"Guilty Propositions"
by Kaysa Zenarr
Zale Tregat
Dargus Kandran
with Commander Satar [NPC]
Location: Throntas Penal Colony, Tae'Karada
Date: Niothe 3, 4ABY

***

Being in the desert, there wasn't much water to go around, which meant no ice with which to make a compress to ease the pain and tenderness of her face. The bruising was still noticeable, but by far, Roba and his gang looked worse off. She ran her fingers lightly over the purple bruises along her cheek, which made her realize how truly close it had been that time. It was, however, precisely what she and Zale needed to get them actively seeking control of their unfortunate situation.

Every time she and Zale entered the courtyard, menacing glares and angry mutterings were directed at them by Roba and his men, but with one scathing look from Zale, they resumed their normal activities and made their displays of resentment less conspicuous. There hadn't been anymore close calls like that one, and with their refusal to be manipulated by Commander Satar and the other conspirators holding a grudge against them, Zale hadn't been challenged once in two days, and Kaysa felt almost confident that she could wander alone without the threat of being defiled. Still, though, the threat remained. Even walking across the small cafeteria, she could feel all eyes following her and quiet schemes being plotted, but she was confident now that none of them would come to fruition, not anymore...or so she hoped.

They needed to leave Throntas before the gangers were no longer intimidated by Zale's black, cold eyes, and gathered the courage to challenge him again. Freedom, however, still looked too far off in the distance. The evidence against them seemed to grow by the day, and so did their presumed guilt. There was still no sign of Shiv, and Merrick was sounding worse off every time she spoke with him. Kaysa desperately needed her freedom back so she could take control of things and repair the damage done by this obvious ploy to frame Zale and herself.

"How's the slop today?" she asked Zale with a resigned sigh. "Does it still taste like this place smells?"

"I think they added a new flavour into it today," Zale said with a grimace. "I haven't quite been able to determine what it is. I think it's the underside of Roba's mattress, but I can't be certain." He looked up at her and brushed a finger over her cheek. "The bruising looks like it's fading." He slid her chair out with his foot so she could sit directly in it without having to unburden the tray in her hands. "When I moved to this table, an entire group of Roba's thugs scattered like those birds in the park near my office. I think one guy almost tripped over his own feet."

Kaysa laughed as she swung her leg over the seat of the chair and planted herself down upon it. "It's a wonder what incapacitating a few gangers can do for our intimidation factor." She smiled wanly at Zale and reached over to brush her fingers along his lips. "You're not looking so battered today either. And your hair doesn't appear to have been pulled once today. I guess things are looking up for us."

"No," Zale said with a grin. "No hair pulling, but I'm afraid of what might happen once we get to nap time." He looked around, and all the gangers who'd been watching them quickly shifted their attention. "We still have to be careful though. They're leaving us alone now, but I have a feeling there's something in the works. I can't imagine they'd just give up like that. Well, whatever they have, we'll be ready for them."

"Together, and with my highly developed fighting skills - eye gouging included - they won't be much of a threat." Kaysa sat back in her chair with a laugh and picked up her spoon. As she dug it into the puddle of pink sludge that was their lunch, she saw something beneath it shift and quickly decided she wasn't as hungry as she'd thought. With a disgusted sigh, she put down her spoon and pushed her tray away. "I think I can afford to lose some weight...not that I have a choice with what they're feeding us." She looked up at Zale and whispered only for his ears, "Has...has Moril got any good news for us? Please tell me he has something..."

Zale nodded. "They're getting closer," he said. "They moved in to another moon, and they think she may be inside there. It's well guarded, and they're gathering the resources to mount an assault. If she's in there, they'll get her."

"And yet, we won't be there to greet her when she comes back." Kaysa closed her eyes and sank lower in her chair as her resolve began to weaken. "What about us? When is he getting us outta here, Zale?" She opened her eyes and gave a wry laugh. "Is that even a possibility anymore? The evidence... Unless it's proven false, our guilt is undeniable. Our word is worth shit, Zale. And with Commander Satar and the rest of the Imperial scum holding that tiny grudge against us...I think they'll be pushing for a death sentence."

Zale shook his head. "Imperial justice," he said. "We'll get out of here. If I have to I'll have Moril stage an assault. We'll be out of here for Shiv, Kaysa. I promise you we'll be there for her."

Before he could continue, a man wearing an Imperial officer's uniform appeared at their table. "Kaysa Zenarr," he said. "There is a visitor here for you."

Kaysa's gaze shifted from the man, to Zale. By the expression on his face, it appeared as if he too had no idea as to the identity of the visitor. "I...I'll be back," she said to him hesitantly. She stood slowly from her chair and eyed the officer warily as she started towards him. She stopped for a moment by Zale's side. With a tight smile, she placed her hand upon his shoulder and leaned over to whisper into his ear, "Now, you better lick that tray clean, young man, or you don't get dessert later."

Zale looked up at Kaysa and grinned. "I like dessert," he said.

***

Kaysa was led into another room similar to the one they'd been in the other day. She only had to wait a few moments before the door opened and Commander Satar entered. He motioned to one of the chairs and moved to the other side and sat down. He said nothing, and only watched her with a faint, smug grin.

Kaysa gritted her teeth, but suppressed the feral grin threatening to express her dislike of the man sitting before her. She crossed her arms over her chest and stared down at him with stubborn defiance. "Come to lecture me about my insolence the other day? You pushed; as far as I'm concerned, you deserved far worse than an accelerated heart beat and a few beads of sweat on that wrinkled brow of yours."

"I have come to tell you that new evidence may have been discovered in the case," Satar said. "However, the person with the evidence wishes to speak with you first before presenting it to us. Will you see him?"

"What?" Kaysa paced slowly towards the table and sat down into the free chair. "Who? Why isn't Zale here to see him? He deserves to be here too."

Satar frowned. "The information, according to our new witness, implicates Zale. I'm afraid he's been dragging you along with him the whole time. I'm afraid that the information will probably keep Zale Tregat in here for a very long time, as he deserves. Should I send him in? Or should I send him away?"

"Zale...no it's...it can't be." Kaysa stared blankly at her hands folded loosely atop the table. After all they'd been through, Kaysa refused to believe Zale had anything to do with Rennor's murder. But, some things were far more than coincidence. The chance meeting at the bar with Shiv, the alleyway that dark, fateful night when he picked her up off the ground and took her back to his apartment to offer her the world and more.

The one detail that tied it all together was it had all happened after her engagement to Rennor, and the most important factor was the spaceport. She knew of Zale's desire to buy ownership of it from Rennor, but he was adamant against selling. Murdering him and seducing his fiancée was the one sure way to get it. "No," she said to herself irritably. She refused to believe that his professions of love were false, and she could do nothing to deny the feelings she'd developed for him. They were in this together, and she wouldn't abandon him now. She refused to let Satar manipulate her; together, they were supposed to conquer them all.

With a heavy sigh, Kaysa turned her gaze to Satar. "Bring him in. I want to hear what this man has to say, although I'm beginning to think it's just a ploy to turn Zale and I against eachother. Still...I'd like to determine that for myself."

Satar nodded. "Very well," he said. "He requested to meet you alone, but I will have guards outside. If you need anything, that comm on the wall will alert me immediately." Without another word, Kaysa was left alone in the room again.

Ten minutes passed and the door finally opened again. A man wearing a heavy, black cloak stepped into the room. Once the door closed behind him, he pulled the cowl down. "Good afternoon, Kaysa Zenarr," he said. "My name is Dargus Kandran...and you look like you've just seen a ghost."

"Oh gods..." Kaysa flew from her chair, knocking it to the ground with a clatter. She kept her hand firmly planted upon the table as she scrambled backwards towards the other side of the small room. "No...no no no! You're...oh gods..." She yelped as her back flattened against the far wall, making it clear that there was no escape from the wraith of Dargus Kandran standing before her. He was the vilest brute she'd ever known, and as she gazed into his depthless, black eyes and his malignant, twisted smile, all thoughts that it was a trick and this was merely a clone, vanished. "What...what do you want with me? You're dead...you're..."

"Alive," Dargus said with a smile. "I was able to make it free of my ship before it was completely destroyed, and I live to tell the tale...as well as extract my revenge." At the sudden panic in her eyes, he laughed. "Not you, Kaysa. However, you do possess something I want. I will submit the evidence I possess, and you will be released. In doing so, the block on Rennor Karradas' will will be released, and you will be named as his sole benefactor. All assets and holdings will be yours. Of that, I only want a small part: the spaceport." Dargus smiled. "Would you like to be free of this hell?"

"What? You...you did all this for the spaceport?" A low, wild laugh rose in Kaysa's throat until it finally broke free and filled the room. "You framed me and Zale Tregat for the fucking spaceport!?" Kaysa's laughter died and she rushed towards Dargus with a hiss. "You bastard! You're not getting anything from me. Zale and I are already taking measures to prove the evidence against us is false. We don't need you. Once we're out of here, the spaceport will be mine, and even if we don't get out of here, you'll never get the spaceport. It'll be handed over to the Imps at which point you'll never be able to touch it."

"First of all, I didn't orchestrate this little spectacle," Dargus said. "I am merely capitalizing on your misfortune. There's a difference. Now, I recommend you reconsider. And, if you do reconsider and agree to those terms, I have a prize for you that is probably worth ten of that spaceport." He pulled a small device from beneath his cloak and held it out in front of him. He pressed a button, and a small hologram flared to life.

Seated at the base of a throne, Shiv sat. She was unclothed save the collar at her throat and a chain leading off toward the throne. After a moment, a second hologram entered the image. It was Dargus, and he was wearing only a pair of pants. As he began pulling the pants down, the real Dargus shut down the recording.

"Half the spaceport, and you get your freedom and Maeren Shivral. Or you can rot in here with Zale Tregat while I disappear with your little treasure."

A tortured shriek was torn from Kaysa's throat at the sight of her poor girl. Before her cry cut out, Kaysa was lunging at Dargus in a mad flight. "You bastard! You fucking bastard!" Her balled up hands pounded on his chest as she continued spitting curses at him. "You took her from me! You son of a bitch!"

With a growl, Dargus caught Kaysa's wrists. "I wouldn't say that I took her," he snapped. "She was a gift from a friend of yours. Now, I am offering to give her back to you if you're willing to listen, willing to cooperate with me. If you continue this childish behaviour, I'll just add her as a permanent member of my stable of sex slaves, and alter my plans. Now, do you want her back? Or is our business here concluded?"

Kaysa tried to wrench her wrists free from Dargus' grasp, but she gave up the struggle and calmed herself for a moment to consider what he was saying. "Vrax...he brought her to you, didn't he? That cur..." She looked up at Dargus with a scowl and finally managed to push away from him. "Of course I want Shiv back. I think you were relying on that to get precisely what you wanted. No matter how much I love that girl, though..." She shook her head slowly and with a sigh, she sank into the one chair she hadn't overturned. "I can't...I won't give you the entire spaceport. No one, not even you should have that much power. Besides, it's rightfully mine, Kandran. I came up with the original scheme to get it off Rennor. I should reap some of the benefits, don't you think?"

Dargus grinned. "Half is sufficient to my needs. So it's a deal then? Once I legally own my half of the spaceport, you will have Shiv back. For now though, she is on the planet and you may visit with her as long as you wish. I still have enough influence in New Plouton to expedite the proceedings that will grant you the spaceport and Karradas Industries. I predict that all will be completed by the end of the week, and Shiv will be allowed to return to you free of my influence. If we have our deal, then I will alert Commander Satar at once."

"Wait..." Kaysa looked up at Dargus and gave him a wary smile, only to hide her fears and anxieties. "How do I know the girl's even alive still? How do I know that once I transfer partial ownership of the spaceport to you, you won't just kill her? You're not the most trustworthy man, Kandran. Give me a reason to trust you."

"If you agree to do this, I give my information to Satar, and then you're a free woman. You could walk out of this scum-ridden oven in ten minutes. I will then take you to the apartment I have rented in New Plouton where Maeren waits for you. I will give you that much. You will be able to see with your own eyes that she is alive. All you have to do is make the agreement, and you will be able to hold her in your arms again. Or you could just say no, and I'll leave you to your life."

"You bastard, you know I can't refuse something like that. We're not all cold and completely unfeeling like you are." Kaysa sighed deeply and closed her eyes. It wasn't the fact that she mistrusted Dargus that was making her reluctant to accept his offer, it was that she would become a free woman, while Zale desiccated behind the prison walls of Throntas. If it had been any other time and if her feelings for him had been nothing like they were now, she wouldn't have hesitated to leave him behind. They were supposed to be a team; together they would repel the gangs and become supreme. Now, she was considering leaving him behind to fend for himself.

But Dargus offered her freedom and Shiv. If it had been freedom alone, she would have refused instantly, but adding Shiv to the deal was something she couldn't turn down. With Shiv back in her life, she would be strong again, and with her freedom, she had the means to find a way to clear Zale's name. It would kill her to leave him behind, and she would worry every moment about what new horror he was facing, but the choice had to be made.

"I get Shiv, you get half the spaceport. You clear my name of this murder and gimme your word that this is the last time you intrude upon my life and the lives of anyone even remotely connected to me. That means Zale Tregat too. I assume this deal doesn't include him. That is why he's not present right now...am I correct?"

"That's correct," Dargus said. "He's my competition, and the leading competitor at that. This is a one-way ticket to get you out of here. He'll have to find his own way, I'm afraid. Then, are we agreed?"

Kaysa let out a sharp breath through her nose and nodded her head slowly. "Fine. You'll get what you want, but before I go, I wanna speak to Mr. Tregat." Kaysa raised her hand to silence the protest forming on his lips, then smiled at him tightly. "I won't tell him a thing, okay? I just want to give my lover a last goodbye kiss. He is going to be in here for quite a long time and I just thought before those grubby men get their hands on that beautiful body of his, that I'd at least get a chance to feel him up one last time."

"Very well," Dargus said with a nod. "I'll go make arrangements with Commander Satar, and I'll have a guard bring Mr. Tregat to you here."

With a nod, Dargus left Kaysa alone in the room. Ten minutes later, Zale entered looking perplexed. He looked around and noted the lack of guards or officers inside. "What's going on, Kaysa? What are they doing?"

"Zale...sit down." She looked up at with a grave expression and before he could pick up the fallen chair and take a seat, she flew into his arms. "Oh gods... Oh gods, I don't know if I can do this, Zale. I don't wanna do this without you."

Zale's arms quickly circled Kaysa and held her close. "I don't know what you're talking about, Kaysa," he said. "What's happening? What's going on?" He led her over to the table, and tried to sit with her there, but he couldn't bring himself to release her from his arms.

Kaysa pressed her lips to Zale's neck and kissed him desperately, not certain if she'd ever be able to touch his flesh with her lips ever again. "I-I don't wanna go...but I have to." She gazed up at him with tears washing over her eyes and spilling down her cheeks. "I'm so sorry. I promised we'd be in this together... I'm so sorry, Zale, but I do promise that I'll come back for you. I'm not leaving you in here, dammit. I'll come back for you and we can be together again. Please don't hate me. Please, just don't hate me."

A look of confusion crossed over Zale's features. "What's happened, Kaysa? What's going on? Where are you going? Please tell me what's going on!" He held her to him and returned her kisses feverishly. "What's happening, Kaysa?"

"I'm getting out, Zale!" The long, still silence that ensued was enough to give Kaysa time to gather her resolve and keep from breaking down into a crying, sopping heap. "Zale...they're pinning it on you," she said gently. "I can't tell you all the particulars but...they made me a deal and I'm getting out, but they're making you take the fall for the whole thing." She sobbed bitterly and quickly tightened her embrace around Zale. "Oh gods...don't hate me. You don't know the rest, Zale and I can't tell you yet. If you knew, you'd understand."

Zale's features hardened, but there was a softness in his eyes. The eyes that had been so guarded for so long were open to her now. "Be safe, Kaysa," he said, and then kissed her. "If they let me, I want to at least use some of my comm time to talk to you. If that's okay with you. I don't think I could do it in here without at least hearing your voice." He kissed her again, clinging desperately to her. "You'll be safe away from here, Kaysa. Good. And, I'll be able to protect myself better. I won't have to worry about making sure you're safe. And, I'll only have to watch my own back." He held her to him and then pulled away to look into her eyes. "I love you, Kaysa. And, I'm very happy you'll be out of here."

"No! No, don't be, Zale. I never wanted to leave you, but I had no choice." She clung to him desperately and kissed the exposed portion of his chest peeking through the partially zipped coverall he wore. "I don't wanna leave you...I can't leave you on your own in here. I have to, though. I wish I could tell you, but I can't now; not yet." She looked up at him with a rueful smile and sorrow spilling from her eyes like tears, then brushed a hand along his cheek. "I said I won't abandon you and I haven't. Out there, I'm gonna do everything I can to get your name cleared. I'll work with Moril! Together, we can get you outta here, Zale. Oh gods...oh gods please be safe. I...I can't bear to lose you."

"I'll be safe," he said softly. "I promise. Maybe I can get a special privilege so you can comm me every day. That way you know I'm safe. That way you don't have to worry." Zale reached up and zipped his coverall down farther, giving Kaysa more access to his chest. "We'll make this work. Somehow, we'll do it, Kaysa. Somehow we'll make it work."

She smiled solemnly at Zale, and ran her hand along the chest he so kindly exposed further for her. "I just...these few days we've been together in here have been the happiest we've had together. I don't want that to end, Zale." She sobbed again and buried her teary face into his bare chest. "I don't want you to get hurt, or die... Who will be there to help you kick Roba's ass? Who will be there to kick those horny men in the balls? I want to be there, Zale. I want to be there with you."

"Maybe I'll have to pull their hair," Zale said with a grin. "You've got a ticket out of here, Kaysa. You have to take it. Help Moril find Shiv and be there when he gets her out. At least one of us will be there. I'll make it out of here. I've survived in worse places than this; and if I need to, I'll have a weapon smuggled in for me. I'll make it, Kaysa. I'll live, believe me I'll live. The time we've had together has been too short, and I'm definitely not ready to see that come to an end. We've got more time together. We've got more to do together. This will all be over soon."

Kaysa reluctantly pulled herself from Zale's arms, then ran her fingers through his long, braided hair. "I'm gonna comm you everyday, Zale. I'll even make those cute kissy noises for you." She laughed softly as she brought her hand back to his chest, then slipped her other one into his. "When I get you the hell outta here and if...if things do change between us when we get back to our regular lives, I want you to know that... Just know that you're a better person than you may think you are. You have a heart and your eyes light up when you laugh...just like a regular person." Kaysa brought his hand up to her lips, and with a gentle smile, she kissed it tenderly. After a moment of gazing into his eyes, she took his hand and placed it over her heart. "You've gotta be someone special to be able to capture Kaysa Zenarr's heart, Zale. You damn fool..." She laughed softly to herself and shook her head slowly. "I love you."

"Knowing that, I think I could survive anything," Zale said, and then pulled Kaysa into his arms and kissed her. "I'll make it in here. When I get out of here, and I will get out of here, I want to show you that it's worth it. Our love, our lives are worth that together. My heart is yours, Kaysa, now and always."

"And even moreso when I get you outta here. I will, Zale. I'll focus all my energies on that one goal." Pressing her lips to his again, Kaysa pleaded with the gods above to just slow time enough so that she could savour the moment. But the tender kiss was interrupted by the door quickly opening and an officer ordering Kaysa to prepare for transport away from the facility. In a moment of desperation, she clung to Zale and whimpered piteously into his chest. "I wish I could take you with me. Oh gods, Zale...sleep with one eye open. Or...or don't sleep at all. Just think of me and all of the wild sex I'm gonna give you when I get you outta here."

Zale kissed her, with longing and passion like he never thought he'd feel...though he knew the only person he could ever feel that for would be Kaysa. "When we're back together, I'll teach you all about the shac'tae. And, we'll make love for an entire night. I love you, Kaysa. I'll get out of here. I'll be safe. We'll be together again!"

"Come on, break it up you two," the officer called again. "The transport leaves in five and if you're not on it, you're not going anywhere."

Kaysa looked up at Zale one final time and more than ever was determined to get him out of that prison. "I'll see you soon and then you can take me shopping for some new clothes." She winked at him and laughed as she slipped from his embrace and backed away towards the door. "Don't stay out in the sun too long because you'll burn. And...and remember to wash behind your ears." The Imp grumbled as she backed into him, and with his hand gripping her arm, he was forced to drag her out the rest of the way. "And don't stick your finger up your nose because...it'll get stuck! I...I love you, Zale!" she cried out as she was pulled along into the corridor. "I'll see you soon!"

Zale followed to the doorway, laughing and waving. Before Kaysa was out of sight, he blew her a kiss...and then on impulse, unzipped his coverall the rest of the way and gave her a peek at what awaited her when she managed to get him free.

---

"A Sort of Homecoming"
by Kaysa Zenarr
Dargus Kandran
Maeren Shivral
Merrick Braston
Location: New Plouton, Tae'Karada
Date: Niothe 3, 4ABY

***

For the duration of the trip, Kaysa couldn't keep herself from chewing nervously at her fingernails. In the clean, sterile surroundings of the hovercar kindly provided by Dargus Kandran, she realized how truly awful she smelled. It wasn't just the sweat, but the rest of the festering odours from the prison that had seeped into her coverall and stuck there like the slop they were fed that just sat in your stomach for days. He had offered to drop her off at the apartment to change into some decent clothing, but she refused adamantly. She'd waited weeks to see her Shiv again, and no amount of putrid smells were going to deter her from wrapping her arms around her girl.

As the hovercar came to a stop, the men Dargus had sent to escort her opened the doors and pushed their way through. Kaysa, on the other hand, jumped out of the car and flew to the outer doors of the complex. She was held back by Dargus' men, who each placed a hand on her shoulder, and although she had the urge to knee them both in the groin, for the chance to see Shiv, she endeavoured to be on her best behaviour.

The trip up the elevator seemed to drag on for all eternity, and once the doors slid open upon the top floor, Kaysa could wait no longer. She slipped from the hold of her escorts and flew down the foyer of Dargus' penthouse apartment. There were doors everywhere, and in desperation and anticipation, Kaysa flew down the corridor in a mad sprint. "Shiv!" She cried out at the top of her lungs as she banged on every door in the foyer, hoping one of them would lead to her girl. "Shiv! Where are you?!"

"Kaysa!?" came the cry from behind one of the doors. "Oh gods, Kaysa! I'm in here! I'm in-- ow! Kaysa! Oh gods, here I am! I can't leave! Oh please! Please Kaysa!"

"Shiv!" Kaysa shrieked. "Keep talking, my love! I'll find you!" Kaysa started back down the foyer and rapped frantically on every door she came into contact with. As she cocked back her arm to administer a severe rapping to one of the doors, it slowly slid open to reveal the tall, menacing figure of the man she'd quickly grown to despise. With a low growl, Kaysa stepped back and shot him a seething gaze. "Where is she, you bastard?"

Dargus put on a pensive look and then shook his head as if he couldn't remember. "Now which room did I put her in?" He looked around, and then back into the room behind him. "Oh...will you look at that? Why there she is now." He stepped past Kaysa so she could see into the room, where Shiv knelt on the bed. She was completely naked except for a collar around her throat. Affixed to the collar was a chain that appeared to be fastened to the headboard of the bed. She was quiet now, at Dargus' command, but her eyes shone with her excitement and love. Her body shook with barely contained glee. As she saw Kaysa standing there before her, tears suddenly sprang into her eyes and cascaded down her cheeks.

Forcing back the urge to fly into Shiv's arms, Kaysa looked back at Dargus and said in a low whisper, "Take that fucking thing off her, now. She's not your slave anymore, Kandran. She's no one's slave. Free her now and you can have your share of the spaceport."

Dargus smiled, then stepped forward and removed the collar from Shiv, as he did, he kissed her throat, making sure his lips brushed the brand he'd placed there. "You were a very good slave," he said. "I am sad to be losing you now."

"Fuck you," Shiv rasped, and then flew from the bed and into Kaysa's arms. "Oh gods, Kaysa. Oh, I love you so much. I knew you'd save me. I knew I'd get to come back to you. Oh gods! Oh I love you, Kaysa! I dreamt of you every night!"

Kaysa desperately wanted to keep herself from showing Dargus any emotion he would deem weakness, but holding her girl in her arms again, and hearing her sweet, musical voice was more than she could bear. "Oh gods...Shiv!" She kissed her fervently on the lips, cheek, and throat, stopping there once her eyes glanced upon the horrifying sight before her. She looked up slowly at Shiv, then gently brushed her fingers across the monogram embedded into her neck. He'd branded her like a herd of nerfs, but he'd be punished for that, just as he would be every other horrible thing he'd done to Shiv, when her plan took flight. She smiled gently at Shiv, and once again ran her fingers lightly over the scars. "We can have that removed. I'll take care of everything, Shiv. I'll take care of you, my love. Everything's gonna be alright again. You're with me, and nothing will ever harm you again."

"Oh gods, Kaysa, it's so...oh gods you are so beautiful. I missed you so much. But we're together again. Oh gods Kaysa, I can't believe you're here. I can't believe... I want to go home. I want to curl up with you and sleep for a week and just feel your arms around me." Shiv brushed her fingers over Dargus' brand, and then smiled at Kaysa. "It's all going to be okay now."

"It is, Shiv. You don't know how hard Merrick and I searched for you...how hard Zale searched for you." Kaysa could resist no longer and pressed her lips firmly to Shiv's. She embraced her tenderly and allowed the suppressed tears to fall gently. With her lips to Shiv's ear now, she whispered for her, and only her, "Shiv...my girl...you don't know how much I've missed you...how much I love you."

At Kaysa's words, Shiv's body tensed slightly, and then a slight trembling ran through her. Her embrace tightened slightly, and then she let out a stifled giggle. She pulled back to look at Kaysa with tears shining in her eyes too. Shiv's grin shone as her eyes clearly displayed her love. "I love you," she whispered again. "Oh gods, Kaysa, I love you so much." With that she flew back into the warmth of Kaysa's arms and gleefully sobbed. "I want to go home, Kaysa. I want to go home now and be with you and Merrick."

