"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 out of the port side where the proton torpedo had hit. A loud screaming sound echoed through the city until the transport crashed down onto the sands just outside Thanatos.

Slowly, the sand settled. The transport was imbedded into the side of the dune. Slowly, one by one, the systems on Silent Whisper died. Robin and Jack climbed out of the wreckage. A single surviving astromech moved around aimlessly awaiting orders.

"Robin, you had better get working repairing this bucket of bolts. I'll try and off-load our weapons. We don't want to be caught in an Imperial controlled sector lugging around several tonnes of Imperial weaponry."

They made their way back into the fire damaged ship. Jack pulled a blaster out of a fireproof container and clipped it onto his belt. He then made his way over to his worktop and picked up his favourite toy. It was a long pistol-like lightsaber. It had never worked, not in the three years he had owned it... He had spent his 'new life' trying to get it working. He liked the effect it often gave though. He clipped that alongside the blaster, and then added a few more 'samples' of his wares. The R4 unit moved up beside him. Jack inserted the data core and uploaded the entire inventory. Jack had it committed to memory, however it would probably be more convincing from a droid to prospective buyer.

"Robin, you two start repairs. If you've got anything you specifically need then contact me on the comnlink. I'll take the Astromech." Jack stepped out into the bright sun and pulled his hood up over his head. It reminded him much of his home planet. He hadn't liked it there much either.

Slowly, Jack made his way into the desert. The sand whipped around him like a malevolent beast. Jack leaned on his long metal staff for support. Behind him, the Astromech trailed softly beeping and whistling. Jack could understand him, however he wasn't listening. Jack was listening all around him, early honed skills from living out in the desert were awakening. He moved up till he could see the city. It looked little more than a second rate pirate port, which is probably exactly what it was.

Jack and the R4 unit made their way in towards the city. Unconsciously Jack unclipped the top button for his blaster.

At the entrance of the town there was a disturbing sight. A stormtrooper...or what was left of one. Itss head had been bashed in and the helmet sat nearby, crumbled across one side. Jack shivered.

---

"Redemption: Disturbing The Peace, Part 1"
By: Dani
Raeila Mullerin
Kael Selrid
Nieme Yaresh-Selrid
Stormtroopers [NPC]

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

***

The meal had arrived promptly enough and Raeila had begun on hers before it even hit the table. Attempting suicide certainly did build up one's appetite. She noticed Nieme watching her warily from time to time, but at least she wasn't spouting death threats any longer, though she held little hope that they could be anything close to friends. Raeila was grateful, though, that she at least had Kael now and a good thing that was too; he could remind her of what an idiot she'd been to even consider ending her life. But at the time, it had seemed like the only path to happiness.

She brought another forkful of rekath to her lips, but paused to chuckle at another of Kael's anecdotes. "And he did it too," she said to Dani, who apparently found it just as humourous as she had. "He ran through the streets stark naked and nothing on hand to cover himself with. Half the women followed him home with large grins on their faces." She laughed and added, "Not to mention a few men too."

"Those were Razors," Kael said with a laugh. "And, they would have followed a nerf home if they thought they had a chance of getting lucky. Anyway, I got myself fifty traks on that bet, and I was able to get that jacket that I feel like I've given up for Jedi robes. I'll have to put it on, just for old times."

"I liked that jacket--" Raeila and Nieme commented simultaneously. Her gaze strayed to Nieme, who was suddenly looking uncomfortable instead of stubbornly withdrawn, as she had been only moments ago. "Well," Raeila said awkwardly once Nieme averted her gaze to her meal, "it was a nice jacket..."

Dani smiled and snuggled closer to Nieme. "I like that jacket too," she whispered. She slipped in a hand and plucked a torrac stick from Nieme's plate and munched on it. "Maybe next time we go into the city we can sneak in and borrow it, then take turns wearing it all night."

Nieme cleared her throat and shifted restlessly in her seat. "It's Kael's jacket. It doesn't belong to us. He should be the one wearing it."

"I'm sorry," Dani said, and straightened up in her seat. She sighed and returned to her food, wondering when they'd get to go home. Maybe once they weren't around Raeila anymore Nieme would stop being so upset and mean.

Raeila had been conversing in hushed tones with Kael, and after he finally convinced her to, she looked to Dani and Nieme wearing an almost nervous smile. "Dani? Nieme? I was just wondering... Would you mind bringing me around town to find some clothes? Kael said you two have a pretty good sense of fashion and I could use the help. I'm not used to the styles of clothing here in New Plouton and have no idea what looks good around here."

Dani quickly closed herself off to whatever emotions Nieme may have been feeling. She didn't want to feel any more anger. Not after everything else, not today. She smiled at Raeila and nodded. "I'd love to," she said. With only slight hesitation, she glanced at Nieme hoping she'd be okay with taking Rae around to various shops for clothes.

Nieme glanced up after feeling the penetrating gaze of all three upon her. With a tight smile, she shrugged. "Sure. One time couldn't hurt."

Raeila nodded slowly and looked to Kael with an expression that said: "I tried."

Dani looked at Nieme and then back to Kael and Raeila. She closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them. "Please excuse me," she said softly. "I'll be right back." Before waiting for their response, she rushed from the table and off in a direction that would lead to the refreshers.

Nieme called out quietly to Dani, but she was already out of earshot. Raeila, genuinely concerned, asked Kael if she should follow. Nieme refused flatly. "She'll be fine. Just leave her alone."

"Why should I?" Raeila challenged. "She's my friend now, and friends take care of other friends."

"I said," Nieme repeated firmly, "leave her. She's very sensitive to emotions and probably just got too overwhelmed by all the people in here."

Raeila sighed and turned her questioning gaze to Kael. "Will she really be alright? I just wanna check on her. If she doesn't want me there, I'll leave. I promise."

Kael looked between the two and suppressed the sigh he wanted to let out. "If her girlfriend isn't going to go check on her," he said, "then her friend should. Go ahead, Rae."

"Alright." She kissed Kael briefly, then pushed out of her chair. The scathing glance Nieme gave her was enough to make her physically sick; she only imagined what Dani was feeling.

Once Raeila had departed, the reproaches tumbled from Nieme's mouth. "You had no right. Dani doesn't need someone like her butting in to her affairs. She's not her friend; she'll never be. And you shouldn't have invited her to the Temple. She'll probably betray us the first chance she gets. You're putting us all in jeopardy."

"Do you think I'm so blinded by my feelings for her that I'd bring her to the Temple if she was a danger? Do you think so little of me anymore, Nieme? As Raeila said, if Dani doesn't want her company, she'll leave. And, who are you to say who Raeila will and won't be a friend to? Who are you to decide how she must act from now on? You're only speaking from your anger, Nieme. You're speaking from the hurt she caused you. You're letting it blind you to Raeila's intention to be friends, to move on from the past and leave the violence behind." He looked away for a moment and then back to meet her gaze. "You knew she'd be in that direction, and you sent me in the opposite direction. What did you intend to do to her, Nieme? Hurt her like she'd hurt you? Would that make the pain go away? Would hurting her actually make you feel better?"

"I don't know," she sneered, "but give me five minutes alone with her, and we'll find out."

He stared at her for several moments, until he finally just shook his head. "How long do you think you'll hold on to Dani while you're like this? How long do you think her empathy will tolerate your anger and hate?"

"I'll be fine as long as I don't have to associate with that monster." Nieme closed her eyes to gather her composure, then opened them again, feeling a little more focused. "Kael, she can't change who she is. She's hurt people once, and she'll do it again. It's in her nature. I just don't want you to be the next person she does that to."

"And, what about you?" Kael asked, ignoring her concern for him for the moment. "You want to hurt her just as she hurt you. What would you have done if I hadn't shown up? What would you do to her in those five minutes? You would become as bad as you claim she is." He looked down at his hands and then back up to her. "And, what about me? You helped me change who I was. Maybe I can help her."

"You were different, Kael. You wanted to change. You knew how horrible and immoral your actions were. She can't make the distinction between right and wrong." Nieme reached across the table and covered Kael's hand with her own. "I love you, Kael. I don't want to see this woman destroy everything you've worked so hard to achieve. Please...she isn't worth it."

"But she wants to change," Kael said softly. "She wants to change for me, Nieme. Can't you see that she's trying? She's here with us now. She went to check on Dani. That shows something, doesn't it? That shows that she wants to, right? She is trying to change. Please tell me you see that she's trying." He sighed. "But if we push her back, she won't change at all. She can't change if we don't let her."

"She can't change," Nieme countered, "if she doesn't do this for herself. She's only doing it because she knew you'd turn your back on her if she didn't."

"And, I knew you'd turn your back on me if I didn't change," Kael said.

"No," Nieme said gently. "Kael...I would never have left you, even as much as I threatened to. I was so smitten with you I wanted to follow you wherever you would have lead me, even the darkness if I had to." She stroked his hand tenderly. "But she's different, Kael. She doesn't realize hurting others is wrong. You did, that's why you succeeded. She won't."

"She's beginning to see," Kael said. "We can make her see, Nieme. She can change, I know it. We have to give her a chance. She knows that hurting other people hurts me, and she doesn't want to hurt me. Please Nieme, she's not bad with me, and I know I can influence her. Please don't push her back. I don't know what would happen to me if I lost her."

"You'd have me." Nieme's face hardened and she pulled her hand away from his. "But that never was enough, was it? My love wasn't enough to keep you from hurting me, practically raping me, making Dani cry. If my loving you wasn't enough to change you, how could your love for Raeila possibly help her to change?" She rose stiffly from her chair and peered down at Kael. "You'll fail with her as I failed with you. I promise you that, Kael Selrid."

Kael nodded. "So you won't even try to help," he said. "She reacted the same way I did, Nieme. She was jealous of you the same way I was of Dani. I thought I was losing, had lost you to her. I didn't want to share your love with another...because I was afraid that my love wouldn't be enough. That she would love you more than I ever could, and then I'd lose you."

Nieme laughed dryly. "She did love me more. You never loved me the way she does, the way she did. That's why I went to her instead of you. Whereas being with you was a burden, her love was uplifting and liberating. You were a bastard to me, Kael, and I hope you do fail with Raeila. Maybe then you'll get a taste of the pain you caused me." She gave him a short bow, and with another crude smile, left to track down her lover.

Kael sighed and shook his head. He would get no help from Nieme whose bitterness would probably consume her before this was all over. He wouldn't fail with Raeila though. She loved him, and she'd become a good person. Together they'd make it. They had to.

***

Dani stood before the mirror in the refresher. The water had helped remove the traces of her tears, but her eyes were still bruised a bluish colour from the crying. A little more time in here would calm her stomach and make it look like she hadn't been in here crying. Why was Nieme holding on to her anger? What would that rage possibly bring other than hardship? They'd need quiet time together later, to help soothe frayed emotions. She didn't know if she could handle an angry lover.

The door slid open and Dani felt Raeila's presence. She turned and smiled. "Hi," she said softly. "I...I just had to get away."

Raeila remained just inside the doorway, keeping a non-threatening distance away from Dani. "You okay? You were crying, I can tell. But I can go if you need privacy. I just wanted to see if you were doing alright."

"You don't have to go," Dani said. "It's just...Nieme's very angry right now, and...and it's making me feel queasy. I'm empathic, so I feel emotions from other people, but...but emotions like that... I had to get away. After earlier, and then at the table. I needed some fresh, non-threatening air. I'm starting to do better. Thank you, Raeila. Nieme doesn't believe that you'll be able to change, but I do."

"Really?" Raeila smiled and moved towards the row of sinks lining the wall where Dani stood. "I want to change, for Kael and because... I never wanted to hurt you two because I hated you. I was jealous and angry, that's all." She laughed softly. "In fact, I did enjoy having you around, Dani. You're very...talented."

"My people are very skilled at pleasure," Dani said with a smile. "Because we're all empathic, we can feel everything everyone else feels. And, feeling good is much better than feeling mad or anything like that. So, we sort of started centring our lives around pleasure and just being happy. I learned how to be good in bed when I was fairly young. And, I'm glad you appreciated my talents, because I enjoyed being with you too."

"You did?" Raeila ventured closer to Dani and leaned against one of the sinks. "You enjoyed the rough stuff, I could tell." She brushed her fingers over Dani's hand still bracing the edge of the sink. "I enjoyed it with you too. If it had been under different circumstances, I think we could have had a lot more fun."

Dani smiled. "I think we could have too," she said. "Raeila, I'm very happy that you have Kael now. I can feel how much you love him, and it's a beautiful feeling. You and he are very good together. I'm happy for you."

"Yeah...we are. I've always loved him, you know." She sighed and pulled her hand away from Dani's, then brought her arms up around herself as if it were Kael embracing her. "When he left me for the Temple, I was so devastated and when I thought I discovered why - for Nieme - I snapped. I didn't mean to hurt you in the process, Dani. I'd like to be your friend. I'd like to have someone to talk to about things." She smiled almost excitedly and added, "I've never had a girlfriend to do stuff with before. Do you think you'd like to be mine? If you say no, I'll understand. I mean, it's not like I deserve it or anything."

Dani grinned and then nodded. "I'd like that very much," she said. "I know what you were feeling, and I know you're not really like that. Not anymore. But, I want to be your friend. I think everyone deserves at least a second chance, Raeila. I hope that eventually Nieme can do the same. But, I'll be your friend, Raeila, no matter what."

Raeila giggled happily and threw her arms around Dani. She kissed her lips firmly, then pulled back and grinned. "I'm so glad, Dani. I don't want to be at the Temple if I have to avoid you all the time, and feel bad every time I see you."

Dani smiled and then kissed Raeila once more. "You won't have to worry about feeling bad at all," she said. "It may take a little work to get Orn to accept you, but I think it'll work out. Once he sees you, he'll understand that things have changed. And, if not, I'll have to have a talk with him. I'm glad to have you as a friend, Raeila. And, I'm glad that Kael has you to make him happy again. I think seeing me and Nieme together all the time has made him a little lonely."

"Well, I think I can remedy that." Raeila held Dani closer, surprised at how content forgiveness made her. If only she could receive Nieme's as well. But that, now, would be an even longer time coming.

Raeila gasped softly as she was torn away from Dani's embrace by a violent pull. A hand struck her face sharply, unexpectedly, and once she recovered from the blow, she faced a livid, fuming Nieme. "Get away from my girlfriend you stupid bitch," she snarled. Raeila cried out as Nieme's fist sent her spinning, but the row of sinks rushed forward to stop her, slamming into her gut and forcing a bitter taste up her throat. She coughed convulsively as she leaned over and held her churning stomach, only to have her head jerked back by the hair.

"Nieme!" Dani shrieked. "Nieme, leave her alone right now! She was just being a friend. Stop it!" The tears had returned along with the queasiness. "She wasn't hurting anyone Nieme, just...stop being a bitch."

Nieme's head snapped around to face Dani, the shock and disbelief clear in her expression. "What?" she whispered. Her fingers disentangled themselves from Raeila's hair, and the girl dropped to her knees, still cradling her stomach. "Dani... How could you say that to me?" Her lips pressed thinly and her eyes narrowed as she realized what was truly going on. "You've forgiven her, haven't you? After all she's done, you've truly forgiven her." She laughed wryly and shook her head. "You're a fool. A damn fool." Nieme backed away towards the door, still staring at Dani in complete disgust.

