"Homecoming"
By: Jack Black
Robin Black [NPC+]
Ferrig Mullerin
Raeila Selrid
Koran Darr

Location: New Plouton
Date: Lythe 3, 4 ABY

***

The sleek black command carrier achieved orbit several thousand miles above New Plouton. The meeting had been arranged, the representatives of the Jedi order would be meeting them in their office. Jack Black was tense. Jack had had dealings with Ferrig less than six months ago. He had been little more than a gang boss then, now he was in the Jedi order. Things sure had gone up for the lad. Robin had finally risen from Anne's quarters and was now practicing sparring with the woman. The ship had been built with four fighting arenas to keep the troops' incredible battle skill finely honed.

Robin entered the command deck. He supported a large bruise on his right cheek but other than that he was unscathed. "You really picked out a fine crew here, brother," Robin complemented Jack. "That girl almost kicked my ass all over the fighting arena."

"They are all skilled in combat and self defense, they are perfect for their given tasks." Jack looked at his brother and smiled. "Go to the medical bay and get that eye looked at; we've got a meeting with Ferrig."

Robin cocked his head. "Isn't he the leader of that Thanatos gang?" Robin asked. "You tried to engineer an ambush for him against the imperial forces."

"Yes, he pulled out. A few more guns that day and we might have been able to do more than take down one AT-AT and two AT-ST walkers. However no point in preying on the past, hopefully this man will now see the light in utilizing our forces for mutual peacekeeping. After all the Jedi are so few these days and they cannot hope to keep peace across the galaxy."

Robin leaned back against a wall. "Jack, you wouldn't happen to know what happened to our ship?"

Jack looked up. "The Hastur?" Jack nodded. "After your incarceration it was repossessed by the New Republic. I believe it is now carting ore from the Mines of Kessel."

"Oh." Robin sounded disheartened. "I kind of like that ship, it had been my home for the last twelve years, since we started being Mercs."

"There is something else I want you to do," Jack ordered. "There is a lot of bounty hunters on this planet. You know how to make contact with them."

Robin nodded. "Yeah that's right, they're my type of scum."

"Well, my soldiers are all very well, but you may wish to contact all bounty hunters and explain our situation. We will probably only get one or two interested. Since we are hunting down criminals they may find that we come across a few on our travels and a couple of them may wish to tag along in order to grab some of the reward." Jack smiled.

"I don't think any would be interested but I'll spread the word." Robin smoothed down his new uniform. The black uniform wasn't really him, it was too simple and not bulky enough. Also, stretched taught over his muscular body it tended to look a bit awkward. Robin had replaced the standard jacket that he had been given. He still wore his own flight jacket, even though it was heavily worn and beaten.

"Robin, you will pilot me down to the surface," Jack ordered. "While I am away, Officer Alpha 001 is in charge." Jack turned to Anne as she walked onto the command deck and relieved the helm officer. "Anne you are in charge."

"Yes, sir. What are my orders?" she asked obediently.

"Stay in orbit, unless the ship is in danger. Wait for our arrival. Also, keep an open channel in case of emergencies," Jack ordered and he slowly rose from his chair and followed his brother. "Also get two Peacekeeper soldiers to meet us at the Marauder. I may need to show these Jedi my product. They will have scanned the ship by now, but they really have to see the soldiers." Jack grimaced as he walked using his staff. "Come, Robin, don't dawdle."

The Marauder was as pleasant as Robin had remembered it. It was an assault craft, designed to latch on to airlocks at high speed. There were no weapons on the ship save a single EMP pulse generator. The EMP could knock out shields, communications, even energy rifles and other energy based weaponry. It was an evil looking craft; however in the launch bay it looked positively pleasant compared to the fighters - Stalkers, Jack had called them. They were sharp craft, long pointed fronts and spiked weapons. The energy blasters designed around the same plasma guns held by the troops were vicious enough to take down most fighters and even damage larger command ships. The ships held no torpedoes which had surprised Robin but as his brother had pointed out that without a heavy payload of missiles the ships were capable of faster speeds, even faster than A-wing speeds, and X wings were a bulk frigate compared. They had similar shield capacitors onboard the B-wing bombers. Robin had asked Jack where he had got the designs for these craft but Jack had avoided the question skillfully.

"Let's get going," Jack ordered as he stalked onto a Marauder. Two soldiers dressed in their heavy ablative armour boarded behind Jack. They had their plasma rifles slung over their backs but still they were imposing soldiers in their black armour.

Robin climbed into the cockpit and looked at the controls. They were of a fairly simple design: two pilots' controls, a basic lever controlled the flight and speed, the EMP weapon was controlled from the rear compartment, the Marauders were capable of hyper drive but only over fairly short distances, the navigation systems were also in the main compartment. Robin pushed the ship's control forward and slowly the Marauder lifted off the ground and slowly exited the ship. "Estimated flight time, thirty minutes," Robin muttered, adjusting the screen's intensity. "You know it's odd coming back here." Robin shrugged as he piloted the slow Marauder down into the planet's atmosphere. "Last time I made this journey I was dodging junk."

Jack said nothing. He just sat quietly, running though the talk in his mind. There was every possibility the Jedi might not want to be any part of the Peacekeeper forces; it would be a slight hamper to Jack's power but not too crippling.

The Marauder set down just outside the main chamber. The Marauder's landing legs adjusted and locked onto the shuttle bay. Robin was surprised by how gently the ship landed. It must need to be able to land at high speeds so it's not too surprising. As one of the soldiers opened the cabin door the humidity hit Robin like a wave. Jack, Robin knew, would love the heat but Robin personally couldn't stand it - it was too hot, too humid. Robin wiped the heat from his forehead. "Man this is like prison."

"Negative, sir, your incarceration was under a blue dwarf star at extreme proximity to radiation. The radiation on this planet is mild, hardly even worth protection," reported one of the soldiers.

Robin shook his head and pulled his flight jacket off and slung it over one arm, leaving his gun hand free. He had no gun; his brother hadn't seen to arm him yet but habit took over.

The four of them, Jack, Robin and the two guards walked into the main building. As they walked across the floor, Jack's staff banged against the ground.

Two figures stood in the main hall: one, Jack immediately recognized as Ferrig the other was an unknown beautiful woman. Robin heard his brother draw in a breath as he saw the blonde girl woman. Jack raised his hand and made a gesture to his guards. They turned around and stood guard by the door.

"Greetings," Jack hailed. "My name is Jack Black, and this is my brother, Robin."

Ferrig nodded. "I'm Ferrig Mullerin, this is my sister, Raeila."

"Let's get down to business," Jack cut in. "As I understand it the Jedi are the keepers of peace and justice?"

"Yes," Ferrig answered. "I guess you could say they are."

"I have a well trained group of soldiers and a large command cruiser at my disposal. I am currently peace keeping in a couple of low tech sectors. I have come up with an idea of employing my services intergalactically. Since our goals are similar I was wondering if you would like to situate a couple of Jedi onboard my ship to ensure that I don't over step any mark." Jack grinned as his black on black eyes stared at the young gang leader.

"That would be something the Jedi Council would need to discuss," Ferrig said. "We're representatives of the Jedi, but we don't speak for them or decide their actions. Any information you can provide, we'll be happy to pass along to the Jedi. And, I'm certain they'd wish to meet the commanding officer of your cruiser."

Robin looked around as if woken up from a dream. He pulled his eyes away from Raeila and returned to the conversation. "I'm sorry."

"Pay attention, Robin," Jack snapped at his brother. "He asked who was in direct command of the forces?"

"Oh that would be me." Robin nodded. "I've led a few small armies before in my time in the rebellion. Nothing as advanced as these guys are though. They are all extremely well trained and a hundred percent obedient."

Ferrig frowned. He glanced at Raeila and then back to the two men. "I'm really not sure if the Jedi are looking for an army or a cruiser to run around the galaxy in. I don't think it's really their style, you know? We can pass any information on, and if they're interested, I'm certain they'll be in touch with you."

Jack smiled with a glint in his eyes. "That is all I can ask." Jack and Robin turned to leave. "Oh just one last thing, as a token of my good will" --Jack reached into the recesses of his robes and pulled out the broken lightsaber he had held onto all these years-- "I found this two years ago on a planet in the uncharted Sigma sector. I can give you the exact location. The saber doesn't work, the energy crystals are missing, but I thought that the Jedi might be interested to know that one of their number traveled that far out. I found it among an ancient long dead civilization's ruins. I was just wondering if your Jedi friends would be interested in it." Jack handed the broken lightsaber to Ferrig. "There are two initials engraved on the bottom: YW. As far as I can tell it is a brilliantly constructed lightsaber save the missing crystals." Jack nodded to Ferrig and Raeila and turned to leave.

As they walked away Jack turned to Robin. "You will now go to all of the seedy bars in this city, as well as traveling to Arcadia and Thanatos. In there you will find any bounty hunters willing to join us. I will return to the ship and prepare for departure. Here is a weapon." Jack handed Robin a single high-powered energy pistol. "And here is some money. I will send a marauder down to pick you up from Thanatos in twenty-four hours."

***

"So," Rae said, watching the two men enter the street below through the window of their office, "what do we tell the Jedi?"

Ferrig shrugged. "Some creepy guy and his brother want to meet with them to talk about peacekeeping forces," he said. "I didn't like the way they acted, and I didn't like the way they looked at you."

"I've gotten worse stares," she quipped. "But what about that lightsaber? They'd be interested in that, wouldn't they?"

"I think they would," Ferrig answered. "YW? I wonder what that stands for. I think they'd want to see it, for the historical significance, if nothing else."

Raeila sighed. "Well, you can't tell me now that this job doesn't have its interesting moments."

"Oh, you've got me there," he said. "That was definitely interesting. So, should we contact Master Darr and see what he says?"

Rae shrugged. "Might as well. It'd give him a break from all those Padawans. They're a handful, that's for sure."

"Can you imagine, a bunch of miniature hellions all levitating things and moving them around the room? I wouldn't go anywhere without a big helmet."

Rae snickered as she punched in the Temple's secured, private frequency. "They're cute! Leave them be."

"That one, Tyke, I think he has a crush on you," Ferrig said with a chuckle. "Have you noticed how he follows you around whenever you're around?"

She grinned at her brother. "I've noticed, and it's flattering. I think he's just trying to make Yolun jealous so she'll pay more attention to him."

"I wonder if Orn's realized that the table centerpieces that have been disappearing are his little gifts for you. It's quite cute, and I think it's working. She's definitely jealous."

Raeila sighed in resignation. "At least someone's giving me gifts," she teased, then smiled abruptly at the face that resolved on the comm screen. "Master Darr. We were looking for you."

Koran smiled. "Were you? Well, I happened to sense my presence was needed here. How may I help you, Ferrig and Raeila?"

"You had a visitor today," she said. "Well, the Jedi did. A man named Jack Black and his brother." Raeila leaned in closer to the screen and added in all seriousness, "It seems they have a business proposition for the Jedi."

Koran nodded. "Business proposition," he said. "Very interesting. Would you wish to discuss it here over the comm, or should I come to you?"

Rae smiled sympathetically at Koran, knowing he deserved any chance to get away from the Temple. "Come on over. We'll tell you everything."

"I'll be there in thirty minutes then," Koran said. "I'll see you both soon."

"Oh, and before you leave," Rae added quickly, "tell Tyke I said 'hi.' " She smiled. "That'll make his day, I hear."

Koran laughed. "I'll tell him, though it may end up making your husband jealous."

"And what's so wrong with that? It keeps things interesting." She gave an innately sultry wink to Koran, then cut the link. With a sigh, she leaned back in her chair. "Now how to tell him a couple of crazy guys want the use the Jedi as bodyguards."

"That will be the trick," Ferrig said. "You keep winking at him like that though, and it won't matter what you tell him. Come on, let's go get things ready for him to arrive."