"And we will, Shiv, but...but I have some things to take care of first." She searched Shiv's glossy eyes for a moment, then kissed her tenderly. She never wanted to be without her girl again and if she had to shackle her arm to Shiv's just to keep her by her side, she would. "Now, why don't you go grab one of those nice silk sheets from the evil Dargus Kandran's bed while I have a little chat with him, then we can go, Shiv, you and I, together."

Shiv grinned up at Kaysa, her eyes filled with love. After one more kiss, she hurried over to the bed and started gathering up one of the sheets.

While she did, Dargus approached Kaysa. "Don't worry," he said, "I won't charge you for the sheets. Did you want to have our chat in the other room?"

Kaysa looked past him to Shiv and decided for her sake, it was best not to get her involved in the terms of her release. It was time to start protecting Shiv so she never had to worry about losing her again. "Let's go to the other room," she said quietly. "I don't want to ruin our happy reunion by having her see me angry."

Dargus gave Kaysa a knowing grin, and then indicated that Kaysa should go first. "Oh, I'm quite certain she'd understand," he said. "But, perhaps it is best if we have this little talk without her around." Once they were in the other room, Dargus mixed himself a drink and then took a long swallow from it. "Now, my half of the spaceport..."

"You'll get your half, Dargus." Kaysa sauntered slowly into the room and played with the zipper of her coverall idly. "I'm certain you've already spoken to the executor of Rennor's will on behalf of his fiancée...me. All assets have been reverted to me, by now. I'll draw up the contract later in the day and send it to you in the morning. Is that soon enough for you?"

Dargus nodded. "That will be fine," he said. "I'll make sure you have my comlink frequency here in New Plouton. I will endeavour to make this partnership as amicable as possible, but I must caution you to stay out of my way."

Kaysa shot him a seething glare and laughed dryly. "Don't threaten me, Kandran. You've intruded upon my life, framed me for a murder I never committed, abducted my lover, and now you're dealing out threats?" She stopped before Dargus' desk and calmly flattened her hands atop it. "Listen to me, Kandran," she said in a quiet, steady voice. "I'm not the kind of woman you want to fuck with. I'm one ruthless bitch and I've concocted crimes far more vile, and even more brilliant than your feeble mind could ever conjure. My only mistake in this, was I sort of developed a heart and conscience. If I hadn't fallen in love, the spaceport would be mine entirely and you'd be on my doorstep begging to own even a scrap of it."

With an airy sigh, Kaysa stood tall again and smiled slyly at Dargus. "Now, you may think that I've gone weak - as my associate has most likely stated to you - but the bitch still lives inside me and when she's roused, she's trouble. If you don't want trouble, Kandran, don't rouse the bitch and certainly don't fuck with Kaysa Zenarr. I know how low your opinion is of the female sex, but I'm no ordinary female and believe me, you don't want firsthand knowledge of that. It's a painful lesson and although you may have survived that firey explosion, you wouldn't survive a round with me. Stay away from me, Kandran, and stay away from Shiv. Are you understanding this? Please, for your sake, tell me you are."

"As long as you give me no reason to come after you, then I will stay away. And, I strongly recommend that you stay away from me as well. I may have nearly died, but I am stronger than I ever was before. I have plans for this planet, which is why I'm not just taking what I want. You scorch your enemy's earth, not your own. However, keeping this planet intact is merely because I like it here." He leaned closer to her. "Don't make this place unpleasant for me." He stood back, set his glass on the bar and then moved toward the door. "You have your girl back, tomorrow I'll have my half of the spaceport. Now, I'm certain Maeren would like to be as far from me as possible..."

Hiding her mischievous smile, Kaysa turned for the door and stalked towards it. "Hope you had fun with her, Kandran, because that's the last time you'll get anywhere near her." She stopped in the doorway and glanced sideways at Dargus. He felt daring enough to threaten her now, but he would soon find out Kaysa Zenarr wasn't merely a businesswoman or worthy competitor. Behind the silky smile, she was anyone's nightmare manifested. With a gentle sigh, she ran her finger along Dargus' arm. "It's been a pleasure, Dargus. It's always nice to be defeated by a worthy opponent." She leaned in closer to his black clad body and brushed her lips lightly against his. "I hope to play again soon," she whispered silkily.

Dargus closed what little distance remained between them in an instant and pulled her into a tight embrace. His lips pressed to hers and kissed her passionately. His appetite was insatiable, though he knew just by looking at her that she could come very close to quenching it. He didn't figure she'd ever give him the chance, but he'd take as much as she'd let him.

Kissing Dargus, Kaysa's hunger to destroy him was fed even more. He thought himself suave and clever, but she would show him that he wasn't crafty enough to outcompete Kaysa Zenarr. Gently laughing, Kaysa pulled away from Dargus then sighed deeply. "Oh, it's too bad I despise you, Kandran. We could have had so much fun together."

Dargus smiled at her as he let his eyes feast on her body. "Well, I never let my feelings for a person get in the way of some good, primal sex," he said. "Why don't you and I slip into one of the other rooms? I'm sure Maeren will wait quite obediantly for you."

"Sorry, Dargus. I never conclude business matters with sex. It creates so many complications." Kaysa shot Dargus a lopsided grin and turned on her heel as she started into the foyer. "Don't worry, Shiv and I can find our own way out. I don't mean to sound ungrateful, Dargus," Kaysa said as she looked back at him, "but screw you."

Dargus gave her a charming smile. "That was the idea," he said. "Are you sure I can't convince you? How about a bet? If I make you scream, you give me one million credits. If I don't make you scream, then I give you one million credits."

"Sorry, Dargie. I'd rather take the ten million one of the other local crimelords offerred me, and all I had to do was lift my skirt." She stepped into the doorway of the bedroom to retrieve Shiv, but stopped for a moment and grinned at Dargus. "It's a shame, though. I've been told I have a beautiful scream. If you don't believe me, I'm sure Zale Tregat will be happy to verify that for you." With only a wink and throaty laugh, Kaysa disappeared from sight and into the bedroom, giving Dargus time to deal with her rejection.

When she appeared in the doorway, Shiv bounded off the bed with her sheet fluttering behind her. She pulled Kaysa into the sheet with her, and kissed her fiercely. "If it weren't for the fact that this place belongs to Dargus, I'd close the door and make love to you right here. I want to go home, Kaysa. I want to get away from him, and just be with you. Oh gods, Kaysa, you love me. You really love me now!" Tears formed in her eyes again as she gazed up at Kaysa happily. "I never thought it would happen, but now that it did it feels better than I ever thought it could."

Kaysa pressed her cheek to Shiv's and almost came to tears as she ran her fingers lightly over her girl's silky flesh. "Oh gods...I've missed you, Shiv. I wanted to tell you, before you left, how much I loved you, but I was a damn coward. I've wanted to tell you for some time, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. But you know now, and I want you to always know that I love you. You bring light to my life, Shiv and when you left, I almost crumbled. It was the hope that someday you'd come back to me that kept me alive." She brushed her lips against Shiv's cheek as she brought her eyes forward and gazed deeply into Shiv's. "Zale gave me that hope, Shiv. You don't know what lengths he's gone to to find you. He feels so horrible about what he did. There's so much I have to tell you, Shiv, but not here, not now."

"I'll have to thank him," Shiv said with a smile. "And, I'll have to let him know that things are okay now since he tried to find me." She kissed Kaysa. "Let's go home, my love. I need to catch up on snuggle time."

"We can start in the hovercab." Kaysa pulled back from Shiv and smiled warmly as she wrapped the silk sheets tightly around her. She tugged gently on them as she started backwards out of the room. "When we get home, we're gonna run a nice, warm bath and then all three of us are gonna jump in there and Merrick and I will pleasure you beyond belief."

Shiv smiled dreamily. "If it weren't for the worry and fear and loneliness and the fact that I never want to be away from you again, I'd say I should get abducted more often to get that sort of treatment," Shiv said with a grin. "But, I imagine we can even without the hardship. Me, you, and Merrick will have to do a lot more loving than we were able to get in before...everything." She kissed Kaysa. "I'm so glad to be back in your arms again."

"And you don't know how many nights I've laid awake thinking of this moment." A gentle tug pulled Shiv into the elevator with her and into her arms. "I'm gonna make Dargus pay for this, Shiv, I promise," she whispered. "He won't get away with it and when I get Zale out of-- When I get Zale, Dargus is gonna wish he hadn't screwed with us."

Shiv smiled and kissed Kaysa. "I want to help," she said in a fierce whisper. "He never hurt me, just the brand and the tattoo. But he gave me to Vrax sometimes...and I want to make him pay..."

Kaysa felt her body wilt and her heart lurch at Shiv's admission. She'd known from Zale's reports that Vrax was involved and most likely taking advantage of the opportunity to take out his hatred for Shiv directly on the girl. Kaysa had sent Shiv away to protect her from just that, and despite her efforts, Vrax had gotten to her still. "Oh, my girl," Kaysa said in a choked whisper. "I'm...I'm so sorry. He'll be the first to suffer, I promise. For you, my love, we'll find him and he will pay. He'll never hurt you again. Never again." She pulled Shiv into a tender embrace and kissed her head gently. "Together, we'll make them all pay, and together, we'll be stronger than ever."

"Knowing I'd get to come back to you someday, to have you hold me, and...and tell me you loved me... I don't think I would have survived without that. That and the drug Dargus used on me to make me...compliant. But it's over now. It's over and they're going to pay. I want Vrax to die very slowly."

"Don't...don't think about that now, Shiv. Just be happy, for now. He'll be taken care of and you won't even have to bloody your hands." Kaysa held Shiv close and brushed her lips against Shiv's. "For now, just think about how excited Merrick's gonna be to see you."

Shiv giggled and kissed Kaysa. "So excited to have both of us with him again," she said. "Maybe it's just because I've been gone, but I think you got more beautiful while I was away. And, it could be just because I'm back now, but you seem happier and more content. Like you found something."

"Well, I have, Shiv," she said softly. She ran her hand along Shiv's cheek and smiled. "I found you again. What else could make me this happy?"

"Getting me into bed and making wild passionate love together," Shiv said dreamily, "and then just holding each other. I missed hearing your voice, and smelling you. When you spend time with Dargus, you notice things. You smell wonderful, and he stinks like he plays with banthas."

The lift finally reached the bottom floor of the building and deposited Kaysa and Shiv into the lobby. Still in Kaysa's arms, they moved out to the edge of the street to wait for a hovercab. Shiv pulled the sheet covering her body tighter as a gentle breeze blew up the street. "Would you believe it'll be nice to actually wear clothes again?"

Kaysa feigned a surprised look for Shiv, then gave a short laugh. "I hope you don't insist upon wearing any to bed. It would make what I've got planned for you a little difficult to carry out." Kaysa smoothed her hands over Shiv's hips to give her a small sample of the delights she was going to bestow upon Shiv, when a cab slowed to a halt in front of them. Kaysa moved to open the door for Shiv, and picked up the train of her sheet so it wouldn't drag. Once they were both seated, she asked the driver to take them to their new apartment in Yelldon. As the driver began heading down the street, Kaysa quickly stopped him, then looked to Shiv with a mischievous smile. "You know, I think I'd rather surprise Merrick, how 'bout you? He's not at the apartment and we never have done it in his dressing room..."

Shiv grinned. "I've always wanted to have sex in a big star's dressing room," she said, and then giggled. "I want to do that. Let's go there and surprise him. I want to see the look on his face when we..." She looked at the driver and then giggled again. "When we surprise him."

Kaysa nodded quickly as she tapped on the driver's arm. "White Noise, please. And fast before we're unable to control ourselves back here." With a shake of his head and a grumble, the driver turned around and set out in the opposite direction. "Too bad neither of us are wearing panties...we could have thrown him some as a surprise."

Shiv giggled and kissed Kaysa. "We could throw my sheet at him. I bet he'd like that. And, it'd definitely let him know why we're there. Not that he'd ever not get that. And, even if he didn't get it, I think he'd understand once we pinned him to the ground and ripped his clothes off." She slipped into Kaysa's embrace and sighed softly. She felt her tears starting again as once again the pure joy of being back with Kaysa hit her. No more nightmares, no more Dargus. Just Kaysa and Merrick. "I want to stay in bed with you all day tomorrow."

"Then tonight, while you're asleep with Merrick, I'll take care of some business I must see to. This way, you'll have me all to yourself tomorrow." She pressed her lips to the top of Shiv's head and soothingly rubbed her back. It was almost as if Shiv had never gone away, but in that short time she had been missing, Kaysa realized how much she truly appreciated the girl, and that never again would she take advantage of her for anything. "I saw that picture you made of me in your studio. Promise me you'll finish it, Shiv. I want to sit for you while you draw me."

Shiv looked up into Kaysa's eyes and felt a burst of giddy laughter rising in her. "Oh I'd love to, Kaysa! I want to so much. I know just the perfect place to do it too. And, I want to do one of you and Merrick too." She grinned again. "And, Zale. I should do one of Zale too!"

Kaysa tried to conceal her grave smile by looking towards the window, but even in the reflection she could see the sadness looming there. "He'd really love that, Shiv. He'll be so happy to know you've forgiven him. You don't know how hard he's fought to get you back. He cares for you, even though sometimes he has a strange way of expressing that affection." She turned back to Shiv and kissed her lightly upon the forehead. "For now, though, your time is with Merrick and I. We can bother Zale some other time, alright?"

Shiv smiled and settled back into Kaysa's embrace. "Just you and Merrick," she said. "You're the most important ones in my life, so you have to come first. But, Zale's important too. You're not still mad at him, are you?" It wasn't so much a question, but a statement.

Kaysa laughed and shook her head. "No. Zale and I kinda...worked things out." A small grin curled Kaysa's lips as she thought back to how many times they made up in prison. She didn't quite feel reconciled yet, and knew she'd have to spend more time attempting to do so once Zale was freed.

As the White Noise came into view, Kaysa straightened up in her seat and shook Shiv excitedly. "Look! Are you sure you don't mind walking through there with only a sheet on?"

Shiv giggled. "This is me, Kaysa," she said, and then kissed her love firmly on the lips. "I'll be fine, just as long as no one steps on my feet."

"I'll trample them with mine if they do." When the hovercab halted before the doors of the White Noise, Kaysa quickly pushed the door open and flew out. "If you speak to a guy named Chrik," she said hastily to the driver, "he'll pay for the cab. Come on, Shiv!" In all her excitement, Kaysa nearly tugged Shiv's sheet off, but managed to pull her out of the cab still fully wrapped. With shared giggles, they hurried up the stairs of the club and burst through the doors. "Should we knock on his door or just break it down?"

Shiv looked at Kaysa and considered for a moment. "Break it down," she said. "I don't think he needs a chance to react before we pounce on him. I think he'll like this much better. I'll tackle him and start kissing him, and you work at getting his clothes off."

"Great!" Kaysa and Shiv rushed past Chrik, whose raspy voice was about to raise a protest. "Go pay the cabby," she hollered to him as they moved to the backstage door. Stifling a laugh, Kaysa placed her forefinger to her lips. This would be a surprise Merrick would never forget and there was no way they were going to ruin it. They skulked towards his dressing room door and Kaysa mouthed a silent countdown. Before she could complete it, she smiled at Shiv and pulled free the sheet covering her, then resumed her count. With her hand firmly on the handle of the door, she finished her count, pushed the lever, and kicked the door open.

With a squeal, Shiv burst into the room. Merrick, who had been sitting, had just started up when he saw Shiv. His eyes widened with surprise, and then sheer joy. Before he could stand fully, though, Shiv tackled him back down, pinning him to the floor. She covered his face in kisses while trying to get her hands under his shirt. They were both making a mixture of noises, giggles, laughs and sounds of pure happiness. Shiv's tears spilled from her cheeks onto his, and his were sliding down and into his hair and then the carpet. "I love you," both managed to gasp at the same time.

Kaysa stood back, just watching and imprinting the moment into her memory. If ever they ran into hardships again, she wanted to be able to return to that moment and tap into the pure happiness stored there. She felt almost guilty intruding upon the scene, but that wasn't the only thing restraining her; the pain was holding her back as well, the pain of knowing that now that Shiv had returned, she and Merrick could finally be together again, when before they could not. She'd accepted that their happiness wasn't fulfilling enough without their girl, but she still couldn't ignore the anguish it caused her. "I brought her back to you, Merrick. She's never going away again," she said quietly from the doorway.

Shiv slid to the side and Merrick looked up at Kaysa with a smile on his face and love in his eyes. "Close the door, Kaysa," he said. "And, get over here to help me welcome our girl home."

Kaysa laughed softly and shut the door behind her, making certain to lock it. The last thing they needed was one of Merrick's groupies sneaking in and spoiling their reunion. As she walked towards her two loves, Kaysa unzipped her prison issued coveralls and divested herself of them. She was free of Throntas, and with Shiv safe in her arms, and Merrick's, she truly felt liberated. Once she had Zale back as well, everything would completely fall into place again.

She dropped to her knees next to Merrick and Shiv, still just watching them with fascination. She found herself falling deeper in love with both of them, and was content merely observing for now. There was still so much she had left to do, but now was for Shiv and Merrick. Tomorrow would be for Zale, even though she was anxious to see his face again then and there. Despite the complications her relationship with him would cause, she knew it was worth it just to be with him...to be with them all. With a smile, Kaysa leaned over and brushed her lips against Merrick's ear. "Now, my love, you can sing again."

"Not quite yet," Merrick said, and slipped an arm around Kaysa and then pulled her to him. He kissed her passionately as Shiv moved to kiss his neck and throat. As Shiv pressed herself to him, he let his free hand caress Kaysa's body.

All Kaysa could do was weep quietly and kiss Merrick desperately. Zale had satisfied her in prison, but she still missed Merrick's touch. "Neither of us are ever leaving you again, Merrick," she said in a whisper thick with emotion. "No matter how much I suffered in that pit, I suffered ten times more wondering when I'd be able to touch you again."

Merrick glanced at Shiv with a question in his eyes, to which she nodded. She quickly moved to help Merrick get rid of his clothing, keeping her lips on his...though she couldn't help letting them stray to Kaysa's body. Once she had his clothing flung away, she looked at him and grinned. He pulled Kaysa to him again and kissed her. He could feel Shiv moving between both of them, using her mouth to get them both ready...though he knew with both of them there he needed no extra encouragement. With Shiv's help, he moved himself to Kaysa's entrance and slowly entered her.

The rush of ecstasy hit Kaysa first, then came an upsurge of relief that manifested itself as a single tear spilling down her cheek. It could wash clean everything, all the blood, the bruises, and most of all, the insatiable longing for Merrick that was now being fulfilled. Despite focusing entirely on Merrick, Kaysa couldn't help but let her attention stray to Shiv. She smiled down gently at her girl as she stroked her hair tenderly. She moaned quietly into Merrick's ear and cradled his face in her other hand. "I've missed you, Merrick, and I don't just mean while I was in prison. I've been missing you for so long. Don't leave me again...and I promise I won't leave you again."

"Never," Merrick whispered. "Never like that again. The three of us, always." The feeling of their bodies joined was bliss. It felt like it'd been forever rather than a few weeks, but as the three of them shared their love, Merrick couldn't describe the feeling. It was like flying, like standing on the stage in front of a packed crowd while they chanted his name, like being with the woman he loved more than anything and would do anything in life for...except there were two.

As his thrusts lengthened, his heart leapt to hear Kaysa's moans and gasps of pleasure. He kissed her slowly and then smiled. "I want you to scream for us," he said. "I love you so much, Kaysa. Scream and I don't care who hears...I want everyone to know that Merrick Braston is back with his girls and everything's going to be great from now on!"

Kaysa smiled and no longer fought back the moans or cries. It was the second time that day she'd been asked to scream, but for Merrick, even asking once was unnecessary. The ecstasy had reached its climax, and instead of trying to detain it, she welcomed it. "I love you," she cried out. "Gods...I love both of you!" She flung her arms tightly around Merrick as her back arched off the floor, and she let her voice soar. She screamed as loud as her voice would allow, and sang, sang of the culmination of all their struggles, the obstacles they'd overcome to be together, and above all else, she sang their love for all to hear.

And, in the song, Merrick reached his climax, which only served to heighten the screams to another level. Finally, as he and Kaysa fought to catch their breath, their bodies relaxed slightly. Shiv was still there though, for both of them, sharing kisses and gentle touches as Merrick and Kaysa clung to each other. She slid her body up along theirs and kissed first Kaysa and then Merrick. "You two are beautiful," she said with a smile.

Kaysa wrapped one arm around Shiv and pulled her closer. "You're beautiful too, my love." She kissed Shiv gently upon the lips, then looked to Merrick. "I got offered a lot of money for that scream today. I hope you liked it because it's yours for free. Always."

Merrick smiled and then kissed Kaysa. "I love your scream," he said. "And, once I've got a little strength back, I'm going to make you scream too, you little nymph!" He pulled Shiv over onto himself and Kaysa and kissed her. He looked at Kaysa with a grin, then in a conspiratorial whisper, said, "Do you think we can get her to scream so loud we'll have security banging on the door outside to make sure everything is okay in here?"

Grinning back at Merrick, Kaysa slid her hand along Shiv's leg, then deftly slipped it between her thighs. "Oh, I think we can manage that," she said slyly.

Shiv's head rolled back and she let out a loud moan that quickly turned into a pleasure-filled cry. As Merrick brought his mouth to her breasts, he stopped and looked at her hip and his features darkened slightly. He put it out of his mind, but when he went to return his lips to her breasts again, he spotted the scar on her throat and closed his eyes tight. What had they done to his girl, their girl? He looked up at Kaysa and asked the silent question. They would have to make Shiv forget her ordeal. Talking about what happened would have to come much later...

Kaysa had avoided his inquiring gaze, because the moment was too precious to ruin by asking questions now, and also because Kaysa too was doing her best to put the traumatic event out of her mind. She knew she wasn't through with Dargus Kandran yet, and in the battles ahead, the chances to share in moments like the one they were immersing themselves in now would diminish. Now, she only wanted to love Shiv and Merrick, and not think about what was to come.

Kaysa brushed her hand against Merrick's cheek to ease his concerns, but never let her touch stray from Shiv. She covered Shiv's mouth with her own and muffled a moan that had been rising from her throat. She laughed softly, then ran her tongue along Shiv's trembling lips. "Is it all going away?" she whispered to Shiv. "Are all the bad memories going away, Shiv?"

"What bad memories," Shiv said with a moan, and then grinned. "Oh gods, I can't believe this is real. I love you two so much. I never want this to end. I want us to be like this for always." She moaned again and felt a shudder ripple through her body. "Oh, it's like magic."

Merrick put the whole of his attention to Shiv; and when her hand strayed to his crotch, he knew what she wanted. With her coaxing, he was soon ready to go again with her. He kissed Kaysa as he moved to enter their girl. Slowly he entered her, and the movement brought out a cry from Shiv that brought a smile to both his and Kaysa's face. Their girl was home.

---

"A Gift"
By: Ithea Tass - Nightwitch
Admiral Tarkin

Location: Imperial Palace, Arcadia, Tae'Karada
Date: Niothe 3, 4ABY

***

Ithea arrived at the palace with Kalaira in chains. She arrived in a privately rented vehicle. She had hooded the woman so that she could not speak to her nor could anyone recognize her. She spoke curtly to the guard at the gate.

"Tell the Admiral that Ithea Tass has brought his requested prisoner," she ordered curtly.

The guard nodded and escorted Ithea to a new room where she was to wait for the Admiral. Just before the Admiral arrived, two tall Red Guards entered the room and nodded to Ithea.

As Admiral Tarkin entered the room he smiled greedily at Ithea. "Ahh, I see you have fulfilled that which I have asked of you. Very well, very well indeed..." He then ordered a guard to take Kalaira away, although he did not say where. The Red Guard did just so.

Tarkin turned to Ithea. "I must ask you how many people know of the Princess' existence and where she was caught..."

Ithea had been prepared for this question. She handed him a padd with the map marked where they had found the temple. "Many of her men are dead, but all that are left know of her existence." She did not mention Gars. "As for Zale and his associate Kaysa, they were arrested and I have not seen them since so I am afraid I cannot continue my tasks there. I have completed my blood debt to you. I thank you for your assistance and no longer need your help returning home. I have found another way. I wish you well in your pursuit of power." She bowed respectfully.

Tarkin had to grin. The woman thought she was far more intelligent than him, and to underestimate a friend was almost as deadly to underestimate an enemy. Still, Ithea had done well and Tarkin had gotten what he wanted, or part of it at least. But he was not about to let it all end as easily.

"Zale and Kaysa are under Imperial Forces' arrest," he told Ithea. "I may do with them as I will... Do not concern yourself there. And I do owe you a safe journey home, but if you do not want it then very well. You may go on your own and I hope your actions do not interfere with mine. Have a safe journey home Ithea. I hope you find your world as safe as it was left..." he said in the end as she bowed to him, a slight tone on his voice that indicated that not everything would be as expected in Ithea's home world.

Ithea paused. "What do you mean by that?" Her eyes narrowed as she watched him. She knew he was capable of knowing things beyond her reach but she had not had any premonitions of home.

"Politics..." Tarkin sighed. "I am sure you very well understand that your people have characteristics that interest others as well. Others like Emperor Palpatine or even Rebels for that matter... I would assure you that as our ally you could rule over your people as you will and grant the Galactic Empire with a small favour or two once in a while rather than dwell along with the Rebels who do nothing but ask without giving back! But since you no longer seem to have interest in sustaining our agreement I can no longer advise the Emperor not to send his forces to take over, for no Imperial representative would be there..."

Ithea took a step back and her face paled. While she was sure that her people could hold their own properly prepared, they would not stand a chance if not warned. "Perhaps I have been too hasty in my desire to meet my own ends. I had not considered the bigger picture." She was now backtracking quickly.

Tarkin could almost feel that Ithea had feared his last words. Perhaps he could convert her. He was sure she could be a powerful ally, but he also knew that in spite of her words she did not trust him, more than he did her.

Tarkin took a step forward. "I do not believe you have considered all the options. I am aware that it was I who sent you out there, in a certain way of speaking, and do not get me wrong, but you are still somewhat naive as to certain personas, and therefore a target to their corruptions."

He looked out the window. "No matter what the people say, they need a powerful one with an iron hand to rule over them. Even in your homeworld it is so... I am sure you, of all, understand this. Do not think for one second that any of the crimelords would be capable of doing so! You wanted to meet your own ends. Be sure that the Empire is capable of granting you that and much more..."

