"Bending Rules"
by Quinlan Vos - Jedi Master
Nieme Yaresh-Selrid - Jedi Padawan
and Dani - Jedi Padawan

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Niothe 27 (early morning), 4 ABY

***

They had just reached the Jedi Temple and were being careful enough not to make noise so as to not wake up others or draw attention to themselves. But before they could reach the inside of the Temple and go to their room, Master Quinlan Vos approached them from behind.

"May I inquire as to your whereabouts in this small escapade this night?" he asked simply.

Dani spun around at the voice, instinctively putting her body in front of Nieme's. She'd been on the verge of igniting her lightsaber and releasing a healthy dose of pheromones when she recognized Master Vos. Forcing herself to relax, she sighed. "Sure," she said quietly. "There's a club in the city we went to for some dancing."

"And I am sure that Master Darr knew and approved of this..." he said calmly knowing well enough that they had just gone. He sighed. "You should have asked to go and you should not have taken your weapon," he said with an extended hand in order for Dani to deliver her lightsaber.

Despite the splitting headache she still had and the inability to hold herself upright without Dani's aid, Nieme stepped forward and placed herself between Master Vos and Dani. "We didn't do anything wrong. We were only having fun. The lightsaber was for protection only." Her eyes flicked imperceptibly to Dani standing behind her. "We didn't even use it. There's no need to take it away."

"By showing it or even having the possibility for others to see it you put not only yourselves in a possible danger but others also... I am not taking your weapon away from you, however. I just want to see it..." he explained still waiting for Dani to deliver it.

Dani gave him a demure smile. "I'll show you mine if you show me yours," she said. "And, when we were in the club, I wasn't wearing it openly." She indicated the small pouch on her hip that had held the weapon for most of the night.

"Do not challenge my authority child..." Quinlan said seriously. "You will respect those who are elders and do as told. As long as you are a Padawan you will not act this way. Now give me your lightsaber, willingly."

Dani reached down slowly to the pouch at her side and pulled out the weapon. She stared hard at the Jedi Master for a long time, the humour that had been in her eyes a moment ago gone. She dropped the weapon into his open palm. "My weapon, silkrim," she said, using the Zeltron word for one far past the point of virility. She then offered him a short bow.

Master Vos shut his eyes for a short while and in an instant he could see and feel all that had happened throughout the night, with the commotion at the disco club and the anger that had passed through Dani. He shivered and gave Dani her weapon back. "Hatred... Anger... You have not been able to control yourselves tonight," he told Dani and Nieme. "It is a dangerous path to follow, young ones. I advise it not. Care to discuss this further?"

Dani glanced at Nieme and then back to Master Vos. "No," she stated simply. "We've dealt enough with Raeila tonight, and I don't want to think about her anymore. However, I don't expect you to understand anything about that. I imagine you could be tortured, drugged, beaten, abused, raped, and nearly killed, yet still maintain your balance and not feel any animosity toward your tormentor. You wouldn't understand." She tightened her hold on Nieme's hand, just wanting time alone with her love. "May we go now?"

"I would imagine that a regular person could not... But that is not the way of the Jedi. That is not the way in which you are taught. Revenge, hatred, a Jedi craves not these things!" he said. "I saw what you went through tonight, however... I expect something like that not to have sequels. We will be lucky if we don't have our lives endangered by your actions taken tonight." He sighed. "And I am not silkrim, Dani, but rules are to be respected as well as elder ones. We seek only what is good for you and for balance of life. You may go..."

Nieme smirked at Vos and gave him an elaborate bow. "How kind of you, Master. Come on, Dani. Let's go meditate or something. It is what perfect, little Jedi are to do, isn't it?"

"Of course," Dani said. "Though, we have to make certain we banish all emotions. Since he knows my language, I'm certain that Master Vos knows all about the emotions of my people." She glanced at Vos and gave him a mirthless smile. "Verasque Vos," she said in her native tongue. "Ni a sor'i. Chi a tinar'o si'ri sai. Kindri chi'olo pran zo i ka. Hano qui ta a vo'toro. S'im pra che do va, Verasque Vos?" With a soft laugh, she moved past the Jedi Master and toward the Temple.

Quinlan stopped them both by standing in their way. "I do not expect you to spend all of your time doing exercises. However, I do expect you to have respect for others and their lives and I hope that you know that your actions tonight may yet have consequences in the future," he argued. "You have committed to becoming Jedi have you not? It is not a game. It is not something to be taken lightly. You almost killed people with what you have learned to defend yourselves with and help others in need! Is that what you intend to do with what you learn?"

The normal warmth in Dani's eyes vanished as she stared at him. "I used what I have learned to defend us," Dani stated. "I could have killed many times tonight, but I did not. I could have cut the arms from the body of the guard who held me. I could have decapitated the one who shot Nieme. I could have cut my tormentor and her date in two. The opportunity to kill was there, but I did not take it. Do you really think I would enjoy hurting someone? I feel every emotion around me as if it were my own. If you knew more about my people than how to speak our language, you would know that. Instead, all you have is self-righteousness and condemnation. If becoming a Jedi is letting the people who hurt me and try to kill me continue to walk all over me. If becoming a Jedi is allowing the woman who almost killed Nieme to go on thinking that she was justified in doing so. If becoming a Jedi is turning a blind eye to the person who allowed an entire gang to repeatedly rape me and Nieme then I want no part of it. I'd like to see you go through that kind of depravity, you tska'a, and not come out of it with feelings that are difficult to keep in check." She pulled herself up to her full height. "I don't expect you to understand any of this. You have been a Jedi for too long to have any clue what it's like to not be one, or to be an untrained one. You have been able to defend yourself for so long that you haven't had to fear being enslaved and forced to perform acts so degrading that you wonder if dying might not be better. If being an arrogant, self-righteous, condescending, unfeeling, blind kes'trakt'i gorad is what it is to be a Jedi, then I am finished being a Jedi."

"Dani," Nieme whispered. "No! Don't say that. Please!"

"If being a Jedi is...this" -- she gestured to Quinlan, the contempt for what he stood for obvious -- "then I do not wish to be a Jedi. If we are to be scolded and punished for defending ourselves from an obvious threat to our safety and sanity, then we don't belong here. If the Jedi are nothing but self-righteous, sanctimonious people like Master Quinlan Vos, who will take Raeila Mullerin's side in this matter, then we don't want this. I don't want to be like him, if that's what Jedi are supposed to be like. I'd rather be like Master Koran Darr."

"If that is what you think being a Jedi means, Dani, then the reasons you have are distorted. If you believe it so then you will never truly become a Jedi. You say you feel only too well. So do I. I feel and see, everytime I touch an object, what the last person saw and felt. I saw what you saw and felt what you felt. Your anger and hatred for this woman. I am not taking her side and I don't want you to believe that you should not do anything. Alas, comprehend that you were one step closer to the darkside," he said. "Your actions were reckless and your behaviour was too foul tempered. I do not know what sort of person you want to be, but answer me this: why do you want to become a Jedi?"

"As a Jedi I can help people who need help," Dani said. "And, as a Jedi I can protect myself from people like Raeila Mullerin." She looked at Vos and sighed. "Answer me a question, Master Vos: How long did it take you to go from your first day as a Padawan until the day that you were considered a Jedi Knight? And, at what point during that time had you completely banished all dark thoughts from your mind and actions? Never again even flirting with the darkness you so completely banished from all your actions? Was it one week? Two? Maybe a month? Year? How long before you were no longer dangerously close to the darkness? Or, have you been the perfect Jedi from the moment you were taken as a Padawan?"

"That is a battle that I fight with my inner self every day..." Vos replied truthfully. "And I believe that no one is perfect. That is a non-existent concept that no one achieves. But to answer your question, I was taken a Padawan at the age of three. My tests were taken when I was about twenty. And as for defeating the darkside, that was something that I was on the verge of failing when my memory was taken from me... That is why I fear you take the same path."

"But we will not, Master Vos," Nieme said. "We only wanted closure for a part of our past that still haunts us. We would not have killed her. We only wanted her to realize that she couldn't just get away with what she did, and that it wasn't right. We want to be Jedi and we know the dangers of the dark side. We won't do it again, we promise. It's over now. Raeila Mullerin will pay for what she's done, but it won't be at our hands." That wouldn't stop them, however, from having Kael do it for them.

"She cannot hurt you now... Just don't use what you have learned to attack her. Like you put it wisely, she will receive her fate and pay for her actions, but not by your hands, or actions." He nodded. "And clear your mind of those thoughts... Now, you must be tired. Go and rest." He bowed, letting them go.

Nieme and Dani bowed their thanks to Master Vos and took their leave while they were still free of punishment. "I thought he was going to kick us out," Nieme whispered to Dani. "That was a very close call."

Dani nodded as she glanced back toward where Quinlan Vos still stood. "I thought it was going to get very bad. I hate getting upset like that, but his attitude was so infuriating. That's exactly the attitude that so many people don't like about the Jedi."

"Should we tell Master Darr? Maybe he can talk to him and tell him to leave us alone."

"I think we should talk to him," Dani said. "We should tell him what happened there, so he knows. And, we should tell him what happened out there. But we should talk when he gets back."

"We have no other choice," Nieme said, then sighed. "Let's just go to bed now. I still have a headache and arguing with that man didn't help either."

"That kind of narrow-mindedness is so infuriating," Dani said as she slipped an arm around Nieme's waist. "He thinks that if you're not exactly like him with purged emotions and complete control over the Force, you're nothing. We'll show him." She kissed the side of Nieme's head and smiled. "Tomorrow. Right now, I just want to curl up in bed naked with you."

Nieme giggled, despite the throbbing in her head. "I like that idea. And maybe tomorrow night, we can try a different club, one without Raeila Mullerin."

"I like that idea too," Dani said. They turned the corner and their door came into view. "Oh, I've never been so happy to see our door before. Come on, I need you in my arms...or to be in your arms, whichever, but right now I need to be close to you as we fall asleep."

"You're always welcome in my arms." She kissed Dani's cheek and pushed open the door of their room. "Tonight, we're just Dani and Nieme, not Jedi Padawans. This way, we won't have to think for a second about that mean Master Vos."

Dani closed the door and pulled Nieme with her to the bed. Slowly she removed Nieme's clothing and then her own. She trailed her kisses around her love's neck and shoulders before finally climbing under the sheets. As Nieme buried herself in Dani's embrace, Dani smiled. There was no better feeling than the love she felt from Nieme. She sighed happily, and allowed herself to drift off to sleep. The troubles of the day were forgotten, a distant memory as only Nieme in her arms mattered now.

---

"Sneaking Off"
By: Dani
Nieme Yaresh-Selrid
Kael Selrid

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Niothe 27, 4ABY

***

Dani let out a held breath and smiled. No bad after-effects from her night out on the town. There was a twinge of a headache leftover from the encounter with Master Vos though. She forced herself to calm at the memories of that encounter. How could Master Darr be so wonderful and nice, and then Master Vos so dour and strict? It didn't make much sense. With a half-shrug she figured that maybe Master Darr was getting some sex and Master Vos wasn't.

She giggled at the thought and kissed Nieme's cheek. "Wake up, my morning star," she said. "We have to go get breakfast. We can have that fresh fruit we picked yesterday. And, maybe Orn will make us some flatcakes."

"Twizzleberries," Nieme mumbled. She groaned quietly and rolled onto her back. Sunlight from the window spilled across her face and made her wince slightly, but the sight of Dani looking down at her always did bring a smile to her face. "It's morning? Oh...I feel like I could sleep for another two days."

"I could do something else for another two days," Dani said as she slid her hand over Nieme's belly. "And, our twizzleberries await. How did you sleep? There weren't any bad dreams?"

Nieme shook her head. "I knew your arms were around me all night. I felt too safe to have any bad dreams."

"Good," Dani said and kissed Nieme gently, once on each cheek, once on her nose, and then finally a lingering kiss on her lips. "Do you want to sleep longer or should we get our day started? Master Darr should be back this afternoon to do some training. He said there was something big for us to do today. But before we-- Oh! We have to talk to Kael!"

Nieme gasped softly and sprang upright in bed. "Oh, Dani... Do you think we should? Won't he be mad at us?"

Dani took Nieme's hands into her own. "If we keep what we know from him, he could be even more mad. He has to know about this, Nieme. He has to know what she said to us, and that she's happy with what she did. He has to know that she has no remorse for her actions. We can't let her pull him to the dark side."

"I know..." Nieme sighed and rested her still groggy head upon Dani's shoulder. "I just...I don't want to see him sad or hurt. Do you think he really loves that...monster?"

Dani shrugged. "Maybe he doesn't know she's like that," she said. "He might think she's nice because that might be how she is when she's around him. If nothing we have to talk to him. He could be hurt much worse if we don't say anything and he finds out later."

"Well...do you think we should tell him together? Would it be better if I told him? I really would like you there, Dani, but would he lash out if we're both there?"

"I don't have to be there," Dani said. "It might be better if it's just you. He won't think we're ganging up on him that way."

Nieme nodded. "Okay...but you have to stay close by, okay? I might need your support."

