"Tumultuous Opening"
by Alicia Ashantee Gardan
Dumah Gardan [NPC]
Kaede Aoki [NPC]
and Darius Drake

Location: Trancemania, New Plouton
Date: Vadris 2, 4 ABY

***

The high-class speeder came to a full stop right at the entrance to the nightclub and the door opened. She stepped out and overlooked the place. Indeed it hadn't been such a bad idea to have bought the place, and her brother did seem to know his thing. Light lasers were projected into the sky and lights made it easy to see where Trancemania stood in the city. There was a large row of people who were waiting their turn to come in and some security to check people for weapons and a bouncer to tell who could and who could not go in.

Alicia stepped up to the entrance with Dumah by her side and Kaede right behind her. The security guard overlooked at them and nodded, opening the chains to let them pass. Obviously he recognized the owners of the club.

Inside, the place was already somewhat crowded. There had been some extra work placed into the bars and the staff, as well as the top notch sound and light systems placed in and dancing columns with some professional dancers, as well as columns for the people to dance in them as they pleased. There was a floor above with a lounge for VIPs that overlooked the dancefloor below and had a private bar.

"So, what do you think?" Dumah asked with a grin.

"Not bad..." Alicia nodded.

"Not bad?! It looks great!" he smiled. "Come on, let's celebrate with a drink, shall we?" he motioned.

She laughed and made her way to the bar lounge above.

***

Darius stepped out of the taxi speeder. He approached the driver's seat and delivered the correct amount. He then stepped onto the walkway and glanced above, looking to the flash light letters. So this is the place...

He walked to the entrance as he saw a huge row of people waiting to enter. As he climbed some stairs a huge man with a black suit glanced down at Darius. "Your name?"

"Sorry, excuse me?" Darius looked up with the face of a joker.

"If you're not on the list, go to end of the line!" the tall man said, keeping a threatening position.

"Oh... I'm not on the list, but I think my friend is on the list..." Darius gave a false smile.

"Name?" the tall man asked.

"Mr. credit chip!" he said as he tossed a credit chip above the list that the tall man had.

The tall man nodded and picked up the credit chip and glanced to the amount. The tall man smiled. "Welcome to Trancemania, Mr. Smith!" He cleared the path that prevented Darius from entering.

As Darius entered, someone grabbed his hand and gave it a firm yet soft twist which created great pain in his arm and made him stand on his tip toes. "Cute. Very cute..." she told him. "Alas, not successful. I believe you're on your way out and towards the line of people!" she told him as she made him walk back out. She let him go right next to the bouncer. "Give him his credit chip back. If anything similar happens once more, you will both be sorry!"

The bouncer was about to say something but didn't. He gave Darius the credit chip back and motioned for him to go to the end of the cue.

"And I hope, for your sake, that's the last time you remember that technique!" the female told Darius.

Darius went back to the end of the line. It took him about fifteen minutes to make it inside by regular standards. When he walked inside he saw that the woman wasn't anymore as when she grabbed him and caught him off guard. He also saw that the place was full.

She saw him from atop of the VIP lounge. Of course, he couldn't see her as she was standing behind a mirrored blaster proof glass. She could see him but he could only see a reflection as if it was a mirrored wall. She saw the man moving regularly to the bar and decided to go back to the table where Alicia was sitting.

Darius reached the bar and the barmaid looked at him, waiting for him to tell him what he wanted to drink.

Darius glanced at her and smiled. "Hi! Can I have a Corellian whiskey, without the extra kick you guys usually put, if you please."

The barmaid went to take care of Darius's order, while Darius glanced to the dance floor, where some people were dancing like there was no tomorrow. A man and woman were dancing next to the bar, animated and the man hit his back on Darius. The guy turned angrily. "Hey, can you not occupy all the bar for yourself?"

Darius looked at him and then to the other side, looking for someone else and then looked back again to the man. "Who me?" Darius said with an innocent look.

"Yeah, you! Do you have a problem?"

"Well, mister, no, I don't. At least not with you. But you have a beautiful girl..." Darius approached his face, smiling. "I think she wants something else than just dancing. If you don't take her out of here and take her to your apartment, I will."

The man glanced back to his girlfriend. Darius looked to the side and saw that the man was talking to his girl and then both of them walked away.

The barmaid placed Darius' order on the table and looked at him. Darius drunk a little of his drink and then looked to the barmaid. "Nice place. Who's the owner?"

"What?" the barmaid asked since she couldn't hear him due to the loud music.

"Nice place!" Darius screamed.

"Yes it is!"

Darius smiled and then turned to the dance floor. He drank a little of his drink and set his glass on the table. Now to business!

Darius tried to examine very carefully every person in the place. Darius saw that this place was a good place to hang out. Maybe another time...

He then saw the person he was looking for. He was seated right in front of him, on the other side of the dance floor. Of course, the person didn't see him since he was having fun with two girls.

Darius exited the bar and made his way through the dance floor in the direction of that table. Darius approached the table and stopped in front of the man. He glanced down and saw the orgy that was happening in front of him. "Hi. Is there room for one more?"

The man put aside one of the girls with an angry voice. "No there isn't! These are my girls and I paid for them, so go look for an..." He looked to the man and he instantly recognised the man who was standing there.

"Hello, Zackery."

"Fuck..." The man who was between the two girls tried to moved but Darius was faster. He picked him up by his jacket, pulled it out of the table and over it and with his right hand grabbed his belt, placing Zackery above him.

"Gain way!" Darius screamed as he threw Zackery to the dance floor. The people moved away just in time. Zackery hit hard on the dance floor and when he turned up he saw Darius over him.

"Now, you are going to tell me where Lani is. Or my fist is going to obligate you to speak!" Darius said, picking him up.

"Hit shit..."

"Now, that's not a very nice thing to say," Darius said as he punched the man again in the stomach. "Where is Lani, you fucking animal? If I know you raped or harmed her in any way, you will regret being born!"

Darius grabbed Zackery from the floor again. The music had stopped at that exact moment. "Now, Zackery tell me where Lani is!"

Alas, before Darius could do anything else, there were three security guards already on the spot. One grabbed Darius from behind and locked his neck as to make him immobile, while the other one picked up the other man from the floor.

The third security guard placed his hand near his ear and was given instructions. He then turned to both his colleagues and motioned for the way. "Outside! Both of you!"

Darius reacted accordingly. Darius hit with his head against the security guard that was holding him, making him release him. Darius then kicked his stomach, throwing him to the ground. He moved against the second security and hit him in his throat. The hit threw him to the ground. He was about to move on the third guard when the first tried to grabbed him from behind. But it was not successful. Darius moved to the side, twisted the guard's right arm behind his back and raised it until he reached the point it could break. "No one stand between me and the information..."

Darius saw the second guard was rising. "It seems that your friend would like to dance with you!" He moved to the side and threw one guard against the other, knocking both down.

The third guard was now moving towards Darius, but Darius saw Zackery running away. He moved to the side, avoiding being captured by the security. He then grabbed a glass from one of the tables that was near him and threw it against Zackery's head. Darius' pitch was successful since the glass hit right on the spot.

He then glanced to the third security guard, moved his right leg and grabbed the guard by his throat and pants and threw him towards the nearest table.

Darius glanced to three security guards that were laying there unconscious. "So this is the mighty security of this place! I really thought you guys were better than this!"

He approached Zackery and looked down at him. "I hope you still have that little brain of yours working, because I want that information."

What Darius had not seen was a small woman coming in behind him. It was the same woman who had placed him outside the club earlier, the same woman who provided cover for Alicia Ashantee Gardan. It was Kaede Aoki. She kicked Darius' legs on the back and applied a pressure point on his neck, knocking Darius out cold. She then let go of Darius, letting him fall to the floor, asleep and went to grab Zackery. "So, you're the reason for all this fuss!" she said as she punched him in the face, knocking Zackery out of his senses as well.

After that, the security guards got up and a team came up to clean the mess that had been made. The DJ set the music on and it didn't take long before people went back to their partying.

***

When Darius woke up she was sitting in front of him. He was sitting down, with his hands in binders behind his back. "I thought I had told you not to try funny stuff!" Kaede told him.

Darius smiled. "Well, have you ever heard a grown up hearing advice from a little girl?"

"It kind of depends on whether the little girl is giving you good advice that will endure your life span and keep you harm free..." Kaede replied.

"What do you know about life span? Or about life and death? Let me tell you this, you are powerless when death comes! Not even your fancy tricks can help you when the time comes!" Darius sighed heavily towards the girl. He sat his back on his chair, putting himself as comfortable as possible.

"And yet, our destiny is defined through our actions and choices, and as thus, our actions define our time in life and how well we do..." Kaede replied. "Take yourself, for example. Had you not made such a fuss in the club, I would not have hit you and you would not be here now. Running into trouble doesn't help avoid death. It welcomes it!" she pointed out.

"Open the doors and invite it to the party..." Darius smiled as his eyes gazed the way Kaede moved and talked. He noticed a few things, but nothing that he could use.

As Darius spoke, the doors opened and in came Alicia. She looked at Darius with cold blank eyes and moved in closer to him. "Mr. Darius Drake. You have been much of an inconvenience. You do realize that, do you not?"

Darius glanced to the pretty lady that had entered. She was nothing compared to the little girl. "I know that. But you only lost a few credits and I lost some extremely valuable information. So..." He glanced to both girls as if he was comfortable in his chair. "So, as I see it, it was your little friend that caused the inconvenience!"

"You put it well... As you see it!" Alicia pointed out. "However, it is not that simple. You see, this is not a bar in Nar Shaddaa or Tatooine where you can go about and pick fights. If you wanted to do so, you should have done it outside or somewhere else. Not in here! So, since you realize what you did, I shall ask you my second question: are you prepared to pay for all the damage you made? I warn you that initial preliminary reports state damages up to 100 thousand credits."

"Mere pocket money..." Darius replied with a smile. "Now, my real question is: how much does a life cost you, Miss?"

"In my case, I take care of myself and of my security so I don't get caught. Let's say that I find it truly necessary in my life..." Alicia answered. "However, I also refrain from doing stupid things like the ones you have done here tonight. You will find that it is not a good way to make neither allies nor friends. Of course, I would consider you neither anyway... But it did cost you the chance to get you what you wanted, did it not? Had you acted differently, you would not have lost your man!" she pointed out. "So, Mr. Drake, I will expect you to pay up to 00 thousand before I deliver you to the proper authorities."

"Ok, miss. As you wish. And don't come to me so nice when I report you as an accomplice of murder!" Darius glanced towards Alicia.

"Threats do little effect with me. Believe me when I say that I have had more important people than you give me more impressive threats..." Alicia told him with a smirk. "And I would be quite impressed if the judicial corporations came to get anything at all out of this situation. Remember the facts: you created the fuss, you made the trouble, you brawled. And we stopped you. There is no one out of the line except yourself, Mr. Drake. So, if you have nothing else to add... I bid you farewell!" Alicia told him as she turned to leave the room.