With a nod, Rae bounced out of her seat and headed towards the back room to prepare kaffe for their meeting with the Jedi Master Koran Darr. There was pride in her jaunty step from the knowledge that she and her brother were important members of the Jedi Order. They had a place in New Plouton after all, alongside madmen like Jack Black and his brother with the wandering eyes, Robin. She shrugged at the less than appealing comparison. At least she and Ferrig were far better looking.

---

"Stricken"
By: Kallia Brael
Maeren Shivral
Keeve Shivral [NPC+]
Kaysa Zenarr-Tregat

Location: Agarra
Date: Lythe 3, 4 ABY

***

The flow of pedestrian traffic was smooth and steady that day, perfect for a leisure stroll. Although everyday there was sunlight, this day's wasn't as unbearably intense as it had been all week. Kaysa was glad for the brief respite from it. Her sun dress that day rippled in the slow breeze and pulled taut against her to reveal the curve of her stomach. It was still early enough in her pregnancy that it wasn't clear, upon first glance, that there was a child growing within her, but Kaysa could never have any doubts, not with how complete she now felt.

The sensation was made even more powerful in knowing she was closer than ever to achieving Keeve's love. She smiled at the young, strapping man walking alongside her, and now keeping one arm around her waist for support and protection. There was so much she wished to learn about him, but a part of him was still closed off to her. Only Shiv got to see that other side of him, the one that shared intimate thoughts and hopes with her, the one that allowed his weaknesses and vulnerabilities to be exposed so that Shiv could know him fully. Kaysa wanted to see that side of him, but she knew it would take time.

She sighed and stared ahead again at the marketplace, teeming with consumers and those simply browsing. Agarra was a simple, provincial planet - a far cry from the bustle and fast-pace of New Plouton. She knew this was a planet she would gladly raise a child on.

"We should move here permanently," Kaysa mused to Shiv and Keeve. "We're rich enough; we could just lounge all day in a hut somewhere and just...relax for the rest of our lives."

"Ooh," Shiv purred. "I definitely like the sound of that. Just...all relaxed and carefree. It's a beautiful place, and...and I wonder why I left, other than that it's not as wonderful here without you guys."

"It's a good planet," Keeve agreed. "A little hot, but there's plenty of shade."

Kaysa chuckled at her son. "Everyplace seems a little hot compared to living in space."

He grinned. "I know, but this place is especially hot."

Shiv grinned. "Nice thing about hot is you can just take all your clothes off here and nobody cares. Well, except Keeve."

He frowned at his wife. "And why is that? You think I'm too inhibited to walk around nude?"

With a giggle, she kissed his cheek. "Yes, my love, I do."

"Oh, don't tease him," Kaysa chided playfully. "He just doesn't want to walk around naked with his mother watching." She winked at her son, who blushed ever so slightly. "Oh, don't be shy. I have seen you naked before, Keeve. I did change your diapers once or twice."

The past had once been a touchy subject for Keeve, but now it filled him with curiousity and interest. "I didn't know you were...there," he said awkwardly.

"I was." Kaysa smiled ruefully. "I stayed long enough to make sure you were well. And to absolutely fall in love with you, so much so that it killed me to leave."

Keeve clenched his jaw against the still fresh pain and looked down at the tops of his boots. "Still," he replied, veering the topic far from his childhood, "seeing me naked as a child isn't the same as now."

Shiv grinned. "Oh, definitely not." She glanced down at the front of his pants and her smile grew bigger. "Oh, most definitely not."

"Stop that," Kaysa sang. "We're out in public."

"And besides," Keeve added, "not in front of my mother, please?"

Kaysa was incapable of suppressing a smile, and with a broad, contented one on her lips, she leaned into Keeve and wrapped both arms around his waist. Keeve attempted to appear disinterested, but his hold on Kaysa notably tightened while his mouth subtlely brushed against her brow.

Maeren watched them both with a happy grin on her face. She stifled a giggle, but it all came out in a little dance around them. "Oh, it's so wonderful! Let's go get food, and I need to get a holorecorder to take pictures of the two of you!"

"No holorecorder!" both Keeve and Kaysa shouted simultaneously. They shot each other the same curious looks, then laughed softly at one another. "Fine," Kaysa finally relented, "get the holorecorder."

Shiv giggled. "I don't have one here, but there's a store over there that sells them. I've always wanted one, and with the babies..."

Kaysa smiled warmly. "You want to catch every minute of their growth, their changes, capture their youth before it disappears..." Kaysa sighed wistfully and gazed up at Keeve. "I know exactly what you mean."

Shiv smiled. "It'll be so sweet," she said. "Just imagine, and we can watch it for always. And, there are other things we can get with the recorder too...like Kallia and Zari."

"She's advancing pretty quickly," Keeve commented. "I'm just worried Kal's working herself too hard."

"She's fine," Shiv said. "She knows what she's doing and she's careful. You saw her; she usually just sits there and instructs Zari. She's so cute, isn't she? And, in those little Jedi robes, she's so adorable."

"Should I be reminded of you when you were a child?" Kaysa asked with a smile.

Shiv giggled. "Quite possibly," she answered. "And, I find myself wondering why I've never had crushes on blondes. Then I look at you guys, and Lerrah, and Merrick, and...well, I guess there never have been any sexy enough for me."

Keeve glanced down at Kaysa with a suspiciously raised eyebrow, then frowned at Shiv. "You're not going to make it your life's challenge now, are you, my wife?"

Shiv smiled and gave him a kiss. "No, my husband," she said. "I am content and happy with the loves of my life as they are, and need no others."

Kaysa smiled fondly at the two and snuggled up against Keeve as the three wound their way towards an electronics shop. Inside the nearest one there was technical equipment of all kinds, ranging from holoprojectors to computers, and even automated juice dispensers that seemed perfect for Keeve's beebleberry smoothies. Kaysa grinned. "This place is great! Can we spoil ourselves, do you think?"

"Oh, I think we can spoil ourselves absolutely rotten in here," Shiv said with a wide grin. "Look at all this stuff. It's amazing! Hey, look over there. Holorecorders!"

Kaysa chuckled as Keeve was tugged abruptly away from her to indulge Shiv in her whims. Meanwhile, Kaysa placed an affectionate hand on the curve of her stomach and started off in the opposite direction. Her attention was drawn towards a large congregation of customers at the far end of the shop. Against the broad wall there was an array of vidscreens arranged in a tiled pattern and each playing the same images. From her distance, Kaysa could neither make out the scene playing out, nor the accompanying audio. Curious and needing to wile away the time it would take Shiv and Keeve to decide on a holorecorder, Kaysa continued forward towards the crowd.

"So, after we get back home," Shiv was saying as she pulled Keeve along with her. She didn't really need to since he was willingly under his own power, but she enjoyed walking backwards, with her hands in his, able to see into his eyes. She knew he wouldn't let her run into anything or hurt herself, so she could fully put her trust in him, and just enjoy their moment together. "After we get home, I think me and you should walk down to that stream we found the other day. I found some poetry the other day, and I thought it might be fun to read them and just...just spend some quiet time together with just...just us and nature around us."

"What about Kaysa and Kal?" Keeve asked. "I can't leave them on their own like that. We'll have to bring them along."

Shiv giggled. "Oh Keeve," she said. "They're pregnant, not infants. They can take care of themselves for an hour or so. Though, if you don't mind watching them get all snuggly, we can take them with us."

"No," he answered quickly. "No snuggly." His gaze drifted from Shiv's and out towards the rest of the shop. His brow furrowed. "Where'd she go anyway?"

Shiv glanced around quickly and then pointed. "Baby stuff," she said. "Looks like one of those hovering baby carrier things like Kal has for Yara. Oh, only a momentary distraction. She's heading toward that video section. Big moving pictures always draw her attention." She pointed again, at the bank of monitors, displaying scenes that weren't exactly easy to pick out, but Shiv suddenly frowned. "That's not the kind of thing I'd expect a public place to show."

Keeve's eyes focused on the screens, and courtesy of Dargus' genetic alterations, he was perfectly capable of seeing clearly what was being transmitted. Keeve pulled Shiv to a stop, his face paling but not at the sight displayed there: at the thought of what it would do to Kaysa. "That's not a show," he told her ominously. "Shiv...get her away from there. Now!"

Confusion washed over Shiv as she looked around, trying to figure out what was going on. She trusted Keeve, and so she charged forward toward Kaysa with Keeve beside her. "Kaysa," she called. "Kaysa! You...uh, you have to see this!"

But she was transfixed to the screens simultaneously projecting what Qual had intended her to see: Merrick and Zale, and all their depraved acts, ones they seemed to be enjoying. One of Kaysa's hands left her stomach and blindly groped for a nearby hovercarriage to steady herself. She missed and with an anguished groan Keeve could hear even from where he stood, Kaysa crumpled to the ground. Both hands were now cradling her stomach as she alternated between sobs and pain-tinged moans. Keeve bolted, calling out for Shiv to follow.

Shiv sprinted forward at Keeve's side, until she saw the images on the screen. She stood, transfixed for a moment, while Keeve closed the distance with Kaysa. The images seemed to burn themselves into her retinas as she stared. She felt warm tears start down her cheeks, and her knees felt weak, but she remained standing...barely. "Oh gods," she whispered, and then raced the rest of the way to Kaysa's side, where Keeve was already trying to comfort his mother.

"What's happening?" Kaysa asked hoarsely, her eyes unfocused and confused. Just as Merrick's voice cried out on the playback, Kaysa too made a sound of utter grief.

"Don't watch, mother," Keeve whispered against her ear. He turned her face into his arm to keep her eyes from witnessing the source of her torment: Zale and Merrick engaging in lewd acts, not only with one another, but with others, including the one he recognized as Nieme. "We're leaving, Kaysa. We're getting you home and into bed."

"It hurts," she whispered. Keeve knew it was more than physical pain for her.

"Shiv," he said quietly, "help me stand her up."

A dark rage twisted Shiv's features as she glared at the bank of monitors. Tears blurred her vision, but through that she saw the scene clearly. She started to move to help Keeve with Kaysa, but another cry from the playback ripped through her. Then she was moving. Fluid movement that brushed her past Keeve, straight toward the taunting array of colour and sound. Nimble hands had easily plucked the blaster from the holster at his hip and she brought it up in a shaky grip. She fired.

The first bank of monitors exploded in a dazzle of sparks and fire. She punched bolts through two other monitors, and then another. By then, the damage was done and they were overloading. A shower of white fire rained to the ground, disappearing before it ever touched the duralinoleum surface. When the blaster finally dropped to her side, Shiv was sobbing, and she felt Keeve's arms around her. She made sounds, but there were no words associated with the sounds, nothing but anguish and rage...and hate.

The onlookers had scattered by then and fled to safe corners of the shop. Now, they were no longer feeding their curiousity with the images once displayed on the screens; they were, instead, chattering wildly about the mad woman who had almost killed them all.

"We need to get out of here now," Keeve said with urgency. "The security force will be here soon, no doubt."

"Shiv," Kaysa whispered soothingly from behind her. One hand was pressed to Shiv's back, while the other held her stomach. There were still lines of discomfort creasing her forehead as she fought back the pain. Her child seemed to be in mourning as well. "My love...we'll work this out."

"Bastards," Shiv rasped. "They'll pay for this, Kaysa. They'll pay. Oh gods...why?" She looked around and nodded. "We should hurry, before they come. Oh gods..."

With Kaysa supported by one arm and Shiv the other, Keeve led both out of the shop to catch the nearest hovercab. Kaysa groaned quietly every odd step, and it was apparent to Keeve the pain was centered on her stomach, and the baby within it. In the hovercab, Keeve glanced briefly in Kaysa's direction, then he nodded decisively at the cabbie. "The nearest hospital."

As the vehicle sped off, Kaysa's expression grew more distressed. "What?" she whispered. "Keeve...I'm okay... Nothing's wrong...is it?"

"You're not feeling well," he told Kaysa gently. "We should make sure."