"I'll be right outside," Dani said with a vigourous nod. If you need me, I'll be there in an instant. I...I think it'll be okay though. He'll thank us for telling him about this. He needs to know."

"For his own sake." Though, she couldn't deny she would relish punishing Raeila through Kael. "Let's go get dressed then, my love. I want to get this over with as quickly as possible."

"Maybe we can reward ourselves with a trip to the waterfall later," Dani said with a slow grin. "Should we wear our Jedi clothes?"

Nieme giggled. "We can't very well wear our leather. Master Vos would highly disapprove."

Dani grinned mischievously. "Oh, I think I want to wear my leather again."

"Me too. We should go to a different club tonight, if everything goes well with Kael. I don't think I want to have fun if Kael is upset. We are still his friends and we should be here for him if he needs us."

"If he's upset, maybe we can take him with us," Dani said. "I think it'd be nice to go to a club with him. I want to be a good friend for him. Especially now after this. We'll have to watch him though, and make sure he's okay with us together. I should be able to tell just being around him."

"I'm just so worried he'll do something bad," Nieme said. "What if he gets so mad he goes after both Raeila and Shinyman and...well...hurts them?"

Dani shrugged. "I don't know," she said. "He's been doing really well lately. I don't know if he...if he would." She sighed and looked at Nieme. "It's probably wrong of me to say, but if he does...if he does hurt them, then is that really such a bad thing?"

"Not if they're hurt, but if Kael ruins everything for himself by doing so. I would feel so guilty, Dani. He's come so far."

Dani slipped her arms around Nieme's waist and sighed. "Maybe we can stop him from doing that," she said. "We can't let him go to the dark side." She sighed again. "I think we'll just have to see what happens."

"Then we better get going. We want to catch him alone, and we want to be able to talk to him before Master Darr snatches us up for training." Nieme gently shifted away from Dani and rose from the bed. The sheets slipped off of her and sent a chill through her unclothed body. She shivered visibly at the air's touch and briskly scampered towards the closet to pull out her robes. "We can shower later, or just take a swim like you suggested."

Dani nodded, and followed Nieme out of the bed. As she moved to the closet, she let a hand trail up Nieme's back. "I want my purple and blue today," she said. "That's a nice one, I think. Purple and blue are very diplomatic colours. I'll be good in those. Oh, and your green and white. Those are good on you."

Nieme took Dani's advice, which she always heeded, and handed her the purple and blue, and took the green and white for herself. After pulling on their robes and securing them, Nieme glanced sidelong at Dani and with a giggle, threw herself into her lover's arms. She kissed her deeply and fervently, then finally tore her lips away and sighed. "Just had to give you a proper 'good morning.' "

"Oh, I like proper good mornings," Dani said with a giggle. "Though, there's something else...but since we're dressed it'll have to wait." She kissed Nieme again. "Let's go talk to Kael."

Nieme took Dani's hand, kissed it, then started with her out of the room. They drifted lightly and happily through the corridors, stirring up giggles from time to time and sharing tender kisses along the way. Nieme was momentarily saddened that Kael didn't have someone to share in such love with, but she knew she could never again be that person for him...and neither would Raeila after they told him about what they saw. "Where do you think he is?" Nieme asked Dani. "Do you think we should split up and find him?"

"Let's try his room first," Dani said. "And, if he's not there, we can split up and look for him."

"I used to be able to sense him," Nieme said, somewhat disappointedly. "I used to be able to feel his aura from so far away. We're growing apart, Dani. I hope that never happens to you and I."

"It never could," Dani said. "For that to happen, we would have to stop loving each other as we do now. And, the way I feel, that could never, ever happen. Maybe you can't detect Kael because you're detecting me too strongly."

"Maybe..." Nieme sighed and kissed Dani again. "I'd never stop loving you, Dani," she said softly. "Never."

Dani grinned. "Never," she whispered. "Let's go to his room. Maybe if we do this quickly, we'll have some private time together."

This encouraged Nieme to hasten her pace and no sooner than that, they arrived outside of Kael's door. She first gave Dani a questioning, uncertain look, but gathered her courage - which came more easily to her now - and rapped lightly upon the wooden door.

There was nothing but silence for several long moments, but finally the door opened. Kael stood on the other side wearing only a pair of pants. He blinked at seeing Nieme and Dani there, then surprise flashed across his face but after a second a calm replaced it. "Dani, Nieme," he said. "What...how can I...what are you doing here?" Unable to help it, he grinned.

Nieme still enjoyed the sight of Kael's chest, as was obvious by her inability to stare at only that. A smile twitched her lips and for a moment, her anxieties about what was to come were forgotten and she absorbed the pleasant view she was getting.

Kael glanced back at his room and then to the speechless Nieme and on-the-edge-of-giggles Dani. "Would you two like to come in? I was just meditating and hadn't expected any visitors. Please, come in." He stepped back to let them through the doorway.

Nieme passed her gaze over Kael's chest as she brought her eyes up to his face. She looked to her side at Dani, then back to Kael, and finally crossed the threshold into his room. She kept a hold on Dani's hand and as they passed Kael, Nieme couldn't help but smile at him.

Noticing the focus of Nieme's gaze, Kael quickly donned a shirt. As nice as it was to have Nieme staring at his chest, he had a feeling that wasn't why they were here. "So," he said as he gestured for them to sit, "what brings you by?"

Nieme looked at Dani, realizing she was staying with them, then took a seat upon the bed. On the one hand, she was glad to have her lover with her, but on the other hand, Kael might not appreciate it as much as she did. Still, she wasn't about to ask Dani to leave. She cleared her throat, stalling intentionally. "We just...came to visit. We weren't too eager to begin training just yet, so...we stopped by."

Kael grinned. "Well, I'm glad for the visit," he said. "With Koran Darr still in Arcadia, and Liam Zaneth and Laedra Vorrel away. I've only had Alisson Blair to talk to lately. She's really nice and everything, but she's my Jedi Master. So, it's really nice to have my friends here with me. So, how's your training going? I saw you the other day with Master Darr, and you both looked really good."

Nieme shrugged, mostly out of distraction of what she had to say to Kael. "Dani's the better fighter. I just like to watch."

Kael grinned and Dani blushed. "You both were holding your own," he said. "I imagine it won't be long and Master Darr will give you your own lightsaber. I wonder if after we're trained if they'll want us to take on students."

"Oh, I don't think I'd be good at that," Nieme said. "I'm not a good fighter. You and Dani will have to help me with that."

"I think Nieme would make an excellent diplomat," Dani said. "She's good with people, and I mean, when you talk to her, you want to agree. I think she'd make a good consular."

Kael grinned. "I think she would too."

Nieme couldn't help blushing at the compliments, but she did enjoy them as uncomfortable as they made her. "Well...maybe I'll think about it. For now..." She took a deep breath and looked to Dani seriously. "Kael...we didn't come to talk to you about training. We...we have something to tell you."

Sensing the shift in emotions and tone, Kael nodded. "Okay," he said, and shifted into a position more conducive to the seriousness Nieme's expression conveyed. "What is it?"

"Well..." Nieme squeezed Dani's hand, then took a deep breath to gather herself. "It's just... There's something we think you might want to know. Now, I don't know if it's important at all to you, but it might be. Are you sure you want to hear? I mean..." She sighed helplessly and looked to Dani for encouragement.

With a squeeze in return, Dani looked at Nieme, and then to Kael. "Last night, we snuck out to go to a club in New Plouton. When we were there, we...we saw Raeila."

Kael's face drained of colour. He'd been dreading this moment. He knew of the problems between Nieme and Dani and Raeila, and didn't know where to begin. He finally managed to draw a staggering breath. "You two are alright?"

Nieme nodded her head. "We confronted her, but she had friends or something. One of them stunned me unconscious. She was with some guy and he was protecting her. She was so mean, Kael. The things she said. She didn't care about what she did to us. She didn't care!"

Kael nodded slowly. He stared at his hands for several long heartbeats, and felt the conflict within himself. He'd feared this since he chose Raeila on her birthday. He'd feared this since he knew what she'd done to the girls. But how could he defy his heart? "I love her," he said. "At least...I love the part of her that isn't like this. When I'm with her, when I was with her on her birthday, she was kind and affectionate." He shook his head. "I have to talk to her. I have to stop her from this. It's not right. She's not only hurting you, but she's hurting herself...and me." He hung his head and sighed. He hated this kind of conflict.

"But you're going to let her know that you can't be with her, aren't you, Kael?" Nieme rose from the bed, finding her confidence again, and stepped towards Kael. "She didn't regret a thing she did. You can't be with someone who lusts for blood like she does, Kael. It's not good for you. You can't!"

Kael looked up at her and the sadness was clear in his eyes. "I love her, Nieme," he said. "But, I have to try to save her. She's in darkness and I have to bring her out of the darkness. I have to save her the way you saved me. If I can't save her, bring her from the darkness, then I won't be able to be with her. But I have to try."

"But I love you too, Kael," Nieme said softly. "You're my friend and I don't want you to be hurt. If she loves you so much, why was she kissing someone else? Why is she with him and not you? She doesn't care, Kael. All she wants is to hurt people. It's what she does and who she is."

Kael stood up and looked at Nieme. He took her hands into his and held them to his heart. "You will always have a place in my life and in my heart, Nieme. But, I do love, Raeila. I have to try to save her from this if I can. I have to see if beneath the not caring, she really does. And, if she was with someone else, I have to see if she has stopped loving me. I'll get through this regardless of what she feels. But I have to know for myself."

Nieme swallowed back a lump in her throat and gazed up at Kael. "What if she's fooling you, Kael? What if she never really did love you and was just using you to get back at me? She knows I love you and maybe she convinced you she was in love with you to lure you away, to hurt me even more. She's capable of it, Kael. You know that."

Kael nodded. "If she is lying to me, I will know it through the Force. Master Laedra taught me much that didn't involve a lightsaber. I will know if she is playing me false. I will know if she's just trying to use me to hurt you." He wrapped her into a hug and kissed her forehead. "I promise not to let her deceive me."

Nieme closed her eyes, remembering how gentle Kael's touch could be. But that was another time, and Nieme remembered that as well. "We can come with you if you like," she offered. "To support you. You might need it."

"I think that might be a good idea," Kael said. "That way you can stop me from being stupid. And, if I manage to talk sense into her, maybe she'll want to apologize and try to make it up to you."

Nieme smiled wryly. "From the impression I got last night, she won't be doing that anytime soon, Kael."

"Then, the three of us will return to the Temple and go on with our training. If she won't accept you as my friends, and continues to be a jealous snegbug, then...then I don't think I can be with her. Not if she hates someone I love and not if I'm going to be a Jedi."

Nieme tried not to appear too satisfied, and embraced Kael tenderly. "You'll still have us, Kael. You'll always have us."

"Thank you," Kael said with a smile. "Both of you. I guess I should get dressed and we should go find her."

Nieme pulled back and looked over her shoulder at Dani. "We'll have to sneak out." With her attention back on Kael, she added, "Master Vos caught us last night. I don't think he'd be too happy to see us leaving the Temple again so soon."

Dani grinned. "I think we can sneak out. I don't think it will be too difficult for us. And, I doubt we'll be gone long."

"Let me get dressed," Kael said. "You can take Dani's swoop, and I'll borrow one of the other speederbikes."

"Okay. We'll try to stay out of sight so we don't set Raeila off. But we'll be close," Nieme said. "Just call us if you need us."

Kael grinned. "And, I'm glad to have you there," he said. "Now...I need to get dressed."

Nieme shrugged and grinned slyly. "If you must. Go on, then. We promise not to peek."

Kael stifled a laugh, and then moved to his closet. He quickly stripped off his clothes, and then pulled out a new set of robes to wear. Standard brown robe with tan shirt and pants. It wasn't as colourful as Nieme and Dani's robes, but he still thought he looked good in them.

Nieme rejoined Dani on the bed and both stared at Kael's nude body with leering smiles. After a long, wistful sigh, Nieme's thoughts strayed from what it would feel like to touch Kael again and asked, "Kael...why is Raeila in New Plouton?"

"According to her brother, she came here because he kicked her out of the gang. I guess she ran off to New Plouton to be with some Wetter. She's a prostitute you know, and I guess she decided to go against everything she's always believed in to roll with a soggy prick."

Nieme glanced uncomfortably at Dani. "Well...she was all over that man. She looked like she was having fun."

Kael sighed. "We'll get to the bottom of this soon enough. I don't know what she's thinking, but I plan to before the day is over." He settled his robes into place and smiled at the two of them watching him. Incorrigible, he told himself, though he couldn't deny he didn't mind.

"Let's get going then," Nieme said. "Master Darr won't let us leave if he returns."

"I think we can get to the front without being seen," Kael said. "Besides, when we were in the desert, Master Laedra showed me a trick. It can make you practically invisible."

Nieme frowned and shook her head. "Me and Dani tried that before." She looked over at her lover and remembered vividly being caught and reproached mercilessly by Laedra. "It didn't work."

"Try it now, and I'll see. If you don't have it, then I can teach you how she taught me."

