Star Wars - Tales from the Outer Rim

"The Search Begins"
by: Rylaa Lyssander - PC
Lani Vissip - NPC+
Lorgal - NPC+
Colonel Kurt von Shultz - NPC
Various NPCs

Location: Avalon VI
Date: Rheudis 2, 4ABY

***30 miles northeast of the dig site***

Kurt was dreaming. He was dreaming of the height of the Empire and how insignificant his own position was in the grand scheme of things. He saw himself standing as then-captain Shultz behind Colonel Tarinnov. He smiled as he remembered the feel of the thin stiletto as it entered the good colonel's back and pierced his spinal cord. The general had died with that look of shock and surprise on his face. It was so pleasing, Kurt had even taken a holopic of it.

With the instincts of someone with borderline paranoia, Kurt could tell that someone had just entered his chambers. Rousing his mind from deep sleep he carefully opened one a bit to see who it was.

A man in the Imperial uniform of a captain was standing at attention trying not to make a sound or any sudden movements. The colonel was known for shooting first and forgoing any questions whatsoever.

"Yes captain?" he asked.

"Sir, one of our patrols failed to check in last night. We are still investigating the cause."

Colonel Kurt von Shultz, Imperial Army, sat up in his bed clad only in his skin and said, "Why was I not informed of this earlier? I gave explicit instructions that any irregularities were to be reported to me immediately."

"I don't know so, but I will find out."

"Do so, then have the man shot. I do not abide failure in my organization. Do I make myself clear, captain?"

The captain snapped a hasty salute, said, "Yessir," and departed. Kurt wiped one hand down his face and looked at the chrono. It was 2 in the morning, time to get up and get started with the day anyway.

I'm not stupid, I know that you know we're here, he said to his unknown opponent. By now you are probably quite afraid at what might happen to you, a the resources we can bring down. Kurt got up from bed and started to get dressed. Soon your panic will cause you to make a rash decision, one you cannot well afford. Yes, my corporate friend, in due time you will either join me or I will have killed you.

***Archeological Site***

Rylaa groaned and sat up in bed. The first rays of light were just peeping through the drawn curtains and the sparsely furnished room was revealed in all its miserable glory. He had slept on what had happened the previous day and had already come up with a plan. All he needed now was a location.

As he rolled to a sitting position, he noticed that while Lorgal's bed was occupied, Lani's had not been slept in. The chubby criminal stood and scratched the hair on his belly. He really needed to talk to her.

He quickly visited the 'fresher and got dressed in a utilitarian jumpsuit. He greeted the open air and sunshine with a scowl and a memory of never waking up past the crack of noon. The camp was already alive with activity. By now, everyone had heard what had happened to the two scientists and would be clambering for an explanation.

Rylaa already had his guard captain dealing with the issue though, as he didn't want to address it himself. He had other worries.

The perimeter fencing had been reinforced with short walls of duracrete. Rylaa walked along these casually, his hands in his pockets, and listened to the sounds of the jungle. "I was wondering how long it would take you to show back up," he said without turning around.

Lani dropped softly to the ground from the tree branch she had been perched on. Her fiery red hair was tightly woven into a braid and she was wearing a camouflaged jumpsuit. "How the hell did you know I was there?" she asked, standing up.

Rylaa raised one hand and said simply, "Your hair."

She flipped her braid over her shoulder and looked at it. "What about my hair?"

"I can smell your shampoo."

"What? I can't believe that I would make that amateur of a mistake."

Rylaa spun lightly on one foot and flashed one of his dazzling smiles at her. "Don't worry my dear, it's the kind of smell only I would be able to pinpoint. Especially with a schnozz like this one. But, that's not why I was looking for you."

"Oh? Then this romantic stroll in the jungle was for something other than pleasure?"

Rylaa grinned at her. "Only you would call wandering the perimeter a 'romantic stroll'. Anyway, I'm pretty sure that the stormtroopers Lorgal encountered yesterday aren't the only ones out here. In fact, the sensor ghosts during the skirmish with the Grelkin point to the fact that they weren't the only ones out there. I want you to find out where that Imperial encampment is, we need to stop them as soon as possible. This is one thorn in my side I want removed before we descend into that temple and what might await us in there."

"Any clues," Lani asked.

"We knew there's a Grelkin village about ten miles north of here in the hills, but other than that. no, not really. I say they have to be fairly close to the Grelkin so they can maintain control of then at all times. That should narrow down your search."

"Alright, I'll check out around the village first, then expand from there. What are you going to do if I find them?"

Rylaa turned to leave, his pace slow. "What they least expect me to."

Lani cocked her head, puzzled. "What's that?"

He looked over his shoulder and grinned. "Attack."

"Searching For Zarrak"
by Kusna Coalb - Former CorSec Officer
and Chun Li - Pilot

Location: Arcadia and Drogen Shipyards
Date: Rheudis 2, 4 ABY

***

Kusna visited the cantina in Arcadia. Luckily enough some people remembered seeing a Dug in the cantina. When he asked the bartender he was told that the Dug wasn't seen for a while. Although the bartender didn't know the Dug's name he knew the trade of the creature, a bounty hunter. This meant that the Dug was none other than Zarrak.

Kusna decided that he was going to need some helping tracking Zarrak. Rumors were that skilled private investigator was hanging out in the Drogen Shipyards. He remembered some people at CorSec talking about her, they said her name was Chun Li.