"I can say that to you...because it's the truth, Nieme," Dani said. "And, I can forgive her because it's the right thing to do. She did something wrong, but she's sorry for it. She's trying to be better. And, it's better to forgive someone than to feel their anger and hate for long. I don't want to be angry, Nieme. I don't want to hate. I've forgiven her because...because I was taught to be a compassionate person. I can forgive her because I feel that she honestly wants to be better, to be a friend." She lowered her eyes then and quickly brushed away the tears.

"I want to forgive her too," Nieme said. "But I can't, not when she's trying to steal my girlfriend from me, not when she's turning my own friends against me." Nieme swallowed back her own tears and stumbled through the doorway. "Be with her if you want. But don't expect me to just stand around and watch as she turns everyone I love against me." With one final, resentful look at Raeila, Nieme rushed out of the refresher to shed the tears she'd been withholding.

"Wait!" Dani scrubbed the tears away and rushed to Raeila's side. "Oh goddess, Raeila, I'm sorry. She's scared. Will...will you be alright if I go after her? I can send Kael back and he can take care of you."

Raeila nodded as she brushed her hand against Dani's cheek. "I'll be okay. Go on."

"Thanks," Dani said and kissed the top of Raeila's head. Then she rushed out of the refresher, extending her senses outward to find Nieme. Please don't run from me, she pleaded.

Nieme sealed off her mind aggressively and shot back a mental command to leave her alone. She flew through the diner, shouldering past a waitress and sending her sprawling on the floor, her tray of food along with her. The tears cast a fog over her eyes, but she still managed to see Kael watching her in confusion and concern before she burst out onto the street.

When Dani reached the main dining room, Kael pointed and she nodded her thanks to him. She easily slipped through the crowd. She reached the street, and reached out to feel for Nieme. She finally caught a glimmer, almost ghostly, ahead of her and she ran forward, putting every trick Master Darr had taught her to use.

Nieme felt Dani nearing, as much as she tried to close herself off to everything and everyone. Shouts from agitated pedestrians arose behind Nieme as she barrelled past them, but she refused to stop and face the reality that everyone she held dear was abandoning her for Raeila, for a woman with no heart. She let out a breathless cry and hastened her flight.

Dani let out a cry of frustration as Nieme pulled ahead of her again. A speeder swerved out of the way of a pair of pedestrians and would have hit her if she hadn't flipped deftly over the top of it. As soon as her boots hit the ground, she was racing toward Nieme again. She had to catch her. She couldn't let Nieme get away. The symbolism of that was far too painful for Dani to ponder any further.

The commotion they'd caused caught the attention of more than just the pedestrians they'd jostled in their flight. A shout of "Halt!" cut through the characteristic urban din and all turned to seek its source. Nieme too was startled by the bellowing order that was presumably blasted at her from seemingly nowhere. She swung her head around in every direction until she spotted two white-armoured troopers rushing forward...towards her. They both rested a hand on the blasters at their sides, but that alone didn't instill fear enough in Nieme to make her stop. Instead, she ran faster. They pursued.

Dani shouted after Nieme. The stroomtroopers managed to slow Nieme enough that she was within view, but quickly heading in the other direction. She called after her love, urging her...to do what? She didn't want her to stop, or the troopers would get her. She didn't want her to run because then she'd be farther away. She cried out in even greater anguish, and continued racing after Nieme.

The clattering of the trooper's armour as they ran was a deafeningly ominous sound to Nieme, and only frightened her more. She screamed in terror and confusion, wishing them away, but they refused to desist. What had she done and why were they chasing her? She only wanted to be left alone. Why couldn't they just leave her be?

"Stop or you will be fired upon!" The one trooper unholstered his blaster and pointed it in Nieme's direction. Civilians crowding the walkway cried out and scrambled to move out of the weapon's path, giving the trooper an all but clear shot if he wanted it. "You are under arrest for disturbing the peace! Halt!"

Dani didn't stop when the troopers did. She continued on, and leapt upward when she was right behind them. With Force-aided strength, she vaulted right over the top of them. In midair, she ignited her lightsaber, and came down right in their path. "She hasn't done anything," Dani said softly. "Go back to your business, and we'll settle this matter ourselves."

"Brandishing a weapon at an Imperial officer is a punishable offence." The troopers forgot about Nieme now, and instead aimed both their blasters at Dani. "Put down the weapon so we may take you to the nearest detention facility."

"You will leave us alone now," Dani said, but immediately saw that her suggestion wasn't going to work. "We just had an argument. You don't have to do anything, and this weapon is only so when you try to shoot her, I can stop it. You won't shoot my girlfriend!"

"We will not... Not yet, at least." The trooper smiled beneath his helmet and centred his weapon on Dani's chest.

Nieme was jerked around by the sound of a blaster discharging, and when she came about, she was pushed forward in the opposite direction by the sight of Dani's purple blade slashing fluidly and quickly through the air to deflect the orange bolts of light. "No! Dani!"

It was just like back in the training room with the remotes. She directed the beams down into the ferrocrete surface of the street where they wouldn't hurt anyone. She would have liked to shout out some witty sayings like Liam Zaneth did while he was fighting, but she knew she needed her concentration. One missed move, and she'd be dead.

Nieme's lungs ached and her legs felt limp as she pushed her body to the limits of its physical capabilities. She had to reach Dani. The stormtroopers could shoot her, but they couldn't hurt Dani. Not her Dani, not her flower.

Bolts repeatedly spat from the troopers' weapons, and for every one that missed, they decreased the interval between shots twofold. One narrowly missed Dani's leg, and another almost grazed her side, but there was quickly becoming too many lances of energy to successfully block. And Nieme knew it. She was so close to her love, but would be defenceless and incapable of helping her when she arrived. It was her fault, all her fault, and was already feeling beyond guilty for it.

Dani could sense her own fear. She could feel the edge of panic creeping in. But what could she do now? How could she get out of this? Would they stop shooting if she lowered her weapon. And, how many bolts would still be in the air. But, she had to let Nieme get free. She couldn't stop.

---

"Redemption: Disturbing The Peace, Part 2"
By: Dani
Raeila Mullerin
Kael Selrid
Nieme Yaresh-Selrid
Stormtroopers [NPC]

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

***

Kael stepped into the refresher and found Raeila staring into the mirror. He stepped up slowly behind her and brushed a hand over her shoulder. "Is everything alright?"

Raeila passed the back of her hand across her nose, leaving a red smear behind, and looked down at the blood still being washed down the drain by the running water. "It's fine. Everything's good."

He slipped an arm around her waist and sighed. "I don't know what's gotten into Nieme. She wasn't like this before, and I can't believe she'd be this insane over revenge. I don't know. Maybe Dani can talk some sense into her. She blames me for everything. She pretty much said so while you and Dani were gone."

"But it wasn't your fault, Kael." Raeila turned around to face Kael and pressed her still trembling hand to his cheek. "It was me and Ferrig who hurt them. If it's any consolation, she hates me more than she could ever hate you."

Kael shook his head. "I just wish she could stop hating both of us and see that we don't want to hurt her. We never did. It's just that...that things got out of control. Jealousy is a terrible thing. I don't want her to hate us. I don't know if that's possible though." He sighed and kissed her neck. "How'd it go with Dani?"

Raeila smiled wanly and nodded her head. "It was going so well until Nieme stormed in here and knocked me around. Dani wants to be my friend, but Nieme doesn't seem too pleased with that idea."

Kael nodded. "Sounds like she's getting a taste of jealousy as well," he said. "Maybe the similarity of feelings will bring her around to seeing that you're not the monster she thinks you are."

"But I'm not, Kael," Raeila assured him. "I never was. It was only anger. I'll never do it again. Never."

"I know that," he said with a smile. "I think Dani knows it too. We just need for Nieme to realize it. It may take time, but it will happen. I'm sure of it."

Raeila sighed and sank into Kael's embrace. She sobbed quietly into his shoulder, all at once realizing how complicated and depressing her life had become. But with Kael, there was hope for happiness once again. "I need to make love to you, Kael. I need that comfort."

"Soon, my love," he said. "Let's go see if we can find Nieme and Dani, then we can go back to the Temple, and make love," he said. He tilted her face up and kissed her. "I love you, Raeila, my arozeil."

Raeila smiled. "I love you too, Kael. More than I could ever express to you."

"Maybe you can try when we get back to the Temple," he said with a salacious grin.

"Is that even allowed?" Raeila asked. "I mean...isn't it some sacred place?"

"Not like the temple to Thana," Kael said with a smile. "But it is still a special place. I think it would be okay for us to make love there. We are going to marry, after all."

Raeila lowered her eyes and sighed softly. "You married her. Why, Kael? But, I thought you loved me, even then, yet you left Thanatos with her, and you married her. Why didn't you tell me?"

"I left with her and loved her because I thought she could give me an escape from the violence and killing. I do still care for her because she is, well, most of the time, a wonderful person. I married her because I didn't want to lose her. My heart, while I gave part of it to her, was always yours though. I didn't know what I was doing. And, I didn't think I could face you and tell you that I was leaving. It was too much."

"Too much for you? Kael, you don't know how badly it hurt me. You were the first man aside from Ferrig that I loved, and you left me." She shook her head and smiled. "But I know why you did it. I forgive you, Kael. And now things are better, right?" Raeila kissed him lightly and added, "They'll be even better if you take me to our new home now so I can make you beg for my forgiveness in bed."

Kael laughed softly and pulled her tighter into his arms. "Things are much better now, and I have no doubts at all about who I want to be with. Let's go see if Dani found Nieme, and then we can go home, and I'll beg like you've never seen me beg before."

Hand in hand, Kael and Raeila left the refresher and lazily strolled through the restaurant to begin their search for Nieme and Dani. Raeila hadn't realized how quickly she could go from utter despair to joy, but with Kael, it was simple. He was her source of contentment, and her reason for living, and with how much love she felt for him now, she knew he was the best reason she could ever hope for.

***

"Dani! Look out!"

Dani dodged to the left to avoid the blaster shot, and just managed to get her blade in place for the other bolt that would have put a gaping hole in her chest. She batted at the bolts of energy, but knew she couldn't keep this up forever. "I'll give up," she cried out. "Just please stop shooting. I'll give!"

"No! Dani, don't!" Nieme sensed Dani's fatigue as intensely as she felt her own. She'd done this and now Dani was suffering for it. With an anguished cry, Nieme launched herself towards one of the troopers and tackled him to the ground. "Dani! Run!" She struggled with the stormtrooper for possession of his blaster, but a powerful blow to her face knocked her off the fallen man and flat onto her back upon the ferrocrete walkway.

Dani cried out at the sight of Nieme lying crumpled on the ground. She held her blade out to the side and deactivated the blade. "Please don't shoot anymore," she said. "I give. Just don't hurt her anymore."

The one trooper desisted his assailment and the other picked himself up from the ground. He slung a groaning and semi-unconscious Nieme over his shoulder, but still managed to keep his weapon aimed at Dani. "Put the weapon down and kick it over to us. Slowly."

Dani crouched slowly and carefully set her lightsaber on the ground. She then stood and kicked the weapon as instructed. "We weren't doing anything wrong. I was just trying to catch up to her. You really shouldn't do this."

"Don't dictate actions to us, little girl," the trooper said derisively. "There are laws governing this province, and causing a ruckus as you two were is forbidden. Now--" He bent over and picked up Dani's weapon, then gestured her over with his blaster. "Move."

Dani bowed her head and started moving as he'd ordered. How would they explain this to Koran Darr? They'd be kicked out of the Temple for certain. She sighed and glanced at Nieme. She could feel that Nieme was alright, just dazed. Hopefully they'd be put in the same cell so she could give Nieme some comfort.

"Excuse me, officers," a voice said behind them. "Is there a problem here?" When Dani looked, Kael and Raeila stood there. Kael's arms were crossed over his chest, and his lightsaber hung in plain sight since Raeila still wore his robe. "I'm certain something can be worked out without hauling these two off to a detention facility. They are just girls, after all."

"For your own good, sir," the trooper stated, "I suggest you continue on your way and keep out of Imperial affairs or you'll be joining them in a detention cell. They may be girls, but they were still resisting arrest and brandishing weapons." Gruffly, the man jabbed the butt of his weapon into Dani's back to goad her forward.

Kael pulled his lightsaber from his belt and took a defensive stance. "I cannot allow you to take my friends," he said. "I strongly suggest that you leave them alone and go about your business. You don't want to get involved in this."

The troopers didn't hesitate to point their blasters at Kael, who was becoming clearly a nuisance, one they were grossly underestimating. "Ma'am, step away from him unless you intend to spend the night in a detention cell as well."

Raeila smiled sweetly at the trooper and pushed back Kael's cloak to flash him her seductively posed body. "I bet you'd enjoy that."

"Croy, call for assistance. We might need a transport to haul these four in." The trooper carrying Nieme holstered his weapon to free his hand. He tapped the comm device attached to his helmet and gave orders for back-up. "Now, young man, put the weapon down."

Kael ignited his lightsaber. "I guess you want to do this the hard way," he said. He took two steps ahead of Raeila to give himself room to move. "One last chance. Let them go, or else I can't guarantee your safety." He assumed a defensive stance that would allow better defensive moves against their blasters.

The trooper gave little weight to Kael's threats, and sounding almost bored, he once again ordered him to place down his weapon. "You are guaranteeing yourself a prison term, young man. Now, cooperate."

A groggy, confused Nieme shifted atop the trooper's shoulder. "Let me down," she mumbled weakly.

"Shut up," the trooper snapped.

Nieme groaned and wriggled atop him, trying to squeeze herself free of his hold. "No... Let me go!"

The stormtrooper facing Kael looked back briefly to determine what the noise was about, but remembering protocol that stated one never turned their back on a prisoner, he quickly swung his head around toward Kael again. This was enough to shatter his tenuously held composure, and the anxiety and tension of the situation became suddenly too much for him. Without provocation, he decided to open fire before Kael could make a move.

Through the Force, Kael saw the blaster bolt coming before the trooper had even committed to the attack. He brought his lightsaber around, and placed it perfectly in the path of the onrushing bolt of energy. His timing and aim were exact as he deflected the bolt back in the direction it had come, where it slammed into the guard's chest and sent him sprawling onto the pavement.

Kael turned his attention to the other guard, the one still holding Nieme. Dani, on the other hand, had spun around and held out her hand. From the dead guard's belt, her lightsaber leapt through the air and into her waiting palm. She ignited it immediately. "She asked to be put down," Dani said. "I suggest you do so."

Facing death from both the front and back, the guard raised his free hand in the air and gently set Nieme down. She staggered and her body wilted, but Raeila was there in time to support her and guide her away from danger.

Kael dropped into a ready position and looked over the trooper. "Now, go," he finally said.

The trooper's gloved hand hovered beside his blaster, perpared to pull it on Kael, but he valued his life more than his partner did, so avoiding both Dani and Kael's lightsabers, he edged his way onto the street, then fled to safety.

Kael turned to where Raeila was supporting Nieme. He and Dani rushed over. "Is she alright?"

Dani moved in close and began searching Nieme for injury, murmuring soft words as she did. It appeared it was just the blow to her cheek. She carefully kissed the bruise.

"She's just a little disoriented," Raeila said. "She'll need to be helped to the bikes or she'll fall over."