With a sigh, Nieme pushed herself onto her feet and stepped stubbornly towards Kael. She set her mind to using the Force as a shield, and looked up at Kael expectantly. "Well? How was that?"

"It was good, but not complete," Kael said. "Here, watch me." He closed his eyes and concentrated on making himself vanish. After a minute, he let the masking relax and he opened his eyes. "Like that."

Nieme forced her mouth closed only after she became aware that it was gaping. "Wow... You actually did it. That was...amazing, Kael! Dani, did you see that? I mean...not see Kael?"

Dani nodded. "Yes," she said. "I...um...I think I know what you were doing. Can I? Here...I want to try." She concentrated, mimicking what Kael had just done. Finally her eyes opened slowly and she looked expectantly at Kael and Nieme.

"Oh, Dani!" Nieme threw her arms around her lover's neck and kissed her. "You were wonderful. How did it feel? Oh, I was so scared for a moment. I thought you weren't going to come back!"

Dani let out a squeal of delight and hugged Nieme in return. "Now you," she said. "You try, Nieme. Just like Kael showed us."

"Me?" Nieme shook her head emphatically. "I might get lost. What if I get lost, Dani? I won't be able to come back to you."

Dani smiled and kissed Nieme. "I can feel you, Nieme," she said. "I'll never let you get lost. When Kael was invisible, I could still feel him. I won't let anything bad happen to you, my love."

"I know you won't," Nieme replied softly. She kissed Dani in return, and infused with resolve, she took a step back and closed her eyes. As she'd felt both Kael and Dani do, she wrapped the Force around herself like a cloak, much as the ones she used to wear in the desert. The tranquility she felt made her sigh and slowly, she unwound the Force from around herself and opened her eyes. "So...am I still here?"

Kael grinned. "You are now, but just a moment ago you were gone completely. You did it!"

Dani nodded vigourously, doing all she could to keep from jumping up and down with excitement. "It was amazing! You were wonderful!"

"I was?" Nieme giggled and exchanged a boisterous hug with both Kael, then Dani. "Oh, we are going to fool Koran Darr! Do you think he'll be impressed?"

"He will! And, then right after he'll give us that look he always gets when we giggle while he's talking."

Nieme covered her mouth with her hands and emitted just those giggles Dani described. "Oh, we really should go before we fall to the ground in a fit of the gigglies."

Dani took one of Nieme's hands and pulled her toward the door. She closed her eyes and listened with her empathy. "No one there," she whispered, and then put a finger to her lips to try to coax Nieme to silence. "Ready?" She concentrated on making herself vanish.

Nieme nodded her head, and after taking a deep breath, enshrouded herself with the Force as she had done moments ago. "Ready," she whispered.

Once Kael had done the same, Dani slipped the door open and crept silently out into the hall. It was easy to get out of the Temple from Kael's room. And, it was much easier that the others were elsewhere. It didn't take long for them to reach the front door and slip outside. Only once they were next to the speeders did Dani finally allow her Force masking to drop. She grinned happily. "We made it!"

"Not yet." Nieme pulled herself up onto Dani's swoopbike and helped her lover to mount it behind her. Once they were both securely seated, she glanced over her shoulder and grinned at Kael. "Race ya, Kael!" In a flash, they were rocketing into the forest.

Kael wasn't even firmly seated on the spare speederbike Liam had purchased for the Temple when Nieme and Dani shot off into the trees. He called out after them and settled himself quickly. Then with a laugh that rang off the Temple stones, he took off at a neck-breaking speed behind the swoopbike.

---

"Soaring"
By: Raeila Mullerin

Location: Yellvin, New Plouton
Date: Niothe 27, 4ABY

***

Raeila opened her eyes, feeling as if they had only just fallen closed. Her cheek was sticky-wet with the last tears she'd shed, and that too had seemed not so long ago. Looking upon the chrono with bleary eyes, she realized that it hadn't, in fact, been such a time ago. She'd slept a matter of an hour all night, and then only after weeping had fatigued her sufficiently to render her powerless against sleep's hold. Her head ached and the tightness in her chest still laboured her breathing, but her mind's focus was still and always would be on Kael.

Nieme and Dani had already told him all about the incident, she imagined, and no sooner after that would his love for her undoubtedly wane, then altogether cease. Her heart seized up again and with a moan of anguish, Raeila clutched at her chest. Why was she even bothering to live any longer? She hated the Wetlands; she was alone and almost creditless, forcing her to demean herself by taking charity from a customer. But worst of all, she had neither Ferrig nor Kael in her life anymore, and without their love and comforting embraces, she felt so afraid and alone.

She wriggled free of the arms surrounding her and hurried to the refresher before her sobs woke Zion. He would no doubt attempt to console her, but that was the last thing she wanted. It was pointless and would only reinforce how truly pathetic she, turning to a stranger, a wetter for solace.

The frightened, disillusioned girl staring out from the mirror epitomized despair with her dark-ringed eyes and downturned lips, and other haggard, worn features. Even the sparkle in her gray eyes had dimmed, and the golden hue tanned onto her skin from exposure to the warm desert sun had faded to reveal the pale skin beneath. Nothing of who she was remained and as she had last night, she now wondered why she was still living.

Raeila splashed the cold tap water onto her face and reacted with a violent shiver. The blonde hair framing her dripping face had lost its bounce and hung listless, just as she felt, just as she always felt without enough sleep. She had had trouble falling asleep last night because of all the thoughts that had run through her mind, those comprising of various methods with which she could end her pitiful existence. Poisoning took too long considering she couldn't afford any of the more lethal poisons; a blaster shot to the head might not succeed and was far too painful, or so she imagined; drowning would truly be an ironic death for a Kir'Thana, but she knew she wouldn't be able to go through with that. Ferrig was the inventive one and she could have used his insight last night to solve her dilemma, but she had finally figured it out all on her own. Only then had she been able to fall asleep.

Raeila patted down her wet face, soaking up the tears along with the water. She brushed her fingers through her hair to tease out the tangles, then straightened out the jumpsuit she'd slept in. Of course, this wasn't one of her more glamourous looks, but after she'd accomplished what she was about to do, her appearance wouldn't matter a bit.

She padded lightly into the bedroom and looked briefly upon a soundly sleeping Zion. As an afterthought, she tiptoed to the bedside and with a sigh, leaned over and kissed him gently upon the cheek. "Thanks for everything," she whispered. "It's been fun." He stirred suddenly and Raeila stepped back. Before he could awaken and impede the progression of her quest for something close to peace, Raeila fled from the room, picking up her boots on the way out, and exited the dwelling entirely. She would not turn back now, for she was leaving nothing behind. How could she when she had already lost everything? Well, she wouldn't miss anything she'd lost, not after this. Perhaps she'd even find happiness again.

She moved through the streets unnoticed by and unaware of those around her. Her goal was at the forefront of her thoughts now, and she would achieve it. She knew herself, and knew she wouldn't balk; she was stubborn and tenacious, and although she had made a mess of everything else in her life, this was one thing she would do right.

Climbing the daunting flight of stairs to the top of the Rezatta Historical Department (one of the taller, yet more accessible buildings in Yellvin) became less laborious the closer she came to the roof level. She was closing in on happiness, and began feeling it as a smile curled her lips softly. All her mistakes and wrong decisions would be meaningless soon, and she could be redeemed.

There would be no more sadness in asri'tae, where she hoped she would be going, along with no more pain or disappointment. Her heart would soar again there, as it once had when Kael gave her the bracelet upon her wrist, or whenever she woke up next to Ferrig and looked into his smiling eyes.

Raeila Mullerin hastened her ascent up the stairs, her laughter ringing through the enclosed stairwell. So close, so very close, and then it would end. No, not end. She would achieve a new beginning, and in time, Kael and Ferrig would join her there. Then, all would be complete.

With a final bound, she reached the top step and burst through the door that lead to the roof, her final destination. As the bright sunlight spilled through the doorway, Raeila closed her eyes and allowed it to wash over her. Its warmth transported her to the desert, her home, the shifting sands from which she had come, and to which she would now return. With arms outstretched and face turned up to the sun, Raeila dashed across the rooftop and let her asri guide her, allowed it to seek freedom from that oppressive prison that had confined it for 19 years. Gently smiling and feeling only at peace, Raeila finally went home.

---

"Desperate Times"
By: Laedra Vorrel
Liam Zaneth
Orinth Neerou [NPC]

Location: Corellia
Date: Niothe 27, 4ABY

***

The small ship handled well as Liam dropped it through the atmosphere. He'd gotten his docking clearance and only needed to wait for an old transport to get out of his way before they put down. In the meantime, he was going over the docking manifests. The dockmaster should have been ashamed of himself. The information was poorly kept and half of what had been written was unintelligible. There were several ships leaving more than once without having ever returned. He finally found what he was looking for. The Kestrel was docked and hadn't left. He sighed with relief. They're safe, he thought.

Another thought struck him then: what if the poor record keeping didn't indicate a departure? Don't do this to yourself, Liam scolded.

"According to the dockmaster, they should still be there," he said. "Hopefully we made this trip for nothing." He glanced aside at Laedra. He could feel her anxiety, and he could guess its source. She'd never said anything openly, but she didn't like the thought of him coming here to Yelara. She didn't want to share him. He smiled inwardly. Maybe if that smile she got on her face at thoughts of Master Darr intensifies, she'll understand, he thought. "Hopefully, we'll find them here, happy to see us, and then we can return to the Temple."

Laedra nodded and gave Liam a taut smile. Hopefully we don't find them. "I doubt either of them will be happy to see me, but your presence will be welcome. And I imagine they'll enjoy even less having to return to Tae'Karada on the same ship as me."

Liam laughed softly. "It's not that bad, my love," he said. "Kallia seemed to like you. I'm sure she'll have a strong enough influence on Yelara, that she won't be hostile. It won't be as bad as you think. Trust me."

Laedra's smile softened. "I do trust you. But Yelara will be hostile no matter what if you force her to leave Corellia. You know you cannot allow her to stay here, Liam. If Dargus hasn't already gotten to them, he will."

"If we have to stay here and wait for him, then we will," Liam said. "We'll take him down and end his threat. If she won't leave, then we'll get him here. If she will, then we get him back on Tae'Karada. Whatever the case, we have to stop him."

"But Liam, we can't stay here and wait for him. We're needed on Tae'Karada," Laedra explained. "We should not even have left to begin with, not with Thanatos under siege. The Jedi need us. Yelara must leave with us, Liam, and after we free Thanatos, then we can think about Kandran."

"I'll have to convince her," Liam said. "I'll have to make sure she understands that she's safer at the Temple. I don't care if she doesn't like it there. I won't let her jeopardize hers or Leshie's lives like this." He glanced at the board and nodded. "We're clear. We'll be down in a minute." With that, he banked the ship and they swung around on approach to the small spaceport near Orinth Neerou's home. With a sigh, he guided them in. "I just hope we're ahead of him."

Laedra reached across the small gap separating their seats and caressed his cheek. "Have hope, Liam. Jae Dyn's a good Jedi. If he did come for them, she would have kept them safe."

Liam nodded. "Yes," he said. "She would have. She'd have kept Dargus away. And, they would have contacted us. So...so, they've got to be okay. I'm worrying too much. I'm losing my focus." The landing struts touched down, and a rumble went through the ship. As soon as they were settled, Liam was cutting power to all systems. "I want to check on the Kestrel first."

"Agreed. It's the best starting point." Laedra rose from the co-pilot's seat and moved around behind Liam as he sat. She leaned over his shoulder and kissed his cheek, hoping her anxieties and doubts wouldn't be detectable to him at such close proximity. "I love you, Liam. Whatever happens today, I wanted you to know that."

He smiled. "I could never not know it," he said. "One look into your eyes, and it's so very clear. I love you too, Laedra. No matter how much I love Yelara, I love you as well. I want you to remember that. Nothing could ever stop me from feeling that. Ever." He kissed her. "Ever."

Laedra closed her eyes and allowed Liam's reassuring voice comfort her. Yelara would not stand between them. She'd make certain of it. "Come on then." She stepped away from Liam and retrieved the cloak she'd laid across one of the storage crates. "We've already lost a lot of day. It will be more difficult to search once night falls...if we're required to."

"Her grandfather's place is nearby," Liam said. "We'll start there. If anyone has answers, he will." He started toward the main hatch after grabbing his own cloak. He stopped for a moment, and then opened the ship. They slipped outside and started across to the berth that the Kestrel was listed in. "I'm just glad the ship's still here. That's a good-- Oh gods."

Laedra stopped and immediately turned around to face Liam. "What is it? Liam...what's wrong?"

"The ship," Liam whispered. "The...the Kestrel. She's gone. She should have been in that berth." He pointed. He quickly looked around, quickly scanning through the rest of the docking berths for his ship. "It's not here, Laedra. She's not here. My Kestrel. My Yelara." His kestrel...his wife.

Laedra tried to keep Liam's reaction from irking her, but his frantic, yet futile search for the Kestrel made it quite clear that his mind was completely focused on Yelara now. His sweet, precious Yelara, she thought with disdain. "Perhaps Jae Dyn sensed trouble and they left." She stepped towards Liam and sighed. Did he even realize she was still there? Was he even listening? "Liam," she said louder. "They could have gone. Don't overreact just yet. Please."