Shiv put her hand on Kaysa's shoulder and nodded. "It'll be quick, but we should. Just in case." She leaned close and kissed Kaysa's cheek.

She sighed in return and leaned her head against Shiv's. "What....what if they're dead?" she whispered. "We don't know how old that footage was.... Shiv...what are we going to do?"

Shiv was silent for a moment, then she sobbed. "We have to know for sure. We have to...oh gods...we have to go back..."

"No," Keeve said firmly. "It's a lure and you'd just be walking into their trap. I won't let you."

"Then what do we do, Keeve? What can we do? We...we can't just sit here...we can't just do nothing..."

"You can," he answered. "I won't be. I'll go back. I'll fix things."

"You can't go, Keeve," Shiv answered. "No...you're too important to me, to us. You're too important... Oh gods, why is this happening again? You can't go, Keeve."

"And would you rather I let you go, knowing full well they'd snatch you up the minute you stepped foot near Tae'Karada?" He shook his head. "I go, or no one does. That's the deal."

Shiv sighed. "We could all go," she said.

Keeve glanced aside at Kaysa, who was trying her best to mask her pain, then smiled apologetically at Shiv. "She's in no shape to go anywhere. Maeren...please don't fight me on this."

Shiv looked at Kaysa, then nodded. "Okay," she said softly. "We'll stay here...for now. But, eventually we may have to...okay?"

Relenting, Keeve sighed. "Eventually. But...definitely after we get to the hospital." Which they did, after five minutes elapsed. Supporting Kaysa on either side, Shiv and Keeve guided her into an examination room upon the doctor's request and remained with her as she was examined.

"Just something for the pain," the doctor explained as a hypospray was positioned on her arm and its contents emptied into her bloodstream.

"What's the problem anyway?" Keeve asked with clear concern.

The human doctor smiled wanly and glanced briefly at Kaysa as her eyes flickered closed. He motioned Keeve and Shiv to follow him out of the room. "She's a pregnant woman," he began once safely out of Kaysa's earshot. "And from what you've told me, she's been under much stress lately, aside from that caused by the pregnancy alone. Today, it just hit her, and will again if she doesn't relax."

Shiv frowned, lower lip quivering with contained emotions. "How's the baby?" she asked. "The baby's fine, right? Everything's fine? We just have to keep her relaxed?"

"The baby's fine," the man assured her. "But there is the risk of early labour...which she came very near to today. I'd like to keep her here for now to monitor her condition."

Shiv nodded absently. "Can we stay with her?" she asked. "We'll try to be quiet and unobtrusive."

He smiled. "One at a time."

"You go on," Keeve told her gently. "I'll go comm Kal."

Shiv leaned close and gave Keeve a kiss. "We'll get through this," she whispered. "I'll see you soon."

Keeve smiled soothingly, then nodded at the doctor and sought a private corner of the hospital for the transmission.

"Just this way," the doctor told Shiv, then led her into Kaysa's private room. "Try to let her rest," he advised softly, then slipped out of the room easily.

Shiv settled down next to the bed and slipped her hand into Kaysa's. Sitting in the hospital room, sitting as they were, it brought back memories...and they weren't pleasant to be sure. "I love you, Kaysa," she whispered. "We'll make it through this. We'll all make it through."

Kaysa sighed heavily in her half-sleep, and managed to slit her eyes enough that Shiv was visible. "The doctor said," she whispered, "that...I need to take it easy. The...the baby... I-I can't lose her, Shiv."

Shiv smiled and leaned forward to kiss Kaysa's forehead. "You won't," she said. "You won't lose the baby, and we'll all make it through this, especially her."

"But...what will I tell her?" Kaysa squeezed her eyes closed again, and sobbed quietly. "Zale...and Merrick... The things they were doing...and saying... I don't know what to believe, Shiv."

"They made them do it," Shiv said, her eyes darkening at the memories conjured by the words. "Did you see Merrick's eyes? He didn't want to be there, but...but he had to. He still loves us, Kaysa. He still loves us."

"And what of Zale?" she asked in despair. "His smile, Shiv...his greed. He loved it."

Shiv took a long, shuddering breath. "I don't know," she said softly. "He...maybe they did something to him, to his mind. Maybe they used the Force on him...to make him..."

"Maybe," Kaysa agreed half-heartedly. "Maybe not. I-I just can't think about it now. I need to concentrate on keeping my baby healthy and safe."

Shiv smiled. "I could sing to you," she said. "The other night, I tried writing a song...I could sing it for you and make you happy."

"I want that," Kaysa whispered tearfully. "I feel so...so horrible, Shiv, so sad. I want this to go away."

Shiv pressed her lips to Kaysa's, and stayed there for a long moment, kissing her love. When she finally pulled away, she was singing, softly, slowly. It was a song of hope, a song of what could be, of joys and happiness, and all the reasons a person could ever want to live.

It allayed at least some of Kaysa's sorrow and worries, but failed to reached her deep-rooted fears: that Zale and Merrick had plummeted over the edge of depravity and were enjoying it. If that was the case, she didn't know how she would face them again, for if she were to do so, there was a possibility she might be too disgusted to forgive them. That of course would mean breaking ties with them.

Kaysa tightened her hold on Shiv's hand for security and swallowed back tears. Again any possible joy she might achieve was slipping away, though she consoled herself with the knowledge that Qual and Neron would pay dearly the first opportunity she got.

***

"Everything's alright, Keeve?" Kallia asked again. It was the third time she'd asked it, but her concern for Kaysa was overwhelming, she had to be sure. "What exactly did the doctor say?"

"I told you," Keeve repeated with some impatience. "She needs to take it easy. That footage of Zale and Merrick was too much for her and she just broke down." His teeth clacked as he bit down hard to restrain his rage, but it came exploding outwards in a torrent of vicious words. "They're dead when I get my hands on them. And I will, Kal. I will!"

"You know I will help you in any way I can," Kallia said. "Should I come to you, or stay here?"

"Stay for now," Keeve replied. "I...I just need to think. I'm going back to Tae'Karada to fix this. I just don't want to leave you all by yourselves."

"That makes sense, Keeve," Kallia answered. "But don't think you're going to do this on your own. And, I was only referring to coming down to see Kaysa, unless you'd rather I not."

He sighed. "You can," was his weary reply. "She'll probably be asleep."

"Zari and I will stop by," she said. "You're still going to be there, right? I don't want to show up there and find out you've already caught a transport back to Tae'Karada."

Smiling wanly, Keeve answered with a touch of tenderness, "I wouldn't leave without saying goodbye to you, Kal."

Kallia smiled and then nodded to him. "Thank you," she said. "That means very much to me. We'll see you soon."

The transmission ended, and after letting out a heavy sigh, Keeve pushed himself to his feet and started for Kaysa's room. Silently, he crept through the doorway of the darkened room, then whispered Shiv's name.

After a moment, Shiv appeared in the door. She found his eyes with hers and brushed a hand over his chest, concern clear on her face. "She's sleeping now," he said.

Keeve glanced at the still body hidden beneath the sheets, then sighed and pulled Shiv into an embrace. "Never thought I'd actually be worried about her," he muttered. "Quite the change."

Shiv let her head rest against his shoulder and sighed with partial contentment. "It's a good change," she whispered. "I like us as a big family."

"We'd be even bigger if Merrick and Zale hadn't screwed up," Keeve retorted. "Those bastards are killing her. When I do find them, they're not getting out of this unscathed."

"They have Nieme and Dani on their side, Keeve," Shiv warned. "They're very...very strong."

His eyes darkened as he peered down at Shiv. "I meant Zale and Merrick," he whispered coldly.

"Oh gods, Keeve," Shiv rasped. "Talk to them first before doing anything. They...they may not have a choice..."

"I won't kill them," he assured her. "But they're not going unpunished for this, Maeren. No one is."

"Just...just as...oh gods, please...Merrick wouldn't do something like this without being forced. He wouldn't do something like this on purpose, Keeve."

"Maybe not at the beginning, but he's doing it now." Keeve gently gripped Shiv's arms and pulled her closer. "You saw him," he whispered. "With that little girl, Maeren. The way he looked at her, the way he kissed her. It's the same way he kisses you, isn't it?"

"He's a prisoner, Keeve," Shiv rasped. "Maybe she's all he's got to keep him going right now. I saw the look in Zale's eyes, and he's got no support there. I don't know what's happened to Zale, but Merrick isn't like that."

"We'll see," he muttered. Keeve released Shiv then backed away. "I'm going to wait outside for Kal. Then I'm leaving for Tae'Karada." He paused in the doorway and cast a final stare in Kaysa's direction. Whereas he'd so vehemently hated her before, now he desired to seek revenge for her suffering. He owed it to his mother. His convictions affirmed, Keeve left the room to begin his quest for justice.

Shiv watched him go and a sense of dread settled within her. With a sobbing sigh, she returned to the bed, knowing nothing she could say or do would stop Keeve from going. "Oh gods," she whispered as she settled in next to Kaysa, to wait for his return.

---

"New Discoveries"
By: Va'Lesh [NPC+]
Yara [NPC+]
Leshie [NPC+]
Liam Zaneth
Shaza Nightshade [NPC+]

Location: Aboard the Shadow Stalker
Date: Lythe 3, 4 ABY

***

A wide smile spread across Va'Lesh's face as he watched Yara lift the cup off the table and move it to the other side. Once she set it down, he lifted it and moved it to the center. Their skills were developing under Master Liam Zaneth's instruction. "It is getting much easier," he said. "And, I can feel you and what you're doing much more clearly."

Yara smiled at Va'Lesh, then picked up the pitcher of juice and poured it into the resting glass, full to the brim. "Someday, Va'Lesh, we will be Jedi Masters. And maybe when that day comes, we will be the ones to train our brother in the way of the Force."

"I believe we will make good teachers," he said. "A student will usually follow the lead of his own teacher, and Master Zaneth is an exceptional teacher. He is patient and knowledgeable. Additionally, he allows us to find our answers, rather than giving them to us. We will learn much from him."

"Especially how to be very quiet during an activity that produces much noise." She smiled knowingly over her raised glass at Va'Lesh. "I believe Ms. Nightshade and Master Zaneth are falling in love."

Va'Lesh was silent for a moment, then he nodded. "I believe that is an accurate assessment. The looks they share, and the time they spend together, it is indicative. I believe it is good for them, though I thought you said that Ms. Nightshade preferred women as a partner."

Yara's brow wrinkled thoughtfully. "I had. I am not sure what to believe any longer. Though...does this now mean that Master Zaneth no longer loves your mother?"

That was a question that required thought. Va'Lesh only needed a little bit of thought to come to an answer, however. "I believe his love for her remains undiminished," he said. "She is dead, and I believe he is moving on with his life, rather than dwelling on the past. At least, that is my assessment."

"It is a reasonable one," Yara replied. "And if they are happy with one another, then we shall be happy for them." She sighed, then, as she studied the sparkling beverage in her glass. "I wonder why Ms. Nightshade no longer feels for Ms. Zibel. I do not think they fought...."

"Perhaps her feelings are unchanged," Va'Lesh said. "Yet she has found that she prefers Master Zaneth more."

Yara smiled at Va'Lesh and slid a hand across the table towards him. "And I prefer you, Va'Lesh."

"And, I you," Va'Lesh answered. He took her hand into his, and brought it to his lips. "I am happy that we are here together."

"As am I," she replied. "I only wish Master Zaneth would tell us what purpose this journey holds. Do you think it is a test, Va'Lesh? To test our patience and obedience?"

"I believe there is another purpose," Va'Lesh said. "However, our presence here is to continue our training."

"As we shall." Yara smiled at her chosen and squeezed his hand gently. "Shall we go visit with young Leshie now? I believe he misses us."

"I would like to see him," Leshie said. "I enjoy our time spent with him. He is an enjoyable child."