Ithea sighed. "I will need to think on these things. I had not considered beyond going home," she admitted. "I need to pay the man who helped me capture her. I will return and give you my answer."

"Very well..." the Admiral replied. "I am sure you will make the right choice. Come see me afterwards then. I shall be expecting your answer Ithea Tass. Perhaps then we can discuss further on your position as ruler of your homeworld," he told her with a nod, omitting the fact that already was he mobilizing forces to her homeworld to prevent a counter measure against the Galactic Empire.

Ithea nodded and withdrew. She had to talk to Gars and she had to think hard about her future choices. She didn't think aligning with this Emporer was wise but she did not like the idea of someone other than herself being the future ruler of the nightsisters.

---

"Setting a Trap"
by Dargus Kandran
Elisia Melouet

Location: New Plouton, Tae'Karada
Date: Niothe 3, 4ABY

***

When Dargus returned to the apartment he was sharing with Elisia, it was with a large smile on his face. He may have had to let Maeren go, but what he gained in letting her go was worth a thousand slave girls.

They had been on the planet now for several days, watching and waiting. Earlier in the morning, he had finally received word from one of his spies that they had managed to locate the apartment Liam Zaneth had rented. And, then he had conducted the deal with Kaysa Zenarr. And, all he had to do was give up his favourite slave. He smiled with the thought that favourite slaves were so easy to come by, and Quiana was quickly becoming a new favourite.

"It is done," he said as Elisia looked up from where she studied the small object he had given her earlier in the day. He wondered just how long it would take her to unlock the secret of opening the holocron. He remembered the pleased look on his Master's face when it had only taken him a matter of hours before he had found the correct combination to open the device. Oh and the wonders it had contained. "The girl has been reunited with Zenarr, and in the morning I will own half of the spaceport. And, now with that business out of the way, we can cease plotting and seek revenge against Kace and Yelara. Your sister shall be avenged."

Elisia looked up from the device she was studying. "I am glad you have your port. It is a good beginning. As for Kace and Yelara, you keep saying we will get revenge, but you have never said what kind of revenge you have in mind. I have an idea," Elisia said with a soft grin.

With a feral grin, Dargus moved to sit next to Elisia. "A plan," he said. "What is your idea?"

"Well, I have been studying the information of Yelara and Kace. Yelara took something I loved. Kace took something from you." She didn't know if he had loved Yelara. "Let's take something that they love. Let them know how it feels before we tighten the grip on them. Yelara should be having her baby soon."

Dargus thought for a moment. "According to the holo-images, she appears to be roughly seven months along. So, the birth should happen within the next couple months." He smiled. "Take the baby? A good plan. A very good plan indeed. Though, I want Yelara too. I want her to watch as I'm the one to raise her child. And, the timing is such that it very well could be mine. We will have to watch them more closely."

"I can see why you want her too. But, I wouldn't take her at first. Let her blame Kace for the loss of her child," Elisia said thinking as a mother might feel.

Dargus nodded and then slowly shifted his gaze to meet Elisia's. "How do you think Kylas would feel if I were to deny him the child you're carrying now?"

Elisia's face paled dramatically. "I think he already thinks that is exactly what you are doing and he will want to kill you if he finds you." Her answer was honest, but it also reflected how Kace would feel. "You have taken that which he holds most dear."

"He's on this planet now, you know," Dargus said with a smile. "In this city. And, yes, according to my sources he hungers for my blood. Kylas I don't fear. His anger is like mine, and I know how to use it to my advantage. I fear Kace Mordin. His anger is cold and emotionless. You can't use his raging against him, because he doesn't rage. Have you ever faced an enemy who calculated each action? Who didn't let his emotions dictate his actions? If we steal his baby, he'll come after us and he'll destroy everything in his path. We will need to be ready to face that. You can't hope his anger will make him careless, just more ruthless."

Elisa felt a small surge of hope well up but she forced it away knowing that any emotion too strong would be picked up by him. She had been masking her emotions and had no idea how he knew she was pregnant. She turned her attention back to the problem. "I know that ruthlessness. I have seen it once before. He is not perfect; he does have weaknesses," she answered. "We just have to find the best way to use them."

"Which means we cannot act out of haste," Dargus said. "We'll need to watch them, and figure the time to strike. Before we strike, we'll need our defenses in place. He's a dangerous man, and I don't want to be caught with my pants around my ankles when he comes looking for his kid."

Elisia smiled. "How about I go to him? I mean, he would never think I would align myself with you."

"That's very true," Dargus said. "Then, that is what you'll do. You'll get close to him, you'll gain his trust, and then we'll grab his child and make him pay."

Elisia nodded. "It is a wise plan. I am sure if I go to him fearful, he will rescue me. It is his way. Perhaps we can stage something for him... accidently in his path of course."

"I would love to see his face when we reveal the truth of our plan to him," Dargus said. "I would love to see that smug look of his disappear to be replaced by confusion and then the pathetic look of hurt feelings. Perhaps he will even cry for us. It should be easy enough to stage something to lure him in. It's just a matter of knowing there he'll be."

"Well, you are having him watched, right? We just wait till he is out on errands. I can be ready at a moment's notice. The only thing is, I don't have the saber he built for me. That would have been useful." Elisia shrugged. "He does not know of Kylas and I prefer to keep it that way."

"There is much he does not know," Dargus said. "And, I have people watching his apartment, but he and Yelara have...disappeared. According to their chatty neighbour, they haven't moved their belongings out of the apartment but they haven't been there for over a week. I have people throughout the city searching for them."

Elisia nodded. "I will make sure I am ready to go at a moment's notice. What scenario would be realistic enough to draw his notice without his suspicion?" Elisia kept her mind on the task at hand, not wishing any other thoughts to give him concern.

"I think needing to protect you from some danger would appeal to his heroic sensibilities," Dargus said. "Perhaps we can throw a few thugs at you, when he happens to be in the area. Will you wear a tracking or listening device?"

"I did not figure you would let me leave without a tracking device," she said. "But I suspect you already have one on me since you found me on a remote planet."

"Very well then," Dargus said with a smile. "Perhaps we can scout out a good location for this little altercation to happen. It will need to be someplace Liam would go. Near a hospital would be the likeliest choice."

"Either that or some place he regularly goes to for supplies," she offered. She knew she had not been much use to him yet. She wondered why he even thought he needed her. Even when they had sparred, she had been forced to work hard to keep up with him.

"One of the food markets in the outer district," Dargus said. "Let us go scout out the area, and see what sort of trap we can set for him. I'll have some of my men set up closer surveillance in that area, and we can arrange for lodging nearby."

Elisia nodded. "I will go pack a few things." She stood up to leave and stopped and looked at him strangely. "How did you know I was pregnant?" she asked. Curiousity was her weakness.

Dargus smiled. "You told Maeren," he said. "But, don't worry, the girl didn't betray your secret and I wish I had had the opportunity to punish her for keeping secrets like that from me. However, the listening device in your room had no such qualms about revealing your deep, dark secrets."

Elisia frowned. She should have expected that. "Nice to know you trust me," she quipped and flounced from the room.

Dargus' laughter followed her, but he stayed where he was.

***

Elisia could not remember all that she had said to Maeren. She paced in her room. Now was the time to decide her course. If Kace saved her, would she tell him what was coming or would she make Yelara and him pay for their betrayal? Her heart longed for one and her reasoning the other.

---

"One Step Backwards"
By: Alisson Blair - Jedi Knight
Kal'Aran - Jedi Master
and Aurra Sgall - Jedi Padawan

Location: New Plouton
Date: Niothe 3, 4 ABY

***

Alisson had come back from the basecamp where she had found the High Princess, which took her just under a couple of days, since she had gone to get some extra supplies first offworld to avoid attention from the well spread Imperial spies.

When she returned she decided to make a stop at home and see whether Kal'Aran was okay and to tell him of the very good news about Princess Kalaira. As she got there she saw that her Master had someone else with him. A young blue-skinned Twi'lek girl. And she was dressed in Jedi vests, which made her an apprentice, as she was yet too young to be a Jedi Knight.

"Master." She nodded with a bright smile. "I did not know we had a guest..." she added in surprise. "I am Alisson Blair," she told the young girl.

"Master Kal'Aran's former apprentice..." Aurra smiled. "I am Aurra Sgall, Jedi Padawan. I have heard about you from Master Kal'Aran."

Kal'Aran got up and took Alisson's hands. "We need to speak..." He nodded with a gentle smile. "Aurra, you stay here for a while," he told his new-found padawan. He went with Alisson to another division. "I found the girl on another system. She was padawan to an old friend of mine, who was murdered. I took her into my own apprenticeship."

"Is that wise, Master? Only recently have you let me go on my own. After yet so little time... And yet I must agree that letting her be would be dooming the girl. Plus, I cannot think of anyone better to become her Master," Alisson said.

"Would you have taken her as your padawan?" Kal'Aran questioned.

"I do not know..." Alisson admitted. "At this point I am not sure I feel ready to pass on my own knowledge to another. And my life is currently too complicated to take on a Padawn."

"You have found the High Princess..." Kal'Aran smiled.

"Yes, but she must remain hidden. Only few know of her being there. I came to get supplies and check on things here, but it seems you have kept yourself busy while I was away..." Alisson nodded.

"Indeed... The girl is young, but she shows very good potential and is quite calm. She reminds me much of yourself when you were younger!" he said. "A terrible thing, what happened to her. She witnessed the murders..."

"Who did so? Who would take on Jedi? Bounty hunters or Imperials?!" Alisson asked, knowing her Master would know the answer.

"Worse... A Jedi Huntress named Daemor'rah. And she may be here on Chimaeria, or at least I have ran into her before. She has vowed to kill all Jedi. Beware of her Alisson. She is neither Sith nor Jedi. But she is most lethal," Kal'Aran warned.

Alisson patted his shoulder and went back into the living room where Aurra Sgall was. "I am sorry but I cannot stay here any longer. But I will return and we shall get better acquainted then..." she told the young girl.

"I shall then look forward to that..." The girl smiled. And with that, Alisson left back to the campsite where the High Princess was.

As soon as she set down on the camp, she knew things were wrong. Someone had been over, someone who had come with vile intentions. There were no vestiges of Stormtroopers or Imperial forces, but whoever had come had taken the Princess.

Many guards were dead. Alisson found one yet half alive, moaning. She bent down on him. The man coughed up blood and stared at her.

"The Princess... They took her... Palace... The woman was unstoppable... Didn't stand a chance..." he said in his last breath. Alisson didn't learn much but from his few last words she knew enough. She was again one step behind. But at least she knew that High Princess Kalaira had been taken to the palace, probably before Admiral Tarkin by a woman.

She decided then not to lose any more time and go after the Princess. She knew the palace well, as well as its secrets and ways of getting in and out. Somehow she knew the Princess was still alive, and so she had decided to go there and get her back.

---

"Opposing Sides"
by Admiral Tarkin - Imperial Sector General
and Kalaira - High Princess

Location: Former Royal Palace, current Imperial Outpost, Arcadia
Date: Niothe 3, 4 ABY

***

Kalaira had known this day would come, that she would be found and then executed. A strange calm had suffused as she sat, still bound where the Admiral's guard had taken her.

Admiral Tarkin walked into the room where the High Princess had been taken to. The Red Guard was also there, watching the young woman. The Admiral walked up to Kalaira and grinned wickedly. He had her under his capture and he could now complete the overtaking of the power over Chimaeria. She was the last standing monarch and her death would mean the end of the Royal Family.

But Tarkin had other plans. There were yet some others who had escaped from the palace. Supporters of the royal family, and therefore his enemies. Some had even been found later on and killed, but others were at large and could mean a menace as they would surely grant their means to the Rebels.

Tarkin took the blindfold off Kalaira. "How long did you really think you could hide High Princess?" he asked. "Your ruling period is long gone, and I assure you that any attempt to overcome the Empire will be at a loss..."

"Some losses are victories in disguise," she said with a soft smile. "Nice to see you, Admiral. I see you have made yourself at home." She didn't feel as calm as she endeavored to sound, but she was strangely not as frightened as she had expected to be.

"At home? This is an Imperial Outpost, not home..." Tarkin corrected. "It used to be your home, but that is no more, and soon neither will you be! Now, the only reason why I requested you alive and not dead happens for two reasons. First I shall enjoy watching you die as I did your husband, and second, you shall experience a few last moments telling me what I want to know. We can do this latter one via two ways. Either by your own choice or by my own means of persuasion..." he said, knowing that mentioning the High Prince's death would make the difference and that his own means would be applied no matter what.

"I doubt I have any information you don't already know," Kalaira said, paling at the mention of Airan's death. She had come to love him very much and still deeply felt his loss.

"We shall see about that..." Tarkin replied wickedly. Having the Princess would reveal many things that were able to give him more than what he already had. But for that she would have to say what she knew.

Under Tarkin's gesture of command, a mind probe droid came into the room, its syringe and scopes with lasers for either pain or body probing ready. "Now, Princess, we will discuss two things... Your alliance to the Rebels and the secrets of this very same palace which hold the basis of Chimaerian technologies."

Kalira eyed the devices nervously. "You are going to be very disappointed, for I really don't know much about either of those things." She was praying that either something would interrupt him or he would believe her. She had taken mind disciplines at her father and later Airan's insistence, but she had never tested them and wasn't inclined to do so. There was one thing she was determined that this man would not find out about. She forced her mind to begin focusing on everything she knew from her time as Ambassador's aide between Corellia and the Empire. Her goal: to lose herself completely in the past.

Tarkin did not believe for one instant what the High Princess was saying. He knew that she had knowledge about the things he wished to know, even if she said she didn't. "We shall see what you know..." he said.

But just before the probe droid was applied a guard came in. "Sir, we have a coded communication for you from Emperor Palpatine."

Tarkin frowned. He then turned and nodded to the guard, sending him off. He turned back to Kalaira. "It seems your interrogation has to be postponed for later..." he said as he ordered the Red Guard to take her away to the brigs and stay on guard on her.

As Kalaira was dragged off, she smiled at the Admiral. "Be sure to give your master my best regards." The guard jerked her forward and she almost fell. It was a reprieve but for how long or what good it would do, she did not know.

---

"Betrayal"
by Ithea Tass
Gars [NPC]
and Cmdr. Hatch Revden [NPC]

Location: Hidden Rebel Base, Tae'Karada
Date: Niothe 3, 4ABY

***

Ithea returned from the palace not as pleased as she had expected to be. She snapped at her slaves as she entered the apartment and told them to lose themselves for a few hours; she wanted to be alone. She had no idea where the mysterious Gars had gotten off to. She sat down on the floor and began to meditate.

"Amazing. Your temper is already flaring. Funny how you choose to embrace emotion now after everything you have gone through," a familiar voice came from behind her. "Funny how life works out."

"I have always had a temper," Ithea said calmly from the floor. Her eyes were closed and she did not look at him.

"Really, you're going to have to control that a little more often." He smiled. "I know someone who can show you so many things."

She opened her eyes. "What kind of things?" She looked around at him curiously.

"He can teach you how to use your emotions and harness your power. He can give you access to those Jedi texts I mentioned awhile ago." He smiled.

"I thought you could teach me those things. All we had to do was find the right temple. I want to go home. You know the way. You will take me," she answered rising from the floor.

"Yes, you will make your way home all in due time, but first there are some things you need to learn about the Force, some things you need to realize about yourself."

"The Force? You mean the Goddess' gift. Then teach me so we can go." Ithea was impatient to be off this world; Tarkin's words had disturbed her.

"What troubles you, child of darkness? You seem to be alive with worry this day." He looked at her gently.

"I have had troubling news from my world. I need to rectify matters," Ithea said. "Let us begin lessons now," she demanded again.

"Very well." He walked behind her. "You must close your eyes, listen closely to the world around. Reach out and picture the place you wish to be, the temple. A place of great learning," he whispered into her ear.

Ithea closed her eyes and tried to picture such a place. She had a hard time because on her planet, learning was not done in such a place. Finally she filled in an image like the ruins where she found Kalaira, only complete and beautiful in form and function.

"Good," he whispered, "feel that emotion and its beauty, and feel what it's like to be betrayed." As his sentence finished, he gently slid a needle filled with a strong sedative into her neck. In a second, the injection was starting to take affect.

Ithea's eyes flew open but before she could lash out or react, she felt her legs give way and then the world went black around her.

Gars smiled and wrapped her up to carry away. It had been so easy once she had sent her slaves away.

***

Ithea woke up in darkness. Her head hurt and she couldn't think straight. The last thing she remembered was talking to Gars. Suddenly his words about betrayal came stinging back. She had known better than to trust a man; she had been seduced by his differing powers. She cursed and tried to move but found herself bound tightly. She knew she could release the bonds but she needed her head to clear more, concentrating at the moment was difficult. Her tongue felt thick and dry and she wondered how much time had passed.

Commander Hatch Revden noted that the prisoner had started to wake. He moved from his chair and stood over her. "Don't try anything stupid," he said. "We were warned about you, and are ready for anything you might try. Before you're put away for a long time, I want you to answer a few questions. Are you going to be good? Or will I have to resort to more barbaric methods to get the information I need?"

Ithea tried to force her vision to clear. "Since I have no idea where I am or who in Velter you are, I think you can count on my temporary cooperation."

"My name is Revden, Commander Revden," the man said. "And, you are currently in one of the temporary Rebel bases here on Tae'Karada. I know you have had association with Tarkin in the past, and I want to know everything you know of him. And, when you are finished telling me about that usurping dog, I'll want to know about your most recent assignment."

Ithea cursed inwardly. "I really don't know anything about him. He found my ship after it crashed. He had me healed. He offered protection," she said evenly.

Hatch nodded. "And, your latest assignment? I want to know who your target was, who gave you the assignment, and how you accomplished your task."

Ithea laughed. "I don't really care what you want to know," she said with a growing smile. Her head was clearing and she was beginning to sense the things around her.

"Really?" Hatch took a step away while tapping a button on his belt. As he did, a shimmering field surrounded him. An instant later, a low rumbling hum filled the room. It seemed to be trying to vibrate the bones right out of Ithea's body as well as carrying with it nausea that would even have a Wookiee rolling on the floor.

Ithea had not had enough time to clear her head and redirect the sensations. Pain shot through her and she found herself almost vomiting. As the humming finally ceased, Ithea had to smile for it was an unusual technique. She would have to make sure she found out what it was so she could take it home. The room felt like it was still moving even though the humming had stopped and her stomach lurched again. She was forced to spend energy to calm her body. She was so focused on condition that she missed the first words the Commander said. "What?"

Hatch smiled. "I said tell me about your mission. I want to know who it was, who gave it to you, and how you found her."

Ithea thought for a moment. Gars probably told them what he knew so sharing that would not cause any difficulties. "Admiral Tarkin asked me to bring in a criminal for him. Her name was Kalaira. I found her by analyzing the raiding patterns of her cell and with the aid of a man who knew the area. The same man who betrayed me before I found myself here." Ithea looked up at him, anger beginning to sparkle in her eyes.

"And, where is Kalaira now? Did you turn her over to Tarkin? Or is she still hidden away?"

"I turned her over," she said quite frankly.

"Do you know what Tarkin's plans for her are? And, do you have any idea who the woman is or was?"

"I don't know Tarkin's plans for anything. I am not in his confidante. I know she was a princess of some former regime and I don't really care what else she was. I was paid a bounty and I delivered. It was a simple transaction." Ithea began to concentrate on the bounds that held her as she spoke. Her head was beginning to clear.

"She was the former High Princess before the Empire moved in here and took control. Did you know the Empire hunts your kind down and kills them? Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader, they search out those who have strength in the Force, and they kill them. I'm sure there's lots of suffering and such first, but by the end of it you're begging for death. How long before Tarkin turns you over to them? How long before your usefulness is over?"

"They only kill those that do not serve them," Ithea pointed out crossly. Her focus was more on her bonds than him. She felt them begin to give finally. "Tarkin wants something from me more valuable than a princess."

"Like being used by men, do you?" Hatch said. "You like being someone else's pawn? Their tool to reach their own goals? That's just the kind of people the Empire likes. The ones who won't think for themselves and who will follow their orders without questioning. They like the people who don't mind having themselves manipulated and then never question." Realizing her attention was elsewhere, he sighed and then pressed the button on his belt.

Ithea shrieked as the waves washed over her. She writhed, breaking the bonds that held her as she did so. When she was free she was going to kill him and shove that stupid device somewhere he would never recover it. She lost her ability to think as the pain washed over her.

"You really have no idea what you've gotten yourself into, do you? And, all you can think about doing is hurting the people who would help you if you weren't so intent on causing mischief. I imagine you still feel loyalty to Gars the Betrayer, don't you? You're like a rabid nerf, snapping at the hand that's trying to help you."

"I am not intent on causing any mischief," she gasped out trying to regain her breath. Though her hands were now free she did not make a move towards him as she was sure that he would press the button that activated it and at the moment she wasn't sure she would be able to move fast enough to prevent him. "As for Gars, I will kill him if I ever see him again," she pledged.

Hatch laughed. "I doubt you'll see him again," he said. "Now comes the difficult part. I don't want to use the tactics that the Empire uses, however you are going to prove yourself a thorn in our side. If I let you go, I'm certain you will gladly stab us in the back. You're far too ignorant to do otherwise. So, that begs the question: what do I do with you now?"

"Why am I here in the first place?" Ithea asked still trying to regain focus. "You haven't received any information you could not find out by many other means? Why was this woman so important to you?"

"Because she is the High Princess of Tae'Karada," he said. "She was the wife of the legitimate sovereign of this planet until the Empire came in here and overthrew him. They killed him and all the royal blood they could get their hands on. It was a miracle that she survived, a symbol of hope for the people of this planet. And, you gave her over to the Empire. And, that is why you are here. You have committed a treason against this planet and against everything the Rebellion fights for. For your actions, you will be put to death. And, I have made certain that all Rebel cells on this planet have heard of your treachery, and hopefully we can turn what you have done into some small victory and rally the people behind this heinous crime."

A princess...she had known. Tarkin's words came flying back to her. He planned to do the same thing to her world. He didn't just place a puppet in control of a government, he took over. She could respect that to some degree. But, she couldn't stay here. Death wasn't an option for her at the moment. She looked at him and smiled. "Well, then I will have to get her back for you."

"And what makes you think that I would trust you to do something like that? You have the loyalty of a Rodian with his suckers in a bin of credit chips." Hatch took a step closer. "You're too dangerous, Ithea."

"No one has ever given me reason to be loyal. I have no idea what you people are even fighting about. I do have a reason to be concerned about this Admiral now, however."

"How can I be certain you're not going to betray us to them? Or that as soon as you are free here, you won't try to kill one of my people? How can I be certain you're actually going to help us get the High Princess back from Tarkin?"

"How can I betray you to them? I have no idea where I am. It is not like he does not know of your presence. It is your precious princess you should be concerned about. I doubt she will withstand any questioning that Tarkin puts her through. Tarkin plans to attack my home world. You are protecting one person, I am protecting millions," she spat out in anger. Her temper was growing once again as the pain subsided. Her hands were free but she knew if she even moved suddenly, his stupid device would render her useless.

Hatch's eyes narrowed. "I am fighting to save the billions and billions of people caught under the Emperor's tyranny. Your planet is only now suffering the fate that many others have faced." He stepped closer. "That thieving bastard destroyed my entire homeworld with that doomsday weapon of his. Reduced an entire planet to nothing more than free-floating rubble." The vehemence of his response surprised him, but he continued on, albeit more calmly. "You conspired with the Empire through ignorance. With the High Princess' influence, the people of this planet might have been able to make a stand against the Empire." He sighed, and turned away in anger. "But, now they'll go back to being little more than a herd of nerfs." He turned his attention back to Ithea. "If you want to help, then give me a reason to trust you. Give me a reason to suspect that you're not going to turn on me and my people at the first opportunity."

"I am the only one you have got that can get into the palace freely," she pointed out. "If I weren't, you wouldn't have had to ask me any questions at all. We both know I have nothing to give you for assurances. Sometimes, one must just take the risk. You have nothing to lose since I do not know where I am and you could keep it that way."

Hatch stepped forward. "You'll have your chance," he said. "But, if you even think about betraying us, or turning against us, the Rebel Alliance will not rest until every molecule of your body has been erased from existence. I believe in second chances, and you'll have yours."

Ithea smiled. He was close enough. She could have taken his blasted device away from him but she decided not to. She really did not have anything against either side. They both seemed to want to use her, perhaps she could find a way to turn all of this to an advantage. "I would expect no less for betrayal. I wonder though, if you could have someone please fill me in on this war for control. I really do not have enough information, obviously."

"Very well," Hatch said with a nod. He then proceeded to go over the highlights of the galactic civil war, and the Rebellion's fight against the Empire. "Their tyrannical reign threatens all life, even those that support their ideal form of government. There is no freedom from them, and all freedoms are revoked. That is why we oppose them."

Ithea did not have any discomfort with the type of rulership he described, as long as she was the one ruling. She did have a problem with what it appeared Tarkin would do to her world. "What do you wish me to do?" she asked. "I will not hide from you that if I help your cause, it will only be to further mine. I will not hand my world over to another ruler."

"I understand that," Hatch said. "We have a considerable number within our ranks who feel similarly, at least for the furthering their own cause or seeking their own personal revenge. You can help by providing us with as much information as possible, and then accompanying a raid to free Kalaira."

Ithea nodded. It was a way out for now and she needed to find out more about what Tarkin planned for her world. "Where do we begin?"

---

"Going Back"
By: Alisson Blair - Jedi Knight
and Kalaira Ardelyr-Valreth - Former High Princess

Location: Imperial Outpost (Former Royal Palace)
Date: Niothe 3, 4 ABY

***

She made her way to the region of Arcadia. She was determined to rescue the Princess, and she hoped that she wasn't too late. Tarkin would surely want her dead but something told Alisson that he had not yet been able to accomplish this goal.

She made her way around until she could reach the palace walls unseen. She used an unknown secret passage that gave way into one of the guest chambers that was very rarely used before. She was lucky that the Imperials were not using it either.

Making her way through the corridors, she passed near a zone which had been used by the Tae'Morad guards and was now used by Imperial soldiers. She changed into some gear she found to pass unnoticed as an Imperial Guard.

