"Separation Anxiety, Part 1"
By: Dargus Kandran
Yelara Neerou
Keeve Zenarr [NPC]

Location: Dargus' Cruiser - Tae'Remok System
Date: Eos 3, 4ABY (early morning)

***

Dargus Kandran slipped up behind Yelara. He smiled as he gazed down at the lines of her back, the tilt of her head, and the way her hair fell across her shoulders. He lowered himself to his knees behind the chair she was sitting on, and placed a kiss on her neck, tender and caring. He slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her to him. "Hello, my dear," he said softly. "I've missed you." He kissed her again. "How would you like to take in a pod race with me down on the planet? I've heard they're very exciting to watch."

Yelara placed her hands atop his after securing one final strand of raven hair. "Podracing is such a...male sport," she said with a sigh. "Although, if you can find a way to keep me entertained, I might consider it."

"Oh, I know many ways to keep you entertained, my love," Dargus said with a smile. "Though, my options are limited while out in public in the desert. But, I'm sure we'll manage. Keeve'll be coming along, but he refuses to bring Shiv. I think he's going out of his way to make his life difficult."

"She hates him," Yelara stated simply. "He made his life difficult when he decided to pursue her to begin with." Yelara chuckled throatily. "And when he decided to rely on me to encourage her to give him a chance."

Dargus shook his head. "You're not helping him the way he envisioned, that's for certain. I think he would demand that I kill you if he found out what you've been doing with your servants." He sighed. "I've been wondering if it's really wise to keep him around. He's too uncontrolled."

Yelara shifted around in the chair and studied Dargus' face, quickly gaining insight into the meaning behind his words. "Dargus...you can't kill him. Please... I hate him, yes, but you can't just...kill him."

A shrug lifted one of Dargus' shoulders. "I suppose you're right," he said, not liking the idea of having to play nice for Yelara. But, he'd have to. He smiled, and kissed her forehead. "I could return the boy to his mother. I'm sure she's used to dealing with his...tantrums."

"Wait...you abducted him and now you're just going to return him?" Yelara asked quizzically. "If that's the case, why did you take that boy in the first place? For your insane experiment?"

"The experiment worked," Dargus said. "And, he came to me. He wanted to come with me. He wanted to be able to love Shiv like a man. I gave him what he wanted, and in return, I got to test my equipment."

"And now you're going to send him back to a life he found miserable?" Yelara laughed wryly and deftly pushed away Dargus' hands. "You're still a cruel bastard, you know that?"

"He found it miserable because he couldn't have Shiv and everyone was telling the child what to do. He's no longer a child. But, he's too unstable here. He threw a plate of food at one of my chef's last night because it wasn't prepared right. He storms into my office without knocking and then berates me on how bad everything is around here. He was upset earlier because there was nothing to do and Auntie Shiv wouldn't spread her legs for him, so he went and beat up one of the prisoners. What am I supposed to do with him?"

"Maybe you should send him out on a ship and have it blasted out of the sky." Yelara rose abruptly and smirked at Dargus as she swiped her robe off the chairback. "It seemed to work well enough for your volatile temper."

"Oh, the temper is still there," Dargus said. "However, I've undergone a good deal of training to be able to keep that under control. And, I don't know if the boy is bright enough to get out of the ship when it hits the water. He'd be more inclined to shout and whine about how it wasn't fair or not doing things the way he wanted."

"Well, you chose him, Dargus. You deal with him now." Yelara threw on her robe, then shot Dargus a delectable smile and strode past him with a haughty gait.

"How about we dress him in a thong and make him another of your servants?" Dargus asked with a grin as he turned to follow her with his eyes.

Yelara stopped before her wardrobe and tapped her chin deliberately. "He is a little closer to my age..." she mused. "And he's very handsome." She looked over her shoulder at Dargus and grinned slyly. "I might just do that."

"It might teach him a lesson," Dargus said as he approached slowly. "And, being with a real woman might tame him somewhat. And, in case you're curious, he is well endowed."

"Even better than my lord?" she drawled. "I might just take a look for myself."

Dargus smiled as he traced his fingers over her breasts. "If you can tame him," Dargus said with a smile, "I'll give you the planet of your choosing."

Yelara slowly turned to face Dargus and loosely wrapped her arms around his neck. "Any planet? How about Tatooine? But not to keep, of course. I think I'd just like to blow it up. I've always hated Tatooine."

"Tame Keeve then," Dargus said as he trailed kisses along her collar bone, "and Tatooine is yours. Use whatever means you think will get the job done."

"Can't you just inject him with the same drugs you use on the servants?" Yelara suggested. She craned her neck to one side to guide Dargus' lips to her throat. "That'd certainly keep him calm."

Dargus moved his lips to her throat and paid particular attention to the sensitive flesh there. "I could do that," he said. "But that means you don't get Tatooine, you know. For what I'd need him for, the drugs would hinder. I've thought about cloning Shiv, making her completely loyal and in love with him, and ship the real one back to the planet. If I could do it without him now..."

"Dargus," Yelara chided gently. "You wouldn't..." She pulled back slightly and scrutinized his eyes. "You would, wouldn't you? Oh, that's cruel, even for you. Besides, he'd know, wouldn't he? The clones couldn't possibly be an exact replica, memories and personality included. That's impossible."

"Not entirely possible," Dargus said. "Just extremely difficult. However, I think he'd notice. Which means you may be my only hope, my dear. I can have him fitted with a thong and made to follow you around like a devoted servant."

Yelara snickered helplessly and swatted Dargus' arm. "You know he wouldn't willingly go to bed with me. He despises me, and rightly so. I despise the little brat myself, so it's only fair."

Dargus laughed. "Well, if you want to try, you're welcome to," he said. "And, if you do, I won't even claim that I get to sleep with someone else since you did. Otherwise, I'll have to try another method to bring the boy in line."

"Oh, I'll succeed," she asserted confidently. Her hand slid to the tie of the robe and tugged it loose. "And when I do, he'll be the happiest little boy around."

"He may hate you," Dargus whispered, "but he won't be able to resist you. Damn you're good."

"I better be. You chased me almost halfway across the galaxy," she quipped.

"You're definitely worth it," Dargus said. "Hell, you keep proving that over and over. You are definitely the best, Yelara Neerou."

"And I would be more than happy to prove it to you--" She stepped back and let her robe fall to the ground. "But I have to prepare for our regal landing upon Tae'Karada. You want your empress to turn heads, do you not?"

Dargus smiled broadly and took a step away for a better view of Yelara's disrobed form. "Oh, it's perfect," he said with a wide grin. "Perhaps a little more colour in the cheeks and on the lips."

"I'm not dressed yet," Yelara sang. She turned to her wardrobe again and waved languorously at Dargus. "Now leave me. I want it to be a surprise."

"Very well," he said. "Meet me in my office when you're ready." He leaned forward and gave her a kiss, then strode off toward his private sanctum that wasn't exactly private. He pulled out his comlink on his way there. "Keeve," he said into it. "We're going to be departing for the planet in fifteen minutes. Are you ready?"

There was a few moments of silence before Keeve's voice, uncharacteristically subdued, replied. "Not yet, Father. I-I need to speak to you about something first. Where can we meet?"

"I'll be in my office," Dargus said, suddenly concerned. "Whenever you're ready, Keeve."

"I'll be right there." Then the connection was abruptly cut.

Dargus finished the walk to his office and immediately sat in the large chair behind the desk. He couldn't fathom what would have Keeve so subdued. The boy had enough energy to run a starship. He wasn't sure if he really wanted to know what was bothering him.

Approximately two minutes later, Keeve Zenarr arrived outside of Dargus' door. Instead of barging into the office as had become routine for him, Keeve sounded Dargus' chime and awaited entry. He felt as if he would be sick again, or cry foolishly as he had only moments ago, but he needed to be at least intelligible if Dargus was to grant him his request and he wouldn't be if he was whimpering like a baby.

"Maeren," he whispered. "Why did it have to be this way? Why?" The door slid open and Keeve impulsively stood taller to make himself appear more commanding. Dargus would not deny him this; for his own sanity, he hoped Dargus didn't. "Father, may I come in?"

Dargus motioned Keeve forward. "Come in," he said. It was amazing how the body of the twenty-three year old man suddenly resembled that same ten year old boy. He motioned to one of the chairs. "What is it, Keeve? What's wrong?"

"Nothing, Father," he lied, and miserably at that. He slumped down into the chair and gripped the armrests, channelling all his despair and anxiety through his fingers and into the chair where it couldn't affect him any longer. "I have to ask something of you, and I know you'll want to refuse, but please don't."

"Go ahead," Dargus said, leaning slightly forward. It was a classic method for gaining someone's confidence. "I'll be rational and reasonable. Ask whatever you wish."

Keeve held Dargus' gaze, and knew if his own so much as faltered, Dargus would refuse him. He swallowed back his hesitation and fear, and finally made his demand. "When we land on the planet, I want you to release Maeren and Lerrah."

Dargus blinked. He hadn't expected that. He nodded slowly. "Do you mind if I ask why, Keeve? You love Shiv, and they're both Yelara's servants. But, before I can agree, I'd just like to know why."

"Because she wishes to be with Kaysa and Merrick," Keeve explained. His heart ached again. Why couldn't he just trust that she had enough love for them all? "She's become vicious, and cruel...and I love her. She's dying here, and I can't function properly knowing she's suffering."

"And, to keep her from suffering, and yourself too, you want to send her home," Dargus said softly. "That's a very selfless thing you're doing. If I weren't looking directly at you, I wouldn't believe it was really you." He smiled. "You really do love her. I'll send her home then, both of them. I can still keep Moril here as leverage on Kaysa and Zale."

Keeve sat back in his chair to fully regard Dargus. "That's it? You'll just release her? And Lerrah too?"

Dargus wasn't sure about it either. But, something in Keeve had changed. "Yes," he said. "If having them here will be too difficult for you, then it's best that I send them home. They weren't doing much to help with morale around here since they are off limits to the guards now, and they were only acting as Yelara's servants. There are others for that. So, yes, I'll send them home."

Keeve digested this for a moment, and actually considered changing his mind and withdrawing his request, but he knew there was no chance for he and Shiv, not as long as they were on this ship, away from Kaysa and Merrick. He had to let her go...even as much as it was killing him. "Thank you, Father. I'm indebted to you."

Dargus nodded. "Don't mention it," he said. "We'll take them down when we go to the pod races. Will that be alright?"

"Fine." Keeve rose from his chair, and found his legs growing strangely numb. Loss had such an adverse effect on one's body - physical heartache, lethargy, the inability to secure one's emotions. He imagined it would only get worse as he watched Shiv walking away from him and back into Kaysa's arms.

Keeve bowed his head to Dargus and quickly murmured a thank-you before hastily seeking the door. He couldn't break down in front of Dargus. He'd only think the accelerated growth process had made him mentally unstable, then he'd be disposed of. At least in that, the pain would be only temporary, then he'd have oblivion. Now, the ache would be eternal. Without Shiv, only pain existed.

"Would you like to tell them?" Dargus asked before Keeve could reach the door.

Keeve stopped in the open doorway but didn't turn back. To see Shiv one last time, to touch her... "No," he answered quietly. "They'll find out soon enough." Before his grief could overwhelm him, Keeve slipped away into the corridor.

Dargus nodded slowly. Poor boy. He hasn't been at this long enough to suffer heartbreak. But then again, who am I to talk. He sat in silence for who knew how long before the door opened again and Yelara was there. He looked up and smiled. "You look amazing," he whispered.

Yelara smoothed out the bodice of her draping lavender gown as she slowly turned around for Dargus. "Enough skin for you, my dear?"

"I will never turn down more skin," Dargus said, "but yes, that is beautiful. And, the colour is perfect for you. You look amazing, Yelara. Absolutely and completely amazing. Makes me want to skip the planet and just spend the whole time here looking at you...among other things."

"You can do that after." She made her way to Dargus' side and greeted him with a kiss. "Are you almost ready? I actually saw Keeve on the way over. He was looking pretty dour. Did you give him another tongue lashing?"

"No," he said. "I think if I raised my voice to him, he would have crumbled. He says that Shiv is miserable, and it's killing him. He asked me to send Shiv and Lerrah home."

"Really?" Yelara chuckled as she settled down onto Dargus' lap. "Is he hoping this will be enough to win her over? Clever little bastard."

Dargus shook his head. "I don't think he's trying to do anything other than make her less miserable. I don't think he'd try to play me, and you didn't see him in here. I don't think he's that good of an actor."

"So he's really letting her go?" Yelara caressed Dargus' cheek idly. "I guess I really should screw the boy."

Dargus smiled. "I imagine you might cheer him up some," he said. He looked her over and laughed. "Okay, you could cheer him up a lot. And, put a smile on his face that'll be there for a month." He kissed her. "If you want to, it's alright."

"Maybe after the podraces. If he isn't sufficiently cheerful then, I'll sneak into his room at night and slip into bed with him." She kissed Dargus slowly, then slipped off his lap and gave his arm a gentle tug. "Come on. Tae'Karada awaits our presence."

Dargus allowed her to tug him to his feet, though he helped quite a bit. He looked her over once more and whistled. "Damn," he said. "You are beautiful. Let's go dazzle the other crimelords." With that, he slipped his arm into hers, and led her out toward the docking bay where their shuttle awaited.