He figured that he better go there and look for this Chun Li. The former CorSec officer returned to the star port and got on a ship that was going to the Drogen Shipyards. When he finally arrived he walked around all over the place asking anyone if they had seen someone called Chun Li.

Li was working hard to load the last concussion missile in her -repaired- ship. It was hard work, but she preferred to do it herself after a tech on some backwater planet had managed to load one backwards. When she climbed of her fighter, she saw a man waiting. When she came closer she saw it was Kerzy, one of the people she paid from time to time to get the latest news and gossip from the station.

From him she learned that a certain Kusna Coalb was looking for her. Knowing no person with that name, she told Kerzy to lead Coalb to Dirg's Descent. She quickly went to her apartment to run a search on Coalb, and while the computer was running that, to take a quick shower. While toweling her hair, she looked over the results of the search. She had found a couple of things, but nothing to warn her of.

Maybe a potential client then, she thought, donning a flight-suit like outfit. It was form fitting enough to let her move unhindered, yet loose enough to hide a holdout blaster and a vibroblade. The ideal middle ground she searched for in most of her clothes. With that done, she went to the Dirg's Descent.

A man who introduced himself as Kerzy told Kusna that Li would meet him at a place called Dirg's Descent and it would take ten minutes for her to meet him there.

Li arrived in the pub, and spotted the man who was looking for her. One of the search results indicating Coalb had once been part of Corsec had also included a picture. She walked up to him. "You were looking for me," she asked, standing a bit behind him, and at enough distance to be able to get away, should this be necessary. She had seen he would be able to best her physically. Of course, she knew she could handle men of his size, having done so before. But still, caution was good.

Kusna turned and faced Li, he notice she was fairly easy on the eyes. "Yes I have," he told her. "I remember hearing about you while I was at CorSec. They said you were skilled as a private investigator and other things as well. Are you interested in helping me catch a certain Dug bounty hunter called Zarrak?"

"Depends if you pay me," she said. He was a potential customer, "and I need to know everything you have on this Zarrak guy. But first let's go sit somewhere a bit more private."

Kusna looked around. "Do you have any place in mind? A pub isn't exactly the most private place to talk."

He remembered some things about Zarrak. While he was looking for Li he hacked into a computer system and got some info on the Dug. The tiny bounty hunter had quite the kill list. He was wanted for murder of the Dug's on brother, Kusni Coalb, and for illegal slave trading.

"Why don't we go to that booth over there," Li said, pointing at a free booth in the corner of the pub, "private enough." She didn't want to go somewhere really private for a first meeting. It was just a question of sitting comfortable and not being overheard.

Kusna nodded and headed in the direction of the booth Li pointed out for them to use. He reached into a pocket hidden inside his jacket and pulled out a piece of flimsi. Written on it were some of the crimes Zarrak committed which he handed to Li.

"As you can see the little bounty hunter has quite a record," Kusna started, "ranging from various accounts of murder to some stupid stuff such as being drunk in public. For example he killed his own brother and mine. And also several accounts of illegal slave trading with some Hutts on various planets." He ran a hand over his face. "Only thing is ever since I was removed from CorSec I haven't had a job so I don't have a lot of credits. Maybe about one thousand."

"It depends on the job description," Li said, "do you want him found, taken alive or killed. And if money is such an issue, why don't you hunt him down yourself? I mean, Corsec trains its officers well, I've heard."

"I want him taken alive because I want to be the one to kill the bastard," Kusna said darkly, his tone surprised even himself. He hardly ever spoke that way, then again he never spoke to anyone about Zarrak.

"And my skills are more in the field of gathering information, I'm not that good at tracking. Plus he's a bounty hunter, tracking people are his specialty so I think he'd be aware that someone like me was tracking him. Plus you're pretty good and your tracking abilities may rival his own."

He hoped the last part of what he just said would convince her to help.

Li thought about it. While the pay wasn't all that good, specially for taking someone alive, which is the hardest thing to do, she had a thing for these kinds of requests. And she didn't like Dug's anyway. "Make it 1500 and we have a deal," she said, "but I'll need information. As much of his schedule as you have. Where was he seen, when was he seen there. His habits, if you know of them. You probably know the drill."

Kusna nodded, he still had some credits in his account back on Corellia. "Deal. Here's what I know so far. He hangs out in a cantina on Arcadia and always is in a corner booth, the closest to the Twi'lek dancers. I spoke to a lot of people and they all have seen him there practically every day. Some said they saw him going in the direction of the Arcadian Palace which means he's doing work for the Empresses."

That made it easy, if he had a routine. One could learn that routine and search for a convenient point. The fact that he was doing work for the rulers of this planet meant complications. She had to make sure that it seemed she was not involved in all this. From what she had heard about these 'empresses' they weren't nice people, and not women to cross lightly. "Do you know if he travels a lot off planet," she asked.

"It might be easier to take him out in space," Li answered, "a couple of ion bolts in his ship, and he won't be going anywhere. Then you can just pick him up, or take him out, as you want."

"Being he's a bounty hunter it depends on where his employer wants him to go," Kusna answered. "And I'm not sure if he goes off world. I guess we could always get a starport worker to tell us if the Dug plans on leaving. I have the feeling if he manages to form an alliance with the Empresses, he's not gonna want to leave this place."