"One I wish our own child will resemble." The two rose from their seats and started out of the cramped galley with hands linked. "I believe," Yara said to Va'Lesh along the way, "that he will soon be walking. It may be the right time to begin our training of him, do you not think?"

"I think you may be correct," Va'Lesh answered. "I am certain he will appreciate our guidance, and if we train him, it frees Liam Zaneth to continue training us."

"And to continue courting Ms. Nightshade." She smiled in all innocence at Va'Lesh. Her attention was drawn away to the source of a loud, boisterous squeal that could only have come from their charge. Yara inclined her head quizzically at the child, crawling on all fours towards them and giving them a toothless grin. "Why, Va'Lesh," Yara said flatly, "you should be napping. Very naughty child."

"I believe he may have sensed our approach," Va'Lesh stated. "Though, he certainly is excited, isn't he? It is...it is quite cute, I believe."

"I believe so as well." Yara's stern facade softened as she smiled at the young child at their feet. She crouched down and lifted him into her arms. He gave a kick and a delighted shriek as she pulled him close to her chest. "Why, hello, Va'Lesh." She kissed him affectionately on one, plump cheek. "Have you missed us, then?"

"He has," Va'Lesh said as Leshie grabbed one of his fingers. "Have you noticed how he smiles at us? It is a different kind of smile. I believe there is something special between us and him."

"We are connected to him," Yara explained. "He is you, after all, Va'Lesh."

Va'Lesh nodded. "This is correct," he said. "Perhaps that is the connection. And, because of my connection with you, you are included."

Yara contemplated Va'Lesh's hypothesis, then smiled in agreement. "We shall take you to visit Master Zaneth now, Leshie. I know he wishes to see you."

"Watching Master Zaneth with his son...it is a very touching scene. He is so very gentle and caring. It is pleasant to witness."

"And we shall witness it again now." She smiled at her chosen, then at Leshie, still in her arms. In the next moment, they were strolling down the corridor, following the Force essence of their father. "He is especially vibrant today," Yara commented.

"Indeed he is," Va'Lesh said. "I don't believe I have felt him...this alive in the Force yet, not since the times he was in the presence of Mother."

"Perhaps he is thinking of her now," Yara suggested. They neared Liam's quarters, and both were hit with a particularly intense stream of emotion. Yara involuntarily gasped at its sensation. "He must be thinking very hard," she murmured.

"He appears to be thinking in a rather...rhythmic pattern. And, it is quite intent."

"Could he not be chanting again?" Yara asked. "I thought I heard him doing so last night. However, I could not quite make out the word he was repeating above the groans."

"I am uncertain," Leshie said. "I do not believe he will be upset to see us."

Yara smiled in agreement, and hesitated not a moment in tapping the door console to Liam's quarters. The door activated and slid aside to reveal a scene that forced Yara's head to one side in a curious, puzzled pose. "Very strange," she muttered to Va'Lesh.

In the center of the room, on the bed, Liam Zaneth lay with Shaza Nightshade atop him. Their bodies moved in a rhythm that reminded Va'Lesh of what he'd sensed earlier. Neither wore any clothing, and were making loud noises to accompany the feelings through the Force. Upon closer inspection, they seemed to be joined in some way, a way that sent a jolt of an emotion that was familiar, yet not, through Va'Lesh.

"I don't believe he is missing my mother very much," he said. "Though, they do seem to be enjoying themselves."

Leshie squealed in concurrence, while Yara nodded. "Most definitely." There was a startled gasp from the bed, and suddenly Shaza was trying to cover herself and Liam was sitting up. He looked over at the door and frowned. "I, uh, what are the two of you doing here?"

"We are observing," Yara replied plainly. "You may continue, Master Zaneth. We will not interfere."

Liam laughed. "We were...it's...it's not something you should be watching. It's...it's something private. The two of you should...maybe you should go meditate...with Leshie."

"Ah," Yara nodded. "You two wish to be alone for this intimate act. Va'Lesh and I will leave then." She smiled at the two. "Enjoy your sexual stimulation, Master Zaneth and Ms. Nightshade."

The sound of laughter emerged from the other side of the bed, where Shaza had retreated. She glanced back over at Yara and Leshie, past Liam, a warm, mirthful look in her eyes as she watched them, and kept laughing.

Liam looked at her and shook his head. "What?"

"They're adorable," she said. "And, it's...it's just amusing, that's all. I just want you to know, Yara, that I'm very happy to have you along on this trip, even though you don't knock."

The girl smiled inquisitively. "Thank you, Ms. Nightshade. I am glad to have you along too...even though you do not have your clothing on."

Shaza laughed again. "Well, I am glad to be likeable, even without my clothing."

Yara bowed her head. "Yes, Ms. Nightshade." She looked aside at Va'Lesh, nodded, then turned out of the room.

"Thank you, Master," Va'Lesh said, bowed quickly, and then hurried after Yara.

"I believe," Yara told him once they were a sufficient distance away, "that Master Zaneth has found a new mate."

"I am happy for him," Leshie answered. "They appear to be happy together, and I believe it is a good thing that he has moved on with his life. To dwell on the past could lead him back to the darkside."

"Does this mean he will forget Yelara Zaneth?" Yara asked. "Will he never tell Va'Lesh of her?"

Va'Lesh was quiet for several moments before answering. "I believe that my mother is first in father's heart, and will always be so. I do not believe that this relationship with Shaza Nightshade will diminish his love for mother, or entirely replace her. I do not believe that father will ever let his love for mother die." He smiled a sad smile. "His love for her was too strong for that. Va'Lesh will know of his mother, and how she died so that he would live free."

Yara sighed softly and slipped an arm around his waist. "We will make certain he never forgets, Va'Lesh. It is our duty as his guardians."

Leshie slipped his arm around Yara and they walked together back to the main compartment of the ship. Between them, little Leshie gurgled and kicked his small feet happily. "He is quite happy here, isn't he? I think the Force is strong here, and he feels it."

"And that there is much love," Yara added with a tender smile for her chosen. She leaned forward and lightly kissed his cheek, but pulled back when Leshie emitted a resounding squeal. Glancing up at where they were in the ship, Yara understood. "He wishes to pay a visit again."

Leshie reached up a finger to his younger self, and the infant quickly seized it in a tiny fist. "I believe you are correct," he said. "Is it possible for us to deny him?"

Yara smiled warmly at her love. "I do not believe it is, Va'Lesh." At Leshie's bidding, Yara and Va'Lesh made their way down the isolated corridor, leading to a secluded area of the ship Liam had Shaza set aside. Only one person resided in that section. "Do you think," Yara whispered, "that she still exists in some form? That she is near? Master Zaneth did say that we are all a part of the Force, and that as long as the Force still flows, none of us truly die. Is this the same for Yelara Zaneth?"

"It is," Va'Lesh answered. "I have felt her, through the Force. First after she...she died. And, then, several times after. Usually, it is when I am meditating, that is when I feel her."

"Really?" Yara's face displayed awe and wonder. "Did she speak to you, Va'Lesh? What did she say?"

"It wasn't speaking as we know it," Va'Lesh answered. "I felt her presence, her love. It was sort of how you always know when I walk into the room you're in."

She smiled. "Because we are connected." As the words left her lips, Leshie gave a boisterous giggle, signalling their arrival at the room. At Yelara's room. "I hope she does not mind us disturbing her," Yara whispered.

Va'Lesh looked down at the excited infant and smiled. "I don't believe she minds at all," he said, as a tear slipped down over his cheek. "She wants us here; she wants us to remember and love her, and to never give up on our lives."

"And we shall not," Yara replied. She studied Va'Lesh's tear as it travelled to his jaw, then plummeted onto his chest. Yara smiled fondly at her chosen. Still regarding him with keen interest, she blindly, but guided mentally by the Force, extended her hand and touched the door console. It gave a rapid double-chirp, then triggered the door's activation.

Grating metal and grinding gears accompanied its opening, and a gust of cold air whipped at them upon its escape from the room. Shaza had set its temperature lower than that of the rest of the ship - better for preservation, Liam had told them, but its greater accomplishment was in creating an ominous atmosphere in the small storage room. Both Yara and Va'Lesh, along with little Va'Lesh, were smiling broadly, however. "I believe," Yara said, "she is happy to see us."

"Yes," Va'Lesh whispered, and pressed his lips to the top of Leshie's head. "She's very happy to see us."

At Leshie's excited urging, with kicking legs and irritated squeals, Yara and Va'Lesh strode forward at an easy, reverent pace. Their destination was the long, cylindrical chamber secured to the deck by rivets all around its base, and a cable feeding into a slot at one end to ensure the device continued to receive power, even if its independent source malfunctioned. But, it seemed to be functioning perfectly, if the impeccable state of Yelara's body was any indication.

Through the frosted glass casing, she was visible, although slightly concealed by the fogged covering, but she was as she had been before her death. Her flesh still held its rosy complexion, and her raven hair still gleamed as it cradled her head in a bed of curls. The expression her face wore was tranquil and almost content, but not at all frightening. Va'Lesh had even commented that she looked as if she was smiling. Yara had agreed. Slender, delicate hands rested atop her stomach, where the fatal wound was still, except now her pristine, white gown covered it to make her as flawless as she had been in life. She was still more beautiful than anyone Yara had ever seen.

Now beside the stasis chamber, Yara and Va'Lesh stopped, while Leshie attempted to squeeze out of her hold. She chided the baby gently, then brought him forward to peer down through the transparisteel panels making up the lid of the chamber. He calmed immediately, and gurgled at his mother in greeting.

"I sense her," Va'Lesh whispered. "Can you? She is here, all around us. She is...she is content, at peace. I believe I sense that she misses us, but I cannot be certain."

"Of course she misses you," Yara told him with surprising fervour. "She loved you, Va'Lesh. I would miss you if I were not able to touch you anymore."

"She misses you, and father, and...and everyone. I don't think she knows about father and Shaza, but I sense she would accept their relationship given circumstances. She doesn't want us to mourn, only to rejoice." He frowned, then shook his head and smiled. "I love you, Mother."

Leshie cooed and reached out a tiny hand to touch the lid of the stasis tube. Yara smiled and lowered him towards it. His palm connected with the transparisteel covering, and a joyful shriek broke from him. Yara chuckled at Va'Lesh. "I think she has just told him she loves you both as well."

"Do you suppose he realizes?" Va'Lesh asked as he gazed down at Leshie. "He does, doesn't he?"

"He is like us," she explained. "He feels. He knows, Va'Lesh." She smiled tenderly. "He knows."

"I only had her in my life for a short time," Va'Lesh said. "I hope that he does not lack too terribly by not having her around in his life, to hold him and encourage him. I hope we can ease that for him. As long as her presence is near, I believe we can."

"He will know love," Yara assured him. "He will not want for that, Va'Lesh. Do not despair."

Va'Lesh smiled. "Never despair," he said as he looked into her eyes. "With you, and father, and little Va'Lesh, I could never feel despair. There is too much joy here, too much life."

Yara's eyes shifted to Yelara and she smiled at the residual Force essence still surrounding her body, even after all that time since her death. "Too much life in us all," she amended.

Va'Lesh reached out and slipped his hand into Yara's. "I wish to thank you, Yara."

She inclined her head in an uncertain manner. "For what, Va'Lesh?"

"For coming away with me," he said. "For being you and...and for being here. I feel very...lucky, to have you in my life."

"I feel lucky as well, Va'Lesh. I would not wish to be anywhere but here." She noted the expectant smile he wore, and met it with a tender one of her own. She had encountered that familiar look in his eyes before, and knew it to mean he desired a gesture of affection from her. Yara fulfilled it by kissing his lips softly, just as he liked.

After she drew back, a content smile spread over his lips. "Do you believe he might like a snack now? I think I could do with additional nourishment as well."

"Agreed." Yara drew Leshie fully into her embrace, away from the stasis chamber. He whimpered ill-temperedly. "You are hungry, Leshie," Yara told him. "We will return again soon."