Darius laughed out loud. "Did you memorize that little speech? Because I can swear that I heard that same speech in Nar Shaddaa. Also, let's see the facts, you not only had a man with two prostitutes, and I can recall a few people with drugs. The judicial corporations would love to hear all of this. Also, I can say that you just helped a murderer to escape, so that makes you and your friend as accomplices..." Darius smirked towards Alicia. "The media will love this! Your sales will start to go down! Are you willing to lose so much money for something that your attitude is dragging in?"

Alicia stopped and turned around. "Even if you could prove all that about the prostitutes and the drugs, which you cannot, the judicial corporations could only apply sanctions. Small sanctions, Mr. Drake. The real people they would have to go after would be the women who were prostitutes and those who consumed the drugs... And perhaps that is the best way to catch track of your man, so perhaps you should do so!" she pointed out. "Also, I'm sure that the media will love it all. And so will I. Free advertising is always a good thing to have!" she smiled. "Oh, and Mr. Drake, I doubt that you would get away from it clean. Not only did you do all the mess, but you're not an enforcer of the law, meaning that makes you an avenger. And I can assure you that they love to catch avengers who think they can do things without going to authorities who deal with those same situations. So, if I were you I would avoid them, for your sake!"

Darius smiled and waited for a mere second. "You and your fancy speech again! You know, you're right about that avenger part, but I guarantee you that you will not like it when they call you a baby killer!" Darius was able to free from one of the hand cuffs and throw towards her a few photos, before Kaede was once again above him. "LOOK AT HER! You allow people like Zackery to get away with murder!" Darius sighed. "Yes, I created a mess, I'm glad that you own this place, because if I knew it before I would have done much worse. Did I do the right thing? Yes, I did the right thing, because I made a promise to her!"

"Did you ever stop to think that if you had sought our help you might have gotten what you wanted and would have avoided all this?" Alicia asked. "But I guess you wouldn't think at all! Your two braincells were too occupied with not thinking, weren't they?! Now it is too late. You should have thought about that earlier! Goodbye, Mr. Darius!" Alicia told him before leaving the room and closing the door behind her.

Someone else walked forward. He lit a cigar and gave a sigh as he circled around the room to face Darius. He looked at Darius' eyes and stood there for a brief moment. "Mr. Darius Drake..." he sighed. "I am not as uninterested as my sister, and you are glad you had things with her. Had it been me, perhaps you wouldn't be here at all, but rather dealt with in the same manner you seem to understand, but ten times worse! But, I am prepared to set it all aside as long as you have something else to offer... Just how much is this man worth to you?" Dumah asked.

Darius got up and he sat on the chair again. "Well, I was prepared to kick the ass of the little girl and your sister, even if that meant that I died getting that info, but the gods are my witness that before I die all the ones responsible will pay for what they did to her!" He pointed to the pictures that laid down there on the floor.

Dumah laughed. "I can assure you that before you got within twenty feet of her you would be dead. That little girl, as you put it, is more dangerous than twenty armed zabrak! But you failed to answer the question I asked. How much is the man you were after worth to you, Mr. Drake?"

"He is worth more than your entire family inheritance and input that your sister and you receive annually!"

Dumah laughed again. "Well then... In that case, what if I told you that I have access to the man you were after?"

"Ok. You have now my undivided attention..." Darius leaned over as Kaede moved backwards.

"It's simple... As I said, I have access to the man you were after. The question is, Mr. Drake, whether you can make me interested!" Dumah pointed out. "You don't think that we'd let him get away, did you? He's just as guilty as you are, so you're both being held until the proper authorities come. But, I'm a business man above all, so if you can make me interested I'll take you to him before you're both handed over," Dumah told Darius as he took another puff on his cigar. "And, if I were you, I wouldn't consider asking him while with the authorities, due to the reasons that my sister already told you, but also because he committed no crime and will be set free way before you! And that, my friend, gives him more than enough time to vanish!"

"What do you want exactly?" Darius asked.

"That depends on what you have to offer... You see, I am quite a wealthy person, so it's hard to find out what I want and cannot buy!" Dumah smirked. "On the other hand, I hear you're a doctor, so maybe we can achieve a deal. What would you say if I set you up a small hospital and you work there, for me?"

Darius nodded. "What do you have to gain with that? Also, I don't have my doctor's license and there is something about a bounty on my head posted by the Kuat authorities."

"Well, I'm sure I can get you your license back. As for the bounty... That's not really my problem! And as for what I have to gain. Well, let's say that there is potential for a medical facility when you have people in need of medical care after sustaining injury. You see, there is a special sport here called brutball, and I think I can get a contract on dealing with the players and their injuries. And there's a lot of money involved on that one. But I would need someone who is willing to overlook certain aspects when they serve me right, such as the use of drugs to improve players and their skills... But I don't want the hassle of all the righteous shit that doctors seem to stick to, catch my drift, Doc?" Dumah grinned.

Darius thought for a moment. "Well, you're saying that I should risk my license and close my eyes in certain aspects and to use drugs on the players to improve their skills when you want... Well that is a risk for a medic who lost his license to lose his license all over again! No, sorry, Mr. Dumah." He paused and looked to Kaede and back to Dumah. "I prefer your sister's offer. Now you are giving me my phone call that I have a right to..." Darius glanced. "By the Tae'Karadan Constitution, all people that are arrested by Clubs security guards and are retained until appropriate authorities arrive have a right to a phone call. Section 12, paragraph 3."

Dumah laughed. "You missed paragraph 4, I'm sure. It clearly states that you are entitled to a phone call from your own call device, providing you have one. It also states, on paragraph 5, that you cannot leave the location if you do not have one, meaning you will have to wait for authorities before they can grant you your one phone call!" Dumah smirked. "And since you don't have one because we frisked you, Mr. Darius, I believe you're stuck here until they do arrive. And besides, what does it matter to you to work for me under those circumstances? You don't have your license as it is anyway! And are you really going to give up the chance to get that information you wanted so much just over a silly preconception that you're not willing to overlook some aspects from some players that you don't even know?"

Darius laughed. "You know, Mr. Dumah you can bluff all you want. Paragraph 9 states that the authorities of any club who frisk the person that is held can ask for his or her call device. If not, you're obstructing justice and the rights of a prisoner. Which means that I can sit here and wait for the authorities to come and complain to them that you don't keep prisoners right, which means you and the miss that exited from here will spend a few days in jail and this establishment will be closed for investigation. Which means they will find out about the prostitution and the drugs that you provided. And since both are illegal on this planet, you and your sister can be locked away for twenty to fifty years. Which I think you don't want, too!" Darius paused. "Now, I decline your offer, since I'm a medic, not a close-my-eyes kind of guy. And you can give me back the call device, so I can perform my call. If you don't let me, I'll simply tell them that you are covering the murder of a young girl. If local authorities don't give a shit, the CorSec will love to check you and your friends' backgrounds and I guess that they will love what they will find!" Darius smiled.

Dumah smirked. "Ahh, but your mistake is to think that we provided the drugs. You see, we don't! Also, I didn't take your call device. You simply didn't have one on you. Maybe you forgot it or maybe you lost it when you were fighting on the dance floor. Either way, you had none on you, so no, I don't have to give you your call..." Dumah smiled. "But let me tell you what I will give you, Mr. Drake. I will give you one chance to convince me of not killing you and telling the local authorities that you attempted a murder and I did it in self defense. Since this is my territory, I will not be harmed anyway... Besides, I already have the binders that you broke loose from. So, it's either shut the fuck up and do as told, or you die here and now!"

With that said, Dumah snapped his fingers and forth came the three security guards that had confronted Darius before, pointing blasters at him. "I can assure you that they want to press the trigger for what you did to them!" Dumah warned Darius. "And even if you could get to one of them, you can't get to them all! You see, Mr. Drake, I'm a simple person who likes to keep things simple, and I'm a lot more easy going than my sister... But I don't like it when people act like a smartass, just like you're doing now. So, what's it going to be? I'd hate to make you break your promise to that little girl you keep talking about..."

Kaede frowned. This was not Alicia's way of business, and she was sure that she would disapprove. But she wouldn't approve anyone hurting her brother either, so she stayed on full alert of Darius so that he couldn't try any moves at all.

Darius glanced to the three men standing there with the blasters. "Ok, have it your way. But if things get hot, I walk away and I'm telling everything to the authorities."

"Very well then!" Dumah grinned. "I assure you that you won't regret it either... Now, I imagine that you want to talk to this other man called Zackery?" he asked.

"Yes, I would like that very much." Darius got up and started to walk towards the doors. Before he stepped out of the room he turned to Kaede with smile. "If I were you, I would go see doctor about that muscle in your left leg that's sore. You could rupture your tendon if you apply too much pressure on it!" Darius smiled.

Kaede frowned. How could he possibly know... she wondered. Still, she bowed her head and walked out of the room, mostly to check that the security guards that were taking him to the other room did so without any further hassle.

---

"Pod Racer Victory Ring"
By Tidus Highwind
Other minor NPCs

Location: Pink Monga, Yelldon District, New Plouton
Date: Vadris 2, 4 ABY

***

Tidus waited in the street in his speeder, glancing to the Pink Monga entrance. The entrance was empty, but probably inside was beyond full of people. Tidus continued to sit there, counting the number of speeders that passed by, just to kill time.

He took out from one of his black coats a small cube and activated it. He saw a holographic image appear of what looked like a battle. It was the battle that was supposed to free Firalag, but that went good to worse in a matter of seconds. Tidus always carried that cube to study or at least see where the Rebels' plan failed. He couldn't think of his sister, fiancée, and son were still alive, but inside he told himself that they were alive, but of course he wanted to see with his own eyes. He then shut off the cube and put it in the same pocket. It was done everything to prevent what happened to Firalag, Tidus thought, he then glanced towards the entrance and no change.

After a few minutes he saw a man exiting from the main entrance and shaking a hand of the security guard at the entrance. Tidus exited his speeder and walked towards the Pink Monga entrance.

"Hello, Mr. Highwind. He is inside!" the man said as he entered again and Tidus followed.

The music was loud and many people were dancing on the dance floor and off it. The stench of alcohol entered Tidus' nose. He walked up the stairs and stopped near the man. "Mr. Highwind, there he is!" The man pointed towards Dug that was drinking and had few Twi'leks around him. Tidus saw that he had two or three personal guards.

Tidus took out a credit chip and delivered it to the man and Tidus made his way towards the Dug. As he came near the Dug, two of his personnel guards came into view. "Hi, I want to have a conversation with your boss."

"Who wants to speak to me?" the dug said.

Tidus was taken by surprise. "A Dug speaking in Basic?"

"Yes... Now what you want?" the Dug said as he glanced towards him.

