seemed to relax her a lot more." He gave Kaysa a patient, loving smile as he moved his hand into hers. "I do think it was better than the time before. We haven't had a chance to try the jacuzzi yet, but maybe this week. You did like that one swimsuit we saw, didn't you? It wasn't skimpy at all, and it is your favourite colour."

"I know," she muttered, "but there's still this...something nagging at me. Something's just not completely right yet, and I can't figure out what it is."

"Have you tried to explore it with Zale?" The doctor shifted closer in his chair as if hitting upon a solution and eager to share it. "Have you told Zale everything about your time in captivity? Every detail?"

Kaysa frowned. "As much as I can remember. I was barely lucid much of the time."

The doctor smiled. "Then that's the underlying problem. You can't reconcile the fact that you were in a situation where the control wasn't yours, and still you lack that control - of your memories. You aren't coping with the knowledge that" --he gestured at the air, snatching from it a piece of wisdom he clearly thought witty-- "you have no knowledge of those events you weren't conscious enough to recall. And that is preventing progress."

It was difficult, but Kaysa refrained from giving Dr. Ut a dismissive snort. "So...I'm troubled by things I experienced...but didn't really experience because I wasn't present enough, mentally, to do so?"

The doctor grinned. "Exactly."

Kaysa shot Zale a surreptitiously derisive glare.

"Is there anything that can be done about that," Zale asked. "What about some sort of regressive hypnotherapy to help her remember, that way she can come to grips with what happened."

"No," Kaysa protested indignantly. "I'm not going through it all again, Zale. Don't you see? I just want to forget it ever happened."

"Then you'll never make true progress," Dr. Ut informed her sternly. "And you'll never be able to find true intimacy with your husband again. Your marriage will be doomed and it will be your fault."

Kaysa chuckled bitterly at the doctor. "Screw you," she rasped and decided to end the session early by storming from the office.

Dr. Ut raised an eyebrow at Zale. "She's in denial."

"That may be, Doc, but you certainly have a winning bedside manner," Zale said. "It'll all be her fault? Okay, is there any other way to help her through this? The only way to get past is to go through it again?"

"We have explored all other options," he replied. "She simply doesn't want to face what happened and deal with the guilt she's clinging to. Unless she's willing to talk through her ordeal, in detail, she may never find herself again. And unless she's whole, she can't afford to give any part of herself to you."

"I'll talk to her again," Zale said. "I'll make sure she understands. I guess we'll see what she does after that. Thank you, Doctor. I know she's not the easiest patient to deal with, but your help is greatly appreciated. By both of us."

The doctor smiled knowingly. "I'll see you two again next week."

"Of course," Zale said. "Thank you again." With that, he stood and went in search of Kaysa.

She was pacing manically in the corridor outside Dr. Ut's office, muttering irately to herself. When she saw Zale's approach, Kaysa snapped, "How could he blame this on me? What the hells does he know!?"

Zale had his suspicions, but he had a feeling voicing them to Kaysa would end up undermining the doctor's efforts. "Perhaps he's having a bad day," Zale said. "Come on, let's go on home. I'm sure Saris will be happy to let us take Aria back so she can go back to Moril."

Kaysa took a deep breath and exhaled all her anger and tension. They strolled to the hovercar hand in hand, though Kaysa remained pensively silent the entire way. When they entered the vehicle, she finally spoke. "Do you think I'm really putting our marriage at risk?" she asked quietly.

"I don't feel like you are," Zale said. "I still love you, and I'm patient. Do you feel that you're putting it at risk?"

"I don't know," she answered with a weary sigh. "I'm frustrated and anxious because I know you can only wait so long, and I want to get better now. But I don't know what else I can do."

"It'll take time," Zale said. "And, I'm not going anywhere. So, as long as it takes, I'll be here by your side. I promise."

"I know, but it's not fair." Kaysa gazed across the small gap between them and declared, "I'm sorry. I just hope you understand that I am trying. I've even be willing to try those insane exercises Dr. Ut's been recommending. I mean" --she rolled her eyes-- "letting you choose my clothing in the morning? What could that possibly accomplish save for fulfilling your fantasies by getting me into an equadi?"

"I've already seen you in an equadi, and the sight was one I approve of," Zale said. "But, the doctor's just trying to get you to give up a little control. The issue of control is at the center of all of this, and I think he wants you to feel that lack of control, and realize it isn't as devastating. He really is trying to help you through this, not trying to turn our marriage into a titillating freak show."

Kaysa smiled in spite of her gloom. "Well I still think we're making some progress. You accidentally touched my breast the other day and I didn't flinch. That's...good, isn't it?"

Zale chuckled softly and nodded. "That's very good," he said. "I think you're making a lot of progress. I don't think you need to worry at all. How would you like to go out for some dinner tonight? To the Spire."

"In an equadi?" she asked with a critical frown. "Well...that sounds acceptable. I guess we'll have to get someone to babysit." Kaysa smiled. "We'll tell Saris she can invite Moril over. Then she won't pout because they're apart."

"Unless we can get Maeren to come over," Zale said. "And you don't have to wear an equadi out to dinner. Just around the house for now."

"Thanks," she told him, her gratitude genuine. "For being the most understanding man in the universe," Kaysa explained. "No one else has given me as many chances as you have. I just wish I could repay you."

"Just keep being you, and that's payment enough," Zale said. "Have you had a chance to talk to Maeren? How's it going with her living over with Keeve?"

She shrugged, watching the deserted streets rush by through the window. Few people ventured out of their homes unless necessary, fearing a run-in with the Jau patrols. "Maeren's adjusting," Kaysa replied softly. "According to Keeve, though his views on the matter are likely to be coloured by his misguided desire for Shiv to be absolutely over their failed marriage. I'm not sure she is."

"My guess is Keeve isn't over it either," Zale said. "But, as long as they aren't fighting these days, I guess that's good news."

"Yeah..." Cradling the right side of her face in one hand, Kaysa leaned her head onto the window and watched the city flashing by. From a fast-paced life of excitement and mischief, Kaysa had been condemned to dullness and insecurity. It was a wonder Zale remained attracted to her even still...unless he stayed for Aria's sake. She stared at his profile's reflection in the window, and vowed to reignite the fire that once burned when they were together. Though Kaysa doubted she was prepared for what that might require.

---

"Observing Progress, Part 2"
By: Kaysa Zenarr-Tregat
Zale Tregat

Location: Yesdol, New Plouton
Date: Lythe 27, 5 ABY

***

Zale pushed Kaysa's chair in as the maitre'd set flimsiplast menus before each of them. Once the wines were listed along with the specials for the evening, he departed, leaving the two alone.

"I always do like coming here," Zale said as he sat himself in his own chair. "Such a great view of the city. I don't know if they'd want to, but we should have the whole family here sometime. It'd be nice to be able to connect with everyone again. We've all gone our separate ways, and it doesn't feel right."

"Nothing's felt right for a long while," Kaysa pointed out somberly. She glossed over the menu, craving nothing in particular. In the end, she closed it and smiled at Zale. "You pick something for us both. Just remember that I hate mushrooms."

"Alright," Zale said with a smile. "What do you say we stop by the toy store on the way home and get one of those stuffed reisas for Aria? Did you see how her eyes just lit up when we went by there the other day? I thought she was going to fall right out of the stroller."

"Why not get her a real one? It'd be more animated, that's for sure."