Nieme looked up at Dani and smiled weakly. "I saved you. Did you see?"

"You did," Dani said softly, and then brushed her lips against Nieme's. "You were wonderful, my love. Completely and absolutely wonderful.."

Raeila handed Nieme over to Dani's tender embrace then moved to Kael's side. "You were...amazing. I didn't know you could move like that."

Kael grinned. "It's the Force," he said. "I'm going to be a Jedi Knight, Rae. I'm going to be a Jedi so I can help people like that. I've spent so much of my life hurting people, but when I help them it feels so much better. It's a wonderful feeling. But, it still can't compare to having you with me."

Raeila blushed profusely and wrapped her arms around Kael's neck. "I understand now. Gods, I understand everything, Kael. You were meant to do this, to be this person." She kissed him lovingly. "And I want to be there to see you finish your training, and maybe along the way, you can help me become a better person too."

"You're already off to a good start, my love," Kael said. "Now, lets go home. I miss lying naked with you in my arms."

Raeila looked back to Dani and Nieme to make certain they were alright. Nieme's gaze caught hers, and was surprisingly filled with less contempt than it had been. The resentment was still slightly there, but at least it was a start. "You know, Kael," Raeila mused happily, "I think everything's going to work out for the best."

Kael smiled and glanced back to the others. "I think you're right," he said. "I want the four of us to be good friends. I think we can do it. Dani's ready, and I think Nieme's almost there. If we spend some time together...maybe."

"Not maybe," Raeila said with a confident smile. "It will happen, Kael. I'm one tenacious bitch and I won't stop until I have Nieme on my side."

"I love you, Raeila," Kael said with a smile. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply. "It will happen. I don't see how it possibly couldn't. You'll make it happen, my love."

"I know." She grinned and ran her finger down the line of Kael's jaw, then over his lips. "For you, I'd do anything."

"You do want her to be a friend for you too, right?" he asked gently as he slipped his arms around her, with one hand disappearing below the robe she wore. "You'll be good friends eventually. And, you and Dani too. It's a beautiful turn in life."

"I've never tried nice before." Raeila nestled her cheek to Kael's shoulder and added quietly, "I hope it suits me."

"You're doing very well so far," he said. "Going to check on Dani was a good start to that. It looks like it's going to suit you so far."

"Well..." She glanced up at Kael and grinned. "We'll see how 'nice' suits me in bed."

Kael grinned, then kissed her. They'd reached the speederbikes, so he slid onto his and then offered Rae his hand to help her onto the bike. Next to them, Dani was helping Nieme onto the back of their swoop before climbing onto it.

"How you feeling, my star?" she asked. "When we get home, I think I'm going to have to reward you for saving me. I was thinking a trip to the waterfall would be a good reward."

Nieme smiled wanly and rested her throbbing head against Dani's back. "Okay, but just for a nap. Oh, Dani, I'm so sorry I ran from you. This was all my fault."

"It's alright, my love," Dani said. "It's all better now. We just go home, and everything will be like normal. We'll go down to the waterfall, and just lie together until the stars come out. And, Kael and Raeila will get settled, and maybe if you'd like we can bring Raeila back into town tomorrow, and help her pick some clothes."

Nieme closed her eyes and sighed wearily. "Not yet, my love. Please not yet. It's too soon and the pain's still fresh. Just...a little more time."

Dani nodded, and then twisted back to hug Nieme to her chest. "Not yet then," she whispered. "I love you, my star. I wish I could go back to the Temple like this, holding you in my arms. Instead you'll have to hold onto me though. Just be careful where you put your hands. I'm still really ticklish under my ribs."

Nieme giggled soundlessly and lightly ran her fingers over Dani's stomach, precisely the area she told her to avoid. "I promise I'll be careful."

She started up the speeder, noting that Raeila and Kael were already blasting ahead. While the system check ran, she turned back to Nieme. "When we get to the waterfall, do you mind if I strip off all your clothes and make love to you? I just have this urge."

Nieme nuzzled her lips to Dani's neck and stealthily slipped a hand between her legs. "Get us home and you'll find out."

Dani gasped, then giggled. With a peel of laughter, she hit the accelerator and they blasted off for home on her swoop. With Nieme's hand between her legs, they would have slammed into a tree, if Dani hadn't been a Jedi. Instead, they would use the rest of the day to make each other extremely happy.

---

"New Contact"
by Raxis L'Ygr
and Koran Darr

Location: Yallder District, New Plouton
Date: Niothe 27, 4ABY

***

It was noon over New Plouton, and the bustle of the marketplace rumbled below Raxis like ants tirelessly marching to stockpile goods before the mandated Imperial curfew that engulfed the city nightly.

He couldn't help but snort to himself from atop Kappa's Kantina as he watched, because it was he and his fellow Red Dragons that had caused the curfew. Thankfully, what they'd done was successful. There was an amazing decrease in nighttime drug trade ever since the curfew began, and the Imperials were now doing his work for him.

He began to pace, but quickly stopped as the image of Tralesha far off in the crowd caught his eye. Beautiful as ever, his heart stopped for a second at the sight of her, and a wry smile crossed his lips as his trained eye caught the image of over twenty men and women sprawled across the road who were idly making their way through the market in the same direction as her. Yet another shipment of troops had come, and things were going as scheduled.

With a sigh, he moved to the edge of Kappa's and jumped up to grip the fire escape ladder to climb to his hotel room. He hadn't heard from his Jedi friends in weeks, and was beginning to become concerned.

He shook his head as he slipped into the window of the cheap hotel room. It wasn't too long ago that he felt a strange nervousness as he sat alone. At first, he thought it to be impending danger, but there turned out to be none. Since then, he'd wondered if he'd sensed something in the same manner that the Jedi do.

Lowering himself in his chair, he picked up his datapad and began to scan his message accounts.

There was a single message from a man calling himself Koran Darr. The message seemed to be in order, quite legitimate as far as inspections could tell. In the message, coded as agreed between Raxis and the Jedi, Koran Darr explained that Liam Zaneth and Laedra Vorrel had left Tae'Karada on a matter of extreme importance. However, in their absence, the situation with the Empire was getting worse. The message closed with a request for a meeting.

"Well you know what they say," Raxis said, typing in the address to the roof of a nearby cantina. "The more the merrier."

Grinning, he grabbed his cloak and swooped back out of the window with his datapad, making a quick bee-line for the meeting point.

It was an hour later when Koran Darr arrived on the specified rooftop. He wore dark robes that concealed whatever was hidden beneath. If anyone wished to look, the only thing of note would have been his utility belt with attached lightsaber. His senses picked Raxis L'Ygr from the shadows, and he approached slowly, casually.

Raxis was shrouded in his black cloak in between a rooftop access door and a coolant unit, as Koran hopped over the lip of the building. Shuffling a little bit, he crouched low and leaned against the cool steel hull of the air conditioner and waved the Jedi over to him. He couldn't quite explain it, but he felt no feeling of danger from the stranger and trusted his instincts.

"I'm glad you made it, Koran...I presume?" he asked calmly, his hand resting on his blaster belt beneath his cloak for safety's sake. He knew that even though he was experiencing new feelings with his newfound knowledge of being able to use the Force, he wasn't about to let himself become overconfident and abandon his old tricks. After all, he hadn't yet seen Dargus' face and had to be sure this wasn't a trick of their enemy.

"I am Jedi Master Koran Darr," the robed man said. "Liam and Laedra mentioned you to me, and I felt it prudent to contact you in regards to recent events. Recently I had a meeting with Admiral Tarkin, and it was not exactly confidence building."

"Do tell," Raxis said, pushing himself to stand and offer his hand for a friendly shake. "It's much cooler over here by the air conditioner if you prefer."

Koran accepted the offered hand and moved near the air conditioner. "He lies without remorse, as you might have guessed. He claims to not wishing to follow in the model Tarkin presented, however all of his words indicate that he plans to do exactly that. He wishes for the people to rally behind him, but doesn't realize, can't even fathom, that they wouldn't want him as their leader even if all his empty promises were fulfilled."

Nodding slowly, Raxis lit a cigarra and nodded to Koran. "The man's a sociopath. Were you aware that he has a superlaser?"

"No I was not," Koran said with a frown. "I am certain he would claim it a weapon to ensure peace. Perhaps I shall inquire about it during the next time I meet with him...if I do. His guards weren't all that happy about letting me in to see him. He tried to be quite charming when I was with him. He is a convincing liar, however. Or could be to one not aided by the Force."

"Actually, Koran. It's of utmost importance that the superlaser not be mentioned. I require your word on that," Raxis warned, exhaling a cloud of smoke. "Tarkin is responsible for more than a few acts of horror, and no matter what you or the Jedi do, you aren't going to stop him from doing what he wants. If he knew the secret was out it would only make it harder for people to protect themselves."

Pacing, Raxis stretched his warmed muscles and turned to Koran. "Liam and Laedra sent you to talk to me...what is needed of me?"

"They gave me your name, but they didn't send me to you. I figured with recent events, it would be a good idea to make contact. However, I'm certain you've heard about the situation in Thanatos. Liam and Laedra felt that you and your people might be able to assist those currently under siege by the Empire."

"Actually, that's about to happen here in New Plouton as well," he replied, dragging off of his cigarra. "I would highly suggest against dealin' with Tarkin anymore. Besides...weren't the Jedi at one time loyal to the Republic?"

"When the Old Republic stood, the Jedi were the guardians of peace," Koran said. "The Sith sewed discord and fear into the populace, and with Palpatine's rhetoric, they soon began to fear the Jedi. There weren't enough of us to do what was needed, and while we were spread thin it was easy to eliminate us. Our numbers are still small, but we're growing. And, I believe I can honestly speak for the Jedi Council in saying that we will support the New Republic."

Raxis couldn't help but grin. Always the dramatist he turned his back to the Jedi and spoke quietly. "Then contact the Council, because the time is coming for your opportunity to support them again."

Turning to Koran, Raxis tossed aside his cigarra and moved to stand before him. Cracking his knuckles in a balled fist calmly, he gave Koran a small smile. "The New Republic knows about what is happening here on Tae'Karada," he said quietly. "All I need to know is if your people are with them or not."

"The Jedi will support the New Republic," Koran said, with a firm nod.

"Does this mean that if the New Republic were to come to give these people their freedom, that the Jedi would assist them?" Raxis replied with a grim, yet slightly revealing tone in his voice.

"The Jedi will do as we can to assist," Koran said. "You must realize, though, that our numbers are few. And currently there are many of our trained Jedi not even on the planet. What's left are those of us teaching the younger ones. However, we will help as we can."

"Understandable," Raxis again replied. "Soon the New Republic and the Remnants are going to collide here. We're going to need people to help us bring down shields and ensure that no harm comes to the locals. It's just as I promised Liam and Laedra, and now is the time for Jedi involvement. Are your Knights and Padawans prepared for this? This will, also, allow us to solve the problem in Thanatos."

Raxis couldn't help but be proud. It wasn't long ago that he left his old life behind to follow a path of righteousness, and he felt that he'd done just that without becoming a zealot. However, the stench of impending warfare filled his nostrils and stung his mind as they always did through the armored helmet of his suit he wore as a stormtrooper. It was about to become a battlefield again, and this time he would be fighting for the other side. Naturally, the knot tied itself in his gut as his mind fell into its overly alert state that he'd always placed himself in before warfare. The change in his demeanor was obvious.

"We have to be silent about this, Koran. It's not known that the New Republic knows about the superlaser. It's probably capable of rendering a planet uninhabitable," he muttered. "I want to arrest Tarkin fast, to ensure that he can't get to that ship and fire it at the fleet or the planet itself to fish-hook his way out even if he does lose."

"Do you have a plan to arrest him?" Koran asked. "He's fairly well-guarded in the palace, and he's extremely paranoid. Getting in will require an assault. I don't think he cares about this planet or its people and will gladly turn it into his battlefield if he needs to."

"As I said, Koran Darr," Raxis said, while looking about. "The Remnants and the New Republic are going to collide here soon."

"Is anyone preparing evacuation plans?" Koran asked. "Will any effort be made to take the battle out of the inhabited areas of the planet? Or are the civilians meant to fend for themselves during the fighting?"

"You'd better believe it!" Raxis snorted. "Civvies tend to get in the way of everything, and I wouldn't hold it against the Empire to try and use that to their advantage."

"I will take this information to the Council and we will see what help we can render," Koran said. "Unfortunately, I can't offer much since there are so few of us. We will do as we can to drive back this new Empire though."

"What are your feelings on letting the New Republic knowing of your existence, then?" Raxis queried.

"I see no reason to hide the existence of the Jedi any longer," Koran said. "Though, I don't wish to go broadcasting it on any of the news networks. We will openly assist the New Republic in liberating Tae'Karada."

A thin smile crossed Raxis' lips as he fought the urge to chuckle. He didn't even think he had to bother asking Koran if he'd seen or heard of their pirate broadcast. Regardless, he found it strangely hilarious to see the Jedi console him about his prank against the Empire.

"Ok, well that sounds good, Koran. I'll let them know that you're down here. I've been put in charge of the operation here in the city, so we'll all be amassing together," Raxis said, lighting a new cigarra. "Can you get all of your people here into town?"

Koran nodded. "Those of us that I can commit to this," he said. "Yes I can. However I will try to enlist everyone's assistance. Some won't be much help in a fight, but they can serve in other capacities."

"Understandable." Raxis nodded in agreement. "I'm figuring that there will be a lot of help needed for evacuation."

"As long as you understand that we are not soldiers," Koran added, "I think everything will be fine. We will help in whichever capacity we can. Liam and Laedra will be returning soon, and the three of us can help coordinate."

"That sounds like a good idea. Personally, Koran? It's going to be a warzone inside of the city. I'm thinking that right now the best place for the Jedi would be to assist in the evacuation, to make sure that the civilians are safe as they're being evacuated," Raxis said quietly, pacing. "However we'll need to get all of us together to discuss this. What's the time frame we're dealing with? Can you get them here within a few days?"

"I can't get them," Koran said. "They'll return on their own schedule. They were called away on an emergency to Corellia. I'm hoping they won't be gone more than a few more days. I can offer no guarantees though."

"Were are you planning on waiting for them then?" Raxis said gruffly. "Keep in mind that we have to be a little subtle about traffic congestion."

"I was going to be going off your timetable, Mr. L'Ygr," Koran said. "If they are here when this war starts, then they can assist. If not, then you will have to make due with what help I can provide."

"Well I currently have no timetable; we're still importing various minerals and employees," Raxis said matter of factly, leaning against the air conditioner. "I'll contact you when we have one week to go."

Koran nodded. "Very well. Contact me in the usual method. I have the means to access the messages that Liam has waiting for him. I'll have everything ready on my side."

Raxis gave a soft grin and a friendly nod before turning to walk away. "May the Force be with you, Koran Darr."

Koran bowed to Raxis, and then turned and disappeared off in the other direction. This would be an interesting turn of events indeed. He wasn't quite sure how the rest of the Jedi would take the news he would bring them, but this was a necessity.