"First of all, your autograph. I think you're the best pod racer," Tidus said as the Dug told the guards to let him pass.

"I don't usually sign my autograph but I can make an exception," the Dug said as Tidus took of one of his pictures and signed it. "Here, thanks."

"Thank you. Can I ask you one thing?" Tidus said as he put the photo once again in his pocket.

"Yes, but be quick." He then kissed one of the Twi'leks.

Tidus glanced towards him and smiled. "Well, many people think that you are independent, someelse that you are too much independent, like the person who you owe some money to."

The Dug smiled and then he threw the liquid in his glass towards Tidus' face. "Begone, Human." And the Dug laughed, as his twi'lek joined his laugher.

Tidus exited the Dug table and made his way towards the bathroom. There he glanced towards the mirror and took out a piece of paper to clean himself. He took out his comm and dialled one comm frequency. "Hi, it's me," Tidus said. "He is here like you said, but he refused to be cooperative." Tidus paused to heard the response. "He's been doing great this season. What you want me to do?" Tidus paused to hear the reply. "Ok, it is your pilot!" Tidus turned off his comm and exited the bathroom.

He made his way towards the Dug with a smile. He was stopped by the two guards again. "I told you to begone," the Dug said angrily.

"I know, but your boss wants that precious ring of yours and obey his orders until you pay what you owe to him." Tidus glanced towards the third guard.

The Dug made a sign to the guards get rid of Tidus, but Tidus glanced towards the guards with a smile. The two guards moved towards him. He punched the face of one of the guards that took a few steps behind. Tidus took out his whip and waved towards the second guard and got him by his throat. He pushed his whip and threw him to the other side of the dance floor. The third guard moved quickly towards him and was able to punch in Tidus' face, but he then caught the third guard's throat and he kicked between his legs to knee the guard and used his whip to get the second guard by the throat. Tidus had both guards by their throats but the third eventually was able to get released. Tidus pushed the second guard and threw him towards the third guard. The three guards were unconscious on the ground and amazingly the security guards of the Pink Monga didn't interfere with the fight, not because they were afraid, but Tidus paid the chief of security not to interfere.

Tidus used his whip and hit the glass right in front of the Dug, breaking it in two. He then placed his whip around is left shoulder and walked closer to the Dug. "If you do not wish to tangle with a Neuronic Whip, you give me that ring and now..."

The Dug was amazed the quickness the he was able to take down three guards. He took his ring off of one of his fingers and threw it towards Tidus.

Tidus caught it in mid air and smiled. "Thank you. Oh your boss tells me that you start to obey his orders and pay the rest of waht you owe him if you want to see this ring again and also get some new guards, my grandmother could beat them easily."

Tidus walked out of the Pink Monga and towards his speeder and made his way towards his home.

---

"What You Could Leave Behind.... Part 1"
by: Dalen Seabook - (archaeologist free lance - PC)
Eleanor Seabook (archaeologist - NPC)

Location: New Plouton - Commercial city
Date: Vadris 2, 4 ABY

***

A cold breath was coming from the old café's backdoor, mixed with flavour of earliest breakfast, addicted for every palate from any side of the galaxy.

The tables, made by high quality wood from Wakarra, were full of alien species, here in the New Plouton Commercial City, just to increase their commonplace profits, without any real possibility, considering the humble origins.

The man, dressed by a large cloak was sitting all alone near the far and away angle of the local, near the main door, just too similar to a commercial center's windowed gate. He raised softly an arm, just to attract the interest of the two humanoids who entered the tavern. They were real human, wrapped by typical New republic officers, but appeared a little bewildered.

One of them, the man, nodded to the sign made by the cloaked one and took a seat in front of him, at the same table. The other, a red haired woman with a strange wild sight marked by two emerald eyes, was standing up, near the man.

"One of these days, Syhtk, you will able to explain me the reason of our particular meeting, won't you?" said the man, just arrived, with a wise smile on his mouth.

"And you will learn me how to be just too obviously human in a place like this, dear my old-friend Dalen."

The woman seemed very grim.

"And...this time...the usual kind of problem you always share with your wife?" asked the cloaked man.

Dalen nodded. "This time is a big affair. Perhaps too bad for me and perhaps for a typical smuggler like you."

"Smuggler?...don't bother me. You know I could kill you without moving an eyelash. Simply by using the more than hundreds of ways to offend I have learnt during more than 10 years in the imperial intelligence activity. I mean very on the job experience..."

Dalen puffed. "Yeah...I know the story and...my children to be will know them before they see the light for the first time."

Syhtk tossed and said, "Now tell me your actual problem, before I leave you mine."

Dalen lowered the voice. "We discovered an ancient form of holocron Jedi, made by the Sith. Well it's dated to 5000 years ago. Do you know what I mean?"

Syhtk smiled and now in his brown eyes was glimmering a strange dark light.

Dalen looked at the woman, who stared before him, with a man near the blaster. "Eleanor, please...watch my back while I'm finishing our story."

Eleanor said softly, "And you...please avoid telling more to our too-sensitive friend, all right?"

Dalen nodded and reprised the conversation. "The problem is that 5000 years ago there were no technology to create a real holocron...and if our carbon-analyses are founded, we are in front of a great discovery. It could reveal the Sith were in the galaxies more time than we usually accepted and they could govern the finest technology. "

The cloaked man passed his hand near his mouth. "..sithspawn..." said he "...I can imagine a lot of people want to gain it now."

Dalen said, "The centre of our problem. We've been hounded for two weeks, by unknown enemy, who likes to strike in the dark...we need help. And we can't have faith in the New Republic official government. We don't know who wants to put the hands on our discovery. Can you realize the problem?"

Syhtk tossed newly. "Well perhaps my information could help your problems, actually."

"Speak clear and quick, and I'll pay the right price as usual, my friend," said Dalen.

"Well, I have some news from the Jedi Temple, here in New Plouton. It seemed there could be a new archaeology site, along an ancient forest, surrounding the Temple. This site could have some links with your discovery, 'cause it seemed a sort of ancient Jedi ark. In fact the ancient ship have, I tell you in surface only, strange typical Sith's signs. Moreover I think you could tell about your discovery directly to the Tae'karada Jedi. They could protect you in these difficult moments, and perhaps give you more answers than you expect."

Dalen closed his eyes: he knew what it could matter if he brought Eleanor near a Jedi temple. She told you more times about her perceptions and feelings about the life force. The same the Jedi could call "the Force". But the situation was effectively hardest than any other times.

They left the café after a lot of time and an "expansive" breakfast, mainly due by Syhtk. Dalen was too silent and Eleanor broke the moment, with her usual frankness, "And now where could we go? Is there any hide for two archaeologists like us?"

Dalen took the decision in a beat of a butterfly's wings. "We could take our skipray and...reach the...Jedi Temple. Perhaps we could find someone who could listen us and...give us the right level of protection."

Eleanor didn't believe her ears. "You know what it could means, don't you?" But she was full of joy.

Dalen nodded. " Sorry...yeah! But...please, except what we could leave behind or before, please...can you drive the skipray now to the destination? You know how I really hate any flying object!"

Eleanor took the command of the skipray, at the space port. The destination was, as usual, unknown, but she could sense a sort of positive vibration in the air...or perhaps in the Force.

---

"Debts and Targets"
by Daemor'rah
Kib Kopatha [NPC]
Xora [NPC]
and Quinlan Vos

Location: Asteroid Field, Dolomar Sector
Date: Vadris 2, 4 ABY

***

The shiny metallic coloured palace fortress stood out in the dark grey large asteroid, its many towers and generators providing it with enough resources to live in such an area, where there was no air and constant rocks bumping into each other, as well as force field generators. The whole rock and palace fortress was part of a small crime lord. A Bothan who went by the name of Kib Kopatha, who seemed to strive more within piracy acts and gathering info than anything else...

A ship crossed through the rocks and approached the hangar bay. As it approached, the shields were let down momentarily for the ship to land. Before it was actually docked, there was an emissary in the main room of the crime lord. A Neimoidian emissary.

"She's here!" the Neimoidian said. "She's been paid by Jadda the Hutt to come here in his name!"

"Here? That's impossible! Why would she be here now?" the Bothan asked.

"How am I to know? But I can tell you her ship just docked in the hangar!" the Neimoidian persisted.

"You're sure it's her ship? Not some other craft?" the Bothan asked his emissary.

"She's been here before! Don't you think I know a ship when I see one?! It's her! I saw her... And she's headed here now! She's coming to see you!" the Neimoidian pressed on, now rather nervous.

"But she's always announced her visits in the past... And so has Jadda whenever he sent someone!" the Bothan said as he sipped his drink, being comfortable in his large reclined chair. "You must be mistaken."

"There's no mistaking her," the Neimoidian assured.

Finally the Bothan heard someone come inside and took a look at the entrance door that had just opened. At first, he was dumb-stuck with what he saw. "But... But why..."

"Kib Kopatha... I have need of you!" she said as she walked into the room. Aside from the Bothan and his Neimoidian emissary, there weren't many others in the room. Two guards, one Nikto and the other a large Gamorrean, and about five girls from many different species dressed in sensual outfits that showed their gorgeous curves.

"Daemor'rah, this is... This is a most unexpected pleasure," the Bothan said nervously, since the last time he had seen her she had been out to kill him. The only reason why she didn't do it was because he had tripled the payment for her not to do it and have her kill her contractor instead. He was not so sure this time since she was apparently there, being paid by Jadda the Hutt. "I was not apprised of your visit, but of course I am honoured by your... GHRK... GHLLRG..." he said as he was unable to continue to speak, since it felt as if his throat was being choked with enormous strength.

"Master!" the Nikto guard said straight away, as he moved faster than the Gamorrean, towards Daemor'rah. Already did he have his sword in hand and came behind her with a motion for striking her down.

All it took Daemor'rah, as she turned around while she kept that control over the Kib's throat, was a movement of her hand to send the Nikto crashing hard into the wall and knocking him out.

The Gamorrean was also moving towards Daemor'rah with his axe in hand, so she used the Force to grab hold of the sword that the Nikto held and propelled it to the Gamorrean's back, making him yank in pain and fall to the floor. She then finally let the Bothan go free of her will and from her hold on his neck.

He grabbed his neck and rubbed it slowly, while he regained his breath, not quite sure what she was doing here, if not out to kill him straight away.

"Jadda the Hutt turn a blind eye to the riches you've made trafficking in information and piracy... as long as he is the first to benefit from that information. But you've become increasingly unreliable, Kib," she told him. "Lately you seem to provide with more of a speculation than fact. Jadda does not tolerate this sort of incompetence. Should it continue, then the consequences will be... most severe. I trust my point was made?"

"Yes, Daemor'rah. Tell Jadda it won't happen again. I swear to you!" Kib replied, almost too fast. "How may I serve you now? Anything!"

