"Powers"
By: Elisia Melouet - Urchin
Kace Mordin - Traveller

Location: Drogen Shipyards
Date: Selene 6, 3 ABY

***

Elisia Melouet creeped amongst the boxes and crates being loaded in the shipyards. She had yet to find a ship with the right kind of hiding places that was headed planet side. Twice she had almost been caught. The third time, a man grabbed hold of her and jerked her out of her hiding spot. She hadn't even heard him coming. "What is a mouse like you doing here?" he snarled. "A filthy one at that."

"I am sorry. I wish you would forget you found me," she whispered.

He shoved her away. "Get out of here mouse." He strode off muttering something about space mice and she scurried to hide next to another ship between large cargo containers. She was tired and needed sleep. She couldn't find a good location to relax her guard.

Kace Mordin had been seated on top of the Vengeance of Corellia. Most of the work inside had been completed, and now most of the remaining work was on the outside of the ship. He was about to return to welding one of the connecters on the hyperdrive when he felt a prickling at the back of his mind.

He looked around and saw a young woman being pushed by one of the freighter pilots. A nimbus of orange-red light surrounded the girl, with a tendril licking over the man's forehead.

The Force.

She disappeared around behind one of the other ships. Kace set aside the welder and hopped down to the deck. He moved around the edge of the ship where she disappeared. He reached out with his mind, searching for her. He found her immediately.

He approached and peered over the edge of the container.

"Hi there," he said, hoping his voice sounded friendly.

She shrieked and backed away to the far side of the case. "I wish you would go away," she said hurriedly and then her eyes widened for he didn't appear to be answering her wish.

Kace put his hands up and took a step back. "Whoa," he said. "I'm not here to hurt you. I was just over there--" He pointed in the direction of his ship. "--and I saw you having some trouble with that pilot over there. Are you okay?"

She shook her head yes. The look of fear and distrust showed through the dirt and the grime. She silently wished again and frowned when he did not immediately leave.

"I am fine. You can go away now," she said more forcibly, not even realizing she was attempting to augment the suggestion.

He cocked his head to one side and frowned. "I'm afraid that won't work on me," he said. He knelt down to where their eyes were on the same level. "My name is Kace and I'm not going to hurt you."

"I have heard that before," she said bravely.

"What can I do to prove to you that I'm not going to hurt you?"

"I don't know. If you ain't gonna hurt me, what do you want?" she said suspiciously.

He glanced back to where the pilot was still dealing with his containers. "I saw what happened with the man over there. Did you know you have a power?" He let his senses rove over her and it took all his concentration not to visibly react. "And, you are very strong with the power."

"I ain't a witch," she said defensively, her arms crossing across her chest. Her clothes were obviously stolen and were much too large for her. "And how do you knows I can wish?"

Kace smiled. "Because I have a special kind of sight." He pulled his comlink off his belt and held it out in front of him in an open palm. He looked up at her to make sure she was watching, and then lifted it into the air, spun it around on each axis, and settled it back into his hand. "And, powers similar to yours."

She looked at him, stunned. "I move things sometimes," she hesitantly admitted. "But I usually don't mean to." She remembered the time the containers had fallen on the man she had been unable to wish away.

He smiled. "I was trained so I could do things like that," he said. "Can I get you anything?"

She looked at him for a long moment. "I need to get to the planet," she finally said. "I need a ship that will take me there, but I can't pay." She swallowed with fear, for such an admission to a stranger was dangerous.

He looked around and then back to her. "My ship's in for repairs right now, or I'd take you down myself. I might be able to arrange a way for you to get down there though."

"Why? I mean I would like that? But whys would you do that?" she asked. It was obvious that this girl trusted no one.

He looked at her for a moment, before responding. "I've done some bad things in my life, evil things, and I'm trying to make up for that now."

"I would appreciate it if you could then. But... do you think I could just sleep in your ship?" she said wearily. She had been masking herself and manipulating events for so long she could hardly see straight.

"Of course," he said. "It's right over this way if you're ready."

She got up and moved towards him cautiously. She moved past him and headed for the ship he had indicated. She was only about 5'2" and what little hair could be seen without grease looked to be blonde. It was cut short as if by a blade.

Kace gave her a smile, and moved ahead toward his ship. Once inside, he led her toward the cabin. "Bed's there. If you want to wash up, it's in there. And, if you need anything, just give me a shout."

Elisia whispered, "Thank you." She moved to wash her hands without a backwards glance and curled into a small ball and promptly went to sleep. She was too tired to care anymore if he was being honest or if she was in danger. She just needed to sleep.