***

Keeve waited...and waited for Dargus to arrive. As sedate as he was from the exhausting anguish he'd felt, he still had enough left in him to grow impatient with Dargus' tardiness. He imagined his father and the whore had stopped by their room for another roll through the sheets. Whatever was keeping them, he didn't care; Keeve just wanted to get off the bloody ship and onto solid ground. He needed a change of environment to get his mind off Shiv, though the planet where he would be leaving her behind wasn't the best place to achieve that. His options, however, were quite limited at the moment.

Keeve tugged taut the sleeves of his black leather coat, though he now questioned the logic of choosing a material that attracted heat so readily, especially since they were visiting the desert. At least he could remove it when they got there and found some decent shade. He no longer knew why he was bothering to accompany Dargus and Yelara; the last thing he wanted was to sit in a stadium full of roaring fans cheering on their favourite podracer, and screaming for the deaths of the others. He didn't want quiet solitude either, not when the perfect silence would allow him to think of Shiv without interruption. With a sigh, Keeve rested his head upon the bulkhead against which he leaned and waited yet again. Would it ever end? When would the pain of separation lessen, then disappear? Was complete liberation from the inner torment even attainable?

Keeve no longer heard the bustle about the hangar bay of technicians scrambling to ensure the shuttle's flight readiness. All he heard was Shiv's voice as she pleaded with him to let her love him, as she begged him to stay with her. Foolish as it was, he wanted her all to himself or not at all. Only then could he be certain that her love for him was genuine and incomparable to that she shared with Kaysa and Merrick. He didn't want whatever she had leftover; he wanted it all. Yet she was unwilling to give that much, all but ensuring that they would never be together.

Keeve gently beat the back of his head against the wall and stared up at the conduits running along the high ceiling of the bay, not for any particular reason, but simply to focus on something other than his thoughts. Perhaps Dargus had some experimental procedure that could rid him of any memory of Shiv. Even then, he still didn't think he could ever forget her.

With Yelara on his arm, Dargus was the first to stride into the hangar. He looked around and nodded his approval. Across the bay, he would have given Keeve a nod, but the youth only seemed to be interested in staring at the ceiling and battering his brains against the bulkhead.

"Come on, my love," he said to Yelara, "let's go ahead and get aboard. Keeve will be along soon, and the girls will be put in the back section. I don't think Keeve would appreciate having them on the shuttle with him. Hopefully in the back won't be a problem."

"Oh, he looks so pathetic," Yelara commented with a mock pout. "Should I have sex with him on the way?"

Dargus looked at the boy and nodded. "Yes," he said, "I think that might be a good idea. At least relieve some of his tension and put a smile on his face. Anyone that young shouldn't be wearing that much angst in his face. If you don't have sex, at least just give him a quick blowjob."

"I never give blowjobs the first time, Dargus. I never even gave you one the entire month we were together." She shrugged the cloak she wore away from her shoulders to reveal the full length of her gown. Keeve needed a good, unobstructed view of her breasts if she was going to put a smile on his face. "I'll give him a handjob for now. I don't want to ruin my dress. But tonight I'll give him the full treatment."

Dargus took the cloak from her so it wouldn't be quite so in the way. "That should be fine for the trip down. And, he'd better appreciate it. You know, that's a damn sexy dress, even if it does cover too much." He led her up the ramp into the ship where he could further admire the gown, among other things while they waited to leave.

---

"Separation Anxiety, Part 2"
By: Dargus Kandran
Yelara Neerou
Maeren "Shiv" Shivral
Lerrah Breijal [NPC]
Keeve Zenarr [NPC]
Elf [NPC]

Location: Dargus' Cruiser - Tae'Remok System
Date: Eos 3, 4ABY (early morning)

***

A moment after Dargus and Yelara had disappeared inside of the ship, a tootling whistle filled the hangar bay as a small purple and white droid slid through the door. His head spun around as he tried to take in everything. He tooted a hello to Keeve across the room. There were distinct changes in his friend, but there was still enough remaining of his old friend to determine that this new body was the same person.

Keeve was pulled from his self-pity by the familiar chirps and beeps he had known so well as a child, and which he still recognized. He chuckled at the wheeling droid across the way and pushed off the wall to greet him. "Elf? Is that you, buddy?"

The droid chirped a friendly hello, and rolled straight toward Keeve. He asked Keeve how he had been, and commented that he was quite impressed with how quickly Keeve had grown.

Keeve knelt before the droid that had been the only friend he remembered having, and smoothed his hand over the gleaming metal of its domed head. "Sorry, pal. I don't have my translator on me. But that's okay. We never did need a translator to tell us what the other was talking about." Keeve whistled the first few notes of the song he'd taught Elf then grinned as the droid filled in the rest. "Still remember that, do you?"

Elf beeped an affirmative, and then spun his dome around.

Voices from the doorway brought the dome back around, and Elf let out a low whistle as Shiv and Lerrah were led into the hangar. Two guards followed along behind, oblivious to anything but their bare backsides.

Shiv stopped when she saw Keeve. A mixture of emotions washed over her face and she quickly looked away, wiping away tears as she did.

"Set me up, Elf old buddy, did ya?" Keeve sighed heavily and could barely keep his eyes from straying to Shiv as much as he tried to avoid looking upon her. She was still the most beautiful thing he had ever seen, and even now thought about how no other deserved to even catch a glimpse of her beautiful flesh.

Before he could became aware of his actions or realize he had gotten up and was moving towards Shiv, Keeve had already stopped directly before her and was reaching up a hand to brush against her cheek. He was helpless against her allure, even now, even when he was desperately trying to resist her. But by gods was she stunning. "Maeren," he murmured ruefully.

She looked up and met his eyes. They still shone with tears and she gave him a weak, forced smile. "He's letting me go home, Keeve," she said softly. "I know you asked him. Thank you, Keeve. That you...that you would do this for me, it makes me love you more. Come with me, please? We can be together and love each other. Please, Keeve, come back to New Plouton with us."

Keeve said nothing and spared what little moments they had together to memorize the gentle curves of her face, the precise colouring of her eyes, the curl of her lips, and the slight wrinkling of her nose as she fought back the tears. He would never love anyone again, not with the image of Shiv forever imprinted in his mind.

"It'll be cold during the flight," was all he said in response. There was nothing else to be said. "I don't think Dargus will be dropping you off directly at home." Keeve, delaying the moment of their parting, slowly eased off his jacket and draped it over Shiv's shoulders. "That'll keep you warm."

"Thank you," Shiv whispered. "Keeve, I...I want to see you again, but I don't know when it will be. Stay safe, and know that I'll miss you. I love you. We all love you very, very much. Me especially. You were my little boy. I...I almost felt like a mama at times...but sometimes it was more. And, there were a few...a few moments here when it was more. I'm going to miss..." Whatever else she was going to say was lost in sobs. Lerrah put a comforting hand on her shoulder, and Shiv thanked her with a nod. "I have to get on the shuttle now."

Keeve stiffened at Shiv's words and gritted his teeth, but there was no anger he felt, only frustration. This was why he had to let her go. He was still her little boy, not a man she could love the way he needed to be loved. If he couldn't have that, being near her every day would only drive him insane. Why couldn't she see that he was a man now capable of being loved as a man? Why couldn't she just love the man he was, not the boy she still saw in him? It was hopeless rhetoric and was only veering him closer to madness. He had to finally let her go.

"Take care of her, Lerrah." Keeve looked down at Elf parking himself beside Lerrah and he bowed his head to his old friend. "You take care of them both, Elf."

The droid beeped a response, and slowly started working his way toward the shuttle, making sure Lerrah and Shiv were following. Shiv couldn't take her eyes from Keeve as tears fell down her cheeks and onto her borrowed jacket. "I love you," she whispered as Lerrah began guiding her away. She broke away from Lerrah's grip and flung her arms around Keeve. "I love you," she said in a firmer, stronger voice. "I love you, Keeve. This isn't over. We'll see each other again. We have to. It's not over like this. Not like this. I love you, Keeve!"

"I know, Auntie Shiv," he said wistfully. "I know." He caressed her cheek softly, then gently pulled away for the last time. Without a farewell, Keeve turned and briskly moved away from Shiv. Just keep walking and you'll be fine, he told himself. Just don't turn back. And he didn't as he crossed the flight deck and sheltered himself behind a stack of cargo containers where no one would witness the struggle he was undergoing to maintain his self-possession, though he never had managed that as of late, judging by his numerous tantrums. But now was different. He was never going to see Shiv again, even as passionately as she declared they would. How could he possibly remain composed knowing that?

Shiv's sobs echoed around the hangar while Lerrah and Elf helped her up into the shuttle. They were moved into the back of the shuttle, away from the main cabin and where it would be easiest to deposit them in New Plouton.

Dargus noted Keeve's absence and sighed. "I'll be right back," he said to Yelara, before slipping out of the ship and down to look for his "son."

Keeve quickly pressed the heel of his palms into his eyes to smother the tears that had eluded his guard, and casually paced away from the impromptu guest approaching. If Dargus saw him like this, he'd most definitely think something had gone wrong with the experiment.

Dargus looked around the hangar and couldn't see any sign of Keeve. With a sigh, he stretched out with the Force and felt the spike of Keeve's emotions. He moved in the direction where he could feel the boy. "Keeve," he said softly. "Keeve, son, it's time for us to go."

"Yeah, I know," he replied. "I just needed a second alone." He turned around to face Dargus once he was certain his father couldn't see any trace of dejection in his features. "Yelara's probably getting impatient. I'll follow you back to the shuttle."

"We have a minute or two," Dargus said. "Did you want to talk about any of it?"

"About what?" Keeve asked with a wry chuckle. "She still thinks I'm the kid I was. She likened her love for me to that a mother shares for her child! So again, what is there to talk about?"

Dargus shrugged. "I guess there's nothing," he said. "Come on, let's go see if a pod race can cheer you up. Otherwise, I may have to take over a planet for you to take your mind off her. It just can't be Tatooine. Yelara's already chosen that one, and she's going to blow it up."

Keeve cocked an eyebrow at Dargus. "Really? Then can I have Bespin?"

Dargus smiled. "Consider Bespin yours," he said. "We're going to take over the galaxy, Keeve, and I'm making sure that all those who are loyal and serve our cause well are rewarded. It's a good choice. I'm thinking I want to turn Corellia into our private vacation spot."

"I've never been to Corellia," Keeve mused. "I imagine I'll like it, as long as there aren't any beautiful blonde women there."

"We'll have all the beautiful blonde women removed," Dargus said with a smile as he draped an arm over Keeve's shoulder. "But, I don't think anyone, even beautiful blondes, could ever come close to what Shiv is. The pod races will help you take your mind off her. And, if not, we'll keep going until we find something that will."

Keeve nodded somberly and with sluggish, drawn out steps he walked with Dargus to the shuttle. "I was a fool to let her go, wasn't I, Father?"

"Perhaps," Dargus said with a smile. "Or a genius. That you thought enough of her to let her go...I think she will appreciate that, Keeve, and it'll make her feel more strongly for you. I don't think you're out of the running yet. I think this is going to endear her to you more strongly than anything else you could have done."

"But I'll never see her again. Even if it does work, we'll never be able to be together."

"Never say never," Dargus said with a smile. "Perhaps you won't, but I wouldn't rule out the possibility, my son. You never know what lurks around the corner, and something may happen that will draw the two of you back together. I wouldn't lie in wait for it, but I wouldn't strike down the chance. I never thought I would be able to wield the power within me, but look at me now. I never thought that Yelara would share my bed again. There are chances everywhere if you're willing to take them."

Keeve nodded slowly as he absorbed the words of encouragement Dargus supplied him with, and tried to find in them something of merit that would offer hope. Still, it wasn't enough to completely dispel the pain.

"Ah, there he is!" Yelara moved to the entry hatch as Dargus and Keeve reached the top of the ramp. She kissed first Dargus upon the lips, then soothingly caressed Keeve's cheek and smiled at him. "You can sit beside me during the ride," she said softly.

Keeve glanced sidelong at Dargus, then regarded Yelara again warily. "If you wish."

Yelara moved to Keeve's side and slipped her arm through his. As she began leading him away, she looked over her shoulder at Dargus and furtively shot him a wink. "Look, you can even have the window side," Yelara said once they reached the shuttle. She pushed Keeve down into the cushioned seat, then set herself down beside him, not leaving any room between them.

Keeve glossed his eyes over her suspiciously and tried to squirm away, despite there being no room for manoeuvring. "You know, I think Father would much prefer if you sat near him."

"Oh, don't be ridiculous," Yelara chided. She ran her hand down his arm and all the way to his fingertips. "I'm to be your mother soon, you know. It's about time we started getting better acquainted."

Dargus peeked over the back of the chair. "It's alright if she sits with you, Keeve," he said. "I have some business matters to attend to on the way down, and Yelara would be thoroughly bored. I'm sure it will be a much more enjoyable trip sitting with you."

"Oh, it definitely will," Yelara commented as she studied the muscles of his arms and chest filling out his sleek black shirt nicely.

Keeve noticed her leering smile and made yet another effort to place some distance between them. "You know I still hate you," he mentioned forthrightly.