"I have come to require information on those precious gems that were in those container crates that were raided by Ruva, that Rodian pirate. I'm sure you are aware of the name," Daemor'rah stated. "His party has succeeded in escaping without a trace. For now. But he will not escape me and he will be found. You, will use your resources to locate him."

"Daemor'rah, what you ask is... Ruva is very good at hiding any trace of his passing. He could be anywhere in the--" Kib started, only to be interrupted by the bounty huntress.

"You will not fail me in this, Kib Kopatha! I will get back to you on this and you will have this info ready for me!" she demanded, with a threatening tone.

"I... ah... Take your meaning. I won't disappoint you in this," the Bothan promised.

"You have two days!" Daemor'rah said as she turned to leave the room.

"Must you depart so soon? Any amenities I have are yours for the asking..." Kib said.

"No."

The Bothan moved in to intercept her and smiled at her. "Surely you can tarry briefly. I have much that might be of interest to you!" he said as he tried to make her content enough. He knew that Daemor'rah was going to kill him if he did not, and he didn't know how to get the info she wanted in such little time... He feared for his life.

"My table is laden with many delicacies from the core worlds to the outer rim. Roba steak from Taanab? Or filet of the Mon Calamari Krakana? I can provide them all!" Kib told Daemor'rah as he motioned for the part of the room where the girls were located, near tables with food and comfortable looking couches. "Or, if you prefer, there are other delights to be sampled. There must be some amusement I can offer you!" he said, now motioning for the girls themselves. There was a beautiful girl, holding a tray with a bottle of wine. "Perhaps some blossom wine from Tae'Karada... Along with another of that world's treasures?" Kib suggested.

Daemor'rah looked at the girl and paused for a moment there, looking at the girl. Tae'Karada...

"Madam, is something wrong?" the girl holding the wine asked.

"No..." Daemor'rah dismissed, then turning to face Kib once more. "No. You have two days!" she said as she walked out of the room.

***

Aside the room, a dark green beautiful Falleen girl whispered near a curtain that led somewhere else. She was viewing Daemor'rah from a certain distance. "She is finishing up with Kopatha, and won't stay long. She never does. If we move quickly, though, we might still take her," she said, just prior to walking into the room where another two Falleen men stood.

"But we're not ready, Xora!" one of the men argued with her. "This is sooner than we'd planned! She will suspect!"

"Even if she does, we can't lose this opportunity! It must be now!" the girl insisted.

"Xora's right. We have to take advantage of this chance," the other man said. "Who knows when she will be returning?! The question is where? We can't attack her out in the open."

"The auxiliary hangar. It's out of the way and there are more places for us to conceal ourselves," the first Falleen man suggested. "But how do we get her inside? She has no reason to go there."

"Leave that to me," the girl nodded.

"You're sure?" one of the men asked.

"I know what she wants... And we'll use it to destroy her!" she stated as she embraced one of the other Falleen men and walked out.

***

"Miss Daemor'rah..." she called out as she ran through the corridor to catch up. "Forgive me for interrupting, but I must speak with you."

"I have no time for this," Daemor'rah said bluntly.

"Please, hear me out," the girl insisted as she placed herself in the huntress' way.

Daemor'rah looked at the girl. "You are Falleen. Those on your world use pheromones to addle the minds of others. But you are sadly mistaken if you believe you can affect me."

"I would never be so foolish as to attempt seducing you," the girl promised. "I am Xora. I am indentured to Kib Kopatha, so I am privy to much of what transpires in his inner sanctum. He knows far more of Ruva and his piracy act than he admitted to you... Including his whereabouts."

"Where are they?" Daemor'rah asked directly.

"Please, not here," the girl pleaded. "This is too public. If even a hint of my speaking to you reaches Kopatha's ears, it will be more than my life is worth. We need to be someplace private. This way," she said as she led Daemor'rah down a staircase and into a room that gave to a smaller hangar.

"We won't be disturbed here," the girl nodded.

"What can you tell me? Do you know where Ruva has fled to?" Daemor'rah asked as she followed the girl.

"No... But I can tell you this is the place of your death, Daemor'rah," Xora answered as she turned around with a vibroblade knife in her hand. "For what you did to my father! For the people you butchered just to capture him!"

As she said so, there were a couple of blaster shots, as the other two Falleen men came out with blasters in hands. Alas, Daemor'rah was able to get out of the way before they got to her.

"For my father and friends!" Xora screamed as she plunged herself at Daemor'rah. She was able to cut Daemor'rah in the torso, but Daemor'rah punched Xora out of her way with brutal strength.

The girl lost her vibroblade knife, but got up. "It's not just me you face. It's the vengeance of our whole family and our friends. You killed about fifty just to get to my father! Some were innocent children and women! And all for the sake of money! How much is a life worth to you?! Husbands, wives, children. Did you think their ghosts would rest easily? They'll have their revenge... carried out by survivors of that massacre you pulled out. You can't run from your past, monster!"

"I have no other choice..." Daemor'rah said simply as she had her lightsaber taken out of her belt and ignited its blade. There were shots fired towards her, but she deflected them and used the Force to push one of the Falleen men away, then cutting the other one's head, clean off. She then moved to the other one she had pushed and he was charging up on her, having leapt into mid air. With a swift movement of her scarlet blade, she cut him into half by the waist.

Xora, the Falleen girl, was petrified to see her two brothers fall that fast. Daemor'rah grabbed her by the throat and lifted her up. "I don't like to be reminded of the past!" she said rather angrily.

"GLRRK..." Xora gasped. "But you'll never... escape it..." she said as she was running out of strength and air.

Daemor'rah let the girl go and punched her face so as to knock her out cold. But she didn't come around to killing her. After all she wasn't armed, so there was no sport in that. She walked back to the hangar bay where her ship was landed, knowing that Kib had nothing to do with this Xora girl. She was soon gone from the palace fortress in the large asteroid.

***

Later that same day, there was yet one other ship that landed on the same hangar as Daemor'rah had landed before. Out of it came a man with long dark hair and with a yellow line across his nose. He wore a dark brown cloak.

"Your purpose of being here, Mr...?" the Neimoidian asked.

"I am Jedi Master Quinlan Vos. I am here to speak to Kib Kopatha," he stated simply.

"I'm not sure Kib Kopatha would want to see a Jedi, really," the Neimoidian said.

Quinlan waved his hand calmly. "You will take me to Kib Kopatha, now." And that was all that he needed to be granted an audience. Once in the presence of Kib Kopatha, the Neimoidian talked to announce the Jedi.

"Why would I want to see a Jedi?" he asked when his emissary told him that the man was a Jedi.

"Because, I must speak to you in private," Quinlan answered.

"And the subject you come to speak of?" Kib asked.

"Daemor'rah..." Quinlan said. As he said her name he noticed the reactions from both Kopatha as well as the Neimoidian. "I know she was here. I have been tracking her for quite some time. Can you tell me where she is?"

"Not as such!" Kopatha answered almost too fast. He was fearful that Daemor'rah would kill him should he tell the Jedi anything at all. "Besides, I don't give information for free."

"Perhaps you would be willing to tell me what she was here for?" Quinlan inquired.

"Business. That's what most people come here for!" the Bothan replied.

"And what sort of business would that be?" Quinlan asked.

"You ask too many questions!" Kopatha said. "You will leave now!"

"You will answer my questions..." Vos suggested as he waved his hand.

"I will answer your questions..." the Bothan repeated.

"Can you provide me with Daemor'rah's location?"

"No, but I can tell you where she will be in a day or two. She wants to know the location of this pirate called Ruva. She wants me to find out his whereabouts and tell her," Kopatha explained.

"I will require this information as well," Quinlan said.

"Yes... I just found it out, actually. He hides in Duro. That's where you will find Ruva, and that's where Daemor'rah will be headed!" Kib said, then shaking his head, and not being quite sure why he had said it.

"Thank you," Quinlan bowed. For the first time, he seemed to be one step ahead. He waved his hand one more time and said, "You will forget all of this conversation," before he left the room.

***

Quinlan went back to the hangar and there was a girl there. She was Falleen, and quite pretty at that. She was obviously waiting for him. "Yes?" he asked.

"You're going after her, aren't you?" she asked.

"I am."

"She killed my family. First my father and now my brothers..." she said as she began to cry. "I don't know why she didn't kill me, but... Please, when you find her, kill her. If you are a Jedi, then you must be capable of doing so."

"I am committed to protecting life. Not taking it. But I am trying to get her to stop what she is doing. So, if I can manage that, I will. But not through taking her life," he explained.

"Then... Perhaps I may join you. There is nothing for me here anymore," she asked.

"You must promise me two things then," Quinlan told her. "You must not attempt to kill Daemor'rah and you must do what I request from you. Do you acknowledge that?"

"Yes. I acknowledge..." she said as she wiped her tears and walked up the ramp of the Corellian Transport.

---

"What You Could Leave Behind.... Part 2"
by: Dalen Seabook - (archaeologist free lance - PC)
Eleanor Seabook (archaeologist - NPC)
Tvniek (bounty killer - NPC)
Master Laedra Vorrel (Jedi Master - PC)

Location: New Plouton - (Emigrants quarter) - (above the forest surrounding the Jedi Temple)
Date: Vadris 2, 4 ABY

***

Tvniek took the credits quickly and brought them in his pocket with a blossomed smile in his snake face. It was his favourite professional performance, but his experience suggested that wasn't really much in the overall scheme of things. He turned himself, without speak a single word to his commission agent, in any case he was hard to be understood, without the help of a mechanical translator.

Tviniek, a reptile humanoid, loaded the blaster rifle over his large shoulder and reached his fighter, an old Z-95 Headhunter. He dropped into the cockpit command chair, pulled on the communications headset and started hitting switches. The holographic projections started to define the target's position and tracking down his objective. The Z-95 raised from the hidden space port in the emigrants quarter, and slipped silently into the blue sky.

***

Somewhere over the forest surrounding the Jedi Temple

From far enough away the Seabooks' skipray looked like a metallic hawk, reflecting the sunlight by his fragile craft accelerating his running to the Jedi Temple

"My perspective as a navigator is just a...little troubled by the velocity...you couldn't decelerate a bit?"asked Dalen from the backseat.

She powered the engines more just to overclaim her husband's suffering voice.

He arched a blond eyebrow. "Could you remember to use a speeder, next times?"

Eleanor smiled and said, while he was switching the commands, "But I'll have no intention of letting that happen...as you well know," she said.

Dalen stood in silence for a few minutes, while Eleanor was thinking he had definitively lost his conscience, till suddenly he broke the time to say, "Here below us. These ancient buildings have to be the Jedi Temple."

Eleanor kicked the skipray on port stabilizer foils and hauled back on the stick. Diverting power to the engine newly, she tightened the circle, then rolled out right as the Jedi Temple started to appear to her eyes in its full magnificent.