Kace smiled as she fell asleep faster than anyone he'd ever seen before. Not that he'd seen many people fall asleep. He watched from the doorway for a couple minutes before returning to the small galley. He couldn't remember the last time he'd had a bite to eat, and with...with the girl asleep in his cabin, he figured a quick meal was in order before getting back to work on the Corellia. He'd definitely have to find out her name later. She needed her sleep for now.

---

"Hide 'n Seek"
By: Elisia Melouet
Kace Mordin - Traveller

Location: Drogen Shipyards
Date: Selene 6, 3 ABY

***

Kace was still working on his ship when the shout from below caught his attention. He ignored it at first, but soon it became insistent. He looked down and sighed. Dargus' guards. The crimelord couldn't be demanding another meeting already. Maybe he just wanted to piss in the sand again.

"I'm busy," he called down, keeping his attention on the welding he was doing. "It can wait."

"I just want to ask you a few questions, sir," one of them, probably the leader shouted. "We're conducting a search and would like your assistance."

Kace shook his head. "I turned Kandran down once," he said. "I thought that would be good enough. Tell him I don't want to work for him."

"This has nothing to do with Mr. Kandran's employment. Please come down before we are forced to take more drastic action."

Kace laughed. He could sense all of them. Dargus hadn't given them a ysalamiri to share. "Drastic action," he said, still chuckling. He moved to the edge of the ship and jumped down, doing a double-flip during the fall. He could tell they hadn't expected that. It made him smile. "I don't think you know the meaning of the term. But, I'll listen to you if you make it quick."

The leader sneered beneath his helmet. "We're looking for a girl, sir--"

"Doesn't Kandran have enough girls already? Why does he need to send his goon squad out to find more for him? You boys really need to look into another line of work. Or, do you like scouring the station finding dates for your boss?"

The man was getting mad. His posture, the tone of his voice. It was all evident of a man clearly upset at having his authority challenged. "Your insolent tone is likely to get you into deep trouble with Mr. Kandran, I assure you. I would suggest a change of attitude, sir. Now, have you seen a girl. About sixteen. Small. A dirty, smelly little street urchin. She has been stealing from ships around the yard. A little thief who'll steal the ship right under you if you don't watch her."

They were looking for his little stowaway. He frowned. He looked up to the blank faceplates surrounding him and shrugged. "Nope," he said. "I've just been repairing my ship all day. I haven't seen any urchins for you to accost. Though, there is a rather rude guy over in the bar selling these little baubles he says hold part of the Force. You might want to accost him. A charlatan if I've ever seen one."

The leader was looking at Kace hard, searching to tell if he was lying. Kace met his gaze and let his eyes flair slightly, the blue glow shining off the faceplate. The man took a step back.

"I haven't seen her," Kace repeated. "You should search elsewhere."

He waited until they were gone before going back up into the ship. So Dargus was looking for her. He frowned. What game was Kandran playing? What did she have that he wanted? Was it the Force? Did Kandran think he could control a little girl to give him more power?

He went to the cabin to look in on his guest.

The child was still sound asleep. Her young face was so grimey that one couldn't really even make out her features. She hadn't moved a single inch since he had left her. The air around her however shimmered with an almost palpable energy. Much like a ship's shielding for battle. Most people wouldn't have been even aware it was there, other than maybe the hair standing on the back of their necks.

He smiled. He'd let her sleep as long as she needed. He returned to the outer hatch and closed it. Once the ship was sealed, he cycled the security system. He took a seat and grabbed something to read while he waited.

It was five hours before the door to his cabin tentatively opened. Elisia saw that the man was communing or something and moved quietly towards where the ramp had been when they entered the ship. She did not want to stay in one place too long. Someone always seemed to come looking for her.

As she got closer to the door, Kace smiled. "It's locked," he said. "But, I wouldn't go out there right now. There is a powerful, evil man out there looking for you. He has all his guards out there looking for a dirty urchin." She froze in her tracks. She seemed to almost wilt. "There always is.. " she murmured. She slid down the wall and sat down. "I am sorry, I did not mean for you to be involved. If I leave, they won't have to know you hid me. I promise not to tell."

He moved from where he sat to his feet in one swift move. "I do not mind being involved," he said. "Especially if the cause is right. I will do whatever I can to help you. But first, you need to clean up. And, you'll need new clothes. They're looking for a dirty urchin, so that's what they'll be looking for. If you're not a dirty urchin, they won't find you."

She looked at him suspiciously. "You mean take a bath. I don't take baths," she said insistently. A strange look of fear filled her face. "Baths get you hurt."