Liam nodded. "Sorry," he said. "I'm just on edge. Let's go talk to Orinth. He'll have answers. On the way back we can talk to the dockmaster. And, I'll try to keep my wits."

"It's alright." Laedra moved to his side and slipped her hand into his. "You've got a right to be worried. But let's find out for certain before you stress yourself out, alright, my love?"

Liam smiled and then raised her hand to his lips. "Alright," he said. "Orinth's place is this way." He started off with her at his side, taking comfort in her presence, in her love. He'd need what strength she could lend him to get through this. "Just so you know, he doesn't like me."

Laedra laughed and gave him a playfully shocked expression. "That is hard to believe. If it's any consolation, I like you."

Liam laughed. "I'm glad to hear that," he said. "Especially since we're sleeping in the same bed. I think he decided to not like me because I was with Yelara. I don't think it had anything to do with my personality. I think he liked me even less when she and I fought over Dargus Kandran, and we...we sort of split up. Being here again...it brings back all the memories."

"You and Yelara had some rough times, but you survived that." She squeezed Liam's hand. "This will be nothing in comparison. Though, I'm sure there were some good memories too. You have to remember those, Liam. You have to cling to them right now. It'll help give you just a little more hope that they're alright."

Liam nodded as he remembered that rain-soaked afternoon. "Oh, there were very good times," he said. A smile quirked at his lips. "I'm sure they're fine. We just have to find them. Come on, it's not far. Actually, in some ways, Orinth is very similar to Orn. Though, Orn's a better cook."

Laedra smiled and said nothing, simply allowing Liam to delve into the memories of his past with Yelara and find comfort and optimism in them. She hoped memories of Yelara were all he had left. It was wrong of her to wish such a thing, but Liam was hers now. Yelara had abandoned him and gave up any right she'd had to him. Laedra would never give him up so easily.

"Are we close?" she asked finally. "Do you sense anything? Anything at all, Liam?"

"Just around this bend," Liam said as he stretched out through the Force. "I sense nothing out of the ordinary. The wildlife in the area is strong, and I can sense Yelara's grandfather. He's too far away for me to get a good idea of his mood though."

Laedra watched Liam closely, assessing his mood even though she couldn't sense him. He was guarding his emotions, or perhaps she was too caught up in her own fear of losing him to empathize with him. Whatever it was, she had no idea what he was thinking. "If he has taken them," Laedra said quietly, "will I be able to keep you sane, Liam? Do you love me enough to resist the pull of the darkness if it calls?"

"Yes," Liam said. "I love you enough, I trust you enough, to keep me safe and sane. I won't succumb to the darkness."

She nodded slowly, uncertain as to whether his words would prove true. Although she encouraged him to be optimistic, Laedra knew they were gone and most definitely in Dargus' grasp. It was liberating to have Yelara out of the way, but if she didn't secure Liam's love now, she knew his heart would follow Yelara to the ends of the galaxy until she was found. Laedra, then, would be left behind. She'd already devised a scheme beforehand to ensure his devotion despite the pain of Yelara's loss, but she'd yet to gather enough courage to go through with it. If times became desperate, however, she would.

As they came around the bend, Liam pointed to the small house set on a low rise. "There it is," he said. "Orinth Neerou's house. Let's go." He sped up his pace, hurrying to the home of the man who was effectively his father-by-marriage. He may have been Yelara's grandfather, but he was practically her father.

Laedra hastened her pace to keep up with Liam. His rushed movements indicated an urgency, understandably so, but if Yelara was gone, no matter how fast he moved, he wouldn't find her, or so she hoped. Liam raced up the cobbled path to the doorstep of the old man, but he must have seen them coming, perhaps while keeping watch for Yelara's belated return, and had the door open before Liam could knock. "You again," was the first thing the haggard looking old man said to Liam. "A little late, aren't you?"

"Late? What happened? Where is Yelara? She and Kallia did make it here, right? Please, Orinth, please tell me what happened."

The old man shook his head and stepped aside as he opened the door wider. "Come in, Kace Mordin. There's a draft and I won't catch a fever while reproving you." He turned his back on them and sluggishly started towards the kitchen.

"Thank you," Liam said and moved inside. "Please, it's Liam Zaneth now. And, this is Laedra Vorrel. We're Jedi Knights. Please...what happened to Yelara?"

Orinth shrugged. "How would I know?" He sat down heavily upon one of the four chairs set around the table and gestured for them to seat themselves.

Laedra sat across from Orinth and waited for Liam to settle into place. The dejection she saw him fending off pained her to witness, but she would help him overcome it after their meeting. "Mr. Neerou, we've come here because we believe Yelara's life is in danger. Now, do you know where she and Jae Dyn Brael, her companion, are?"

"I don't. No one does." Orinth flashed a look of disgust at Liam, then returned his focus to Laedra. "Two women and children shouldn't be without a man to protect them, to take care of them. They left four days ago for a picnic and never returned. The authorities have no idea where they've gone." He once again turned his narrowed gaze upon Liam and Laedra thought the man ready to spit upon him. "Where were you, Kace Mordin? Where were you to protect my grandchild and great-grandchild? It was your duty as a man to be with them. I knew you were no good from the very beginning."

"I was back on Tae'Karada trying to stop Dargus Kandran," Liam said. "I was trying to make it safe for them. They should have been safe here. They should have been out of danger. I came as soon as I sensed danger. I--" He turned away, seeking something to focus on other than Laedra or Orinth. This was only making it worse and he'd get no help from Orinth. He'd misjudged the man's hatred for him. He wouldn't be surprised if Orinth told him to stay away from his granddaughter. He closed his eyes to focus his thoughts away from the darkness. He needed to focus on something other than the despair.

"Look, Mr. Neerou," Laedra interjected before Liam did or said something regrettable, "Liam would not have allowed Yelara to come here if he didn't believe she would have been absolutely safe. She came to Corellia of her own will. Now please, can you tell us anything more that will aid us in finding your granddaughter?"

"No," he said flatly, making a dismissive gesture with his hand. "I don't know anything. They went for a picnic and never returned. I'll never see my great-grandchild again or my beautiful Yelara. Leave an old man in peace."

"You will see her again," Liam said. "I promise you that you will see her and Leshie again." Liam closed his eyes to calm his emotions and felt himself losing the battle. "Orinth, I love you like you would never understand. I will get her back and nothing will stop me."

"If you do," Orinth said, losing hold of his own emotions, "then perhaps I can accept you into this family, but not yet. I'm old and I don't have many chances for happiness left. Seeing that boy, his red hair like my son's wife, I felt twenty years younger. Now..." He sighed and looked wistfully at his wrinkled, gnarled hands. "You do what you have to do, Kace Mordin. Just bring them back home."

Liam moved forward and put a hand atop Orinth's. "You're not done with happiness," he said softly. "I'll bring them both home to you. You'll see them again. Have hope. I'll get them back, and you'll see Yelara and Va'Lesh again." He wiped at his eyes, smearing the wet droplets of his anguish across his cheeks. "I swear I will bring them back, and I'll use every microgram of power I can. You'll hold your great-grandson in your arms again and you'll hug your granddaughter. I won't stop until you do."

Laedra's body stiffened and her hands balled into tight fists that turned her knuckles white. Liam was far too determined to find Yelara, which meant he would. After he had Yelara in his arms again, he wouldn't loosen his hold enough to allow her into his embrace. She refused to let that happen and the only way to prevent it was to deter him from finding Yelara. It seemed her devious plot would have to be put into effect sooner than she'd anticipated. "Liam," she whispered to him. "We should get going. There's nothing more to be done here."

Liam nodded. "We should go," he said to Orinth. "I'll talk to the dockmaster before we leave. I'll keep you posted. Do you have a transmitter here, or should I leave messages for you through the spaceport?"

"I have a vidlink, though I never did know how to use it properly." Orinth rose from his seat on frail, unsteady legs and extended his shaky hand to Liam. "Promise me again that you'll find them. Vow it, Kace Mordin."

Liam took Orinth's offered hand. "I vow it," he said. "As a Jedi, a Corellian, and a man, I vow that I will find them and bring them back. I vow that you will see them again. If I fail, then I am not worthy to call myself any of these things."

The blood drained quickly from Laedra's face and her heart beat so furiously in her chest, her entire body trembled. He was not going to rest until Yelara was found. All his energy and attention would be devoted to the cause, and she would be forgotten. Abruptly pushing back her chair, Laedra rose and gripped Liam's shoulder firmly. "Let's go, Liam," she said quietly. "We have to go now."

Liam nodded, and started to step away, but then stopped. "Before we go," he said. "Let me take a look at your vidlink, Orinth. I just want to make sure it's working properly. And, then I can make sure you can get my messages from it. Okay?" He looked to Laedra. "Okay?"

Laedra concealed her frustration with a tight-lipped smile and gestured for Liam to proceed. Orinth stepped away from the table and led Liam into the living room. Laedra stayed behind and slumped back down into the chair. She was going to lose him, she already had. Laedra gasped quietly and covered her blanched face with her hands. She hoped Yelara was dead, and Leshie along with her. Without them, Liam would have only her to turn to, only her to love as it should be.

He'd realize soon enough that he needed her, not Yelara. If only he would forget about his foolish nobility and this futile quest to rescue his wife from the snares of Dargus Kandran, then the wrenching anxiety she felt would lessen and she could fight off the approaching darkness. But to have Liam all to herself, she'd embrace it, then deal with the consequences once he securely belonged to her. And only her.

***

Liam ran through the pre-flight check as he and Laedra settled once more into the cockpit of their ship. They still hadn't given it a name, but that hadn't mattered. They knew which their ship was, and didn't need to have a name for it. Now, they were off to find Yelara again.

Orinth Neerou knew how to work his vidlink, so Liam could contact him when he had news. He just wished Laedra would stop fretting. She'd stopped as soon as they'd stepped back into the ship. Now, as she sat next to him, she seemed quite content.

"First off, I think we should do a sweep of an area around Corellia, and then expand our search from there."

"Will that take long?" Laedra realized how indelicate her question sounded and quickly stammered an explanation to mitigate the crude flavour of her words. "We will be expected back on Tae'Karada soon. We can't spend another day here, Liam, that's all I meant."

"We'll have to contact Koran," Liam said. "I don't know how long this will take. We have to find him though. He'll have her; at this point, I know that he has her. I just wish he'd left a trail for us to follow. We'll get him soon though, Laedra. We'll get him."

"Liam, we have a duty to the Jedi Order. We cannot abandon them at this juncture for a search that will only end up fruitless." Laedra cupped Liam's chin in her hand and shifted his face towards her. "If Dargus was this intent upon abducting Yelara, do you really believe he would have left any way for you to find him? Tae'Karada needs us, Yelara does not. She's safe for now. He wouldn't go through all this to simply kill her. He needs her to get to you, and as long as you're still alive, Yelara will remain so as well. Do you understand me, Liam Zaneth?"

"How can you say she's not in danger? How can you say she's safe? That madman has her. He's going to rape her, Laedra. He's going to take her as many times as he can. He'll try to wear her down until she accepts him willingly. My son. My poor Leshie. What will that bastard do to my baby? How can you say that, Laedra? I can't give up. I can't leave him to her!"

"He already has her!" Laedra snapped. She framed Liam's face with both hands now and gave him the stern gaze Ina always gave her when she was being irrational. "He's had her for days already, enough time to rape her and do what he intends to do with her. You can't prevent that, Liam! But you can prevent the people of Thanatos from being destroyed. One life is not worth risking the lives of thousands. You're a Jedi, Liam, and as a Jedi, you are obligated to leave her behind for now."

Liam pulled away from her and stormed to the back of the cockpit. "I will not abandon my wife or my child! If saving her means I'm no longer a Jedi, then so be it. I will not abandon her to him. I will not leave her with him another moment longer than she has to be. Dammit! I won't leave her with him, Laedra. Why are you pushing me like this? I have to save her. I have to get her back, get them back. I have to."

"I know that, Liam," she said gently. "I can understand your desire to have her in your arms again, but the people you are so willing to abandon to retrieve Yelara are just the people you will need to aid you in your quest." Laedra slipped out of her seat and approached Liam slowly. "Don't turn your back on us, Liam. On me! Please, don't do this."

"But I should be fully willing to turn my back on her? On my son? I can't abandon her, Laedra. I'll take you back to Tae'Karada to help them, but I can't give up on her. I have to keep searching. I won't be any use on the planet anyway. I won't be of any use to anything except looking for her. Please, Laedra. You have to understand that I have to do this. You have to understand that I can't give up."

Laedra felt shaken and cold as Liam seemed to drift farther away from her and closer to Yelara. She had to do it now before he was too far out of reach, before she truly lost him. Desperation drove her to manufacture such an abhorrent lie, but her love for Liam was what lead her to use it. "And so you'll abandon me for her, Liam? You'll lose us both to search for one?" Laedra looked away to gather her nerve, then faced Liam again, resolute in mind about the necessity of what she was about to do. "Liam...I think I'm pregnant. How can you just dump me on Tae'Karada and leave me, to possibly get yourself killed while I'm carrying your child?" She covered her mouth as if smothering a sob, then whispered, "How can you do that to me, Liam?"