"That's a great idea," Zale said with a grin. "We can stop by tonight and see if they have one we like. She does love Hope, that's for sure."

"She loves all things furry," Kaysa noted, pointing a finger Zale's way. "It's why she adores you - all those dangling braids. Maybe with a reisacat around, she'll stop trying to hang off them."

Zale laughed aloud. "That very well could be," he said. "It is adorably cute though. She tried to grab a fistful of them and shove them in her mouth today."

Kaysa chuckled, her mood brightening on the topic of their daughter. "Who do you think she'll be more like when she's older?" she mused. "Hopefully she doesn't acquire my temperament or we're in trouble."

"I think she'll be a pleasant mixture of the two of us," Zale said with a chuckle. "Though, unfortunately, I do think she's stuck with my hair."

"At least she's got my nose," Kaysa teased. "It's got a regal quality to it, don't you think?"

"Yes, it does," Zale said with a mirthful glint in his eye. "Quite regal. Though, I think she'll be stuck with a baby nose for quite a while yet. Have you ever noticed that all baby noses are almost exactly alike? It's fascinating."

Kaysa smiled. "Very fascinating. And on that topic...." She watched him curiously and asked, "Do you still find me fascinating? I know I'm not my old self, but I hope I haven't changed too much for you."

"Of course I do," Zale said. "There's still enough of the old you there, and the new you isn't half bad either. I love every minute we spend together. Pretty much since I've met you, I've had to share you with someone else. Now, the only person I have to share you with is Aria, and I think I can be content with that. I know we're not intimate, but I also know that your love for me isn't any less than it's ever been. You're beyond fascinating, Kaysa, and I couldn't be happier right where I am."

Kaysa nodded skeptically and folded both arms atop the table as she leaned forward. "So...who are you sleeping with?" she accused playfully. "I mean...you're a Shac'tae master. How could you live without sex?"

"You seem to have mistaken me for Maeren," Zale said with a laugh. "Just because I've studied Shac'tae doesn't mean I can't live without sex. Being near you, and seeing you getting yourself centered again is more important to me than sex. You're the only one I need to be with, and I can wait until you're ready again. Besides, studying Shac'tae also teaches the practitioners how to live without."

"Really?" Kaysa chuckled. "Then you won't mind if I choose celibacy over recovery?"

"If that's your choice, then I'll stand by you," Zale said with a chuckle. "I do love you for more than just how good you are in bed, don't you know?"

Her shoulders slumped forward in dejection as she admitted, "I don't know much of anything anymore. I'm having trouble finding myself. I can't be the old Kaysa...so who am I?"

"You're Kaysa who's gone through a lot of bad things," Zale said. "But, you are finding yourself again, and that can take time. I promise I'm not going anywhere, Kayse, so it can just take time."

"And if in time I become someone you no longer love?" She gazed at him with eyes so filled with grief and anxiety that it was impossible to mask her pain from Zale. "Merrick couldn't love who I'd become - he wasn't interested in sleeping with a stranger. You might not be in the future. I don't want to end up alone."

"Kaysa, after everything that's happened, I'm still here," Zale said. "Do you really think I'm just going to get tired and give up?"

"I don't know," she sighed, leaning back in her chair. She smiled crookedly. "I nearly am. It's been months, Zale and I'm not better. I don't want to give up...but I'm so tired of trying."

"Then stop trying," Zale said. "Let it happen if it's going to happen. If you try to force it, I don't think that's going to help."

"Are you ready to order?"

Kaysa glanced aside at the waiter with disinterest, then gave Zale a pointed look. "Have we decided yet? Remember, I don't like--"

"Mushrooms," Zale said with a smile. "We'd like two orders of the Bespin cutlets, hold the mushrooms on one. Red potatoes and the vegetables. Also a salad for each of us, with the brasberry vinaigrette."

"A good choice, Mr. Tregat," the waiter praised with an admiring smile that Kaysa thought completely flirtatious. After a final tap on his datapad, the man looked between them, asking, "And what will you be drinking? The house wine is exquisite."

"If you still have some of that Qua'va water, we'd like that," Zale said.

"I'll have the water, he'll have the wine," Kaysa interjected and smiled at Zale. "You shouldn't have to sacrifice for me. Just...have the wine, Zale."

"Alright," Zale said, his smile for her tender. "One wine, one Qua'va water."

"Very good." The waiter departed with a pleasant smile for Kaysa, and a slightly hungry one for Zale.

Kaysa pressed her lips thin. "You're not going to start sleeping with men again, right?" she asked him impatiently.

Zale laughed. "I have no plans to do so," he said. "My only interest is in you, my dear wife. Stop being so paranoid; even if I were to start considering finding someone to roll with, I'll talk to you before I would even do anything."

Kaysa gaped. "What? That's something you believe you could consider? Taking on a mistress? Who is it?"

Zale sighed. "There is no one," he said. "I'm not even considering it. I was just informing you that if it were to ever happen, I would talk to you before I ever acted. I am not considering, I have no intention of considering, but I only wanted to assure you that I have no plans to do anything at all behind your back."

Kaysa stubbornly folded her arms beneath her bosom and watched him from beneath her lashes. "Not even with a man?"

"Not even a man," Zale affirmed. "And before you consider it, not even with an alien -- male or female. You are the only one I have any interest in. Period."

Face still stern, Kaysa said, "I love you." Then, she grinned and reached across the table to cover Zale's hand with her own. "If you weren't with me...I don't know where I'd be now."

"Well, I don't want to think of you anywhere but with me," he said. "Our daughter needs us both, and I need smiles like that." He turned his hand over, and hers fit neatly into it. "I love you, Kaysa. Even if you snore."

"I do not," she protested tenderly. "You're the one who snores. I just don't want you to feel left out, so I mimic."

Zale grinned. "Of course," he said. "Well, thank you. I would feel terribly left out while I slept."

"Because I won't let you peek under my nightgown?" She smiled impishly, not taking her eyes from Zale's even as the waiter returned with their beverages. "Do you want a peek?" she asked Zale slyly. "I might be ready to give you one."

Zale grinned and shrugged. "Perhaps," he said, but there was a seriousness in his eyes when he added, "but only if you are ready."

Kaysa shrugged while the waiter set her glass before her. "I could be. We'll have to try to know for certain, right?"

"Right," Zale said with a nod. He then turned to the waiter. With a smile that said the waiter could go to someone else's table, he added: "Thank you." Then he turned back to Kaysa. "Just as long as you're comfortable, I think it's good to try. And, we'll at least be able to have a positive report for the doctor next week."

"You mean we have to go back?" She grimaced. "He's completely wrong half the time - why should I sit there and let him insult me?"

"Because I think he's doing more than just insulting you," Zale said with a knowing smile. "When he insults you, to borrow his favourite phrase, how does it make you feel?"

Glowering briefly, Kaysa answered with some reluctance, "More guilty than I already feel. And I hate him for it."

"And," Zale said, drawing it out slightly, "anything more that?"

Kaysa sighed. "And what, Zale? That he's right?"

"Well, I believe that he may be trying, through what he says, to use your stubborn nature as a fuel to get you to change."

"How?" she asked with incredulity. "By frustrating me to the point where I have to leave the room?"

"Perhaps he's trying to plant the idea that when you're ready, you won't need his help any longer," Zale said with a mirthful grin.

"So," she stated pensively, "by insulting me, he's actually helping?"