"Wake up, my dear. The voyage is ended now. You have your feet on New Plouton's ground and we have only a little walk to reach the Temple," the voice quietly arrived to the conscious level of Dalen's mind.

He opened slowly the eyes and found the beautiful face of his wife near him. He stood up and took his pack, when a rumbling sound woke him more energized: a head hunter passed over their heads, erupting a flow of energy blast below the forest. Dalen and Eleanor hid near a strange tree, with long and wise yellows leaves.

"What the hell?" asked Eleanor.

"Nothing else but our mysterious enemies," nodded Dalen. "We have to reach the Temple or we could finish this trip before the start."

They moved slowly, passing from a tree or another wise bush. Dalen was controlling the pocket sensor, to avoid any dangerous presence. But this presence, figured in his mind such as a humanoid, didn't correspond to a deep helm. So he rolled and brought his wife, in his fall. An open view of the blue sky over their heads was suddenly obscured by a shape. A human shape.

"Having some trouble?" the attached female voice asked. She shifted and blocked the sunlight preventing them from seeing her fully. The white-robed woman smiled down at the two.

Dalen took a deep breath, emerging curiously calm. "Who are you? And...what do you want from us. We are only archaeologists, here to visit a site..."

"That may be so," she answered, "but those people pursuing you do not seem to share that view." Green eyes twinkled as she introduced herself. "I am Master Laedra Vorrel of the Jedi. You appear in need of help...so here I am."

Eleanor stood up and took her husband up with her. "You mean a real...Jedi?" he asked. "...I think today is a positive day after all."

"You will find it more so if you would come with me," Laedra told them. "It does not appear safe out here."

But after these words some bits of blaster exploded in the air all along the helm.

Laedra turned her back to them and from her hand ignited a pink shaft of light. The air hummed around it. "I will protect you," she said, and looked over her shoulder. "Please, follow me." And she backed away with the two behind her. Another blaster bolt hissed towards them, but a swift parry from her lightsaber deflected it harmlessly away. "If you would be so kind...please run."

Dalen and Eleanor had no idea where they could find a sure hide. All the forest surrounding them seemed to be an entire life form pursued to annihilate all three, with blaster bolts and long slender branches, like skeletons' hands.

"Master Laedra.....have you a sort of....transport...?" said Dalen while the breath started to be short.

"I had not expected I would need one," she replied. "I'm afraid our feet will have to carry us."

Suddenly a strange creature, snake-like, moved within Dalen's field of vision: that realization was enough for now. He didn't need to know why the alien was here precisely. The fact that Dalen's brain could work well enough to process information again was sufficient. With a quick movement he pushed Eleanor down to the ground, hoping the fall didn't make any serious abrasion to her. Successively, he extracted his blaster gun.

Tvniek had killed more than one hundred targets in his entire career, one more, one less. He could remember their agony and the different ways the specter of death passed over their faces. But one thing he couldn't imagine and view: the way he could say goodbye to life.

A vibrant, pink shaft of light appeared at his throat, and stopped his finger from activating the blaster. His red, reptilian eyes flicked towards Laedra, who had ghosted up beside him, and scaled lips spread to expose a fanged smile.

"Please release the weapon," Laedra ordered calmly, but her request was not heeded. Too fast to be fully processed, Laedra twisted away from the creature to slash at the heavy tail hurtling towards her, and was back around in time to sever the claw bringing the blaster to bear upon her. Both tail and dismembered appendage dropped to the leaf litter without a single shot being squeezed off. She would have been content to let him escape if the unfazed creature had not bared his razor teeth and thrown himself at her. Only them was Laedra left with no choice but to drive her weapon through his abdomen. A hiss died on his lips as she pulled her lightsaber free and stepped back.

Tvniek dispirited himself to the ground, raising the thick substratos of leafs in the face of Eleanor, who was standing just a little distance from the fall. Dalen extended a hand down and helped haul her. However Dalen was surprised by the Jedi's quick reaction. "I have to thank you....for the second time, by now. Perhaps our hunter's been eliminated. It's time we have a talk, Master Laedra." He glanced at Eleanor to find her consent and reprised, "We have a sort of ancient artifact," said newly Dalen, touching his pack. "It could interest you and the entire Jedi community... 'cause it could involve a Sith's presence."

Eleanor beside him said, "But we are in...great danger. We didn't know from whom and for what exact purpose, but someone or some organization seems to be interested in what we have found!"

"Whatever the case may be," Laedra told them, "you do need protection for the time being. The Temple is just up ahead." She smiled. "You may tell me on the way." They fell into step beside her.

Dalen smiled. "Oh...well....effectively our source of information has told us about a recent discovery here in the forest surrounding the Jedi Temple, but...we think, with frankness, that they're all typical folk tale!"

"What sort of discovery?" she asked them. "Many strange things have happened in the vicinity of this Temple, things I would not be too quick to discount as mere folk tales."

The forest was becoming a stew in appearance, perhaps only a condition of uneasiness. Dalen cleaned a pillow of sweat on his forehead. "We have some details only whispered by a merc. It's about an ancient craft...but...sincerely I think it could be better if we talk about it far and away from here. Ah...we... appreciate very much your protection offer," he said, looking into his wife's eyes.

"The Jedi are sworn to protect and defend those in need," Laedra explained. "No thanks are required." She swept aside a long, leafy bough, and behind it was revealed the Temple. "My home," she announced. "You are welcome there."

---

"Death in Gallor"
By Strider Ixion
Raydan Levaithan - NPC
Rita Keares - NPC
Prince Regi Gellar - NPC
Vula Kairn - NPC

Location: Royal Palace, Midgar, Gallor
Date: Vadris 2 and 3, 4 ABY

***

Raydan walked through the large corridors of the Royal Palace. The night was already high and most of the people that worked on the palace were already in their rooms. Just a few guards were available, making their rounds through the corridors.

He had all day making preparation in case of eventual attack by the Empire. He saw all day long faces scared that the empire might attack, but he saw those same people that were going to fight for their lives to keep Gallor free, but Raydan also knew the stormtroopers were a far better trained force than the Gallorians.

He walked through the stairs to the upper rooms and when he was in the corridor a strange sound came from behind. Raydan stopped and looked back. He saw a black figure in the corridor and disappeared in the far room. Raydan walked to the spot where he saw the strange figure and glanced everywhere, no sign of no one. Raydan then felt like he was being watched; he knew that someone was there in the palace, but he couldn't see who it was.

Raydan decided to see if the door of those levels were secured and they were all well secured. Raydan decided to proceed to his room, but he kept close watch on that part of the corridor in case anyone that was there, made the mistake to reappear.

Raydan stopped at the entrance of his room and glanced to the end of the corridor. Nothing, no one had reappeared in that part, but he knew that someone was there in the palace, he could feel it in his bones. His priority was Strider and like he promised to the Duke, whatever happened he was going to keep a close watch on Strider.

Rita was also sleeping in the same room and bed as Strider. He watched them sleep and knew that Strider was protected. He had to see the corridor one last time. As he walked near the door he heard a strange pass on the ground. He exited quickly and saw that it was only one of the servants. "In the name of the gods, don't do that."

"Sorry..." The servant continued to walk, carrying a mop. "Master Raydan, does the gardener work this late?"

"Gardener? What gardener?" Raydan asked without knowing what he was talking about.

"The gardener that was taking care of the flowers in the east side of the garden!" The servant pointed.

"We have no flowers on the east side..." Raydan stopped. He looked to the far corridor and saw that the east side of the garden led to that corridor. He ran as fast as he could at the end of the corridor and looked to the window. It was open. How could Raydan have missed that? He opened the window and glanced down, nothing. He then he looked up and saw a leg entering on the top floor. "Shit."

Raydan went to the stairs and went to the top floor and stopped. He saw nothing but a strange noise came from one of the rooms. He opened the door. There she was, a figure dressed with black clothes. "Drop your blaster and kneel yourself!" Raydan ordered.

The intruder stopped and dropped its blasters. He then threw a jar against Raydan. He moved fast and he charged against Raydan.

He saw for a mere second what the intruder was going to do and avoided the intruder's hand that held a vibroknife. He grabbed the intruder by his throat as he held the hand that held the vibroknife. The intruder kicked Raydan in the face that made him step back against the wall. The intruder threw the knife, but Raydan was able to just barely dodge the knife. He glanced to the vibroknife stuck on the wall as the intruder exited the room.

Raydan took the vibroknife from the wall and went after the intruder. He then aimed towards the intruder as the intruder ran away. He aimed and threw it. The vibroknife hit the intruder just below his ass; that made him fall on the ground. The intruder screamed in pain. Raydan approached him and glanced towards him. "Now, if I take out the vibroknife you will bleed to death. So cooperate with me! Who are you? Why are you trespassing this palace?"

The intruder glanced at him. He saw Raydan grabbing the vibro knife. "OK. OK. I'm just a Recon trooper. I was ordered to get the schematics of this place nothing more, I swear in gods name. Don't kill me!"

Raydan saw that the screams had woken half the people in that corridor. Luckily it was the guards section, which apprehended him quickly. "Captain take this man to the infirmary and place him under arrest."

"Yes, Sir!" the captain said as they got the intruder up and took him. Raydan kept glancing towards the intruder and decided it was time to watch over Strider.

***

In the next morning Raydan stood all night awake. He approached Strider's bed and saw that he was still sleeping. Raydan glanced through the window and stayed calm, watching the clouds passing by. Rita had already left to bring some food to Strider and Raydan was there watching over him.

Rita entered all of a sudden and she was tired, since she came from running. "Raydan..." She tried to catch her breath.

"What is it? What's wrong?" Raydan said as he got up and approached her.

Rita continued to catch her breath. "It's the Duke... He died last night!" Rita said. Raydan saw that Rita was dropping tears.

"What?" He couldn't believe in what Rita had just told him. He wanted to cry and he almost cried, but he didn't. "How'd it happen?"

"I saw the commotion on the upper level and I went there to see what it was. One of the guards told me that the Duke's heart failed."

"Wha... How... He..." Raydan was speechless, it was really shocking news. "He was fine yesterday, hell I taught him some moves in case he had to protect himself. At the end of the practice I was somewhat tired, but he was fine. I said to him that he had a heart of steel or something." He paused and glanced towards Strider and then back to Rita. "Stay with Strider. I'm going sort this out, ok?"

"Ok," Rita said as she set next to Strider and glanced towards Raydan that disappeared through the door.

Raydan walked as fast as he could towards the Duke's room and there was a commotion of best friends and people of the council standing at the entrance. Raydan walked through the entrance and saw the Duke's body laying there lifeless. A tear rolled down his cheek and he glanced at who was in the room. There were the leaders of the Council of Gallor, the High Priest and Prince Regi. The prince was acting so badly that Raydan read between the lines. He showed that he was sad for the death of his brother, but not as much Raydan could see.