"Oh gods," Liam rasped. He closed his eyes and reached for his focus. He could feel his edges fraying, unravelling. "How long have you known? Oh my gods, Laedra. We're gonna have a baby?"

Laedra was genuinely unsettled now and even her voice trembled as she replied, "I think so, Liam. Not that that matters to you. All you can focus on now is Yelara. Nothing else bears any importance to you." She turned away from him and sobbed, another genuine reaction.

"Yes it matters," Liam said. "But, you want me to just leave her with him. You want me to leave Yelara with Dargus Kandran. You want me to leave my wife with a Sith Lord. I love you, Laedra, but I love her too. I can't just give up on her." He was silent for a moment and then he met her eyes. "You're trying to make me choose."

Laedra whirled around and scowled at Liam amidst the tears running down her cheeks. "Damn you, Liam Zaneth. How dare you suggest I would use this as an opportunity to secure your devotion! I'm pregnant! I'm scared and confused and I need you, especially now." She hastily brushed the tears from her eyes and stormed towards the corridor. "Fine. Drop me off on Tae'Karada. Leave me to go through this on my own. Just don't expect me to be waiting for you when you get back. If you get back!"

"Laedra," Liam called. "Don't do this. Don't do this to me please. I love you, but I can't give up on Yelara. I can't give up on Va'Lesh. I will come back, but I have to get them away from him. Please don't do this to me. Please don't try to stop me from trying to save her."

Laedra choked on another sob and leaned against the cold metal bulkhead of the corridor for support. "Why did you even stay with me to begin with?" she whispered. "Why did you raise my hopes when you were just going to leave me for her when the choice had to be made? I've already been disgraced when I lost my rank, and now I'm having a bastard child with a man who doesn't want to be with me." She looked over her shoulder at Liam, then clenched her eyes shut against the burning tears. "You never loved me like you love her, you never could. You lead me on, Liam, and I believed you. Now, I'll be left to pay the price of my stupidity while you and Yelara live contentedly with one another, and my child wonders where his father is. Just..." Laedra sighed and shook her head dejectedly. "Take me home, Liam. Just take me home."

Liam closed his eyes and sighed. He could feel the edge of darkness creeping in. He could feel the despair settling. His heart's suffering cried out with his anguish. With slow, mechanical movements, he returned to the controls to take them up into space. He would take them home. Tears burned his eyes as the ship leapt into the sky. Fear and anger coiled around his heart as they raced back to Tae'Karada. Everything was beginning to feel cold.

---

"Elite Forces"
by Grand Admiral Tarkin - New Empire Grand Admiral
Jadda the Hutt - Hutt Crimelord
Vorgoth - Sith/Assassin
and Doctor Yankovic - Engineer/Genetic Scientist

Location: New Empire Mainbase, Arcadia
Date: Niothe 27, 4 ABY

***

The shipment had come in clean of trouble as he had expected. The murder had been but a small setback and ensuring that no more countermeasures were taken he would soon have more of this new shipment. He went to see them personally as soon as the cargo containers had arrived and taken to storage in the top security clearance area inside the palace.

The Red Guard saluted him as the Grand Admiral passed through him. Inside, the large metallic containers were filling most of the area and several red guards could be seen but no stormtroopers. One of them approached Tarkin. "Everything is in order, sir," he said.

"Good. I want no mistakes..." Tarkin grinned. He then went to see the only open crate, that had been opened for him only minutes ago. Inside there were several small packages, all individually closed. He grabbed one and placed it in an adjacent table, opening the small box. It was an emerald green crystal that glowed with a soft light. They were Force Crystals.

"Take this one to the labs," Tarkin ordered. The Red Guard closed the box and carried it in front of Grand Admiral, down an aisle to what seemed a mix between a laboratory of some sort and a production unit. Inside was the only man who was not a Red Guard, apart from Grand Admiral Tarkin.

"Sir, I have good news for you. My first experiment is ready to go. As soon as the key element is ready," he said. The man was a genius engineer as well as a genetic engineer who had been part of the team to design the first Death Star as well as the second one, not including several genetic experiments that the Empire had experimented with. He was now allied to Tarkin, working on a top secret project.

Tarkin knew that the Jedi had returned. Skywalker was one of them somehow. The son of Darth Vader, the one who had defeated the emperor as well as Vader himself. It was sure that he would bring the Jedi back and that soon enough a new Jedi Council would ally with the New Republic forming. But perhaps it did not have to be so... Still, he had to make sure he had the means just in case he had to fight the Jedi someday. Already had he crossed paths with one of them, which meant that they were in Chimaeria also.

The box was delivered to the engineer. Opening it he took the crystal and put it in a machine that had it dilapidated in a matter of seconds. Once ready it was placed in the center of an armor that resembled a black Stormtrooper's armor. The armor glowed for some seconds as did the crystal, but afterwards it stopped and went back to its normal status.

"It is ready!" Yankovic answered. "Almost capable of absorbing a full lightsaber strike, as you had requested. The crystal sees to it that the lightsabers are repelled, and therefore the attacks become less efficient. Also, they allow the carrier to become temporarily invisible, although the invisibility is relative," the engineer answered.

"Good..." Tarkin grinned. He was one step closer. But he still needed a piece of the puzzle before he could have his elite troops ready for action. The most important piece...

***

Unlike normal circumstances, Jadda's room was empty at his own request. Only his personal guard was there. The Zabrak, the Dark Sith. He was truly devoted to his master, although no one could tell why. But he was also a follower of the Dark Side... Jadda had in his hands a request from this New Empire. It said that he was to lend Vorgoth for some genetic experiment and that in return he would have exclusive shipping rights in any outer rim territory.

Jadda thought about the proposal. It was profitable but he wondered whether the New Empire would go by its word. But it was worth the risk. Besides, attacking Vorgoth would prove to be a death sentence to whoever tried to do so. "Bontee laapa doos nagaa..." Jadda told him.

The Zabrak nodded and bowed to his master. He went off and into the streets on a small speeder. In a matter of hours he was in Arcadia, where the people looked at him with his strange dark look, all dressed in black and face mostly concealed.

***

Once at the New Empire Mainbase entrance, Vorgoth showed his papers to be let in and escorted to the entrance at the Top Security Wing of the palace. A Red Guard was standing watch there and the Zabrak frowned at his presence. He could feel that the Red Guard was also trained and had some influence over the Force. To what extent was unknown.

The Red Guard took him inside and towards the labs. Once inside, Grand Admiral Tarkin was there in person along with some other Red Guards and the engineer. Tarkin walked up to the Sith. "Welcome. I am glad that Jadda has agreed to our terms. We need your help for a small genetic experiment."

Vorgoth nodded but said nothing. He pulled his hood down, revealing his horns and tattooed face. He looked at the others and growled. He was ready.

"I need you to sit in this chamber here. Just sit there and stay still for a few seconds," Yankovic said as he pointed to a machine with a chamber that seemed to close around the chair.

The Zabrak placed his cloak, leaving it hanging from a chair and stepped inside the chamber, sitting down as told and staying still as he watched the remaining in the room. The Red Guards watched him also, as they obviously knew of his Sith training. The question was whether they were trained also or not. It was hard to tell for sure.

The engineer pushed a button that closed the chamber and sat in order to insert the order codes and have the testing proceed. He basically had the Zabrak's inner structure thoroughly read through bio-scanners as well as his blood system. He then used a top notch new technology that was a learning device, which via the spinal cord could attach itself to the brain and read information. Alas this machinery could not probe and the information had to be given willingly. The engineer spoke onto a microphone so that he could communicate with Vorgoth. "I need you to think of your training. All the important things and all the skills you can think of. Fighting skills as well as Force manipulation," he said. The Zabrak's small nod with the eyes was enough of an answer. Soon they had the info that had been requested and the chamber opened.

Vorgoth stepped outside and turned to Grand Admiral Tarkin as he grabbed his cloak. He was awaiting an answer of some sort.

"You may go..." Tarkin said with a grin. "Here are the legal codes for your master," he added as he handed a padd over to the Zabrak. "Guard, escort him outside!" he ordered. A Red Guard stepped forward and walked Vorgoth to the maingates once more.

***

Date: Niothe 28, 4ABY

Tarkin shared the room along with Yankovic. It was placed overlooking a closed room with a blast door as the only means to access it. Inside was yet another machine. It seemed just like a simulator, only larger and oval shaped, with some conduits protruding from it.

A Red Guard entered and Tarkin ordered him to take off his armor and sit inside. Without further questions he did as told and sat inside the chamber. By Yankovic's commands, arm and leg braces made sure that the guard sat still, although this seemed to worry him little.

The chamber closed and the program was one step from being initiated. The doctor turned to Tarkin. "I believe I have mastered the key. With the aid from the Force Crystals we can retrieve the chemical components needed to make Force sensitive people have even more midi-chlorine in them, making them even more Force sensitive. And with the learning machine we can have them learn instantly about dealing with Jedi weaponry and fighting skills as well as how to use the Force to their advantage..." he stated. "Care to initiate the program?"

Tarkin grinned but passed. Yankovic then pressed the final command and the program started. It took several minutes, and there were several stages, from inserting the midi-chlorine chemical components to the learning process. In the end the chamber released some steam and there was a glow. Finally it opened.

From inside, in a sudden jump, came out the guard that had sat inside. He was now released and his eyes were glowing red, his body deformed, with larger arms and stronger torso visible, but hands stripped of fingers and all body hair gone. He jumped all the way from down below up to the room where Tarkin and Yankovic stood, crashing into the widows that connected the two rooms visually. Alas, he was not strong enough to break it and fell back down. Once on the floor he began twitching and died as his inner organs began to die one after the other.

Tarkin frowned. The experiment had not succeeded fully as expected. There were glitches to be dealt with and he was not glad to know beforehand that he would have to await new results. He turned to the doctor who was also frowning at the results.

"There were some setbacks. I will have to analyse the results and see what went wrong," he concluded. "But at least the experiment was partially successful. We now know that the learning process works fully... Did you see that jump?"

"Indeed..." Tarkin nodded seriously. "I expect new results soon. Satisfactory ones, Doctor Yankovic," he said as he left the room. He would soon have his own legion of Elite Red Guards, more deadly than ever and with full Sith training. All under his command. And if all went well enough then he would soon be able to make more soldiers out of regular people as well...

---

"Redemption: Curtailed Flight, Part 1"
By: Dani
Raeila Mullerin
Kael Selrid
Zion Xandler
Nieme Yaresh-Selrid

Location: Yellvin, New Plouton
Date: Niothe 27, 4ABY

***

Nieme laughed as yet another hovercar driver gestured rudely at her. If they were going to move like slimebugs, they were going to get cut-off. She only hoped Kael was keeping up. She'd never before been so eager to destroy the life of another, but Raeila Mullerin did deserve it. She was unrepentant about the horrors she subjected them to and the irrevocable emotional wounds inflicted upon them. But she would soon regret what she'd done, especially when Kael annulled their relationship, and Nieme and Dani would be there to witness it with smiles upon their faces.

"Do you remember which place is it?" Nieme hollered over the engine noise. She yelped as she narrowly avoided ploughing into a parked speeder, then looked back at Dani and shrugged innocently.

"Shouldn't have parked so far out," Dani yelled back, and then grinned. She quickly scanned the street for signs of the apartment they'd seen before. Finally she grinned. "There! That's the one. And, that yucky swoop is right over there. They're in there, Nieme."

Upon Dani's confirmation, Nieme veered the bike sharply to the left, cutting through two lanes of oncoming traffic and nearly leaving behind a four speeder pile-up. She parked the bike into a vacant spot across the street from Raeila's dwelling and waved Kael over.

Kael deftly slipped his speederbike through traffic and slipped it easily into the spot next to Nieme. "When'd you learn to pilot?" he said with a grin as he looked over at Nieme, obviously impressed.

Nieme hopped off the bike and shot Kael an impish smile. "Not sure, but I found out yesterday that I could. Natural talent, I guess."

Dani slipped off the bike and slipped her arms around Nieme. "She's got a lot of talent," she said with a grin to match Nieme's. "She's in that one right over there."

Kael nodded. "Do you want to come with me?"

Nieme looked up at Dani with a questioning gaze, then glanced past her to Kael. "If you want us to be there with you, we will be, Kael."

"Come up with me," he said. "You can wait in the hall maybe, or if she's okay maybe we can all talk. I want this to work out if it can. But...but we'll see."

Nieme nodded reluctantly, and with Dani closely by her side, the three of them weaved their way through traffic and approached the dwelling. "I want you to be prepared, Kael. She went home with that man last night. Try not to lose your temper if you see him."

Kael nodded. "I think I'll be okay," he said. "But, it'll be good to have you here...just in case."

They moved up the stairs and finally stopped at the door Dani pointed to. Kael looked between them. "Ready?"