---

"Motley Kin"
By: Syan Daywalker - Bounty Hunter
Zen Wayland - Mercenary/Smuggler
Also Starring NPCs:
Rijil, Karia, Alira, Lari
& The Dark Man

Location: Battlestriker Aryx
Date: Niothe 27, 4ABY

***

Zen Wayland stared out the viewport in the cockpit of the Aesir, watching the stars streak by. He had watched the stars like this on the Basilisk. The thought of his old ship brought a deep pang in his chest. That ship was one of his only links to his family he had left. His hand absently moved to the medallion on his chest. It was the only thing he had left.

He closed his eyes for a moment, taking deep breaths and letting them out. His attempts at feigning sleep were becoming a battle but he opened his eyes with effort and stared back at the controls. His thoughts were disturbed by the computer beeping. Time to get out of hyperspace. He pushed the levers forward and watched as the stars became small pinpoints again. He began plotting the next jump point when the proximity alarms started wailing.

It might have been a good idea to shout "Hang on!" or something similarly heroic, but frankly the thought never occurred to Syan to do so. Efficiency suffered somewhat since Zen was unaccustomed to working with him. And he, usually co-piloted by a droid, was unaccustomed to talking. The J-type transports had been manoeuvrable from the day they were designed. They had to be, given that they didn't come off the rack armed. Aesir was no exception, and had over the years been enhanced considerably.

Whatever had spooked the ship was big, much bigger than the ship could hope to handle on its own. He rolled the silver needle while Wayland angled the deflectors. Running his finger over a control pad, four orange lights blinked on and behind him he heard the servos lifting the guns out of their sunken mounts next to the engines. They had a nice big target to shoot at so he left them on automatic. Not confident he could fly sufficiently and operate them anyway.

The ship shuddered a moment, setting off alarms. Tractor beam, but badly timed. Aesir side-slipped and pulled out of the ephemeral grip. More alarms went off. Engines were pushed to redline but there was nowhere to run to. Not in open space. They just needed to put some distance between them and whomever was chasing them so they could jump to hyperspace. Light from a young star off in the distance washed into the cockpit, only to be chased away by shadow as their pursuer came overhead.

Syan was cursing freely by now. Twisting the yoke to port, he put Aesir into an aborted barrel roll that he pulled out of halfway. The ship cursed back now, screaming as the structure strained against the artificial G-forces. Straight down and away from the ship they fled.

This time the pursuer had a clear shot. A light fist gripped them, holding them fast. For a few seconds, Syan considered overloading the engines on the off chance they had enough thrust to get away. But he knew it would be a suicidal delusion. The tractor had them solid and he'd just risk blowing the engines, and possibly the ship.

Resignedly, Syan reached out and killed the two engines.

He looked over at Wayland, as uncertain as he himself was. "Find out who they are and what they want. I'm going to get my stuff."

Throwing back the arm of the pilot's chair, the bounty hunter rose and headed aft toward the cockpit elevator.

Zen grunted to himself and reached for the comm panel only to see it light up from an incoming message. His right eyebrow arched in curiosity as he tapped the button.

"This is the Battle Striker Aryx. Please do not resist. We mean you no harm."

"Nice way of showing it, lady," Wayland replied to the glittering voice. It sounded angelic, but there was something else to it. The way it echoed. It sounded hollow somehow. There was just something odd to it. "What do you want?"

"My lord wishes to speak to you and your companions, Mr. Wayland." The use of his name almost knocked him out of his chair. How the hell did she know who he was? Not to mention the rest of them. Apparently, the speaker sensed his unease. "Yes, we know who you are. We have taken great pains to find you. The Aesir will be docked in Hangar Bay 1. Do not dawdle, Mr. Wayland. Make sure all your companions are ready."

"Yeah, sure..." Zen cut the communication and left the cockpit. With the ship being in a tractor beam, it wasn't like he had to be there anyways. Rijil and Alira met him outside the cockpit.

"What the holy hell is going on?" the large bald man stammered as he fixed the dual blasters he wore on his thighs. "The spook said something about an Imp ship?"

"Stop calling him a spook, will ya?" Wayland gestured for them to walk with him as he headed for the rear ramp. "It looks like an Imp ship alright. Never saw one like that though. It's not Imperial run, that's for sure. Too damned polite."

When Syan returned, he had Karia with him in new clothes purchased on the Starbourne Oasis. The comfortable shipboard clothes were gone, replaced quickly with his normal tools of the trade. Once again he was dressed in black with his characteristic visors and a deeper than normal scowl.

Most would say that given the ease at which this unseen enemy had captured them it might be smart not to try to tick them off, but Syan was a tough barve and never intimidated. Especially by a voice over the comm.

Karia gripped his free arm slightly as he reached over to sheathe his katana. "Do you have something for me to carry?"

Syan sheathed the blade properly and released the grip. "Why?" he asked curiously.

"In case shooting starts, hunter. You'll need every woman you can get."

He frowned. "How good are you with a gun?"

"Almost as good as I am with a lock pick," she smirked. Her silver eyes were glittering with remembered mischief. But her position was solid, so he reached inside his coat and drew out a small holdout blaster. She tucked that into her sleeve and smiled at him.

Satisfied that she was satisfied, Syan approached the head of the group and keyed the ramp down. To Zen, he asked, "Are these friends of yours, Wayland? Or enemies. I heard the comm. Seems they know you."

"Beats the hell outta me," Zen said.

"I don't like that they know me and know my ship and I don't know a damned thing about them. That gives them the advantage." He turned, speaking to each of them in turn. "Keep your eyes open, all of you. Don't think that anyone is safe - especially if they smile a lot. That just exercises the biting muscles."

"Don't ya just love it how he just takes charge?" Rijil whispered to Alira, sarcasm heavy on his breath. She just rolled her eyes.

From inside he could already see the shocktroops arrayed beyond the ramp. None of the weapons were aimed directly at them, but the way they held them wouldn't make it hard for that aim to shift. The men and women were well-trained, that much he could tell by their bearing and the dispassionate and analytical way they watched the Aesir group as they descended the ramp.

Since Wayland seemed to be the one they really knew, Syan fell back a few steps, keeping one eye on the welcoming committee and one roaming for options.

Lari watched the small group clamber down the Aesir's ramp. She withheld the reactionary smile as she saw them look around. No doubt they would see how outgunned they were, just in case they decided to cause some havoc. But if the risk wasn't there, her lord wouldn't have had gone all to the trouble of finding them to begin with.

"Welcome to the Aryx," Lari said, gesturing with both hands to the ship around her. "Come with me."

She led them out of the hangar bay, to the nearest turbolift. The sheer size of it was made to haul cargo and the such from the hangar to other decks, but it also allowed the entire group to comfortably fit inside without the close proximity that might cause someone to unnecessarily draw a weapon. She saw Mr. Wayland look curiously at the guards as they stopped, not following her into the lift. Truth be told that she didn't need them. They rode quietly, with the occasional crude comment from the one known as Rijil. She could hear Alira giggling at each remark.

The doors slid open and they spilled out into the wide corridor. The walked the ten meters to the highly ornate doors of her lord's throne room. As she neared they slid open as well, letting the shadows of the throne room spill out. It was darker than usual, but she could see her master's chair and he was already sitting in it. She saw that flash of penetrating eyes, and if she had been anything but a replicant she probably would have shivered. Already standing in the room was Prince Shin Qhan.

"Ay, my dear Lari. I see you have brought my other guests to me," the dark man said, his voice deep and gravelly. "Welcome."

The muscles in Syan's jaw twitched twice as he clenched his teeth. "Save the salutations, I want to know why you have my ship in your bay."

Qhan, prince of a world lost to the Empire, kept his hands cupped lightly behind him but turned to face the speaker. "You should learn restraint, friend."

Syan's eyes fixed on him and he seethed, "I ain't your friend, and I wasn't talking to you."

If the vehemence in Syan's voice had any effect on Shin Qhan he didn't show it. "Nevertheless, my point remains the same. Since you were so easily captured and brought aboard by force, it would be unwise for you to face that force directly now without the protection of your ship, bounty hunter."

There was a small bit of acid in the prince's voice when he mentioned Syan's occupation. "Do I know you?" the bounty hunter asked.

Qhan tilted his head slightly. "No, but I know of you. Or rather, of your type. Ruthless, murderous, and without morals. The Empire hired many of your kind to hunt my people on Concord Dawn."

A thin reptilian smile stretched across Syan's lips. "You're one of those inbred bluebloods from Concord Dawn, eh? I was there, caught a few and got paid well for it. Shame I didn't catch you though. Of course, the statute of limitations is eternity when it comes to the Empire's enemies. I'll get paid less, but that's all right."

Qhan opened his mouth to say something but the motion of a lifted hand at the ersatz throne cut them off.

"I doubt you'll get paid anything at all, my dear Mr.Daywalker." The voice filled the room with its presence. "You see the Empire and its remnants will not last the next decade. They will never pay you. However, I will."

The holo projector flared to life, filling the room with displays and numbers marking currency and prices. An image of the Aryx itself, with an assortment of smaller ships, including the Aesir was displayed.

"My proposition is that you work for me. All of you. You will be paid handsomely for each task you perform. You will be granted residence onboard the Aryx, ship repairs and weapons acquirement. You will find all of my facilities quite comfortable."

Prince Qhan spoke up now, for the first time directly facing the shadowed figure. "I came at your invitation because it said we would be going up against the Empire."

"Your bounty hunter here has worked for them in the past, that much he's admitted to already. And I know nothing of his accomplices." His hand uncupped and fell loosely at his sides. "I will need assurances that any work I do for you will hurt them, and hurt them badly. If not, I would take my leave and go back to my own pursuits."

"You'd never hurt them enough by yourself," Karia spoke up, her words carrying a certain sadness. "I've tried."

From beside her, the bounty hunter looked down at the former prostitute and then faced the Dark Man again.

"I have already told you, Prince, that I have every intention of destroying what part of the Empire I can. But my reasons are my own. This is not a group of vigilantes or terrorists. Nor are we a secondary branch of the Rebellion," the mystery man said, keeping voice steady and even. However, his annoyance was obvious. He wasn't used to repeating himself. "At any rate, all of you have a better chance of surviving as part of my organization than you do on your own. You need me as I need you."

"Who are you?" Wayland said, speaking up for the first time. He took a step forward which seemed to cause a disturbance. The woman known as Lari also took a step forward as she was going to step in between them, and the living shadow seemed to sit up straighter. "You look like you have enough people to do your bidding. Why do you need us?"

"Simple, Mr. Wayland. I need the best. Your group is, or should I say, will be the best."

Syan looked at Zen and then stepped up beside him. "Maybe it's time you tell us what it is we're supposed to do."

---

"Troubled Stranger"
By: Jack Black

Location: Thanatos
Date: Niothe 27, 4ABY

***

Jack walked through the dusty streets of Thanatos, his hood pulled up high. He had suspected trouble in town when he had seen the hanging, beaten body of a stormtrooper. He had not been disappointed. The streets were rife with violent acts against the Empire. Jack had to admit that he felt sympathy towards the Empire. They were a strong force, though they lacked good leadership, that was the only problem.

Jack looked at the broken glass that lined the street. An Imperial commander who knew how to handle people wouldn't have let this happen, even in the slum areas. The R4 unit banged against the back of Jack's cloak. He turned sharply and used his staff to knock the Astromech, who beeped quietly.

The streets were almost empty; those who walked them were visibly armed. Jack decided to find an area that he could take refuge in, at least for the moment. His eyes scanned the streets for a bar. He located a likely looking place and made his way to the door.

Inside there was no music. Thick acrid smoke hung in the air like a veil. Several groups of people sat in small huddled clusters around the bar. Jack walked in bold as brass, playing it cool. The bartender looked up. He was a Calamari. One eyestalk had been blasted away a long time ago.

"What can I get you?" he asked in his gravelly, bubbly voice.

"Sepharine Water," Jack ordered, knowing that the Calamari would be surprised by the choice since it was generally only known to Mon Calamari. Jack took the drink to one side then leaned across the bar. "I see you've had some trouble here. Would anyone around here be interested in purchasing some hardware?"

"Depends. People around here are not willing to buy off total strangers in case it's an Imperial trap," the Calamari pointed out, wiping a glass with a rag that was possibly the most disgusting thing Jack had ever seen.

"I've got respect for the Imperials but no love for them. Who's the top weapons trader in these parts?"

"I'm just a simple bartender." The amphibian smiled. "But if some one comes in who looks like he's your man I'll put him in your direction."

"So kind," Jack replied, snatching his water from the bar. He walked over to corner seat and slumped back. It would be nice to have a moment's rest from his brother.

Jack looked at the rest of the bar. Many people had eyed him suspiciously when he had walked in, though that was usual for any bar where you weren't known. No doubt many of these people would have prices on their heads. Jack let his guard down for the first time that day and savoured the taste of the drink.

A squad of stormtroopers barged into the room. It almost caught Jack offguard, yet the white armor gave him enough warning. He pulled his blaster free from its holster and held it under the table. However, the troopers weren't after him or indeed anyone in the bar. They walked around taking a look at everyone, then marched straight out. The bartender walked over to Jack and began to wipe the table.

"What was that about?" Jack asked the Calamari

"Just a standard search. They've put the city under a trader's blockade trying to end the smuggling that goes on here. Not much good it's doing. It's inciting a rebellion in a previously neutral area."

"The problem with the Empire. They don't know when they're on a winner. It would have been so easy to make this town work for them yet they try and enforce their laws too tightly," Jack mused.

"There's going to be a lot of bad news in this town in the next few days. You chose a bad time to arrive," gurgled the red-skinned fishman.

"On the contrary. For my business, we chose the perfect time to arrive." Jack smiled, finished his drink, and ordered a second, then relaxed for a long wait for anyone who might need weapons.

---

"Welcome Acceptance"
by Raeila Mullerin
Kael Selrid
Dani
Nieme Yaresh-Selrid
Koran Darr
and Orn Gham [NPC]

Location: Jedi Temple, Tae'Karada
Date: Niothe 27, 4ABY

***

If she'd been shocked by how extremely diametrical New Plouton's environment had been to the desert's, the forest's was overwhelmingly so. Raeila had never seen so much vegetation in one place at one time. In the desert, there was the odd prickly cactus or desiccated grasses, but nothing compared to what now surrounded her. The trees seemed to brush the clouds as they scuttled across the lavender sky; she'd gasped and buried her face into Kael's back many times, believing the thick trunks would be unable to support the trees against the strong breeze that swayed them. Kael had assured her they were quite sturdy. Still, he didn't seem to mind her clutching tighter to him and pressing herself more firmly to his back. In fact, he seemed to enjoy having her so close, especially with how near they had come to being separated forever. Raeila vowed never to take such drastic measures again, but she knew she wouldn't, not with Kael in her life now.

"Are we almost there?" she shouted at him above the ambient noise of the wind and thrusters.

"Just a little more," Kael called back. "Two more twists, and then a sharp turn. You're going to love it!" As he pushed the speederbike onward, he brushed a hand over hers as she clung to him. Oh, he never wanted to be separated from her again. For any reason.

Raeila yelped and jerked forward against Kael as he precariously veered out of the path of an inconveniently placed tree, but after her initial fear, Raeila laughed and bit Kael's neck playfully as punishment. "You're trying to scare me!"

Kael laughed. "Oh no," he said. "There's so many other things I could do to scare you. I'm just trying to not hit anything!"