"How do you believe he would be able to best help you, Kaysa," Zale asked. "There's no magic wand that's going to fix it, so he has to do it through psychology. And, I think the most certain way to get you to do something is to tell you you can't do it."

Kaysa smiled proudly. "I am quite defiant, aren't I?"

Zale grinned and brushed the back of her hand with his thumb. "Beautifully so," he said. "Now do you see where the doctor might be coming from?"

"Maybe," she admitted, shrugging coyly. "But we really don't want to admit that to him. He's already very conceited."

"He is," Zale agreed. "And he makes far too much money. When it's all over, we can send him a fruit basket as a thank you."

"Or find him a date - he looks like he needs one." Kaysa grinned. "I wonder if Arrista is available..."

Zale chuckled. "Oh, even when she's not, I imagine she is," Zale said. "Maeren mentioned she saw her the other day. Over near the Palace of Stars, I think she said."

"And why would Maeren think you were interested in knowing all about Arrista?" she inquired with a mildly accusatory smile.

"I'm guessing because of that one night here," Zale said. "And, she thought I should take note of the significance of Arrista's proximity to the Palace of Stars. Though, she mentioned it only after I asked her why she'd been near the Palace of Stars when she'd mentioned something about Weibran."

"And you didn't probe deeper?" All sign of amusement vanished and Kaysa became visibly concerned. "Why was she there? You don't think she's planning on returning, do you?"

"I don't know," Zale said. "If all she's doing is dancing, it's not so bad. I'll talk to her next time I get a chance and find out. It's easier to get ahold of her while she's staying with Keeve. Even so, I can't imagine Keeve allowing her to do something like that, can you? Even though they're not together, he still keeps her on a short leash as far as what she can do. By the way, did they ever end their marriage?"

"Keeve said there simply hasn't been time," Kaysa replied. "I just think he's having second thoughts - he doesn't want to hurt her any more than he has already. But he can't keep her hanging like this. I know Shiv - this is just killing her."

"I know," Zale said. "Realistically, his best option would be to marry Kim as well, and have them both as his wives. It's legal to do so here. He might as well, especially since he still loves her."

"You don't understand my son," Kaysa informed him wistfully. "He's trying to be the complete opposite of his mother - responsible...monogamous. Our relationship is better now...but that doesn't mean he wants to emulate me."

"I understand that part," Zale said. "Though, I guess we'll need to talk to him about Maeren. It's not fair to her, and it's not fair to him."

"And you think he'll respond well to that? He has matured much, but our bond is still so fragile... I don't want to jeopardize it."

"I'll talk to him," Zale said. "We've had an understanding ever since I hung him out that window."

Kaysa laughed fondly. "I wish I had been there for that. I really have missed a lot, haven't I? Not just with Keeve," she clarified. "With...with everything."

"Perhaps," Zale said. "But, you haven't missed it all, and there's still a lot left to catch."

"Your meals," their waiter cheerfully announced. Kaysa was served first, and Zale second, with greater care taken to ensure perfect placement before him. The man lingered, watching him for approval. "Is it to your satisfaction, sir?"

"It's perfect," Zale said. "Thank you very much." With that, he turned back to Kaysa. "I think I'm going to leave Moril in charge tomorrow, and I'll stay home with you and Aria. That'll be a nice change, I think."

"Really?"

The waiter wrinkled his nose at Kaysa's beaming smile and haughtily marched off.

"That would be the best gift you've ever given me," Kaysa continued, unaware of their petulant waiter's departure. She squeezed Zale's hand and motioned her chin towards their meals. "Let's eat fast. We need some time alone, I think."

Zale returned her smile as he started in on his meal. He looked around for the waiter, and shook his head. "Next time," he said softly, so only Kaysa could hear, "I think we'll want to sit in a different section."

"Why? So you can put your hand up my dress?"

"So I don't have to worry about fending off our waiter the entire night," Zale said with a chuckle. "I'm afraid to say anything outright to him, since he is the one bringing us our food, and I would hate to have him take offense and take it out on us through our food."

Kaysa glanced down at her meal dubiously. "Yeah...that would be a bad idea." Her smile returning, Kaysa raised her glass. Zale mirrored the action. "To...getting back to where we should be in our relationship."

"To our marriage and future, and reclaiming ourselves," Zale said as he touched his glass to hers.

"Ourselves?" Kaysa echoed curiously. "What's wrong with you? You haven't lost anything."

"We're in this together," Zale said. "So, ourselves."

"You always know what to say," she commented fondly, and drank secure in the knowledge that Zale's tolerance for sex deprivation was fairly high. As long as Kaysa remained desirable and charming, she was confident Zale would be the last man ever to share her bed. Even if she did monopolize the sheets...and snore.

---

"Vision of Home"
Meer'esh - Raek'a to Sa'Taka Gal'traq
Raek'a Sheeva'ash [NPC+]

Location: Meeting Hall, Royal Palace of Arcadia
Date: Lythe 27, 5 ABY

***

He was restive, stir-crazy. His role in the grand scheme of the Jau's invasion was complete, yet the release they had promised was yet to come. What more was there for him to do? He had already betrayed the woman he loved, had betrayed his people and his very beliefs, but they insisted on prolonging his disgrace.

Shame gnawed at him incessantly, wearing on his sanity and bringing him closer to the edge each day he suffered. Meer'esh, the self-reviled aide to Sa'taka Gal'traq, ruler of Tae'Karada, glared at his reflection in the meeting hall's tall windows, despising himself more by the moment. There was no escape, however, save for death, but he refused to deliver himself to such a fate until he saw Yelara for one final time.

"From slave to high ranking aide," he whispered bitterly to himself in his native tongue. "You had more pride when working the mines and dripping with your own sweat than you have now. Your people would spit on you if ever you encounter them again."

"Are you alright," a voice behind him asked. Standing there was a woman who looked much as he did with the bluish, pale skin and white-pale hair. She was tall and thin, and attractive in an exotic way. She had been taking a report to Raek Kan'viq, political advisor to the Sa'Taka and her superior -- a fact he never let her forget. "I heard you speaking, but there is none here that you could be speaking to." She eyed him, wondering if perhaps he might be hiding a transmitter of some sort.

Meer'esh stood immobile and unresponsive, stunned by what was before him. A female, but one who resembled himself, and spoke his language. Never before had Meer'esh seen a female of his kind. In any other situation, he would be apologetic for staring, but this was no ordinary situation. He shook his head numbly, and made an attempt at speech, but only a stuttering garble of words issued forth. Finally, he managed to utter, "No one. M-Myself, only."

"You seem distressed," she said. "You are aide to Sa'Taka Gal'traq, yes? Is there a problem that distresses you? I know that when I must go to Raek Kan'viq with news I am certain he will not like, I often find myself distressed. I am Sheeva'ash."

Meer'esh cleared his throat and lowered his eyes. It was easier to speak to the woman before him without gazing directly at her. "I simply have not witnessed one such as you - a female of our kind. I knew they existed...but they are foreign to me."

She observed him for a moment, then nodded. "Yes," she said. "I had seen very few males of our kind before preparations to come here began. I apologize if my presence is a disturbance. That is why our genders were kept apart, as it is. It is likely, if I cause you difficulty, they will segregate us again. I will go."

Meer'esh looked up, abruptly. "No. Do not." Awkwardly keeping his eyes anywhere but on Sheeva'ash, Meer'esh explained, "I would like to speak with you, if you have time. I am Meer'esh."