Yelara sighed airily and moved her caresses to Keeve's thigh. "I know. I hate you too, but that changes nothing. We can still be civil with one another."

He frowned in irritation and lightly brushed Yelara's hand away. Undeterred, she replaced her hand upon his leg. "You tricked me. You said you'd help with Shiv. You turned her against me instead."

Yelara shrugged. "She wasn't good enough for my future son."

Her hand dipped between Keeve's legs, and the boy jerked involuntarily. "Hey!" He grimaced and swatted her hand away.

"What?" Yelara gave him her most innocent smile. "You know, your Father was right. You really are well endowed."

Keeve's jaw dropped. "Father!"

"Don't worry, son," Dargus said with a smile. "She's very skilled with her hands. There's nothing to worry about." He moved around to the side of the aisle. "Don't fight her, Keeve. This is for you. It's to help you get your mind off Shiv, to unwind and unburden some of your worries. Just enjoy, alright?"

"I don't want to unwind with her," he said with a pout.

"Why not?" Yelara asked with an affronted look. "What's wrong with me?"

"Nothing!" Keeve stammered quickly. He glanced at Dargus, then back to Yelara whose leg was now draped across his lap. She giggled as she pulled the hem of her dress higher to reveal more thigh. Keeve gasped softly and frantically struggled with Yelara to pull the dress back down. "I don't want to have sex with you!" he exclaimed.

"Then you won't have to," Yelara replied. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled herself fully onto his lap. "I'll just have sex with you."

Before he could protest, Yelara's lips sealed tightly around his and one hand began groping between his legs. He knew grabbing her by the arms and tossing her to the ground would not be a viable solution, considering Dargus would throw him out of an airlock in retribution, so Keeve simply surrendered himself and decided to wait until she came up for air before taking evasive actions. Her lung capacity, however, was almost as amazing as her technique, for it seemed minutes passed before she pulled away. By the time she did, Keeve lost all desire to resist. He now knew why Dargus had fought so hard to retrieve her; her tongue was amazing.

"So," Yelara said breathlessly. "Changed your mind yet?"

Keeve grinned slowly and without replying, he reclined Yelara back upon the seat and climbed atop her. As he ravenously feasted from her lips and touched her in ways that elicited moans akin to those she made with Dargus, Keeve still only thought of Shiv. Not even a bewitching, enchanting woman such as Yelara could ever replace her.

Dargus watched them for a moment, and then smiled. Hopefully Yelara would help get Keeve's mind off the girl. It was unlikely this time, but he knew that she was good at banishing all thoughts of other women from a man's mind. With an ironic chuckle, he returned to his seat as he pondered the complications of needing to share his future wife with his adopted son. It was a small concession, and hopefully one that would help solidify Yelara's love for him. If she saw that he was willing to share her, yet took no one else for himself, perhaps she would know his desire for her was true. He laughed softly once more as a passionate cry erupted from the seat in front of him. He turned on the monitor built into his seat, and flipped it to the camera positioned to view their seats. Might as well watch, he thought.

***

Keeve admired Yelara as she sat at the foot of the seat and pulled the straps of her dress onto her shoulders. He, on the other hand, was far too relaxed from finally venting his sexual frustrations that he hadn't bothered to move from where he now lay, very, very naked.

The shuttle lurched gently as they entered Tae'Karada's atmosphere and Keeve felt instant disgust for the place Kaysa had dragged him to. He almost hated it more than he hated her.

"Help me with this?" Yelara moved towards him and sat down upon the edge of the seat with her back to him.

Keeve sat upright from where he was lazily resting and smoothly drove the zipper of her dress up. "I still hate you," he whispered into her ear. He smoothed his hands over her shoulders once the zipper was secure and kissed her neck.

"I hate you too," she replied affectionately.

Dargus slid out of his seat and moved to stand next to Yelara's seat again. He looked down at Keeve sitting there and laughed. "You look quite content," he said. "Was that two times or three? With stamina like that, he definitely must be my son."

"And with assets like that..." Yelara chuckled throatily as she covered Keeve's groin with her hand.

"You know, I think you were screaming louder for him than you do for me," he said. "Keeve's got natural talent though. I have heard from a reliable source that there are all sorts of plans being made among the slaves. They all want a taste of him. You two looked very good together up here, you know."

"Well, don't worry, Father," Keeve said as he covered Yelara's hand with his. "The bitch is yours."

Yelara giggled and nuzzled his nose with hers. "Such a cute brat. I'd enjoy slapping you around. We should try that next time."

Dargus laughed. "Rule number one about women: Once they make up their mind, there's no changing it," he said. "I believe Yelara has decided that she enjoys your company. And, from that satisfied gleam in your eye that you're not hiding very well, I'd say that you won't mind that she's decided you're a very tasty snack."

"Well, for the time being," Keeve said, although what Yelara was doing with her hand right then was causing him to consider a more long-term arrangement.

"So, when do we land?" Yelara asked, still almost casually massaging Keeve's erection. "I need to breathe some real air."

"We'll set down just outside of New Plouton," he said. "Unload the girls, and then proceed out to the desert. If you'd like you can step out when we set down, otherwise, I imagine we'll be down for about ten minutes before heading on to the pod races."

Keeve gently pushed Yelara's hand away and sat up straighter. Once again, thoughts of Shiv returned to his mind. "Where are you going to leave them? You can't just drop them off in the middle of the street. They have no clothes and no creds."

"Half the women in this city barely have any clothes," Dargus said. "And, they've got your jacket. They're resourceful girls. They'll make it to where they need to go. And, besides, if anyone tries to molest them, they've got the droid for protection."

"How very considerate of you, Dargus Kandran," Yelara retorted. She rose from the seat and stubbornly stalked away to the rear of their section of the shuttle.

"At least give them some creds for a hovercab ride home," Keeve said. "You can take it out of my allowance."

Dargus sighed. "Very well," he said. "Creds for a ride home. And, don't worry about your allowance. This will come from my own generosity. They'll be able to take a cab to wherever they like. Will that do?"

"It will." Keeve bowed his head. "Thank you, Father."

Dargus smiled and dropped into the seat next to Keeve. "My pleasure," he said. "Anything to make you happy. Speaking of happy." He glanced back to where Yelara was and then back to Keeve. "What'd you think? Truthfully."

Keeve chuckled lowly and congenially elbowed Dargus in the arm. "Where the hells did you find her? I didn't think women like that existed."

"When I owned the shipyards, she came to work for me. She was one of my foremen for a time. The first time I saw her, hair cropped close and wearing all leather, I knew I had to have her. And, I did that very day I first met her. She wasn't too thrilled about it, but we had amazing wild sex. But, she definitely exists. I wouldn't offer this to anyone else, Keeve, so you should know how special this is, but if you want and she's willing, the two of you can continue whenever you'd like."

"I don't know," Keeve said slowly. "I mean...it's still too soon to just take on another woman. I still love Maeren. Yelara's fun and a good distraction...but I still wouldn't feel right doing it all the time." He grinned at Dargus and added, "But, I wouldn't mind the odd frustration reliever once a week...if it can be arranged."

"We'll see," Dargus said with a grin. "I think she enjoyed you enough to come back again." There was a thump and Dargus looked up. "We're down. Did you want to see them off, or would you rather not?"

Keeve shook his head. "I can't."

"Don't worry," Yelara called out from behind them. "I'll keep him company."

"I'll be right back then," he said and slipped out of the chair. He moved toward the back of the cabin and opened the door with a passcode. He cast smiles back to Yelara and Keeve and slipped through to where the two girls and droid were.

Shiv and Lerrah both looked up as the door closed.

Dargus touched a button near the door and the back of the shuttle split apart. As he stood watching them, a landing ramp lowered to the ground. He stepped toward where they huddled together. "You're free," he said. He reached out and plucked Keeve's coat from Maeren's shoulders and then handed her a credit chip. "Go. You're at the west side of the city."

"Thank you," Shiv whispered, and then she and Lerrah backed away quickly. The faster they moved the faster the nightmare would end. They reached the bottom of the ramp with Elf just behind them, and rushed toward the entrance to the city.

Dargus smiled as he retracted the ramp and closed the back hatch. As he tapped in the passcode, he wondered how long it would take them to realize that the creditchip he gave them was empty. Poor dears, Dargus thought as he returned to the main cabin.

"They're off to the city now, and we can proceed on to our next stop."

Keeve finished fastening his pants, then settled back down onto his seat. He resisted looking through the viewport to catch one last glimpse of Shiv. He had to start working toward forgetting her, if that was at all possible.

"Dargus, dear, this trip is beginning to wear me out," Yelara complained. "Can we please just go straight to the podraces?"

"There's a quick stop before that," Dargus said. "It won't be more than ten minutes. And, then we'll go straight there, I promise. Will that be alright for both of you?"

"Fine with me," Keeve said.

Yelara grumbled and folded her arms over her chest petulantly. "Fine...but it better be quick. I hate flying."

"When we're there," Dargus said as he returned to his seat, "we'll be on the ground. So, nothing to worry about."

"I can't wait until the palace is ours," Yelara muttered. "This way, we won't have to fly anywhere."

"As the emperor and empress, everything will come to us," he said with a smile.

The shuttle lurched again, and it was airborne. They were off toward the desert, specifically for Throntas. Dargus smiled at the anticipated look on Kaysa Zenarr's face when she found out what he'd done. Oh if only he could be there to see it.

---

"Need for Speed"
by Jadda the Hutt - Hutt Crimelord
and Jukwon Thallos [NPC+] - Freelancer Pilot

Location: Tae'Sollar Gauntlet
Date: Eos 3, 4 ABY

***

He had barely made it out of the Shipyards before the Imperials stormed in there and either killed or making prisoner most people as well as their crafts. And it had been nothing else but sheer luck, as he had decided to come down to the planet's surface after having lost his position as Co-Pilot to Vicks Mason since he had been taken captive.

And once down below, he had had to make sure he got away clean, since the Empire was looking for possible escapees from the Shipyards. Well, he was clear of that since he had made it before, but all precaution was needed nonetheless. It was by then that he got a message from Jadda the Hutt, to meet him in his new Podrace Arena in the Tae'Sollar desert.

Jukwon got himself a transport there along with others who were going to see the magnificent races, well known throughout the Galaxy. Indeed the arena was grand with many seats to offer and more betting cashiers than he had ever seen. People were betting and running about as they commented on the Podracers and their ships while vendors walked about trying at their best to lure customers over.

He made his way to the entrance to Jadda's resting place as he asked an emplyoee for directions. Once there he was met by Vorgoth, Jadda's right hand who took him straight up into the Hutt's lair. Jukwon bowed to the mighty Hutt.

"Boon no tada doos Podrace... Tchunga shooda toduna bodo," Jadda said. The droid translated. "Jadda welcomes you to his Podrace Circuit. He is content you have accepted his invitation."

"I would imagine that mighty Jadda has a purpuse for this invitation and audience?" Jukwon said cordially, going straight to the point.

Jadda laughed, moving his arms. "Tora tora bonda faar! Tuo ib daba billepo no jangoo... Dalloo bo topa tchunga shingoo noos Podrace. Tilla ba sponsor tunga na bondoo," Jadda spoke. The droid translated once more. "Jadda likes those who go straight to the point. He wants you to build him a Podracer and pilot it for him. He is willing to become your sponsor."

Jukwon thought about it a few seconds. It was a good opportunity to get away from the city and the Empire. As a podracer he would have good conditions and perhaps could even obtain help to free Mason. "I am honoured and accept," he told Jadda with a bow. "But if this is so, I would like to start at once."

Jadda laughed and waved him off, sending along a small short man with a turban to see to the credits needed.

---

"A Day At The Races, Part 1"
By: Dargus Kandran
Yelara Neerou
Keeve Zenarr [NPC]
Vrax Draydge [NPC]

Location: Throntas Penal Facility - Thanatos; Tae'Sollar Desert
Date: Eos 3, 4ABY

***

As the shuttle descended quickly toward Throntas prison, Dargus Kandran slipped from the cabin and into the back of the shuttle. When they touched down, another shuttle from his cruiser would do so as well. The other shuttle, however, was filled with his troops. It brought a smile to his face. It'd be a damn shame if he left a hole in the wall, and all the prisoners escaped.

He pulled on his cloak and an armoured vest. One could never be too careful. He took his lightsabers, and joined them using the magnetic seals in the base. If he needed, he'd have a lightstaff at his disposal. But, for this rabble, it would require only a single blade.

The landing struts hit sand, and the back hatch promptly started opening. Dargus strode casually down to the desert floor. The other shuttle had landed opposite his, with its weapons trained on the north wall of the prison. The captain of the team aboard approached him. Through the black faceplate, he could make out no features, but the speaker inset into the helmet allowed him to hear perfectly.

"My men are in position," she said. "Give the order, and we will proceed."

It was odd hearing a female voice among his guards. It brought a smile to his face. "Very well," he said.

As she moved back to give the order to her squad, he couldn't help admiring her form through the battle armour she wore. If times were different, he would be a very happy man. But then again, with Yelara he was a very happy man.

He listened as she called out orders, and the forward blaster cannon's aim was altered slightly. A moment later, it erupted, belching crimson bolts at the wall. The prison held for four shots, but the fifth broke through the ferrocrete structure. Inside, alarms sounded and the cries of shock and surprise.