"Well, I guess it's only fair after the stunt I pulled today. So, my love, scare me as much as you like." She giggled and brushed her lips against his ear. "Just don't expect to get any tonight if you do."

"Oh, no more scaring," Kael said with another laugh. He brought the bike around the final bend, and then they were in the clearing before the Temple. It stood tall and proud above them. Kael smiled and then glanced back at Rae. "There it is."

As apprehensive about arriving at her new home as she was, Raeila couldn't help but be awestruck at the majestic, yet simple beauty of the domed structure before her. It held an air of sacrosanctiity and wonderment that even the trees seemed to recognize; not one invaded the clearing where the Temple rested as if observing a sacred ritual of respect for this place she knew must have been blessed by the gods.

Then, there was the water. Raeila had never seen a waterfall in her life, let alone that volume of water concentrated in one place. She wondered where such an inexhaustible amount of pure water could have come from. Being a Kir'Thana, and believing the earth provided all, she merely surmised that the rich soils beneath their feet were responsible for the bounty. Wherever it had come from, it had made Raeila now speechless.

Kael turned in his seat to regard Raeila, smiling at her reaction. "It's beautiful isn't it," he said. "There's so much I want to show you here. Do you want to go inside first? Or should we walk around outside? You're going to love it here, Rae. Even with as beautiful as the desert is, this place is amazing. I could never give up the sands of my home forever, but I feel like a part of me belongs here now, with all this life. And, I want to share it with you."

"And I want to see it," Raeila finally said, although somewhat breathlessly. Her wide eyes finally regarded Kael after taking in the overwhelming sight before her, and as nervous as she was about potentially being rejected by the others, and Orn, she was also excited to see what her new home looked like from within.

As Kael helped her down off the bike, Dani and Nieme's swoop shot out into the clearing, shattering the tranquility of the moment. She almost glowered at them for showing such lack of reverence towards an obviously sacred place, but any annoyance she felt was quelled by merely looking upon the Temple again. "It's no wonder you were so determined to finish your training," she said to Kael. "I wouldn't be too eager to leave this place either."

Slipping his arms around her, Kael gently kissed her throat. "With you here with me, there's nothing that could distract me away from here. There's a waterfall, Rae. Water just seemingly falls from the sky into a pool at the bottom. It's the most amazing thing. And, you can swim in it and drink it. Dani and Nieme spend a lot of time down at the waterfall. So, if you ever see two naked girls running through the forest, you know."

Raeila looked again at the waterfall in the distance, then kissed Kael happily. "I think I'll like living here, Kael. I hope they let me stay."

"Me too," Kael said softly. "Because I like living here too."

"What do you mean?" Raeila asked quizzically.

"I don't want to be without you again," Kael said softly. "I can't do it. So, we'll have to make sure they accept you here, Rae. Just like Dani has, and Nieme's coming around to. We'll make them see you're not a bad person. Everything will be alright."

"Kael, you're not leaving the Temple. If they don't allow me to stay here, you're not giving up all this to follow me. Do you understand, Kael?" Raeila gave him a stern look, but she couldn't hold it for long before she smiled at him. "We'll work it out, Kael. Don't worry."

He kissed her. "I'm not worried," he said. "I think they'll love you here. But not as much as I love you. We'll make it work here, my love."

"How'd you beat us?" Dani asked as she walked over to them.

Kael grinned. "The two of you stopped on the side of the path to make out. How do you think we beat you here?"

"You cheated?" Nieme offered with a shrug.

"Kael's not a cheater," Raeila said in his defense. "He likes to call it 'craftiness.' "

A laugh escaped Kael's lips. "You had your hand up her shirt and she had her tongue down your throat," he said. "Don't deny it you little minx. Besides, we had about a two minute start on you."

"Well, I could've beat you if I was driving." She kissed Dani and said sweetly, "No offense, my love."

"None taken," Dani said with a grin. "I would have been really fast if I weren't so scared about you falling off the swoop. And, then when you had your hands going down my-- Ow, stop that." She giggled, and then they were tangled in each other's embrace again. "I could have won and you know it Mr. Smarty Jedi."

Kael could only laugh. "I'm so glad I have Raeila here now to protect me from your insanity. I can't imagine how Master Darr keeps the two of you calm. You're both wilder than a Thalan razorsnout."

"It's Dani's fault," Nieme protested as she wrestled to keep Dani's hands from sliding under the back of her tunic. "She's got those pheromones and every time I kiss her--" She yelped and stumbled off balance as Dani's hand changed course and slipped into the back of her pants. "Hey! That's not fair. Your arms are longer than mine."

"So's my tongue," Dani said with a giggle. "Stop telling everyone my secrets or you'll really get some punishment. Oh, and I think someone didn't put on any underwear again!"

"Dani!" Nieme flushed with embarrassment and staggered backwards as she broke from Dani's embrace. All modesty disappeared, however, as she shot her lover a suggestive smile. "Care to find out for certain?" Before Dani could reply, Nieme squealed with laughter and darted into the Temple.

"Bye," Dani said quickly to Raeila and Kael, and then raced off after Nieme into the Temple.

Kael couldn't contain his laughter anymore. "Oh gods those two," he said. "It's amazing how perfect they are together, and how much they love each other."

"Is it though?" Raeila asked as she glanced at him pointedly. "Not so amazing when you consider how much we love each other."

Kael grinned and then looked at her. "Not at all," he said. "Come on, I want to show you the waterfall." He held out his hand for her to take.

Raeila accepted without hesitation and started off into the forest with Kael. "You're stalling, aren't you?" She shook her head and laughed softly. "You're afraid they'll reject me so you're delaying bringing me inside so you can gather the courage to ask."

A look of shock passed over Kael's face. "No! No, that's not it at all. It's just that the waterfall is so amazing and wonderful...and watery. I just wanted to show you that before we go inside. I'm not stalling at all. When we're done here, we're going to walk proudly into the Temple for you to be welcomed."

Raeila laughed and kissed Kael's cheek. "Okay, my love," she said in a mildly patronizing tone. "Anything you say, my arozeil."

"You don't believe me!" He stopped and turned them around. "Waterfall will wait," he said. "It's time for you to meet some people. Come on."

Raeila skipped alongside him excitedly and giggled. "They'll like me, Kael. Trust me. I have very good people skills. It's a must in my line of work."

Kael laughed. "Well, I think you have some skills you'll want to avoid trying out here, my love," he said. "At least, on anyone but me." He gave her a sly wink, and slid a hand down to her backside. "I want you to meet Koran Darr. He's the best Master here. He's Nieme and Dani's Jedi Master, and he's perfectly fine with them being together. Oh, we'll meet everyone. Laedra and Liam aren't here right now. And, Jae Dyn and Yelara are gone too. But, the others will be happy to meet you!"

"Oh really?" Raeila chuckled dryly. "Alright, Selrid, spill it. What am I not supposed to be telling them? Is the whole prostitute thing off-limits? I don't know how successful we'll be in keeping it a secret with Nieme and Dani around."

"Oh, no, it's not off-limits," Kael said. "I don't mind if people know. It's alright. I don't think there's anything that we can't say. Well, other than things we normally wouldn't say."

"So...you won't be ashamed if they know what I am?" Raeila looked up at Kael. "You're not ashamed now, are you?"

"No, Raeila," he said. "I'm not ashamed. But...but, would it be wrong of me to not want to share you like that anymore? Would it be possible, Raeila? Just you and me, and we can get by. Is that possible, my love?"

"But it's my job, Kael. It's not really me sharing myself with other men. It's just me doing my job." Raeila's face flashed with concern. She knew this day would come eventually. "You're asking me to give up my job?"

"Only because you do your job at night usually...and I was hoping to be able to have that time with you. How could I sleep at night knowing that you're not with me, and wouldn't be until I had to wake up in the morning? And...and part of it is that I don't really like the idea of you being with all these other guys. I can deal with that though, Rae. It's the not having you with me though. That will hurt."

Raeila sighed, and with what she'd gone through recently, she empathized with Kael's position. After all, being separated from him had driven her to suicide. "I don't know how to do anything else though," she said. "I mean...how will I make any money, Kael? I would give anything to be only with you, to be in your arms all night, but we need money."

"Maybe we can find other ways to make money," Kael said. "I'm sure there are things we can do, and do together. And, maybe we can get the Jedi to pay for you working here. You'd have food, and a place to sleep, and we could make money to buy things that we need and want. Maybe that could work." He kissed her. "We have time to figure it out, my love. I think we can make it work that way... Does it sound like it?"

"Well," Raeila began slowly, "it would be nice not to have to be with smelly, disgusting, strange men." She chewed her lip pensively. "Do I have to decide now, Kael? I mean...I can even work in the day for now, when I go into the city. If we find some other way, I'll stop, I promise. Is that enough, my love?"

Kael leaned close and kissed her again. "Maybe you won't have to work for a bit," he said. "Liam's not here, but awhile back he gave me a credit chip to get some things in the city." He pulled it out of his pocket and showed it to her. "I don't think we need much of an income right now, my love."

Raeila's eyes fixed on the chip and she grinned. "Still paying your way with other people's creds?" She kissed Kael briefly and laughed. "That's the Kael Selrid I know. But, you're right. I don't need to work right away. I can stop for a while, and if I need to, I can start working again. Better?"

"Much better," he said as he kissed her neck. "And, it will be even better if you never have to work again. We can just stay together always, and I can make you feel like a princess with my stolen money...borrowed money. My sira'zeil." He pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

Raeila sighed happily. "Come on, my prince. You have to introduce me to the rest of your friends. Enough with the flattery for your arozeil."

Kael laughed, and then they rushed up to the doors of the Temple. "I'll introduce you to Koran Darr first. He should be in one of the training rooms. This way."

Raeila's eyes darted about the high-ceilinged corridor and she felt herself cowering against Kael. "It's so intimidating. I mean it looks big on the outside, but it's even bigger from in here!"

"It is," he whispered. "It's stood for thousands of years. They've checked the structure, and it's as solid as the day it was built. It's really amazing. You should see my room."

She chuckled and shot Kael a suggestive smile. "I can't wait."

A large set of double doors loomed ahead of them. From within, the sound of several practice remotes clashed with the sound of a single lightsaber. As Kael pushed the door open, Koran Darr was inside. His hair had been pulled back and he wore only his tunic, trousers and boots while he danced between the four floating spheres. His movements were graceful, and far more agile than a normal human being could make. Each shot the remotes fired met his lightsaber, and as each second passed, both remotes and Jedi seemed to increase in speed.

"Wow," Raeila whispered. "He's almost as good as you, Kael." She grinned at him.

Kael smiled and slipped his hand into hers. "I'm not that good yet," he said. "But, I think I am close. Before he and Laedra left, I heard Liam Zaneth saying that I'm nearly one of the best here with the lightsaber."

"I bet you are," she said proudly. "The things you did today...and you moved so fast... I doubt many people could ever do that."

"Kael," a voice from the center of the room called out.

Kael's head snapped around to the Jedi Master who was now approaching them. "Master Koran Darr," he said. "This is my arozeil, Raeila Mullerin. She's going to be staying here at the Temple with us for awhile if that's alright. Her home is in the desert. And...and she is my chosen."

Koran nodded, and then turned to Raeila. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Raeila."

"You too, sir...Master," Raeila replied softly. "It's good to be here. I really like this place. It's one of the prettiest places I've ever seen."

"It's a very beautiful place," Koran said. "It's very alive here. You are welcome here, Raeila." He smiled. "Welcome to the Jedi Temple. I imagine I don't have to ask about accommodations considering that you are Kael's Chosen."

Raeila's cheeks warmed to a rosy complexion as she shook her head. "No, I'll be fine. Thank you for letting me stay here. I promise not to be a problem."

"You're welcome, Raeila," Koran said. "And, you may call me Koran if you'd like. I don't like the practice of making those outside the order use our titles. It is a form of respect to use the title, and not one I require in what is essentially my own home. However, Kael still has to call me Master Darr."

"Yes, Koran," Raeila replied. She glanced sidelong at Kael and grinned. "I'll make sure he does."

Kael laughed. "Stop flirting with my arozeil," he said with a wide grin, and then quickly added, "Master."

"You'll have to come by sometime when Kael is training in here," Koran said. "I'm sure you will be very impressed with one of his practice sessions."

Kael felt his cheeks going red.

"I will, Koran. I've already seen him in action and I must say, I've never seen anything like it." Raeila smiled at Koran and quickly added, "Until I saw you practicing. You were very good too. I know Kael wants to be a Jedi Master like you one day. I think he can do it. I know he can."

"All he needs is faith in himself like you have for him, and he'll get there. He's off to a great start already, that's for certain."

Kael smiled and wrapped his arms around Rae. "Thank you," he said. "I feel more confident than I've ever felt before."

Koran smiled and clapped Kael on the shoulder. "You're getting there."

"We should probably get going," Kael said. "We'll see you later, Master Darr."

"Have a good day, Kael. It was very nice to meet you, Raeila."

"You too, Koran." Raeila waved back at Koran as she and Kael moved off down the corridor again. "He's handsome," Raeila commented. She cast another glance back at Koran and smiled. "Are you sure I can't take on customers at the Temple?"

Kael laughed. "I don't think he has any money," he said.

"Hmm..." Raeila frowned and once more looked over her shoulder at Koran. With a sly grin she said, "I don't think that will be a problem."

"As soon as our tour is done," Kael said with a laugh, "I'll make you forget all about him."

Raeila's attention returned fully to Kael as she leaned over and kissed him tenderly. "Already forgotten," she whispered.

"Come on," Kael said. "Let's go meet Masters Quinlan Vos and Kal'Aran." He took her hand and started off towards where he guessed the two Jedi Masters might be.

"Kael, do you think--" Raeila was unable to complete her question, not with the deep, severe voice that reverberated across the walls of the corridor, calling her name. She knew the voice, and detected clearly the scorn and bitter resentment in it that identified it as Orn Gham's. When she looked ahead, her suspicions were validated.

Raeila's hand tightened around Kael's and her body stiffened as he approached them with heavy, lumbering footsteps and a murderous look in his eyes. "Oh Kael," she whispered nervously, "I don't think I wanna do this. Please don't make me do this."

Kael quickly moved to put himself in front of Raeila. He met Orn's gaze as he approached, though he wasn't certain the man even saw him. "Orn," he said in his most commanding voice. "Things have changed. She's not here to hurt anyone. She's even made up with Nieme and Dani."

The burly, corpulent man continued forward, ignoring Kael completely and staring only at Raeila. "That little bitch deserves to be locked away in Throntas, along with her worthless brother. Get out of the way, Kael. I don't wanna have to hurt you too."

Kael's lightsaber was in his hand in an instant. He took a defensive stance and held the hilt of his weapon in a ready position. "Don't try it, Orn," he said. "Hurting her isn't the answer. And, you don't want to get hurt or worse over this. Don't make me stop you, and you know I can."

"Kael, no," Raeila pleaded. She placed a quelling hand on Kael's shoulder and found his eyes with hers. "Don't do this. Kael, please don't do this."

"That's right, Mullerin. You tell him," Orn said, his voice rich with contempt. "Don't let him stop me. You know you deserve what's coming to you. Did she even tell you what her and that brother of hers did to those girls? Did she, Selrid?" Orn stopped with only a foot between them and fixed his penetrating gaze upon Raeila. "They raped those girls, and worst of all, they forced me to hurt them. Me, dammit! I love those girls to death and she and her bastard brother pointed a gun to Nieme's head and made me do her on the floor of my own diner! And you wanna spare her life?"