"Yes, I have time, Meer'esh," she said. "I am not due to turn in this report for another a'khut."

He grinned and relaxed enough to hold her gaze. "I have not heard that word used for...for years. I have been far from home for some time." Having moved to the conference table, Meer'esh pulled out a chair and gestured for his female guest to do the same. Once seated, he watched her expectantly and asked, "Your name. May I hear it again?"

"I am Sheeva'ash," she said. "I was of the Mu'ukuth clan before I was enslaved."

"I do not know my clan," Meer'esh explained solemnly. "I was born in the mines. I did not meet my parents. How many decades are you, Sheeva'ash?"

"I am third and six," she answered. "I was taken just before my first."

"Nearly a child," Meer'esh commented with a surprised laugh.

Sheeva'ash frowned slightly. "I am not too young," she said with some indignation. "I have reached my majority."

Chastised, Meer'esh bowed his head and murmured an apology. "I...I simply am not used to interacting with others of my kind, not in conversation. It is difficult, at times, to find the correct words."

"It is understandable," Sheeva'ash said with a knowing smile. "Say what you will, and it is alright, Meer'esh. It is too seldom when we have the freedom to communicate amongst others of our kind."

"Or to communicate at all," he added. "But we are not prisoners any longer...not entirely. So you would not mind speaking with me again and often?"

"I would like that, Meer'esh," she answered with a nod. "While we may not have much we can talk of for our home, there is still a common bond we share."

"We are both slaves," he pointed out. "It is an unfortunate bond to share, but important nonetheless." Meer'esh was silent for a moment, considering Sheeva'ash pensively. "Have you heard anything about what is happening out there? The planet seems...calm, strangely."

"While they might be strict and absolute in their leadership," Sheeva'ash said, "they do treat their subjects well. Perhaps the people have realized that our masters are more capable leaders than the corrupt ones we have displaced."

Meer'esh's eyes narrowed to angry slits as he informed her harshly, "Yelara Neerou was not corrupt. She would have been a great leader if we hadn't interfered."

"She was a figurehead, Meer'esh," Sheeva'ash said. "While she tried to exercise her own power, the politicians of this planet were the true evil. They are also the ones who turned the public on this planet's protectors and made them outlaws. They would still pose a danger to the Jau had they remained united, even without the benefit of their laser swords. The officials of this planet sealed their own doom."

"You're wrong," he told her, smiling wryly, "I'm the one who did that. It was all part of the preparations necessary to clear the way for our masters. I have done my job flawlessly...yet I am not free."

"You are too useful to be free," she said. "As am I. Perhaps you will one day earn your freedom, though. There is always that chance."

"And what about you? Do you desire freedom?"

"My memories of freedom are distant," Sheeva'ash said, a wistful tone in her voice. "I believe I would like if it were available to me. Still, our masters provide security and safety."

"We are no one's enemy," he reminded her. "Who are they protecting us from, Sheeva'ash? Why--" Meer'esh bit his tongue, realizing he was venturing dangerously close to what might be construed as defiance. If Sheeva'ash informed her master, Meer'esh would not live long. "I am sorry," he whispered solemnly, lowering his head, "I am...simply tired, that is all."

"That is understandable," she answered. "They protect us here from those who see us as invaders and wish to do us harm." The words were practiced, but there had been some who had attempted to harm the Jau, and would have tried to attack their staff had they access to the Palace. Those individuals had been dealt with, and now worked in the desert operations. "There are too few of us assisting our masters, and I think we all grow tired."

"Yes," Meer'esh agreed. "I should retire to my chambers for a nap, perhaps." He rose and bowed his head at Sheeva'ash. "I am glad to have met you. If I encounter you again, I will be pleased."

"As will I," Sheeva'ash answered with an uncharacteristic smile. "Perhaps, when we have time available, we might be able to dine together." She stood from her chair and returned his bow with a graceful one of her own. "I am pleased to have met you."

"And I am glad to no longer be alone," Meer'esh confided. "Goodbye, Sheeva'ash." And smiling, with far more ease than previously, Meer'esh took his leave.

Sheeva'ash watched him go, then nodded to herself. She departed the room as well to take her report to Raek Kan'viq. As she walked through the palace corridors, she found herself looking forward to her next encounter with Meer'esh. Today had turned into a surprisingly good day, or at least a hopeful one.

---

"Easy Fix"
By: Ferrig Mullerin
Dani
Raeila Selrid
Kael Selrid
Nieme Yaresh

Location: Jedi Safehouse
Date: Lythe 27, 5 ABY

***

"I'm not as bad as you think," Ferrig Mullerin said as he glanced back at Dani who was walking behind him. "I was just looking out for my sister and my child."

Dani didn't answer, instead she pointed ahead, urging him along.

Ferrig gave her a look and she could read a flicker of desire in his eyes as he let his eyes dip down low, and return to her face. "You know the two of us could be good together. Maybe not as good as Talara and I would have been. Did you see that sign for her? We drove past that club. I saw her name there. She's a dancer there. Once we get done here, I'm going to go visit her. I'm sure she'll be surprised to see me."

"You don't want to do that, Ferrig," Dani answered, breaking her silence.

"Yes, I do," he answered hotly. "She was my girlfriend. She loved me. And you and Nieme stole her away from me, turned her against me. When she was rescued, she would barely let me touch her."

"I regret what we did to her, and I wish we could make it up to her," Dani said. "But, given what you did to Zari, I think you should just let her go."

"She still loves me," Ferrig said. "I saw it in her eyes the last time I saw her. Our separation was hurting her, but she was trying to be a Jedi. I'm going to fix everything, you'll see." He stopped and turned to her, lowering his voice to a whisper. "And, I don't think it would be wise of you to stand in my way. After what you've done so far, you're on shaky ground with Raeila. Defy me, and I'm sure she'll turn on you."

Dani sighed. She looked past him where Raeila and Kael were ascending the stairs to Nieme's room. "Just don't hurt her again. Hurt Tala, and I will hurt you, Ferrig. I love Raeila, but I will not stand by and let you try to manipulate me by using Raeila's love for me."

The smile Ferrig gave her was cold as he shouldered ahead. "We'll see."

***

Raeila and Kael stopped at Nieme's door. Inside, the room was silent. Kael couldn't say what he felt just now. He had spent very little time around Nieme since he'd been rescued from the palace. She barely seemed to recognize him. He gave Raeila's hand a squeeze.

"You ready," he asked softly.

Before Raeila could answer, however, Nieme appeared. Dressed in crisp, white robes that brushed the tops of her bare feet, Nieme fairly glowed as she smiled for them, though it was an inner brightness that emanated from her being and not the light reflecting off her clothing. Her eyes narrowed briefly in observation of Raeila, then she nodded, understanding. "You've finally come for my repentance." Nieme stepped aside to give them access to her room. "Shall we begin?"

Raeila was perplexed, and looked aside at Kael curiously. "Is she..."

"She's tuned to the Force in a way that none of the Masters can explain," Kael said. He gestured into the room, and as Raeila preceded him, he gave a congenial nod to Nieme.

Nieme gestured them to follow as she sat upon the ground, folding her legs beneath her. Kael mirrored Nieme's actions readily, while it took a tug on her hand from Kael to encourage Raeila. She finally sat, reluctantly, but refused to meet Nieme's penetrating stare. It was unsettling, for Raeila could feel Nieme's eyes probing beneath the flesh, touching her very core. It was why she had resisted for so long to seek a cure...Raeila feared Nieme and her power.