The High Princess should be in the brig, so she made her way there. Alas, she felt something wrong. There was a disturbance in the Force. She cloaked herself before she was noticed. As she reached the brig there was a Red Imperial Special Guard. Alisson knew that he was trained in the dark ways of the Force but she questioned herself to what extent. She looked directly at him. "I am told that you are to be relieved," she told him.

"By whose orders?!" he questioned.

"Admiral Tarkin's," she said.

"Show me the order papers," he demanded.

Alisson knew this had gone too far. She didn't have any papers and her bluff had failed. She withdrew her double ended lightsabers and stuck him down before he could react. She then looked inside the brig where Princess Kalaira seemed troubled and confused.

Kalaira looked up, not expecting rescue. "Alisson?"

Alisson took off the white helmet revealing herself and smiled with a nod. "Sorry it took me so long, your Highness. I failed at protecting you when you were kidnapped but I will get us both out!" she said, determined. She touched the security console which opened the cell block in which the Princess was held.

Kalaira moved quickly to Alisson's side. "Do you have a weapon I can use?" Her eyes held her gratitude but she also knew they were not out of this yet.

Alisson held up a hand. "Yes, but if we're going to get out you can't be using one," she replied. She then took some binders from her belt. "And since we can't use his suit," she added pointing at the dead Red Guard, "we'll have to improvise a little. You'll be wearing the binders, although not shut, and we'll just try to walk back to where I came in. If anyone shows up you are to be transferred to cell block 219... Any questions, your highness?" she asked before they took off. There would be no margin for errors now.

Kalaira shook her head no. She was used to deception and was ready to do what needed to be done. She dare not be interrogated by Tarkin; there was too much at stake.

Alisson nodded as if trying to reassure Kalaira that all would go well, although she herself knew that it could not go as planned. In fact they would be quite lucky if they got away with it. Alisson placed the binders on Kalaira's hands but did not shut them. It seemed she was wearing them but she could open them at free will.

She then lead her out of the brig, hopping that at least she could get Kalaira out to the locker rooms to change her into a Guard suit. She was already half way, choosing to go back via some secondary corridors to avoid guardsmen, when she crossed paths with two of them.

"Where are you taking this prisoner?" one of them asked.

"To cell block 219, under Admiral Tarkin's orders," Alisson replied promptly.

"Let me see the transfer order," the Imperial trooper ordered.

Alisson waved her hand gently. "You don't need to see the transfer orders," she said gently.

"I don't need to see the transfer orders," he repeated.

"I can take the prisoner as requested."

"You can take the prisoner as requested," he said almost automatically.

Alisson nodded as if he had given her an order and took Kalaira out towards the locker room. As they got there, Alisson turned to her and took off her helmet. She sighed. "That was close back there. Quickly, change into some stormtrooper gear!"

Kalaira was hard pressed to find something small enough to wear. She finally managed to strap a uniform on tight enough that it did not wobble so, but she felt ridiculous. "I am ready. Let's go."

Alisson knew that the stormtrooper gear was much too big for Kalaira. She was just too short to pass as a regular Imperial soldier, but it would have to do, as it was surely better than going along the corridors as if transferring Kalaira to another cell block. She had had to use her powers to get here as it was.

Alisson sighed as Kalaira said she was ready and held her a blaster rifle that was in a nearby compartment and nodded. "Just in case..." she said, although she knew that she would rather take on the Imperials alone before she would let Kalaira risk her life and get shot at.

***

In the meantime, the two guards who had crossed paths with Alisson and Kalaira, passed near the brig. One of the Red Guards was coming out, dragging his dead fellowman. He turned to the Stormtroopers and raised his hand, commanding both to stop.

"Have thou seen any suspicious happenings around these parts?" he asked in a low and deep voice.

"No sir, everything is accounted for. Prisoner is being transferred to cell block 219 under direct orders by Admiral Tarkin," the Stormstrooper replied as he looked over the dead one.

"Transferred... By which order papers?" he demanded.

"We don't need to see any transfer orders. The prisoner can be transferred as requested..." the guard said, as if still under mind influence.

"FOOL!" the Red Guard boomed as he tossed the guard to the wall. He knew immediately that whoever had taken the High Princess had the ability to influence the mind of the weaker ones. An old Jedi trick. "Look for anyone who is not acting as regular guard and kill at any suspicion. Fire upon anyone who does not give a clearance code. GO!"

"Sir, yes sir!" the two Stormtroopers said as they ran out of the brig to search and get others to search too.

The Red Guard walked away to Tarkin's chambers. As he entered he nodded respectfully. "The High Princess has freed herself somehow. She is under the aid of someone with Jedi abilities, as two guards were influenced. I have called for an immediate search and death upon all who do not give clearance codes and look suspicious," he informed.

"WHAT!?!" Tarkin exploded. "That means we have someone infiltrated in the palace! I want them dead! I want them found! And I want no excuses!"

"I assure you I will find them..." the Red Guard said.

"You better, or I will have your head" Tarkin warned.

***

Alisson lead Kalaira out of the locker rooms and across the corridors towards the guest room with the secret passage. It was a good secret since almost no soul knew this passageway was there and since it wasn't a main room, chances were it would be indeed free to use as a passageway in and out of the palace.

They were almost there when a couple of guards crossed at the end of the long corridor. "Look, that one's too short to be a Stormtrooper!" he pointed out, already aiming to open fire.

Before they could get a clean shot, Alisson pulled Kalaira next to the wall to be protected by a column that was there. "I guess my plan didn't hold on for long enough!" she said.

Kalaira smiled. "Sometimes things are more than you think." She snapped a shot off and pulled off the helmet real quick. "Keep them busy for a moment." Kalaira was glad Airan had decided to share the castle's secrets with her before she had conceived and became fully the ruling High Princess. She looked around to get her bearings and smiled. She scooted back up to Alisson who was shooting around the corner. "Come, there is another passage three rooms down. It connects to the one I believe you were leading us to. It is in a linen closet so I doubt it is occupied."

Alisson was grateful that Kalaira knew her way around the palace better than she had foreseen. "I'm glad you know these things!" she said as she fought the guards from getting closer. "Three rooms down? Very well!" she said.

And with that, Alisson holstered her blaster and took her dual lightsaber, igniting its blades. Now coming into clear view she defended every shot being taken at them and sent them back hitting some of the Imperial Stormtroopers. She was offerring enough cover for them both to get down, but so that they wouldn't be noticed entering the room Alisson Force-pushed them, making the rest of them hit the walls and go knock-out.

"Let's get out of here!" she said as soon as the path was clear.

Kalaira found the lever that would open the door. It took a second, though it felt like long minutes. The door finally slid open in the side wall. The many things on the shelves were linen and therefore were not disturbed by the moving shelving. The passageway was dark, but Kalaira stepped through anyways.

Alisson stepped in, right after Kalaira. Soon enough they reached the other room indeed, which was still empty. With no time to waste Alisson moved to get to the other passageway and from there to the outside, away from the palace.

"We are almost out..." Alisson said as she entered the second secret passageway.

Kalaira would not breathe a sigh of relief till they were truly away. She wanted to find this woman who had brought her here and personally dissect her. She wondered how many of her people were left but could not yet bring herself to ask. They made their way out of the passages into a dark alley. "Where to?" she whispered.

"This way," Alisson said. "We can get out this way. I have a speeder just up ahead." And with that, they moved out towards the speeder and rode out of Arcadia before they could be caught by Imperials.

---

"Almost Happy, Part 1"
By: Dani
Nieme Yaresh-Selrid
Orn Gham [NPC]
Liam Zaneth
Yelara Zaneth
Jae Dyn Brael

Location: Thanatos, Tae'Karada; Jedi Temple, Tae'Karada
Date: Niothe 3, 4 ABY

***

The sunlight streaming through the window, warming her skin, was beautiful. Dani stretched and opened her eyes slowly. Her eyes found Nieme snuggled against her chest and she smiled. The bed may have been small, but they both fit together on it very well. They both fit together very well. She still couldn't imagine her good fortune at having found Nieme to begin with, but Nieme had found her.

And, now they would be together for always. Dani liked the thought of that. Always with Nieme would be perfect. The warmth of her friend's emotions were invigourating, uplifting. And, now, as they lay together, the peace that Nieme exuded was pure bliss. She couldn't imagine a life without Nieme now, a life devoid of the richness of emotion, the purity of spirit.

"I love you," she whispered softly, and gently kissed Nieme's forehead.

Nieme stirred gently and murmured something that was lost in a sigh. The moment her senses awakened, the fragrant smell of flowers filled the air and her mouth formed a serene smile. She couldn't remember when she last woke up as happy as she was now, and it was Dani who was the source of it. "Dani..." Her eyes flickered open and settled when her gaze fell upon her purple flower. "Good morning."

"Good morning to you too," Dani said with a grin, and then kissed Nieme. "Do you feel as happy as I do? I mean, I can feel you're happy, but...isn't it just wonderful? Me and you together. And, we have so many fun things to do today. Oh, and we need to get new clothes for us."

"Well, there aren't very many clothing shops around here..." Nieme yawned and snuggled closer to Dani. "We'll find something, though. We have the rest of our lives if we need it."

"The rest of our lives," Dani murmured. "I like that. I like the idea of spending the rest of my life with you, Nieme. So, should we go to the Rhack first? To see about work, and maybe get something to eat there too. And, then we can go do our other stuff. It's going to be a good day. The first day of our freedom. And, it looks like it's a beautiful day too!"

"It'll get much hotter soon. I'll have to find you a spare cloak." Nieme pushed herself onto her knees and gazed down at Dani. "We can go to the Rhack first and surprise Orn...then I'll cook us breakfast!" Nieme bounced atop the bed with giddy excitement and pulled Dani into an embrace. "This is going to be so wonderful, Dani! I love you...I love you for coming with me. Thank you."

Dani hugged Nieme back and then kissed her. "I love you for everything! And, I really want to meet Orn. He sounds like a...well, a good father figure. And, a cloak will be very good. I don't want to burn to a crisp out there." Dani grinned at her friend and then sighed happily. "I never want to be away from you again, Nieme. I want to be with you always."

"You will be. Even if we have to leave Tae'Karada to be together...we will." Nieme sat back on her haunches and looked through the slits of her barred up window. "It looks like it's nearing noon. We should get to the Rhack soon so we won't have to walk under the noonday sun. It can get really hot."

"I can feel it," Dani said with a sigh. "I think it'll be okay though." She slid out of the bed and stretched, her movements reminiscent of a reisacat. "I like your house, Nieme. It's a very nice, comfortable house. It feels like you, which is good. It's very welcoming."

"Well of course you're always welcome, Dani." Nieme giggled and bounded off the bed towards her rickety wooden clothing cabinet. She flung the cracked door open and compulsively began rifling through it. "I'll have to show you all the good hiding spots, just in case you need them; I'll also have to show you which areas of the city to stay away from. There's so much we have to do today!"

Dani moved over behind Nieme and slipped her arms around her friend's waist. She draped herself along Nieme's back, and slowly kissed her neck. "We do have forever," she whispered softly. "I wonder if there are other ways for us to learn to use our Jedi powers without being in the Temple. It'd be really good to be able to defend ourselves if we need to."

Nieme's fingers gathered the fabric of a cloak tightly as she suppressed a gentle moan. She sighed softly and craned her head sideways to guide Dani's kisses. "We...we could..." Nieme whimpered gently and panted breathlessly at Dani's touch. "I would... I would protect you... I always will."

Dani clung tighter to Nieme as she let her kisses drift up along Nieme's jaw and cheek, seeking for her lips. "And, I'll always protect you," she whispered in response. "We will always take care of each other. That's how it should be." She let her hands gently start exploring Nieme's body as she clung to her, whimpering softly at the touch. "Oh goddess..."

Nieme let a moan escape, then bit her lip to deny any more passage. "It'll be... We'll b-be fine. I know how to hide." Her grip on the fabric tightened the closer Dani's hands came to her breasts and hips and thighs. She pressed back against Dani as her balance wavered and her eyes closed against the stirring sensations arising within her. "I'm...I'm a good hider," she whispered. "I'm a... I love you, Dani."

Dani was nearly delirious with the emotions swirling within her. She could feel her hips writhing slightly against where Nieme was pressed against her. "I love you too," she whispered. "Oh...if we're going to go, we have to now, because if not, I think we're going to...to get very close. Oh goddess, Nieme, I want that, but only if you're ready. I love you, Nieme. I-- What do you want, my love? What do you want to do?"

"I..." Nieme emitted a gentle whimper and slowly shifted around to face Dani, but her eyes remained closed and her lips trembled for the touch of Dani's. "I'm not... I don't know what to do, Dani. I love you...and I like how you touch me, but... I'm afraid." She opened her eyes and gazed into Dani's with a sadness filling them. "Kael and I... We were so happy before...before we...made love. I don't want the same to happen to us, Dani. Please don't let that happen to us."

Dani took Nieme into her arms and kissed her. "I'd never let anything bad happen to us," she whispered. "If we make love, you and I, we'll still be just as happy." She kissed her again. "I promise, Nieme. I promise with all my heart and soul, and by the goddess' gifts." She held Nieme to her, content for the moment to just hold her girlfriend. Her girlfriend; the thought made her heart soar. "There is no reason for you to ever be afraid with us, my beautiful star."

Nieme lay her head upon Dani's shoulder and nodded her head ruefully. "I promise to try and not be afraid, Dani. But...not yet. Please don't be sad... I want to wait this time, not like with Kael. I want it to be just perfect for us."

Dani took a long, shuddering breath, and then kissed Nieme. "Okay," she said with a smile. "Now, let's go visit Orn before I'm tempted to take the speeder back to the Temple, and sneak in for my toys."

"Okay," Nieme replied in a dejected whisper. She grudgingly pulled away from Dani and turned back to the cabinet to hide her sorrow. "I'm sorry. I...I won't... I'll try to be braver next time. Just so you won't be disappointed in me, Dani."

Dani slipped forward and kissed the back of Nieme's neck. "I could never be disappointed in you, my Nieme," she said with a smile. "And, I don't think any toy could ever replace the desire or love I feel for you, ever. You can be brave when you feel you want to be with me. For now, we'll just be like we have been, and see what happens." She slowly turned Nieme around and smiled. "I love you more than anything, and nothing could ever diminish that." She kissed her love and then took her hands. "I am proud to have you as my girlfriend."

"Well...good because you're going to have me as a girlfriend for a very long time." Nieme giggled and embraced Dani warmly. "Let's go into town now so I can flaunt my wonderful girlfriend in front of everyone."

Dani grinned and slipped her hand into Nieme's. "Your girlfriend can't be half as wonderful as mine," she said. "And, if you have a cloak for me, I think we should go flaunt our relationship in front of the whole town."

With an exuberant nod, Nieme retrieved the cloaks she'd weeded out and handed the less ragged one to Dani. She slipped on her own and impulsively, grabbed Dani by the hand and veered her towards the door. "Today's going to be the best day we've ever had, Dani!"

With a squeal of delight, the two burst out through the door and off into the Thanatos morning.

***

The door to the Rhack creaked open and Dani followed Nieme inside. The change between inside and outside temperatures was quite noticeable, and very refreshing. Dani giggled and quickly shut the door behind her. "You were right about it being hot out there," she said. "I guess that's why this place is a desert. Even though it's so bright out there, it is still quite beautiful."

"You'll get used to the heat, Dani. We'll take it a little at a time so it won't be too much for you." Nieme blinked to adjust her eyes to the changing light of the diner. She kept her head down, at first reluctant to be noticed by Orn, but upon glancing around, she found him nowhere in sight. "I wonder where he is... I hope nothing's happened."

Dani tightened her grip on Nieme's hand and followed closely. "I hope so too," she said. "Maybe he's back in the kitchen. Maybe without you here to cook, he had to be back there."

Nieme laughed abruptly and shook her head. "Not Orn. He...he's a horrible cook--"

"Yeah, well you should've seen the guy I hired to replace you."

Nieme gasped quietly and looked up to see Orn appearing in the doorway leading from the kitchen. She stood watching him with a frozen expression of surprise, and embarrassment at her remark. "O-Orn?"

The stout man moved into the dining area with a bellowing laugh and held out his arms wide. "Come here, kiddo." Nieme giggled timidly, then rushed into Orn's arms. The floor slipped away from her feet as Orn lifted her high off the ground. "You silly little thing. What are you doing back here?"

"I-I came to visit...permanently." Nieme looked at Orn with a hesitant smile. "I'm back."

Orn looked perplexed for a moment. His gaze shifted from Nieme, to Dani, where his attention remained for a time. "What... Who's that?"

Nieme looked back at Dani and giggled. "That's my friend. Her name's Dani."

"Well...nice to meet you, Dani." Orn set Nieme onto the ground and studied the purple girl with a wary smile. "You're-- What are you anyway?"

Dani grinned and stepped forward. "I'm from the planet known as Zeltros," she said. "I'm a Zeltron. We're a near-human species. Nieme saved me from a man who wanted...wanted to do some not so nice things to me. I've heard so much about you. It's so wonderful to finally meet you, sir."

"Nice things?" Orn raised an eyebrow at Nieme, then patted her amicably on the cheek. "That's my girl. Never has a mean word to say about anyone. And now you're a hero too?"

"Well...I helped. That man...the blue-eyed man did most of the work."

Orn nodded his head then his eyes narrowed. "You said you're staying for good? Kael...he's here too?"

Nieme's head dropped and she felt her joy draining. "He...he stayed behind. It...it's better this way."

Dani quickly stepped in. "He's going to learn to be a hero now," she said. "And, then he'll be nicer again. He...he didn't like me and Nieme being friends very much."

Orn emitted a sigh of disappointment and nodded his head slowly. "I told ya, Nieme. He's a ganger, through and through. People like him never change."

"But...he was..." Nieme dispelled her protests with a deep breath and shrugged her shoulders. "It's okay now. I never wanted to be a...hero anyway."

"But I bet you wouldn't mind being a chef again, would ya?" Orn looked down at Nieme with a suggestive smile. "We still got your apron back there."

Nieme's face lit up with beaming joy and excitement. She looked to Dani, then quickly back to Orn. "I-I would! I would like to cook again. But...but my friend...Dani. Can she...help?"

"Hmm..." Orn rubbed his chin while he stepped closer to Dani and scrutinized her punctiliously. "What exactly can you do, Dani?"

Dani felt her face flush a darker purple under his gaze. "Well, I usually work on starships," she said. "But I think I could probably manage whatever you wanted me to do. I like working with people, and I'm good with my hands...and whatever you think I'd be good at." She looked at Nieme and grinned.

Nieme stammered spastically as she moved beside Dani. She regained her ability to form coherent words, then looked up at Orn imploringly. "She can help me... She chops really well. I-I taught her myself. Please, Orn. Please?"

Orn muttered thoughtfully while he paced deliberately around Dani. "Your skin... Is that some paint or something? A tattoo?"

Dani giggled. "It's me," she said. "The people on my planet vary in colour from darker reds through blue and lavender and" -- she indicated herself -- "purple. It's my natural skin colour. And, I can help Nieme in the kitchen, or I can help serve tables or take orders or whatever you want. I'm really good, and I'm a hard worker. Please?"

"Well...as long as it doesn't rub off or anything." Orn stopped before Dani and chuckled. "You can work in the back with Nieme. If it gets busy around here, you can wait tables too." He reached down and took Dani's hand in his. With a jerky, rough motion, he shook it and patted her firmly on the arm. "Welcome aboard."

"Thank you," Dani squeaked happily and then quickly threw her arms around Orn in a big hug. "Thank you very much!" Then with a giggle, she hugged Nieme for good measure. "We get to work together! It's going to be so wonderful, Nieme!"

"Oh, thank you, Orn! W-We can get started right away!"

A smile softened Orn's gruff expression. He cleared his throat and wiped his hand across his mouth to spread thin the smile, but there was nothing he could do to wipe away the flush in his cheeks. "Everything's as you left it, Nieme. So...you two can get to work." He cleared his throat again, then turned away from the two girls just in time to hide from them the uncontrollable smile that consumed his face.

"Come on, Dani! I'll show you the kitchen." Nieme pulled on Dani's hand and together, they scurried to the kitchen, past Orn, who was still shaking his head and chuckling silently to himself.

***

Liam stepped out of the refresher, a towel wrapped around him though his body was mostly dry already. He stopped just in front of the doorway and watched Yelara. She stood on the other side of the room, staring out the window at the forest beyond. Her hair was down, and the sun shining on it gave it a sheen he couldn't remember ever seeing there before. He smiled to himself and approached slowly. Once behind her, he slipped his arms around her waist and bent around to kiss her neck. "Would you believe you look positively radiant today?"

"Are you sure you didn't get any soap in your eyes?" Yelara laughed softly and caressed Liam's arms tenderly. "Well...thank you at any rate. I guess it's that motherly glow Kal's always talking about."

"Well, whatever it is, you still look very beautiful. Especially the way the light was catching you." He was quiet for a moment, and then kissed her neck again. "Today is for us, Yel. We can work in the garden, walk, talk, whatever you'd like to do. We can even spar with force pikes and inspect each other's underwear if you'd like."

Yelara laughed shrilly and slapped away Liam's hands. "You fiend. I knew you only married me for my sexual prowess." She turned around to face Liam and leaned against the sill of the window. "But I think we really should do something quiet and...intimate. Just me and you, no distractions... I want this to work out, Liam. I want us to do our best and make this work."

Liam stepped closer, and gently ran his hands up and down Yelara's arms. "Something with just us, and no one else. I'll put Kal'Aran in charge of things. Kael can watch the babies, though I think Aurra might be interested too. And, then we can do whatever we feel like with no distractions or disturbances." He kissed her. "I love you more than anything, Yel, and I'll do everything I can for us to work. And, to start with, I think a nice walk through the forest."

"A walk would be a good start. Kael showed me--" Yelara pursed her lips closed and looked away with a sigh. "Sorry. I just meant to say that...the waterfalls are wonderful and... Excuse me." Yelara slipped past Liam and moved to the clothing cabinet. She began rifling through it to keep herself occupied enough that she wouldn't have to look into Liam's face and see the dejection that lay within his eyes.

Suddenly, Liam's arms slipped around her again. "I want you to show me the place Kael showed you," he said softly into her ear. "You were looking for something with him there, and maybe I can help you look for it too. If you want to go to the waterfalls with me, then I want to. I seem to remember a certain experience with a waterfall and a certain new bride. Maybe we can recapture some of the magic there."

Yelara sighed gently and rested her cheek against Liam's. "I just feel so stupid. I hurt you; Kael will be devastated when he finds out he no longer has me to fool around with... I've made a mess of everything and I wanna fix it, Liam."

"I seem to remember a few carb-- incidents where things got messy," Liam said with a grin. "We seem to do pretty well with messy. I think we can handle this. And, we'll find a way to make Kael...less devastated. We can do this, Yelara. We will do this. How would you like to take a trip to Corellia soon?"

Yelara spun quickly and faced Liam with an expectant grin. "You mean it? We can just pick up and leave all this behind for a while and just...go?"

Liam took her into his arms and pulled her close. "I do mean it," he said. "And, with Kal'Aran and Kallia here, we may be able to step away for a little bit. We should take Leshie to see his grandfather. Maybe we can do a little scouting there for Force talented people. It could be a vacation with just a little work. Let's plan it and go."

"Soon, Liam," she said as she wound her arms tightly around him. "We have to do this soon. I love you and I almost lost you. If you hadn't picked up some of my stubbornness and refused to let me go, it might have all ended, Liam. And that scares me."

"I'd never let you go," Liam said as he gazed into her eyes. "We struggled through too much to let all that go so quickly, to let it go at all. You're my wife and my heart, and I'll never give you up. And, I'm sure that Orinth would just love to see me again."

"I think we should stay together just to give him something to gripe about." Yelara laughed softly as she nuzzled her lips gently against Liam's chest. "I think we should fight to make it just to prove that something good can thrive in this damn universe." She spread kisses along his shoulders and chest, remembering quickly how potent the desire she felt when she was near him truly was. "If anyone can make it," she said softly, "it's us, Liam."

"You keep that up, and there's no way we can't make it," he whispered. "I love you, Yelara, and when we fight, it only makes me realize how much I really do love you. To be able to fight, and then to work so hard to keep you with me...it says something."

"Nevertheless, let's try not to fight anymore." Yelara slid her hands along Liam's smooth back, then deftly pulled free his towel and let it crumple onto the floor. She looked up at him with a sultry smile and said, "Why fight when we can do...other things?"

Liam looked down between their bodies where his towel used to be, and then up into her eyes. "Oh my," he whispered. "My underwear is definitely not matching today."

***

Nieme giggled again and tossed a wilted, discarded lettuce leaf at Dani. "We keep the leaves, Dani. Throw away the stalks!" She kissed her quickly upon the cheek, then scurried back to the range. "You're doing well though, Dani. I'm very proud of you."

Dani grinned. "Well," she said, "I'm learning from the best. I'm so glad Orn let me work here with you, Nieme. And, I love being your helper. I think Orn is very happy to have you back. When I went out to get those dishes earlier, I think I actually heard him singing."

"Orn singing?" Nieme gaped at Dani with wide-eyed disbelief. "He never sings!" She laughed and looked out through the opening in the wall to spy on Orn in the dining area. His lips were puckered and shrill, discordant notes were sputtering from his mouth. She sighed wistfully and turned back to Dani. "I never wanted to leave him... I'm very glad we're back too."

"Me too," Dani said with a nod. "It's very nice here, and Orn is...well, when he's happy, he's very nice too. He cares for you very much. I think he thinks I'm strange though. I caught him trying to wipe my arm with that rag of his. I think he still thinks I'm painted."

"Well, I'll reassure him that you're not. I've tasted your lips enough times to know it doesn't rub off. At least I don't think it does..." Nieme smiled at Dani and quickly rushed over to her side again to kiss her.

"Now, now girls! Lunch crowd will be here soon. Back to work." Orn winked at the girls and with a sharp whistle, began his jovial tune again and moved back into the dining area.

Dani giggled. "Well, I think you'd better keep kissing me to make sure it doesn't," she said. "Though, maybe after the lunch crowd." She glanced toward where Orn was and grinned. "You don't think he'd be bothered by...by you and me, do you? That we love each other and we're girlfriends?"