Dargus started forward "Kill all the Imperials," he called out to his people who filed ahead of him. As they opened fire with their blasters, he laughed loudly at the carnage. Beautiful, he thought. Absolutely beautiful.

***

His trip through the prison was flawless, and he soon found himself before the cell he sought. A man reclined back on the bed as if nothing were amiss. He looked up at Dargus and raised an eyebrow. "I wondered when you were showing up," he said with a grin. "You're late."

Dargus smiled. "A hunter prefers to hunt his prey, and therefore, I set your prey loose in New Plouton," he said.

Vrax Draydge smiled as he pushed red curls from his eyes. "You know what I like," he said. He stood up and approached the cell door. "My orders, my lord?"

"Terror," Dargus answered. "Strike terror into the hearts of Kaysa Zenarr and all those she adores. I want her broken. I want her to know just how foolish she was to defy me."

"It will be my pleasure," Vrax said with a laugh. "Oh, I'm going to love this!"

"And, that is why I chose you," Dargus said. "You don't think I'd bust a hole in this place for just anyone, do you? I have an assault shuttle outside. They'll take you to New Plouton without incident. How you do this is your choice, as long as you don't fail me."

A wicked grin split Vrax's face. "Oh, I won't fail. Not this time."

"Good," Dargus said. "Stand back." When Vrax had taken a step back, Dargus pulled out his lightsaber, ignited it, and sliced cleanly through the door.

Vrax stepped out into the hall and stretched. "Ah, freedom," he said. "It's a good feeling."

Dargus spared the man a smile and then turned to head back out to the shuttles. When they reached the breach in the wall, he nearly laughed when he saw former prisoners sprinting across the sand. Oh, the Empire would hate him for this.

Vrax hurried toward the second shuttle as the black-clad soldiers pulled back from the prison. The captain approached him and gave him a brisk nod.

"No casualties, my lord," she said. "B-72 took a shot to the arm, but he'll survive. Permission to take General Draydge to the drop point?"

"Granted," Dargus said. "Good work."

The woman turned away and a moment later the shuttle lifted into the air and blasted off toward New Plouton. A feral smile twisted Dargus' lips, and he strode back toward his own shuttle.

***

The door thumped softly as he closed it. Dargus looked up at Yelara and Keeve with a wide smile. "All finished," he said. "Let's go enjoy some pod races, shall we?"

"Might as well," Keeve said less than enthusiastically.

Yelara, with renewed energy, clapped her hands excitedly. "All those machines.... Do you think they'd allow us to go on a tour of the repair bays after the race?"

"For you, of course they would," Dargus said as he dropped back into his seat. "I'll see what I can arrange for us. A tour through the bay. Maybe if you're lucky, they'll let you get your hands on one. What would you both say to us getting a pod racer of our own? We could have it entered in the races. The tricky part would be finding a pilot, but I imagine that's easily done around here."

"And I could modify the pod," Yelara volunteered readily. She left her seat and plunked herself down onto Dargus' lap. "I'm so bored on the cruiser. I've been meaning to ask you... Can I build things?"

Dargus smiled. "Of course you can," he said. "If you'd like, I can convert one of the bays into a workshop for you. Just like before. You didn't get much of a chance to play in that workshop though. This one will be different."

Yelara kissed Dargus slowly and tenderly, then rested her head upon his shoulder. "Everything's different now," she said softly. "I think I appreciate you more. And if you do build me a workshop, I'll even build something special for you. Anything you ask. It shall be my gift to you."

Dargus chuckled and kissed her again. "How about you surprise me," he said. "And, if you're really good, I'll even let Kallia visit you in your workshop."

"With clothes on?" Yelara laughed and pressed her lips firmly to Dargus' again. "You keep doing things like that for me, and I might just fall in love, Lord Kandran."

"I think I like the sound of that, Lady Kandran," Dargus said. "And, I would have thought you'd enjoy Kallia coming to the bay without clothes more. However, perhaps it would be more enjoyable to remove her clothes. If you'd like for her to have clothes, she will have clothes."

"And the children? They can't remain in the same clothing all the time. It isn't sanitary." Yelara walked her fingers down Dargus' chest and towards him abdomen. "Leshie's only just gotten back to health. Wouldn't want him to get sick again...would we?"

Keeve chuckled from behind and shook his head. Yelara certainly knew how to get what she wanted, and Dargus wasn't very good at resisting, or so it appeared.

"We can get new clothing for them," Dargus said and glanced back at Keeve. "I will leave it to you and Kallia to choose clothing for them. Will that suffice?"

Yelara kissed Dargus again deeply and slowly, then pulled back and smiled at him. "What do you think?"

Dargus grinned. "I think it will be fine," he said. "You know, I can't imagine my life without you now. And, I can't imagine falling for a woman with a mind as devious as yours."

"And I can't imagine a more disgustingly sentimental moment," Keeve commented sardonically from behind.

"And I can't imagine a more rude stepson," Yelara shot back with a smile.

"Oh, don't worry," Dargus said with a smile. "When we put our minds together, I'm sure that we'll come up with some suitably devious plan to deal with his insolence. Either that, or a few more rounds with you will certainly take some of his edge off."

Keeve laughed dryly. "Unlikely."

"Oh, we'll see about that." Yelara peered over Dargus' shoulder at the boy and puckered her lips for him. He rolled his eyes and looked away.

Dargus laughed. "I'd really like to see your eyes roll like that when she's treating you like she was earlier," he said. "I imagine it's not so easy when you're crying out in delirious bliss."

"I was exaggerating then," Keeve explained.

"Oh, you liar," Yelara snapped. "You loved it. You'll love it even more when I do that trick with my tongue. Ask your father. He'll tell you all about it."

"I've never experienced anything so amazing in my life," Dargus said with obvious wonder. He smiled and nodded to Keeve. "It's good to be on her good side. The things she'll do for you if she likes you. Or at least enjoys you, in your case."

Yelara chuckled throatily and ignored Keeve to pay special attention to Dargus, more specifically to sneak her hand into his pants while teasing his lips with her tongue. All was abandoned as she yelped and clung desperately to Dargus when the shuttle seemed to go suddenly weightless. Yelara looked through the viewport and watched as the clouds rushed upwards, giving the illusion that the shuttle was plummeting. "We're falling," she whispered. "We're crashing!"

Dargus slipped both arms around Yelara and held her for comfort. "It's alright," he murmured. "Just a little turbulence as we're setting down. Everything is still under control, my love. You're still safe with me."

The pilot's voice crackled over the speaker. "Sorry about that," the man said. "Seems like the races have brought out all the idiots. I had to do some emergency evasives, or some kid's hot little T-72 would have slammed us hard. We'll be on the ground in a minute."

Dargus kissed Yel gently. "See? Everything's alright."

She whimpered quietly and nodded her head, but still pulled herself closer to Dargus for protection. Keeve, meanwhile, had shifted over to the far end of his seat and peered out through the viewport. The pod racing track seemed to encircle the entire desert landscape and the stadium was already filled with spectators. He could almost hear the roar of their cheers as they raised their banners in support of their favourites. Many of the pods were already assembled in the starting block, and others remained on the sidelines, being inspected for any last minute adjustments. With this much excitement, he was confident he could forget about Shiv...at least for a little while.

"Father, you don't expect us to sit with the commoners, do you?" Keeve asked with a look of disgust contorting his features. "We'll have to sterilize ourselves after the race if we do."

Dargus laughed softly. "No," he said. "We won't seat ourselves with the rabble. We'll have a box to ourselves, if I can't convince the track owner to let us sit with him as honoured guests." The speeder settled to the ground finally, and Dargus looked at his companions. "The races await us."

Yelara's fear finally abated and she kindly loosened her grip on Dargus. "Keeve." She snapped her fingers at him as she rose and patted down her hair with her other hand. "My cloak."

Keeve snorted and shook his head. "I'm not your servant. Get it yourself."

Yelara narrowed her eyes at him and jammed her fists into her hips. "Get my cloak you little brat or the next time I get you naked I'll snap your dick off with my teeth."

"How charming," he retorted dryly, but made no other protest as he grabbed the cloak draped over the back of the passengers' seat and made his way towards her with it. "Your cloak, bitch." He performed a mock bow for her as she snatched the cloak from his hand.

"Please," Dargus said as he moved toward the shuttle's exit. "You two are turning me on. Keep this up, and I'll have to pull the bed out in the back and make you have sex for my enjoyment."

Yelara threw her cloak over her shoulders and strode with regal airs to Dargus' side. She slipped her arm through his and with a grin for Keeve said, "You can walk behind us, son. Just don't step on my cape."

Keeve, returning to his youth for a moment, stuck his tongue out at Yelara and moved into position behind them. "After you, folks."

Dargus could only shake his head as he led the way out of the shuttle. There was a buzz of activity all around the place, and the level of excitement was high. Lines formed up outside the area for people still wishing to enter. Dargus pointed toward a nearly empty line on the side. "That one appears to be for us," he said. "Come along. Prepare yourselves for the royal treatment."

Yelara fanned her face with her hand and appraised the exterior of the stadium fastidiously. "Rather rough design, and the architecture is unimpressive," she stated critically. "If I enjoy myself today, you should consider donating funds to its renovation, or perhaps even negotiate with the Hutt for partial ownership."

Dargus smiled. "A good idea," he said. "And, it would allow me to become a legitimate business owner on Tae'Karada again. Well, as legitimate as pod racing gets. What do you think, Keeve? Would you say partnership in this would be a good business move?"

Keeve looked around the oversized structure, and focused especially on the line of fans awaiting entry. "It could be very profitable. Especially if you advertise. We could have people coming in from all over the system."

"How would you be interested in a partnership if the Hutt is interested?" Dargus asked. "I think you and I could make something great out of this. Partners, Keeve? More than father and son, but real partners?"

"And I trust you wouldn't screw me over, would you?" Keeve grinned at Dargus and clapped him on the back. "Though, I can't be so certain your girlfriend wouldn't."

"Oh, in a second," Yelara teased.

"Screw you, maybe," Dargus said. "I doubt she'd screw you over though."

"But I could," she added quickly. "I'm clever and devious." She passed her eyes slowly over Keeve's tall, finely built form and chuckled. "But he's right. I'd much rather screw you."

Keeve frowned. "Comforting."

They arrived at the guarded entrance leading to the royal boxes and were stopped by the two doormen there. Keeve looked to Dargus, then to Yelara and both smiled knowingly. It wouldn't take Dargus very long to get them through.

"Name, sir," one of the guards stated.

"Dargus Kandran," he said with a smile. "If he is available, I would wish to speak with Jadda before the race begins. Perhaps there may even be space available in his box." He smiled and it wasn't a friendly expression. "I trust you know me and my reputation."

"I am aware of Dargus Kandran's infamy," the guard replied. "But I will need more than simply a name, sir. Identification, please." The armoured guard thrust out his hand, palm upturned, and awaited Dargus' identicard.

Dargus reached inside his cloak and brushed a hand over the hilt of his lightsaber, and then grabbed the card from his pocket. He brought the small plastisheet card out and dropped it in the man's hand. "Dargus Kandran," he said again.

The guard inserted the card into the slotted device embedded into the wall beside him. After the authenticity of the card was verified, the guard retrieved it and turned slowly to face Dargus. "I apologize, Lord Kandran," the man said, truly sounding apologetic, but more so frightened. "It was only protocol, my Lord. I'll contact Jadda immediately to inform him you've decided to grace his stadium with your presence."

With a courteous nod, Dargus accepted his card and slipped it back into his pocket. "Don't worry," he said. "I won't kill you this time." At the man's startled expression, Dargus laughed. "I'm not as bad as the rumours make me out to be. Should we wait here for Jadda, or is there a box ready that we can take unless he wishes for us to join him?"

"Oh, a guest as reputable as you, Lord Kandran, I'm more than certain he would wish you to join him." The guard bowed to Dargus before turning his back on him and activating his comm device to contact Jadda. The other guard who had said not a word up to this point busied himself with memorizing every curve of Yelara's body. She, in turn, frowned at him and pulled her cloak tighter around her.

From where they stood, Keeve could hear the guttaral, mucousy blathering of who was no doubt Jadda the Hutt, and felt disgusted simply listening. He could only imagine the nausea that would afflict him if they actually sat with the slug.

The torment ended as the guard completed his rather one-sided conversation with the Hutt. He turned to face them all with a forced smile. "I have spoken with his Lord Jadda the Hutt and he says he would be most honoured to have you among his guests." The guards both stepped aside from the sealed door, that now opened from a remote signal transmitted by a concealed device worn by one of the guards. "If you will follow me..."

Dargus offered the man a half bow, which was more than he deserved anyway. He linked his arm through Yelara's and began after the guard. "We would be honoured to follow you to the Illustrious Jadda the Hutt," Dargus said, hoping there wasn't too much sarcasm in his voice. In a voice for only Keeve and Yelara, he added, "Please don't embarrass us by vomiting on His Illustriousness."

Yelara wrinkled her nose and brought her cloak up to cover her nose and mouth. "I can smell him from here. Dargus, we really must get our own box."

Dargus nodded. "Yes," he said. "Definitely. I wouldn't want to subject the two of you to that. And, even with my training...I hope I don't vomit on him." He smiled as the guard looked back at them. "This will be a very short meeting."