Raeila closed her eyes tightly and turned away from Kael. If he was as disgusted as she felt, she knew she'd see it in his eyes.

"I do," Kael said through clenched teeth, his emotions reined in so tightly he could feel his body almost ready to snap. "I love her, Orn. I love her with all my heart, and she's changed. She's not that person anymore. She did it because of me. Because Nieme had taken me away from her. She was hurt and jealous, and didn't know any other way to act. She lashed out, and she's sorry for it. Can't you see how sorry she is? Dammit, I'm sorry, Orn. But, please don't try to take her away from me. Please, don't do that to me. Please?"

Orn kept his scathing glare upon Raeila, but finally transferred his gaze to Kael. His eyes beseeched him, but what made Orn stop short and reconsider his intended actions was Raeila's hand on Kael's shoulder, holding him back when with one stroke of his weapon, Kael could end the discussion permanently. Orn had no delusions that Raeila was protecting him from Kael; in all probability, she was keeping Kael from making a mistake he would regret for always. Either way, and as much as he hated to face that fact, Raeila Mullerin showed that she cared for someone other than herself. No completely bloodthirsty, merciless creature was capable of that. But Orn still couldn't stop hating her. "Just...keep her outta my sight," he conceded quietly. "If I catch her alone or if she even looks at me wrong, I can't be held responsible for what I do, Kael."

Kael nodded, unable to form any sounds with his mouth closed tight to hold in his emotions. He took a deep breath and let it out. Finally, after several breaths and a few moments, he nodded once more. "We'll stay out of your way," he said softly.

Raeila nodded slowly and repeated Kael's words in a barely audible whisper. Redemption was proving very hard to achieve.

Orn marched back down the corridor, but didn't get very far before he turned back around and pointed a stubby finger at Raeila. "You don't deserve a second chance, Raeila Mullerin. You should be grateful that Nieme and Dani are giving you one. You're scum and always will be. Never forget that."

Raeila's body trembled and silent sobs rose from her throat as Orn stormed away. Once he truly was gone, she looked up at Kael with a stream of tears running down her cheeks. "I shouldn't have come here. I'm not wanted. I shouldn't have come."

"He's upset," Kael whispered. "He's also an ornery, old, cantankerous grouch. You're wanted here, Raeila. By me. And, Koran is happy to have you here, and so is Dani. You're most definitely wanted, my love." He kissed her. "Don't let Orn's anger make you think any different. You do deserve a second chance; everyone does. He gave me one, and it won't be long before he gives you one too."

"Not today," she said. "Not even tomorrow." She passed the back of her hand across her nose. "He's right. I am scum. I've always been. Kael, what I did was horrible. I don't think you realize how much so. My love, you shouldn't forgive me. It's not right."

"Then I'm scum too, Rae," he said. "I've done horrible things. I killed a kid, kicked him to death in the sand because he wasn't wearing my colours. I nearly raped Nieme myself. It was all out of jealousy over Dani. I've done terrible things. But I'm getting a second chance here. I'm getting a second chance as a Jedi Knight." He took her hands into his. "And, you deserve a second chance, Raeila. You know what you did was horrible. That's a start. That you can recognize it as such shows that you know right from wrong, and now you just need to follow the right path. You're trying to be their friend. You're trying to be a good, decent person now. That's what matters, my love. That's what's important. I forgive you for what you've done because you deserve the chance that I had, to make something more than what you were. We can do this together, my arozeil. You and me, together."

Raeila took in a deep breath to settle her emotions. Kael's supportive words made her realize undeniably how lucky she was to have found him. With him by her side, she knew she could become better than she was, and the woman he was going to marry. "Together," she echoed quietly. She laughed and threw herself into Kael's embrace. "I'm gonna make something of myself, Kael. Gods, I love you. I'm gonna be a different person. I'm gonna do this for us, Kael, and to prove Orn wrong."

Kael smiled and kissed her deeply. Once he needed to come up for air, the smile was still in place, but he kept his face close to hers. "In the end, I think Orn will like being proven wrong." He sighed and held her happily. "What do you say we put the rest of the tour on hold, and I give you a tour of my room. I think I want to spend some time alone with you. Just you and me."

"I think I'd much rather prefer that. Even if it is just to fall asleep in your arms." She yawned involuntarily upon mention of sleep, but she shook it off with a laugh. "Almost dying certainly does make one tired."

Kael kissed her nose and smiled. "I hope to never find out what that feels like," he said. "Though, I'm looking forward to the feeling of you curled up in my arms. I can't remember the last time you and I just slept in a bed. It feels like it's been so long ago. What little I remember from when Dani and Nieme were there...I remember a bed, and you, and us making lots of love. And, then under the moons and stars." He kissed her once more. "I think we should get to that room now. I want to be lying in a bed with you as soon as possible."

Without wasting another moment, Raeila let Kael lead her away to what would be their shared room. She was glad he had convinced her to join him at the Temple, even though it had taken her even farther away from Ferrig. Raeila hid away her sorrow, not wanting to spoil the happiness she was finding with Kael. She had to piece together the portions of her life little by little or it would all collapse again. Once she had found acceptance at the Temple and true forgiveness for her actions, she could go back to the desert and receive the same from Ferrig. Until then, she would find the love she needed in Kael's arms and discover that even if absolution didn't come to her from all those she had wronged, at least she'd still have her Kael, her arozeil.

---

"Monochrome"
By: Syan Daywalker - Bounty Hunter
Prince Shin Qhan [NPC] - Journeyman
Also Starring NPCs:
Lari & The Dark Man

Location: Battlestriker Aryx
Date: Niothe 27, 4ABY

***

The large throne room cleared out, as Lari herded everyone to their respective rooms. The Dark Man waited patiently, the two men before him not so much. The doors slid shut leaving the three men in the relative darkness. The Dark Man steepled his fingers in front of his face before he began. He had high hopes for these two. He would not make the same mistakes he did last time. No not again.

"What I want you two to do, is to bring another man to me," the shadow said from his throne. "A man by the name of Tal Sythe. He will be a great ally to your future tasks."

Prince Shin Qhan and the other stood some three or four meters away from the Dark Man and from that distance, the lighting thoroughly clouded the man's features. Qhan could understand the need for secrecy, and his aristocratic background gave him experience with melodrama, but he thought it a bit much for the man to hide from people he had just hired. Letting it slide as something he could not change, Qhan smoothed out his white tunic and cupped his hands before him.

Patience was a commodity which Syan had found in decreasing amounts in the last hour. On the job, he was capable of waiting weeks for a target to be in a good position to be caught, but after being dragged on to this ship and having to deal with this parade of show, his legendary patience had swiftly worn thin. "Show me what you've got," Syan said, his tone cutting and demanding.

Qhan turned his head to look at the bounty hunter and began to say something. The words never came. He pinched his lips back together and faced forward again. If the hunter was stupid enough to get himself killed through rudeness, it was no hide off his dewback.

Somewhere in the shadows Syan could have sworn he saw a smile.

A pedestal about midway between the Dark Man and the two other men was topped with a holographic projector that lit up.

Syan stepped closer to read it.

Qhan was only a step behind. He read the gist and stepped back, leaning around Syan's larger bulk to look at the Dark Man again. "You want us to get you a Jedi?"

"That is correct." The words managed to echo themselves across the room nicely. "However, he hasn't reached his full potential yet. You two should be able to convince him of my offer. He already knows the details."

Syan found a place on the pedestal for a datacard and pulled one from his belt, inserting it to download the data. While it did that, he shrugged Qhan from behind him and returned to the middle position to face the Dark Man. "Hunting Jedi costs a lot of money. And the Empire pays very well for even untested adepts. Since you seem to know who I am, I'm going to assume you know how I operate. I'll need half up front and the rest when I bring him for you. If the difficulty goes up, the fee goes up."

"Half is already in your ship's cargo hold. I'd get going. He's quite the elusive one," the hidden man said, gesturing towards the door. It opened on command.

Syan turned back away from the Dark Man and retrieved the datacard with this Sythe's numbers on it. "I should have him for you in a few days, a week at the most."

"With my help, we can cut that down to a quarter," Qhan remarked, inserting his own datacard. "I believe our new mutual friend intends that we work together on this."

Syan faced the smaller man down. "I work alone."

Qhan smiled. You don't intimidate me, Qhan told himself. And it showed in his eyes and bearing. "The reports I got on you suggest you've been working with your friend Mr. Wayland for weeks now." Before Syan could protest he raised a hand. "Don't get jumpy, I'm sure by now your friends have been supplied with suitable dossiers on me as well. Once you read mine, I'm sure we'll understand each other."

Daywalker shrugged. He didn't like partners but he'd grown to tolerating their existence, for now. He'd make a killing off this creepy guy in the shadows and get his sister out of the Rebellion's clutches. Maybe buy a small moon where he could keep both of them out of trouble.

If this pompous idiot in the white happened to get killed trying to track the Jedi down, he wouldn't lose sleep over it.

"I have preparations to make. If you're coming, get a move on."

Prince Qhan smiled again and turned to face the Dark Man and bowed. "I take my leave of you..." He turned on his heel and cupped his hands behind him as he walked on after the bounty hunter.

Lari waited for them in the turbolift, her arms folded behind her back in a typical military at-ease stance. She nodded to them both, and traveled with them in quiet. She waited till they arrived at the hangar bay to speak.

"The coordinates for the planet Siroth have been downloaded into your ship, Prince Qhan." From the corner of her eye, she saw Syan Daywalker flinch. "That is correct, Mr. Daywalker. You will be using Prince Qhan's ship."

Syan met the woman's curiously dead-looking eyes. "You'd better have an answer for that that makes sense."

"Simple. My lord doesn't trust you. I suggest you deal with it." The replicant turned to look at them both. "I suggest you two learn to get along. Your talents will supplement each other."

"You expect him to supplement me?" Syan asked. A small laugh escaped his lips and he looked at the smaller man in his slanted eyes while still talking to Lari. "What's blueblood here supposed to do, send this Sythe guy gilded invitations, hoping he accepts?" Shaking his head and still laughing, Syan whirled and stepped out of the lift, heading toward where Aesir gleamed in the hanger lights.

True to form, Qhan was right behind him. "Really, Daywalker, I didn't think men in your profession made assumptions like that. I thought that underestimating people gets you killed."

"Dragging around people you don't need gets you killed too."

Realizing the bounty hunter wasn't going to stop or even slow for this conversation, Shin Qhan reached for and gripped his forearm. "Slow down...."

The movement was fast and explosively violent. Syan, in contrast, was utterly devoid of any emotion in his voice or eyes as he stood over Qhan, hyper-extending his wrist. "Get this straight, blueblood. I don't like to be touched. Ever," he said, voice flowing out like cold water.

"Neither do I." Qhan smiled tightly.

Qhan's stance shifted, moving the position of his legs to their opposites, giving himself leverage. Spinning his hand back toward his body, he broke the bounty hunter's grip and grabbed the hunter instead.

The first blow came before Syan had the time to react. The prince made a small, tight fist, extending his fore and middle knuckles halfway and lashed out, catching the axillary nerve cluster under the armpit and sending a cold, shooting pain down the length of the hunter's arm. The arm fell limp. Before Syan could step back to protect the incapacitated side, Qhan stepped through with a second punch that caught him in the floating ribs.

The strike forced Syan Daywalker back, nearly curling him over. He almost disbelieved that a punch that hard could come from a man Qhan's size. It was like getting hit in the side by a solid tungsten bar.

Ignoring the knotting pains in his side, Syan straightened and faced Qhan down again. "You're good."

Shin Qhan demurred, "As I said, you should not make assumptions about people you've only just met."

I won't make that mistake with you again, Syan told himself, looking at the man. You're tough, but you're not invincible, blueblood. Just have to stay out of arm reach and carve you up.

Qhan slipped back from his fighting stance and was once again the deprecating, quiet form he seemed before. "My ship's this way," he said, gesturing to the left.

"And my equipment's on my ship," Syan countered, continuing toward Aesir.

"Actually..." Lari spoke up, stepping in front of Daywalker. Her hand made a small gesture, stirring shock troops and armed droids from unseen areas of the hangar bay. They formed a solid barrier between them and the Aesir. "You have all the equipment you need for this task. I suggest you take leave now."

Syan did a quick mental count, sizing up the number and capability of the men, women, and droids arrayed around them. Twenty-odd guards, nearly as many droids. Very low probability of survival, even though they'd end up killing most of the competition in the crossfire. Without making any moves for the weapons already on him, Syan grinned his fangs.

"This place is a regular comedy club. First you try to pair a bounty hunter with his prey, and now you're making threats against your new employee." Syan's smile reached his eyes. "Cute."

Shrugging past her, Syan continued on toward his ship. "Shoot me if you want to, but I'm not going up against a Jedi without being properly prepared. Maybe blueblood can get him for you alone." On his approach, Eighteen lowered the ramp on Aesir and he gave her the all-clear to keep her from popping the ventral lasers and randomly killing the new client's guards.

"Let him go." Lari heard the voice only her head. Her lord's private communiqué. He had been watching, which wasn't surprising.

---

"Into Hiding"
By: Shrezade Anoran
Rilanna Kir
Cham [NPC+]
Hajne Toray [NPC+]

Location: Killambra, Riga
Date: Niothe 27, 4ABY

***

Rilanna opened her eyes and glanced over at Cham. The wookiee was staring out ahead of the scout as his furry hands glided smoothly over the controls. He glanced at her and woofed softly.

"Thank you," Rilanna said. "I think I needed it. You should get some sleep now too though. We'll be fine on the autopilot for a bit. The last course change went fine?"

Cham growled his assent and leaned back in his chair.

"Good," she said. "It'll keep them from following us, but it won't hold them back forever. If they're persistent, they'll be able to track us all the way there. I just wish we had my ship. They'd never find us."

Cham closed his eyes and sighed. He howled softly before slipping off to sleep.

Rilanna grinned and then turned her seat back to where Reza sat with Hajne sleeping against her shoulder. "We should be there in another hour," she said.

"Good," Reza replied softly. "I won't be able to catch any sleep until I've got a bed, and I must admit, I do need it."

Ril grinned. "Well, according to that chip you gave me, the beds where we're going are going to be very nice." She glanced at Cham and Hajne and sighed. "I don't know how long we'll be able to enjoy them though. It won't take them long to figure out where we've gone. I have no doubts they'll search all nearby systems. And, this ship isn't big enough for the four of us to dodge the Empire in. We need Riga to plan and recharge, but I don't think we can move in."

"And I don't think we can run forever." Reza sighed. "Why can't the Empire just fall completely? Where are these blasted rebels when we need them?"

"They're working at stopping Tarkin," Rilanna said. "I've heard half-rumours amongst the gossip, but I think they're there. We can stay ahead of them until the Rebels and the New Republic stop them. And, if they're too slow, then perhaps we can seek asylum with them...as a last resort. We can't let them take us, and I think at this point, they will want us both. I ordered my people against theirs. I flew the ship that got us out of here. I'm wanted just the same as you. But, together we can survive this."