"True," Li said, "well, what kind of reporting do you want? I'd like contact between us to be as minimal as possible, but I need a way of contacting you should a good opportunity present itself."

"We'll contact eachother via com link." He wrote down his contact information on another sheet of flimsi and handed it to her. "I'm hoping that little bastard gets finished with his job soon, the sooner we catch him the happier I'll be and he won't be able to hurt anymore people."

Li pocketed the flimsi and stood up. "I'll get some background reading done," she said, "and we'll be in contact."

Kusna held out his hand for her to shake. "Nice meeting you," he said, giving her a smile. He did have to admit she was attractive but catching Zarrak had to be his main focus.

"I'll be in touch," Li said, before she disappeared towards the exit. First of all, she would read the information, and then she would do some surveillance.

"Testing"
By Chun Li - pilot

Location: Arcadia and Drogen Shipyards
Date: Rheudis 2, 4 ABY

***

Li had work, but first she needed to check her ship. It had been repaired, and the missiles were loaded, but it needed a test flight first. After the test flight, she would go down on the planet to get started on tracking that Dug, as she had promised. Walking into the repair bay, where her fighter was still stationed, she first stuffed her bag into the luggage compartment, before doing a quick inspection around the ship, looking for open hatches and stuff like that.

Finding nothing, she climbed in, and did an extensive startup checklist, just to be sure. Not that she didn't trust the mechanics, but it was her life on the line outside, and she wanted to minimise the risks. When everything checked out, she asked permission to take of, while going through the start-up sequence. Permission came as the start-up was complete, and she fed power to the repulsors, gliding slowly out of the station. No sense in burning the people working in the hangar with her main engines.

Once outside, she continued on the main engines, shutting down the repulsors. As soon as she was outside the traffic around the station, she went to maximum speed, testing the engines. When they seemed to hold, she started calculating a hyperspace jump. Just a small one, to the edge of the system and back.

When she arrived back around Drogen, she decided that her ship was back in shape. If she needed to follow Zarrak, it would be possible without much trouble, or so she hoped. Instead of going back to Drogen, she requested a vector for Arcadia. There she could start her work. When she landed, she saw that first of all she needed some winter clothes. It was snowing, which she hadn't seen in quite some time. For some reason, she had either been on planet in summer, or on a planet without a real winter.

The one advantage she had as she set her fighter down on the landing pad of Arcadia's starport, her flight suit was designed to protect against the cold in space, so for now it didn't pose any problems. She checked in in a small hotel not far from the cantina where Coalb had seen Zarrak. She would go there tomorrow, but first she needed a good night sleep.

"Dark Deals and Darker Futures, Part 1"
Maeren Shivral
Kaysa Zenarr
Vrax Draydge
and Tav

Location: Somewhere on Tae'Karada
Date: Rheudis 2, 4ABY

***

Maeren Shivral moaned softly as her eyes came open. The pain seemed to be gone now, though the fear would not leave. She was still a prisoner, and there was no hope of rescue in sight. At least Vrax had been ignoring her the last couple days. Tav, on the other hand, had been a constant companion as he nursed her injuries. The sharp smell of bacta hit her nostrils and she looked down to where a hand was dabbing at her bared breasts. Since Vrax had imprisoned herself and Kaysa, both had been denied clothing. Prior to their imprisonment, she had been more than happy to turn her nose up at the thought of wearing clothes, preferring the total freedom being completely naked allowed her. Now, however, she spent the time when Tav wasn't having his way with her wishing for even the smallest article of clothing to cover herself.

"I think you're all healed," Tav said as he sat back on the chair beside the couch on which she lay.

"I'm thrilled," Shiv answered, though her voice contained no emotion. She turned her head toward the wall so she didn't have to look at him, but that didn't stop him from sliding a hand between her legs to begin satisfying his lusts again. Her body reacted immediately, as it always did to his touch. He was a vile, despicable man, but she couldn't deny that he was an amazing lover and seemed to take care of her. Still, she did hate him, though not nearly as much as she hated Vrax.

She gasped and her body flushed with arousal, but she made herself continue looking away from Tav. Without her jewelry, except for her nipples, she wasn't nearly as sensitive to his touch as she had been. To prevent more damage, Tav had removed the adornments. Her nipples seemed even more sensitive than before, though she wasn't sure if it was worth it.

Her heart skipped a beat when the door to the room Vrax shared with Kaysa opened. Her heart started beating even faster as she closed her eyes, not wanting to see who was coming out.

"It's okay," she heard Kaysa whisper exhaustedly. Shiv's eyes snapped open. Naked and marked with bruises suggestive of a lover having gotten carried away in the heat of passion, Kaysa swayed her way groggily towards where Shiv lay. She scowled, as much as was possible with eyelids dropping somnolently, at Tav, who continued to pleasure Shiv. "Get away from her," Kaysa slurred.

"She likes it," Tav said. "But, upsetting you will upset the boss." Slowly, he removed his hand from Shiv, earning himself a moan from her. "I'll go check on your husband." He indicated where Cadwin was secured to the chair across the room, with the chair positioned with a good view of the couch where Shiv lay. "When we get going, you can tell he's still got life in him, just like the Estri-Casren tower shooting straight up in the sky. Just between us three, I think he likes to watch." With a wink to Kaysa, he swaggered over toward Cadwin to check on the man's injuries.