He approached the Duke's body and stood there, glancing at his lifeless body. Goodbye, Duke. We will miss you, but me and Rita will continue to vouch in those promises that you make us do. For us you will be always our Emperor and Duke, Raydan thought and then he paced backwards and started to walk towards the entrance. He passed Regi that stopped him.

"Raydan. The grief is too great to bear, you lost a friend and I a brother," Regi said as he saw Regi turning towards Regi.

"Yes, I lost a great friend, but you lost a brother that you barely knew." Raydan looked in his eyes, in a way that he understood what Regi had done, for power.

Regi was sadder than ever. "I hope that you show me more obedience once I become the next Regent Duke."

"My vow is to protect the people of Gallor and that is what I'm going to do. I have no quarrel with you, Regi, but I advise you not to cross the line that stands between you and Strider, so help..." Raydan was interrupted by the High Priest.

"Gentlemen, gentlemen, this isn't the place to have such a discussion." He paused, like he was choosing his words wisely. "We mourn the death of our Duke. Show some respect. When we bury our Duke this afternoon, you can discuss all you want, but now it is not the time or place."

"Burial? This afternoon? But why, our tradition is five days not before. Our rats have that time, why does the Duke has to be buried right away." Raydan remembered his days on the Green Forest that the villagers used to bury the rats that were killed by them had five days of burial like any other Gallorian, because the villagers saw that death was equal to every life form.

Regi looked to Raydan. "Because I will be next Regent Duke of Gallor from tonight. We must have a ruler that controls our army in case the Warlord decides to attack us."

Raydan looked back and glanced towards every person. "You people make me sick. The people have the right to say goodbye to their beloved Duke and you want to break our thousands of generation's tradition, because you want someone to tell our Generals, Admirals and Marshals how to protect our world. You think of your own fortunes, because once the Empire attacks you will probably lose everything you have." He paused and looked fierce. "What about the people, the innocent people, that you vowed to protect, that the Duke" --he pronounced the word Duke, since the next Duke whoever he was going to be, was going to be half than that dead man laying on the bed-- "put you on the chairs you now seat to serve the people, not yourselves." Raydan exited angrily towards every man in that room.

Regi saw that Raydan exited because he protested the way Duke Yu was being treated, just because this time for thousands of generations a Gallorian was going to be buried today and not after five days, like their tradition said.

Regi glanced towards the other men and saw all leaders of the Popular Council, the Justice and Army exited as well in protest and in time Regi was the only man standing in the room.

***

The ceremony was held and all Gallorians were standing at the entrance of the gate, trying to watch the burial. Some were outraged, others were just too sad for the sudden departure of their Duke.

Raydan and Rita stood with Strider seeing the ceremony in the far distance next to the entrance where were the common people standing, in a sign of protest. Also behind Raydan stood the entire Popular Council and Justice, as well as the Army, all in sign of protest of the quickness that the Duke was being buried.

Raydan glanced towards the woman standing next to Regi. "Who is that?"

Rita glanced to her. "I don't."

"Her name is Vula Kairn, she comes from the core worlds," said the man right behind Raydan.

"Well she looks more than she seems." He paused as Raydan studied her posture. "Rita stay always away from that woman. Avoid her in any means necessary."

Rita looked at Rayden and saw that he wasn't kidding and when he was kidding it was because it was serious enough. "Ok, Raydan."

Regi was standing next to the place where his brother was being buried, next to Regi was woman with a black hood over her head. It was Vula, the priest was chanting which was the tradition. "Look at them," he talked towards Vula, "they will be a problem eventually."

"I know, sire. You got eventually to take care of the problematic ones and put some people that you can trust." Vula stood there without taking her eyes off the coffins that lay on the ground.

"Well we can start with that Raydan fellow..."

"No, sire. I think it is unwise at this point. He is a war hero from the Civil War and he is still a hero on the common people's mind." Vula continued not to move.

"What can we do about him?" Regi asked.

"Nothing, sire, for now, nothing. We've got to show the commoners that he is not the hero that they think."

"So do it as fast as you can. He knows that I got something to do with this and the ways he looks at me, just says written in his forehead: I'm going to shit your entire life from this day forward." He looked at Raydan that now was holding Strider. "Just look at that, how can you change that?"

"There are many different ways to change that, sire. Just leave it all to me, sire." She then gave a brief smile and Regi did the same.

"Make sure that you can do it as fast as you can. Also don't make the others suspicious about my meetings with the Ambassador of the Cooperate Sector. If someone does find out make sure that he holds that secret permanently." Regi looked serious as the dirt started to fall on coffin.

Vula bowed and smiled in such an evil way that Regi felt cold rushing down his spine.

---

"What You Could Leave Behind.... Part 3"
By: Dalen Seabook - (archaeologist free lance - PC)
Eleanor Seabook (archaeologist - NPC)
Master Laedra Vorrel (Jedi Master - PC)

Location: New Plouton - Jedi Temple
Date: Vadris 2, 4 ABY

***

"I hate this," Dalen said.

"Waiting?" Eleanor, eyes closed, adjusted her pose, making herself more comfortable on the grip cot made by rough cotton, placed in the Spartan room that Master Laedra had recently assigned to her and Dalen. The walls were made by natural lavic stones and they attributed to the entire room a dark atmosphere, difficulty cut by the light penetrated by the small opening.

"Of course, waiting." Dalen had returned half an hour before from the last scattering run through the forests and after a refreshing bath he started to feel a bit nervous by the voluntarily prolonged waiting.

"Where are the Jedi here?" asked Dalen while he was trying to mentally figure how he could protect them from an invisible enemy. He extracted form the pack the little prismatic shape that was the holocron Jedi he had found. He turned one side to the others and a lot of mystic and ancient symbols started to be projected and spin around, radiating from the center of the artifact.

"Remember: it seems yesterday we found this artifact and now all remains linked in the past and the future have no clear path. I'm asking what we could leave behind us....."

"Please, Dalen, put it away from us. It seems to bring us only bad luck."

Dalen stopped the holo projection and closed the ancient mechanism that moved a secret code of communication and recording about Sith.

Eleanor shook her head. "I don't know about the Jedi. But they will call us."

"You felt them coming?"

Eleanor was silent.

"I think you're tired, and this makes you more sensitive to all things around us."

"If she is tired," the disembodied voice of Laedra Vorrel said from the darkness, "we can do this later."

Dalen hid the pack with a slow movement, but Master Laedra seemed to see him neither the dark perception produced by the lava stones.

She emerged from the shadows, but was hardly the ominous, stern figure one might have expected to detach from the dark; she was smiling amiably, her hands hidden in the large sleeves of her robe. "So...are you up for this?"

Dalen simulated the uneasiness, saying, "Extraordinarily timely, Master Laedra. We were just talking about the mystery within this place."

She smiled. "No mystery to us any longer. We discovered the story of the ancient masters half a year ago, during a fierce battle with an army of engineered Sith." Her bright eyes passed between the two. "What do you know?"

Dalen watched his wife and nodded. Extracting the Holocron Jedi, he showed it to the Master. "Our problem was born with the discovery of that ancient artifact. The manufacturing style ascended to Sith era. Exactly about 2000 years ago, when the galaxy was ruined by a long time war between the Jedi order and the Lords of the Sith. I didn't know precisely the meaning, but the figurative holo-art reminded me of a sort of dark commandments for dark-light beginners. Look!" he said so the box opened and projected the turning images.

Laedra studied the display of ancient script and carved scenes depicting a story of the past. "The lettering is similar to that of the ancients," she mused. "I believe I can decipher it if given time."

Dalen closed the prismatic box, source of many secrets. And reprised to talk. "The fact is based upon a confidence made by our personal archaeological informer. Among the forest around the Jedi Temple there's a new discovery. A sort of Sith ark. We..." he said so he searched for Eleanor's approval "....think that could be a link between the holocron's finding and the ark. Perhaps....one could be the emulator of the other..."

This quirked one of Laedra's eyebrows. "An ark? Of what sort?"

Dalen seemed to be surprised. "Oh well, this sounds like an amazing point of view, Master. In fact we were thinking that you Jedi could help us with that discovery..."

Laedra smiled tolerantly. "I'm afraid we aren't in the business of running off to investigate archaeological discoveries. If this object is a threat to this planet or the Order, it is our duty, but until you can convince me of that...."

Dalen kept a breath. "We know about a sort of ark. Remains of an ancient ship, emerged by a typical forest environment. We thought it could be surrounding the forest among all along the Temple. But...your surprise said more than we could have in mind. If you have no data about this place...perhaps it could be near another place. "

Dalen finished the words and finally his mind was clear about his future. It might be a life force or even mental perception, but one thing was sure.

"Master, we need to know more about it. The destiny of my family's strictly bounded by the holocron and perhaps this sort of ark. Here, I have to ask your help to find the truth behind the lies."

Now Laedra sighed, hinting at sympathy. "I am sorry, but if I were not bound by the Jedi code, I would help you, sir. But I do not see how your family's tainted name threatens this planet."

Eleanor cleared his voice. "I and my husband could try to learn more from our informer. And you...if you agree, you could help us to have more information about any kind of recent archaeological site placed in forests of wood. We could work together."

"Even if I could..." She shrugged compassionately. "I have a Padawan under my tutelage - it would not be right of me to run off on an adventure while she is counting on my teachings."

Dalen smiled and went near Master Laedra. "We have only destinations unknown but surely we know...what we could leave behind us."

Laedra chuckled softly. "You are a persistent man." Her eyes found Eleanor's. "Is this how he convinced you to wed him?"

Eleanor, with a humorous tone, said, "He could be worse, I can assure you. "

Dalen shook his head. "Right, Master. I understand your position and...personally I haven't any intention to interfere. The situation is also critical by my point of view...and the last matter in the forest could be only the beginning. I ask you what we could do?! Persecuted by a hidden and unknown enemy, proprietors of a sort of catalyst of dark forces...and perhaps being spied on at any moment. Our life is not ordinary, even if it could be in the past, but plus...we have no home now. If you can't help us...we must search for answers and solutions somewhere else."

"Answers that might lead you into danger?" Laedra pointed out. "Who was that creature that attempted to murder you today?"

Dalen raised his hands. "Obviously I couldn't know. Perhaps mercs hired by some sort of artifact collector...to be optimistic...anyhow....a bitter answer. " And said so he figured a matter of Sith's cultists involved. "What can you offer now?"

"To meet with the council," Laedra answered. "I am bound by protocol and duty. I cannot participate in such an endeavour without the council's approval. We must take your account to them and let them decide."

"I perfectly agree. We ask to wait here in the Temple, when the council will be able analyze our situation. If naturally it's possible."

"Of course." She rose and strode from the table, expecting them to follow. "I'll have a room prepared for you."

Eleanor smiled and took a deep breath "All right here. We...eehm...we'll give just a look around, with your permission."