"Right this way," the guard called back. He nodded to the two fellow guards posted on either side of a draping, red curtain closing off the opening to Jadda's box. He halted before them, exchanged a few hushed words with them, then bowed to Dargus and departed.

Jadda's laughter echoed from the box, and his stench grew worse. Yelara gagged and pressed her face to Dargus' chest to escape the odour, and from behind, Keeve began coughing. The guards, however, were spared due to the filtration masks they wore. They each reached out one hand and parted the curtain. "You may proceed to his lord," one of them droned.

---

"A Day At The Races, Part 2"
By: Dargus Kandran
Jadda the Hutt
Yelara Neerou
Keeve Zenarr [NPC]

Location: Tae'Sollar Desert
Date: Eos 3, 4ABY

***

Dargus led the way into the box, with Yelara at his side and Keeve just behind. Once he was inside, he offered a bow to the crimelord. "Jadda, it is with pride that I am finally able to say that I have met you," he said. "I am glad to find that you are well."

"Toduna pada Dargus Kandran," the Hutt bellowed and followed it up with a booming laugh. "Shooda bodo no tada. Pinta tora woomon."

Dargus smiled and his eyes flashed with deadly menace. "No, my woman is not for sale, and I will refrain from being offended at such a comment...for the sake of peace."

Jadda boomed another laugh and set a protocol droid flitting around to stand at his side. "His mighty majesty, Jadda the Hutt greets you, oh great Dargus Kandran. He invites you to join him here in his box to enjoy the spectacle of today's event."

"I believe we were hoping for some privacy." He glanced down at Yelara and made lustful eyes at her. "If you get my meaning."

The Hutt laughed once more, and the droid would have blushed had he the proper pigmentation adjusters. As the Hutt talked, the droid translated once more. "His great excellency understands and grants you the box adjacent to his."

"There is another matter, but perhaps we can discuss that after the race," Dargus said. "I am fascinated by this arena you've constructed, and I would be interested in a potential partnership."

Rather than laughing, Jadda mused on that for a moment. "Bonda bada, ib jango dada." To which the droid translated, "Jadda will gladly speak with you on this. He looks forward to what you have to offer, Lord Kandran."

"I bet he does," Dargus said under his breath. He glanced to Yelara. "Shall we go to our box now, my love?"

Yelara nodded briskly, desperately. "Yes, my lord. Definitely, my lord."

With that, Dargus bowed again to the Hutt, and then allowed one of Jadda's flunkies, a twi'lek who seemed to bow and scrape for every favour he could manage, to lead them to the box adjacent to the "mighty Hutt's." Dargus hid any reaction to the man's obvious obsequious behaviour. He'd attempt to gain favour with any whom he thought to improve his station. He'll get none from me.

Once they were inside, Dargus gave the man a withering look that sent him scampering for the door. Once he was gone, a shake of the head was the only expression he could make. Keeve and Yelara were by the edge of the balcony that overlooked the track. "Impressive view," he said as he approached.

"If only it weren't so hot," Yelara commented. She unclasped the jewel encrusted brooch (graciously presented to her by Dargus) fastening the cloak at her throat and slipped the garment off her shoulders, onto the back of her seat. Her fair skin would most likely burn without the protection provided by the cloak, but at least she wouldn't shed pounds in sweat by wearing it for however long they'd be exposed to the heat.

As if reading Yelara's thoughts, Keeve said, "That fat slimebug should've had cooling units installed in all royal boxes. That's one change we'll have to make when we take partial ownership of this place, Father."

Dargus looked around the box and nodded. "Yes," he said. "If we were to put them right up here in the front, I think they'd do the most good." He looked at Yelara and smiled. "You are beautiful, my dear. Though, I can only hope your beauty doesn't offend the Hutt. I hear he doesn't like other women to be more attractive than his twi'lek slave girls. I guess he'll have to learn to deal with it though."

Yelara glanced over her shoulder at him and grimaced. "I hope he's offended, especially since he's offended my delicate nose with his repugnant odour. Don't Hutt's bathe?"

"I think they just have their slaves rub oil over their bodies or something," Dargus said. "If I had my way, I'd haul him to Mon Calamari and drop him in for a nice long bath."

Keeve chuckled, and Yelara giggled as she snuggled into Dargus' embrace. "That sounds like too much trouble," she said. "When we buy part of this place, you can enclose his box in transparisteel so we'll be spared of his odour."

"You know those little hanging air fresheners, I'll make sure the cleaning staff -- if there is one -- hangs them all over in his box before race days. I'm sure his people will appreciate that. I don't see how any of them can breathe."

"They don't smell any better than he does, so I doubt they even notice," Keeve retorted.

"My, my," Yelara interjected, "don't we all sound like a pack of arrogant royal bloods." She grinned and slipped her arms around Dargus' waist. "I rather like it."

Dargus laughed. "Just practicing for when this planet is ours, and many others besides. Oh look, the rest of the pods are coming out onto the track now. I think we're about ready to start."

Keeve leaned forward over the edge of the balcony to peer down at the pods lining up at the start. Some were shoddily made, while others were obviously in peak condition and no doubt cost quite the hefty sum, but all seemed race-worthy. The pulsating drone of the engines drew Keeve in closer, but there was only so far he could go before he fell out of the box. As a child, he'd enjoyed playing with swoops and miniature pod racers, but these were real, and just like the ten year old he was, he wanted to play. "Father, do you think you could buy me one of those?" he asked absently.

Yelara chuckled. "Look, my dear. I do believe he's drooling."

Dargus smiled and then made a show at wiping Keeve's chin. "Of course," he said. "You planning on being my star pod racing pilot?"

"Don't know how to fly one," Keeve said. He looked back at Dargus and grinned. "But I'd like to learn."

"Sorry, Keeve," Yelara said with a sigh. "Humans can't fly pods. Their reflexes are too slow to operate effectively at the high speeds a pod reaches. I'm afraid you'd only get yourself killed."

Dargus smiled. "Keeve's not your normal human," Dargus said. "We can try him out though. Set up a practice area, and let him try. A controlled environment so he doesn't kill himself."

"I won't," he said firmly and confidently. "I can do this. And if I do die, you can just clone me. Isn't that right, Father?" He snorted wryly and turned his attention back to the starting line. If he did die, he wondered whether or not Shiv would attend his funeral. He closed his eyes and berated himself. Concentrate on the race. Forget her...if you can.

"Of course I could," Dargus said. "Though, it wouldn't really be you. It'd just be a copy of your genetic material. Keeve Zenarr would still be dead."

"Well, it may be too late for that. Keeve Zenarr's already dying inside," he muttered grimly.

"Oh, dear," Yelara said wearily. "He's starting again. Can't you tell Jadda to start the race already before he drowns in angst?"

Dargus put a hand on Keeve's shoulder and just watched him for several moments. There was deep concern in his eyes. But, all of his concern was cut short when the blare of a horn announced that the racers were to get ready for the start of the race. Once all the pods were revved and ready, a guttural bellow from next door shot them off and down the lane. Dargus looked back at Keeve, hoping the start of the race would pull him free of his sorrow.

The onset of the race alone wasn't enough to cease Keeve's puling, but the initial crash that happened moments later did. He sat up straighter and heard himself laughing while other spectators covered their eyes or groaned at the devastation. The ruddy flames mingling with the billowing smoke excited Keeve, but not in the way Shiv ever had; it infused him with adrenaline and made him restless in his seat. He wanted to be out there dancing with death like those drivers, and laughing in its face when he cheated him out of one more minion. As much as he had loved Shiv, he soon found that he loved pod racing just as much.

Dargus slid his hand into Yelara's. "You know, I think we've found something to occupy his mind now," he said. "And, if I get him a pod to race, that means you have one to fix up if you'd like."

"I doubt he'd let me near it," she replied. "He'd be so suspicious of sabotage, he wouldn't want to fly the thing after I've touched it."

"I'm sure the two of you can come to some kind of understanding," Dargus said with a chuckle. "I hate to admit it, but you and he do look very good together. Perhaps over time you'll be good working together too."

"Hmm...." Yelara passed her eyes slowly over Keeve's form and grinned. "We worked together well today.... I certainly would like to continue this partnership if he's receptive to the idea." She almost purred as she remembered how truly receptive he had been to her only a short time ago on the shuttle.

Dargus smiled and kissed her. "I think he talks big," he said, "but I think he likes you, especially earlier in the shuttle. For all his griping, I don't think he'll ever turn you away, Yelara."

"You don't really want me to go to him frequently, do you?" She gazed up at Dargus with complete seriousness in her expression. "I don't want to. Once in a while, yes.... But I need to be with you, Dargus."

Dargus kissed her gently. "I want you to go to him as often as you want to go to him. So, every once in awhile, or every day. That is up to you. However, the time you spend with my adopted son does not preclude whatever time we share, which will be quite often indeed. But, I guess the answer to your question is, as often as you desire, my love."

Yelara smiled and kissed Dargus again. Keeve made not a rude sound or a smug comment directed at them; he was too entranced by the race now presented on the enormous display screens. "I love this fucking sport," he muttered.

Yelara glanced over at him and laughed softly. "So, you're really going to buy him one?"

Dargus, who looked at the boy smiling out from the man's eyes, nodded slowly. "Yes, I am," he said. "Just look at him. I think the only thing that's drawn his interest that much has been her. I think he needs the pod racer. We'll see how he does once he's inside it."

"He'll do fine," Yelara assured him with a knowing smile. "He's tenacious and determined. He won't fail."

"No, he won't," Dargus said. "He's strong that way. I guess when we take a tour of the pits later, we'll have to see about picking him up a pod. I imagine by the end of the week, he can be making test runs. Next month, we'll probably be in here cheering him--"

"Lord Kandran," Dargus' comlink suddenly burbled. "Lord Kandran, we're under attack!"

It took a moment to register, but then he glanced at Yelara. She looked as perplexed as he.

"Who?"

"We haven't been able to identify the ships, sir, but there are a variety. They've got mining ships trying to drill inside."

"Zenarr," Dargus growled. "Protect Moril and Kallia from them. Don't let them inside, and don't let them get anyone out. Understand?"

"Y-yes, sir. We'll keep them out, s-sir!"

"Oh gods," Yelara whispered. "Kallia and the children." She gripped Dargus' forearm and gazed up at him fearfully. "Dargus, they'll be hurt!"

"It doesn't sound like they're trying to destroy the ship," Dargus said. "Not yet. There were too many loved ones in there, or so they thought. No, they want to get inside and they want to take them from us. They're there for Shiv, Lerrah, and Moril. But, I have no doubts that they'll free everyone they see as prisoners or slaves if they have half a chance. We have to go. Damn them! Keeve, the ship is under attack. We have to leave now."

If Shiv had been on board, he would have been genuinely concerned, but now, Keeve was only annoyed. "The race isn't done yet. Can't you come and pick me up after?"

"Keeve!" Yelara snapped. "They're attacking the ship and we're leaving now!"

"You're leaving," he clarified for her. "I'm staying."

"Very well," Dargus said starting toward the door. "We'll be back to pick you up when we have a chance to. The Hutt might be able to put you up for the night, if you're nice to him. Hopefully, after the attack on my ship, I'll be able to get a shuttle down here to get you tomorrow. It'll just be a couple days otherwise."

Keeve gritted his teeth and muttered an invective under his breath. Grudgingly, he rose from his seat and turned his back on the race. "Fine. Let's go."

"We'll come back for the next one, Keeve," Dargus said. "And, maybe you can even be racing in that one. I don't want to leave anymore than you do, but this is important."

He nodded. "I know." Keeve sighed and held out a hand to Yelara. She accepted shakily and rose, only with Keeve's other arm supporting her by the waist. "It'll be okay, Yelara," he said softly. She nodded slightly, then sobbed and buried her face into Keeve's chest. "You grab her cloak and I'll help her to the shuttle, Father."

Dargus grabbed Yelara's cloak as Keeve helped her toward the door. As he began following, he ordered the shuttle to lift off and meet them just outside. He came up behind them as they were starting down the stairs to the lower level. "It'll be at the doors when we get there. I just hope we can get close enough. It's an attack shuttle, but it's no match for a fighter."

"We're not actually going out there while the cruiser's being attacked, are we?" Keeve asked.

"We're going to keep our distance," Dargus said. "The shuttle is well shielded and has some weaponry, but not enough to take on a bunch of fighters attacking a capital ship. I'm not suicidal. But, I want to be up there. If it gets hot, one of us will need to pilot the shuttle and one of us will need to stay with Yelara. Do you feel ready to handle piloting?"

Keeve's eyes lit up and his lips stretched into a broad grin. "I'm ready."

Dargus smiled. "Good," he said with a smile. "I don't know what we'll find up there, but the pilot isn't up to combat flying. You and I have the skill for it. While you pilot, I'll help coordinate with the rest of our fleet."

"Yes, Father." Keeve's steps hastened eagerly as they hurried down the ramp leading from the royal box to the outside of the stadium. Their shuttle could be seen awaiting them on the landing pad across the way, and Keeve wrapped his arm around Yelara's shoulders to protect her flesh from the short exposure to the sun.