Kaysa whimpered as her legs melted away and she wilted onto her knees next to the sofa. Kaysa's trembling hand landed upon Shiv's arm. "I'm sorry," she murmured, and struggled to raise her head, which rested on the cushion. "I'm sorry if you were hurt."

"Tav is gentle," Shiv managed as she repositioned herself on the couch to face Kaysa. "He doesn't hurt me." She looked down at her breasts which now looked almost as good as new. "He likes me responsive when he takes me, and he hated me bleeding all over him. He's a heartless pig, but...but he...he used bacta..."

Smiling weakly, Kaysa whispered, "And Vrax has been using drugs to keep me docile." Turning over her arm, Kaysa showed Shiv a circular bruise with a speck of dried blood in its centre. "Injections - of what? I don't know. But I can't fight him, Shiv, no matter how I try."

"Oh Kaysa, how are we going to get out of here?" She looked deep into Kaysa's eyes, despair clear in her own. "There isn't a way, is there? No one's coming for us, and we can't get away from Vrax. He...he's going to kill me soon, Kaysa. When he does, know that I love you and I've always loved you. I wish we could have been married, but that doesn't change how much I love you. I...I just wanted to say that before...before he does something."

"He won't do anything," Kaysa sighed. "We...we made a deal. You won't be killed, Shiv, or hurt. Do you trust me?"

"I trust you," Shiv whispered. "I trust you with my life, my heart, and my soul. I don't trust him."

"Neither do I...but I seem to have some influence." She chuckled bitterly and rasped, "He's in love with me, and wants my love in return. That's my one bargaining tool, Shiv, and I'll use it for as long as I can to save us." Drawing an ounce of strength from Shiv's adoring gaze, Kaysa craned her head forward and placed a kiss upon her chapped lips. "I'll save you," Kaysa assured her fervently. "I will. I swear it."

"And, I'll do everything I can to protect you, Kaysa," Shiv whispered. "I love you, and I always will. When we get out of here...marry me."

"Of course," she laughed softly and couldn't suppress the tears in her eyes. "That's the first thing we'll do."

"This is sure a touching scene," a gritty voice drawled from behind. Kaysa's fingers tightened in response around Shiv's arm.

"I only wanted to visit for a while," Kaysa explained, and turned her bleary eyes to Vrax. He was grinning lewdly in the entryway, his upper body bereft of clothing, while a loosely wrapped sheet hung over his legs. Pressing against it was Vrax's uninhibited display of arousal. Kaysa whimpered quietly in disbelief; she had only just finished placating him.

"Come on back in," he told her thickly. "I'm hungry." His deep chuckle chilled Kaysa, who closed her eyes and turned back to Shiv. "I have to go. I'll visit again soon, my love."

"Oh gods," Shiv whispered. "Stay safe, Kaysa. He scares me. The thought of him...with you...it sends a chill down my spine. Stay safe..."

"I will," she promised. Smiling down at her lover, Kaysa staggered to her feet, and without any sign of hesitation, she made her way towards Vrax. He opened his arms, awaiting her arrival with great satisfaction.

"Leave her alone," came a rasping growl from the other side of the room. Tav was bent over a medical kit, and glanced up as if surprised at the sudden outburst. In the chair, Cadwin strained against his bonds. "Leave her alone, you murderous beast! She doesn't love you and never will. You don't deserve her! You deserve to be sent to hell!"

"Cadwin," Kaysa breathed. She had stopped in the centre of the living area, far from Vrax's reach. Her unsteady legs began carrying her unconsciously towards Cadwin.

"Kaysa, stop!" Vrax bellowed, and lunged forward to seize Kaysa's hand. She gasped as he pulled her against him. "Don't listen to him," he murmured against her ear.

"He's a monster! He's poisoning you! He doesn't treat you right! Look at yourself! Look at what he did to Shiv! He's a beast!"

"That's not what she says," Vrax told him confidently as he slid his hand over Kaysa's belly. "She cries out my name, she begs me for more." He pushed his nose into her hair and inhaled deeply. Kaysa choked on a sob; Vrax clung to her more tightly to prevent losing the hold he'd gained on her. "Go on, Kaysa. Tell him about the bond we share."

"What do you expect when you force her," Cadwin snarled. "Most men can get women on their own without forcing them into it. You bastard. You can't even get a woman on your own merits without drugging her and having your way with her. You're pathetic!" Cadwin spat.

"Cadwin, stop," Kaysa pleaded feebly, and remained upright only by Vrax's support as her head lolled forward and her body slackened.

"See what you've done? You've gone and upset her." Vrax clucked his tongue chidingly at Cadwin and began hauling Kaysa towards the bedroom. Her dragging feet squealed against the flooring, while she moaned in wordless protest. "If you're nice and quiet," Vrax told him, "you might be able to hear from Kaysa how much she loves me real soon."

"So, you pathetic waste, do you hit her if she doesn't say it? Do you take it out on her if she doesn't moan your name just the way you like it? Do you give her a script to read from, to praise you in the way that only you know how you like it? She doesn't love you, you arrogant prick, she's scared you'll kill her and is only giving you what will keep her alive! You're a pathetic joke! And, you don't even get it..."