Nieme frowned in contemplation for a moment, then smiled. "I don't know. I don't think he would...as long as I'm happy. He was...he was right about Kael, though. He said he wasn't right for me." Nieme shrugged morosely and picked up a knife to help Dani with the chopping. "As long as I'm happy, I guess."

"As long as you're happy, that's what's important," Dani said. "If you're not happy...you need to make changes so that you are. I guess my people have taken that philosophy to heart and have focused our lives around it. When you're empathic, you sort of get used to making sure everyone is happy." She leaned over and kissed Nieme's cheek. "And, my primary goal in life now is to make sure you're completely happy."

"And my goal is...to make sure you're never left with an empty belly." She giggled softly and moved back to the range. She gripped the handle of the searing pan of vegetables and tossed them into the air with a flick of her wrist. They tumbled gently onto the pan again, then Nieme looked to Dani with a grin. "After you've mastered chopping, I'll teach you how to cook."

Dani brought the bowl she'd been putting her vegetables into over to Nieme and set it on the counter. "I think I'm getting good with the chopping. I think maybe tomorrow, I'll be good enough that I can try cooking something too. I want to learn to make that Mepat pot pie. That was very good."

"I think we'll start with Hojet, first. If you can master Hojet, you can cook anything!"

Nieme and Dani carried on giggling and chattering, when Orn's voice interjected. "Girls...you've got a visitor."

"A visitor?" Nieme's eyes shifted slowly to Dani and her joy began to quickly wane. They knew no one in Thanatos, which meant it was most likely someone who wanted to put a damper on their happiness. "We'll be right out, Orn," she said quietly. Orn nodded and moved away from the kitchen. Nieme found Dani's hand and squeezed it tightly. "Dani...what do we do? I think... We could try and escape through the alley."

Dani looked toward where Orn's voice had come from and back to Nieme. "We could go," she said. "It's probably one of our Masters. I hope. I don't know. They'll want us to go back, but we won't. We're too happy here to go back. We have to stay, Nieme. We won't let them take us back."

"We'll...we'll run if we have to. Orn will help us!" Nieme whimpered and buried her face into Dani's shoulder. "We can't go back," she whispered desperately. "Not ever."

Dani wrapped her arms around Nieme and held her friend close. After a few gentle kisses, she finally raised Nieme's face to hers. "Not ever," she whispered, and then pressed her lips against Nieme's. "And, we'll be together no matter what happens. We won't let them take us back, not for anything."

Nieme nodded her head grudgingly then looked back towards the dining area with a sigh. "We knew we'd have to do this sometime. Let's do this now, Dani, so the rest of our days can be happy."

Dani slipped her hand into Nieme's and smiled. "Together we will be happy, Nieme. It's the only way I can imagine life with you being." With that, they went through the door and out into the dining area.

Seated at a table alone, sipping from a glass of water, was Jae Dyn Brael. She wore her cloak as she had the day she had first met Nieme. Her back was to the girls and she appeared to be reading from a datapad.

Nieme's feet stuck to the floor, refusing to move when she realized who was before them. She clenched her eyes shut and shook her head slowly. She didn't want their short moment of happiness to end, and Jae Dyn's presence signalled just that.

"Oh, there they are!" Orn announced from the other side of the diner. "Too busy giggling back there to come when they're called."

Jae Dyn turned and smiled at Nieme and Dani. "Come sit with me," she said, and motioned them closer. "And, before you get the wrong idea, I'm not here to drag you back if you don't want to go. Come sit, and we can talk."

Nieme searched Dani's eyes for encouragement. She sighed softly and turned her head to Jae Dyn, but kept her eyes clenched shut. "You sh-shouldn't have come here. You should have left us alone."

"I had to look for you," Jae Dyn said. "You're my student, and I'd like to think, my friend. I just want to talk to you, Nieme. And, to uphold a promise I made to you."

Nieme's eyes drew open slowly and her expression conveyed curiousity as she gazed at Jae Dyn. "A promise? I...I don't understand."

Jae Dyn beckoned the two girls forward once more. "Come sit with me," she said, " and I'll explain myself."

Dani glanced at Nieme, and then at Jae Dyn. She turned back to Nieme. "It won't hurt to sit, right?"

"I...suppose not." Nieme submitted finally and shifted halfheartedly towards the table. She sank into the chair, with Dani next to her, and stared at Jae Dyn with a strange defiance she'd never experienced before. She was a threat to everything she and Dani hoped to achieve, and Nieme suddenly found herself resenting Jae Dyn's presence. "Well...we're seated. Now you can tell us what you mean."

Jae Dyn thought about taking another sip of water, but decided not to. "I promised you I would help you with your dreams, Nieme, and, I don't intend to go back on that. If you choose to stay here, I will come here once a week to teach you to control your dreams. That is, if you want me to. If you don't want to go back, I won't force you. The choice is yours."

"No, the choice is mine and Dani's." Nieme sighed and looked away from Jae Dyn to focus on her purple flower. "We weren't happy there," Nieme said quietly. "It was such a beautiful place...but it always made us so sad."

Dani nodded and then flicked her eyes in Jae Dyn's direction and then back to Nieme. "I like it here," she said. "And, there was too much...anxiety and stress. We weren't happy. Well, unless we were together. But, we like it here."

"I understand," Jae Dyn said. "If you do ever wish to visit the Temple, or the area around it...you'll be welcome there. We won't try to force you to stay, or to do anything you don't want to. We want your happiness, and if that's here, then this is where you must be."

"Thank you, M-- Jae Dyn Brael." Nieme peered down at her hand in Dani's, and the sight helped reinforce that their course of action was the right one for them. "Don't tell Kael we're here," Nieme said quickly. "He...we don't..." She let out a sharp breath and met Jae Dyn's eyes again. "Jae Dyn Brael...I think it would be alright if you came back... Well, to teach me to stop the visions. That would be alright. Just don't tell Kael where we are."

Jae Dyn nodded. "I think he's already guessed where the two of you went, but I'll do what I can to discourage him from looking for you." She glanced between them and then smiled. "You two look good together, very happy." She watched for a moment, and then the smile faded slightly. "Kael's the reason you left, isn't he? Something like before happened again, and that's why you left?"

Nieme's hand tightened around Dani's, and despite attempting to keep her face neutral and bereft of emotion, she didn't doubt that Jae Dyn could feel her despair and heartache. "He's... I didn't mean to hurt him...but we had to go. He was mean again. It makes me so sad when he gets mad, especially at Dani. I love him, Jae Dyn Brael, but I don't know if I can help him anymore. He likes the darkness too much. It frightens me."

Jae Dyn nodded. "I understand," she said. "Liam and I will try to bring him all the way into the light. Perhaps in time we can do that, and you won't have to worry about him being mean. Pulling someone from the darkness is not an easy task, but Liam is testament to the fact that it can happen. We'll do everything we can. In the meantime, you two stay here and be happy."

"You mean it, Jae Dyn Brael? Y-You won't make us go back?" Nieme's relief spilled over and with a giggle, she hugged Dani tightly. "We can stay, Dani! We can stay and do everything we wanted to do."

Dani squealed with delight as she hugged Nieme back, holding tight to her love. "Thank you," she cried out to Jae Dyn, even though all of her attention was on Nieme. In her excitement, she pressed her lips to Nieme's, and gave her a gratitude-filled kiss. "We get to stay here together," she finally said when the kiss broke.

Nieme nodded her head rapidly, making her head light and giddy. She giggled excitedly at Jae Dyn. "Thank you, Jae Dyn Brael!" Nieme leapt to her feet and flung her arms around Jae Dyn. "Thank you, Master. You don't know what you've done for us. We'll always be indebted to you."

Jae Dyn returned Nieme's hug, and the one that Dani gave her a moment later. "The best way to pay back that debt is to lead happy lives, but looking at you two, I see that's already in your future. If you ever need anything, either of you, please don't hesitate to contact me. I'd like to consider you friends, and hope you feel the same toward me."

"Always friends, Master." Nieme pulled back with a large grin. "You'll visit, right? You p-promise to stop by and maybe even teach Dani and I a few things?"

Jae Dyn nodded. "I promise," she said with a grin. "And, possibly I can bring Yelara and the kids with me too. Unless you'd rather I not do that. But, yes, I will teach you things, and I'll make those dreams of yours go away."

Dani moved over next to Nieme, and slipped her arms around her friend. "It'll be so wonderful," she said. "Making the dreams go away will be...it will make us very happy."

"And I think seeing Yelara Zaneth and the babies again would be nice." Nieme caressed Dani's arms lightly with her fingers and said to Jae Dyn, "Tell Kael... Just tell him we're safe and that...I still love him, Master Jae Dyn Brael. Tell him that, won't you?"

Jae Dyn nodded and then reached out and took one of Nieme's hands in hers and held her gaze. "I'll tell him," she said. "I'm sure he'll be happy to know that. And, I'll also try to talk to him. I think it will be good for him to have a friend, to talk to someone. I am certain the next time I see you, I'll have a message from him for you."

Nieme forced back painful tears as the thought of being with Kael again, the Kael she fell in love with in the desert, resurfaced. She squeezed Jae Dyn's hand gently and smiled ruefully. "Please visit again soon, Jae Dyn Brael. And please tell Master Liam Zaneth we're sorry for running away without telling anyone."

"I'll tell him," Jae Dyn said. "And, I'm sure he'll understand. I'll make sure he knows you're safe, and that I will continue training you as I can."

Nieme rushed towards Jae Dyn again and hugged her with trembling arms. "I'm so glad we have you as a friend, Jae Dyn Brael." Flustered and embarrassed, Nieme pulled away and buried her face into Dani's bosom, finally letting her tears of joy and grief fall silently.

Dani held Nieme tight and then looked up at Jae Dyn with a smile. "Thank you very much," she said softly. "It means a lot to us. I hope to see you soon, Master Jae Dyn."

"I will return later in the week," Jae Dyn said. "I'll see you two soon. Stay safe, and may the Force be with you." And, then she stood and made her way from the restaurant.

Dani smiled and then pressed her lips to the top of Nieme's head. "Oh, my dear, sweet love," she said softly. "We can stay here together now; we can be happy."

"Yes..." Nieme raised her head, but kept her eyes lowered so the lights from within the diner wouldn't reflect off her teary eyes and ruin Dani's happiness. "Now we don't have to be afraid that they'll make us go back. We can be happy...at least that's something."

Dani lowered her lips to Nieme's ear and kissed the delicate flesh. "Let's go into the kitchen," she whispered.

Nieme allowed Dani to lead her away while she trudged along with feet and heart heavy from sadness. She rested her head upon Dani's shoulder and wiped away her tears upon it. It wasn't right to upset a happy moment, but Nieme didn't feel like celebrating their new freedom when all she could think about was Kael and how badly she had hurt him. A part of her wanted to turn back and chase down Jae Dyn to beg her to reinstate them into the Temple, but the other wanted to remain sheltered in Dani's embrace and begin their new adventure together. She hoped in time she'd forget about Kael, for only then would the stabbing pain in her heart disappear.

---

"Almost Happy, Part 2"
By: Liam Zaneth
Yelara Zaneth
Kael Selrid
Dani
Nieme Yaresh-Selrid
Orn Gham [NPC]
Ferrig Mullerin
Raeila Mullerin

Location: Thanatos, Tae'Karada; Jedi Temple, Tae'Karada
Date: Niothe 3, 4 ABY

***

Hand in hand, Liam and Yelara stood in the garden trying to decide what their first task in its renovation would be. There was much to do, and they had taken it upon themselves to see to undertaking it. Liam glanced at his wife and smiled. "I think when Kallia returns with the speeder, we'll need to make a trip into the city to find some new plants for out here. Until then, maybe we can work together at preparing this spot over here."

Yelara chewed the inside of her cheek as she formed mental images of the layout she envisioned, but she remembered how she'd always hated gardening with her grandmother and along with her lack of imagination, she could now come up with nothing. She sighed sharply and glared at the empty flower beds. "I say we just cover up all the soil with stones. What do you think?"

Liam looked around the garden and laughed. "Or we can leave it the way it is," he said. "I think natural is best, don't you? Just...maybe, move the bench a little to the left, and call it good? Then we can go walk in the forest."

"Well...it would look better with some flowers. I have an idea! We can get the Padawans to do it. You can say it's some training technique meant to teach them something or other about the Force." Yelara grinned slyly. "So, we take our walk and leave the Padawans with our chores. You know, I think that's a wonderful idea."

"I'm sure there has to be a connection to discipline and gardening," Liam said with a broad grin. "I'll talk to Kael about it later. But for now, I think I would like to take a walk with my wife. I think we have a waterfall to get acquainted with." He slipped his hand into hers and pulled her close. "Do you suppose they'd be able to hear us up here at the Temple?"

"We could try, and I think we could manage it too." Yelara ran her hand along Liam's cheek and said seriously, "I think we should maybe get some talking done first. I mean, it's not our sex life that's lacking, Liam, it's all the other areas where the problems lay."

Liam nodded slowly. "Yes," he said. "Let's go do some walking, and while we do, we can do that talking we need. Besides, if we're living here we should get to know the area around our home. And, it'll be nice to just spend time together, nice quiet time like I don't think we've had...well, in a long time."

"We had some this morning, but that's not the kind we need right now." Yelara sighed, then laughed suddenly. "I was just thinking about how much I need to tell you and...it's quite a bit, my love. It'll be nice to get it off my chest."

Liam laughed and brought her hand to his lips. "Then we'd better get started," he said. He started toward the gate, walking slowly with Yelara at his side. "I promise from now on to not hide anything from you, to talk freely about anything and everything. I do think I need to talk about things to you, rather than holding them in."

"At least you can handle it better than I can. I absolutely snapped, Liam. I guess I'm not as strong as I thought I was."

Liam put an arm around her waist and pulled her close against him. "You may have snapped, but we managed to survive it," he said. "And, things will only get better for us from now on."

As they walked across the courtyard in front of the Temple, a voice called out from behind them. "Yelara!"

Yelara grimaced and groaned woefully as the brisk footsteps drew nearer. She looked up at Liam with an apologetic smile, then slowly turned to face the source of her distress. "Kael...what is it?"

Kael looked between Liam and Yelara. "I was wondering if, um, if we could talk? Do you have time for...for just...it won't take long."

"Um..." Yelara smiled uncomfortably and glanced back nervously at Liam. "Uh...yeah. I think we should talk, Kael. Let's just-- Let's go and...talk, Kael."

Kael glanced at Liam, and then back to Yel. "Yes," he said. "Back in the Temple?"

"I'll be over in that clearing," Liam said, indicating where some sunlight was filtering down through the trees.

Yelara gave Liam a reassuring smile and watched him step away. She looked back to Kael, whose eyes were burning with unbridled desire. "We can do this in the courtyard," she said tensely. "Just a short talk. Liam and I have a walk planned."

Kael frowned. "What about a short walk for you and me," he said. "Just think of the danger with Liam so close. Just think, Yelara."

"I don't--" Yelara sighed sharply. "Kael...can we please just go to the courtyard? We can talk there."

"Sure," Kael said. "We can talk in the courtyard." He led the way toward the courtyard, and once there turned to face her. His eyes showed concern, but he held himself back from touching her. "What's going on?"

Yelara cleared her throat as she slipped her arms around herself in a delicate embrace. "How are you doing, Kael? I mean with Nieme leaving and everything... Are you holding up okay?"

"I'm doing alright," he said. "She wanted to be with Dani anyway, so that's where she is. I guess I was a little too rough around the edges for her. But, I've got you now, so I guess there's no problem. She was too delicate for me anyway, right?"

"Actually, I think she was good for you, Kael. I think she's just what you needed...not me."

Kael's eyes narrowed. "What's going on? Why this sudden change, Yelara? We were good together and you know it. Why change on me now! You liked what we had."

Yelara impulsively stepped back against Kael's anger. Her legs hit the hard stone of one of the benches and she gasped as she was forced to sit heavily upon it. She looked up at Kael with a soothing gaze and after a moment to calm herself, she spoke softly. "It felt good, Kael; I don't deny that. But...I can't risk my marriage anymore. I love Liam and I don't want to compromise what we have to pursue my physical desires. I'm so sorry, Kael."

"You weren't so worried about compromises when you seduced me yesterday," Kael snapped. "Why does it have to be this way? Why lead me on like that, and then dump me today?"

"Kael, we were never a couple. It was just sex, don't you see that?" Yelara stood slowly and cautiously. "Look...we can still talk, Kael. Right now, more than ever you need someone to confide in. Just because we won't be having sex anymore doesn't me we can't just talk, Kael."

Kael turned away, fighting down the emotions raging within. "Fine," he said. "We can still talk. At least everyone hasn't abandoned me..."

Yelara sighed softly and gently placed a hand atop Kael's shoulder. "Please don't be angry. This doesn't mean we can't be friends, Kael. I think we both need friends right now. I did enjoy the time we had and we can still have time, Kael. I won't abandon you."

"Thank you," Kael said softly, and then slowly turned back to face Yelara. "I really screwed things up with Nieme. She and Dani left because of me, because she loves Dani and I couldn't handle it. I lost her and it was all my fault, all my stupid fault."

"You can still get her back, Kael. It's not too late. Kallia and I... I pushed her away too at one time. I was horrible to her and she left. But I got her back and even after all I put her through, she loved me just as much as she did the day she left." Yelara smoothed the back of her hand across Kael's cheek and smiled. "Give her time, Kael. If she loved you at all, she'll come back to you."

Kael nodded slowly. "I need to get her back," he said. "I need to be the man she'll love again. I need her back, and I'm afraid I won't be able to. I have to be a good Jedi. Then I'll be good enough to get her back. Will--will you help me?"

Yelara laughed softly and comforted Kael with an embrace. "Of course I will. Friends help friends. I know what you're going through and how much pain you're in right now. I'll help you Kael, any way I can."

"Thank you," Kael said. "You should go be with Liam now. I think I'm probably going to go into the city. There are some things we need, and I figure I can pick them up. It keeps me from just wandering around here worrying."

"Good idea." She rubbed his back soothingly, then kissed him lightly upon the cheek. "When Liam and I get back from our walk," she said as she pulled back, "while he's fixing us something to eat, you and I can sit down and talk about things, okay?"

"Good plan," Kael said. "Thank you, Yelara. You're a good friend. I know with you helping me, I'll get her back. I'll go talk to Aurra and see if she can watch the babies while I'm gone."

"Okay. You need the time to yourself." Yelara kissed Kael again, gently upon the lips this time, then whispered softly into his ear, "And don't tell Liam, but you really were one of the best I've ever had." She laughed and started back for the gates of the courtyard to meet Liam for their walk.

Kael laughed and waved after her. "Don't worry," he called softly. "I won't say a word to anyone." With that, he continued inside to ask Aurra if she'd watch after the babies while he was in the city.

***

Orn was running a cloth along the front counter and whistling a lively tune while he prepared the diner for closing. The last of the customers filtered out of the diner and Orn spared them a wave. Nieme and Dani had just finished with tidying the kitchen and scouring the pots. They strolled out of the kitchen, hands linked and their crisp, boisterous giggles pervading the intimate little diner. "Night, girls. Good job tonight...especially you, Dani. I guess this means you're on the payroll now."

Dani ran and hugged Orn. "Thank you, thank you, thank you," she squealed. "Did you hear that, Nieme? I'm here for good! We get to keep working here together. Oh thank you, Orn." She hugged him again, and planted a kiss on his cheek. "You made our day!"

Orn smiled warmly and peeled Dani's arms from around his thick waist. "Okay, kid. You're welcome. Just...go home and have a good night's rest. Tomorrow, the new food shipments come in and we're gonna be damn busy. Now...get going."

Nieme took Dani's hand and gently tugged her away from Orn. "Good night, Orn. See you tomorrow. Come on, Dani."

Dani waved again as she and Nieme slipped through the door and into the night. She took a deep breath and let it out. "Oh, it was a good day today, Nieme. And, they're only going to get better from now on. Isn't it wonderful?" She looked at her girlfriend and smiled. "So, where now? Should we try to go find some more clothes?"

"W-We could. There aren't really shops specializing in clothing, but I'm sure we can find a vendor who's selling something." Nieme kissed Dani delicately upon the cheek, then giggled and veered her towards a bustling area of the streets. "It's safer where there's more people. And there'll be lots of vendors here too."

Dani nodded. "Good idea," she said. "That place looks like they sell some nice things. Can we look there, Nieme?"

"Of course, Dani. We can do whatever you want. I said I want you to be happy, so we're going to do anything you want, as long as it makes you smile."

Dani hugged Nieme close. "Then let's go get us some new clothes," she said. "And, maybe see what we need to get a refresher set up at the house. That would be so great. And, then we could take showers together."

Nieme's eyes slowly went wide and she stumbled at Dani's suggestion. "T-Together? You mean...me and you...together and...naked?"

Dani giggled. "Well, yeah. I mean, unless you don't want to. And, you don't have to if I do. If something won't make you happy, you don't have to do it even if you think it'll make me happy. But, we've been naked together before. We don't have to if you don't want to though. It's alright, Nieme."

Nieme frowned pensively. "I don't know, Dani. I was only naked because...we were drunk. B-But it doesn't mean I don't... I mean...I don't mind being naked in front of you..." She let out an exasperated sigh, one intended for herself and her inability to overcome her own self-conscious tendencies. "I want to be naked with you again, Dani. I liked how your skin felt against mine." She pouted with a sense of determination and said fervently, "I will shower with you naked, Dani. I-In fact, tonight, I'm going to let you touch me again like this morning, except naked. And not even the cold can make me change my mind!"

Dani slipped her arms around Nieme and held her close. She just gazed into her friend's eyes for a long time before kissing her. "You are very beautiful, Nieme," she said. "And, you look very, very nice naked. You don't have anything to be afraid or ashamed of." She kissed her again. "Let's go find us some new clothes."

Recovering from her firm declaration with a deep breath, Nieme fell into step beside Dani. She giggled quietly and looked up at her friend. "You make me so daring, Dani. I-I like that. You make me feel so carefree and...alive. Thank you."

Dani looked over at Nieme and she smiled brightly. "You're welcome," she said. "And, it's my pleasure to make you feel that way. It will always be like this with us, Nieme. I can't believe that in all the universe, we were brought together. It's like we were meant to be together, and that's what led me to the shipyards, and then you had your dream. This was meant to happen."

Just like Kael and I, Nieme added somberly to herself. She walked in silence alongside Dani as they passed vendor after vendor. Many of the street dwellers eyed Dani curiously and warily; they stared at everyone normally, but Dani received especially piercing gazes because she was rather oddly looking by their standards. "Do you see anything you like?" Nieme asked quietly. "We should finish shopping before the sun sets."

"There's a dress there that's nice," Dani said, pointing it out. "And, maybe I should get a pair of sandals like yours. Do you see anything that you think would look good on me? Oh, what about that shirt?"

"Everything looks good on you, Dani," Nieme pointed out warmly. "But I think the shirt is a good choice, and something thicker. Maybe another cloak that's not so hole ridden."

Dani looked at Nieme, and her eyes brightened. "Oh, I think that's a very good idea," she said. "And, I think I should get a new cloak for you too! We can get matching cloaks, to celebrate our new life together. And, I'll get that shirt, and that dress over there, and those sandals that are almost like yours. It will be so wonderful!"

Nieme shifted her eyes around and saw the passersby seemingly looming closer the more enthusiastic Dani came. Her voice was carrying above the mild conversation being shared by the denizens who frequented these parts, and it was making them very aware of her, especially of the fact that she was an outsider. "You should keep your voice then," Nieme whispered. "It...it draws less attention to you."

Dani looked around at the people watching her, and then she nodded slowly to Nieme. "Okay," she said softly. "We should also get some blankets to keep us warm at night. And, um...did you want to get anything? I'll buy you anything you want here."

"New clothes would only make us stick out even more. I'll just stick with my cloak and the clothes I have. But...but you can buy some new stuff. If you wear a cloak over them, no one will notice."

Dani nodded slowly, and then looked around at all the wares being offered by the vendors. She sighed and turned away. "I already stick out enough," she said softly. "I don't want to stick out any more than I already do."

The wave of disappointment coming from Dani almost liquefied Nieme's large brown eyes with welling tears. She squeezed Dani's hand and reached up to plant a kiss upon her cheek. "I'm sorry, Dani. I didn't mean to make you sad. I just...I want us to be safe."

Dani slipped her arms around Nieme and held her close. "I understand," she said. "I just wanted to get something nice for you, that's all. It's alright, Nieme."

"Well...you still can," Nieme said with a smile. "You can get me something, and I can wear it for you at home. Just for you, Dani and no one else."

Dani grinned and giggled. "I should get you something really sexy then," she said. "Especially if you're just going to be wearing it for me. Do you see anything here you'd like to wear for me?" With a giggle, Dani started gathering up the clothes she'd been eyeing earlier. If nothing else, she could make them look less new. But, wearing only what she was, she didn't think she could survive Thanatos. "Oh," she suddenly whispered, "what about that one? It's so...you'd look beautiful in that one, Nieme."

Nieme slid the material through her hand. She'd never seen anything so beautiful or revealing in the desert before, but she knew she'd wear it for Dani if she asked. "It's...it's wonderful. Should we get it?" Nieme blushed and giggled. "Oh...I don't know. Do you think?"

Dani took Nieme into her arms, and brushed her lips against Nieme's cheek, chin, and then lips. "I think you should get it if you want to get it, if you want to wear that for me. I think it would be very beautiful on you, Nieme...well, what little there is of it."

Nieme shivered with the pleasant tingle running through her body. She swayed against Dani, yearning for more than the brief touch of her lips upon her mouth. "I-I'll wear it," she whispered breathlessly. "I want to... I want to go home and wear it for you, my flower."

Dani placed the skimpy garment onto the pile of other things she'd picked up. "Let me go get these," she said, "and then we can go home together. And, then we can try out our new..." She grinned at Nieme. "...blankets."

Nieme smiled with anticipation as Dani headed towards the vendor and haggled for a discount on the items she held in her arms. The more time she spent with her friend and love, the more akin to the idea of being with her intimately became Nieme. Ever since their first kiss, she was no longer frightened by the idea of being with another woman as she had been in her dream. Their relationship was more transcendent than a need to quench some carnal, physical desire; she loved Dani, as she had-- as she still loved Kael, but there was still the concern that what happened with Kael would happen with Dani, and Nieme couldn't face that again.