"So you've come to have undone what I did in my former existence?" Nieme queried.

"Yes," Kael said. "Raeila and I wish to have a child, to have our own baby."

Nieme's eyes continued studying Raeila, plumbing the depths of her being and uncovering truths only seen through the Force. She glanced aside at Kael, expression neutral, and asked, "What have you come to me for, then? I can do nothing."

Raeila's head snapped towards Nieme, rage distorting her features and reddening her face. "Why not?" she hissed. "You made it impossible for me to conceive. You wronged me, and now you need to fix it!"

"I'm a healer, Nieme," Kael said as he placed a calming hand on Raeila's forearm, "what can I do to heal Raeila? What can I do to make it so she can have a baby?"

"Nothing," Nieme answered simply. "Nothing need be done."

"That's not for you to decide!" Raeila hollered, surging forward. She was held back by Kael. "You don't know the pain you've caused. You have to fix it!"

"I will," Nieme assured her soothingly, "but it cannot be now." She looked to Kael, her eyes warm and no longer dead as before, when she was lost to the darkness. "You do not know, then," Nieme concluded.

Kael shook his head, but then something clicked. He turned to Raeila, and extended his senses through the Force. His eyes widened after a moment. "She can't undo what she did to allow you to get pregnant," he said, "because...because you're already pregnant."

Raeila stared speechlessly at Nieme, who sighed. "I will not risk the life of your child by righting my wrong. Upon its birth, return to me, and I will mend things."

"That...doesn't matter now," Raeila breathed, tears spilling from her eyes. "I...I have a baby in me." Her hands weaved over her stomach, feeling for the child growing within. She laughed with joy. "Kael and I...we did it. We're going to have a child!"

Raeila threw herself into Kael's embrace, but Nieme watched him apologetically, expressing that this was more than a miracle, that there was more grief than happiness to follow for them. But, she did not speak those words, Nieme only lowered her head and murmured, "So be it."

"It's wonderful news, Rae," Kael said as he held her close. "We'll finally have a baby." He glanced over Raeila's shoulder and raised a questioning eyebrow at the look Nieme gave him.

Nieme demurred with a gentle shake of her head, and motioned her eyes towards Raeila, indicating she did not wish to elaborate in the woman's presence. "I shall give you time to explore your happiness," Nieme told them. She rose, bowed, and seemed to glide towards the door.

"Can you believe it," Kael asked as he turned his attention back to Raeila. He'd have to talk to her later, but for now, he wanted to fully feel the joy Raeila felt. As his eyes found hers, it was like a bolt of lighting coursing through him. "I think you'd better get ready to be called mama."

"After all this time," she whispered tearfully, "and it was possible all along. This is what I've always wanted, Kael." She kissed him tenderly and smiled when she pulled back. "I'm so sorry. I-I don't know what happened tonight. I was just so desperate."

"I know," Kael said. "Everything will be fine now. I'll make sure Zari knows that everything is okay and she's safe from us now. And, I think we're going to need a more permanent home for our baby. I think a house. I like the idea of something in the desert, but it might be better to have a house in the city so we have medical facilities close by."

"But I want to be as far away from this place as possible," Raeila urged him. "Can't we just...go?"

"Which place, Rae? This planet? Or just the city?"

"Anywhere," she told him fervently. "Anywhere, as long as it's you, me and our baby."

"Tomorrow, we'll start looking at houses," Kael said. "I think a day with just the two of us will be very nice. We haven't had that in some time."

"We could start right now," Raeila suggested. "There's nothing here that we need. Let's go home."

"We should," Kael said. "I would like to have a word with Nieme. While I do that, why don't you break the news to Dani and Ferrig. They're just outside."

"Do you think they'll be happy? Will Ferrig?"

"I'm sure they will," he said. "Well, I guess unless we tell them we're going to be living alone and we don't want them with us. But, I think both of them will be very happy your dream will be coming true."

She giggled as she hadn't in ages, with utter abandon and elation. "I'll go tell them," Raeila announced and kissed Kael again, deeply. Sighing, she leaned back and pushed onto her feet. "Then, we can leave and celebrate at home." Fingers sweeping lightly over his cheek, she added suggestively, "Properly."

"Very properly," he said, raising an eyebrow in answer to her suggestion. "I'll see you soon." He leaned in and gave her a tender kiss.

She scampered away, blonde hair trailing behind her like a golden banner riding the wind. Everything about Raeila shone now; her happiness had been restored.

Moments after her departure, Nieme silently entered the room. She smiled in greeting. "Raeila feels complete." Nieme knelt beside him. "Do you?"

"Mostly," Kael said. "Something isn't right though. Your look before. It's about the baby, isn't it?"

"You're a Jedi," she reminded him mildly. "Can you not discern for yourself?"

Kael took a moment to reach out through the Force. "The baby is Ferrig's," he finally said.

Despite the troubling revelation, Nieme smiled at Kael's acuity. "It was always impossible for Raeila to conceive a child with you...but there was nothing preventing her from conceiving with another. In my former existence, I thought that the cruelest punishment I could inflict upon you both. It is...unfortunate."

Kael moved over and sat down to regard her. "After she has this baby, are you able to heal her? Can you make it so we can have children again?"

"I am most certain I can." The statement was made without arrogance, only an innate knowledge of the extent of her abilities. She watched Kael sidelong to ask, "But are you so sure she is mentally and emotionally equipped to mother one child, let alone two? I sense an instability in her, Kael, as if something is poised to snap. Motherhood is stressful, and may just push her over that precipice."

"I will do what I can to help her," Kael said. "Her desire to have a baby was so great that it was making her unstable. It is my hope that having a child will reduce some of her instability, rather than make it worse."

"Kael, I see much," Nieme confided softly, "and I do not see much tranquility for you all in the near future...not with the struggle that will arise when Ferrig discovers Raeila is carrying his child. He must not know...nor must Raeila if there is to be joy for you both."

Kael nodded slowly. "Yes," he said. "I understand. I will say nothing to her. The child will be ours, no matter what."

"Will you be able to live with that secret, however?"

Kael nodded. "Yes," he said. "I'll be able to live with it. To see Raeila happy again, I'll definitely be able to live with it. And I will love our baby completely."

Nieme bowed her head. "Then I shall say no more, save for good luck."

"Thank you," Kael said. "And, I will see you again when I am able. For now, Raeila and I must go find our new home where we can raise our child."

"May the Force be with you, then, Kael Selrid, and I hope you will allow me, one day, to repent for my wrongs against you."

"Yes," Kael said. "I look forward to that day. May the Force be with you, Nieme." He stood and bowed to her, then exited the room to find Raeila.

He located her at the end of the hall, where Dani and Ferrig had been waiting. She was grinning and speaking to them in a very animated manner. "It's hard to believe, isn't it? After all this time..." Raeila was saying.

Dani gave her another hug, the fifth since Raeila had broken the news. "It's so wonderful. Kael! Congratulations daddy-to-be."

Kael grinned and gave a them a bow. "Thank you," he said. "Though, I must say it was truly a pleasure." He gave Rae a wink.

Ferrig chuckled. "Very nice work, buddy," he said. "I guess everything before was all just a big fluke. Glad to know your blaster's loaded."

Raeila snickered abashedly and swatted his arm. "It was always loaded, Ferrig. I think, maybe, we were just trying too hard and making things worse. But everything's fine now." Raeila's eyes shone with tears as she told her brother, "I'm finally going to be a mother."