They were halfway through the bedroom door when Vrax halted. Kaysa's head rested back upon his shoulder and her glassy-eyed stare fixed to the inverted image of Cadwin strapped to his chair. One limp hand rose, reaching out, then dropped lethargically to her side again. "There, there," Vrax whispered soothingly, before depositing her gingerly onto the floor. His sheet fluttered loose behind him as Vrax flew at Cadwin and clamped one hand tightly around his throat. He smiled savagely. "Got anything else to say, hero?" Vrax hissed. "Before I kill you, that is."

Cadwin let out a strangled laugh. "Kill me, and you're gonna lose her," he snarled as he tried to find his breath. "She'll hate you forever."

"But once you're dead," he reasoned, "I can help her grieve, comfort her..." His eyes glinted viciously. "With you gone, I can draw her closer than ever before."

"Until you lose control of yourself again," Cadwin managed, "and you hurt another person she cares about. How long...how long do you think you can keep pulling her back...how long, you monster?"

Vrax's hand spasmed, constricting Cadwin's neck further. "You don't know anything about the bond we share," he growled through clenched teeth. "She loves me. She just won't admit it yet, but in time...." Licking his lips in anticipation, Vrax thrust out his other hand towards Tav. "The long one, please."

Tav grinned and complied with Vrax's wish. "I even cleaned it up, just for you, boss." Tav said.

His fingers curled around the handle of the gleaming blade-weapon, then Vrax held it up for Cadwin to examine. "See this?" he asked, admiring the knife fondly. "It's served me well so far. Pretty little thing, isn't it?"

Fear gleamed in Cadwin's eyes, but with Vrax's hand clamped on his throat, he could no longer snap off retorts, witty or otherwise. He tried to give himself a defiant look, but Vrax's laughter indicated his utter failure.

"Now," Vrax mused, still grinning with self-satisfaction, "any last words?" The knife flicked upwards in a flash, its tip pressed into the soft flesh under Cadwin's chin. "Or," he whispered huskily, "would you prefer to just scream?"

It appeared that Cadwin was summoning the strength for a last defiant retort, but instead of words a globule of mucous and saliva flew from his mouth to land just below Vrax's eye. "Go fuck yourself," he managed.

Squinting with one eye and glaring with the other, Vrax quipped, "No thanks. I'd rather fuck your wife." And to complete Cadwin's heartbreak, Vrax's knife dropped from his throat and lodged deep within Cadwin's chest. There was a crunch of bones breaking and a spray of blood as Vrax twisted the weapon until it sunk in to the hilt. His maddened laughter rang out through the room.

Cadwin only let out a grunting gasp. Across the room, Shiv screamed, a sharp counterpoint to the laughter ringing off the walls. Tav only chuckled, and stepped back to avoid getting Cadwin's blood on his boots. "He's a bleeder," he said with a guffaw.

"Sure is," Vrax grunted and patted Cadwin's cheek before he stepped back to study his grisly work. "Impressive," he murmured in approval, then nodded to Tav. "Get rid of him. Somewhere, preferably, where he'll be found." Walking back to Kaysa, he called, "I want Zale Tregat to see firsthand what'll happen to him if he comes between me and Kaysa."

Tav set about gathering a rug to wrap Cadwin's body in, winking over at Shiv who was cowering on the couch, sobbing to herself. Whistling a happy tune, Tav rolled Cadwin into the rug and lifted him onto one shoulder. "I think I know just the place," he said. "See ya later boss. I don't think I need to say enjoy yourself, cuz I know you will." With that, he started for the door.

Trusting his associate to carry out his orders, Vrax crossed the living area towards Kaysa, now folded into a ball and sobbing groggily. "Why did you do it," she mumbled, half-dazed. "He was...he wasn't doing anything...."

"Oh, but he was," Vrax informed her gently. He crouched down before Kaysa and tenderly stroked her cheek, smudging the tears trailing down. "That man was trying to come between us, my love. We can't have that."

As she groaned miserably, still too weak to fully express or comprehend her grief, Vrax slung her arm around his shoulders and hefted Kaysa into his arms. Head hanging back and eyelids fluttering in their struggle to remain open, Kaysa blathered on incoherently, her words made that much more nonsensical by the intermittent whimpers and sobs. He grinned, satisfied by her vulnerability and despair; taking advantage of the opportunity, Vrax set Kaysa down upon the bed and sat beside her.

Stroking her tangled dark hair soothingly, he consoled, "He didn't love you, Kaysa. Why do you think he invited me? I told him all about our history together, and he still brought me home." He tsked admonishingly at his now-deceased pawn's wretchedness.

Kaysa groaned softly, though he was uncertain if she even comprehended what he had said; the injection was still influencing her mind and robbing her of lucidity, but it also made her pleasingly docile and receptive to his desires. Though, the lethargy robbed Vrax of the fire and passion that had attracted him to Kaysa, his obsession with her was no less powerful. As she turned her head away from his touch and wept faintly into the pillow, Vrax grinned and bent forward to kiss her shoulder, nearly matching his lips to the oval-shaped bruise his bite had produced the previous night.

"Don't worry, my Kaysa, you'll be smiling again soon," he assured her, sliding his legs onto the bed and curling up against her. Her body no longer recoiled at his touch - was too insensate to - bringing Vrax to ecstasy. His mangled hand smoothed over her thigh, while the other parted her legs. "I'll make your tears go away," Vrax murmured. "No more tears, my love." And he sought to banish her sadness by plunging himself into Kaysa, who was too near unconsciousness to even cry out.