Laedra stood in the doorway and bowed her head. "Feel free to stop by the dining hall as well, if you are hungry." Then she departed - her first stop being a chat with her fellow Masters.

---

"Alley of Opportunity"
by: Adam Edwards
and Cailin Fawkes

Location: New Plouton
Date: Vadris 2, 4ABY

***

Adam had just returned from Maldorish, where Dax and DB were putting together the final pieces of the base together. He had assembled a motley crew of smugglers, and base staff. The mercenaries should be arriving the next day, and operations should begin within a few.

Adam had returned to New Plouton for supplies, and had just turned a corner when he heard some harsh voices from down an alley.

He moved quietly down the alley, through the shadows. Farther down, he could make out five figures, four larger ones surrounding one smaller figure. The smaller figure, Adam could see, was a young woman. She didn't look like she was enjoying the situation.

Adam drew his blaster, and crept closer, preparing to fire upon the closest man.

The young woman backed another step away from the three, her boots making a soft squishing sound in the alley's muck. She wore a long, dark coat over a dark shirt that laced up the front and a pair of breeches tucked into leather boots.

"I said I don't have any money," she said as one of them reached out to grab her arm. The young woman pulled away, leaving the thug empty handed, but left her against the alley wall. "I'll give you all one more chance to walk away from here without any lasting injuries." She was met with laughter from all sides. "Just remember, you all brought this on yourselves."

With that, she seemed to become a blur of motion. One of the men toppled backwards, rolling a meter away from the huddled group. The alleyway was filled with the telltale snap-hiss of an igniting lightsaber, and the alley was suddenly bathed in the blue glow of the energy sword in the woman's hand. The blade moved as if it were an extension of her body, slashing and thrusting.

As one of the thugs reached for her, she whipped the blue blade around removing his arm at the elbow. As his scream echoed up and down the alley, the others began to have second thoughts about the situation they'd plunged themselves in. Two of them broke and ran, racing back up the alley, hoping to get away with life and limbs intact. One of the remaining two pulled a blaster from his belt as he muttered and growled something about Jedi bitches. The blaster coughed a green bolt of deadly energy that would have put a gaping hole in the woman's chest, were it not for the lightsaber in her hands.

The blade came up and caught the blaster bolt and sent it upwards, showering the alley with the rocky dust from where it chipped away at the building behind the man. He didn't have a chance to fire a third shot, because the woman took his second shot and ricocheted it back into his own chest. He fell back, his weapon clattering to the ground as a thin tendril of smoke drifted up from the charred wound.

The woman turned her attention on the one she'd tossed from the melee. Judging from the fear-struck mask his face had become, she didn't suspect the large wet stain on the front of his pants was from the wet alley floor. She let him run, following his two friends up the back of the alley. The thug who'd lost his hand, staggered to his feet and stumbled after them.

She watched them go, knowing they'd think twice before trying something like that again. And, next time, she was certain they wouldn't be so lucky.

As she deactivated her lightsaber, the young woman looked up to the head of the alley, at the man standing there. "Enjoy the show," she asked.

Adam lowered his blaster, and stuck it back in the holster at his hip. He walked forward slowly, definitely not wanting to get on this woman's bad side.

"A Jedi?" Adam asked. "I'd heard rumors of y'all, but I was never sure if I believed them."

"Mostly ghosts now," she said. "Though, I hear some of the Jedi who were in hiding are now setting up a new Temple here. I'm not a Jedi; the Jedi were destroyed twenty hears ago. I'm just someone who knows a few things."

Adam looked back down the alley. "More than a few apparently," he said, smiling. "My name's Adam. And you are?"

"I'm Cailin," she answered. "I didn't really expect to end up here, though I guess curiousity got the best of me and I couldn't stay away." She shrugged. "Not sure if I want to head into the forest or not. That's not part of what I want for my life. I'll probably get close enough for a peek, then find a ship heading outbound to catch some work on."

"Your looking for work. I might be able to help you there," Adam told her.

"Yeah, I'm looking for work," Cailin echoed. "It helps put food on the table and keeps me out of the rain."

"I'm setting up a...transportation business on the neighboring planet. With your unique skills, I think you'd be quite useful," Adam said.

"It has potential," Cailin said with a nod. "What would I be doing for you, Adam? And, what sort of timeframe are you looking at?"

"Mainly protection work. Shouldn't be too hard for someone with your skills. As for a timeframe, you can work for me until you want to leave. I'm not gonna force you into anything," Adam smiled, "and from what you just did, I'm not sure I could."

Cailin grinned and then nodded. "What sort of pay," she asked.

Adam thought for a second. "I'll start you off at 50,000 credits a standard year. Impress me, and I'll see if I can make that higher."

Cailin nodded. "Sure," she said. "Beats what I've been having to do to get my food recently. I guess I'm in. What now...Boss?"

"Lets get outta here, and I'll show you where we'll be working. My ship is this way...." Adam pointed in a direction.

"After you, boss," Cailin said, then fell into step behind him as they headed for his ship. A steady paycheck would be nice, that was for certain.

---

"Never Look Into the Eyes of the Gods, Part 2"
By: Dalen Seabook
Eleanor Seabook
Master Laedra Vorrel
Master Koran Darr
Master Alisson Blair
Master Quinlan Vos
Master Kal'Aran

Location: New Plouton - Jedi Temple
Date: Vadris 2, 4 ABY

***

The acrid smell of fear. He could feel and, by his experience, he was also sure it did not mistaken. There was to be interesting news from the temple. He glanced all around the external structure of the Jedi Temple, using his powered ocular. False silence. False as the noble spirit of the Jedi. Soon it could be the moment to attack. But he needed to find the two archaeologists before. They were the key. They believed to have the problem. But the wild core of the problem was them. He smiled and decided to wait for the perfect moment.

Dalen could not believe his luck. Finally it looked like things were taking a turn for the better. Carefully, so as not to reveal his enthusiasm, he said to his wife Eleanor, "I think it will be the right choice."

"That's correct," Eleanor replied.

Dalen gave Eleanor a wise smile in return and placed the prismatic box on the rigid and natural bed. For a second he seriously considered turning around, but he knew the decision was taken. They'd try to leave the Jedi Temple and the holocron forever from their lives.

"And....if the Jedi will suffer 'cause of it," paused Eleanor.

"All right to leave is not a viable option. I assume you've got a better idea?" Dalen leaned back.

The door was suddenly opened. A shadow was glancing at them

"Sorry to bug you." A pale-haired, green-eyed girl no more than twelve was framed by the doorway. She wore the robes of a Jedi in training. "Master Vorrel told me to come and get you. The Council's ready for you."

Dalen raised his arms, in a dramatic way. "Oh...well we were just ready to come."

Eleanor tightened Dalen's right arm and smiling slyly: "A perfect actor...."

So the two archaeologists followed the young Jedi apprentice straight to the core of the Council.

"Now we're definitely inside the storm," whispered Dalen.

"Not now. We were since we took this artifact."

The room was silent.

Seated in a semi-circle around the council chamber's large table were four Jedi Masters, all of varying ages, but all human in appearance. Laedra Vorrel, the first Jedi they had met, was among them, as were Koran Darr, Alisson Blair, and the elder masters, Kal'Aran and Quinlan Vos.

"Masters, may I present to you Dalen Seabook and his wife, Eleanor," Laedra announced. "They have come to seek our assistance."

"And in what may we assist you?" Alisson asked plainly.

Dalen lowered his head and softly said, "We... are... in... great danger..." and he interrupted himself, just to create the communicative space to any of Master Laedra's observations.

Alisson tilted her head ever so slightly. She glanced briefly at the other Jedi Masters and then back at the man in front of them. "What is this about, Mr. Seabook?"

"All the dark matters started since we bought from the underground market a strange ancient artifact. Apparently it seemed as any old transceiver, but our interest was captured by his typical esoteric signs. It could be soon to analyze it more deeply, but at first sight and....with the problems it brought us... seemed to be a sort of... Sith's creation." Eleanor snorted a laugh. "I hate to think what other terrifying it could be if it wasn't a Sith's."

"May we see this object you speak of?" Alisson asked promptly.

Eleanor nodded and placed a hand over Dalen's shoulder. "It's time," she whispered in his ears. "C'mon it's our job to find the right historical moment."

Dalen took the artifact and brought it close to Alisson. "Here's the object and source of our dangers. Some folks told us it was originally found in a sort of ancient space ark, discovered here, near the Jedi Temple." He paused and glanced at Master Laedra Vorrel. So he reprised, "But none knew about this ark."

Eleanor said, "There's also another element we have to say: the artifact seemed to be force-sensitive."

Dalen grinned. "Eleanor it's not time to talk about your sensation. Right?"

Eleanor ignored Dalen's observation and added, "I have a sort of....perception about it. In a few words...a curious and deep sensation."

Koran glanced aside at Laedra and raised an eyebrow. "Do you suppose there could be a connection," he asked softly. He knew he needn't elaborate more, the recognition was in her eyes.

"If there is," she murmured back, "the Ancients will likely tell us so."

Eleanor turned red and interrupted the conversation between the two Jedi. "...excuse me...but...I mean it was just a presage...." She deeply wished they could understand her desire to share comprehension of the sensations.

"Perhaps you can describe to us what it was that you felt," Kal'Aran suggested.

Eleanor suppressed a dignified smile as she watched Dalen's expression. "When I'm in danger or something wrong's going to happen, I could...imagine and feel a strange emotion. A sort of uneasy sensation. But it all happens quickly. And...." Dalen was raising up his eyes. "And..." reprised Eleanor, "...this sensation's grown since we have this object. It seemed to me such as a cathalizator!"

Alisson considered the words for a moment. Clearly the woman before them was in some way attached to the Force, and it would seem unwise to not consider her description. Besides, if they were right, then they best be beware of such an object. "Tell us... What do you know of the Sith?" she decided to ask. After all, their assumption was one to consider.

Dalen took space in this conversation and added, "We are archaeologists. And...following this kind of professional attitude we've studied a lot the ancient stories of the Sith, and...."

Eleanor interrupted him with a charming voice, "Yes, it's all true. I've studied ancient typology of Sith artifacts. But sincerly it's more than this. I have a recent dream - or if you want to call it more exactly... a nightmare. I...was alone with this box. And someone from the past called me. Someone hidden in the dark...but I knew him or it. He was naming himself as Darth Locustus, a lord of the Sith, more than 2500 years ago. But I understood he wanted this artifact... the reason was....."

"His resurrection," said Dalen with a lowered but deep voice.

Laedra refrained from expressing skepticism in her facial features, but did so mildly in her response. "And you believe this dream is truly a vision?"

Dalen hesitated. "This has given us many opportunities for reflection. I've recently been able to ignore this consideration... I suspect these calculations have even begun to affect... our work..."