Kace looked at her, wondering what had happened in the past to make her fear bathing. "You'll be safe this time," he assured her. "I'll be nearby. If anything happens, just call me and I'll be there immediately. And, if it makes you feel better, I'll keep my eyes closed."

She frowned. "What good will a bath do? I have nothing clean to put on." She understood the wisdom of changing her appearance, she had done it before, though never by bathing.

"I will find you something to put on," he said. He looked her over as he tried to determine what size would fit her best. "You will be safe in here for fifteen minutes while I'm gone. My ship has very good security. No one but me will be able to enter." He looked into her eyes, his own blue eyes glowing softly in the subdued lighting of his ship. "Please don't run while I'm gone. I don't know why Dargus Kandran wants you, but he's got a healthy portion of his forces looking for you. He'll defile you in ways you never imagined, and with your power, he probably has even darker purposes in store for you. Will you stay here while I'm gone so I can help you?"

She knew he was being truthful She didn't know how she knew but she could feel his genuine concern. She nodded that she would stay. "If you are going to find something for me to wear.. can.. can you make sure it is kinda big?" she said softly. She knew from experience that tight clothing was not safe for her.

He smiled. "Of course," he said. "I'll be back very soon." Once he was certain she was safe, he turned toward the exit. He stopped at the hatch and frowned. He sighed and grabbed his lightsabers and cloak. He was getting himself into the middle of something against someone he knew had no mercy for those he faced. He wouldn't let his guard down again. After a final glance back to his guest, Kace vanished from the ship.

Elisia looked around. Her first instinct was to take everything not nailed down. But the man had been kind to her and she couldn't bring herself to do so. She decided she would bathe while he was gone. She scrubbed with soap for a really long time. It seemed like each time she rinsed there was just more dirt. Finally satisfied she curled up in a blanket. The dirty rags she had worn were in a small heap on the floor. She wandered to the galley and found a piece of bread and sat down nibbling on it. When Kace returned, she looked up at him and smiled hesitantly. Before him sat a girl of about sixteen, maybe older but it was hard to tell. Her face was framed by a wreath of soft golden curls. It still had that shorn look but was less severe now that it was clean. She was actually quite pretty, her skin clear with a small smattering of freckles on her nose. Her eyes were blue and still held that haunted look.

Kace smiled and set the package he'd picked up in front of her. He pulled off the cloak, but kept his lightsabers where they were. Watching her, he knew that he couldn't let Dargus get to her. He could see so much of himself in her. He squatted down next to her. "I see you found something to eat. If you want anything else, help yourself." He watched her for another moment, then pushed the package closer. "I didn't know what you'd want to wear, so I brought back a selection. All of it larger."

"Thank you," she said with a soft smile, the first one he had seen. She took the package, being careful to clutch the blanket to her and quickly went to change. It wasn't long before she returned. She had chosen a soft green shirt belted at the waist and a pair of loose black pants. She had put back on her boots and she stepped out nervously. By her looks, she might have been about 14 or 15, but looks could be deceiving. The loose clothes hid her matured figure to the casual eye but not to one looking more closely. "Well, how do I look? Any different?" she asked nervously.

Kace grinned. "You look great," he said. "And, if they're looking for a street urchin, that isn't you now. You'll definitely fool Dargus' men. Now we just need to get you down to the planet." He realized he didn't even know her name. "But, before that, what should I call you?"

"My name is Elisia." she answered, her grin echoing his. "I can't afford a shuttle," she said with a slow dawning frown. "It is easier to be forgotten if you look like someone no one wants to remember."

"You may not be able to afford a shuttle," he said, "but I can. Unfortunately, Kandran isn't letting any ships leave. But, I'll find a way to get you off the station. I know it's difficult to trust people. I know how you feel more than you could know, but I hope you will be able to trust me. I will get you out of here, and away from the danger that's looking for you."

"I have never met anyone named Kandran. Why Is he looking for me?" she said with a frown. "I guess I have no choice but to trust you. If you were going to hand me over, you would have already done so."

"Thank you," he said. "Dargus Kandran is a crimelord who operates in this area. The shipyards here are his, and rumor has it he has a floating pleasure ship that's impossible to find because it's always moving. Somehow, he knows about you, and he has his men looking for you. I've met him once, and I've heard stories. If he's looking for you, you'll want nothing to do with him. My guess is that because you are young, he will think you easily molded into whatever he wants. And, my guess would be that he wants to use you as a weapon because of your power with the Force. And, he'll force you to his bed, I'm certain of that. You'll want nothing to do with him if you value your freedom and your life."

Her eyes got large at his last few words. "How do I get off the station if he has closed it down?" she said, real fear in her voice as if she had already met him.