"Dark Deals and Darker Futures, Part 2"
Maeren Shivral
Kaysa Zenarr
Vrax Draydge
and Tav

Location: Somewhere on Tae'Karada
Date: Rheudis 2, 4ABY

***

Shiv's tears subsided shortly after Tav's departure with Cadwin's body. From where she still lay on the couch, she looked up and around, seeking anyone who might be watching her. The room was empty. She was alone. She was unwatched. Slowly, silently, she slipped off the couch and moved over to the door Tav had used to depart. A quick test showed that it was unlocked, but she couldn't leave without Kaysa. The set of knives Vrax had been using still lay where Tav had been cleaning them, readying them for Vrax's use. She sneered and reached down to pick up one of the vile instruments.

As she moved toward the door to the bedroom, she couldn't help noticing that the quality of the knives Vrax used was fairly low. Figures, she thought to herself. Though, she did admit that she had become something of a snob when it came to bladed weapons, especially knives.

On silent feet, she crept to the door. From within, she could heard the soft grunts that signified that Vrax was having his way with Kaysa. Shiv pressed her hand to the door, ready to push it open. She paused briefly, gathering her courage to go through the door and kill Vrax. She'd free them both. They'd get out of here and go far away. She took a deep breath and started to push.

"I wouldn't recommend that," a voice from behind her said.

Shiv stopped and whirled around, knife at the ready. Tav stood there, unconcerned about her weapon.

"Do you think you're in any shape to deal with him? And, there's always the risk he'll hurt Kaysa. Do you really think you'll make it through there? And, think about what happens if you fail. He'd probably lop your breasts off, chop off your hands, and bolt you to the wall."

A tear slipped down Shiv's cheek, and her trembling hand lowered to her side.

"That's my girl," Tav whispered as he came forward slowly to take the weapon from her. "Good girl. And, because you're being so good, I won't even punish you for this." He reached down to take the blade from her hand...but it wasn't there.

Before Tav could react, Shiv's other hand whipped around with the hilt of the blade aimed at his head. The young man never saw a thing as it cracked against his temple. The only sound he managed to make as he sank to the ground was a startled gasp. There was only a slight delay to move Tav over to the side of the room and bind him with the tattered remains of the clothes she'd been wearing when she first arrived in this room.

Within minutes, she was back at the door. Again, a deep breath, and she pushed the door quietly open. On the bed, Vrax continued to thrust into Kaysa, each punctuated by an increasingly lustful grunt. His back made a perfect target for Shiv as she crept forward, blade ready to sink into his spine. He'd caused so much pain, and now it was time for that pain to end. Shiv's lips curled into a twisted snarl as she moved forward swiftly and struck!

"Do it and I snap her neck," Vrax rasped, still moving against Kaysa. His feral blue eyes locked to Shiv as he turned his head aside, pulling his torso slightly away from Kaysa's to reveal one hand clamped tightly around her throat. Her breath came in wheezing gasps, but she was still too dosed to put up a struggle. Vrax grinned.

"You bastard," Shiv snarled as she slid to a halt on the floor. She backed away from him, toward the door. "You hateful bastard. How can you say you love her and do this to her?"

"How can you?" he riposted angrily, and jerked out of Kaysa as he rolled off the bed. She groaned feebly, dragged from the mattress to prop against Vrax and act as his physical shield; he supported her around the waist with one arm, and her throat with the other hand. Past her shoulder, Vrax chuckled at Shiv. "You tried to come between us - keep us apart. Why would you do that, Blondie? Why would you keep her from the one person who really loves her?"

"You don't love her," Shiv snapped back. "You're obsessed with her. Look at her! She's practically unconscious. She's just a piece of meat to you, one you have to abuse, manipulate, and coerce into doing anything for you. If this is what you think love is, Vrax, you're seriously messed in the head. She's just a trophy for you, a body to rub yourself against when you feel lonely!"

"She hasn't protested," he drawled, and still watching Shiv he raked his tongue over Kaysa's cheek, then laughed. "See? Not a cringe. Give it up, blondie! She likes what I can give her. Just let her go. "

"I can't do that, Vrax," Shiv answered. "I love her, and I can't just let her go. Look, I'm sorry for what I did to you before, to your hand. I know you hate me...and I know you want to kill me or torture me. But you know that would hurt Kaysa very much. What do you think Kaysa would want right now?"

His stained teeth bared in a taunting smile as Vrax dipped his hand between Kaysa's legs. "Oh, I know exactly what she wants. You're a toy to her - she always said you were. You should've heard the things she told me about you." He chuckled derisively. "She and I...we had many laughs talking about you. Has she mentioned that?"

"You're a liar," Shiv spat back. "She loves me more than you'll ever get from her. But, if you truly want her to love you...there is a way. But, I don't think you have it in you." She shrugged.

He sneered. "You doubt my conviction, little girl?" Vrax whispered darkly. "I wouldn't have watched and waited for as long as I have if I wasn't serious about this. Kaysa will be mine" --he thrust his fingers roughly within Kaysa's opening to emphasize, earning a weak groan from her nearly lifeless body-- "and you're going to help me. Now tell me!"