Reza looked ahead at Cham, snoring and growling gently in his sleep. She then shifted her gaze to Hajne leaving a wet spot on her shoulder where drool was spilling from her painted lips. "They shouldn't be with us. It's not their fight. They only got caught in the middle because they chose their loyalties unwisely. It isn't fair that they should suffer too."

Rilanna nodded, hating the thought of parting from Cham. It was for the best though. And, he could watch after Hajne. Besides, splitting up would throw some confusion into the works. "I agree," Rilanna said. "When we get to Riga, I'll see about getting us another ship. Something with more firepower and better living quarters. I don't think either of them will like the idea, but we have to sell them on it."

"They'll leave them alone and focus on us if we do separate." Reza shrank away as Hajne twined her arm around Reza's, then pushed her thumb into her mouth. The woman annoyed her...but over the years, she had grown fond of her interesting quirks. "They're innocents in this. We should do what we can to protect them."

Rilanna nodded. "Yes," she said. "We have to keep them out of this. The Empire wants us. I won't have them being victims...I've had too many people close to me become victims. But, that's what I get for growing up the daughter of a Black Sun vigo. And, besides, they'd probably just take Dargie Jr. away, and then where would we be?"

Reza laughed, as low in volume as she could, but the tremulous shaking of her body still caused a minor disruption to Hajne's peaceful sleep. She whimpered and squeezed Reza's arm tighter; Reza suspected it was Dargie Jr. she believed herself clinging to. The metallic phallus was most likely in her dreams too. It would explain why she was sucking so enthusiastically on her thumb.... "We should try and contact Dargus," Reza said, since her mind was already on that topic. "He would be angry that the Empire's damaged his investment. I don't know if he'll aid us in any way, but it could be worth a try."

"I would think so," Rilanna said. "As soon as we can, we'll try to get a message to him. He used to own the station, I'm sure he still harbours some feelings for it. I'm sure he'll be willing to oust the Empire. Besides, he can't really use it like he wanted if we're not in control."

"Precisely." Reza shifted in her seat, but still didn't shove Hajne away even with as uncomfortable as she was. "We'll be alright for a while, though. I imagine getting the station habitable again is their top priority right now."

"Yes," Rilanna said with a smile. She could imagine that Dane wouldn't have liked the gassy surprise Shrezade had left for the Imps. "We might be able to have a couple day's on Riga. It'll give us all a chance to rest, and Hajne the opportunity to drool onto an actual pillow."

"Thankfully." Reza sighed softly as she rested her head back against her seat and gazed out upon the streaking stars outside. "I haven't been away from the station for five years. This will be the first vacation I've had since I took up the position."

"Hopefully we can get some vacation activities into your vacation," Rilanna said with a smile. "I think watching Dane Weyland being slowly turned over a firepit would be a nice activity." She looked around and laughed softly. "Too bad you couldn't grab an extra bottle of gin."

"I only had one hand free," Reza explained. "And besides, I had to keep my liquor cabinet stocked for when I return."

Rilanna grinned. "Well, I'm sure we'll have enough on Riga. This shuttle used to be Kandran's? From what I've heard, I'm surprised there's not a full bar and bed."

Reza chuckled. "Beds," she corrected. "He always was a scoundrel, though, a very charming one at times."

Rilanna laughed. "So, his charms never worked on you? I always knew you were a smart one, Shrezade Anoran. I just hope he doesn't expect much extra as payment for helping us. I know several things that will be promptly refused if he even thinks, let alone suggests them."

"He says he's never even flirted with me, but...." Reza smiled allusively. "However, he would not have succeeded with me either. I am eternally devoted to my husband. Always will be. It's what he deserves."

Rilanna nodded. "Well, even if you were to be with someone else, I think that Dargus Kandran would still taint what you had with your husband. I can't imagine him ever being serious in his...advances. From what I saw of him, he seems only interested in conquests, not anything lasting. I think for him, life is a one night stand."

Reza raised an eyebrow at Rilanna. "You seem to have Dargus Kandran pretty much figured out. Are you certain you haven't met him?"

"They still talk about him on the station," she said. "Especially some of the girls working the bars Downbelow. They seem to have quite vivid memories of him, and they like to talk. Listening is part of my job." A soft alarm started from up in the forward cabin. "Looks like we're coming up on Riga."

"How much longer?" Reza stretched her stiff neck from side to side. "I'm beginning to lose feeling in my lower extremities."

"I think that's because Hajne's got her arms wrapped around your waist," Rilanna said with a chuckle as she started forward. "We should be down in fifteen minutes."

Reza rose carefully so as not to disrupt Hajne's rest, and managed to escape her firm embrace without waking her. The girl didn't even make a sound when she slumped over sideways onto the area vacated by Reza; Hajne simply curled up into a ball and continued sucking on her thumb. "I've never been to Riga," she whispered as she came up beside Rilanna. "Have you?"

"Only on a quick stopover," Rilanna said. "I had to refuel my ship and stock up on some supplies. I didn't stay long though."

"I've heard it is a nice little planet. Heavily populated as well, which will make it more difficult for us to be found if Major Weyland happens to track us there."

Rilanna smiled. "I like that idea," she said and glanced back at Reza with renewed appreciation. "I hadn't thought of that, but you're absolutely right. You know, with both of us on this, I think we have a very good chance of making it out of this not only alive, but on top."

Reza grinned smugly. "That's where I've been all my life. I won't settle for anything else."

Rilanna returned Shrezade's grin. "When we get to Riga," she said, "you and I are going to share another toast. To being on top and the fall of the Empire." She banked the ship around a marker buoy and started in on a landing approach. It would take them around the planet once, and then they'd set down softly on the northern continent.

"Another drink?" Reza said. "Why, Rilanna, my dear, I do believe I'm corrupting you." She placed a hand on the girl's shoulder as her lips quirked into a shrewd smile. "Just as I would've done to my daughter if I'd ever chosen to have one."

"I'm certain you would have been a remarkable parent," Rilanna said. "Though, I'm certain she would have been hell on the station, especially during her teenage years. You'd probably hire me to retrieve her and bring her back at the end of the day."

"I would have hired you to teach her everything you know," Reza added. "No matter what your family was or how depraved they might have been, you are a fine woman, Rilanna. I am proud of you."

A flush of embarrassment washed over Rilanna's face. She gave Shrezade a gracious and accepting smile. "Thank you very much," she said. "It means very much to me to hear that from you." She reached out and touched her hand to Reza's. "I told you our friendship was a good thing."

A soft laugh came from Reza. "You did. Wise, beautiful, and you can fly a ship better than any pilot I've seen. It's no wonder Major Weyland fell so hard for you."

"Oh, and he's going to fall much, much harder when I get my hands on him," Rilanna said. "I'm going to pay him back tenfold for every scratch he left on my back. I guarantee when I get done with him he'll have no use for women ever again. Though, I won't hog him all to myself. I will gladly share him with my best friend."

Reza patted Rilanna's shoulder companionably as she chuckled throatily. "And I'd gladly help. I'm sorry I made you go through that, though. But, I don't remember telling you to sleep with the man."

"I had him fooled," Rilanna said. "He didn't suspect a thing. A lot of good it did us in the end though. Though, maybe I do have a chance with a secondary career as a seductress. I fooled one man, I'm sure I could fool others. I could play my charms and lure men to me." She laughed and shook her head. "I don't think it's really me."

"I really should not have put you through that, Rilanna," Reza repeated, more earnestly this time. "I'm sorry. I used you, in a way, and I shouldn't have."

"It wasn't that bad," Rilanna said. "He was a little rough, but it did feel good. It'd been a year and I hadn't really been touched like that in all that time, so...I got something out of it that I enjoyed...mostly. I just wish it were with someone I could have appreciated a little more. I won't say he was a bad lover since I don't really have the experience to know...but it got kind of scary at times. But still, when I was laying there afterwards, it was a nice feeling."

"Well...then I don't feel so bad after all." Reza sighed and looked back at Hajne monopolizing the rear passenger seat. "If Hajne doesn't mind, maybe you can borrow Dargie Jr., just so you'll never need a Major Dane Weyland ever again."

"The way she was clinging to it earlier," Rilanna said with a laugh, "I think she'd get jealous if I even looked at Dargie Jr. She'd get jealous the way most women would get if another woman were trying to steal their guy. I'll get by if I need to, but I managed for a year before. I'm not that desperate, but it is nice. I certainly won't die if I go without."

"Go a couple years without sex," Reza said with a knowing frown, "and you'll wish you were. Why do you think I drink so much?"

"Well, we'll see how well I do," Rilanna said. "I've got us clearance in the northern spaceport. That's closest to the house. I think we should sell this ship off as quickly as possibly, possibly through an intermediary. I'll start looking for a new ship, possibly two. One for us, and one for them."

"Good idea. Now, I'll go and find a place to sit for the landing...if Hajne would stop hugging the seat as if it were Dargus Kandran himself."

"At least she's just hugging the seats," Rilanna said with a smile and then returned her attention to piloting the small ship down to the planet's surface. "Their controller is putting us in the northern spaceport, about ten kilometers from our new temporary home." A low grumbling signalled Cham's return to wakefulness. "When you're awake, big guy, monitor our approach." A whiny moan broke her concentration for a moment, but she didn't spare a glance back toward Reza and Hajne. "Everything okay there?"

"What?" Hajne sat upright, rubbing her fist into her eye. "Dargie pooh? Where'd you go?"

"Hajne?" Reza sighed. "Go back to sleep, you fool."

"Oh, it's just you, Mrs. Anoran." Hajne frowned disappointedly. "Are we there yet?"

"Soon, Hajne. We're landing soon."

Rilanna piloted the small ship down with expert skill. She maneuvered through traffic over the city toward the expansive stone structure that was the spaceport on the northern edge of Killambra, the capital city of the northern continent. She brought the ship up and killed forward momentum just over their landing pad. She spun the ship around, aligning the exit hatch toward the main concourse, and as it dropped the final meters to the ground, she extended the landing struts. The ship settled easily onto the ferrocrete docking berth. She turned to the three others in the small craft and smiled. "We're home, kids."

"Oh, good," Hajne said with immense relief. "I really have to go. Oh, so very badly too."

Reza, as she continually was forced to do when listening to anything that came from Hajne's lips, rolled her eyes. "I should have left her on the station," she muttered.

Rilanna grinned back at Shrezade as Cham shut down all the systems on the small ship. "Come on," she said. "They've got to have someplace for her just outside. And, I want to grab a speeder to get us to the house. I also want to get in good with the spaceport crew here. I think having them on our side will be good in case the Empire shows up here."

Hajne moved to where her three companions were, with her empty box held in her open palms. She trepidly stood beside Cham, looking very nervous, yet determined. "Uh...sir?" She cleared her throat, a feeble squeaking sound. "Mr. Cham, sir?"

Cham looked down at Hajne standing at his side and made a questioning growl. His head cocked to the side as he regarded her. He looked at the open box, and then realized what she was looking for. If a wookiee could have given a sheepish look, Cham would have. He reached into one of the massive pockets of his vest, and pulled out the long cylindrical...toy and held it out to Hajne.

She barely stifled a giggle as she carefully pulled the metallic phallus from Cham's paw. "Oh, thank you, Mr. Cham," she purred. "I don't know what I'd do without Dargie Jr. Thank you for keeping him safe." Hajne set the phallus onto the velvet bedding in the box and closed the lid. "If you weren't so hairy, I'd give you a kiss, Mr. Cham."

Cham woofed a response, expressing that it really was no problem. He grabbed his bowcaster from where he'd hung it, and glanced outside the shuttle and then back to Hajne. He hummed and howled a series of words to her, but could see that she wasn't understanding him. He barked something to Rilanna.

"Yes, yes," she said. "Hajne, he says to be careful out there and not to stray too far. We all need to stick together."

"Well...why don't you come with me then?" She turned to where Cham was standing and gazed directly up at him. "You can escort me, Mr. Cham. I know I'll be safe then."

Cham looked between the three women, and finally made a sound that could have been yes. He put a hand on Hajne's shoulder and howled, careful not to frighten her.

"Oh, no, no, no, Mr. Cham." Hajne sighed as she picked his paw off her shoulder, then linked her arm with his. "This is how you escort a lady. They do it all the time in the holofilms."

Cham shot a questioning look to Rilanna who laughed. "You're doing fine, Cham," she said. As she and Reza started down the ramp, she leaned close and said, "Just hope we don't have a Chammie Jr. in a box soon."

Reza laughed and glanced over her shoulder at Hajne marching proudly down the ramp with Cham on her arm, though she had no doubt the girl was imagining Dargus Kandran in his place. "You know, this could be amusing," Reza said. "All of us living together, that is. I imagine we'll never run out of entertainment, especially with those two about."

"I just don't want to think too deeply about the two of them together," Rilanna said. "That's fine. Any more? I don't want to know." She grinned and used her chin to direct Reza's attention to a man approaching them. "Looks like a dockmaster. He might have a lead on where we can sell the ship, and purchase another."

"Be certain you can buy his silence before you deal with him," Reza cautioned. "The last thing we need is to come all this way only to be betrayed by a dockmaster with a loose tongue."

"If the tongue is loose, it will be cut out," Rilanna said quietly. When the dockmaster was close enough, she smiled. "Hi there. We're headed for the outskirts, and wanted to know how much to berth our little ship there."

The man, firstly, made a show of polishing his nails on his shirt as he sized up Reza. He did the same to Rilanna, but chuckled deeply as he decided he approved of her body. Once his green eyes fell upon Cham, all sign of humour disappeared from his sharply chiseled features and his expression hardened substantially. "Well, for you, 50 a night. If the creature's involved, it's a hundred. Those things are violent, criminal. Don't know what he's been in to and if I berth a ship he's been travellin' on, I could be an accessory. So, it's gonna cost extra for the trouble."

Rilanna smiled. "Oh, you don't have to worry about him," she said. "He's harmless, and he only gets upset at those people who try to hurt or cheat me. Now, I don't know if I really want to keep the ship. It's a little small for our needs anyway. We're looking for something a little bigger, and a little more defensible. There's a lot of pirates out there, and you can never be too careful."

"Oh," the man said with a curling grin. "You want to sell? Well, I can help you there." He watched Cham out of the corner of his eye and grumbled lowly. He'd have to give her a fair price now instead of the inflated one he was already mulling over. "How about a direct trade then? We've got a pretty little ship in the back. Runs beautifully. You give me yours, I give you mine...and you get to berth the little baby for free. Whaddya say?"

Rilanna smiled. "Do I get to look over your ship? I can tell you that one there has shielding like you wouldn't believe and damn powerful engines."

"Really?" The tall, burly man's smile only grew bigger and more sly. "Well, the free berthing should more than make up for the extra features of your vessel. You can take a look at the beauty if you want, but believe me, this is as fair a trade as you'll find around here."

Rilanna nodded. "Which direction to this ship?"

The man jerked his head to the right. "Ask for Olin. He'll show it to you. Just tell him Nec sent you." He winked at Rilanna and quickly glossed his eyes over her frame again. "Come talk to me after," he said, just for her. "We'll see what other business arrangements we can...negotiate."

Rilanna gave him a smile and nodded. "I'll see you shortly then," she said, and added with a purr, "Nec." With that, she led Shrezade off in the direction he'd indicated. They passed through an arched doorway and she glanced at Reza. "That was interesting."