"Thank you," Dani said sweetly to the vendor as she walked away with the large bundle of clothing and blankets. "All set, my love. We can go home now. And, then the rest of the night is ours to do with as we desire."

"Well then," Nieme said with secretive smile, "I'd like to show you something. We can drop off our clothes, then I'd like to show you...unless you really want to stay home while we try on our new outfits."

"We can do that after," Dani said. "We have all night to try on outfits. But, if you have something you want to show me, then I definitely want to do that first."

"Okay," Nieme said with a shrill giggle. "Let's go!" She tightened her grip on Dani's hand, and hastened her pace with a gentle tug. The sun had yet to set, but it would be night soon and when it was, Nieme would introduce Dani to the sparkling sea of Thanatos stars.

***

Life was good. Thanatos had found a new meaning to the word terror, and it was all due to the Feltreys. Ferrig Mullerin lounged in what he had determined was his throne. He would eventually rule Thanatos as Prince, and he deserved a throne.

From the far end of the room, not that the room was all that large to begin with, the door banged open and a Feltrey rushed in. Ferrig glanced to Raeila and smiled. She was displaying an unusually large expanse of skin today, and he noticed the man approaching nearly stumble when he spotted her.

"Ferrig," the youth stammered, "she's back! She's back in Thanatos!"

Ferrig frowned. "Who?"

"Selrid's kitchen rat!"

Raeila's lazy smile stretched into an anxious grin as she approached the lookout hurriedly. "She's back? What about Selrid? Is he...well is he with her?"

The boy looked at Raeila and swallowed. She was so...she exuded sexuality, and he just wished he had the creds for a night with her. Maybe if he brought her good news, that would be payment enough. "He wasn't there, but she did have another girl with her. She was all purple. The other girl, not the kitchen rat."

"Oh, I know that, you fool!" Raeila pursed her lips tightly and stomped petulantly in a small circle. "Are you sure he wasn't there? That doesn't make sense. If she was the reason he left, why in all hells would he risk letting her come back here on her own?"

"I'm sorry, R-Raeila," he stammered. "I only saw them. I didn't ask them why they showed up without Kael. Though, I really would have liked to talk to that one girl. She was really heating up the sands out there."

She glared at the boy, angered by his audacity in even implying there was someone in Thanatos more alluring than she. Raeila bared her teeth at the boy and hissed, "Get outta here, you useless cur! You spent most of your time feasting your eyes on some purple chick's tits. How can we be sure you're information is even accurate? Huh? Where did they go? Hm? What were they doing? You don't know because you weren't paying attention to the right details!"

"They were heading east," he said. "I didn't follow them since I came right here. But, it's Thanatos. It's not like there's very many places they can be. We just round up the gang, and go catch ourselves a pair of treats."

"Oh, brilliant idea. I'm sure a gang of horny, drunken gangers stampeding down the street wouldn't make them the least bit suspicious. You fool! They'd hear us all the way from Riga square!" Raeila sighed sharply and spun around to face Ferrig. "Please tell me you have a better idea, brother. I can't believe you let idiots like him work for you."

Ferrig laughed and dismissed the ganger with a wave. "We have to find the girl," he said. "And, where would you go if you were a kitchen rat?"

Raeila laughed dryly and sauntered closer to Ferrig. "That sounds like the opening to one of your bad jokes, Ferrig." She sighed wearily and dropped into one of the chairs nearby Ferrig's self-anointed throne. "She shouldn't be too hard to find. The question is: where's Selrid?"

"Maybe hiding," Ferrig said. "But, I think she'll lead us right to him. Which means, we start watching the Rhack. I have no doubt that if she's back, she's getting close to Orn again."

Raeila's laughter mocked Ferrig, but it was a mere mask for the disappointment she felt in knowing Kael was still out of reach. At least, though, she could take her frustrations out on his whore. She reclined back in the chair, stretching like a reisacat and exposing even more flesh while her shirt slowly edged up and receded away from her torso. "Orn won't let us within two meters of the Rhack. We'll have to scout outside of it."

"Should be easy enough to do," Ferrig said. "I'll make sure to keep the rest of the Feltreys away. I have no doubt they'll spook her if they're near, because I have serious doubts they could keep a low profile. We just watch for her, and then when she leaves to go home...we just follow her there. And, then we have ourselves a new toy."

"What about the other?" Raeila grimaced and protruded her lower lip in a sulk. "The purple one with the uncanny sexual energy." She brightened considerably and added quickly, "Can we kill her? Please?"

Ferrig laughed. "Well, maybe we can have a little fun with her first," he said. "But, we can kill her. Besides, purple skin just isn't normal...she's got to go."

"Oh, thank you!" Raeila leapt to her feet and hurried over to Ferrig. With a squeal, she swept through the air and came down onto Ferrig's lap roughly. "And can I have some fun with the kitchen girl too?" She ran her finger lazily along Ferrig's lips. "I want to teach that little slut what happens to girls who try to compete with Raeila Mullerin."

Ferrig smiled lazily. "I get first shot at her," he said. "But, then she's all yours. While I play with her, you can toy with the purple one. And, then we can swap. I'm sure after a bit of time, we can get both of them trained. Just think of the money we could make off them. We would be rich, Raeila. Absolutely rich."

"We gotta catch them first, brother, before we start planning what to do with our fortune. I say we start tomorrow. While I'm out spreading joy and pleasure to the citizens of Thanatos, I can look out for the bitch and her alien friend." Raeila made a retching sound that clearly conveyed her disgust. "I think I hate aliens even more than I hate Wetters."

"Just think how much pleasure you'll get in killing the bitch. I want to hear her little alien screams while you torture her. Wouldn't that be a beautiful thing? I think we should make sure the bitch gets good and used up before we kill her though. Tie her down, and let the whole gang do her. Twice. And, then we can leave her as a warning to all the other aliens who think they can come in here."

"Mmm... I like how you think, brother. Always so impressive." She brushed her lips against his, then laughed sharply. "That's more than I can say for your jokes. Haven't come up with any new material, huh?"

Ferrig laughed. "I haven't come up with anything new," he said. "Then again, you're the only one in the gang who could appreciate good humour. The rest of them laugh no matter what. If you'd like, I can try to find a few good jokes for just you."

Raeila swayed sensually in Ferrig's lap and laughed throatily. "Well...maybe you could test them out on me in private. We don't want anyone stealing your prized jokes, now do we?"

Ferrig slipped his arms around Raeila and smirked. "Very well. I'll find some new jokes, and test them out on you in private. Maybe with your help, I can improve my reputation."

"Ferrig, with my help, you'll become even more disreputable." She giggled and ran a finger along her chest. "And with me by your side, we can show everyone how truly dangerous we are."

Ferrig moved his hands to her chest to help the movements of her finger. "This city will fear us," he said with a slow smile. "And, while they're fearing us, I have a feeling just looking at us will send this entire pit of hell into a lust-filled frenzy. With us leading them, how could they not be? Little sister, we're going to wake this place up and the Wetters will take notice. They won't kick around the Kir'Thana anymore."

"And if they try, we'll just use the kitchen rat and her friend as examples to them all." Raeila kissed Ferrig roughly, then pulled away with a breathless laugh. "Teach me a joke, Ferrig. Then tomorrow, we begin our crusade, starting with traitors like that kitchen whore, then all of Thanatos."

"Come, my dear sister," Ferrig said with a laugh, "come closer and I will teach you the joke of the kitchen rat, the purple alien bitch, and how they were paid back for deserting the desert..."

***

Together, Nieme and Dani walked through the sands toward the secret place Nieme wanted to share with Dani. They chattered happily, talking about anything that came to mind. It was amazing how carefree and happy life was when they were together. It was amazing how everything just seemed right.

Dani squeezed Nieme's hand gently. "I like it here with you, Nieme," she said. "I never thought I would be happy living in a place like this with all the heat and sand, but now I can't imagine being happy anywhere else."

"We were happy at the Temple sometimes...but not like here." Nieme looked forward again, and her breath caught in her throat as the dilapidated dwelling appeared before them. "We're here! This is what I wanted to show you, Dani." She lead her friend to the entrance of the structure. She scanned the interior for any occupants, but as she suspected, none had found the dwelling habitable and it was free for her and Dani's use. "What do you think of it?"

Dani looked around the small building and smiled. "It feels like you," she said with a grin. "This is the place where you come to look at the stars, isn't it?" She stepped further into the place, and then nodded. "It feels so safe here. I like it, Nieme. Are we going to watch the stars from here?"

"No." Nieme smiled as Dani's face took on a look of puzzlement. She laughed softly and pointed to the upper level. "We're going to watch from up there." Nieme moved to the crates and mounted them first. She held out a hand for Dani and helped her up. "Believe me, the view's better from here. You'll see."

Dani followed Nieme up onto the second level, her eyes wide as she looked around with wonder. When she saw the large window showing a large expanse of the sky, her lips spread into a grin. "Oh... You can see everything from here. Oh, Nieme, it's wonderful!"

Nieme led Dani to the centre of the level, and sat down upon the stone floor, which was now covered with a fine layer of sand. "If we lay down, we won't have to crane our necks back to see."

Dani joined Nieme on the floor, and then scooted a little closer to her friend. The sky was spread out above them and seemed to go on forever. There were only a couple stars up there, shining through the fading daylight, but soon the sky would be alive with stars. "This has to be the best place in all of Thanatos."

"It's the safest too. No one comes here so it's a good place to hide in if the gangs are out." Nieme rested her head upon Dani's shoulder and sighed gently. "This will be our place, now. We can come here at night sometimes, and I can teach you the names of all the stars." Nieme looked down at her hand in Dani's as her mind drifted aimlessly into thought. "Did we do the right thing, Dani? Was it...was it right to leave the Temple?"

"I think so," Dani said softly. "Kael was...he was very upset with us, and I think he may have done something...not nice. At least now we can be happy and safe here, and we don't have to worry about our relationship being torn apart because Kael doesn't like us together. Hopefully without us there, Liam can help him overcome that. Maybe after a little time here, we might be able to go back if we want to."

Nieme's breath wavered and she felt tears budding in her eyes. "I love him, Dani. I still love him and no matter how mean he was, I miss him. I want you and I to be together...but I want to be with Kael too. I just don't know if he'll ever change."

Dani nodded, and then slipped her arms around Nieme. "We'll just have to see what happens," she whispered. "Maybe training as a Jedi will help him - will help him realize that you still love him more than anything, regardless of your feelings for me. We'll just have to see what happens." She kissed Nieme's cheek.

"But I don't love him more than you, Dani. I love him...differently. I don't really understand it myself, so maybe that's why he's having a hard time understanding." She nestled her face into Dani's neck and said softly, "Maybe someday he'll understand, then we'll never have to run away again."

"I'd like that," Dani said. "Someday we'll have to show him that you still love him just as much as you always have. I'm sure we can be very convincing for him. And, then you'll have him back. For now, though, we have us...and we get to be happy together." With that, she gently brushed her lips against Nieme's. "I love you, Nieme, and I always will. No matter what happens with Kael, I'll always love you."

"Thank you, Dani," she replied quietly. "Thank you for being in my dream. Now I'll never have to be alone again." With the sun disappearing from the horizon, a blanket of stars was now laid out across the sky. Nieme stared in awe at the glimmering beacons of light, even after having seen them thousands of times. "If you ever get sad," she whispered, "in your mind, just come to this place and remember the stars. I always do and it makes me happy again."

Without taking her eyes from the stars, Dani shifted herself even closer to Nieme. "If I ever get sad and need to be happy again, I'll just think about being with you gazing up at the stars, and then everything will feel perfect again."

"Yes," Nieme replied softly, thinking of Kael, and the Temple, and how even with Dani, nothing felt complete. "Perfect," she added in a solemn whisper.

Dani sighed and shifted her gaze to Nieme. She didn't need to be empathic to feel her friend's distress. "Do you want to go back to try to work things out with Kael? If you want to, we can."

Nieme gasped quietly as if the thought itself had panicked her. "We can't, Dani. What if he is still mean? I don't want to lose you. I'm happy here with you...but I know I would be so much happier if Kael could just be nice and if we could all three of us just be together. Why can't we have that, Dani? Why can't things just be the way we want them to be?"

"If all three of us wanted that, then we would not have any problems," Dani said. "But, Kael wants you for himself and he doesn't want to share. Unfortunately, we can't just make him accept our relationship. But, maybe in time, he will become more tolerable of you and I, and then you can be with us both."

"I hope so, Dani." Nieme tried to place a wall over her emotions so Dani wouldn't be able to sense her dejection. It was happiness they both strived for, but even in expressing their contentment, Nieme didn't feel true joy. That could only be achieved once she had her arozeil back, and once she'd succeeded in saving him from the darkness. It was she who thrust him back into the abyss, and she would never forgive herself unless he was pulled back out again.

She would be like the stars, repelling the darkness of night, and in doing so, she might find the man she fell in love with again. She only hoped, in the struggle, while her light was shining upon Kael, that Dani didn't become obscured and forgotten in the darkness.

---

"Hunter and Prey"
By: Daemor'rah
Jae Dyn Brael
Laedra Vorrel

Location: Thanatos, Tae'Karada
Date: Niothe 3, 4 ABY

***

The blistering pain in her shoulder rendered her left arm immobilized and utterly useless for the time being, but the throbbing nuisance was nothing compared to the excoriating of her lungs with every breathfull of scorching, dry desert air. She clutched her arm with her free hand, sending pulsating waves of the Force through it to numb the pain, and kept her mind focused on escape. She saw no point in drawing her lightsaber and garnering even more attention for herself; speeding through a busy town in a relentless flight was no doubt accomplishing that. It would have done no good, though, for her pursuer was nowhere in sight, and although she could detect tenuous disturbances in the Force, she couldn't centre herself adequately to track the woman.

Shouts and angry curses arose from the crowd as she weaved her way through clumsily. She'd never felt so disoriented and out of sorts before, but she'd only been on the planet a matter of an hour before a spear of blaster fire sliced through her flesh. No one knew of her coming, or even of her identity. Who, then, was stalking her so inexorably? It was someone, no doubt, who had strength in the Force, but she could not determine whether it was Sith or a rogue Jedi who had turned to the path of darkness.

To remain alive, she knew she had to keep herself calm and her mind clear. Without reasoned thoughts, she would be unable to find a resolution to her dire predicament, and would most likely end up dead, as appeared to be her pursuer's intention. The blood pounding in her ears made it difficult to focus her mind, for in it, she could sense her own panic, and only reminded her of the situation she was in.

Her white cloak streamed behind her in a billowing wave, making her easier to spot from wherever her stalker was hiding. She was unfamiliar with her surroundings, and finding shelter for herself was proving difficult, as was escaping the desert heat that too added to her disorientation.

It would do no good to hide away in a shop or in a darkened alleyway that most likely led to a dead end, but her options were growing slim and luck was quickly running out. She'd only narrowly missed being killed by the first shot because chance arranged for a small feline to run between her legs and trip her up the moment the shot screamed past her. It had only been her arm that time, but if the woman was as talented as she presumed her to be, next time she would not escape so relatively unscathed.

She scanned the rooftops of the rugged structures lining the sandy corridor, but the glare from the sun all but blinded her and looking back only slowed her down, so she struggled forward to seek some form of shelter in which she could recuperate for a short time. She felt herself becoming frantic, and reproved herself mentally for it. If she could not calm herself, she would only make her pursuer's task easier, for without a focused and centred mind, she would fall victim to her own inherent fallibility.

She ignored the external commotion of the busy street, and concentrated only on slowing her heartbeat enough so that her mind was free to think clearly without the thunderous noise of the palpations to distract her. Gently undulating waves of the Force flowed through her and she surrendered herself to it. Her breathing began to slow and her heart's desperate race began to settle. Now, she could think of a plan to elude her pursuer, but her mind had yet to begin formulating a route of escape when a reverberant ripple in the Force drew her attention back to the street. The woman was near and she herself was still in plain sight. She would be shot down once her attacker had a clear target, and with the dwindling crowd ahead, she knew that opportunity was about to present itself.

There was no choice left, and despite knowing the course of action would most likely be the incorrect one and most likely also end up ensnaring her, she sped into the nearest alleyway and moved deeply into it. Once she was far enough out of sight from the pedestrians, she pushed back her cloak and took hold of her lightsaber, filling the darkened corridor with a pink luminescence as she ignited it. Her breathing was rhythmic and steady, and her body was relaxed, yet poised to strike if necessary. With her eyes, and with the inner sight the Force provided her, she surveyed the dank, dim alley and awaited her pursuer's next strike.

The huntress had seen her. She was definitely worth the trouble and even more the time for the hunt. She was also confused; she could sense it. And that gave her the advantage while stalking the woman. Do he killing and grab her trophy. But she knew she had to be careful, she knew she had been felt although not yet seen. So this was one chance she could not let slip away. But this was a game and one had to have fun. Any other way would not be worth the fun of the hunt. Sliding her long projectile rifle she focused on the woman. With a grin on her lips she shot, hitting just next to the woman's right foot but not actually hurting her... yet.

The Jedi was momentarily startled by the whining ricochet of her attacker's second attempt on her life, but she neither flinched nor blinked as she remained focused and calm. She stretched her senses farther, yet all she could do was verify that her pursuer was near and directly above her on one of the rooftops. "Who are you?" She shifted around, her lightsaber humming as it moved through the air. "Who sent you? Show yourself!"

She grinned wickedly and jumped down into the alley. It was deserted enough not to call too much attention on them, and then again, in Thanatos people usually didn't walk into other people's problems, even if they were fights. She took out her lightsaber and ignited it. "Nobody sent me... I hunt for the pleasure of killing scum like you! I hunt because I will slaughter all Jedi! I hunt because you are prey! Enough talk, let the hunt begin! Any last words?"

She studied the woman before her and frowned. "I do not know you, therefore I have no quarrel with you." She stepped back and in an offering of peace, the blade of her lightsaber blinked out. "I will not fight you unless further provoked. Though, it would be wise not to provoke me, stranger."

Daemor'rah laughed and kicked sand into the woman's eyes as she let her blade down, and consequently her guard. She then jumped over the woman and kicked her backside towards the wall. "Fool... Were those your last words? Very well then!"

She grunted as her body slammed against the dense ferrocrete structure. She blinked away the stinging in her eyes and rubbed away the excess sand from her face. The pain in her arm amplified as her wound was aggravated by the collision, but if she didn't re-ignite her lightsaber and defend herself, she would suffer far greater afflictions. Gathering the Force within her, she stood tall and straightened her clothing. She faced the huntress, whose eyes now burned with murderous desire. She brought the hilt of her lightsaber to her forehead and bowed slightly to the woman. "I am Laedra Vorrel. My Master was Ina Galean. And you will soon regret your course of action, stranger." Without further preamble, Laedra brought her lightsaber before her and ignited the pink blade. "Your move, huntress."

Daemor'rah grinned and brought her lightsaber up. She advanced onto the woman and clashed her blade against hers. "I care not for your name... You are Jedi and soon you will be dead. Pretty lightsaber... It will make a good trophy!" she said. And with that, the huntress thrust and dodged the weapon sideways and kicked Laedra. "Your move, gorgeous..." she teased as she pointed her lightsaber to the woman.

Laedra kept her expression neutral to deny giving away any sign of emotion or indication of the pain now radiating through her side. She adjusted her stance and once again brought her lightsaber before her. "Why do you hate my kind so? Is your lust for blood so overwhelming that you cannot see the Jedi fight to liberate this galaxy?" Laedra swung her blade towards the huntress' and leapt to avoid a sweep of the woman's leg as their crackling blades clashed.

"I hate your kind because you corrupt all that is true in life... I have vowed to kill all Jedi. This vow I shall keep! You are Jedi, therefore you shall perish under my hands as others before you have! You do not liberate the galaxy! Patterns of life are simple. The stronger ones survives..." she said and then she swung her lightsaber and clashed it with Laedra's blade once more.

Laedra's muscles strained to keep her opponent's blade from repelling her own, thereby giving the woman a clear opening for attack. Instead, she forced back the woman's with a thrust and scrambled backwards to regain her poise. "You deem yourself a champion of some noble cause," Laedra called back, her voice steady and betraying not the fears she was trying to quell. "Yet this is obviously a selfish pursuit of vengeance for some wrong done you. Who has my kind harmed? Surely you cannot condemn us all for the crime of one." She lunged forward with her blade tip pointed directly towards her opponent's torso. It wasn't her wish to fatally wound the woman, but she was slowly being left with little choice.

Daemor'rah dodged the woman's attack and elbowed her across the cheek and then force jumped backwards to gain some space. "Your crime was to set alongside those who stand against the rhythm of life itself! You fight and stand for the Jedi principles, and for that reason you stand against me! I wouldn't expect you to understand anyway..." she said. She then took another lightsaber and ignited it.

Laedra stumbled off balance, momentarily dazed, but the distinct, sharp taste of blood within her mouth brought her focus quickly back. The huntress was certainly an equal with respect to prowess and lightsaber technique, but with Laedra's injuries quickly amassing and her stamina under the relentless Thanatos sun waning, the woman was quickly surpassing her. The identifiable intoning thrum of another lightsaber igniting motivated Laedra's defense reflexes into action. She regained her footing and swallowed back the blood, then moved into a readied stance with her lightsaber in front. "Make me understand," she said evenly. "Make me understand why you force me to contradict my principles by engaging in combat with you. The Jedi seek to preserve life, and are loath to extinguish another's existence unless it is completely necessary."

Laedra dug her foot into the sand, poised to elude any attack the woman sought to inflict upon her. Her gaze never faltered and her resolve only grew stronger as she stared at the woman before her, so intent upon taking her life. "You understand not the ways of the Jedi. We would sacrifice our lives to maintain that balance you are so convinced we have upset. Balance is what we strive for, that is why I cannot kill you here today."

Laedra eyed the two lightsabers within the woman's hands and knew for certain she had no qualms about fighting unfairly. She would merely have to even the playing field for herself. With one hand still gripping the hilt of her lightsaber, she brought her other before her and concentrated a pulse of the Force into her palm. "I will not kill you, but I will still defend myself... gorgeous."

The pulsating ball of invisible Force energy was thrust towards the woman. Her back flattened against the wall behind her and rendered her immobile. Not daring to get even a step closer to the woman, Laedra extended her leg and pinned Daemor'rah's hand to the wall with her foot until the second lightsaber fell to the sands below. She wrapped a tendril of the Force around the lightsaber and flung it far enough out of reach. With a gentle smile, Laedra stepped back and released her hold on the woman. "Now we may begin again."

The huntress screamed in rage. "You won't kill me, you say?! Too bad I have no such cowardly principles! And do not patronize me with your stories, for way before your time I was already at your former council being trained. But my eyes were opened to reality..." she said. And she then Force pulled her lightsaber back into her hands, only this time she safeguarded it once more and pulled a round spherical object and tossed it at Laedra. "Here. I hope you can deactivate that tampered thermal detonator, Jedi..." she laughed before jumping onto the top of the roof above.

Time slowed to almost a halt as Laedra watched the detonator hurling through the air towards her. The blast from the explosion would no doubt kill her instantly, and there was no time to run far enough away to avoid the brunt of the explosion. There was only one route of escape, and it would no doubt only place her into the hands of her pursuer, but there was little choice in the matter.

Channelling the Force through her body and directing it down into her legs, Laedra sprang straight up through the air just as the detonator came to a stop where her feet should have been. The wind rushed past her as her body rocketed towards the top of the structure, where her attacker would be waiting. With her Force enhanced hearing, Laedra could detect the high-pitched beeps coming from the detonator below. The beeping hastened and reinforced the urgency of Laedra's escape. Even upon the roof, she would not be completely shielded from the blast.

As she ascended higher, the huntress came fully into view again, the sinister smile still curling her lips. Laedra touched down upon the roof with a grunt and had her lightsaber at a ready position before her. The thermal detonator's piercing, shrill beeps resolved into one, crisp warning sound that indicated time had run out. "It seems the huntress has become the hunted," Laedra said quickly. She held her lightsaber above her, preparing to bring it down upon the woman. "Run." She slashed at the woman, who leapt back to avoid the blow, but Laedra had intended it only as a goad to set the attacker into motion again.

She started forward after the woman, just as the detonator exploded below. The structure they stood upon trembled violently from the force of the detonation, but Laedra paid it no heed; her only focus now, was hunting down the huntress.

***

Down on the sandy streets below, Jae Dyn Brael walked casually. Her cloak was pulled up around her against the heat and the drifting sand. She approached the speeder she'd flown here to Thanatos in, glad to be finally heading back to the Temple. Just as she was about to climb inside, the ground below her rumbled. She felt a tremor from nearby, the ebbing tide of the Force telling her that something wasn't right. She looked out across the streets of the desert town, searching for the disturbance.

Then she saw it. Up on the top of one of the roofs of a nearby building, two figures with lightsabers drawn faced off against each other amid the curling black smoke from an explosion. One of the combatants, the one with the chalk-white skin and red topnot, seemed to vibrate with darkness, a disease riddled taint she had become far too familiar with in her time with Dargus Kandran. The other moved with a grace and fluidity that marked her easily as Jedi, and in obvious pain.

The speeder and return to her home forgotten, Jae Dyn sprinted forward, preparing herself to assist the Jedi Knight against the pale-skinned woman.

***

Daemor'rah made it clear from Laedra's path of attack and grinned. The woman was much more of a fighter than she had taken her for. Plus she was growing more and more violent over time. "Be careful child, do not roam into the Dark Side..." she teased. "And no, the hunter does not become the hunted..." she said.

Nodding slightly to the left the huntress pointed at another building, to a small bar full of innocents and those who were about. On top of the roof was another detonator. "By now you should have about 20 seconds to stop the slaughter of those people in that building. I don't care if they die... Do you?!" she said just before she laughed outloud.

Laedra's eyes were upon the huntress, but her focus was on the tavern on the other side of the street. The odd, inebriated patron would stagger through the door and out onto the street, but there were still many unsuspecting people within whose lives would be quickly obliterated if the detonator went off. She didn't know how the huntress had managed the feat, but nonetheless, the device was there and throbbing with the devastating power held within, ready to be released. Laedra's attention returned to the huntress and without another moment to waste, she de-ignited her lightsaber and gave a smooth, short bow. "Until we undoubtedly meet again, huntress."