Hoping to alleviate little Va'Lesh's discouragement, Leshie offered him a finger, which the infant immediately latched onto. Leshie smiled. "He certainly likes holding on to things. And, it seems to always pacify him."

"He trusts you, Va'Lesh," she explained. "He knows if you promise to bring him for another visit, you will." Yara gave a final smile to Yelara and whispered, "Have a nice day, Mrs. Zaneth." Then, started for the exit with both Va'Leshes.

As they made their way to the galley, Va'Lesh looked at Yara. "Wh- - What did you think of what my father and Shaza Nightshade were doing?"

Yara looked down demurely and lightly shrugged. "It...it was interesting. It felt...good, I think." Hesitantly glancing up at him, she asked, "What did you think?"

"I believe...I believe it looked...fun."

She smiled with relief and nodded briskly. "Is that something we may try, Va'Lesh?"

"I believe it is an activity I would like to try," he answered. "Though, we will need to have Master Liam or Shaza watch little Va'Lesh."

"Let us feed him, then. Perhaps they will have concluded their activity by the time Leshie is satiated; then, we may try."

"That is an acceptable plan," Va'Lesh answered. "I am certain they will be willing to watch him for us. Though, I do hope they do not walk in on us."

Yara nodded readily. "That would be most...uncomfortable, I believe." "Indeed," Va'Lesh said. "Let us hope they do not. I do not wish to experience...embarrassment yet."

"That is one emotion we shall save for last." She smiled at her chosen, then leaned against him as they continued onwards. With Leshie in her arms and her love by her side, Yara imagined she was close to experiencing what a family was, even without her true mother present. Just as she was without, so was Leshie, but Yara was determined to be a good mother for him, just until Ms. Nightshade was prepared to take her place.

As they disappeared into the galley, Va'Lesh sighed with contentment. "I had not expected a family to be this exciting and wonderful. I will like this."

And, so they settled down for a quick snack. Afterwards, they would experiment with the example Master Zaneth and Ms. Nightshade had given them, but for now, they would enjoy each other's company, along with little Va'Lesh.

---

"Steps To A New Era"
Karma
Iyika
and A'Kin [NPC+]

Location: New Plouton
Date: Lythe 3, 4 ABY

***

Karma had been planning for months now. It was time to make her move. For the first time in a long time she dressed as a true diplomat of her long destroyed home world. Since the very large battle she'd gathered her resolve, resources and courage to move forward. Meeting with designated ruling councils was part of that agenda.

Quietly she dressed, taking her time to make sure every strand of hair was in place. Then there was another matter one which she hoped would also see some resolution before her appointed meeting time with the first council, here on this planet.

Iyika stepped through into the room. She only wore the black silk thong that hardly left anything to the imagination. She stood in the doorway from the bathroom, steam rising behind her from the shower. She couldn't help but smile at the outfit and hair style! "Diplomats," she whispered, still smiling as she stepped over to her outfit hanging in the cupboard on the other side of the room.

For a moment she turned away from the mirror and smiled. Karma wasn't totally finished dressing but it was enough to show a different side of her. As it usually did her breath caught when she saw Iyika standing there in that outfit. "You aren't used to seeing me like this."

"You could say that..." Iyika winked, opening the cupboard door. She grabbed the black shirt hanging up as well as the leather jacket, laying them out on the chair in front of the dressing table. "What is it with diplomats and hair?" Iyika asked, teasing Karma, not hiding her smile as she opened the draw full of underwear.

"Fits the image I guess," she replied with a smile of her own. There was enough form fitted structure to her body suit top that it showed her curve nicely when she didn't have the accompanying cloak on. "You owe me, Iyika."

"I owe you?" Iyika asked, turning, looking at Karma as her arms slipped through the bra straps, clipping it together at the front. "If my memory serves me I think you owe me...for last night..."

"Iyika, dear, you vanished without a trace. Left me injured and worried sick about you." Karma met her gaze and never let it go.

Iyika stared at Karma. She wasn't about to look away and held her gaze. "Ok! Ok...so I owe you, I'm sorry but I had little choice!"

"What do you mean you had little choice? Not anymore than the rest of us had in pulling out of that place." Karma wasn't bitter she had just been very, very worried.

"I was fine... I had some trouble on the way to the extraction site. I had to go another route. When I finally arrived everyone had gone., I wasn't about to wait to see if the Rebels came back for me - we weren't best of chums to start off with, remember?" Iyika forgot about getting dressed, moving over to Karma. She crouched in front of her, both hands moving, caressing her cheeks. "You should know by now I'm not that easy to kill..."

"No one expected you to. Though I was so out of it that I didn't know what was what until I finally came to under medical care a day or so later." For a moment Karma just closed her eyes.

"It's all right, Karma, I'm here now..." Iyika kissed Karma lightly on the lips before moving up, kissing her forehead. "I do like the outfit, brings out your eyes."

"Thank you. I hoped it was my color since I had to rebuild the wardrobe a bit." Aside from her fears about losing Iyika, Karma was nervous about the upcoming meetings. It had been so long and she didn't know how her proposal would be received. "I'm glad you agreed to act as my guard." The kiss calmed her a bit but the nerves were still there.

"If it makes you feel better I'll be there..." Iyika's smile faded as she turned. "Though I'm going to be bored out of my mind," she grumbled, getting back to dressing. Her legs slid into the trousers. Once she was in, she put the shirt on, buttoning it up. Once she had the leather jacket on she turned, looking over at Karma who was still looking at her. "Whenever you're ready, m'lady..." Iyika said, bowing slightly.

Another moment or two passed before Karma finally stood. Carefully she retrieved the dark silvery grey floor length cloak from its hanger. "Call me that when we're alone and you'll be hurting for more than a week. Iyika you and I are well past that when it comes to us. And that's something I need right now. Honestly I think serious cob webs have grown in my diplomacy skills."

"Of course...m'l..." Iyika smiled, teasing Karma. "A week? May even be worth it..." She turned, opening the other cupboard retrieving her weapons and overcoat, it wasn't very impressive looking but it served its purpose, hiding the weapons in the sleeve, those at her hips and the two projectile pistols at her back along with two spare clips. The coat was also made with a wire mesh giving protection; it wasn't much protection but it was something.

She wasn't taking any chances with Karma's life. The black coat covered her from head to toe, draping along the floor as she glided towards the door. With the hood up over her head she almost looked like a Jedi. She opened the door, standing back for Karma to step through first. "Ladies first..."

Karma exited into the hallway. To anyone who saw her she looked the picture of a regal diplomat and someone who could formidably deal in such an arena. "Appropriate transportation has been arranged I assume?" Those were details she'd left up to Iyika.

"What? I thought you were doing it?" Iyika replied sarcastically. "It's outside., I had my father do it up. I'm sure you'll be impressed." The door opened onto the landing platform at the side of the building. Waiting on the pad was a sleek black limousine speeder. Four wings at the back, though two were folded away for landing. There were two small wings at the front. Most would consider them for style but they were all functional, adding agility to the speeder. She had it all where it counted and more besides. "Does Milady approve?" Iyika whispered, smiling at Karma.

That made her smile. "Oh I approve. Why do you think your name came to mind for this job." Karma was serious about the compliment. "Let's get going."

"Well my father was pleased to help. He's looking forward to seeing you and he spared no expense on this baby. I think he stole the plans to make himself one." Iyika stepped up to the car, opening the rear door, bowing slightly, inviting her inside. "If you would be so kind as to climb inside I will take you to your destination."

Karma climbed in. "Now that is interesting. Haven't even been to the first council meeting yet and already I'm getting a reputation." That thought made her very amused for some undetermined reason.

"When you have it...you have it..." Iyika whispered. She closed the door once Karma was inside, quickly climbing into the driver's seat. She smiled instantly at the feel of the leather underneath her, the way the leather stretched and creaked as she sat down. Pressing the buttons in front of her a holographic display appeared in the front window.

Computer is online, powering up. Iyika could not believe the stuff her father had put into this little monster, not that she was complaining, far from it! The speeder's engines fired up, lifting her up off the ground. The landing struts quickly folded up into the underside of the craft before the two folded wings at the rear came out, locking into place.

"This is your flight attendant speaking, please make sure all tray tables are in their locked position, sick bags are situated in the rear and in case of an emergency please kiss your ass goodbye," Iyika said to herself, almost laughing. She pressed the comlink with Karma. "You comfortable back there?" she asked as the display for the engines showed they were in the green.

Karma looked around. This mode of transportation was certainly comfortable. But nerves really got in the way of enjoying herself. "Yep I think I could easily get used to this mode of transportation."

"I'm glad you like her," Iyika replied. She moved the throttle forward, gently feeling the power of the engines. Blue plasma flames shot out from the exhausts at the rear, sending the speeder forward at remarkable speed. She quickly joined the traffic heading along the flight plan. "We'll be there in two minutes, relax..."

"Relax," Karma laughed in her usual manner. "Between having to speak to a bunch of big wigs and you're piloting it will be a wonder if I live to see the end of the day." She was clearly joking about Iyika's skills.

"Really..." Iyika said, lowering the bulletproof glass separating the front two seats from the rear section of the speeder. Iyika looked up into the mirror, staring at Karma. "If you want me to go faster you only have to ask," she said with a smirk. "And those big wigs say the word and I'll shoot 'em all, may even prove entertaining."

She failed to stifle a laugh. "Another reason why you and I get along so well. And why honestly I don't trust anyone else with the task I've given to you. We understand each other."

"Stop it I'm going all misty..." Iyika wiped a fake tear from her eye, smiling at Karma. "We'll be there shortly, just speak from the heart and you'll do fine." Iyika blew a kiss into the mirror before looking away back at the traffic. The traffic was mild for this time of the day, thankfully.

"Well you'll have to tell me how I do. I'm not the type for long winded speeches but we'll just have to see what this council prefers." Karma took those final moments to gather her thoughts one final time before diving into the diplomatic fire.

They came around a corner with the traffic flow and the large dome building came into view. The landing platform at the side was almost full only one space was left for Karma's transport. Iyika quickly set the speeder down. The under wings folded automatically as the landing struts folded out, locking into position. They took the strain as she touched down.

"Security level one..." Iyika whispered before climbing out of the speeder. She looked around, scanning the immediate area. She took a second look before her hand grabbed the handle, opening the rear door.

It was typical protocol to search the area. Karma stepped out, wearing the expression of a trained diplomat even though she didn't think that it came naturally to her. "Let's go."

Iyika bowed, stepping back, allowing Karma to lead. Iyika followed a half step behind, her eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of danger. The entrance came up far too slowly for Iyika's taste; she didn't know this job would be so hard. The double doors opened, allowing them entry into the building.

They entered a long corridor. White with gold covered almost everything. The patterns on the tiles that covered the floor joined with the walls. The ceiling was a strange marble with green tinges. They came to a hall with a slight dome ceiling. This had several sofas scattered around the walls with four placed in a square in the middle, the waiting area.

Three corridors, including the one both Karma and Iyika had used, led out from the waiting hall; a double door also led out from the hall. Two guards stood at the doors, one on either side. They had blasters strapped to their sides. They moved forward, grabbing the large golden handles, pulling the doors open for both Karma and Iyika.

Beyond the door was a huge hall. It was magnificent. White and gold pillars lined the outer edge of the hall, supporting the huge dome ceiling. Iyika looked up at the coloured glass. It made up a coastal picture with the beginnings of a booming city. Iyika looked down at the rest of the hall. Pictures hung from the walls. In the middle stood a large round table with several chairs dotted around; more tables made a line on the right side with glasses, drinks and food.

Standing in the doorway for a moment Karma took a good look at the room. A deep sigh escaped at they waited for other council members to arrive. This would hopefully be a moment of truth and awakening for her and the once proud world of Oceana.