The pilot rushed out to meet Dargus and to fill him in further on what was happening in space. Keeve and Yelara both mounted the ramp ahead of them, and Keeve gently helped Yelara into a seat. She was quiet, except for the occasional sob, and her eyes stared off into the distance, but from the look they carried, he knew she was watching the images that were flashing through her mind now, no doubt those of her lover and her child. He kissed her forehead, but she paid no notice to it, then Keeve moved off into the cockpit.

It was only a couple moments later when Dargus burst into the shuttle. It was obvious whatever the pilot had told him had upset him even further. "Keeve," he called into the cockpit once he noticed the young man there, "get us up. I'll have coordinates for you in just a moment. Taerl, strap in, this will be bumpy." He moved to help Yelara get herself strapped in as well. "I'm sorry," he whispered.

Yelara's eyes slowly and languidly shifted towards his. She didn't need to ask him what he'd meant; it was all too clear from the frown on his face. "No," she groaned. "No!" Yelara pressed her hands to her face and gave a muffled cry just as the shuttle pushed off the ground. "Kallia... Oh gods, my baby. No...."

"We'll get them back, Yel," Dargus said, pulling her into his arms instead of strapping her into the seat. "Kaysa and Tregat may have them now, but I promise you we'll get them back."

"The Temple," she said quietly. "That's where they'll be." She looked up at Dargus with tears running down her cheeks, and her mouth twisting into a bitter sneer. "That's where he will be."

He didn't need to be a telepath to know who he was. It was the same 'he' they both thirsted to hurt. "Then that's where we'll get them back. I'll have a squadron of my people readied as soon as we're past the current crisis, and then we'll go back and retrieve your child and your girlfriend. And, we'll make those who stand against us pay. I think it's time to teach them all a lesson. They don't know who or what they're dealing with, and I think it's time they found out."

Yelara smiled ferally and was at once tranquil and at peace. They would get Kallia back, and Leshie, and destroy Liam and his whore in the process.

As the shuttle broke through the upper strata of the atmosphere and into the void of space, she soon became grateful that Leshie, Yara, and Kallia were no longer on the cruiser. 'Ravaged' was the only term she could come up with to accurately describe what she saw. They were at a far enough distance that their presence wouldn't be noticed, but close enough to gain a perfect, unobstructed view of the green and orange streaks of light impacting with Dargus' vessel. It was now barely a remnant of its former glory, and from the tightening of Dargus' hold on her, she knew he thirsted for blood. "And you shall have it, my Emperor," she whispered. "Sooner than you could imagine."

---

"Lost and Found"
By: Merrick Braston
Oot Kovan
Zale Tregat
Kaysa Zenarr-Tregat-Braston

with Weibran The Hutt [NPC]

Location: Antorial Industries - Yesdol, New Plouton
Date: Eos 3, 4ABY

***

Zale and Oot stood together in front of the large holographic display of the orbit above Tae'Karada. He frowned and shook his head. "All wings from my mining operation are coming in now. Your fighters are keeping theirs busy for now, and my fighters are keeping their gunnery mounts occupied. The mining ships will be key in this. They'll latch on, and core out a chunk of the hull. From there, it's just a matter of dropping through the hatch. By the time the fight's over, Dargus' ship is going to look like a Nebanna cheese log."

Oot laughed and nodded. "My fighters will take care of his, as well as keeping them away from the strike ships."

Merrick slipped his arms around Kaysa and kissed her. "Whatever you think of her or them together," he said softly, "they're good at this part."

"Zale likes competent women," she replied. "Oot's competent and that's what's always worried me. But still, I'm glad we have her on our side. Against Dargus Kandran, any ally, even a horny twi'lek, is better than none at all."

"Well, she's behaving now at least," Merrick said. "Besides, it's funny when she's horny. She tries so hard, but can't break through to Zale, which makes her frustrated. So, in the end, she's horny and frustrated." He shook his head. "I'm surprised she hasn't hauled Deez or Aron into one of the side rooms and taken out some of her 'aggressions.' "

She chuckled. "There's still time." Kaysa watched the battle in progress, but had to look away. Her babies were on that ship, and Zale and Oot's forces were bombarding it relentlessly. Even the thought of them becoming injured during the fight was enough to unsettle her stomach. "When will it be over, Merrick? It seems like it's been going on forever."

"It'll be soon," Merrick said softly. "They just need to get inside."

"This is Ghost Leader," one of the men in the battle called out. "I've got unidentifieds coming up from the planet. Oh my gods... Base, this is Ghost Leader, the new group of fighters has engaged the enemy. They appear to be on our side. I repeat, they appear to be on our side."

"Whose--"

The door to the office burst open and one of the largest men on the planet rumbled through the door. A cloud of thick smoke followed him, trailing from a fat cigarro stuffed between his teeth. "Sorry, I'm late," he said, cramming the cigarro into his hand. He had a blaster strapped to his side that looked small against his thigh. "Name's Weibran." His eyes widened in recognition when he saw Merrick. "Mordred! I didn't expect to find you at the heart of the battle. Good to see you. Oh, hello. That lovely gem's other keeper. Don't worry, ma'am, we'll get her back for you."

Kaysa gazed speechlessly at the corpulent man and instinctively drew closer to Merrick and out of Weibran's path lest she be caught beneath his broad feet. The floor trembled when he passed and Kaysa coughed as she fanned away the dense, billowing smoke caught in her throat. "Another ally?" she rasped to Merrick.

"That's the guy I called earlier," he whispered. He was about to mention the party, but given the events there, he wasn't certain if Kaysa would want to remember. "They call him Weibran the Hutt. Bet you can't guess where that name came from."

Kaysa glossed her eyes over his morbidly rotund form and nodded slowly. "Oh, I bet I can."

Weibran strode straight to where Oot and Zale stood. "Zool Torgret," he said and clapped his meaty hand into Zale's. "Good to finally meet you." He turned to Oot and gasped. "Oh, delicious flower. Please tell me that your body is as graceful in dance as it is just standing still."

Oot gave the crimelord a sweet smile and a curtsy. "I have heard such said before," she said.

Weibran seemed on the verge of collapse at that and quickly took a deep breath to steady himself. He looked at the display and nodded. "Very good," he said. "My people are there. I hope they didn't miss too much."

"Not too much," Zale said with a glance at Merrick who was trying very hard not to laugh. "Wh-- Why are you here?"

"Melfred contacted me and asked me to help. I recognized your ships up there, so here I am. Tagbart, have your ships pull back to oh oh seven. That'll give my ships a chance to get in there to show those dirty chippin-robbers what's what."

Zale stared, dumbfounded.

Oot saved him. "It looks like your mining ships are in position now, Zale."

A moment later, the first announcement that one of the teams had made it into the ship, and the news was followed by more and more. Tension mounted as the minutes dragged on. Oot winced every time one of her ships was shot down. Weibran chomped his cigarro until he finally bit it in half.

"Base, this is Recovery Team. We're searching, but they're not here. We can't find any sign of them here."

Kaysa stepped forward out of Merrick's embrace and moved beside Zale. "What do they mean, Zale? How can they not be there? Tell them to look harder!"

Deez and Aron had pulled into the room by then, the concern on their faces very obvious. Zale glanced at Kaysa and nodded. He picked up the comlink. "This is Base, Recovery," he said. "Keep looking. They have to be there."

"We won't leave without them, Base."

Zale sighed. Had Dargus moved them somewhere else, suspecting this? It was almost too much. How could this be happening? He couldn't bear to look at anyone. If this didn't work... Three more of his ships vanished off the display. There would be no one left. He felt a hand on his shoulder and glanced at Oot. Her eyes held nothing but compassion. They'd find them if they had to rip the whole galaxy apart to do it!

"What's going on?" a small voice at the door asked.

Momentary confusion and disorientation seized Kaysa. That voice didn't belong here, not in this room, not so close that she could almost smell the sweet breath that had pushed the words out. Kaysa turned around abruptly and paused for another moment to make certain everyone else in the room was seeing what she now saw, and that it was not in fact a hallucination. If it was, though, she certainly didn't mind this particular one.

"Shiv?" Kaysa cried out sharply and flew towards her girl, standing naked in the doorway and looking so tiny, so fragile. "Shiv!" Her arms went immediately around her and she pulled her roughly into an embrace. "Is it you? Shiv, tell me it's really you," she whispered.

Shiv threw her arms around Kaysa and held tight. "It's me," she cried. "It's me, Kaysa. I'm here. I'm back. Oh gods, I love you, Kaysa. I missed you so much!" She kissed her then, passionate and needful.

Kaysa accepted the kiss and returned it with all the love she could express through the simple joining of two sets of lips. She pulled away, breathless, and searched Shiv's face. She looked so tired and her eyes so sorrowful. "What happened, Shiv? How can you be here?" Kaysa's eyes gazed over Shiv's shoulder at the woman she recognized as Lerrah and a droid. She looked for a ten year old boy too, but reminded herself that he no longer existed. Even so, the man that had replaced him was absent. "Where's Keeve, Shiv? Where's my son?"

Tears filled Shiv's eyes. "He-- he stayed," she whispered. "He...oh gods, Kaysa. He's all grown up. He did something to Keeve. And...and Keeve loves me. And, he wanted me to marry him. And, he's all big now. But, he wanted me all to himself and he didn't like that I was still in love with you and Merrick. Oh gods, Kaysa...it's my fault. I should have tried harder. I should have gotten him to come with me. I'm so sorry..."

Kaysa framed Shiv's face with her hands and smiled at her tenderly. "No, it's not your fault, my love. It's Dargus Kandran's. If you want to blame anyone, you blame him. Do you hear me, my sweet little nymph?"

Shiv smiled and then nodded. "I hear you," she whispered. "This is Lerrah, Kaysa. And, Elf. Dargus took them too. Lerrah...Lerrah was my first love."

Lerrah laughed and rested a hand on Elf's domed head. "And, I can tell that her first love has been replaced." She looked between Kaysa and Shiv and laughed. "Um, are there any spare clothes around?"

Kaysa visually sized Lerrah up, but knew now was not the time to broach the subject to Shiv of her ex-lover's sudden reappearance. All that mattered was that her star was home. "Zale, do you have anything for them? Something temporary until I can get them home."

Zale looked over to Deez and Aron. "There should be some spare coats down the hall. Go grab a couple for them." The guards wasted no time and rushed off in search of the jackets. He glanced at Weibran and saw that the man was barely breathing as he stared at Shiv. He hoped he didn't fall over. He was sure the floors weren't rated for quakes that strong.

Merrick moved slowly toward Shiv, taking in all of her before she flung herself into his arms. The kiss that followed was intense, as all kisses with Shiv were. But this time, the need and desire was so great, he didn't want to let her go from his arms once the kiss ended. He looked over at Kaysa. "Our girl's home, Kaysa." Tears filled his eyes.

"I know," Kaysa said quietly, ruefully. Their girl was home, but her boy was not. She turned her gaze away from Merrick and towards the array of windows covering the far wall of the office. Kaysa moved sluggishly to them, and quietly, she wept. Her son was still out there somewhere, and chances were she would never see him again. She knew a mother could not recover from the loss of her child, no matter how much time passed, and neither would she.

After a few minutes of solitude, a gentle hand was placed on her shoulder. "If there is anything I can do for you," Oot Kovan said, "all you need to do is name it, Kaysa. I know I cannot make up for the loss you are feeling now, but I and Zale and Weibran will do everything we can to bring him home."

"Thank you," Kaysa barely managed to whisper. She smiled over her shoulder at Oot, then returned her longing gaze to the firmament stretched far beyond the horizon. Her son was still out there and would not be coming back. She knew that and needed to accept it. But not yet.

Oot silently withdrew and returned to the command center.

"Base, Recovery here," a static-filled voice called out. "We've found Moril, sir. He's injured but alive. There's another woman here, as well as a good number of slaves. We're going to try to get them all out."

"Go ahead, Recovery. Get all you can out of there. The girls are here. It looks like for some reason Kandran let them go. Get all you can, and then get out of there."

"Will do, Base. Recovery out."

A pair of arms slipped around Kaysa's waist. "I missed you," Shiv whispered again. "I never forgot about you or Merrick. I needed you with me, and you were. Inside. I love you, Kaysa."

"I love you too, Shiv." Kaysa turned back around and pulled Shiv in closer. "Let's go home, my love. You look like you could do with a nice, warm shower."

Shiv gave Kaysa a demure smile. "Only if you join me," she said with a purr. "It wasn't as bad as last time. Keeve protected me from that. It would have been much worse, I think, if he hadn't been there. I...I think I broke his heart, Kaysa."

"That's not your fault, Shiv," Kaysa said quietly. "He's just a boy... Dargus may have made him a man, but inside, he's still a boy...my boy."

The thought of telling Kaysa about some of the things Keeve did almost brought Shiv to tears again. "He's a beautiful man, just like he was a beautiful boy," she said. "I want to bring him home, Kaysa. I want to do everything I can to bring him home. He needs us. He needs to be with us here."

Kaysa moved away from Shiv and resumed her vigil of the sky, half expecting a ship to descend from it, carrying her little boy home. "He doesn't want to be here, Shiv. He left for a reason, and that reason was me. I think--" she whispered, swallowing back a sob. "I think I've truly lost him. If he's happy there, just...leave him be. Let him have his happiness."