"I am," Nieme announced confidently, and almost smiled. She didn't think Kael would appreciate it so she looked away casually to avoid getting caught grinning.

Dani nodded quickly and slipped her hand into Nieme's. "I can't wait to see her face," she whispered to her love.

"Me neither," Nieme replied excitedly. Unable to wait for Kael to gather confidence enough to sound the door chime, Nieme's hand sprang out and did it for him. At Kael's look, she giggled. "Couldn't help myself. Sorry."

Kael shook his head and laughed softly. "I was about to do it. I'm just gathering courage." He heard sounds from inside and quickly faced forward. Here goes, he thought.

Zion showed up at the door in his dark red satin robe and still wearing his piercings. He looked at Kael and noticed the two girls that had made all the commotion last night at Trancemania. He frowned. "What do y'all want?" he asked fiercely.

Kael offered the odd man a short bow. "I am here to see Raeila Mullerin," he said, his voice remaining calm and measured. "I am told that she is living here."

"Nope... I live here, not her," Zion replied smoothly with a small grin. "You got it wrong... Though I do know her. Care to leave a message?" he asked.

"Yeah," Nieme said smugly as she stepped forward. "Tell her Kael Selrid stopped by and he's really sorry he missed her. Maybe he'll catch her around sometime. I'm sure she'll really be sad she missed him...and if she really is out, I guess she can't be mad at you for not telling her we're here right now, now can she?"

Zion frowned. This was the man Raeila was searching for. He knew that much. And she would probably be sad not to mention angry if she missed them by his fault. Or would she? After all the commotion at Trancemania he could no longer tell. "Ahh, but you asked the wrong question... She does not live here but she's here now," he said. "You may come in..." he told Kael simply. "As for you ladies, sorry, but I don't want all the fuss that happened at the discotheque in my place, so please wait here."

Kael looked the wetter over and hid the frown from his face. He glanced back at Nieme and Dani, each looking every bit the Jedi Knight in their robes. "I don't like leaving them here," he said. "If it weren't for them, I wouldn't be here now."

"She's not inside," Dani said, interrupting Kael. "I can't feel her there, and I know her emotions. Her presence lingers, but she is not here. She hasn't been for...for several minutes. Fifteen at the most, but maybe less."

"So he's lying to us," Nieme announced loudly. "What are you trying to pull, buddy?"

Kael turned to face Zion again. "Where is she?"

"Hey man, I just got up! And how the fuck can they tell whether she's here or not? Feel her presence? Who the hell are you people?!" he retorted. "She was here all night, okay? I think she's still 'round here so why don't ya let me check..." He then pressed a small button on the wall that scanned his fingerprint, revealing a console. He then pressed another button and spoke. " 'Puter, whereabouts of guests inside the premises?"

"Only possible guests are at the entrance," the computer replied.

"Last guest departure?" Zion asked.

"Twelve minutes and fifteen seconds ago."

Zion turned somewhat confused to Kael and the two girls with him. "I guess I was wrong. She isn't here anymore..." he said wondering whether he should give them her apartment's address or take them there instead.

"Well, where is she?" Nieme asked with a mocking sing-song voice. "We won't kill her if that's what you're worried about." She grinned sarcastically and added, "It's daylight and blood shows up far too well in sunlight."

"Like I oughta know for sure..." he replied. "Though I might have an idea.. I can take you there. Just tell me one thing. Why do you want to see her?"

"I'm her fiancé," Kael said. "And, I need to speak to her in regards to various things that really don't concern you. If you could tell us where she might be. I think it would be best if you aren't around during this meeting."

Zion thought about Kael's words. Would it be better that Raeila was left alone when talking to this man? Would it be okay when he was with the two maniac girls that wanted to kill her just the other night? He just wasn't sure. "Did you know that they tried to kill her the other night?" Zion told Kael, pointing at Dani and Nieme. "Would you tell if you were me? How do I know you're not out to kill her too?"

"Did you know that she tried to kill them a couple weeks ago?" Kael narrowed his eyes and did nothing to keep the scorn from his face. "Or, is it your belief that Raeila has the right to inflict whatever torment she deems fit on anyone else, but should anyone even think to return her favours, they're the bad ones? Do not let your lusts blind you to the truth: you are nothing more than a paycheck. She has done things that would cause your pristine vision of her to shatter, and she is my fiancé. Now, tell me where Raeila Mullerin is before you make me forget my Jedi training and take the information without your permission." He took a threatening step forward. "Now, where is my fiancée?"

"Oh, so you admit you are to punish her then?" he retorted. "I don't think so, buddy, not with that kind of attitude! People change, and I believe she would never harm me. I helped her and she owes me with her own life..." he said right before he pressed a button that made a door shut tight between Kael and himself. On the inside he told them out over the comm, "Sorry but I don't trust you. How can I be sure you even are who you say you are?"

"You fool!" Nieme hollered back. "Who else would we be?"

Dani laughed. "I don't mean to be disrespectful or anything, Kael, but do you really want to marry a woman who would choose a man like that? I come from a planet where pleasure is placed above anything, and...well, that guy seems about as pleasurable as a spiky ball."

Kael shook his head. "The only thing I can think is that she was blinded by desperation," he said. "He seems paranoid and distrustful. Perhaps he paid her well enough that she didn't mind. I'll have to talk to her." He looked back at the door, tempted to open it with his lightsaber. "Come on. We'll have to find her on our own. I-I just hope we find her. She could be anywhere."

"Well...thanks for nothing, Shinyman," Nieme said. "If the witch does drop by, tell her Kael's looking for her. Can you do that for us or shall I repeat it for you again, slowly?"

Zion sighed. They could be the ones that Raeila was looking for. Well he could, anyway. What would she think if he passed on this chance to take him to her? He had promised, after all. Zion opened the door once more and frowned as they were about to leave. "Okay, let us make a deal then... I'll take you to her new apartment. After that, I'm gone and you're on your own. Deal?" he offered.

"Look, we'd prefer to do this on our own, Shinyman," Nieme said. "Why don't you just give us the address of her place and we'll drop in? I promise, we'll be nice to her."

"Name's Zion..." he shot back. "And I wasn't talkin' to you. But if you'd all prefer it that way then turn left outside and go three blocks down. It's the large building with the double windowed door. Apartment 4E. She's probably there," he nodded. He knew he could forewarn her via commlink to her apartment before they could ever get there.

"We'll go on our own," Kael said. "This is something that will be best handled without a customer around." He gave a short bow and began to head back to the bikes. "Thank you for the information, Zion."

"Yeah, and if we see her," Nieme said with a jeering grin, "we'll make sure she's alright."

"Sure you will..." Zion replied to Nieme sarcastically as he closed the door and placed a commlink to Raeila via video console. In her apartment a console flashed and Zion showed up. "Raeila?" he called out. "Kitty, you 'round? I just saw your fiancé and he's headin' over to your place," he said.

Instead of a real-time image of Raeila, Zion received a pre-recorded message. Raeila was nowhere to be found.

Zion left the message and ended the commlink. If she was not home she could not be found by Kael and the girls either. He decided not to think anymore about it. He had more pressing things, like his work. There were systems he had to hack into and get info and documents for his newest customers.

Kael cleared his mind and thoughts of the mutilated man within the apartment. It wouldn't serve him to dwell on that now. They had to find Rae before he lost his chance. She was somewhere nearby, within fifteen minutes. He needed to see her, needed to hold her. He stopped next to his speeder as Nieme and Dani slipped to the other side where Dani's swoop rested.

"Nieme," he said softly. "I know you don't like her. I know she did terrible, awful things to you. But, please, don't call her a witch. Not around me. I don't know why she did what she did, but I do love her. And, I intend to find out why she did those things, and try to stop her from ever doing something like that again. I want her to fully, and honestly apologize to you. Please don't call her names like that."

Nieme slowly narrowed her eyes at Kael and approached him with a steady, confident gait. "I can call her whatever the hells I want. She beat us, tormented us, and I don't get to call her mildly insulting names? No offence, Kael," she said with a mocking grin, "but screw you."

Kael's eyes went cold and he turned to his speederbike. "Very well," he said. He busied himself with checking the bike's instruments while he focused on calming himself. "We should probably split up to look for her," he said. "That way we can cover more ground. You two go check her apartment, and I'll start searching the streets."

Nieme glanced furtively at Dani and nodded. It had taken her a matter of moments to discover Raeila's location through the Force during the trek over to the bikes, and she would have been willing to share if Kael hadn't confronted her. Now, he would be left on an aimless, fruitless search while she and Dani cornered Raeila on their own and finally dealt her the punishment she deserved. Once they were through with her, only then could Kael have her. "We'll take to the streets," Nieme said, smiling slightly at Dani. "You go check her apartment."

Without another word, Kael started his speederbike and roared off down the street. It would take much meditation to ease the anxiety he felt. But, first he had to find Rae. He had to find her and find out what happened. He had to make her apologize for what she'd done to Nieme and Dani, after he made her see that it was wrong. Oh gods, he thought. What if she isn't sorry?

Once Kael was gone, Dani turned to Nieme. "Are you driving or me?"

"I know where she is, I'll drive." Nieme kissed Dani deeply, then smiled at her love. "We'll make her pay this time, Dani. I promise you."

Dani only blinked and then climbed onto the swoop behind Nieme. She slipped her arms around Nieme's waist and held on. She swallowed back the queasy feeling that had overcome her.

Nieme hit the thrusters and recklessly weaved her way through traffic again. She squinted as the wind whipped at her face and stung her eyes, but nothing would keep her from seeking justice, and with Kael on a trail that was destined to end up cold, there would be no one standing in her way.

***

Dani held tightly to Nieme as she looked ahead of them for Raeila Mullerin. She'd be up ahead somewhere. Though, not as strongly as Nieme, she could feel the girl who'd tormented them. She could hear the shouts of the people from behind them as their swoop whipped through traffic. Finding Raeila would have normally been difficult, but in these circumstances, it was easy. They had the Force to seek her out with. Raeila wouldn't be able to hide from them. And, with their much faster swoop, she wouldn't be able to run either. "I can feel her," she called over the noise of the engine.

"In my vision," Nieme hollered back, "she was soaring...like a bird. I don't know what it means, but it showed me a building. I know she's there, Dani. Keep on the lookout for it." She told Dani the name of the building, and gave a brief description of what it looked like. But, she wouldn't need Dani to point it out for her; she could feel Raeila and taste retribution getting closer.

They made it another hundred meters before Dani's arm flashed out. "There! On top! Up there! Nieme! She's jumping!"

Above them, the lithe figure of Raeila Mullerin sped across the top of the building from Nieme's vision. They wouldn't have long. Not long at all before gravity did its grisly work.

Nieme brought the swoop to an abrupt and lurching halt below the building. Horns blared and disgruntled drivers shouted angrily at them, but Nieme focused only on the blue-clad witch trying to cheat her of her revenge. "Dani! We have to stop her. We can't let her do it!"

"What do we do?" Dani said, watching Raeila as she plummeted toward the ground. "How do we stop her? I don't know how to do something like that, Nieme. Not with the Force. I don't know enough yet."

Nieme snapped her head around towards Dani and clenched her teeth. "Well learn! You've done it before, Dani. You've used the Force to move things. Use it to stop her! Dammit, do it now before it's too late!"

The anger that came off Nieme nearly knocked Dani from the bike. She suppressed a shudder, and turned her concentration to Raeila. She closed her eyes and envisioned a large hand grabbing the girl and slowing her fall, stopping her. And, then finally setting her to the ground. Beads of sweat sprang out on her face as she used everything she knew about telekinesis to stop Raeila's fall. Please, she begged.

Nieme watched Raeila plummeting with arms spread wide and her blonde hair whirling about her head. A part of her almost relished seeing her falling to her death, but another part wanted to deal that fate to her herself. "Dani," she whispered, trying to remain calm. "Dani, it's not working. Dani!"

As Dani worked, all sound, all images, all of everything vanished into the background as she concentrated on saving Raeila from her fall. A sudden scream shattered the calm, and Dani staggered. She sensed more than saw the figure racing up behind them. His robes fluttered behind him as Kael's speederbike was pushed to its limit.

And then he was no longer on the bike, leaping into the air instead. He came down on his feet, as steady as if he'd been standing there the whole time. He spun the Force around him like a web, weaving it as a seamstress would weave an equadi. Then he cast it out at his love.

The effect was nearly instantaneous. Raeila's fall slowed dramatically as a speeder using its thrusters to break its acceleration. With Dani's help, he lowered Raeila to the ground, safe and uninjured. Without another thought, he rushed to her side. "Oh gods, Raeila," he whispered. "Raeila, please talk to me. Please, come back to me, my arozeil."

---

"Redemption: Curtailed Flight, Part 2"
By: Dani
Raeila Mullerin
Kael Selrid
Nieme Yaresh-Selrid

Location: Yellvin, New Plouton
Date: Niothe 27, 4ABY

***

A soft smile touched her lips and her eyes remained shut as if she had entered a peaceful sleep and dreams of rapture had entranced her mind. She sighed, almost contentedly. "Am I there yet?" she said quietly. "Is this asri'tae?"