Iyika remained beside Karma, scanning the hall. She spotted several other bodyguards keeping close eyes on their charges. One of the council members caught Iyika's eye. He wore a large dark grey almost black made of a strange material making parts of it shine in the artificial lighting. His face was hidden by the large hood pulled over his head, the excess material left hanging in front of him.

She kept a watch on the council member while looking around as she waited with Karma for the rest of the members to arrive. It didn't take very long as Karma was one of the last.

In the traditional manner they all took their appointed places. There were a few other things on the day's agenda before Karma's proposal. Mostly routine matters of business.

Iyika watched the council members taking their seats. The one who caught Iyika's eye sat close to the head of the table, obviously someone important. Iyika half listened to the proceedings, looking around the hall. Her eyes roamed up to the ceiling and back down once more getting more bored by the second.

"Council members I stand before you today as a survivor of Oceana. The detailed proposal in the folders you see in front of you is but the beginning of a bold new rebirth for a once mighty people. A new era of cooperation for those that have fought so hard to drive the Empire from our soil." Karma continued for a moment longer before bringing her speech to conclusion.

Iyika hoped she would get what she wanted, but looking at the faces of the council it was hard to say which way they were thinking. This was her moment. He opened the folder laid out in front of him; it held a lot of details about what she wanted to happen. He listened intensely to what she was saying. It was an interesting speech.

It was time for her final appeal. "Respected council I thank you for your attention. I leave it in your capable hands to decide whether this proposal will go forward."

"And an interesting proposal it is..." he said. Each council member looked at him and once he nodded they all rose. Chairs slid across the floor as they were pushed back. One by one the council members left the table. The large double doors swung wide, allowing them to exit the hall.

Iyika's eyes followed the council members about to speak her mind, telling them to get back to their seats, but she stopped at the sight of the single council member still seated. His face was still covered by shadows cast by the large hood over his head. Slowly he stood up, waiting until the last of the council had vanished behind the closed door.

"It's good to finally see you, Arien..." he said, rising from his seat. Stepping around the table to stand before Karma he stood there for several moments, staring at her and his daughter. Slowly he pulled his hood back revealing the roughly handsome face beneath.

"Father!" Iyika shouted, shocked beyond words, taking a step back away from him.

She bowed her head respectfully sure that Iyika would wonder just where it all came from. "I appreciate your assistance in this matter. It has taken until now to be in a position where I could proceed with formally moving forward in any manner with such a proposal."

"I know..." A'Kin replied, smiling at her. "Enough with all the formalities. I sent the other members away so we could talk without all the protocol bull which seems to get in the way of the important matters. You wish to resurrect your once noble world, I admire that. I've taken a long time getting to where I am now, moving my people to the places they hold now more like moving pieces on a chess board. Now I've finally decided to take a more active roll. It was a shock to most I can tell you!" A'Kin laughed, turning away from both Karma and the still stunned Iyika.

The old man, though not in appearance, waved his hand over the table. A holographic image suddenly appeared, hovering a foot from the table. A detailed 3D image of Karma's homeworld emerged in all her glory. "What you ask is difficult, Miss Arien...but not overly impossible. There are several ways which you can do it... Terraforming an uninhabited world is one, or claiming an ocean world for another. I have several choices ready for your opinion. I'm sure the Jedi will wish to be informed. I can handle that if you wish. Also the Republic, though that's more a formality than anything." He slowly turned, looking back at Arien. "All the information is within the database..." His hand waved at the datapad resting on the table.

Karma visibly relaxed at his words. "Before we go any further. Thank you for you assistance in this. My formal diplomatic skills are rather rusty at present. Taking on the unexpected mantle of a warrior will do that to one. As for the Jedi Council I believe that is a matter I would like to handle myself. You are more than welcome to join me, if you wish but I know you are a busy man." She paused. "If there is one legacy I'd like to have of my parents that would be walking on the shores of a world that was spawned from a vision they originally built."

"It's always a pleasure helping family and from what little I'm getting from Iyika on the subject of you two it's almost a proven fact you may be joining it... It seems to me I've been in the shadows far too long. I need to stretch my wings. If you need help with the Jedi I'd be delighted to join you, but let's get back to the matter at hand." A'Kin indicated the seats at the table while he walked around, sitting on his own. Leaning back he lifted his legs, resting them on the table. "There is the matter of payment. I am considerably wealthy but even that would be stretching my budget. Recreating a whole world doesn't come cheaply or for that matter quickly. It all depends on what you wish for which I'm still waiting a reply."

"Well it is probably easier to take over an ocean world already in existence. That would eliminate the need or cost associated with terraforming. Yes, this endeavor isn't cheap. That factor has not escaped my attention at all." Karma had taken a seat, briefly wondering just what Iyika had told her father about them.

"I'm sure the decision will not come easily," A'Kin whispered, his words echoing around the hall as he rose from his seat. "Take the information in the datapad and return with a decision, then we can move on...either to the Republic or Jedi...whichever comes first. It's been nice seeing you again. Iyika, I do wish you'd drop by once in a while. Good day to you both."

A'Kin bowed his head slightly, pulling the hood up over his head before grabbing his walking staff. The staff made strange thuds as it struck the tiled flooring every other step A'Kin made.

"Thank you." Karma stood and bowed formally in response to A'Kin's comments. Her earlier words were obviously taken to heart. Once they were alone she turned to Iyika. "Shall we." A clear indicator that she was ready to leave and get out of the monkey suit for awhile.

"By all means..." Iyika replied, getting comfortable, half watching Karma, half watching the surroundings.

Gracefully Karma exited the room comforted that Iyika was close by. "Well I have to admit that went better than I expected for trying to get this thing off the ground."

"It's often surprising how things turn out..." Iyika whispered, taking one last look at the hall behind her.

---

"Story Time"
by: Adam Edwards
DB-7 [NPC+]

Location: Elusive
Date: Lythe 3, 4 ABY

***

The Elusive shot back into normal space, its hyperdrive engines shutting down. As usual, not much was happening at the edge of the Hoth system.

Well, at least not to the naked eye. On the edge of the system, a stationary asteroid hung. A huge asteroid. Scientists speculated that this asteroid was once part of the Hoth Asteroid Belt, but somehow ended up on the outer edge of the solar system.

To the naked eye, and to most scanners, it looked like a normal asteroid. But it wasn't. It was a smuggler's hideout, built inside a asteroid. It was known only as "The Crypt."

Adam flipped the comm switch on. He turned to a channel few knew.

"Elusive to Crypt Control. Transferring confirmation codes," Edwards said into the comm.

After several seconds, a response came back.

"Docking Bay Seven. We are opening the Outer Airlock."

Out of nowhere, a piece of the asteroid split apart, to reveal a hangar bay. Several ships could already be seen docked there.

Adam moved the Elusive into the hangar bay. There was a rumbling as the outer doors closed behind the ship. Adam set his ship down on the hangar deck and began shutting down the systems.

DB interrupted Adam. "A clever disguise, putting a base inside an asteroid."

Adam nodded. "Yes, you'd be surprised how many times it's saved this base from being destroyed by Imperial Customs Vessels."

Adam finished the shutdown procedure, and looked at DB.

"Let's go meet out contact," he said.

DB slung his concussion rifle over his back, and even though Adam had his DL-44, he slid a pocket blaster into his vest. The Crypt wasn't a place to fool around in.

After a series of twisted corridors, they arrived at one of the Crypt's bars, the Waking Dream. This bar made the worst bars at Drogen seem like palaces.

Adam's contact was sitting at the rear most table. He was human, but he was sitting next to Barabel.

Adam sat down in the seat across from his contact. DB took up a position behind the chair.

"Are you Ruulex," Adam asked the man.

He nodded. "I'm Ruulex. Is the shipment here"?

"Yes. I'll make sure it's delivered to you in 2 hours. Deck 57. Cargo Bay 21. I want the other half of my payment now," Adam said.

Ruulex took out a credit voucher and slid it across the table.

"The other 5 thousand. I think you'll find my vouchers are as good as cash."

Adam stood up. "2 hours. Be there."

Adam and DB turned toward the door and started to head out. About halfway there however, a man in a cloak grabbed on Adam's arm.

The man pulled the hood off. He was an older man, perhaps in his early 60's.

"Do you want to get rich?" the man asked.

"Doesn't everybody?" Adam asked him, impatiently.

"Beneath the ice you must look, my young friend. 30 miles east of the old rebel base is an old mining site. Look there," the man said.

He put his cloak back on and headed for the door.

Adam watched him go. He then looked back at DB.

"Crazy old man," he said. "Let's go."

---

"Pirate Battle"
by: Robin Black [NPC+]
Jack Black

Location: Bantu System
Date: Lythe 3, 4 ABY

***

The sleek black command cruiser burst out of hyperspace. "We've located them," reported Anne from the helm consol. "They're making another attack on the planet's cloning facility," she reported.

Jack leaned forward in his throne. He looked out at the five command ships that organized the attack. They were old ships, not even a match for one of the Stalkers, however this mission was special.

"Sir, sensors report that they are using a mixture of technology, Imperial TIE fighters, several A wing and two B wing bombers. They are supported by two Corellian corvettes, two nebular B frigates, and what appears to be an old republic clone carrier."

Robin walked forward so he stood right in front of the view screen. "This isn't right. That is no pirate fleet, that's an invasion." Robin turned around and looked at Jack who nodded simply.

"The Bantu are a peaceful race. They won't defend themselves, hence why we are here," Anne reported.

"Launch two wings of Stalkers to take out the fighters, then get five marauders ready. I'll command one; the other four hit the lighter ships." Robin turned to Jack. "I'll need some weapons."

"There is an armory on your way to the dock. I will take over command of the carrier and try to cripple the command ship's weapons," Jack ordered. He looked up at the screen as the streams of fighters launched from the bays. Robin rushed from the bridge towards the armory. Jack leaned back into his throne. "Bring the command cruiser between the two corvettes. Use the side gun batteries to blow apart their shields then aim for their turbo lasers," Jack ordered as the command carrier swooped into the combat.

The side cannons blazed launching lance after lance of deadly lasers, crashing into the corvettes.

"They are turning their guns on us," reported Anne. "The only major threat is the Old Republic Cruiser."

Jack looked up. "How far away is Robin from the ship?"

"They are just boarding now," she reported back.

***

Robin waited in the entrance. The five other soldiers in his squad quickly rushed into the white ship. The fire fight began immediately. The crew men onboard the ship were no match for the genetically engineered armored soldiers, who marched in unison down the halls, their guns blazing away. The crew fought back, their Bryar pistols barely denting the soldiers' armor. Robin stalked behind them, his two pistols in hand. A tech, human in appearance, un-armored, carried the homing beacon.

"Captain Black," came Anne's voice clear over the comm-link despite the loud laser blasts. "The ship's weapons are a threat to the command carrier. Take your squad to the command deck and commandeer the vehicle. We will use the homing beacons on the other ships to locate the pirate base."

"Copy that," Robin reported. "Squad, head for the command deck," he ordered. A laser blast struck the tech beside him, killing him instantly. Robin looked down then at the crew man who had fired. Jack returned fire with his two high powered lasers. The crewman was lanced by the shot and collapsed to the ground, holding his chest. "These guys are expensive!" Robin yelled at the dead pirate. He knelt by the dead clone and picked up the beacon and stuffed it into his jacket pocket.

Outside the Stalkers were making quick work of the Pirate fighters. The Stalkers were faster, heavily armored while they lacked torpedoes their lasers ripped through the pirate fighters. Jack looked at the battle with a slight grin on his face. "Pull us away from that New republic ship until my brother neutralizes it."

"The two corvettes are dead in the water, and the other frigates are beginning to pull out, the marauders are disengaging," Anne reported. "Their homing beacons are set."

"Order those soldiers to assist in the capture of the Corvettes," Jack ordered. "My brother will take care of the other ship."

"Sir, the ship your brother's on is a soldier carrier. Once they realize that they are under attack they will be swarmed with soldiers," Anne reported her voice not wavering.

"I'm testing my brother," Jack explained.