Shiv followed Kaysa. "It wasn't because of you, Kaysa," she said. "It was me. He wanted me. He wanted to marry me, and love me, and have me all to himself. He wanted to do what he wanted. There were too many rules here. He couldn't keep being the spoiled brat your parents made him. He left because of him, because of me. Not because of you."

"Then why didn't he follow you, Shiv?" she countered. "If he was so desperately in love with you, more than he hated me, then why isn't he here now?" Kaysa shook her head slowly. "He may have left because of you, Shiv, but he didn't come back because of me."

"He didn't come back because I didn't love him the way he wanted me to love him," she said. "He didn't come back because he couldn't look at me, knowing how much he loved me, and then know that he couldn't have me."

"I'm sorry, Shiv." Kaysa turned to face her again and smiled wanly. "I know you're trying, but unless I hear it from him, there's nothing you can say to convince me of that. We didn't exactly reconcile when he was here, and I need that, Shiv. I need to hear it from him."

"I know," Shiv said softly and took a step away from her love. "I tried to get him to come with me. I'll keep trying though. I'll get him back here so he can love you like he's supposed to. I'm sorry." She turned and started toward the door.

"Don't be," Kaysa murmured as she faced the windows again. Shiv's return was supposed to be a joyous occasion, but with Keeve still gone and with no return in sight, Kaysa didn't know if she could ever truly be happy now. She'd lost her chance to be a mother to Keeve, and that he so blatantly rejected her by running to Dargus Kandran only served to reinforce her belief that Keeve truly did and always would resent her. In fact, she was beginning to resent herself all over again. But she wouldn't succumb to the demons this time; it was pointless. They only made her forget the pain, and Kaysa wanted to suffer. It was the only thing that would keep her from feeling numb inside.

Once she had the jacket to cover herself, Shiv slipped out of the office while Lerrah was still being bombarded with questions. She rode the lift down to the bottom floor and slipped outside. She climbed onto one of the large stone statues to the side of the door and sat with her back against the building, staring up into space. Keeve would be up there again soon.

Merrick looked around the office and frowned. He slipped away from the crowd, and Weibran's constant begging to take Shiv away to dance for him. He approached Kaysa slowly and brushed a hand along her arm. "Where'd Shiv go?"

Kaysa shrugged. "I didn't see."

Merrick watched her for a few minutes, and then sighed. With a shake of his head he turned away and went off to look for Shiv. Aron had brought in some food and was protectively guarding it so Lerrah could get some, but Weibran was doing his best to get a hand in to the plate. He had to admire the crimelord's persistence.

He slipped out of the office and down the hall toward the refreshers.

"Zale?" Kaysa stood away from the desk where he and Oot were hunched over, watching the rest of the battle on the vidlink. "I'm going, Zale," she said softly.

Zale stood up and stepped away from Oot. "Did you want me to go with you? Or Merrick. I won't make you take Weibran with you, though I will have to have the air in here cycled twice. You sure you want to go alone?"

"Yeah... I needed to catch up on things at work." She sighed. "I-I just need to go."

"Be careful," Zale said. "I'll see you later on, Kayse. Maybe all of us should do something special tonight."

"Comm me at the office if the three of you decide on anything and let me know." She moved into Zale's embrace and felt so secure in it that she wished she could remain there for an hour at least. "If you see Moril before I do, tell him I'm glad he's back and alright."

"Of course," Zale said, and then quickly pulled her back for a kiss. "I'll contact you soon. If you need anything, just let me know. We'll do everything we can to make things right, Kaysa. I promise."

"I know. I love you, Zale." She looked down and sighed. "You're not a coward, Zale. I didn't mean to say that today."

"You were upset," Zale said. "We were all under a lot of stress." He didn't say anything about Dargus still being out there. They both knew it, but now they didn't need to be reminded of it. "I'll talk to you soon, love."

Kaysa kissed Zale again briefly then sullenly headed for the door. She was beginning to believe happiness was an unattainable abstraction that people conveniently used to refer to those moments in their lives when they weren't utterly miserable. But it didn't exist, she knew that. She'd never had a day of complete, unadulterated happiness in all her life, and never would, not when Keeve was lost to her forever.

She acknowledged no one when she left the room and made her way to the lift, for Keeve had her full attention now. Perhaps if she had given it to him while he was still around, or even when he was an infant fresh from her womb, he would still be with her, bringing her closer to happiness. If she had Keeve, the unattainable wouldn't seem so hopeless to achieve.

***

"Kaysa!" From atop the statue where she'd been sitting, Shiv scampered to the edge and then down onto the ground. "Kaysa," she called again as she fled after her love, her reason for wanting to return.

Kaysa turned to the sound of her name and walked back to meet Shiv at the bottom of the stairway. "What are you doing out here? Merrick's been looking for you."

"I just...just wanted to come out here." She couldn't hide the glance she made toward the sky, and then shook her head. "I'll go back in and find him. Where you going?"

"Zenarr Inc.," she replied with a weary sigh. "It'll help keep my mind off things."

Shiv nodded. "Can I come with you?"

Kaysa gnawed on her lip and knew she could so easily break Shiv's heart right now. "Be with Merrick, Shiv. Please. Can I just have some time alone?"

A tremble went through Shiv's body, but she nodded. "Sure," she said. "I'll go...go spend time with Merrick. He looked like he needed a hug anyway. I'll talk to you soon, I guess."

Kaysa grabbed Shiv's hand before she could trudge off and pulled her into a kiss. "I love you, Shiv," she whispered. "Tonight we're all going to dinner, and you're choosing the place. Okay?"

Shiv sighed softly. "Okay," she said, and gave Kaysa a smile. "I'll have to pick somewhere good then. I love you, Kaysa. I love you so much. I'm so glad to have you back...but I miss him. Both of him. It all happened so fast, and I don't know. I love you. Tonight, can I sleep with you? I need to have you close."

"Every night, Shiv. Never again do I want to spend a night without you in my arms." She gave Shiv another long, lingering kiss, then stepped away before her hands slipped beneath the coat Shiv wore, just as they were tempted to do. "It's good to have you back, my star."

Shiv pulled the coat tighter around her. "I like the sound of that," she said. "I'll see you soon, my love. Maybe we can go somewhere tonight with a nice elevator. I'll, uh...I'll go check on Merrick." She started back, never taking her eyes off Kaysa as she started up the steps toward the building.

Kaysa laughed at her love as she edged her way backwards down the sidewalk. "And during dinner, we'll have a little discussion about that beautiful brunette you've got up there."

Shiv felt her cheeks go crimson. "Deal," she said with a giggle, and then turned and rushed back into the building.

Feeling the love radiating from Shiv and knowing that bewitching creature was completely devoted to her assuaged some of Kaysa's sorrow, but it would never truly dissipate. She would live with it always, but she would find ways to keep it from overwhelming her. She couldn't lose Merrick, Shiv, or Zale, and if she let the grief possess her, she would.

Time alone would do her good, for in those moments she could contemplate what she'd lost and mourn for Keeve then. It would be a double life of sorts, running off and finding solitude each day to weep for her child, then returning home to celebrate the love she shared with her three gems, but it would be necessary in order to separate the darkness from the light that was her lovers, or there would be nothing but gloom for them all.

As Shiv had been doing only moments ago, Kaysa gazed up into the darkened sky and sighed wistfully. "Mommy loves you, Keeve." A tiny smile touched her lips as she added, "Always."

***

Rain. If anything in all of the universe could have made the day any more depressing, it was the cold, pounding rain that now fell. At least Kaysa had managed to find a cab before it decided to plummet from the sky. Now, though, as the cab idled alongside the curb, she had to make her way through it to the front door of her office. She paid the driver, then took out her keycard so she wouldn't end up stuck outside in the rain while rifling through her purse for it. So, Kaysa pushed open the hatch and hollering a quick thank-you to the driver, she hopped out and rushed toward the door.

Her feet crashed down into the puddles, although she did try to avoid them, and the surging water coated her bare legs and drenched her skirt. She'd given up trying to stay dry now and instead concentrated on getting to the doorway without slipping and falling. Blinded by the stinging rain and chilled to the bone, Kaysa finally reached the door and jammed her keycard into the slot. The locking mechanism disengaged and Kaysa pushed her way into the darkened office. She made certain to lock the door behind her, even though she knew Zale's men were not very far if anyone were to give her an impromptu visit. Still, it added just that much more to her sense of security.

She shook out her sopping hair and walked leisurely towards her desk while catching her breath. Just as she was preparing to sit, Kaysa cursed to herself and changed her course. "Lights," she reminded herself as she made her way back to the lighting panel adjacent the doorway. While there, she pulled off her suit jacket and blindly tossed it onto the couch. The smack of the soaking material as it hit the floor was the only indication she had at the moment that she'd missed. She groped the wall and found the lighting panel. One by the one the lights came on and brightened the room. With the rain outside, the atmosphere within the room was still depressing despite the soft lighting.

Kaysa took a moment to gaze out the fogged up transparisteel window of the front door and could only make out the hazy lights of passing hovercars in the street. "I really need a better view," she murmured to herself.

As she turned around to start back towards her desk, she stopped short at the barrier that appeared suddenly before her. Compared with what she now faced, she suddenly grew to appreciate the view outside that much more. A gasp escaped her lips as her stunned mind reassembled and identified the figure blocking her way. She staggered backwards and put what little distance she could between them by flattening her back against the wall. Her hand flung out towards the door handle, but thick, strong fingers closed around her wrist and pulled it away. Just as a cry was ripping from her throat, another hand clamped over her mouth and obstructed the only outlet she had to summon help. As the hulking, menacing figure loomed closer, despite the hindrance, she let out a muffled scream.

"Hello, Kaysa," said Vrax Draydge with a sinister smile. "Did ya miss me?" His grin widened into something far beyond menacing. He reached out and covered the lighting panel with a hand. The lights went out.

---

"A Forest to Hide Fears"
Jemul - Droid Merchant
Fuzzilla [New NPC] - Wookie Strongman
Giant Predatory Woodland Spiders [NPC]

Location: Droid Haven; The Pink Monga; Forest
Date: Eos 3, 4ABY

***

Jemul was getting nervous. It wasn't just his small size, his worst fears were materializing before his eyes! Since establishing his shop, the Jawa had won a contract to maintain Droids at the spaceport. Since his stipend was paid on a per droid basis, this was quite lucrative. The bustling space hub had many types of droids. There were D2 units to assist maintaining starships, protocol droids, safety maintenance droids. And now, quite a few Imperial ships were landing. Far too many for Jemul's tastes. Before long, he expected stormtroopers to be patrolling the streets.

He remembered how agents of the Empire killed the rest of his family like it was yesterday. Jemul accessed a public com terminal and perused listings at the Journeymen's union. A Wookiee named Fuzzilla was listed with protector status. Good! The tiny Jawa could now afford to hire help to assist his travels.

Jemul filled a cargo pod with food and water. He also loaded a small hoverdroid so it was equipped to translate to and from Shyriiwook. The merchant alerted the spaceport he would be out of town up to a week gathering replacement parts, then counted six large bronze ingots to pay the large Wookiee bodyguard. He added 10 more to his bag to cover unexpected expenses.

***

A few drunken storm troopers occupied the stools at the Pink Monga bar. A variety of other customers filled it, including four or five Wookiees who were not yet intoxicated. Luckily, the stormtroopers were in too much of a stupor to cause trouble. After someone shot up the bar with blasters, Jemul had installed a computerized weapon suppression system for everyone's safety. Now energy weapons were useless. But that still didn't guard against physical assault.

One of the Wookiees turned out to be Fuzzilla. He howled something, and the hover droid translated, "Imperial Scum! I wish they would be pulled into a black hole!" Jemul could barely hear the output at its minimum range. The obvious soldiers made now combative moves, indicating they didn't hear the Wookiee's outburst. Even better! Jemul mused. I've hired a Wookiee who dislikes these minions of the Empire.

Jemul introduced himself to Fuzzilla and suggested they blend in by sharing a drink. It didn't deplete his money supply, for he earned three months of free drinks along with some coin for devising the protective anti-blast system to benefit all the Monga's patrons.

Over the table, they shared an order of fried Kolliadian gizzards. The hover droid explained Jemul's intent. He was going to the forest to search for the crashed droid control ship. Hopefully, few of those allied to the Empire had ventured into the forest.

***

The voyage of the skimmer was mostly uneventful. Jemul and Fuzzilla had to stop once to replace a ruptured fuel cell, but otherwise, they reached there destination quickly without any unpleasantness. Opting for caution, Jemul hid their vehicle under a pile of haphazardly arranged ferns. Without his encrypted homing beacon, it would be very hard to find. That should keep out unwanted guests, the Jawa thought.

Although he shied away from fights, Jemul was good at creating and repairing electronics. Before finishing covering the hover sled, he removed a scanner. Mumbling to himself, he adjusted the scanner to look for Imperium and Tricasium. Those two minerals should be found in the primary hull of any Empire ship. Look! The needle is already pointing North East. The Jawa continued to study the device, lost for a moment in thought.