"We'll need to figure that out," Kace said. "There has to be a hole in his net somewhere. I won't let anything happen to you, Elisia. They'll have to kill me to get you, and I'm not an easy person to kill. You'll be safe with me."

"I don't want anyone to kill you. Trust me, I am not worth dying for," she said timidly. "Perhaps.. I could wish him to forget me?"

Kace shook his head. "It won't be that easy. My guess is he knows you're attuned to the Force, and he'll be prepared. He has creatures that block the Force. And, if it took my death to keep you out of Dargus' hands, it is worth it." His mind went to Yelara fighting so hard to keep her hands off him, and all because of her fear of Dargus. Her fear of what Dargus would do to him if he knew there was anything between them. "But, it won't come to that. I'll figure out a way to get you out of here. In the mean time, you can either stay here or in my room. Both have nice beds, warm water, and food."

"I can't stay," she said worriedly. He would want something in return.

He frowned. "Why not," he said. "I'm not going to hurt you." He sensed her unease. He wondered... "The only thing I want from you out of this is for you to survive."

She had never met anyone who didn't want something. She didn't know what to make of this man. She wanted to trust him. But instinct told her to trust no one. "Why? Why would you care?" she asked.

Kace shrugged. "Because I was once in a situation like yours," he said. "And, another man helped me out. He lost me to the dark side though, and I did some terrible things before waking up. Now, I'm trying to offset all the bad with good. It's a long convoluted story. I see a lot of myself in you. That's why I want to help. That's why I care. Besides, you're too nice a girl to get mixed up with someone like Dargus."

"You don't know I am nice," she pointed out. "What is this force and dark side you talk about." She slipped into a chair. For a street urchin, she talked well and she carried herself well.

He smiled. "What you do, with your wishes, that's the Force. The dark side is the path of darkness and corruption. I could give you the flowery story my master gave me when he first met me, but I'll spare you. And, I don't know that you're nice, but I feel that you're nicer than I used to be."

"I have done bad things," she said, looking down at her grimy nails. "Things most people wouldn't do." She put her hands down on her arms. "And now, I am trapped again and I don't even know why."

A look of confusion crossed Kace's face. "Trapped?"

"Hunted by your Kandran and trapped on his station." She shrugged. "Usually I know why I am being looked for," she said as an explanation.

"From what I've been able to gather, he's searching for you for breaking and entering and theft, and one of the guards out there even is claiming that you possess some glitterstim. Those are the surface reasons. Beneath that, I think your ability to wish people away and how he can manipulate that is the real reason he's looking for you. But, I'm not going to let him get you." He gave her a reassuring smile. "Why do they usually look for you?"

Again she shrugged. "It varies. A stolen vehicle, wishing someone away who does not desire to be wished away, sleeping where I shouldn't." Her tone was casual but there was a watchful tension.

He nodded. He'd traveled that road before. Though, he couldn't remember ever stealing a vehicle. "Well, you're welcome either here or in the apartment where I've been staying. I'll do what I can to give you privacy. I hope it won't bother you if I stay near by. I don't trust Dargus' goons to stay out if I'm not around. I think if I'm here, they'll think twice." He knew there was a wall still separating them, but he felt it was coming down slowly. "I won't try to do anything to you. I have no experience with women, so I wouldn't no where to start. You're safe from that with me."

"I think here would be better. If I am found, at least you can stay free to find me by saying that I was a stowaway. If I am in your quarters, they will hold you responsible," she pointed out with more wisdom than she had shown. Her demeanor took on a slightly older air as she relaxed.

Kace smiled. "Then here it is," he said. "Though, if anyone asks, I'd rather tell them you're my cousin. That will buy us more time than claiming you're a stowaway. Besides, I'm not going to abandon you like that." He checked the time and nodded. "I have an idea how to get you down to the planet, but I don't want to try until late tonight. If you're still tired, you can sleep in the cabin; I'll stay out here." A passing thought struck him that he could train her. He dismissed it as a foolish notion. She would probably not accept training from him anyway. And, he probably wouldn't be a good teacher anyway.

"Then I think I will go get some more sleep. To be honest, I haven't had much lately," she admitted. She got up and moved to the door and stopped for a moment, her head cocked sideways in a thoughtful stance. "You never know unless you try?" Then with that cryptic remark, she slipped back into where she had slept before and shut the door.

Kace stared at the closed door for a long time. Had she been--? He laughed out loud, amazed at how strong the young girl was. Once he was satisfied she wouldn't be coming back out, he stretched out on one of the couches and dropped off to sleep.

---