***

Robin shot two of the soldiers as they rounded a corner. "We've got company!" he called to his troopers. Two of them turned around and laid down repeated fire, striking the pirates as quickly as they rounded the corner.

"Sir, we have reached the command deck airlock but it is sealed," reported a soldier. "Permission to use charges to blow the door," the soldier's clear voice echoed over the intercom.

"Sure, get the door open," Robin ordered, firing his pistols, taking down another soldier. "There's getting to be a lot of them," Robin commented to the other solider.

"I've killed twenty four," reported the solider. He let off another blaze of energy from his rifle. "Twenty five," he corrected. Robin looked up at the solider, quite confused.

"Alright." Robin nodded then got back to shooting. A loud explosion behind them rocked the ship. Robin turned around seeing that half of the corridor was blown away. Two of his soldiers walked out of the smoke. "You're only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!" Robin yelled, then turned around and charged into the smoke. Inside the command room there was coughing as the remaining crew choked on the smoke. Robin held his breath. The other five soldiers walked in, slaughtering the rest of the command staff.

"We are in hyperspace," reported one soldier, tapping at a controller. "We must pull out and return to the command carrier."

"Agreed," Robin nodded. "Now how do we do that?"

Robin looked blankly at the controls. "I wish I knew Old Tech better," he mumbled and began to fiddle with the controls. A voice echoed over the intercom that the airlock doors were now opening. "Oh crap," Robin muttered as a violent wind suddenly picked up. Robin tapped at the controls until a second voice muttered, "Emergency bulkhead doors now closing." Heavy metal doors slammed down at the entrance to the command deck.

Robin looked at the other soldiers. "Do any of you know the controls for an old cruiser?"

They reported in unison, "No, sir!"

"Great," muttered Robin, tapping away at the controls. Finally the ship slid out of hyperspace. "Now what?" Robin wondered as the ship slowed down.

"Sir, the command carrier won't be able to find us." The leader of the soldiers stepped forward. "I will lead a team to where the Tech died and recover the Homing Beacon."

"No need." Robin smiled, pulling it out of his top pocket. "I've got it here." Robin switched it on. "Now we've got bugger all to do except sit and wait." A heavy explosion rocked the emergency seal door.

"Or maybe sit and fight," Robin corrected.

"There are seven hundred warriors onboard this ship," reported on of the soldiers.

"Seven hundred against six." Robin recocked his energy pistols. "Hardly seems fair."

---

"New Beginnings"
by Leija

Location: Drogen Shipyards
Date: Lythe 3, 4ABY

***

The Harbinger virtually burst from the atmosphere of Tae'Karada. The old YT-2400 class vessel moved with an air of grace if piloted by skilled hands. It turned and banked on its side, just as it left the atmosphere of the planet; leaving a blue jet-like streak of expended plasma behind it.

"I need to get a droid," Leija, the Chiss Bounty Hunter thought, speaking aloud to herself, as she sat in the Harbinger's cockpit, alone, flying the ship as easily as she might read a book. By now she was an old hand at it. But, ship's maintenance did tend to get tedious. She did need a droid.

A large, metal object appeared out of the corner of the fairly wide view supplied by the ship's transparisteel cockpit viewports. Leija smiled. The Drogen Shipyards. And that was where she was bound for.

A new start.

Her plan to trick Jadda the Hutt, and collect the bounty on Korva Valkier without actually harming the dashing pilot, or his Wookiee partner had not worked out as well as she had anticipated. And though Korva was still free, he was still wanted by the Hutt. As was Chow. But, now Leija had a price on her head as well. Or so recent events had led her to believe.

And a Bounty Hunter who was, herself, a bounty was not someone who would be able to earn much of a living.

But, the Empire had been driven from Tae'Karada.

And several months had passed.

Long enough for Leija to grow weary of running from her former colleagues.

She still had to find Karma Arien.

She still had a debt to repay.

She would start by finding a safe haven of sorts, and she hoped it would be aboard the Drogen Shipyards.

She activated her com, as the ship approached the large, metallic station that served as a sort of docking port and repair facility for vessels going in and out of Tae'Karada. A voice asked her for her identification code.

"Free Trader Harbinger- identification number 323-B987," Leija repeated. She changed the code as often as she could, reregistering it with whatever guild she could manage to get a bribe in to. Mining guild, Federation of Feed Transport, Construction Union. This time she was registered with the Corellian Free Traders Association; as a housing materials transporter.

The voice on the other end of the com acknowledged her registration.

"Requesting clearance to dock," Leija said.

"What's your business at Tae'Karada, Harbinger?" the man on the other end of the com asked.

"Awaiting cargo delivery," Leija answered. Not altogether true. But, not altogether false, either. She would carry cargo, if she had to. She had to make enough of a living to at least buy time. Time to find Karma Arien.

But, as always was the case with the Chiss, she had a plan.

"Alright...permission to land in docking berth 327, level 409," the man said.

"Thank you." And Leija slowed her ship down, bringing it almost too close to the metal structure, as her eyes turned their red glow on the instrument panel in front of her. In amber Aurubesh lettering, the location of the berth was displayed on a small map-like image of the station. Leija followed the coordinates, and soon found herself looking into a dimly lit docking bay, as the outer hatch slid up slowly.

An hour later, Leija had her ship docked and secured. It was time to put her plan into motion. A bit of research on Tae'Karada had garnered her the name of the woman who ran the shipyard. Shrezade Anoran. A reputable woman, with no love for the Empire. Leija would seek employment with her, hopefully in some sort of security position that would afford her the ability to go armed aboard Drogen. And with a base of operations of sorts, she would locate Karma Arien, and share with her the information she still carried in her memory.

It might not be as important as it would have been, before the fall of the Empire at Tae'Karada...but it would still have some significance. Especially to Karma Arien.

Leija secured her ship, and with her sword sheathed over her back, she left the docking berth in search of Shrezade Anoran.

---

"Not An Easy Path"
by Daemor'rah
and Quinlan Vos

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Lythe 3, 4 ABY

***

The shots were swift but accurate. They bolted from the small spherical device and were meant to strike upon her. Alas, they were met by a green lightsaber's blade that cut them off their path and made them miss their target. It was not a difficult task for a Jedi, but it was still one that required focus and concentration. Especially when one's eyes were closed.

There was a click and at once she knew that she was no longer being targeted. She removed the scarf that was blinding her vision and bowed to her master. Quinlan bowed back at his student. "You did well. Your focus was accurate and you trusted your instincts. But there is one thing you must keep in mind. These drones fire a shot that stops when met by a lightsaber. They aren't strong enough to pose much of a threat because if they hit you they will only give you a slight sting. But a blaster, when met by a lightsaber, may backfire and hit other things that surround you," Quinlan told his padawan.

"I see, Master..." the girl nodded. "They may hit other people around me, so I must be careful to where the shots are sent," she concluded.

"Exactly. You may even at times use that to your aid to strike back at your foe, sending his own shot in his direction, in order to complicate things for him. But you must not necessarily do this to actually hit your opponent. Taking lives when not necessary is not the way of the Jedi!" Quinlan added.

"A Jedi respects all life forms." Daemor'rah nodded as she was learning the Jedi Code. She had learned much in the last months. And since the fall of Tarkin, the planet was much more in peace than before, which meant more time to practice and train without having to deal with havoc all the time.

Quinlan didn't have to be a mind reader to know that his padawan was thinking of how things had changed and of how much she had learned since she first got to the Jedi Temple. He placed his hand on her shoulder and gave her a gentle smile. "You have come a long way and I am proud of you, my padawan. It is not an easy path, the one you had to do."

The girl smiled back and shook her head. "It is not an easy path..." she agreed. "But I would rather have to deal with things and overcome obstacles than taking a short but easy path and have it all laid out for me."

"True words of a Jedi. Come, I will let you meditate on your own for the remaining of the day. Tomorrow we will spar," Quinlan said as he bowed to his pupil.

Daemor'rah bowed back in respect for her master. "I shall look forward to tomorrow then, Master," the girl smiled. She then left the room. She felt like a stroll in the woods. Maybe a bath in the waterfalls.

---

"Possibilities"
Iyika
Karma Arien

Location: New Plouton
Date: Lythe 3, 4 ABY

***

Well it had been one interesting meeting Karma mused during the ride home. It had left her with a lot to think about and many important decisions to make. She had been fairly quiet the entire time but her desire to get more comfortable clearly showed.

The traffic was almost none existent on the way back, it took them half the time getting back to their new apartment, she had her father look for an apartment, though she never told Karma. If she was going to have clothes like a diplomat she was going to have a home like one too.

The speeder came down landing on the platform her landing struts taking the weight, Iyika climbed out from the speeder walking around opening the door for Karma. "Welcome to your new home..."

She appeared truly stunned, "Excuse me. Just what exactly have you been up to Iyika and what about the rest of our belongings?"

"They're already inside..." Iyika replied smiling under her hood. "It was just a little something to celebrate the end of the war and you returning to your calling..." She walked up to the front door looking up at a small black device above the door.

A red laser beam scanned her from head to toe passing over her body twice before deactivating. "Scan confirmed... welcome Iyika..." The door hissed open sliding to the side revealing a lavishly furnished apartment. Iyika turned to Karma moving up to her scooping her up in her arms, she then carried her through the threshold into the apartment. "I think this is tradition..." she whispered.

"Small thing? Not so sure that is a small way to celebrate at all. Besides isn't this just a bit more pretentious than we need?" Karma now found herself at a loss for words. "So now what? And how did you pull this one off without me knowing about it or at least getting a tiny hint of what you were up to? I know you too well Iyika."

"You sure about that?" she asked with a smirk. "I asked my father to look around for an apartment, this was the best he found. And to answer your other question - 'What do we do now?' - I think there's another tradition." Iyika placed Karma on her feet and kissed her enjoying the feeling of her warm lips.

"The tradition about utilising /every/ room..."

Karma smiled, "Yes I'm ok with this. Very surprised is all." That was about all she managed to say before Iyika interrupted with something else. "Yes..I think there is..."

Iyika smiled reaching forward kissing Karma repeatedly all over her face and neck finishing with a passionate kiss to her lips opening her mouth inviting her tongue inside, their tongues wrestled together.

"Mmm," Karma's response indicated she enjoyed what they had started with. Tension also slowly seemed to leave her body little by little. Her hand rested on Iyika's arm.

Iyika kissed along her cheek and down her neck resting at the top of her chest before returning up the other side, her tongue licked out lightly touching her skin, her lips returned to Karma's feeling her warm breath once more. Their tongues met in between their mouths, Iyika's traced along Karma's lips before moving slightly back away from Karma.

Already Karma's hands had moved to gently remove Iyika's outer layers of clothing. Once it was down to her shirt, those same actions continued. Her hand rested against a familiar form. All traces the diplomat's facade faded into the background, replaced by a visible sense of relief.

Karma kissed Iyika's neck and started to move towards her chest. "This is as moment we should have shared several months ago."

"At least..." Iyika replied in between deep breaths. She started pulling Karma's clothes off, button by slow button until her outer layer fell to the floor at her feet, shockingly Karma wasn't wearing much underneath the diplomat's outfit. Iyika's thumbs hooked around the straps of her bra pulling them down her arms, once her arms were free she started kissing her neck moving slowly down.

Her chin caught the bra pushing it down off her breasts, she kissed around Karma's left breast until she finally found her semi-hard nipple.

She had moved towards Iyika's lacy bra and efficiently worked to get that out of the way. Involuntarily arching in response to her lover's actions. For some reason Iyika always had a way of driving her incredibly wild. This time her hand worked on the remaining clothing in her way as she ran her hand followed by her lips down Iyika's chest.

For a moment Karma let her hands wander the waist band of the underwear that matched Iyika's bra. It was the only thing in her way now but she was going to take her time. Stepping back just enough to get a good view from head to toe.