Kael smiled and brushed her hair from her face. "No," he whispered. "Not yet. You're still here, my love. You're still on Tae'Karada. But, we're together now. I'm here, Raeila. I'm with you now. It's going to be okay now."

Slowly, her smile faded and Raeila's eyes opened. She winced at the unexpected glare from the sun; asri'tae wasn't supposed to be this bright, this harsh. Once her vision adjusted to the light, Raeila looked over Kael, then past his shoulder at Dani and Nieme, slipping off their swoop and approaching. "No," she groaned. She pushed Kael away and curled in on herself upon the ground. "No! You shouldn't have stopped me. Why did you do this to me?" She sobbed lamentably, realizing she had not escaped the cruel world she had sought to free herself from. Now, she would have to suffer still. "I was so close," she whispered hoarsely. "So close...and you stopped me."

"Raeila," Kael whispered, and crawled to her. "Please, Rae. It's me. It's Kael. I love you. I can't go on without you in this world, Rae. I need you here with me. I need you in my life. You're my arozeil, soon to be my wife. I couldn't lose you, Rae. Not like that. I couldn't go on without you here."

"Your wife?" she repeated incredulously. Raeila raised her head and turned her tear-reddened eyes towards Nieme, then back to Kael. "You lying bastard," she spat. "You said I was the only one now. You said I was the one you loved! Why don't you leave me the hells alone and go be with your wife?" She laughed jeeringly and breathlessly. "Go! Get away from me!"

"She's not my wife," Kael said. "At least, she won't be once we end our marriage. You're the one, Rae. Just you. Nieme is just my friend now, that's all. Please, don't push me away like this. You're the one I want to be with. You're my arozeil. Please, Rae. Please, believe me."

"Why? Why should I believe you when you lied to me?" Raeila shrieked and battered Kael's chest with her fists. "I came here for you! I gave up everything to be here with you and you're with her! Why didn't you let me die? Damn you, Kael Selrid!"

"I'm not with her," Kael said, his eyes pleading. "I'm not, Rae. I'm not lying to you. When I promised myself to you, Nieme and I had already decided to end our relationship. I'm yours and only yours, my arozeil. I'm only yours." He felt his chest tightening. She had to believe him. She had to understand and believe.

Raeila slumped over, tired and defeated, and wept bitterly. "I just... I wanna go home, Kael. I hate this place. It's so cold here, especially without you or Ferrig to keep me warm. I don't wanna be here anymore."

Kael took her hands into his. "Stay with me, Raeila, and I'll keep you warm," he whispered. "Raeila, I love you." He cupped her chin and tilted her face up to his. He gazed into her eyes for a moment, then leaned close and brushed his lips over hers. "I love you."

Raeila sighed and pressed her cheek to Kael's, only to get an obstructed view of Nieme and Dani looming behind him, and Nieme with a scathing glare directed at her. "I can't," she whispered fearfully to Kael. She clenched her eyes tightly closed and pulled away from him. "I can't stay with you. They want me dead, Kael. I just...I wanna go home. Please take me home where I belong."

"No," Nieme said firmly. "You're not going anywhere until we get what we want. You hurt us, Raeila, and you're not getting away with it."

Kael looked up at Nieme and his disappointment was clear. "If you want to hurt her," Kael said, "you have to go through me. I can feel the dark side in you, Nieme. I can feel it getting stronger." He glanced to Dani and then back to her. "You don't want to do this. You don't want the consequences of what you're thirsting for." He glanced to Raeila and sighed softly. "Please tell me you're sorry for what you did. Please, Raeila, be sorry and regret what you did to Nieme and Dani."

"Why? I've never regretted anything in my life, Kael." Raeila looked over at Nieme and smiled shrewdly. "After what she and her purple bitch did to me last night, I'm glad I did what I did. They're just as evil as I am, Kael. They deserved it."

"They were getting revenge for what you did to them," Kael said. "It's because of what you did that forced their actions last night. That was your fault. They weren't evil before you hurt them, and now look at what they've become. By desert law, Nieme would have the right to return the pain you inflicted on her back onto you. But I want it to stop. I want the pain, the suffering, and the anger to stop. I don't want to see people I care for, the woman I love and the woman who first pulled me into the light, trying to kill each other. I don't want Nieme to succumb to the darkness, and I don't want your anger and hatred to pull me into the darkness. Please don't do this, either of you."

"I only want her to show some regret for what she's done to us," Nieme said.

"What about what you did to me?" Raeila lurched to her feet and took a menacing step towards Nieme. "I was desperate and sad and lonely last night. Your words drove me deeper into despair and that's why I ended up on that roof today! You did that to me! And now I'm supposed to apologize?" She turned to face Kael and sobbed quietly. "I can't do that, Kael. I shouldn't have to. What will any of it matter once I'm back in the desert? They'll be here, I'll be there... We won't ever have to see each other again. Please, Kael, don't make me do this."

Kael took a deep, shuddering breath. He looked to Dani and then to Nieme. How come it had to come to this? He swallowed back the anxiety he felt and sighed. "So, you don't regret what you did to them at all?"

Raeila took in a deep breath to utter her reply, then as an afterthought, glanced over her shoulder at Dani and Nieme. It wasn't their fault Kael had left her alone in the desert; they hadn't even known she existed, but who else could she have taken out her frustration and disappointment on, the pain Kael had left her with? She'd enjoyed hurting them when she was doing it, but she found that she didn't hate them, either of them. Why, then, couldn't she bring herself to apologize? Pride, she told herself. Pure, desert-bred pride.

"Kael..." She turned her attention back to him, and shook her head. "I...know what I did was wrong, but... I couldn't stop myself. You're Kir'Thana. You understand bloodlust and the power it has over you. Once you start, you can't control yourself. So, do I regret what I did?" Raeila sighed. "I don't know."

Kael took her hands. "I love you, Raeila," he said softly. "I want you to be with me. But, I don't want the three of you to hate each other. I don't want to have to choose my friends. I love you, and nothing will ever take me away from you. You don't have to be jealous of what I feel for either of them. They're friends. They're people I care about, but it's nothing compared to how I feel for you. You are my Chosen, and no one could ever replace that." He quickly looked away and scrubbed at his eyes. The elation and relief he felt was powerful. He looked back up at her and his eyes were shining. "Will you do one thing for me? It's something very big, but it would mean so very much to me. Please try to make peace with Nieme and Dani. Please, my love?"

The glint of the sunlight on her bracelet reminded Raeila of what she would lose if she didn't show Kael she wasn't completely a cold, vicious bitch, even if she really was. For Kael, she would try to be different; when she was with him, she was, but only with him. But if not doing so meant he would leave her, she knew she had to be that same person for Nieme and Dani. "Okay," she conceded finally. "I'll try, Kael. I'll try and be civil with them. Anything for you, my love. Anything you want."

"Thank you," he said, and the joy he felt was clearly expressed on his face. He pulled her to him then and kissed her deeply. "Thank you, my love. I didn't think it was possible to love you more than I already did, but I do. I love you so very much." He kissed her again and grinned.

"What? That's it?" Nieme marched forward and gripped Kael's arm. She swung him around, jerking him away from Raeila's embrace and gazed at him in consternation. "Kael, you can't let her get off that easy. You actually believe she's going to try and be decent to us? You're a fool!"

"I meant what I said, Nieme," Raeila assured her. "I don't want to lose Kael. I want to make peace with you."

She snorted derisively at Raeila. "Sure you do, just like I wanted you to slash my face with a dagger, right?"

"She's trying, Nieme," Kael said softly. "Are you even going to give her a chance? Are you going to just scorn any attempt she makes at peace until you satisfy your blood lust? Please, Nieme. She wants to make peace. Please?"

Before Nieme could say anything else, Dani stepped forward. She embraced Raeila carefully and then stepped back. She offered a weak smile and then folded her hands into her cloak. "I believe you, Raeila," she said.

Nieme stared with jaw agape and eyes wide with disbelief. Raeila, on the other hand, was blushing and grinning bashfully at Dani, unable to hold her gaze. It was the greatest betrayal Nieme had ever faced, and by her own lover. She shook her head slowly, unable to accept what she'd just seen as reality and instead, some unforgiving nightmare. "Dani? What are you doing? She hurt you too. My love...what is this?"

"She did hurt me," Dani said. "But, I don't like the anger, Nieme. I don't like the hate and all the darkness. I don't want to hate her because those feelings hurt. She's sorry for what she did: I can feel it. She knows what she did is wrong, and being with Kael will fix her darkness. I love you, Nieme, but I can't hate like that. I can't feel that way. I want the darkness to be over, and hating her or hurting her will only make more darkness."

"But..." Nieme sighed and overwhelmed by all the sickening hatred that had consumed her, she sobbed and sank into Dani's arms. "I don't want to hate her. But, how can I forgive what she did to us? It hurt, Dani. We didn't ask to be raped and beaten... I just don't understand why she had to do that to us."

"Because I was blinded by jealousy," Raeila supplied, her voice a gentle intrusion into the delicate moment Dani and Nieme were sharing. "Kael left me to be with you. Do you know how that feels? Hating you was the only thing that gave me a reason to live after that. I had to hurt you, Nieme, or I would have ended up on that rooftop sooner than I did." She hazarded a step forward and offered Nieme a gentle smile. "Please, forgive me? If you do it for anyone, do it for Kael, not for me or for yourself. Do it for Kael, and do it for Dani if you love her."

Nieme gazed through bleary eyes at Raeila and scrutinized her face, searching for anything that would reveal the lies beneath her smile. "I have to forgive you," she said. "For Dani, and for myself, I have to or else my hatred of you will drive me to the darkness. I won't go there, not because of you, Raeila." Nieme pulled back from Dani's embrace, and stood tall and unyielding before Raeila. "Raeila Mullerin, I forgive you."

Raeila's eyes flicked to Kael excitedly, then back to Nieme. She bowed her head in gratitude, then grinned and expelled a deep sigh of relief. "Thanks, Nieme. Thank you."

Kael stepped forward and his eyes were shining again with unshed tears. He pulled Nieme into an embrace and kissed the top of her head. "Thank you, Nieme," he whispered. "Oh gods, I thought I was going to lose you. I thought I would lose you both." He squeezed her close, and then let go to move back and take Raeila's hand into his. As he did, Dani found herself holding Nieme once more, slowly kissing her neck and whispering her love.

Kael looked at the three of them and laughed. "Oh gods," he said. "I could use a drink. How about the three of us go find someplace, grab something to eat, and then we can go back to the Temple together. How does that sound?"

Raeila looked down at her shimmering blue jumpsuit and almost cringed. "Sure...but can I borrow your cloak? I swear this looks better at night."

Kael smiled and quickly pulled his cloak off and wrapped it around Raeila's shoulders.

"Considering who you've been staying with," Dani said between kisses against Nieme's throat, "it makes sense that you have something that...shiny."

"We can grab some things before going back," Kael said. "There's some good stores down here."

"Zion, that man I know, he bought me some things." Raeila's pace slowed until she came to a stop. "I owe him so much, Kael. Do you think we could drop by his place later so I can talk to him? I have to at least thank him before I go back to Thanatos. He was good to me."

Kael nodded. "Of course," he said. "We can stop by. Rae, there's something about Thanatos. I don't think you should go back yet. The Empire has the settlement blockaded, and getting in and out is next to impossible. They're shooting down everything that moves. We're trying to work out a way to help them, but we're waiting for some people. Can you stay with me until it's safe to go back?"

"Oh gods," she whispered. "Ferrig. Kael, I-I have to go! I have to get to Ferrig."

Kael sighed and nodded. "Okay," he said. "I'll do what I can to get you back. We can leave as soon as you'd like."

"But..." Raeila moved closer to Kael and slipped her hands into his. "You'll come with me this time, won't you? Kael, I can't survive without you. I was going crazy that's why I came here to look for you. You have to come with me."

"I have to stay here to finish my training," Kael said. "Maybe you can stay here with me while I finish my training, and we can visit Ferrig. Once a week, as often as we can. I can't give this up, Rae. It's important, and it's making me a better person. When I'm finished, I'll be able to help the Kir'Thana. But, you can stay here with me. Then we won't be apart, and we can go back to the desert on my speederbike."

"I have to let Ferrig know I'm okay though," Raeila said. "I didn't tell him I was leaving. He probably thinks I'm dead or worse: A traitor!"

"He blames himself, my love," Kael said as he kissed her forehead and then her lips. "He misses you very much and asked me to look for you. When Nieme and Dani told me they'd found you, I came as fast as I could. I wish I could have gotten to you sooner. But we're together now. We'll get in touch with Ferrig as soon as we can. I'm sure we can get a message through to him. He'll be happy to know you're alright." He grinned. "And, I'm alright now too. I feel complete again."

Raeila smiled and snuggled against Kael. "I wanted to die, Kael. Without you, without Ferrig, there was no point in living. But now, I think I've found my reason again." She looked up at him and nodded her head decisively. "I'll come with you until we can get to Ferrig. I'll follow you, Kael, wherever you lead."