But Eleanor surprised all. "Yes. I believe my dream is a real vision. And I sincerely hope you could help us to discover the truth and... give us shelter."

"Or a way to hide," ended Dalen.

"A shelter or a hiding place?" Kal'Aran asked, more repeating the words to himself than asking a question to them. "Tell us, what exactly are you hiding from?" he asked.

Dalen glanced around, just to keep attention. "I might say we are simply in danger. But, in our recent days, I've tried to get back our better times, and keep safe my family. Some hunters are on our tracks. Some of them have attacked us in the forest. Only Master Laedra Vorrel could help us against these mysterious hunters. I know they want the object, 'cause they've start to follow us since we bought the artifact. And..."

Eleanor said, "Adding this to my vision - if you permit to identify it so - we all think some unexplained ancient menace's been awakened. By now we need help and...some answers we're not able to find on our own."

"So what do you propose the Jedi do?" Laedra asked.

"Help us to find the truth...behind the lies. Join us in a mysterious struggle, based upon our artifact... and define together any possible future actions," said Eleanor.

"Give our life some sense," Dalen smiled.

Alisson frowned. She was not sure exactly what these two very odd individuals wanted. They seemed to be honest enough, and yet they also seemed to hold back at times. "The Jedi are peacekeepers, Mr. Seabook, not warriors or counselors on how people should run their lives..." she stated. "Now, how would you propose that we do this that you ask?"

Eleanor spoke with a soft voice, "We have to know more about our pursuers. They are probably connected by this artifact. We would start to investigate all around the Jedi Temple's area to find any signs of the arc. The arc is the way to the truth, by our point of view. But if the hidden enemy are near...we need protection. This is all."

"I'm afraid we're not in the business of hiring ourselves off as bodyguards," Laedra demurred. "If the council agrees this find is of great import to the Order itself, then perhaps it would be in our best interest to join you and your wife. However," she reminded him, "we must rule on this as a whole. Is there anything else you wish to add before the council deliberates?"

"Nothing," said Dalen, watching Eleanor. "We're going to wait for your deliberation."

Silence prevailed as the Jedi waited for the two archaeologists to exit the room. Once they had gone, Laedra regarded her peers. "Although this is the second time I've heard their account," she began, "I am still uncertain if this is something that should involve the Jedi Order."

Kal'Aran nodded. "I agree. They seem honest, and yet I do not think that we have been told the whole story. Although they believe this object to be from the Sith, they seem to lack the pieces of the puzzle to explain it, and their facts were poorly explained."

"And yet, the Sith were always dealt with by the Jedi Order," Quinlan intervened. "And one cannot place the fact that this woman does have some kind of connection with the Force, though highly untrained. Perhaps it would be wise to pursue this matter and investigate it a little further."

"I think it would be dangerous for us not to investigate this, especially with recent indications that, despite the fall of the Emperor, the Sith may still be around. If this object is a danger, however, I am uncertain that allowing it to remain in the possession of our archaeologist friends would be wise."

"I agree with that point," Laedra said. "They are indeed being tracked by one or many individuals, and I am certain it is because of whatever treasure they have dug up, whether or not it truly bears the powers they have attributed to it."

"Then perhaps we can persuade them to let this thing they have found be kept under our guardianship. They seem to trust us to deal with this matter and they did come to seek our assistance," Alisson pointed out. "If they trust us as the most suited for this quest they seek, perhaps they would trust us with the treasure as well..."

"We should ask them," Koran said. "The worst that can happen is they can say no. Does anyone object?"

"Let us suppose that they do grant us guardianship of the object which they found..." Kal'Aran intervened, then pausing for a few seconds. "Then we agree to help them in their quest. Perhaps we ought to decide which Jedi to send with Mr. and Mrs. Seabook, so we have more of a reply to offer them."

"Perhaps," Laedra amended, "we should ask for volunteers." She passed her gaze over each of the assembled Masters. "Who of us here believes in this quest of theirs and wishes to help them accomplish it?"

Alisson thought for a moment and gazed around to the other Jedi Masters. Finally, she decided to speak. "I am not sure I understand or believe entirely in this quest that was presented to us by Mr. and Mrs. Seabook," she said. "But I do believe in the Sith and the menace that they can pose. I volunteer for joining them."

Quinlan nodded towards Alisson. "In that case I will be joining you. I have done many investigations during the Old Republic days. I'm sure we will get to the bottom of this quickly," he nodded.

"In that case, I believe it is settled," Kal'Aran said with a nod of approval. "Unless someone opposes, we should call upon Mr. and Mrs. Seabook and find out if they are willing to let us guard this object they have come across."

Laedra inclined her head and vacated the round table to usher the Seabooks back into the room. Once all were seated again, she watched them closely. "The council has come to a decision."

Reluctantly, Dalen and Eleanor headed for their chairs. Observing the Jedi Council, Dalen wondered what he really might do if he could use the Force the way the Jedi did. Would he remain on the light side, or would he avail himself of the sinister powers of the dark side to teach any kind of Sith's menace a thing or two about using an old artifact? Violent and ghastly images blossomed in his mind like an explosion, but he put quickly an end to them. He glanced at his hand and found them balled into fists. "How best to proceed?"

Alisson took a few seconds and looked around once for a brief moment. "First, we must request something of you. This object that you speak. If you truly believe that it can be that harmful, and if you fear for its safety, then perhaps you would consider having it be kept by the Jedi here," she stated, then choosing to see their reaction to her words and state their reply.

Eleanor whispered, "We can probably manage twenty or more archaeological matters at the same time. But I'm not sure we'll be able to have this artifact with us for other days. I..."

"...and....we...are perfectly agreed to give you the ancient box," Dalen nodded with satisfaction.

"Good," Quinlan nodded. "We must first assure that we will safeguard this object you speak of. After that is done both Master Blair and myself will join you to search for the truth behind it."

"I imagine a few day's preparation will be necessary," Laedra said. "In the meantime, you may remain at the Temple as our guests if you wish."

Dalen nodded. "We thank you all very much. Me and Eleanor would like to remain in the meantime in the Temple. Perhaps, Eleanor could learn more about her presumed sense capabilities."

Laedra exchanged a veiled cautionary gaze with her fellow masters. If Eleanor's abilities exceeded mundane foresight, enlightening her to the potential she held would be imprudent, and even dangerous. "If you would join Dephna outside, the young woman will show you back to your quarters," Laedra told them hospitably.

Before left definitely the ancient room, Dalen turned himself and took a look around. "I've a feeling. I've got the impression our life's going to change, my dear."

"Remember, Dalen, we've taken a look in the eyes of the gods. And...doing this...nothing could remain the same. Never more."

Dalen nodded and placed a hand over Eleanor's shoulder. "But I'm still in love with you. And this emotion couldn't change. Never."

Someone entered before them. Dalen turned himself. "Where do we go now, while we're waiting for superior instructions?" asked charming Dalen to the Master who was now in front of them

Laedra, who had slipped out of the room to instruct Dephna, smiled at the Temple's guests. "You may either go to your rooms, or the dining hall for some dinner," she suggested. "The masters and I will be conferring for some time, so that is probably best." Laedra paused to frown briefly, then turned her focus to Eleanor. "Mrs. Seabook...do you often have these vivid dreams, like the one you spoke of just now?"

Eleanor seemed to be surprised by the question, so she tried to be less embarrassed. "Oh....well...about two or three per week. But...I felt some kind of disturbance. I couldn't recognize the source, effectively I had the perception of being contacted by someone else, temporal far and away from the present."

Laedra nodded thoughtfully. "I do not sense the Force in you, Mrs. Seabook, so this may have somewhat to do with that artifact you have discovered - if it does, indeed, hold some inherent power. You may simply be more sensitive to it than your husband."

Eleanor closed her eyes and said, "It could be the most probable hypothesis. But by now, you're suggesting the distance between me and the object could lower the disturbance I've felt?"

Dalen nodded. "I think it's time to plan our next actions. Our seekers are probably informed about our presence here at the Jedi Temple. However, we have to avoid any risk to you. We have to start our new journey and...without the artifact with us any kind of bad influence'll be surely avoided."

"We need some time to prepare, but we have granted you our aid, Mr. Seabook. Feel free to explore the Temple while you await your departure." Laedra bowed, then returned to the conference room, leaving Eleanor and Dalen standing with Dephna in the corridor.

Dalen embraced Eleanor's shoulders. "Well...I think we're going to have a new start."

Eleanor seemed to be worried. "Or a new menace."

He could feel it now more deeply. Something was moving inside the Temple. He took a deep breath, or something comprised with it, contemplating the exotic source of his alien shape. The hunt was starting newly.

---

"Envisioning Journeys"
By: Dalen Seabook
Master Laedra Vorrel

Location: New Plouton - Jedi Temple
Date: Vadris 2, 4 ABY

***

The humidity dragged at Dalen the most and his clothes would become soaked with sweat within the walk along the portico of the Jedi Temple. He watched the Massassi tree's trunk that had been grown uprooted by the temple itself. A lot of brush and shrubs had grown up around the trunk, conferring a devastating image of wild nature. Dalen took a breath and tried to gain more air than the humidity seemed to allow.

Something or someone was waiting outside. He knew since the first day he had placed his feet on the Jedi Temple's floor. It was their enemy's emissary, and he was probably now ready to attack, just after they left this hideout. It was a matter of time: Master Alisson and Master Quinlan would prepare the journey to reach more information. And this was the moment to fight. And the first step? What could they really do against the fate? While his mind was floating in this dark tide of anxiety, he felt someone beside him. He turned himself, surprised by the silent capacity of movement, when he met Master Laedra Vorrel's eyes.

"Preoccupied?" she asked.

"I was just observing the wild form of life here. It's been without limits for many times I can see. Limits are effectively sort of bends and create obstacles to the natural growth. It's all marvelous." But his tone was drastically sad and ironic at the same moment.

Laedra nodded slowly. "Nervous about the journey? We don't have to go through with it, Mr. Seabook. You are still welcome to remain here in any case."

"Well...I know...we have to be grateful to all of you. I'm asking myself what kind of destination we are going to reach. Ah....an old song said 'Destination Anywhere...' It could be appropriate."

Laedra smiled kindly. "Perhaps you simply need some rest, Mr. Seabook. I'm sure you will find some clarity after a little sleep."

"Yes, thank you, Master....it's a good idea. Effectively I wish to meet Master Alisson and Master Quinlan to define our journey. Eleanor now is sleeping. I could wait until she will wake up. Ah...till one hour...."

"I will inform the Masters to await you in the conference chamber at that time, then." She bowed to the man and assured him, "The Force will be with you in this, Mr. Seabook. I'm sure of it."

Dalen nodded. "I can't avoid thanking you another time, Master Laedra. I'm going to take some relaxing moments and...when the time will be right I'll be able to discuss about the journey. In detail, I was meaning." And with these last words said he left the Master to reach his room.

---