Before they left the proximity of their car, Fuzzilla let out a warning roar! Gesturing upward, he pointed at a greenish spider-like creature, barely discernable from the foliage. Normally spiders would be no problem. But this predator was larger than Jemul! In fact, any of its eight legs were longer than the Jawa. Busting into action, Fuzzilla attacked the spider with a sharpened tree branch (not wanting blaster noise to alert others to their presence). The creature was agile and nimble. By the time the Wookiee managed to slay it, four of its peers had shown up. One of them managed to bite Fuzzilla and inject him with poison. Jemul got a blaster out, seeing that there were now multiple foes. But he was too tangled up in webs to be very effective.

The battle raged on several hours. Finally, Fuzzilla managed to cut Jemul free. The Jawa noiselessly used the stun setting, then crushed the spiders' heads with rocks with a satisfied smile. When all the spiders and their webs were gone, Jemul paused to clean Fuzzilla's wound and applied a salve from the first aid kit. Fortunately, the hostile spiders must have considered Jemul to be too tiny for a snack, thus none of the opponents had bitten him. That large a dose of poison might prove fatal to a Jawa! Then the pair of amigos pulled the dead monsters from the area where their car was parked.

Fortunately, nothing but small rodents and insects were between them and the damaged droid control ship. Under Jemul's guidance, the Wookiee removed and carried the disabled ship's brain back to their waiting transport.

But not before Jemul checked its status. The computer was functional enough to power up. So the droid vender entered a few computer instructions.

IF CODE.DETECTED DELETE LOOP: 
CONTINUOUS REPEAT 
SELECT ALL DROIDS IN BROADCAST RANGE 
       INSTRUCTION LOG OFF.

IF ((OBSERVE EMPIRE.AGENT ATTACK) OR (OTHER CRIMINAL ACTIVITY)) 
          AND ALARMS.UNTRIGGERED 
             ACTIVATE STATIONARY.ALARM 627 MODE.SILENT 
             ACTIVATE MOBILE.ALARM 200 MODE.SILENT

IF INCIDENT.LOCATION <= 5 KILOMETERS.DISTANCE 
             FROM MOBILE.ALARM 200 MODIFY MODE.URGENT

IF ALARMS.ACTIVE AND INCIDENT NEUTRALIZED 
             TURN ACTIVE ALARMS OFF.

INSTRUCTION LOG ON. 
END SELECT. 
END REPEAT. 
END DELETE.

* COMPILED.  1.3 K MACHINE LANGUAGE INSTRUCTIONS NOW ACTIVE * 
* DISGUISING BROADCAST TRANSMISSION AS BACKGROUND NOISE *

Now the first droid that observed an Imperial agent committing an attack would activate both his stationary and mobile alarms. The alarm would be urgent if the violence was within his proximity radius. And the spy would not log the instructions which turned on the klaxons. The alarms would also turn off once it was safe to leave his hiding place! If his amendments went unnoticed, his journey into the forest to recover the ship would be useful indeed.... Since every droid in range would covertly execute these commands, hostile activities would be reported. And because the Empire relied on droids to perform daily activities, they were always close to where they worked.

There were also two broken (but repairable) R2 droids as well as a more expensive protocol droid. Jemul also selected five arms, several power couplings, and assorted smaller parts. The other items were either too broken to be fixed or the repair cost would excede the cost of a new part. The haul was larger than expected, and Jemul would not have to resort to scavanging in the near future.

The Jawa thought a moment. He was hardly the first sentient to devise a computer virus, but the small amount of code might protect Jemul and his property. If he constructed a hidden relay station in his shop, perhaps he could vend his new proximity alarm service to others. But while Jemul was smart for a Jawa, he wasn't a super genius by any means. The power needed for a competent relay station might have a detectable energy imprint. He would have to debate the idea a while before making a decision.

Fuzzilla was showing no signs that the spider's poison had any adverse effects. Although the arachnids were huge by Jawa standards, the Wookiee was still quite a bit bigger than they. Apparently, any other vermin of their ilk was frightened off for now. They made it to their vehicle, removed the ferns, and placed the new parts inside the speeder.

***

It took a while to return to Jemul's shop, now that their mass was one control computer heavier. Their landspeeder was nicked by a few trees, but no major accidents prevented them from returning to Droid Haven. Jemul thanked Fuzzilla and gladly paid him, also making provision for medical attention. He was injected by diluted poison while under his employ. It wouldn't look good if hirelings started to get sick while he was their boss.

The Wookiee left, satisfied enough with the adventure that he promised Jemul he would return if needed. The translator droid fell silent, while the Jawa hid the functioning computer under the floor boards of his shop with the aid of a portable antigrab. He scattered the other retrieved parts around, giving a minor appearance of clutter. If the Empire sent inspectors, they would hopefully bypass Droid Haven as being too eclectic to harbor resistance to their Imperial demands.

Just after he completed scattering his wares, there was a loud knock on the door. He looked out the slot, and there stood a feriocious looking Stormtrooper! "Citizen! Droid Haven has been noticed as a new business venture. You are required to pay 2 Imperial Shekles as tax."

Unfortunately, Jemul had 1 Shekle left after his trip. Without too much hassle, he gave the single coin as tax, and repaired three droids without charge. Gratefully, the tax gatherer was civil enough to mark off Droid Haven as being compliant with laws. "Tax for an established business rises to 4 shekles. Your next payment will be in one month," the white clad soldier said before departing.

Jemul let out a sigh as he closed the door, collapsing into a chair. He had narrowly escaped Imperial clutches for the moment. His relief was enough to let him fall into a peaceful sleep...

---

"Aborted Reunion, Part 1"
By: Merrick Braston
Maeren "Shiv" Shivral
Kaysa Zenarr-Tregat-Braston
Lerrah Breijal [NPC]
Vrax Draydge [NPC]

Location: Yesdol, New Plouton
Date: Eos 3, 4ABY

***

Shiv rolled lazily onto her side and grinned. Merrick's clothing was scattered all over the room. She'd been somewhat frantic in her efforts to get his clothes off. He hadn't minded. Their first hour had held much moaning, screaming, crying, and laughing while they made love. It was so wonderful to explore his body once more, to feel his love as he held her close and loved her in the beautiful way only he could. The past hour had been spent sleeping in each other's arms, only caring about the comfort provided by each other's touch. Tonight, they'd add Kaysa to their little mix, after Merrick had time to recharge.

She did feel bad for Lerrah. She loved Lerrah, almost as much as she had a few years ago. But, she couldn't be with her yet. She had to talk to Kaysa, she had to make sure it was okay. On Dargus' ship it was mostly for comfort that she allowed herself to be with her former lover. She'd needed that release, the touch of someone who would love her and not hurt her. And, Lerrah did understand what she was going through with waiting. She couldn't hurt Merrick and Kaysa that way.

With a soft laugh, she trailed a hand along Merrick's thigh. "Come on, you rambunctious sack of sexiness," she whispered, "we have to get ready for dinner. Go get that beautiful body showered." She grabbed his hand and tugged him toward the edge of the bed. "Hey, what is this here?" She examined his finger and gave him a sly grin.

Merrick opened his eyes and looked at his hand. "That? Oh. A wedding ring."

Shiv slapped him on the shoulder. "Really? You and Kaysa got married, didn't you?"

Merrick smiled.

"Oh, you guys! And, again, I'm not able to be Kaysa's Maid of Honour. I'm going to have to marry her myself so I can be mine and her Maid of Honour, you know. You and Zale, you're forcing me to this!"

Merrick laughed and pulled Shiv to him. "And, where would the two of you go on your honeymoon?"

"Oh, we'd go everywhere," Shiv said with a grin. "Though, I think Vendra would be fun. Me and Kaysa, all alone in Vendra. And, we wouldn't even need to bring clothes."

"You'd be dangerous there, you know."

Shiv gave him a seductive smile. "I'm dangerous everywhere. Now, get yourself into that shower or we're going to be late."

"Yes, ma'am," Merrick said with a laugh. He hadn't expected her to join him in the shower, that much was clear by his expression when she followed him in. "How clean do you think we're going to get in here together?"

"Does it matter?" Shiv asked as she grabbed some of the soap and began lathering it into his chest.

***

Shiv smoothed out the fabric of the long skirt and smiled. Kaysa liked this skirt. She liked the skirt too. Her top was made of thin fabric that covered her in front. She'd bought it on her last trip out shopping with Keeve. He'd liked it then, and tonight she wore it for him. It was red, his favourite colour. Rather than the boots she normally wore with her skirt, she'd chosen a pair of sandals that boosted her height to where she was nearly as tall as Merrick. She smiled. It was nice being able to look into his eyes.

She stepped away from the dressing table and looked over at Merrick who was helping Lerrah with the zipper on the dress she'd picked from Shiv's closet. "Oh," she said, "you two make a very lovely couple. I think I should be jealous."

"Nothing to be jealous of, my love," Lerrah said with a smile as Merrick finished with her dress.

"All set," he said. "And, you know there's only one girl for me. Okay, two. And, trust me Shiv, Kaysa would kill me if I even thought about adding a third."

Shiv was about to tease him, but decided to do so would be mean to Lerrah, and she couldn't do that. "Speaking of Kaysa," she said instead, "where is she? She was supposed to be back before this. She's not gonna have time to get ready. I'll go call her." She rushed out to the comm unit, and frowned when after she'd tried several times there was still no answer. "Where could she be?"

***

"Did you know," Vrax said as he circled Kaysa once more as she sat in her chair, "that they tried to fuck me up the ass in there? Me!?" He'd been doing this since he'd tied her there. There was a struggle at first, but his greater strength prevailed. "It wasn't until the topic of you came up that I managed to find an uneasy truce with them. We sort of united against you, you know. Not that we could do anything from within the prison...but when we got out." He leaned close. "Oh, and Kandran let us all out. Me and all my psychotic, sadistic, murdering, raping, anarchistic friends. But, you only have to worry about me for now. But, eventually..." He smiled a feral smile and moved around to face her. "I was thinking of going and grabbing that little tart of yours. I could clear your desk off and take her right in front of you, and then take you with my dick still wet with her juices." He moved closer, right against her ear. "Oh Kaysa, I'm glad we're finally going to get the chance to really get to know each other...intimately..."

Another empty threat, she thought to herself, but the doubt surrounding it brought with it fear as well. He'd been waiting years for a moment like this, and now he had the perfect opportunity to go through with it. She only wondered why he hadn't done it sooner. "They're expecting me," she stated calmly, but certainly didn't feel as confident as she sounded. "They know where I am and by now, they're probably on their way over here. If I were you, I'd leave now before Zale Tregat drives his pike up your ass, then hands you to Roba to finish the job with his dick."

"Actually, Roba and I have a deal," Vrax said with a grin. "Since I'm the one who caught you, I get to do what I want with you, and then I get to share you with him. So, I've got a place set up nearby, we're going to go for a trip, Kaysa. You can come along easily, or you can make it difficult. The harder you make it, the harder I make it for your tart. If you're really good, maybe I'll even tell Roba I never found you."

Kaysa violently tugged on the restraints binding her wrists together behind the chair back, but she doubted how threatening she looked attempting to break free and kill him, especially with the smug, leering smile he wore. "He has people watching me. You're dead, Vrax! You should've been long ago!"

"He has people watching the front door," Vrax said with a smile. "But, not your little secret exit. Oh, you didn't know I knew about that. Cooperate, bitch, or you're going to be responsible for some very serious pain that Maeren Shivral will be feeling. You understand me?"

"She's protected," Kaysa whispered, finally feeling the hopelessness of her situation. "You'll never get to her. Just leave her the fuck alone. You have me. Just let her be!"

"Yes, I have you," he said. "Now, I'm going to untie your feet, but your hands will remain bound. Give me any trouble, and you'll regret it, much more than you believe you'll regret it. Now, you will cooperate with me, right Kaysa? Just remember, the harder you make it for me, the harder I'll make it for you. You'll wish you were dead, but I assure you you won't die."

"Is this what you want? This is what you came for?" Kaysa laughed derisively. "After what Dargus Kandran did to you, you and your new friends should be devising a way to take him down. Instead, you're celebrating your newfound freedom by raping a woman you'd otherwise have no chance of getting into bed. Am I mistaken, or have you just gotten more pathetic than I thought possible?"

"Oh, Kaysa, this is more than about raping you," Vrax said. "This is about breaking that spirit of yours. This is about paying you back for sending me to prison. I did you a favour by killing off Karradas and you know it! This is about all the things you've said about me over the years. It's time for payback. Will you bend or break? That's the interesting question. I know Shiv bends against adversity; she goes with it and accepts it, knowing she can make it through and endure whatever is done to her. You...my guess is you'll break, possibly even shattering like a wine bottle dropped onto the street. I guess we'll soon find out which it will be."

"I'm stronger than you think," she said between clenched teeth. "You'll see, Vrax. I will hunt you down and kill you myself. And you know I could. You know what I'm capable of."

"I know what you used to be capable of," Vrax said. "That was before you got soft though. That was before you fell in love. Now, I don't think you are. I know that you tried to kill Kandran, and you had to be rescued. He told me all about it. Very brave, very foolish. And, then you're assuming that you're going to get out of this."

"I know I'm not," Kaysa admitted quietly. "But you still won't break me, Vrax. No one ever has. And you certainly won't, not a pathetic, incompetent creature such as you."

"We'll see," Vrax said, and then leaned down to untie her legs. He'd positioned himself so that if