"Quite," Reza replied with a sour frown. "I don't trust him though."

"Neither do I," Rilanna said. "I think he'd sell out anyone for the chance to make some credits. We'll have to play this very carefully. And, I'm not sure if I should trust this ship he's got either."

"Well, you can examine the ship, and if he's trying to cheat us, merely have Cham tear his arms from his sockets." Reza smiled, but there was no indication that she was at all joking.

Rilanna chuckled. "Well, let's take a look at this ship first," she said. "It could be the beauty he makes it out to be. Or, it could be a piece of space debris with thrusters. Do you know what to look for when purchasing a ship?"

"Absolutely no idea. You?"

"It was drilled into me when I was younger," Ril said. "I couldn't forget if I wanted to. We're both going to make a quick check of the ship, to save us time. So, get ready for a crash course in purchasing a ship." It took about ten minutes with the four of them standing before the door, but by the end of it, Rilanna had successfully conveyed the most important parts. Reza picked it up easily, Cham already knew it, and Hajne looked as lost as a Jawa in a herd of banthas. "Got it?"

Reza nodded and looked to Hajne. The girl stared dumbly at Rilanna with her jaw agape, and looking the perfect image of idiocy. "Yes," Reza said with a sigh. "We've got it, Rilanna."

Cham put a hand on Hajne's shoulder and howled a response that brought a smile to Rilanna's lips. She glanced between the wookiee and Hajne and shook her head. "Well, let's go. Hopefully this'll be what we're looking for."

The group entered the docking berth harbouring the ship and set in on assessing the ship according to their assigned tasks. Rilanna went straight for the engines, Reza went through the ship checking the hull for weaknesses, while Cham and Hajne went to the cockpit to perform a diagnostic on all ship's systems. After all had completed their assignments, they met outside of the ship. "So...what's the verdict?" Reza asked.

"The engines aren't as powerful as the scout, but with some tweaks, I think Cham can definitely give us the same speed out of them. I also looked over weapons and shields, and it's got more than enough for our needs. How'd the hull look?"

"As far as I can tell, it looks solid enough," Reza reported. "Cham? Was everything in order with the ship's systems?"

"Oh, you should've seen him," Hajne said. "He was masterful. I didn't know those paws could be so nimble." She looked up at Cham and giggled bashfully.

Cham gave a quizzical look at Hajne, and then cocked his head to the side. Rilanna would have sworn she'd seen a smile there. He broke out of whatever thoughts zipped around in his mind and turned to her. He gave his report quickly and finished it up with a soft rumble of appreciation for the ship.

Rilanna smiled and then glanced to Reza. "I think based on our reports, it looks like a good deal. I'll go talk to the dockmaster, the three of you see about arranging transportation to the house."

Reza gave Rilanna an amused smile. "I never thought I would tolerate being ordered around by anyone. I must really like you." She winked at Rilanna then waved Hajne and Cham along as she started out of the bay.

"I'll be as quick as possible," Rilanna said with a laugh. "And, I won't make it a habit of giving orders." Once they were gone, she turned and started back to meet with Nec. She found him just outside of the main office. "It's a nice ship. We're interested."

Nec flashed her a charming smile as he turned to face her. He couldn't help but study her finely shaped body once again. "You are, are you?" He chuckled and raked his fingers through his brown hair. "You mean the ship, don't you? Or...is it the other merchandise you're interested in?"

Rilanna raised an eyebrow. "Yes, the ship," she said. "Other merchandise?"

"Yes..." The man's smile faltered and he cleared his throat quickly. He really needed to refine his flirting technique. "Uh...the ship. Yes, yes. We'll exchange documentation and you can be on your way...." Once again, the grin he thought so dashing formed on his face and he leered at Rilanna. "Unless there's something else you wanted to look at."

Rilanna smiled at him and did her best eyelash batting she could manage. "Well, is there anything else around here I might be interested in?"

Nec looked momentarily discouraged, but Rilanna's sultry gaze gave him renewed confidence. "Well..." He swaggered close to Rilanna, still grinning at her. "There might be if you're not opposed to mixing business with pleasure."

"Oh, I would never be opposed to that," Rilanna said.

Seizing this as his opportunity to reel Rilanna in, Nec stepped aside and extended his arm towards his office. "Care to come in and discuss our business arrangements?"

"Certainly," Rilanna said as she slipped through the doorway toward his office. "I'm sure we can come up with something we'll both be very happy with, Nec."

The door closed and Nec didn't pause for a moment before placing his hands lightly on Rilanna's shoulders from behind. "I know a few things that'll make us both very happy, and all involve the use of my desktop."

Rilanna turned around and brought her hands to his chest. Her lips lingered so very close to his. "I've never used a desk in quite that way," she whispered. "Is it fun, Nec?"

"Oh yeah, baby." He slid his hands down to her waist and grinned lecherously. "Wanna try? I'll treat you really good." His hips brushed against hers, but it was the lump in his pants that made most of the contact.

"I believe you..." Rilanna suddenly thought of Hajne. "...Neckie Weckie. I bet you're really good at treating women right." She pressed her hips forward, against his erection. "You seem to be the kind of guy that would treat me better than anything." She brushed her lips against his, barely a touch, but still electric. "I want to try."

"Well." He slid one hand across her stomach, then down between her legs. "That's all I needed to hear." Nec closed the distance between their lips and kissed Rilanna clumsily and hastily. Clearly, he hadn't been close to many women as beautiful as Rilanna very often, and this wasn't a chance he was going to waste. "I'm on top, baby. I always am," he said as he began pushing them toward the desk.

"Oh, I could have guessed that about you," Rilanna whispered. "A girl like me likes that in a man." She let him lead them (though it was closer to shoving) to the desk, doing her best to keep them both on their feet. She reached up and slowly unfastened the catches holding her top closed, leaving much skin exposed to his hungry eyes. The bra she wore was cut to give her support, but it also managed to give her an impressive amount of cleavage. The look in his eyes told her he approved. She took the clasp between her forefinger and thumb, silently thanked whichever deities might be watching over her for front catches on bras, and twisted. The clasp popped open and dropped away to the side, exposing her to him.

His eyes fixed on the two supple mounds of flesh and soon his hands were sliding up her stomach towards them. He almost shuddered with excitement as he cupped her breasts in his palms and massaged them not at all delicately. He hadn't seen real breasts in a long while, and it had been longer since he'd touched a pair this beautiful. So for the moment, his mind was distracted from the reason he was pressing Rilanna against the edge of the desk, and instead focused on tugging and squeezing the perfect objects in his hands. "Oh, baby...." He took in a staggering breath as he felt his erection trembling in his pants. He was close to making a mess before it was due, but touching such a divine creature was almost as fulfilling as sex would be with her. "I sure am glad you chose this day to land in my spaceport."

Rilanna moaned for him and pressed herself further into his hands. "Oh, I am too," she said. "I don't think I've ever had a man who could touch me the way you do. Oh, it looks like you're ready to burst down there. Maybe, we should open you up a little down...oh, there we go. Oh, very nice, Nec." She looked down to where her hand had just deftly unfastened his pants. She'd need a shower later, but she knew this was the best way to ensure his loyalty. And, she was certain nothing Weyland could ever pay him could equal what she was about to give him.

Nec's breathing amounted to pants now as his excitement boiled over. Gripping Rilanna's breasts, her pushed her down onto the desktop, without even taking the courtesy of clearing off the datapads and other paraphernalia resting atop it. He kissed her again and frantically began driving his hips against hers, forgetting the minor detail of unfastening Rilanna's pants. "Oh, you're so good, baby," he said in a strained whisper. "You're gonna love this. I'll show you a real man."

"Oh, Nec," Rilanna said quickly, trying to keep the laughter from her voice. "I need to get my pants off if this is going to be good. Please, baby, slow down just a little." She reached down and stroked him with one hand, while she worked at her pants with the other. She leaned up and kissed him. "There's one huge favour you could do for me though, if you're up for it. The new Empire may come here looking for me... I said some things they didn't like, and they're really clamping down hard on that. And, they'll come here and take me away." She kissed him again, slower this time. "Will you give me a warning if they show up, my darling?"

Nec nodded his head rigorously, hearing Rilanna, but caring only about covering her lips with his again. He continued writhing erratically against Rilanna, still missing the mark. Her mouth was as wonderful as her breasts, so much so that his mind was addled to the point where he had lost the ability of rational thought. "I'll warn you," he promised quickly. He moaned and hastened his motions. "No one's getting their hands on you, not while I'm still having my share."

"That's what I like to hear," Rilanna said as she pushed her pants down over her hips. "Now, it's time for you to have your share."

"I am baby." He bit down on his lip until it was white, a stark contrast to his face, which was ruddy from strain. His fingernails dug into the flesh of Rilanna's breasts as he thrust wildly, but not once did he manage to slip himself inside of her. Still, his grunts and his body language stated clearly that he was enjoying himself nonetheless. His body suddenly tensed and a strangled, thick cry broke from him as his seed spilled onto Rilanna's stomach. "Oh...baby...." With a groan, he collapsed onto her. "Oh. Oh man..." His body heaved as he struggled to catch his breath, yet still he clutched her breasts and fondled them with less enthusiasm than before. "Oh, you were good," he said with a large grin. "Very good, baby."

"Yes, very good," Rilanna whispered. "You are a very impressive man, Mr. Nec. I'm so very glad I came in here to discuss this...business with you. Though, the pleasure side of business has always been my favourite." She leaned to him and kissed him once more. "I don't think I've ever felt this good."

"Oh, me neither. I think you're the best I've ever had, baby." He kissed her rawly until he ran out of breath, then he lay his head on her bosom. "Anything else I can help you with, baby?"

"I think only those papers for the ship," Rilanna said. "And, once we've both had a chance to recover, perhaps another roll across the desk for us. Maybe I could come back later tonight. Or tomorrow."

"I should be ready in a couple minutes," he lied, unconvincingly. "But...work...you know. We'll do this again, though, baby." Nec kissed her again, then slid off of her. One look at her naked body lying across his desk, and he almost blew his load again. "And those papers you wanted.... You're lying on top of them," he said as he quickly stuffed himself back into his pants.

Rilanna sat up and as she stood, she pulled her pants back up and turned to look at the papers. "These here?" She pulled her bra out through a sleeve, and used it to clean up the mess he'd left on her stomach. "Do I need to sign anything?"

"You do," he said with a chuckle, "but I don't. I think my signature's all over there already." He raised his head and rested his hands upon his waist in a pose that spoke of the pride he felt in his accomplishment. "Go ahead and sign. But baby? Bend over while you do it. I never did get a good look at you from behind."

"My pleasure, Neckie Weckie," Rilanna said as she turned to give him an excellent view. She draped her soiled bra over his chair and took her time putting a signature to the paperwork. She made sure to make the show worth it for him, knowing that each subtle shift of her body that delighted him would make him more and more loyal, and the Imps wouldn't be able to do anything without her finding out, not with Nec on her side.

"Mmm.... Oh, that's the prettiest signature I've ever seen," he commented. He moved up behind Rilanna and cupped her rear with both his hands. "I do so love these sorts of business transactions, don't you, baby?"

"Oh, I do," she purred. "Though, I don't think they could ever be as good as this one. They could never be as good as with you, Nec." She turned around to where he had her pinned against the desk again. "Oh, I do think I'll have to come back here tonight for certain. I don't think I'll be able to sleep without some of you again."

Nec ground his hips with hers and chuckled. "You can stay in here with me. We'll have some more fun."

"We've got a house," Rilanna said. "I have to watch out for the others. The Imps are after us, and I can't let them get us. But, I'll come back. We'll have more fun together, Nec." She reached down between his legs again. "Oh, we'll have so much fun together."

He gasped softly, then a grin spread thin his lips. "Those Imps won't get anywhere near you, baby. I'll make certain of that." Before she could ask for another go, and before she could realize he was spent for the day, Nec slipped away. "You're a feisty one, baby. I like that in a girl. But..." He sighed. "I'm afraid I gotta get back to work, even though I'm ready to pound a few more into you."

Rilanna purred. "Oh, we can do some more pounding tonight," she said and slowly started closing up her shirt. "I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to that."

"And you won't be disappointed...again." Nec stood by the doorway as Rilanna approached, and he trailed a hand up her arm once she was within reach. "You don't need to comm. Just drop by. I'll always have time for you, baby."

"Oh, I like the sound of that." She gave him a kiss while drawing her hand over his groin once more. With that, she sashayed her way out of his office and out to where Reza, Hajne, and Cham were waiting for her.

"There you are," Reza called out when Rilanna appeared. "Well? How did things go with the dockmaster?"

"We've got our new ship, and he'll do what he can to keep the Imps away from us. Not to mention giving us early warning when they arrive."

"Really?" Reza raised a skeptical eyebrow at Rilanna and grinned suspiciously. "How did you manage that? Creds? I really didn't think he'd go for that..."

"I don't think he would have accepted credits either," Rilanna said. "I used my body to get what we needed. It wasn't as degrading as I thought it would be. Actually, it was an interesting experiment to see how easily I could wrap him around my finger. Maybe it was too easy."

Reza's eyes slowly widened. "You...slept with the man? Is that--? Oh, Rilanna.... You didn't have to."

"I wouldn't exactly call it sleeping with," Rilanna said. "He didn't have much experience. He didn't even manage to...to get inside. Just sort of pistoned himself all over me until he was done. I could have thrown a pile of credits at him, but how many more could the Empire bury him in? You saw the way he was looking at me. And, now that I gave him a taste, he's eternally devoted. Considering what he'll be protecting us from, I don't think it's such a bad deal."

Hajne was giggling uncontrollably in the background and Reza hushed her with one stern look. "Let's be off then, Rilanna, dear. You'll most likely need a bath."

Rilanna gave a pained look. "Oh, a very long, hot bath," she said. "I just hope we have enough soap. The guy's aim is worse than a blind man with a blaster. He...oh gods...on my stomach. I think I'm bruised."

Reza tried to empathize with Rilanna, but instead all she could do was chuckle softly. "My dear girl...." She slung her arm across Rilanna's back in a comforting half embrace as she led her towards the transport they'd rented. "The house should have some liquor within. I think that'll get rid of those awful memories in no time."

"I want a bottle all to myself," Rilanna said with a laugh. "Though, later tonight, I have to come back. I want to set up a piggy-backer on their communications and sensor systems. That way we can see what they're seeing in the house. We'll know as soon as a star destroyer comes into this system. After that though, I'm giving up on men completely." She shuddered, and then joined Shrezade in a chuckle.

"I always knew you were wise, my dear girl." Cham and Hajne filed into the cramped space at the rear of the transport, while Rilanna took the controls and Reza the passenger side. "Well." She looked to Rilanna and smiled softly. "Shall we go home now?"

"Gladly," Rilanna said. "I don't think I'll be able to get into that bath fast enough." With that, she pulled the speeder away from the spaceport and started off toward the house they'd be sharing. Cham had already transferred the rest of their gear from the small scout ship, so it was all Nec's. When she came back later in the evening, she'd have the ship moved to its berth and the computer core from the scout downloaded to it. But, until then, she just wanted to forget about all of that. For now, she only wanted to get clean of the filth she felt covering her. She realized that the feeling wasn't from what she'd done with Nec, but from her time with Dane. She really needed that bath.

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