"And, I'm going to be a father," Kael said as he moved up behind Raeila and slipped his arms around her. "Now we just need to get our house and make it ready for our baby. We're going to go out looking."

"You're welcome to join us," she told Dani and Ferrig brightly. "We won't know if it's a girl or boy for a while, but we can make a start." Smiling warmly at her brother, she took his hand and urged, "Come on...join us, Ferrig. It'll be like old times."

"I'm in," Ferrig said. "So, where we going? The desert? I think we'll be able to find a nice house there."

"I don't think we want to rule anywhere out just yet," Kael said. "We just want to find someplace we can call home. Want to start in the city and move out from there?"

"We've got time." Raeila patted her stomach. "Nine months, in fact."

With a grin, Kael reached out and patted Raeila's belly. "Our baby," he said. "Do you want to know if we're having a boy or girl before? Or do you want to be surprised?"

"No way!" she exclaimed, smiling. "I want it to be a surprise. Surprises are fun." Covering Kael's hand with her own, Raeila whispered ardently, "Let's go. I'll...apologize to Zari in the morning."

"Sounds great," Kael said.

And so, the four departed the Jedi's secret hideout in search of the new home that would signify their fresh start, and leaving behind those secrets that could very well prevent it.

---

"New Modifications"
by Chun Li - Escort Pilot
and R2-X1 (Axon) - Droid (NPC)
and Zoran Petrovic - Technician (NPC)

Location: Drogen Shipyards Repair Bay 34-B
Date: Lythe 27, 5 ABY

***

Li had transferred her fighter to one of the repair bays and was now waiting for the tech to show up. Finally someone did.

"I'm Zoran Petrovic," he said, "you called for a tech?"

"That is correct," Li said, "I'm Chun Li. I would like to add an extra engine to my ship."

"What do you mean with that," Zoran asked.

"I already have an extra hyperdrive motivator installed," Li explained, "normally it's totally isolated from the rest of the systems. In case an ion bolt shorts out my motivators, I can put that one in and still get away. I would like to have an extra engine with the same characteristics, but it also has to be able to work together with the other engines."

"So you want an engine that is isolated from the rest of the ship," Zoran repeated, "powerful enough to put you in hyperspace I assume, and able to work with the rest of the ship if necessary."

"Entirely correct," Li said, "can you do that."

"If we take off your upper stabilisator, install the engine there and then weld it back up on top of the engine it should be possible to put an extra one in," Zoran said, looking at her ship, "but it will cost you and we don't have blastboat engines at the moment, so you'll have to wait. And I don't know if we will be able to get some with the Jau here at the moment."

Li thought about it for a second.

"What do you have," she asked. Petrovic tapped on his datapad.

"The only one we can fit in your ship is an A-wing engine," he said, "the rest are capital ship engines."

"Axon, can you calculate if we can use an A-wing engine," Li asked her droid. The little machine beeped and after ten seconds he put the result on her datapad.

"It looks like it's possible," Li said to Petrovic. The A-wing engine was build for speed, but with only one in a fighter twice the size of an A-wing it would be slow, but it could bring her into hyperspace.

"Okay, install the A-wing engine," she said, "and I would also like a droid socket behind my chair. Not a full socket like in an X-wing, but just something that can hold an R2 unit stable during a fight and that I can move to the side in case it's not needed."

Zoran looked at her. "Connections," he asked.

"Just one where he can access the ship's computer," Li said.

"Let's see," Zoran said, "one engine, one droid socket and connection, plus installation. That would be 5,000 credits."

"How long will it take," Li asked. It was a reasonable price she thought; specially with all the work they had to do to isolate the engine from the rest of the ship.

"Once we start," Zoran said, "about one day, depending."

"I'll give you 6,000 if it's done by tomorrow," Li said, "I'm in a hurry."

She still had most of the 20,000 she received from Rylaa, so paying 6,000 was no problem.

"Okay," Zoran said, "it'll be done by tomorrow morning."

"Very good," Li said, "if you need me, I'm just a comm away."

She moved out, Axon following her. She would need some other supplies before she could move back into space. The first ship on her list would be the Altdorf. The extra engine they would install on her fighter would have the added advantage of having totally different characteristics as her other engines. If she had to go through atmosphere to be able to get to the Altdorf she would use the A-wing engine. That way it would be more difficult for them to track it back to her. The ion trail she would leave would be that of an A-wing and not of an assault gunboat. Also in space she could use all three of them and move much faster. She also would have to see for some extra fuel pods for under her wings if she was going to use all three engines at the same time. Maybe stock a few in her base as she was certain she would have to jettison some from time to time.

---

"A New Master"
By Jeron Kes-Allia - Jedi Padawan
And Fayla Sedoa - Jedi Master

Location: Tae'Sollar Desert
Date: Lythe 27, 4 ABY

***

The sand scoured all in its path. The wind whipped it over the dunes in vast currents, burying anything not already buried. The land was truly inhospitable, a wild and savage force untamable by any hand. Within the desert, the Jau had carved out their place, established their mines, and dug for the resources for which they'd come to the planet.

In the midst of the sandstorm, a single being moved. The howling winds and sand obscured the figure's passage. There was a certain harmony of place within the individual, and that harmony allowed for safe passage. Just as the storm began to die down, the small camp appeared over a large dune. Tents and windbreaks protected the camp from the worst of the weather, but sand was piled against everything.

Moving with a smooth grace, the figure entered the camp. A large cloak hid the person beneath from view, masking species and gender. A large hood kept the face in shadow, but bright blue eyes reflected back the glare of the sun overhead.

"You may come out," a voice said, muffled by the mask pulled across the person's mouth and nose. "I mean you no harm."

Jeron had been inside the tent, meditating. Sitting on the floor, with only a small unit to grant him sole light on the inside, he had done as he had been instructed, feeling his surroundings and feeling the Force surrounding him. He had felt someone approaching the tent, and yet felt no warning of danger. Hearing the call, he stepped outside.

Looking at the person now in front of him, Jeron looked from behind his mask into her bright blue eyes. He had not seen this woman before, and yet there was certainly something about her. "What is it that you seek?" Jeron asked the woman. "The most I can offer is shelter and some food, though I would not conceive of why someone would do more than simply pass by these parts."

"I seek you," came the answer. Drawing back the hood and pulling aside the mask revealed that the man was actually a woman. She was a Twi'lek with a deep blue pigmentation to her skin. Her age was hard to estimate, as was her physique due to the bulky desert robes she wore. "I am Fayla Sedoa," she said, her voice clearer now that it was free of the mask. She bowed to him. "I am a Jedi, and I was guided through the Force to find you here."

"A Jedi..." Jeron nodded. If not for his mask, she would have seen him frown as he looked at her. He knew that there was something about her, but he was not trained enough to feel that she was a Jedi. "I had not seen you before on the Temple. You say that the Force guided you here...do you know Master Gideon Kherris?"

"I do not," Fayla said. "I know none of the Jedi here, but in time I hope to do so. From my time at the Temple on Coruscant, I have had dreams. Such a dream showed me this planet and this place. I have learned that following the visions I have tends to be prudent."

So there are more Jedi out there... Jeron thought to himself. "I see. Then perhaps this is a sign of new days to come. You see, I am what you would call a Padawan learner. I was being trained by Master Kherris, but I have not seen him or had any contact with other Jedi for about three months now. And considering the planet's situation with the alien invaders, I am not sure that he still lives. But there were others..."