"You can't force her to love you, Vrax," Shiv said. "You can't force a person's emotions like that. And, doing that to her now, that's not going to make her love you. Fuck, she probably won't even remember if you ever lay off whatever drugs you've been feeding her." She gestured to Kaysa's limp, nearly unconscious body. "Is that the kind of love you're looking for? Whatever you believe, Vrax, she does love me. And, I'll help you, for a price, if you want her to love you." Shiv's stomach twisted at the bargain she was about to make, but she would do anything to save Kaysa, and saving herself in the process might be a bonus. "First off, you don't hurt either of us again. Second, you stop the drugs. Third, let go of whatever hate you feel toward me, and work with me. If you are willing to do that, Vrax, I'll help you win Kaysa's heart for real, not like the puppet show you're putting on here."

"Such generousity," he quipped sardonically. "And why would you want to help me? Hm?"

"Because if I help you, you don't hurt us," Shiv answered. "We both win."

Vrax studied her cynically and with a grimace. It was clear he was conflicted over Shiv's true intentions - confused by his desire to earn Kaysa's love, given freely, and a fear of gaining her ire by ceasing the injections, thereby making her conscious to his abuses. But, the prospect of seducing her properly appealed to Vrax. So he gave Shiv a nod. "Put down the weapon, then, and leave us. Just don't think again to try and take me out." He chuckled deep in his throat. "I'm not as slow as I used to be, Blondie..."

"Don't give me a reason to need to take you out, and you're safe," Shiv answered as she backed toward the door. She held the knife out, ready to drop it. "So we have an agreement, Vrax? You won't try to hurt either of us again, and I'll help you with Kaysa?"

"As long as you keep up your end of the bargain," he replied. "And you give Kaysa a push my way, every now and then." His smile was lewd, indicating his ultimate goal involving Kaysa and her utter surrender.

"I will," Shiv said. "And, remember, hurt either of us in any way, Vrax, and I will do everything in my power to turn whatever she does feel for you into the deepest hate imaginable." She turned to go, and stopped. "And, if you want a warm, responsive body until the drugs wear off Kaysa, I'll be out on my couch." With that, she was gone.

Even after her departure, Vrax watched the closed bedroom door, considering her offer with lubricious curiousity and sordid amusement. Kaysa drew his attention back as she shifted against him, rubbing her backside against his groin and unwittingly stimulating his arousal. He emitted a shuddering sigh and moved his hand away from her throat to pass over her breasts. "I would," Vrax explained to her in a strained whisper, "but I promised I wouldn't, my love. You rest, and I'll come for you later."

With great care, Vrax lay Kaysa across the bed, where she could sleep off the effects of the sedatives, and strode out of the room, but not before retrieving Shiv's abandoned blade from the ground. Fully erect, and aching for Kaysa, now off limits for a time, Vrax entered the living area to hungrily take Shiv up on her offer.

Shiv was reclining on the couch when Vrax emerged from the room. She looked up at him and gave him a smile. It came easier than she thought it would, partially because of the victory in getting Vrax to agree with her plan. She felt very bad at what it would require of Kaysa, but it was to save both of them from the beatings Vrax would surely bring upon them. Perhaps, in the end, it would be a mistake. But for now, it seemed like the only option that would keep them both alive to be able to escape another day. They would survive. They would. "Hello again," she said.

Vrax let her greeting pass, and continued to advance towards her slowly, the predatory gleam in his eyes mirroring his prowling gait. "I've watched you," he informed her quietly. "That boy you've been playing house with couldn't satisfy your lusts. I've helped you find liberation from that stale life - if I hadn't plotted all this, you'd never have found the release you have now, Blondie."

"He doesn't like that I'm free with my body and who I give it to," Shiv said. "If you're the one behind what Kaysa and Cadwin were doing, and them bringing me into it, then I guess I should thank you." She shifted slightly toward him, her eyes watching him move.

"Then thank me." He shrugged and stopped before her, his groin level with her face as she propped up on one elbow. Vrax grinned and gently pulled a lock of her hair through his hand, the strands falling against her bosom. He gave a short laugh. "I don't for one moment believe you, blondie...but I know better than you could ever that this life is for you. You love this abuse, the violation." Following the trail of hair with his fingers, Vrax brushed his hand over Shiv's right breast. "Admit it," he urged. "As much as you hate me, you love this."

Shiv reached up and brushed a hand along his erection. "Yes, I do," she answered with a smile. "But, I hate being hurt. I doubt Merrick or Zale will want us back, and Keeve made it clear he no longer desires me. All I have left is Kaysa, and if helping you with her means that I can still love her, then I'm in. I hope to make it worth your while while I'm at it." With that, she took him into her mouth.

Vrax allowed her to do so uninterrupted, and making only a tiny sound to convey his admiration of Shiv's technique. "I'm impressed," he commented, gripping a handful of hair at the back of her head. "Though," Vrax sighed, "not that impressed considering...." His cold eyes glanced down at her, and in them was an insidious smile. "For a pleasure clone, I would've expected more."

Shiv paused long enough to say, "I don't know what you're talking about," before taking him back into her mouth and continuing, though working even harder at providing him pleasure.

"You've been too long away from Dargus' ship," he commented. "You're losing your touch, Blondie." Clucking his tongue disapprovingly, Vrax dragged his fingers over her cheek and under her chin, raising it a touch until her eyes met his. "If you think about it...you'll know it's true. Why do you believe you get turned on with just a single touch? That's not normal, blondie. Not at all."