She was intoxicating! It was the only word Iyika could think of at the time feeling Karma kissing and sucking on her breasts, she leaned against the wall her hands up above her head giving Karma complete access giving no resistance. Each touch was incredible, she'd waited far to long for this!

It went beyond just desire there was also a deep sense of need. Karma had waited far to long to enjoy those feelings. Already her body wanted more. She could sense no resistance which made her smile as one hand reached down to push the flimsy fabric out of the way enough to caress Iyika's nub before removing her panties totally.

Intoxicating didn't even begin to describe her current feelings as she let her hand continue its previous objective. This time Karma's touch was more sensuous and far more lingering than that hint only moments before.

"Mmmmm..." Iyika moaned looking down at Karma watching her arousing her even more, she spread her legs as wide as she could without falling leaning heavily against the wall, she could feel her every touch, her fingers lighting caressing her. She was in heaven and Karma was her angel.

Gently she helped Iyika to a more comfortable position, "You know you are driving me wild with burning desire." It didn't take a long detailed look to see Karma was visibly aroused as she continued to pleasure Iyika. The physical reaction she was getting from her partner showed that it wouldn't be very long before her task had been accomplished. "I've missed seeing those beautiful curves." her free hand caressed Iyika's thigh. "Don't hold out on me."

Each motion designed to get Iyika to comply to give into those urges Karma was sure her body wanted to release itself to.

Her hands reached out knocking over a vase on a nearby table, the vase smashed on the floor, Iyika smiled at the sight turning her eyes back to Karma. "That answer you?" she asked. Iyika's hearts were pounding in her chest, her gills opening and closing with the green layer of thin skin moving in and out of view covering her eyes, but she could see everything and soaked in Karma as her fingers rub against her. "What are you waiting for!?" she shouted sweat running down her neck in between her breasts.

"What are you holding back for?" she asked briefly as her lips kissed Iyika's stomach then further down. It was Karma's final move and she made sure her intentions were perfectly clear. Her hand continued its work on a very sensitive area just behind Iyika's wet and aroused sexual center.

"Oh god..." Iyika moaned her head rolling from side to side, she could feel her tongue licking her, her lips kissing her own, her fingers working their magic. Her whole body tensed and shivered at the same time, she didn't know how she had forgotten what this felt like. Her hands reached down grabbed her own breasts squeezing them, rubbing her nipples, she then reached down grabbing Karma's hair opening her legs wider. "That all you got...?" she asked playfully smiling down at her.

She intensified her motions until Karma finally drove her companion over that invisible edge. They continued until it was apparent Iyika was satisfied. Yet it was also clear it was time to switch roles for a change. To let that wondrous being beneath her do the same things to Karma unhindered.

Iyika rolled Karma over onto her front, 'Time for something different' Iyika thought running her hands along Karma's back, down over her ass squeezing them so she raised it into the air opening her legs, she could smell Karma's pussy glistening in the light. Iyika's tongue licked out entering inside her pushing past her lips under it entered inside her.

Iyika's touch in those areas made her shiver with delight. Then she felt something that had been missing for far too long. Briefly Karma wondered just how her mind could have blocked that out. "Mmm," the quiet response indicated Karma was enjoying it but Iyika still had a long way to go if her objective was to be totally successful.

Her hands continued squeezing her ass spreading her cheeks wide, she continued licking Karma's pussy savouring the taste and feel of licking the walls before finally pulling out, her hand reached down rubbing her, playing with her clit while the fingers of her other hand entered inside her. She kissed her ass cheeks moving from one to the other letting her tongue lightly touch her skin.

"Oh hmmmmm," she moaned rather audibly. So far Iyika had managed to find every single erogenous zone she could locate. Those sensations drove Karma into a near state of frenzy. "Come on..." now it was her turn to just enjoy. Offering absolutely no resistance to Iyika's actions.

She continued licking her and fingering her pussy tasting the juices that flowed out of her, she replaced her fingers with her tongue feeling the walls clamping down around her tongue while her fingers rubbed against her clit flicking it. She swiped back again sliding her fingers back into her aching cunt.

Her fingers were glistening with her juices, just what she wanted, they slid out from Karma's pussy only to be replaced by her other hands, the wet fingers ran up the crack of her ass stopped at her assring. Slowly she pressed her first finger down into her ass forcing it inside, Iyika pump Karma's cunt as she slid her finger deep into her ass.

With each motion Karma squirmed a bit more. "Iyika..." her tone indicated she wanted more as her body had been away from such sensations for far too long. The feel surpassed anything she could recall. As Iyika switched techniques the only thing she could do was let natural need drive those urges forward with great intensity.

She slid up underneath Karma rising up she started licking her out as her fingers slid in and out of her, she watched Karma's face as she cried out enjoying what she was doing, since she was enjoying it so much Iyika slid another finger into her cunt forcing it inside.

This caused her to let off a long, load moan of intense pleasure. Her body reacted to Iyika's every move as her hands moved to her own chest to play. "Ohhhh. You are so good."

Iyika smiled at the comment licking Karma's soaking cunt, her eyes looked up watching Karma's hands playing with her breasts, Iyika then looked back at her cunt with her fingers pumping in and out, she started to insert a second finger into Karma's ass forcing it inside. But once inside she started pumping her fingers in and out of her ass in opposite strokes to the fingers entering Karma's cunt.

Karma's reactions became more intense. This particular technique of Iyika's made her want to feel it more. Her audible pleasure followed in its wake as she allowed her partner to gather full enjoyment from the exchange.

Iyika opened her mouth rising up engulfing Karma's clit sucking on it flicking it with her tongue, she pushed hard, deeper into both Karma's ass and cunt, her arms were beginning to tire she didn't know how much more she could do this, but at the sight of Karma she was pretty sure she could last a little while longer.

That one threw Karma over a final edge. Its intensity surprised both Iyika and herself as well as its duration. Exhausted and rather weak from being in that position she finally collapsed to the floor. Breathing still visibly strained from their earlier activities.

Iyika climbed out from under Karma lying beside her resting her left arm running her fingers lightly along her spine down to the top of her crack before returning up her spine. "That's the hall down..." Iyika said smiling moving up to kiss Karma on the cheek which quickly turned to the two lovers kissing passionately tasting each others juices on their tongues. "Why don't we move to more comfortable seats to look over the data..."

"Good idea," Karma then started to laugh, "If I can actually make it off the floor. You have quite a unique way of exhausting me."

"Why thank you..." Iyika whispered close to her ear licking it biting her earlobe playfully before she finally pulled herself away, picking Karma up off the floor she carried her to towards the sofa in the living room.

"The datapad!" Karma shouted reaching behind Iyika at her coat lying in the middle of the hallway.

Sighing Iyika turned walking back to the coat she knelt down far enough for Karma to reach forward and grab the datapad, she groaned lifting her back up quickly carrying her over to the sofa almost crashing on top of it laughing together. "Your sexy when your all hot and sweaty..." Iyika whispered kissing Karma her hands cupping her breasts caressing them, smiling she pulled back, but first the data, Iyika teasingly ran her fingers up Karma's arm before grabbing the datapad.

She reached to the dataport in the table. "Computer download files from datapad, display first file." Iyika leaned back on the sofa beside Karma her left hand rubbing her thigh.

Then she looked at Iyika for a long moment, "You certainly have a way about you."

"I certainly do..." Iyika smiled sliding her left hand further down her thigh as she spoke to the computer. "Computer bring up holographic interface and upload first file." A large 3D image appeared in the living room hovering a foot above the table standing in front of them, a large ocean world suddenly appeared spinning on its axis.

'Location is Derron System the third planet of binary star system. High concentration of life forms.' the computer said.

"What do you think?" Iyika asked her hand moving further down as she asked smiling innocently.

Karma studied it as she felt Iyika's hand on her, "Not bad for a start. I'd like to find out more about it and look at other planet's to make a comparison. What do you think?"

"Well... the computer is ready and waiting..." Iyika said taking a deep breath relaxing on the sofa looking up at the planet. Her fingers lightly touched her bottom lips teasing her sliding a finger past lightly rubbing her still wet cunt.

She had the computer pull up the next planet. One located in a neighboring system to Derron. "Hmm," Karma was lost in thought as they studied this next planet but shifted a bit at Iyika's touch to allow her better access.

Iyika smiled her finger rubbing up and down Karma's cunt feeling her juices running over her finger. "Computer... display next planet..." A large orange planet suddenly appeared with raging storms all over the surface.

'Derakka, uninhabited world. Electric storms make entering planet's atmosphere highly dangerous, no known local life inhabit planet.' the computer said.

"Well that one won't work," Karma commented. "Computer next planet." Another beautiful ocean world known as Dakarra showed before them. It possessed lots of life and vegetation. The climate appeared to be mildly tropical.

"Still prefer the first myself..." Iyika whispered looking at Karma. "Try the next one..."

The next planet appeared before them a short time later, "So far I'm taken with that first one myself. But lets keep looking anyway." It was clear this decision didn't come easily for Karma by any means.

"Take all the time you want..." Iyika said sighing closing her eyes bringing her right hand up behind her head. "A decision like this will take time." Her left hand was still playing with Karma's pussy, rubbing her clit and teasing her hole.

She sighed, "Yes it will and this one has so many memories attached to it." Iyika could easily tell the tension that had built up within Karma each time those memories surfaced. A very strange feeling to try an regain her birthright. There was no resistance to Iyika's touch in fact it seemed that was the only thing keeping her from moving currently.

"We have plenty of time to go over the rest... take your time," Iyika knew this subject was both exciting and difficult for Karma, difficult because of the memories yet exciting to be finally getting somewhere. She could only imagine what Karma was going through and she was sure her imagination wasn't even close.

It had reached a point where she felt overwhelmed at least for now. Karma leaned back against the couch with a deep sigh as she closed her eyes in hopes of forgetting those darker things.

"Computer... shut down display..." Iyika said the holographic projector instantly shut down along with it the spinning planet. "Perhaps a nice hot bath would do you some good."

"Your not going to hear an argument Iyika," she responded quietly, "Anything that doesn't require too much thought is an excellent idea." There were clear indications that Karma really did need to relax a bit more with the recent strain of events taking its toll on her.

Iyika smiled rising up from the sofa offering her hand to Karma. "Shall we my dear?" she asked. "Computer run a hot bath... with cypress and ylang ylang."

'Settings confirmed...' the computer replied soon after.

She took Iyika's hand then carefully stood. "Lead the way since I assume you know the layout of this place better than I do presently." Karma laughed a bit as they moved towards the bathroom.

She lead them into the bathroom, a walk-in shower was to the right able to fit several people easily, the bath was to the left all along the right wall a perfect fit for two, which Iyika had installed the moment she had paid for the apartment. The bath was almost full to the brim, bubbles rose up with the steam coming off the hot water. "You bath awaits madam..." Iyika said lifting Karma's hand stepping to the side. "And latter if it pleases you... there will be massage oils waiting in the bedroom..."

"What did I say earlier about my official titles when its just us," she smiled the thought of a massage was just too enticing. Karma carefully stepped into that inviting water. "Your idea for latter is too good to pass up."

"Just what I was hoping for..." Iyika said smiling stepping up into the bath, her breath held in the back of her throat as the hot water ran up over her foot and leg, she slowly sank down letting the scents fill her nostrils and the feeling of the water rushing over her. "Ah..." she sighed. "... One of my better ideas I think..."

Karma smiled broadly as she glanced at Iyika, "No one of your excellent ideas I'd say." Her body reacted to the scents surrounding her and the water as it slowly began to ease itself of lots of hidden tension.

"Glad your enjoying it..." Iyika's head rested leaning back on the head rest closing her eyes, her hands vanished under the bubbles rubbing Karma's legs up as far as she could reach without moving from her position. "Mmmm..." Iyika moaned relaxing.

"Oh that's nice," Karma replied quietly as her hands found Iyika's hands. Without squishing her too much her position shifted to lean gently against that warm presence behind her.

---