"I have visited the Temple," Fayla said. "It still stands, but there are signs of a battle fought there. You are a Learner without a teacher. I would offer my service to teach you in the ways of the Force if you are willing."

Jeron bowed his head slightly. "I would be most honored to learn that which you have to teach me. I'm not sure whether you would be comfortable training here in the desert, though Master Kherris thought it to be safer than inside the city limits. But perhaps we could find the others...I'm sure they are in hiding as well."

"If we move carefully, I am certain we can avoid trouble with the Jau forces that control the planet. I sense our presence will be needed soon. Will you accompany me to seek out the other Jedi? The city of New Plouton holds some, as does the area known as Vendra. Some also linger on the planet's other continent, in hiding."

"You seem to know much more than I, Master..." Jeron commented. "I am ready to follow. Just let me get my things, so we may depart," he said. Jeron went back into the tent where he took a medium sized sack. In it he placed the training drones that used to belong to Master Gideon Kherris and his own personal items, like his Tusken gaderffi. There wasn't much else he wanted or felt attached to, so he simply grabbed a pouch with water and a couple of food rations. Coming back out he nodded towards the Jedi. "I am ready."

"Come," Fayla said. "I have a speeder nearby. Will you require anything from the Thanatos settlement, or can we proceed directly to the city?"

"I require nothing," Jeron stated. "And I have brought us some food rations and some water, should we need it."

"That will be fine," Fayla said with a nod. "We will stop long enough in Thanatos to retrieve my speeder. Then we will continue on to the city in search of the other Jedi." With a gesture for him to follow, she led the way off into the sand.

---

"Operative Options"
By: Kalista Volaris - Republic Specialist
Brayton Val - Brayton Val - former Tae'Morad Officer

Date: Lythe 27, 5 ABY
Location: Yelldon District - New Plouton - Late Afternoon

***

Klay found herself sitting around a cantina looking for someone who could explain to her, in more depth, what the hell happened. She didn't want to go publicly hunting these guys since that would attract way too much attention. As time passed, though, hunting them with a Blaster and rope started to seem more and more like a good idea. "The hell with it, maybe I can find someone in another locat...." All at once she spotted one of her most likely marks. "Got ya," she grinned as she stood up and walked towards the man, keeping her right hand low so her dagger would be ready at a moment's notice "Brayton!" she called out.

Brayton looked at the woman. Cute, though not much his type, he immediately sized her up. Lean and athletic build, she was probably not too strong but quick, and seemed to have some type of military training. Probably Rebel Alliance, and if he had to guess he would point her out as Intelligence Officer.

"Who wants to know?" he asked as he rested his hand in his holster, just in case he was wrong.

"Depends on you," she said, moving her right hand behind her leg and allowing her dagger to slip in. "I understand you might be of great value to certain people...some want you dead and others want you alive to be dead. And me, well..." she looked at him. "It looks suspicious for a young lady to drink alone, think you can help me there?"

"I'm peculiar with whom I drink with," he answered bluntly. "Besides, I'm sure that you can manage to ask the bartender on your own, and I'm pretty sure that's not why you came over. If you have something to say then say it. Otherwise, I'm not the kind of guy who likes to sit down and chat, though I'm sure that most patrons here would do so gladly."

Klay gave a small laugh then looked at the man. "As stubborn as the file states. Oh, very well, I need to talk to you...about the invasion. Is it true that the planetary guard surrendered on the spot or was there something more?" A split second after the words left her lips, Brayton grabbed her and shoved her up against the wall. He did not seem that happy with her wording, it seemed. "Can we do this in private or do you enjoy clobbering a local in plain view of everyone else?"

"Listen here, and listen good... The Tae'Morad are not a bunch of wimps who flee or surrender at the first sight of danger. In fact, I find them with more guts than most New Republic soldiers I've come across. So before you speak again, I suggest you take point on your grammar," he warned her. He then let her go and sat back down. He knew the patrons on that bar didn't mind other people's business. "The aliens are stronger than they seem and blasters do nothing to them. They are strong, fast, and resilient, and not like any other species known to this galaxy. So, what's the Republic got to do with this?"

"Well, the problem is only on the outer rim now, but sooner or later that problem will probably work its way inwards, towards the Republic, then, boom," she stated. "We have a force that is just like the Remnant back in the area again," she explained. "They just needed to know what to expect. That's why they sent me, and now... I'm stuck here just like everyone else."

"Just like the Republic to send in someone to check on the outer rim and what goes on beyond their turf, even when they are not invited. Always on the lookout for yourselves, I guess..." he chuckled. "And so you're stuck here, eh? Well, too bad. I still fail to see why I should care about one word you said so far."

She had asked herself that same question so many days it wasn't even funny. "Well, I have to agree with you there, you shouldn't. I'm not trying to recruit you for anything, I'm just trying to do my job... That's all," she explained. "Anyhow, I really don't...." All at once her comlink beeped. "One second," she said turning it on. "What do you need..."

Brayton looked at the woman while she talked and sighed. He wasn't much of a fan of some of the proceedings of the New Republic, though they were much better than the Imperial Remnants. He preferred head on solutions than just go and do all the spying stuff. But even he had to admit that going head on against the Jau would be suicide. Perhaps the Republic could offer some more insight, though Brayton doubted it.

Klay tried to hide her worry but it was showing slightly. "Slow down. Ok, let me... No, I'm sure she's fine... Now... Ok, ok, calm down. I'll be right there." She clicked the com off then looked at Brayton. "Sorry to cut in and run on you, but if you want to talk..." She started writing out something on a piece of paper. "This is how you can contact me. It would be bad to meet face to face again, I think."

Brayton took the piece of paper and nodded. "Sure, sure..." he chuckled. The thing was, the aliens didn't seem to mind humans at all, as long as they did not interfere with their dealings and trespass their rules. Or at least that was the idea they wanted to transpire. "Still, I think that you'll look for me first. But since you found me the first time, I guess you'll manage well enough, right?" he asked.

"Hopefully," she said. "Just one last question. Do you know anyone I can talk with to see if I can get a transmission off this forsaken rock?" she asked.

"From what I've heard, all outgoing transmissions are cut off, and incoming ones are jammed and caught up by the Jau aliens," Brayton answered. "But I would imagine that they send outgoing transmissions, so it's all a question of finding the right codes to pass their security. What you need, is a good capable slicer who is up for that challenge. But good luck on finding one who is willing to risk his life over sending a message, because if you get caught, they will have your life for it."

"They have to catch me first. Thanks for the info. I better get going. That pair over there seems to be taking an unusually large interest in us today," she stated gesturing towards a pair that was sitting across the street from them.

Brayton looked over discreetly and saw the two she had mentioned. Seemed some regulars from around that part of the city, but she was right. Though they were trying not to be too obvious, they were watching. "Be careful. A lot of the people here are only interested in making quick money. Especially those whose businesses went sour ever since the aliens came. And they'll sell information to the Jau if they can. And you're not from around and it shows, which makes you an easy enough target."