On the street below, Jae Dyn Brael pulled her lightsaber from beneath her billowing cloak. With the fight waging above, she figured there was no longer any point in maintaining any subtlety. Once she was close enough, she leapt upward, easily making the roof. As she ascended, she noticed that the side of the building that had absorbed the blast from the explosion was crumbling away. Thermal detonator, she reasoned. Her boots touched the ferrocrete surface of the building, and she ignited her lightsaber. The violet blade extended and thrummed with the familiar electronic hum, ready to face the challenge of the woman with two blades. "Two blades against one is hardly a fair fight," she said.

Laedra's eyes flicked towards the lithe woman who had just entered the scene. Her cloak flared around her, caught in an updraft of spiralling wind, and loose strands of discernibly brown hair swept across her forehead and delicately carved cheeks. Her expression was soft, yet the determination and fixed resolve in her eyes belied her otherwise unimposing appearance. She was undoubtedly a Jedi, and also a perfect opportunity for Laedra to take care of the thermal detonator without allowing the huntress to escape unpunished. With a nod to the woman, Laedra clipped her lightsaber to her belt and stepped off the edge of the building.

The huntress saw Laedra go after the thermal detonator she had placed across the street. Another Jedi woman had come to pick a fight. A friend of the first one perhaps. "Another Jedi comes to rescue the poor child. Your student, is she? About to crumble at my hands she was... Her lucky day you came to pass! But it seems I found the perfect hunting grounds! One day I will have you too!" she smiled wickedly. And then she put away her lightsaber and jumped backwards off the building's edge and shot several times at Jae Dyn with both her blasters.

Jae Dyn's lightsaber moved smoothly to deflect the blaster bolts harmlessly away, but the delay was enough to give the woman a chance to make her escape.

By the time Daemor'rah got down, she turned to her side where a man was about to get into a speeder. With no time to spare, she kicked him across the chest and got into his speeder. "Thanks for the ride!" she told the man as she got away in her speeder, leaving the two Jedi behind.

Jae Dyn moved to the edge of the building as the woman sped off across the sand. She shook her head and gave a dry laugh. "How very...cowardly." With that, she turned her attention to find the other woman that had been involved in the fight, the Jedi Knight.

***

Back in another place, on the outskirts of Thanatos, the huntress dismounted the speeder. She had not had the chance to finish off Laedra, and if not for the second woman she just might have been successfull. But at least she had made knowledge over other Jedi that were about. So that made her count rise to four now... Daemor'rah grinned.

---

"New Jedi Disorder, Part 1"
by Laedra Vorrel
and Jae Dyn Brael

Location: Thanatos and Jedi Temple, New Plouton, Tae'Karada
Date: Niothe 3, 4ABY

***

Laedra cleared the distance between the crumbling dwelling to the tavern in a matter of seconds, yet it seemed laboriously slow to her. As she neared, the chirping of the device grew to a deafening peak; the countdown was almost complete, which meant the people within the tavern had but moments to live. There wasn't time to think, yet a few stray thoughts managed to come to the forefront, such as who the mysterious Jedi woman was and if she was faring well with the huntress; the most prominent thought, though, was about how fatigued she was and whether she could call up enough energy to carry out the task she'd quickly devised in her mind.

The patrons of the establishment couldn't be cleared out in time, so there was only one alternative. The tavern wasn't tall enough to provide an obstacle in mounting it, and with natural strength and a little help from the Force, she cleared the top without difficulty. It was the next feat that was seemingly more indomitable. The shrill beeps of the detonator had once again converged into a single, resonant whine and time had suddenly expired. Laedra reacted, something her Master Ina had instructed her never to do. To react was the mien of an undisciplined mind, but sometimes acting on whim was the only path to survival.

Laedra cast away all fears and apprehensions as she approached the device and scooped it up into her hand. It pulsated and trembled with the expectant release of its contained destructive potential...which Laedra knew was near. Using all the reserve stamina that remained within her after her encounter with the huntress, Laedra launched the device upward as high as was possible with her diminished strength and a little aid from the Force. Once it was at its apogee, Laedra raised her hands above her and released rushing currents of the Force towards the device to keep it suspended in the air. Exhaustion was nearing, but Laedra was determined to persevere. Her body quaked violently with the internal battle to keep the device aloft despite her waning strength. Only a few more moments and--

The force of the explosion radiated outward in a powerful wave that distorted the surrounding air visibly. The building beneath her tremored and lurched. She staggered wildly about, trying to dampen the effects of the explosion with the Force, but her strength was depleted and there was nothing left to shield her from the blow. The rippling shockwave from the blast barreled down into Laedra, impacting her full on. She felt her breath flee from her lips and her body crumpling inwards. Unable even to cry out, she stumbled backwards until the rooftop disappeared from beneath her feet and her body plunged weightlessly. Unconsciousness took hold before Laedra had an opportunity to even attempt to slow her descent with the Force. She took comfort in the fact that at least she wouldn't feel it went her body flattened onto the sands below.

Jae Dyn had leapt off the other building and was just starting across the street when the device exploded. The shockwave nearly sent her sprawling back into the sand, but she managed to aid her balance with the Force. And, then she noticed the woman falling from the building. Jae sprang forward and reached out with the Force to slow the fall.

People were rushing out of the tavern now to look around as Jae rushed to the fallen woman. Once there, she knelt by her side and pressed a hand to the woman's forehead, using the Force to return some of her depleted strength. As her eyes started to flutter open, Jae Dyn smiled. "You're safe now," she said.

Laedra groaned and waited until the feeling returned to her body before daring to move. She attempted to sit up, but with the renewal of her physical sensibility came throbbing pain through her body. Laedra winced and settled back into the sand. "Help me." She held out a hand to the Jedi.

Jae Dyn reached out a hand to the woman. "We should probably get out of the street before people start asking too many questions. I have a speeder nearby."

Laedra fought the pain and found her footing with the Jedi's help. She stood hunched over, feeling very old and weary, but she refused to let on to the woman how much pain she was truly in. Only a warm bath and a long night's sleep would take care of that. She looked to the tavern, hoping it was still standing and that her efforts had not been in vain. Judging by the number of staggering drunks coming from the unscathed building, she felt confident that no one had been harmed, save herself. "I thank you for your assistance," she said to the woman. "But I believe I can manage from here."

Jae Dyn released her hold on the woman and took a half step back. "I am Jae Dyn Brael," she said. "Do you know what that was you were fighting?"

"I do not. It's clear she was not Jedi... It is possible she was Sith." Laedra closed her eyes and her mind went momentarily numb. She fought against the impending unconsciousness and succeeded...this time. "You are right," she said tightly. "We should get clear before the authorities - if there are any in these parts - come to investigate."

"Come with me, I have a speeder," Jae Dyn said. "And, I have friends you may wish to talk to. And, we should probably discuss that woman more. Do you know what she wanted?"

Despite her pride, Laedra placed a hand on Jae Dyn's shoulder for support as they made their way. "I thought it was quite obvious she meant to kill me. For what purpose?" Laedra shrugged sadly. "We are Jedi. It seems that is reason enough nowadays."

"I could see that she wanted to kill you," Jae Dyn said. "For a killer, she seemed quite gregarious; I figured during your fight with her, she may have given you more of an idea about her motives. But, she hunts Jedi, and that makes her a serious threat. Especially since we are trying to restart the Jedi Temple here on Tae'Karada." And, because there are two Force talented girls here that would make them perfect targets for the woman. "We will need to be even more wary now."

Laedra cast a sidelong glance at the woman. "A Temple? How many Jedi have you discovered dwelling on this planet so far?"

"Two on the planet, one on the station above," Jae Dyn said. "So far, there are three who are capable, one of them already has a Learner. One of the Padawans is still at the Temple, two of them have returned here. The difficulty is that they are all grown."

"Ah," Laedra replied sagely. "So, it doesn't go well, then. Still, though, it does bring hope to our survival. As long as the Force is within them, there is a chance for our kind to thrive once again."

"I was just with Dani and Nieme," Jae Dyn said. "I will be coming here as often as I can to instruct them. Because of what happened, they don't feel comfortable living at the Temple."

She regarded the woman with an inquisitive gaze and asked the inevitable question: "What happened? You were not uncovered, I hope."

"A romantic squabble caused a rift between two of the Padawans," Jae Dyn said. "The third Padawan, Dani, is a Zeltron. Nieme and Dani are now a couple, and happily residing here in Thanatos. I am hoping that the next batch of Force talented people we find will be infants without any prior attachments."

Laedra could do nothing to hide the disapproving frown that formed upon her lips. "Padawans should be forbidden from pursuing romantic relationships. It only distracts them from their training. You do not follow the Old Jedi ways, do you?"

"With the Order seemingly decimated, I decided to live my life as a normal person," Jae Dyn said. "However, with the Jedi reforming in this Temple, I am returning to the Code. And, the romance happened before we could stop it. We are returning to the old ways now though. There are difficulties, but we are working through them."

A speeder came into view, and Laedra could only assume it was the Jedi female's. She lifted her hand from Jae Dyn's shoulder and decided to complete the distance to the speeder on her own. She'd almost been killed by the huntress; she needed to salvage at least some of what little pride she had left. "If you cling to the old ways, you will succeed. That is how the Jedi Order survived for so long in the past." The corners of her mouth raised into a congenial smile. "Laedra Vorrel, by the way."

"Perhaps you would be interested in joining us, Laedra Vorrel," Jae Dyn said. "I trained under Tal Dan Laeken, but never had a chance to complete the trials before his death. According to Kal'Aran, I am capable enough for the trials even though the Council no longer exists to give them to me."

"I have not heard of Tal Dan Laeken, but then again, I was trained in utter isolation with only Jedi lore to occupy my thoughts. Master Ina was quite strict, but he was still very dear to me." Laedra smiled warmly at the woman and added, "And from what I've seen today, you are quite capable. I myself have undergone the trials, but with no official council, I did not feel right about taking the title of Master. I remain a Jedi Knight and shall be so until such time as the Order is restored and another Council can be formed." She shrugged her shoulders and laughed softly. "They're only titles at any rate."

"They are only titles," Jae Dyn said. "However those titles are important for maintaining the order required by the Jedi. I was trained as you. When Tal Dan was killed, I was forced to move on. And, I was eventually drawn here."

Laedra lowered her head in respect. "I am sorry for your loss. The death of any Jedi is always regrettable. It only makes rebuilding our Order that much more difficult." Laedra stopped with Jae Dyn before the speeder and after a moment of reflection she said, "I would like to visit this Temple. Presently, I am a wanderer, searching for..." Laedra laughed softly and raised her shoulders. "Perhaps I will find something of what I search for at your Temple."

"I know the feeling you experience," Jae Dyn said. "Please, get in and we can return to the Temple together. You may stay as long as you like, and I hope you can contribute your talents to our cause. We need people of your level of training."

Grateful for finally being able to rest her weary limbs, Laedra slipped into the speeder and sighed deeply as she settled into the cushioned seat. "I do hope you have some medical supplies at your Temple," she said to Jae Dyn as she slid into the driver's seat. "I believe I require some - probably much more than I think at the moment."

Jae Dyn nodded. "We do have supplies there," she said. "Currently our medical skills are somewhat lacking. But, I'm sure we'll be able to get you fixed up."

"I have some medical training. Merely provide me with the supplies, and I shall take care of it myself." Laedra sighed and closed her eyes. She kept her hand instinctively on her lightsaber, as she had grown accustomed to doing during long trips in cargo vessels with unsavoury travel companions not of her choosing. "Thank you again for today, Jae Dyn Brael."

"You're welcome Laedra Vorrel," Jae Dyn said, and then started up the speeder. Once the repulsors were at full power, she swung the craft around and pushed it off toward New Plouton.

***

Laedra hadn't realized she'd allowed herself to fall asleep until her eyes flickered open. She slowly pushed herself up into a more comfortable posture and gazed out the canopy. The desert sands were not even a remnant as the large trees encompassing the landscape shifted past her gaze. "Where are we?" she asked in a voice startlingly tired and weak.

"We're approaching the Temple," Jae Dyn said. "It should only be another minute before we're there."

"Ah, yes," Laedra said with a growing smile. "I can feel it. The Force emanates from it." She looked to Jae Dyn with a questioning frown. "Could it have been a Temple before - in the past?"

"I do not believe it was a Jedi Temple," Jae Dyn said. "But it is possible those records have been lost to time, and it was in fact one. It is very powerful. And, it blocks out all technological scanning. We have not tested the theory, but we also believe it will keep out those who have succumbed to the dark side."

"So, we are more or less well protected within the Temple. Quite convenient." Laedra absently rubbed her sore jaw as the journey to the Temple continued. She hadn't yet decided to remain with Jae Dyn and whoever else might be at the Temple, but it was still an option...if she approved of their teaching methods, of course. "How many are currently living at the Temple?"

"Currently there are six including me," Jae Dyn said. "Five of us have talent with the Force."

"And the other?" Laedra raised a brow and added, "A civilian?"

"Yes," Jae Dyn said. "She and I were-- are involved in a relationship. We were both tormented at the hands of Dargus Kandran, and found comfort in each other during that time. She is married to Liam Zaneth."

Laedra stared expressionlessly and calmly through the canopy. It was never prudent to display any disapproving, negative emotions towards another, lest they be misinterpreted as criticism or negative judgement. Jae Dyn's relationship with another woman was not the most alarming issue in Laedra's mind, it was that Yelara was also a married woman that disturbed her. She shifted uneasily in her seat and cleared her throat softly. "You and this...Liam Zaneth have disavowed celibacy? I only know of what my Master taught me, and although his teachings may have been biased towards his own beliefs and principles, I do believe that it is tradition that one's Jedi training comes before all else. Do you not believe this so?"

"I do believe so," Jae Dyn said. "And, it troubles me. When I first got involved with Yelara, there was no Jedi Temple. I hadn't seen another Jedi or even one trained by the Jedi for...for several years. I was alone, and hunted by the Empire. I lived by the code as best I could given my circumstances." She looked at Laedra and sighed. "I didn't expect to fall in love with anyone. It just happened."

Laedra nodded her head slowly, showing no compassion or understanding. She kept her voice level and attempted to make it non-accusatory, but all she accomplished was to make it sound so very condescending. "To be a Jedi, one must learn to resist temptation. We are taught very early on how to resist the pull of the darkside. We are guided and taught discipline, strength of will, and above all, we are taught to prepare for the unexpected, Jae Dyn Brael." She turned her gaze to Jae Dyn, with hard, impenetrable eyes seeking those of the Jedi. "Things may just happen, Jae Dyn Brael, but it is the greatest test of a Jedi to face those challenges and refuse to let them push you from the path you have chosen to follow. This is true of love, as well, therefore it is...advisable that one avoids such complications."

"The Jedi were broken," Jae Dyn said. "I just wanted to be a normal person again, to not be hunted, to live like everyone else. I moved from planet to planet, avoiding the Empire as I could. Until I came here, things were fine. But, then I tried to help a man, and ended up bound and taken to Dargus Kandran as a prisoner." She turned her gaze to Laedra. "Have you ever heard of ysalamiri?"

Her lips pursed tightly and she used all the training she had been exposed to to keep herself from expressing her disgust. "I have heard of those...creatures. This...Kandran person used one against you, I gather."

Jae Dyn nodded. "He did," she said. "It was the most disconcerting feeling I'd ever felt, to be completely cut off from the Force. I agreed to go to his bed with him if he'd take the creature away. He was one of the most lecherous beasts the galaxy has ever known. He thought nothing of forcing a woman to his bed, including Jedi. But, he made certain to take whatever edge you may have away before doing it."

The revelation shocked Laedra, above all else, but it filled her as well with a sense of urgency. Rebuilding the Jedi Order seemed an unattainable goal now, especially with the state her fellow Jedi had been reduced to. Having love affairs with married women, negotiating with strange, evil men by going to their beds... Laedra sighed plaintively and shook her head slowly. If all her kind were on depraved paths such as the woman sitting beside her, they truly would become entirely extinct. "It would seem," she said slowly, "that we have much work to accomplish."

Jae Dyn nodded, as she brought the speeder into the front courtyard of the Temple. "Yes," she said. "There is much to do."

Laedra dismissed Jae Dyn for a moment and looked out upon the sanctuary before her. It radiated an essence that communicated to her on the same level as the Force. She smiled contentedly and leaned forward in her seat, drawn to the pure, serene waves of Force energy flowing through her. "A fine Temple," she said softly. "A perfect place to train our kind."

Jae Dyn pulled the speeder to a stop and shut down the repulsordrive. Without another word, she slipped from the craft and moved around to the other side to wait for Laedra.

"And you're certain no one can detect the Temple?" Laedra asked as she stood up and stretched her tired legs. "It is quite safe?"

"As far as we've been able to tell," Jae Dyn responded.

Laedra cocked an eyebrow at Jae Dyn and her expression soured into a frown. "If you're not certain, what measures have you taken to ensure the safety of those within? Have you any sentries? Are the doors even barred?"

"There are only six of us here," Jae Dyn said as she narrowed her eyes at Laedra. "To put out sentries would leave no one in the Temple. Yelara has rigged up some advance detection devices that allow us to know if anyone approaches within two kilometers. All attempts to scan this forest with any form of sensors just turns up garbled readings. We have done all we can within our means to secure our safety. We do not have enough people to man this facility the way it deserves to be. But that would involve filling this place with...civilians." Jae Dyn stepped forward. "I assure you, Laedra, we're not the imbeciles you seem to think us."

"I have said nothing of the sort," she replied flatly. "Do not blame me for your failings, Jae Dyn Brael. We all err at one time in our lives, but it does not mean all hope has fled. You've made your mistakes, large ones, but if we all cooperate, perhaps you can redeem yourself and become the Jedi you are truly capable of being."

Jae Dyn took another step forward. "In the last hour, have you stopped to wonder why that woman who wanted to kill us hunts Jedi? There are many people who don't like the Jedi, and it's always puzzled me until now. Being assaulted by your condescension and arrogance, your air of superiority, the way you take other people's faults and push their faces into them, as you've been doing to me since you woke up, it eliminates any doubt in my mind why that woman wants to kill all Jedi. If the rest were half as self-righteous and arrogant as you, I am not at all surprised that the Jedi were made targets."

Laedra regarded Jae Dyn with a calm, serene expression and simply smiled at her. "You misinterpret my intentions, Jae Dyn. I only point out your faults to help you correct them. We need to set an example for all the Padawans and future Jedi Knights that will pass through this Temple, and we can only do so by being as our predecessors were. They were confident of their abilities and of their goals." Laedra reached out a hand to place upon Jae Dyn's shoulder, but she laughed ruefully and pulled it away. "You are troubled, Jae Dyn Brael. I can sense that. Forgive me if I made you feel as if I were judging you or criticizing you, but I merely wish to help you through your past indiscretions so that together, we can rebuild our numbers and perhaps stop the slaughter of our kind. That has been my purpose for years. I hope it is too, yours."

"I learn best if I am guided in the direction I'm to go," Jae Dyn said. "When my actions, or reports of my actions are met with scorn and disdain... If you wish to guide me, I will accept your guidance, but only if I am not to be taught through ridicule and blatantly reminded of every failure and the magnitude of each... You may have advanced farther in your learning as a Jedi, but I do not need to be reminded of that."

"I am sorry if you feel that way, Jae Dyn. I see such potential in you that I'd hate to see you miss out on how exceptional you can truly be. You have a genuine yearning to becoming a true Jedi Master; I can sense that. All I meant to accomplish by stating my rank was to let you know that my services were being offered...if you ever needed help."

"I will accept your help," Jae Dyn said, "as long as you can guide me where I need to go, not beat me down until I'm there."

"And I will make you realize, Jae Dyn, that I truly am only trying to help you." Laedra smiled warmly, then looked upon the Temple casting its shadow upon them. "You will escort me around, will you not?"

"Of course," Jae Dyn said. She motioned toward the Temple. "This way. Most of the Temple is currently unused, and we're trying to keep things localized to an area. Liam is planning to pick up a few droids to patrol everywhere, just to make sure no one ends up living in the areas we're not using."

"A wise decision." Laedra nodded for Jae Dyn to continue. They entered the large corridor of the Temple, and Laedra herself was surprised at how shockingly beautiful it was on the inside as well. "A fine training facility indeed," she whispered.

"We have converted one of the larger rooms into a training room for physical workouts and lightsaber drills. It was a remarkable find, and it seems like everything suits our needs perfectly."

"Perhaps this was meant to be a Temple after all. Even the walls are enriched with the power of the Force." Laedra took in a deep breath and sighed contentedly. "You are lucky to have found this place, Jae Dyn."

Jae Dyn smiled. "It was Liam who was led here, on the day I arrived back on Tae'Karada. And when he got here, he was given the vision to start the Temple here, to rebuild the Jedi."

"I would certainly like to meet this Liam. Is he a Master?"

Jae Dyn shook her head. "He is like me, but worse," she said. "He started out as Tal Dan's Padawan, but was lured to the darkside by Darth Vader. He was trained by Vader and the Emperor for many years, but he finally broke free. He's been struggling to return to the light, and is doing remarkably well. But, he's strong with the Force and he's doing his best to be a Jedi." She turned to Laedra. "He hasn't had much guidance as a Jedi, but his instincts are good. I know he can make a good Jedi, if he can be guided in the right direction."

"And who is there to guide him, Jae Dyn?" Laedra sighed wearily. With ex-concubines and former Dark Jedi running the only Temple on Tae'Karada, she had little faith in accomplishing the task of rebuilding a Jedi Order. "He has not taken on a Padawan, I hope. If he himself is still recovering, it would not be wise or responsible of him to be training a young, impressionable Padawan in the ways of the Force."

Jae Dyn rounded on Laedra. "What would you have us do? Liam and I are the ones who started this Temple. We had no choice, other than to let the Jedi Order remain in the decaying rut the Emperor and Vader left it in. Very well then, Liam and I will step down. You can run the Jedi by yourself. If you disapprove of us so much, then we will leave you here to train without our repugnant influences."

"Jae Dyn...you think I mean to be confrontational, but I am merely attempting to bring to light certain...potential problems associated with the manner in which you are running this training facility." Laedra sighed softly. "I have not come here to supplant you and this Liam. I, as much as anyone, would like to see the Jedi become what they once were. I am merely trying to make you aware of the fact that there are certain rules and codes the old Jedi lived by. If you wish to succeed in this endeavour, you must at least take those things into account." She smiled at Jae Dyn and shook her head subtly. "I am not saying Liam cannot be here. I would just like you to think about it for a moment: In the old days, he would not have been allowed to take on a Padawan so soon. Now, you know him better than I do, and if you truly believe he has turned from the path of darkness, then I will give him the benefit of the doubt. But you must ask yourself, Jae Dyn, whether he truly is stable enough to be training and be a rolemodel for a young child. Do you truly believe he is?"

"Neither of us should be taking on Padawans," Jae Dyn said. "Neither of us should have started this Temple. There were only two of us, but we have tried to make this work. Perhaps it was all folly. These aren't the old days. These are the days when the head of a Jedi brings a bounty hunter fifty thousand credits or more. These are the days where the Jedi have been scattered across the galaxy and scared into hiding by the Emperor and his minions. These are the days where you are left with people like Liam and I, who have been forced to compromise or worse. You are like the beggar on the street corner, who, when a few credits are dropped into his cup, asks for a ten or twenty credit note instead."

Laedra just about threw her hands up in frustration, but she maintained her composure, which was proving difficult the tighter her sore muscles became and the more she longed for a nap. "You misjudge everything I say, Jae Dyn. I am merely looking out for the best interest of those who will be trained as future Jedi here. If we are to rebuild, we must rely on those Padawans we bring into this place to carry the so-called torch for us all. It begins with them, Jae Dyn. It is for them that I am expressing such hesitation and criticism. I am not your enemy. At least listen to what I am saying with an open mind instead of disregarding everything I suggest and lashing out without provocation."

"Then all we are able to train at the current time is one Padawan. Kal'Aran already has taken a student, which leaves only you. That would leave Kael without a Master, so if you wanted to teach him. I will tell Nieme and Dani that they will have to wait on their training."

Laedra pressed her fingers to her temples and massaged them. "I am far too tired to debate with you, Jae Dyn. It would seem anything I say is misinterpreted intentionally. Kael will be trained. As for those two girls, they will certainly have to await training if they choose not to train within the Temple. That is reserved for those Padawans who have a sincere desire to learn the way of the Jedi - in short, those students who are willing to put all else aside, their personal lives included, and focus on their training." She dropped her hands to her sides and sighed. "If you will please show me to temporary quarters... We will continue this once I have meditated and had some rest."

"This way," Jae Dyn said, and led Laedra toward one of the rooms far from everything else. "Though, even if they desire to come to the Temple, there is still no one here to train the girls. Per tradition, neither Liam nor I are Jedi Knights, Kal'Aran already has a Padawan, and you would be Kael's teacher. I will inform them that the Jedi Temple can no longer be of any assistance to them."

Laedra could detect Jae Dyn's stubborn mood and decided that anything she said to the woman would be instantly met with defiance. She didn't grant Jae Dyn the honour of replying to her comment, but did give her thanks for showing her to her room. "Are there scheduled meal times?"

"Our cook is now living in Thanatos with her girlfriend," Jae Dyn said. "For meals, you're on your own. The kitchen is fully stocked."

"Very well. My needs are few, therefore I require nothing too decadent to eat." Laedra stepped into the small room and glanced around quickly. "Jae Dyn," she called back as she turned to face her again. "I am not your adversary here. Perhaps later, you and I can try to come to some sort of an understanding. Perhaps if we cooperate, we can make some compromises on...certain issues."

Jae Dyn watched Laedra for a moment, and then nodded. "Very well," she said. She knew that no matter what compromises they may come to, Laedra's opinions of hers and Liam's lives would not change. She couldn't see past the old code, and couldn't see past their failures to see whatever potential they may have. She had made mistakes in her life, and Laedra throwing them back in her face was like an old wound being reopened. Jae Dyn had no doubts that neither she nor Liam would ever amount to anything in the eyes of Laedra Vorrel. Suddenly, all that she had done since Tal Dan's death was in doubt. She could feel her resolve crumbling, along with her confidence. "Thank you." With that, she turned away and started down the corridor toward her room.