"Kael," Nieme cautioned gently. "You can't bring her. She won't be allowed. The spirits, Kael. They won't let her."

Kael looked at Nieme and grinned. "They won't like it, will they? But she has nowhere else to go, Nieme. We have to bring her with us, at least until something else can be set up. And, maybe they'll be okay with her there if we can find something useful. Like how Orn is cooking now. Maybe we can find something that Raeila can do there. I have a few ideas, but I'll have to talk to the Masters first." He glanced at Raeila and grinned. "I don't know if you'll like it or not, but I think it'd be pretty interesting. It's something that Master Zaneth mentioned once. But, there's a lot of news stuff that happens on the planet, and we don't have enough people to keep track of it all. Maybe you could find the important stuff for us. You could be our eyes to the outside world. If that sounds interesting at all." The look he gave her was hopeful.

"Well...what would I have to do?" Raeila asked. "I'm good at getting people to talk, if that's what you want me to do." She smiled proudly as she ran her hand along her chest. "I have particular talents that help loosen tongues."

Kael grinned as he remembered some of those talents. "Well, we'll have to see," he said. "For starters, I think it'd just be gathering data. But maybe, eventually, you could be like a liaison to the Jedi. We're in a place that most people would have trouble getting to. So, if we had someone that people could approach initially, without the Jedi having to divert from training or other missions, that would be perfect. Is that something you'd like to do? And, it would give us lots of time together." He turned to Nieme and Dani. "Does that sound alright?"

Nieme shrugged, seemingly uninterested in the entire conversation and resumed kissing Dani's neck as she had been.

Raeila smiled uncertainly. "Do you think they'd want me there? I mean, even Orn? He hates me."

"We'll just have to show them that you're not the monster they think you are," Kael said. "We'll have to show them that you're a wonderful, charming young woman with her whole life ahead of her, and much to offer the Jedi. And, when they see how much I love you, they'll know that you're a good person, that you're not here to hurt anyone. We'll make them see, Rae." He kissed her, deeply and passionately, letting his body realize just how much he'd missed her. He leaned close. "I want to make love to you out in the forest by the Temple, under the trees with the birds in the trees and the cool breeze blowing over our backs."

Raeila sighed dreamily and smoothed her hand over his cheek. "I've missed your body, Kael, especially when it's lying next to mine." She kissed him in return, while Nieme rolled her eyes and pulled Dani along towards their swoopbike. "I want to come with you, Kael," Raeila said finally. "I want to get back to Ferrig as quickly as I can, but if it's not safe yet, then I want to wait with you until it is."

Kael nodded, and took her hand. As they started toward his speederbike, he looked over at Nieme and Dani. "Want to go to that place up on the corner? They've got good taza. My treat."

"Sure." Nieme hopped onto the bike and waited for Dani to mount behind her. Once they were both in place, she gave a curt nod to Kael and sped off.

"She still hates me," Raeila noted. "It's okay. I deserve to be hated."

"She's changed," Kael said. "She used to be happy and carefree, but now everything's a burden. I'm hoping that Dani can help her through it. She doesn't deserve to be so cynical and bitter. Fortunately, I don't think Dani could ever stay upset. Hopefully she'll be good for helping Nieme through this. I hope eventually you and Nieme can be closer friends. It may take time, but I do care for both of you, and I hate seeing the hurt." He kissed her and slid onto this speederbike. "Hopefully it just needs time."

Raeila pulled herself up behind Kael and encircled his waist with her arms. "It doesn't matter if she hates me. As long as you love me, I'm content." She rested her cheek upon his back and sighed softly. "I missed you, Kael. I couldn't stay in the desert while you were here. It was too much."

"I told myself I'd give it a couple weeks before returning to the desert after your birthday, but I hardly made it a week. I missed you so much," he said. "I'm glad you're here with me now. I'm glad I can hold you in my arms again. Come on, let's go get some food in you."

"I've eaten more in my week here than I ever have in Thanatos, but it was close there for a while." She brought her lips to Kael's ear and nuzzled it softly. "You have Zion to thank for my life as well, Kael. He pulled me off the streets and gave me a place to stay, some money, food. I'll have to introduce you two sometime soon. Maybe after lunch."

"I've met him," Kael said. "We went to his apartment first. He slammed the door in my face and practically accused me of lying and wanting to hurt you. He's, uh, he's a little strange. It's a good thing he lives here and not in Thanatos though. He'd be likely to end up scrabbling around on all fours with a Razor up his ass."

"He may look odd," Raeila said, "but he certainly is no slouch in bed." To save Kael's pride, she quickly added, "But he was nothing compared to you, my love."

"Of course not," Kael said sourly. "Let's go get that food." He started up the speederbike, and started down the street.

---

"Surprise In Store"
By: Jack Black
Robin Black [NPC]

Location: Silent Whisper - Medium Transport ship
Date: Niothe 27, 4ABY

***

Darkness fluttered around Jack. Huge bat-like wings flapping against his face, teeth, claws, blades slicing against his flesh, the pain grew more and more intense as creatures, demons, black huge fanged mynocks, Banthas with oily thick wool charging, gouging him. Rancors, all the beasts from around the galaxy attacking him, smothering him, choking him. Jack couldn't breathe from the pain, then a human figure stepped through the chaos, a man with a face almost identical to his own. His twin brother, Robin. he held in his hands an old executioner's axe, blood still dripping from the blade.

Slowly the large powerful man stepped forward, each footfall taking an eternity unto itself. Then when there was no more than a foot between Jack and his brother, he could see his brother's eyes, reddened, bloodied, his face scarred and torn from a long battle. His brother raised the axe high above Jack's head. Jack tried to move but his muscles failed him; he only managed to scream out as his brother brought the huge axe slicing down upon Jack's head. Even as his head rolled away Jack choked blood and screamed. Until he woke.

Jack's eyes opened. His vision encompassed the whole room with perfect acuity; it was one of the many advantages that the cursed Imperials had blessed him with. He observed his brother and the Astromech on the opposite sides of the room. He breathed heavily. Frail health at birth had been one thing they hadn't fixed. While Jack could aim better, fly better, fight better and indeed think better than his twin brother, he was plagued by his coughing fits that would often leave him weak and drained. He remembered the Imperial officer at the compound where he had been held and what he had said.

***Ten years ago***

The lights flickered around him, his eyes took a few minutes to adjust to the new cell. He desperately tried to remember what had happened to his brother. He had seen the dark troopers arriving; it had to have been a set-up. Their Rebel operator had informed them that the bastion was a communications deport for nothing more than fifty personnel. It controlled a small section of the Outer Rim. They had gotten into position, set the charges then the alarm had gone off. Jack had ducked behind cover; this was before he had been empowered with strength by the Imperials.

Robin began firing two heavy blasters at once, his huge tree trunk-like arms easily absorbing all recoil from them. He took out the first three Dark Troopers to make it through the door, however the damned enhanced armour and speed meant that soon they managed to push Robin back, and Jack was unfortunately still pinned down; giving Robin his credit, he had tried.

Robin had regretted that moment of leaving his twin behind. He had cried all the way to the shuttle. Jack realized he probably should forgive his brother, however he couldn't bring himself to. Robin had abandoned him. Since birth the twins had been together. Robin was the strength of body, Jack was the strength of mind. Many had accused Jack of being too intelligent just as some had accused Robin of being too strong.

Jack moved around in the cell pacing back and forth. His breathing grew heavy and he felt his throat constrict. He started to cough in loud spastic bursts. Normally his brother would have been at his side in a moment helping him to breathe easily. however there was no one there, he was on his own. The fear hit him like a cold blast to the spine. The door hissed open, and an Imperial officer stepped in, dressed entirely in black. Jack knew this wouldn't be an enjoyable experience.

"This subject is perfect," said the officer casually to three stormtroopers behind him who stepped into the cell with a mind probe droid. Jack closed his eyes and awaited the pain. And pain came in an extreme he had never expected.

Jack, for seven years, went missing, and was discovered by his brother in a secret installation when his brother was sent to destroy it by the Rebellion. He rescued his brother and completed his mission, then from his brother's insistence, he left the service of the Rebellion.

From the experimentations, they were both surprised by what Jack could now do. He was stronger than he had ever been, almost as strong as Robin. His eyes were the most drastic physical change. Genetically changed and regenerated, he now saw a crystal clear image through the entire eye and not a focused point like all other humans. His speed, strength, vision, even his already impressive brain power was increased. However his poor health was now almost worse than ever. He frequently got ill and even after only a few minutes of exertion began to feel drained.

***Present day***

Jack awoke from of his daydreaming. When his brother had found him, much of his memories had been confused or scrambled. Even after three years, he knew the only memories he could really rely on were those of pain and anguish. In the last three years they had spent their times on the run from the Rebellion. They were nowhere near as harsh as the Imperials and didn't have the capability to really catch or sustain a chase on the two brothers, however they tried.

Jack leaned forward and tapped his controller. Lights flashed up and he checked the inventory of the ship. After a recent raid on an almost deserted Imperial mining outpost, they had made quite a haul - twenty tons of Ketrol Ore, a huge stockpile of weapons and armor, and six Imperial speederbikes. He looked over the stock pile. It would be hard to sell the stormtrooper uniforms, however, he knew that there would always be a buyer for anything if you knew where to look. Currently they were looking at the Outer Rim.

Robin turned his head to look at his brother; his open, friendly face was furrowed with a worried expression. Jack had become darker lately. Suggesting that they start drug running and slave running, Robin held morals deeply against both acts, however his brother, he knew, was always right; there was more money in it.

They were heading for a shipyard just outside the Tae'Remok system. Jack tapped the system panel and then he became extremely worried.

"Robin, there is a ship approaching. Calamari Class, it is escorted by seven X-wing fighters."

In an instant Robin was on his feet. He rushed over to the command console and checked the sensors. "They're risking a lot in this area," Robin mused. "They've got us out-gunned, and there is no way to outrun them. They'll be on us in a moment." Robin's voice remained calm but Jack detected his underlying fear. Jack reached forward and pulled the hyperdrive system off-line. The ship snapped out of lightspeed in a moment. Robin pulled himself in to the second command seat. "Jack, what are you thinking?"

"Begin calculations to the closest Imperial controlled area. Send a message if they ask for permission to board us. Charge up weapon cannons but keep them in the tubes." Jack's hands ran across the console. Slowly the flight stick rose up, indicating that autopilot had been switched off. Jack smiled and took hold of the flight stick.

A crackle came over the old commlink unit mounted on the even older flight desk. "This is Grey Squadron twelve, please lower your defensive shields and prepare to be boarded. You are in direct violation of arms and weapons trafficking laws in your immediate area."

Jack cut him off. "This is the cargo ship Silent Whisper. I'm afraid you've got us wrong. We will comply to your search but we have no weapons to hide." Jack cut off the commlink. "Are the weapons charged?" Robin nodded. Jack flicked the switch back again. "Pull us into your docking bay and we will show you our hold."

In a few moments, the huge ship was hovering just above them, its tractor beam slowly pulling the tiny transport ship into its hold. Jack got up and moved to the weapons control unit. He nodded for Robin to charge the hyperdrive and make the calculations. Jack looked at the sensor readings from the ship that was pulling them in. The second their deflector lowered to allow the transport in, Jack unleashed the hidden firepower of the transport. Turbolasers raised up from small hidden tubes on the top area of the hull and unleashed. The firepower was devastating to the ship's cargo bay and had the desired effect. Huge explosions echoed through the Corellian ship then the tractor beam fluttered and failed. The explosion's shock wave smashed a few of the turbo lasers off the top of the transport. The small transport rocked violently. Jack held on as several consoles exploded around him.

"Now, Robin, you fool. Go to hyperspace now!" Jack yelled as fires erupted everywhere.

The transport shot into hyperspeed but not before one of the X-wing fighters launched a proton torpedo. It struck the transport, ripping a large hole in one of the cargo holds. The emergency sealing doors closed as the ship continued through hyperspace.

***

Two hours later the ship fell out of hyperspace, the engines coughing up flames into the cold emptiness of space. Robin wiped his hands of grease. He had been trying to fix some of the damaged systems without much effect. "I'll have to set her down to affect these repairs. We're not going to make it to the Drogen shipyards. The best we can hope for is landing on the planet Chimaeria itself."

Jack's nimble thin fingers ran over the controls. "If these records are up to date, and I'm assuming they are, then Chimaeria is run by the Imperials, so is the Drogen shipyards. The advantage is the Rebellion won't get hold of us, but that won't really stop the Imperials from getting hold of us, and personally I would prefer eternal imprisonment to execution," Jack complained bitterly.

"The colony is only just under Imperial control. There are a lot of Rebel and Neutral parties. I've been there before. Well, one specific area, Thanatos. There are also some areas of the capital and New Plouton where you wouldn't want to travel without a blaster in your belt."

"I wouldn't travel anywhere without a blaster. Okay, we're coming up on the system. Set us down in this shady town you're talking about, Thanatos. We need to be inconspicuous."

The transport ship was anything but inconspicuous. It thundered out of the sky, flames rising ou