With that she headed towards one of the shuttle terminals leaving Brayton to himself, Brenna had mention something about Marsar, she sure hoped it wasn't what was currently going through her head

---

"Trouble in the House"
by Vincenzo Lapenta, Neurosurgeon
and Sarah Lapage, Neurosurgeon (NPC+)

Location: Vincenzo's Apartment, New Plouton
Date: Lythe 27, 5 ABY

***

Vincenzo was reading an article. Normally he tried to read them at work, but due to a meeting he couldn't today, and since there were meetings planned for tomorrow he decided to read it at home. Normally he would have read it at his desk, but with the curfew he'd rather be home early. He had poured himself a glass of wine and was sitting in a comfortable couch instead of behind his desk.

Suddenly the door chime rang and Vincenzo looked up surprised. He didn't expect any visitors, specially now Sarah's husband was back. Putting the datapad aside he stood up and went to the door. When he opened it, he was even more surprised. Outside in the rain stood Sarah with a suitcase in her hand. Upon closer inspection he could see some coloration around her eye. "Sarah," he said, "come in."

He took her suitcase and closed the door behind her. "What happened," he asked while taking her wet coat.

"My husband found out about us," Sarah simply said.

"Sit down and let me have a look at your eye," Vincenzo said, leading her to the couch. He sat down next to her and gave her eye a look. It was as he had suspected, a black eye. It would have to heal by itself. He could only give her something for the pain. "You should have this checked by another doctor," he suggested.

"Why," she asked.

"In case you want to file a complaint, or if he tries something," Vincenzo explained, "that way you have something to use against him."

"It won't work," she said, "Tae'Karadan laws are such that it doesn't matter."

"It might be different now the Jau are here," Vincenzo said, "while they have left most of the laws as they were, they might interfere anyway."

"You think so," Sarah asked.

"It's better then nothing," Vincenzo said, "and we better prepare for the eventuality."

"Tomorrow," Sarah said, "now I just want to be near you."

"Of course," Vincenzo said as he wrapped his arms around her.

"How did he find out," Vincenzo asked after a while.

"One of the neighbours probably," Sarah said, "they did see you a couple of times. And we have one who's very nosy."

"Well, what's done is done," Vincenzo said, "you can stay here for now. What are you going to do about work?"

"I'll still go, of course," she said, "but I wonder how long it will take before they will know as well."

"I can try to get you a job at ENPIN," Vincenzo said, "They still need some people."

"Can you do that," Sarah asked, "I know there's people there that know me."

"You go from the Arcadian general hospital to the most reputed institute on the planet," Vincenzo said, "people will first assume it's because of ambition, and only later they will realise the truth, if at all."

"Can you do that for me," Sarah asked again.

"I can't make any promises, but I can ask the right people to give your application all the attention it deserves. But I think it's best we just see tomorrow as it's getting late." Sarah agreed and together they went to sleep.

---

"The Search is On"
By: Brenna Hennely - Smuggler
Klaista "Klay" Volaris - Republic Specialist

Date: Lythe 27, 5 ABY
Location: Yelldon District - New Plouton

***

Brenna paced around in front of the Butterfly nervously, checking the time over and over again. Mar had left to get some supplies early that morning and hadn't returned when she said she would. Now it was nearing the middle of the afternoon and not even a transmission came through about her current situation. She brought her comlink online again then spoke. "How goes the shopping Mar, must be searching for savings." Nothing but static. "Damn you Mar where are you." She heard a knocking at the hangar door and moved into a cover position, clenching her spraystick ready to use it in a moment's notice. "What, I've paid my fees," she yelled through the door. There was a moment of silence before there was a reply

"Brenna it's me, I'm all alone." She let out a long sigh then slowly opened the door allowing Klay to slip inside, then proceeded to shut it behind her.

"Thanks for coming I didn't know who else to talk to," she stated checking outside before shutting the doors. "I'm really worried that..." Klay put a hand across Brenna's mouth to shut her up and then put a finger to her lips.

"Take it from the beginning," she insisted. "What happened, why did you contact me." Brenna took a deep breath then began to explain.

"Marsar and I were going over the ship's inventory and noticed that our supplies were running low, so she took some credits and was going to go restock our supplies and never came back." Klay shook her head then looked at her.

"Are you sure she just didn't drop into a cantina or rent a room for the night somewhere and forget to tell you," Klay suggested. Brenna looked over at her and shook her head.

"No...no, she wouldn't do that to me, Marsar never likes to stay anywhere but the ship unless I'm with her," Brenna explained, "and if she did, she would have contacted me by now, it's not like her to go silent." Klay looked over at Brenna then let out a long sigh.

"Ok so what do you want to do, go door to door." Brenna shrugged.

"I don't know, look around for her, check the market, stores." She swallowed hard. "The clubs that are still open, anywhere she could possibly be." With that Brenna grabbed her hand and started to drag her behind her heading towards the door.

"Whoa hold up," Klay stated. "Let's think about this first, I say we wait a little longer, the Jau are marching around all over the place, I say we wait awhile before we check around." Brenna began to protest but stopped then nodded.

"Alright," she whispered, "let's wait."

---

"Dead End?"
By: Brenna Hennely - Smuggler
Klaista "Klay" Volaris - Republic Specialist

Date: Lythe 27, 5 ABY
Location: Yelldon District - New Plouton

***

"Ok thank you, I'll come back for those later," Brenna stated as she walked out of the store towards Klay's location. Klay was hiding in a near by alleyway clenching an E-11 Blaster rifle that remained leveled in Brenna's general direction in case anyone tried to collect on either her head or Klay's for that matter. Slowly Brenna approached her and nodded. "She was here," she stated. "No sign of where she went after that however," She stated standing at an angle that allowed her to keep her eyes on the streets. "According to the market owner she bought some supplies from her and told her to hold them until she got back...that was 5 hours ago." Klay looked over and Brenna and shrugged.

"Maybe she got lost somewhere or headed back to the ship when we left," Klay suggested. Brenna looked at her then shook her head.

"Then why wouldn't she contract us?" Klay was about to speak up then shook her head.

"Point taken, civilians always use there comlinks no matter what unless there either damaged or the user is..." Brenna shot a cold glance at her.

"Don't you even finish that sentence Kalista I know she is alive so don't you even start with me on the whole 'soldiers bury there dead and the memories of there dead' crap ok Klay," she urged. "I'm sure she is around." As those words left her lips she spotted what appeared to be a alleyway. "You know the owner of that market did tell me that she saw Jau storming out of that alleyway they looked upset." Brenna looked at Klay. "I say you stow the rifle and we check that out."

Reluctantly Klay hid the rifle from plain site and moved in the general direction that Brenna had suggested. Klay hand her hand near one of her daggers as the pair approached the site and looked around.

"See nothing here except garbage and..." Klay sniffed the air then looked at her. "I smell ozone...someone fired a blaster off nearby."

Brenna felt her hand snake down to the handle of her blaster as she and Klay moved through the Alley way keeping there eyes out for anything that could be a trap. Brenna slowly shifted through a pile of trash, pulling what appeared to be a sporting blaster, or at least what was left of one. "Marsar had a Sporting blaster on her when she left, as well as her dart gun." Klay looked up and nodded.

"Found it," Klay stated, "as well as her commlink and some blaster marking on the walls," she stated. "Something happened here that didn't end well, I found some blood on the ground," she stated. "As well as a few of these, I've never seen darts like this before." Brenna looked at them then shook her head.

"Jau Weapons, I hope she is ok." The two looked at each other.

"Let's get out of here before we vanish like she did," Klay suggested. Brenna gathered with the equipment they had recovered then slipped away hoping to avoid any unwanted attention.

---