---

"New Jedi Disorder, Part 2"
by Laedra Vorrel
and Liam Zaneth

Location: Jedi Temple, New Plouton, Tae'Karada
Date: Niothe 3, 4ABY

***

Touring the Temple alone allowed Laedra the quiet she needed to form an accurate opinion of the facility. Some of the walls were cracked and the paint upon them faded with age, and although overall it appeared to be in good shape for its many years, there were still some areas of the Temple that required work to make them habitable again and up to the standards she expected of a Jedi training facility. She resisted the urge to scratch at the wound on her arm, despite the nagging itch, and although meditation and a good rest had done wonders for her bruised and sore body, her back was still suffering the effects of her fall. She still wasn't certain how she'd managed to come away relatively uninjured in her plummet off the tavern roof, but it was of little relevance now. She was living and walking, within the corridors of a Jedi Temple, which was all that mattered to her.

She had her hands hidden in the large sleeves of her cloak as she strolled along. She hadn't had time to retrieve her journeypack before she was assaulted by the huntress, so the only clothing she owned now was upon her. Her next stop would have to be the refresher, if one existed; she had the desperate need to cleanse herself of the layer of dirt the desert sands had deposited upon her skin, and also clean away the wounds she had acquired. She heard only her footsteps as she continued down the long, winding corridors, but they were soon joined by the sounds of exertion and the hum of lightsabers cutting through the air. The sounds were interjected by short, shrill blasts from what sounded like remotes firing. Master Ina had used them as a training tool for her, and she certainly thought them a very good test of reflexes as well as concentration.

She followed the noises until she came upon a room with large, double doors. One of the doors was part of the way open, which Laedra opened enough to slip inside. She stood silently and motionless, careful not to disturb the man holding two mismatched coloured lightsabers, one in each hand, and deflecting the remote fire. His torso was bared, displaying clearly a toned, well developed musculature as he moved deftly and with great skill. His technique with the lightsabers was almost masterful. With much ease, the shots from the remotes were ricocheted off a red, then a cobalt blade. Each lance of orange blaster fire from the devices seemed perfectly angled into the far wall, a result of planning and extraordinary control on the man's part.

As his body twisted to reposition the lightsabers, his back was turned to her. The large bird with wings spread across his shoulder blades was certainly not something she'd seen before, and very unconventional for a Jedi to bear, which led her to conclude that this was the 'Liam' Jae Dyn had spoken of. She continued to gaze at him from the doorway, not wishing to disturb him from his training. When finally his blades retreated back into the hilts of his two lightsabers, she stepped forward and intentionally made herself noticed.

Liam looked quizzically at the woman suddenly standing there in the room with him. As he took a step forward, he sensed her power. Another step told him that he could feel no urgency or danger. Jedi, he concluded. "I am Liam Zaneth," he said, attaching the weapons to his belt. "You returned with Jae Dyn from the desert. Welcome to the Jedi Temple."

Laedra pulled her attention from the man's chest, glistening from the light of the room reflecting off the fine sheen of sweat upon it. Her eyes found his, startling blue eyes that made her breath catch and transfixed her for but a moment before she looked away again. She didn't associate with men - or anyone for that matter - but instinctually, she knew he was considered handsome. She gave him a stiff bow, keeping her eyes from wandering to his chest as they seemed so intent upon doing. "I am Laedra Vorrel. I arrived just this morning on the planet. I must say, it has been quite an eventful first arrival for me."

"This planet is full of eventfulness," Liam said. "Especially with the Empire running things." He gave her a bow in return. "You are a Jedi. I hope you find things here in order. We haven't been here long and are still getting situated."

Laedra's eyes were looking below Liam's waist, where they focused upon the two lightsabers clipped to his belt. "Two blades..." She glanced up at him with a tight smile. "Is that a relic of your Dark Jedi days, Liam?"

"The cobalt blade is new," Liam said. "I finished the construction only a few weeks ago. The crimson blade I'm hoping to replace within the next month. I've started construction on another lightsaber already. I still carry two lightsabers, though have rarely needed to use them lately. I only use the second blade when I need it, such as times when facing an opponent who wields two weapons. It isn't a relic of my past, but a practical solution against an unknown threat."

Laedra nodded equivocally and stepped past Liam into the room. She scanned the room slowly then turned back to face Liam. "This room will suffice as a training area. Tell me, Liam, what have you in the way of a curriculum for the students? They must have both a knowledge of Jedi lore and the physical training. Have you taken care of both?"

"In my travels, I have been able to come across a few texts with Jedi teachings. I have been using some of those with Kael, and they are available for all to use here as well. I also have a copy of the Jedi Code that I have copied onto a datapad for each of the Padawans. We have few resources, but so far we are making use of those that are available. The physical training has actually been the minimal part of what I've taught Kael so far. I have not given him his first lightsaber yet, but will soon be able to do so. I have started construction on three for Dani, Nieme, and Kael."

Her brow furrowed and she stepped forward with alarming speed. "You will do no such thing! Padawans are responsible for constructing their own lightsabers. They can not be handed to them like coddled children. They must earn the privilege of using a lightsaber, and that comes with intense training and study, upon which they will learn the techniques necessary to construct one of their own." She sighed sharply and added, "As for the two girls, it would be inadvisable to allow them use of lightsabers. They are not training in the Temple, as far as I've been told, which means it is a grave risk allowing them to roam freely with lightsabers in their possession, especially when they haven't the training to use them."

"Their first lightsaber will come from me so they can learn how to use it," Liam said, calmly. "And, if not me, then from whomever their Master happens to be. Part of their training will be to construct a lightsaber of their own, and they can not complete their training until they do. These initial blades are merely training blades. And, I started the lightsabers for the two girls before they left. If nothing else, they will be available to others during their training."

"That is something I would like to discuss with you, Liam." Laedra approached him with renewed calm and poise. "It may be a rather sensitive and personal matter for you, but I would like to inquire about your past. Namely, I would like to assess how far you have truly come from your days spent in the Darkness."

"I assure you, I have come far from where I was then," Liam said. "But, I will answer whatever questions you may have. You may make your assessment."

"Good." Laedra smiled amiably and gestured towards a bench she'd spotted upon her first survey of the room. She started towards it with Liam by her side. "I commend you on your struggle to return to the Light, Liam. Not many have faced the Darkness and survived to turn their back on it. It speaks truly of your strength of will and determination."

"Thank you," Liam said. "It has been a long struggle. Yelara has helped me greatly in my journey back. And, starting the Temple here has helped me find focus and clarity in my quest to return to the light." He sat on the bench next to Laedra. "I can still feel the lingering tendrils, but I feel that I'm winning."

"That is what I'm concerned about, Liam. You are not yet fully recovered. Would it be wise to personally train a Padawan of your own? You should be concentrating on repelling fully the Darkness. For your own sake, perhaps Kael's training should be the responsibility of someone else."

Liam nodded. "You are correct," Liam said. "When I started the Temple with Jae Dyn, it was only the two of us. I received the vision when I got here, and didn't question it; my goal was to follow the will of the Force. Now that there are others here, others qualified to train those we're finding with talent in the Force, I can step back and finish my own quest before helping them with theirs."

Laedra smiled in satisfaction and regarded Liam with approval. "I am glad you are far more rational than Jae Dyn appears to be. She seemed so intent upon fighting me at every step. All my suggestions seemed accusations or criticism to her. I assure you, Liam, I am grateful for what you two have done here. I am merely attempting to aid you, that is all."

Liam frowned. "That doesn't sound like Jae Dyn," he said. "Perhaps I should talk to her. I can see where she might feel threatened or possibly a loss of confidence in her abilities. I know that she has been on her own for several years, and has gone through some difficult times recently. It also appears that yesterday as she was talking to Kal'Aran he placed several doubts in her mind as well. I can talk to her and see if I can help her through this."

"I thank you. That would be much appreciated, Liam." She glanced askance at him, and looked away quickly as the sight of his chest made her cheeks oddly warm. "I know she may have taken offense to some of what I said, but it truly was not intended that way. I want to help make this endeavour succeed, Liam. We must band together if the Jedi are to thrive again. Still, there are some rules and codes we must abide by. We can not forget our heritage and with that comes certain Jedi principles we must follow."

Liam nodded. "I understand," he said. "I have already decided to place a ban on the relationships that have nearly torn the Temple apart though. Yet, I can't do that for my own." He looked at Laedra and sighed. "I know I should, to dedicate myself to the Jedi. But, I can't do that to Yelara."

"Your wife," Laedra stated. "Jae Dyn told me about her. It isn't my place to force you into anything Liam, and I hardly doubt you'd heed any advice I give you, but marriage is one of the largest distractions any Jedi can face. I realize she must mean a great deal to you but... Perhaps it would be a good idea if you arrange for her to reside in the city, away from the Temple."

Liam thought about it for a moment, turning the idea over in his mind. Finally, he shook his head. "My marriage has gone through some rough times lately, and time apart like that would strain it to the point of probably ending. And, Yelara just gave birth to our son; I couldn't send her away. I will be careful of my time, and if you find that I am distracted by her presence, we can revisit this. I'll also talk to her, and see if she can use some of her technical skills around here. She's a very accomplished mechanic, and I'm sure she has ideas on how to make this place more workable from a habitation and security standpoint."

"Very well then. We may try it for a time. As for the Padawans, relationships are absolutely out of the question, especially after what I heard about that Nieme girl and Kael." Laedra sat up straighter and managed to face Liam fully without her eyes wandering to his chest. "Congratulations on your child. Have you been able to assess yet his strength in the Force?"

Liam nodded. "From what I've been able to determine so far, he is strong," Liam said. "We should be able to tell for certain in a few more weeks. Jae Dyn's daughter is very strong. They will both make fine Jedi with the right teachers."

"Jae Dyn has a child?" Laedra's eyes shifted slowly away from Liam's face, and a grim frown tugged at her lips. "This child," she began, already feeling a bitter taste in her mouth. "It wouldn't be a man called Dargus Kandran's, would it?

Liam nodded. "Unfortunately," Liam said. "It is fortunate, however, that the child bears no resemblance to him though. And also that Kandran never knew about it before his death. From what she's said, she never expected it. I heard rumour that he had a grand plan to impregnate as many women as he could so he could create an army of his own progeny." Liam shook his head and took a deep breath. "She wouldn't have gone with him willingly, no woman would. He is also reported to keep a blaster near his bed, and not to protect him from people trying to kill him in his sleep...if you understand my meaning."

"I understand that he was a despised man. I also know that Jae Dyn said she was forced." Laedra slowly raised her shoulders, then let them fall again with a sigh. "At least her child has some Force abilities. Something good must come from what's happened... But Liam, such things mustn't happen anymore. Moral depravity is not a path a Jedi should follow. It is one of the surest routes to the Darkside, I suspect."

Liam nodded slowly. "It is," he said. "We will be vigilant, and make certain such things never happen again. While I cannot fault Jae Dyn for what happened to her, that is not the case with Kael and Nieme. Though, he seems fairly stable. He is definitely focusing on his studies."

"Then perhaps the girl's leaving was an advantage. There is no point in having his potential to become a Jedi suffer because their relationship failed. It was wrong of you to allow it in the first place, if I may be so blunt."

"It was," Liam said. "Jae Dyn warned me of it, but I didn't stop it for two reasons. First, they seemed so close that I didn't think they would fall apart so completely. Second, I felt it would be hypocritical of me to disallow them while I am still with Yelara."

"I understand," Laedra said with a nod. "But it will not happen again. And while we're on the topic of Kael..." She folded her hands in her lap and cleared her throat before continuing. "You are presently his teacher, Liam, but for reason we've already discussed, perhaps I should take over Kael's training."

Liam smiled. "You waste no time, do you?" he said. "Very well. Though, we should both talk to him. There are a few things you should know about him." He went on to tell her what he knew of Kael's past. "He will be a challenge, to be sure. Though, with his current focus, I think he will rise to his potential. If I can be of any assistance, please let me know. Also, I should only need a few more days on the lightsaber for him. Then he may begin training with it, if that is alright with his new Master, of course."

"I believe I would like to assess his self-control and emotional stability before I hand over such a weapon to him." She smiled at Liam and added, "But, I would be honoured if you would allow me to confer with you on decisions regarding his training. You seem to have a bond with him and you certainly know him better than I do at the moment. It will be an easier transition for him if you and I work together with him for now."

"I agree completely," Liam said. "And, I will give the lightsaber to you to pass on to him when he's ready."

Laedra bowed her head in assent and smiled warmly at Liam. "I must say, I misjudged you. When Jae Dyn first spoke of you, I thought I would see a man in the throes of a desperate struggle against the Darkside, but I sense a calm in you, Liam. It may sound condescending, but I am proud of you for defeating your dark urges."

"Thank you," Liam said with a grateful smile. "I have been making progress, and have redoubled my efforts since yesterday. Things just seemed to clarify for me, and drop into place. It's actually a remarkable feeling."

"Yesterday was a momentous day for you?"

"Yesterday was the worst day of mine and Yelara's troubles," Liam said. "But we're doing much better today. She's napping right now. We went for a long walk earlier, and then she had to feed Va'lesh. So she's somewhat tired. But, in the face of that, and Nieme and Dani leaving, I guess it opened my eyes."

"I would like to meet Yelara sometime soon. I shall refrain from meeting Kael until you've had a chance to speak with him." Laedra absently placed her hand upon Liam's knee and patted it encouragingly. "You've done well, Liam. I no longer have the doubts I had about the success of this Temple and of rebuilding our Order. If only Jae Dyn would stop resisting me, I believe our chances would be much greater."

"I will talk to her and see what can be done," he said. "I'm sure once she no longer feels threatened or whatever it is she's feeling, things will be better."

"I look forward to that." Laedra rose slowly and took a moment to stretch her sore, tired back. "I think I require a meal," she said after recovering from her discomfort. She turned to face Liam and asked, "Are there any spare clothes I may borrow? I...lost my clothing earlier and I don't have the funds to acquire new ones at the moment. Anything at all will be sufficient as long as I can get out of these tattered things."

Liam laughed. "As long as you don't mind leather, Yelara has some things you might be able to borrow," he said. "I can show you to the kitchen, and then bring you a change of clothes if you'd like."

"Thank you, Liam. And perhaps after my meal, you and I can discuss more plans for the future of the Temple."

"I would like that," Liam said. "Jae Dyn and I have done some talking, but neither of us really have the experience as Jedi Knights. I am certain your wisdom and guidance will help us find a good direction."

Laedra grinned broadly and felt her cheeks reddening, especially at the fact that Liam had still neglected to place a shirt on. She bowed slightly at the waist and said, "It was truly a pleasure to meet you, Liam." She straightened up and stepped aside. "Now, if you will escort me to the kitchen..."

"Of course," Liam said. He picked up his shirt and slung it over one shoulder, and then led the way out of the training room and toward the dining room and kitchen. "We've tried to stock it with everything we could. I think without a dedicated cook, I may need to pick up an autochef. Or, I could find a droid with some culinary programming. The HS9 series is supposed to be some of the best droid chefs on the market. And, with droids, you don't have to worry about someone talking to the wrong people or getting paid off."

"It was wise of you to keep knowledge of this place confined to only those living here. With the Imperial presence on the planet, none of us would live very long if someone discovered this place." Laedra casually removed the cloak she wore and draped it over her arm. Her clothing beneath didn't look as worn as the cloak, but her shirt had a large gash that could not be mended and blood stains had embedded themselves into her pants. "I let my guard down today," she said reproachfully. "I must remember that our kind is not safe, not even for a moment."

Liam glanced at her, and her wounds. "Someone tried to kill you?" He frowned.

"And almost succeeded." She sighed solemnly and shook her head. "I thought Tae'Karada would be safe, but it seems nowhere is, not anymore. There seems to be a general loathing for our kind, one shared by many, just as it was by the woman who attempted to murder me without provocation. But I am prepared now. I will not be caught by surprise again."

"A woman," Liam said. "Fairly tall, pale skin, and red shock of hair?" At Laedra's nodded confirmation, Liam sighed. "I haven't encountered her, but I have heard the rumours. She's supposed to be dangerous, and quite insane. I think from now on, we should always move outside the Temple in pairs. It's safer for us that way."

"I agree. If Jae Dyn had not been there, many people would have lost their lives. Our goal as Jedi are to preserve life, not to have a hand in its destruction." One side of her mouth lifted into a smile as she regarded Liam. "Tomorrow, then, would you care to accompany me into the city? I have a personal account in which I have some funds I keep for emergencies, such as my present lack of attire. Perhaps you and I can make a small trip while we become better acquainted with one another."

"I think that is a good idea," Liam said with a smile. "And, I can look into those droids for the kitchen while we're there. It may not be a bad idea to look into a second speeder as well. I think we should have at least two, if not more. As our numbers grow, we'll definitely need more. For now, I think two should be plenty."

"I think together, you and I can come up with a list of supplies we require. I noticed a large courtyard in my wanderings, and I think it would look absolutely lovely with some flowers."

Liam grinned. "I think you're right," he said. "And, just earlier today Yelara said the same thing. I think we should pick some up." He pushed the door open to the kitchen and led the way inside.

"This...this is the kitchen?" Laedra gazed in astonishment at the large room that appeared to comprise almost half of the Temple itself. "Looking at this room, it truly is a shame we don't have more students. I'm sure we could cook for a hundred in here."

Liam laughed. "And, Nieme would have been happy to cook for all of them if she'd stayed," he said. "But, yes, this is the kitchen. We've got a little bit of everything in here. If you want to help yourself, I can go grab you that outfit." He looked her over for a moment. "Actually, you may fit better in Jae Dyn's clothing."

Laedra laughed with amusement and raised an eyebrow at Liam. "I think she'd rather deliver twins than allow me to borrow her clothes. It would be a severe blow to her pride if she didn't put up a fight upon your asking her to supply me with some clothing."

"Then I'll get you some of Yelara's clothes," Liam said. "It will be a little large on you, but it'll get you by until you can get new ones. If you have everything under control here, I'll go do that for you."

"I think I can manage. Thank you, Liam. Would you care for anything while I'm preparing myself something?"

"I'm alright for now," Liam said. "Thank you for the offer. Though, I do think I could use some water. The workout tends to dry me out sometimes." He moved toward the refrigeration unit and pulled out a bottle of water for himself.

Laedra stalked further into the kitchen with her eyes locked upon Liam's back. "That bird," she said softly, "what is it? Is there a symbolic meaning to it?"

"It's a Corellian Hawk," Liam said. "It's a raptor on my homeworld. The strongest and swiftest, and one of the deadliest. It's a reminder of what I was, so that I won't go back."

Laedra found she no longer disapproved of the tattoo and in fact was growing to like it the more she glimpsed at it. "I have faith that you will not return to what you were, no matter how bad it was, Liam. You're a good man; I can sense that. You have a wife and child, who you obviously love. I don't think you'd risk losing them to return to such a cruel existence."

Liam shook his head. "I'm happy with who I am now," he said. "I wouldn't risk going back to what I was for anything. This is a good place in my life now; I'm finished with the darkness."

"I believe you are, although its lull will always be with you, as it is with us all." Laedra placed her hand gently upon his bare arm and smiled sincerely. "You will succeed, Liam. And if you ever feel you are about to falter I shall be here to help you."

Liam looked down at Laedra's hand and then up into her eyes. "Thank you," he said, his voice barely audible. "It means very much to me." His heart was pounding in his chest, and he could feel things slipping into a dangerous area. He smiled and took a deep breath. "I should go see about those clothes for you," he said. "If you don't mind, of course."

Laedra nodded in accord and found herself boldly holding Liam's gaze. "I'll start on breakfast then. I will see you soon...Liam."

Liam smiled and started backing away. If it weren't for his heightened senses, he would have sent a stack of bowls clattering to the ground, but was able to avoid them in time. "I'll see you soon, Laedra." With one last grin, he slipped out of the kitchen.

Once Liam was out of sight, Laedra took in a long, cleansing breath and centred herself mentally. She hadn't been in close contact with a man like Liam for a long time, so long that she'd forgotten what a difficult test of her discipline it was to maintain her composure and focus.

As she moved throughout the kitchen, looking for cooking utensils and ingredients, she began to realize her time in the Temple would provide many more trials of her mental resolve. She was faced with Liam Zaneth, a test of her ability to abide by the teachings she had debated with Jae Dyn on not long ago. The truest test would be whether she could single handedly transform the Temple into a paragon of learning and a refuge for wandering Jedi looking for a true home. Once she set all in place, they could begin rebuilding their cherished Jedi Order...after she ate and changed, of course, and engaged in an hour of strict meditation to quell the unexpected urges a certain male Jedi had called up within her.

---

"Need To Hide, Part 1"
By: Alisson Blair - Jedi Knight
and Kalaira Ardelyr-Valreth - Former High Princess

Location: New Plouton
Date: Niothe 3, 4 ABY

***

They were able to get away and back to New Plouton. And although the region was crowded, it was still the best rapid option Alisson could think of, at least until she could plan something better. She took the High Princess to her apartment and had her wear a cloak to conceal her identity. Once they were inside Alisson turned to Kalaira and sighed. "By now Admiral Tarkin and his Imperial forces must be aware of your escape and will be on the lookout. No one knows of this place and they wouldn't look here right away, but to stay here is no longer safe, your highness... But the forests are even more of a menace right now, so perhaps you ought to consider other things, such as hiding, maybe offworld..."

"Not an option Alisson. My people need me. If I die, so be it. Perhaps it will spur some to action." She suddenly swayed on her feet. The adrenaline in her system was suddenly abating and the loss was making her unsteady.

Alisson could see that Kalaira was not all too well. She had done marvelously considering the odds and what they had just gone through. "Here, maybe you ought to sit down, My Lady..." she said as she motioned for the couch. "If I may speak freely your highness, no good may come as a result of the loss of your life. I do understand your wanting to stay here, but you must consider the odds. Imperial forces may yet find you again. If you were to get away perhaps we could get aid from the Alliance to overthrow Admiral Tarkin..."

Kalaira considered this. "If I left, I would want to come back."

Alisson nodded. "I understand your desire of wanting to be here, but I urge you to think this over. If you do stay then you will probably get caught. Many have already perished. I ask you not to take the same path! There are other ways... I am sure the Alliance would aid us in fighting Tarkin." Alisson then got up and sighed. "I believe that would be the best course of action. However, whatever you decide to do, I will accompany you in your way..."

"I must think on this. I could use bathing and a change of clothes." She smiled at Alisson. "I will let you know when I have finished."

Alisson nodded gently. "You may use my room then, your Highness," she said. "It has private bathing chambers and you will find clothes in the closets. You may take any you like, although I am afraid they all resemble my own clothing style..."

Kalaira smiled. "Your style is just fine, Alisson." Kalaira disappeared to bathe and change. She hated her life now, maybe she should leave. But would she ever be safe again? So far the Empire had not frozen her accounts in more public avenues, but she figured it wouldn't be long now. Her man of business was working discreetly to transfer her assetts to rebel friendly worlds.

While Kalaira bathed Alisson thought it better to get something to eat ready. The High Princess should be hungry enough. After all, it seemed obvious that in the palace she had not been treated very well, being an enemy to Admiral Tarkin.

Alisson thought on how to contact the Alliance. It should not be too hard, if they made it to another system which was Alliance friendly. Maybe the Bothans from Bothawui, or the Mon Calamari. Either would make the task of getting in contact with the head Generals from the Alliance. The question was left whether they could aid them at all, but she hoped it so.

Kalaira came out feeling refreshed. She was not that much smaller than Alisson so had managed to find an acceptible outfit. She looked at Alisson and sighed. "I have decided you are right. I should leave."

Alisson nodded. It seemed the right thing to do. "I was thinking that perhaps we could seek help from the Mon Calamari or the Bothans to get in touch with the Alliance. They should be glad to aid us in bringing peace back to Chimaeria..."

Kalaira nodded. "I feel, however, that by leaving I have given up."

"By all means, no..." Alisson said reassuringly, as she placed her hand on Kalaira's shoulder. "Neither you nor I have! But if we are to regain peace and to overthrow Tarkin, then we need some aid, and I cannot think of any other who help more gladly than those from the Alliance."

Kalaira nodded. Alisson's words made sense and still Kalaira felt a sense of dread at the thought of leaving. It felt wrong but it made sense to do. "When will we leave?"

"The less time we stay here the better..." Alisson replied. "I have my starship not too far off. I can take us away. Since it has a cloaking device it should not be too hard to get away unnoticed."

"What of my people we are leaving behind? I should at least get a message to Liam," she said worriedly.

"To Liam?" Alisson asked, not really knowing who the High Princess meant. "And where can this Liam be found your highness?"

Kalaira paused. Liam had always came to her. "I don't know she admitted. He was starting a Jedi temple in one of the lost ruins but I don't know which one."

Alisson crossed her arms. "Much too dangerous, my lady. Tarkin should have his troops searching the place for other resistance and foes. And the Temples are most likely the places where he will start his search... Let me remind you that he got to you once. Perhaps after you are safe I can come back to look for this Liam."

"Can we at least let the people know once I am away, that I am safe?" she asked again.

Alisson sighed. "I believe you have more experience in negotiations and diplomatic affairs, my lady, so perhaps you could decide the best course of action. But I would expect nothing less from the Imperials than to send a strike force after us..."

Kalaira frowned. "Let us go then, if this is to be the plan. I know I will want to change my mind so it is best to leave while it is made up."

Alisson nodded and got her things. As soon as Kalaira was ready they left to the nearby spaceport. Alisson's Slave II vessel was ready and they both boarded it to take off. Taking the pilot's seat she turned on the ship's systems and took off.

As they neared space the cloaking device was turned on so that Imperial radars could not pick up their trace, therefore granting them a safe passage out. Once they were cleared enough to jump into lightspeed, Alisson inserted the coordinates for Mon Calamari. She finally got up from her seat.

"The computer will navigate us to our destination," she said. "I am sure the Mon Calamari will aid us..."

Kalaira nodded. "I will sleep now if you don't mind." It was clear that the princess was exhausted.

"Very well... I will notify you once we get there," Alisson said hiding the fact that she too was pretty knocked out. She thought about maybe getting some rest herself, and so she set an alarm for some hours later, which would be a little while before they had to jump out of lightspeed into the Mon Calamari system.

---