She took him out of her mouth again. "I've been that way since my first time with Lerrah," she said. "Saris and Kim are the clones. I'm the real thing."

He smiled thoughtfully and asked, "Are they? How can you be sure? You all look so alike... Are you really certain you're yourself, Blondie? I was there, remember. I would know."

"I remember my whole life," Shiv answered. "They don't. If I were a clone, how come neither of them know anything?"

"Because," he explained in a sing-song, "Dargus made sure no corners were cut, that his deception was complete. If he could create clones, what limitations were there in planting memories and experiences into your mind that aren't your own?" Chuckling lowly, Vrax smoothed his hand over her chest. "Think about it," he whispered. "Everything will fall into place if you just think about it."

"So if I'm supposed to be a clone, who's the real Maeren Shivral?"

"Hmm..." He grinned slowly. "If I told you that, where would the fun be? No...I'd prefer to torment you with that mystery for a while, since I can't lay a finger on you anymore."

"Well, I can think of something you can put in me that isn't your finger," Shiv said. "And, it just doesn't make sense...me a clone. I don't see the point. I mean, I remember everything, but they don't. And, Kim's a bit sexed up over Keeve, but not Saris. So...so is Saris not the clone?"

Vrax smiled enigmatically and pushed Shiv's face encouragingly towards his erection. "Shh...you can think and suck at the same time, can't you? Do what you were bred for, Blondie. Go on..."

"Like it that much?" Shiv asked with a grin. "Good." With that, she engulfed him again.

"That's it," he rasped. "Now you're remembering how it's done. After all, Blondie, it is in the genes..."

Shiv chuckled softly but kept at her task, intent on driving Vrax through the ceiling with pleasure. It seemed she was doing a very good job of it. Vrax allowed her to prove the extent of her talents to him, but appeared nothing more than amused by her efforts. Even so, he permitted himself release, knowing he could not find it with Kaysa until she was lucid once again. Grunting and chuckling hoarsely, Vrax discharged into Shiv's mouth, forcing her to swallow his seed greedily.

When he was spent, Vrax pulled out and mopped the remains of his climax clean with Shiv's hair. "Pretty average," he commented. "I think you need to try harder to get in touch with your true self, Blondie. Your denial is really hurting your technique."

"I'm not the one in denial here," Shiv said. "I'm the best you've ever had, Vrax, and you just don't want to admit it. You just want to play with my head. But, if you think I need some practice, I'll be here waiting whenever you get some of your spark back. That is, unless you're planning on opening the door and charging for my services."

A roar of laughter issued from his ragged lips as Vrax patted her cheek deprecatingly. "Kaysa's the only one who can get me going, little girl. You're just a hole to pump into until the drugs wear off." He winked at her. "Just because you were bred to be a whore doesn't mean your charms work on everyone. Maybe when you can tap into that pure sexuality Dargus implanted in your genetic makeup, you'll have a shot, Blondie."

The look she gave him showed a spark of that very thing. It held a fire that could stir anyone's insides with desire, and a smoldering lure to draw that anyone in. "If you say so," she said, her voice an enticing purr. If he was going to play a game with her, she'd have her fun with him as well. Of course, it wasn't much of a game because if she aroused him, she didn't have much choice than to follow through. Still, something deep within her bristled at his rejection, knowing that she could be everything he or any other man wanted.

There was a flicker of despair within herself at the realization that perhaps it was true, perhaps he was right. She held it within, focusing all of her self on the seduction, of drawing a man who hated her, and one she hated in return, into her arms where she would use her body to please him in ways he hadn't ever dreamed of. A part of herself cried out at the acceptance, but instead of curling in on herself, she embraced her destiny...at least that would keep her from thinking about what she truly was, and about all of the lies she'd been forced to live. There was no way she could face that now. "Maybe I'll just practice on Tav when he wakes up."

"Maybe you should," Vrax challenged. "If you can, of course," he added with a taunting grin. "I know you clones: once you get all worked up, you need release someway, somehow...even if it's by yourself." Finding pleasure in the fire he seemed to have sparked in Shiv, Vrax began backing away. "I should check on Kaysa...and maybe let you stew a while in all this sexual frustration." He made slow circles around his temple with one forefinger to mime the revolution of thoughts in Shiv's mind. "Might get the wheels turning, you know? Bring out a little of the clone in you, hm?"

Shiv slipped a hand down between her thighs. "Go fuck yourself," Shiv said, but there was no venom in the words. "Or better yet, check Kaysa and come back and fuck me. I'm sure I'll have enough for you." She closed her eyes as she tried to soothe her own fires. It wouldn't be easy, but maybe Tav would wake up soon. Or maybe Vrax would return for a good roll. Anything but to let her mind still for too long, to slow down enough to ponder the things Vrax had said.

Despite how much his words felt true, she couldn't believe them. She couldn't believe she'd been pretending to be the woman she knew she was, not with Kim and Saris having no memory of the past Shiv remembered so vividly. Maybe...maybe they were all clones, and the real Maeren was still locked away in a lab somewhere...or...or-- No, she shouted at herself. I'm me. I'm the only me. The rest are clones. I'm real! I'm the real Maeren Shivral!

But even as her orgasm washed through her body, the voice in her head sounded weak to Maeren, as if it were trying to loudly proclaim what it knew was false. Tears slipped from between her clenched eyelids to slip down her cheeks even as her mental mantra continued.